The proud mama and a school year completed

Today was Kalei and Mason's last day of school! Thankfully we had a beautiful, sunny day filled with friends, slip-n-slides, ice cream (and margaritas for mom!;) They both came home with wonderful report cards, I honestly couldn't be more proud, such hard working little students they are! My little social butterfly, Kalei, never ceases to amaze me with her charm, intelligence, and humor. She has always been very polite but also outgoing and not afraid to be social. My little Mason on the other hand has grown so much socially and emotionally since he has started elementary school. The timid, shy, very emotional, and cautious little boy he once was, has now grown into a caring individual who can now carry on a conversation with someone, speak in front of the class, and make new friends. Though he is still very shy, he has come a looong way! I believe he has really benefited from his sensitive ways. His total consideration for classmates and loved ones is almost unreal. He has the biggest heart out of all the 7 year old boys I've ever known, he just melts me from the inside out. So today when I learned that he had won the Humanitarian of the Year award for his class, I was not surprised:) The teacher said he demonstrates "pono" which means be kind, be safe, and be smart. I think this award was just what he needed to help boost his confidence. Mason has learned to take his shy, sensitive and emotional side, which at one time was of concern to me, and turn it into something extremely useful and meaningful, something that will shape him into a gentleman and benefit him in future relationships. Mason, you've come a long way and mommy is so proud of you:)

Kalei

Ten years ago yesterday, on a sunny friday afternoon at the age of 19, I became a mother and Andy became a father. I remember that day like it was yesterday; I can remember her birth more clearly than the other two for some reason. Most likely because it was like nothing I had ever been through and it was the start of a new life for Andy and I; a life with children. She stared at us and blinked, her hair was a soft brown and a little curly. She snuggled right in with us and became a magical part of our family. She was embraced with love and affection by us and our entire family. The years went by and she grew stronger, smarter, and more beautiful than anything we had ever seen. Her heart is made of gold and her vibrance towards life is genuine and amazing. And now, 10 years later, I am realizing just how fast these years go. People aren't lying when they tell you that "they grow so fast." She's growing into a little lady that is done with princess dresses and tiaras. She has joined the world of cell phones, email, and lip gloss. As I fight back the tears while writing this special message about her, I know she is going to grow in to an amazing young woman who is strong, inspiring, and will spread love wherever she goes in life. Andy and I could not have done this on our own, it took our entire loving families to help shape her into the lovely little girl that she is today, and to that we are thankful for. So happy 10th birthday to our little Kalei girl, our little moose moose, we love you more than words can say:)

The adventures of Alli and Jill

Last Saturday my sister Alli and I participated in a bike ride called Flying Wheels. It was an amazing adventure and helped us prepare for our long Seattle to Portland bike ride coming up this July. We decided to follow the 45 mile route. This was the perfect length to start out with and had just the right amount of hills to make it challenging. I could not have had a better riding partner along with me that day, Alli and I never fail to have a blast together. The ride was full of laughter, jokes, and conversation. Its never a competition between the two of us because we are similar in so many ways! Our riding goals, fitness level, body type, and ambitions are almost identical, like us! We are constantly pushing ourselves because of the fact that if one of us can do it, so can the other! So when the riding became tough and one of us was lagging behind, all we had to do was watch the other one and we were able to push ourselves. Whether in a bike riding situation or just hanging out with family, my sister and I have the best time and are constantly engaged in breathless laughter; she is my twin sister and my best girlfriend:)

In a nut shell...

Yet again, it's been awhile since my last blog post! The school year is coming to a close and I am loving this feeling of eventual freedom! I've decided to take summer quarter off in order to spend quality time with the kiddos and to "rest-up" before going back to school fall quarter for some tough classes (mainly sciences, ugh.) I feel completely blessed to have been able to stay home most of the "early years" with my children. We have been lucky enough to avoid childcare which is amazing, but this does also come with a price tag! It has been worth the sacrifice of material things like a newer home, nicer cars that run for more than a couple years, and all the goodies that we would love to have, just to be there for our children. All these things will come in due time and will be all the more appreciated:) This eventful summer we have planned is almost the ending of phase one of our lives. Alex, my youngest, will finally begin kindergarten this fall and that means no more kids at home! Yipee, we made it! (I made it;) With this comes more responsibility for me.....school full-time. I will embark on a full-time schooling adventure that will hopefully lead me to my final destination, nursing. With a lot of hard work and prayers, this may actually be possible. Yes, I said possible, for little old me, to actually gain a career out of this life of mine. Shocking isn't it? Well, sometimes to me it is;) Until then, we will enjoy our summer as always, together. It will be full of beaches, parks, camping, friends, family, barbecues, bike rides, and an amazing family vacation. I can't wait!

For anyone who is doubting that there is a God...

Where do I start!

Well, its been at least a month, if not more, since my last blog posting. So much, yet not much, has happened recently. Winter quarter has been over for about three weeks now, thank God, and I am now enrolled in an online nutrition class. Compared to my recent chemistry rendezvous, nutrition is just a walk in the park. For me, my winter chemistry class was extremely trying; physically and emotionally. I was so blessed to receive a fairly decent grade though:) I was also extremely lucky to find that one of my good friends, Emmy, majored in science, BioChemistry I believe, and that was similar to what I was doing. She was an absolutely amazing tutor and I couldn't have done it without her! It was the first of many science classes I will encounter while trying to become a nurse. In a way, that class set the tone for what I will be going through over the next few years. These classes will continue to be a challenge and I am trying to prepare myself for a tough road ahead; but boy do I want it!

Another adventure coming up here in the near future will be completing the STP with my sister this July. (Thank you very much Alli for signing me up, you will be responsible for dragging me through the last 50-75 miles, lol!) So of course you would think I am in major training mode right now, right? Not so much, but I'm workin' on it! I just recently joined the gym again and have started taking their cycling classes. Signing up for this summer bike ride was actually a great incentive to get myself back in shape, both physically and mentally. Here goes nothing!

I'm so grateful for so many things in my life right now: three amazing children, who are doing great in school, a supportive and very helpful husband, a leisurely quarter for me as well, a bright summer ahead with lots of fun activities planned, a new niece to be born this May, lots of great girl-friends to have fun with, my sister coming home in 5 weeks, and just always being surrounded by an awesome family!

More to come soon...!

We had a wonderful time in the sunshine at the zoo!

Alex loved the fountain inside the Rose Garden!

Alex smelling the daffodils at the Rose Garden!

Kalei suited up for basketball! Ready for her last game!

Boys at the zoo! Alex 5, Mason 7

Alex enjoying Pho:)

For the love of grandparents!

I can't even begin to show my appreciation towards our children's amazing grandparents! Andy and I are so blessed to have such wonderful family in our lives. Since the birth of our daughter Kalei, almost ten years ago now, we have had an abundance of support financially, physically, and emotionally. There was never a hesitation to offer what they could. It's truly a pleasure to know such self-less people, and I know we could never thank them enough for what they have done for our family. The picture below is just a sample of what occurs in our daily lives. "Papa" accompanied us to China town the other day, helping to hold hands, assisting the kids with eating lunch, and filling us up with delicious treats from the local stores and bakeries! He is such a generous and fun-loving person. Our lives would not be as full and successful as they are now without all of the help of each and every one of our parents and family members. They have played a huge role in our lives just for caring about our well-being. They have all made a huge impact on the lives of our children, and to that I am grateful. I hope we can return the favor to our parents and to our own children someday. Until then, a big thank you to Irene, Tommy, Diane, mom, dad, and to all of the aunties and uncles, great-grandparents and cousins, and everyone who has been there for us to help us down this bumpy road we call life!

A family adventure to China Town!

My last day!

Yesterday was my last day working at the restaurant! I have had this job for ten years and just recently decided that my departure from there was long over-due. During my time there I moved from host, to server, then to bartender. It was a place that I was comfortable in and the people there became good friends of mine; we had so much fun together! It will be difficult not seeing my regular customers anymore, they all made a lasting impression on me and I hope I did the same for them. Now it's time to focus on my family and school, which is becoming more difficult the more I get into it. It is the end of a piece of my life that was constant, memorable, and something that I was good at. I will never forget it because it has helped shape me into the person that I am today; I've learned a lot.

Kalei

Success

Success. How do we measure success? Is it in what we accomplish or what we own? Can it be bought or earned? I suppose it's different for each of us. When I think of success in my life, I think of it as something I will need to work hard for, it's something that I want so badly. To me, success means an education, a career, a home to be proud of, and to be financially stable. This is what I am striving for. Maybe success is to work as hard as we can towards something to achieve our final goal. I wonder what it will feel like to finally be "successful?" Will I be fulfilled? I know I will be proud of myself for following my dreams, but will this make me happy forever? What if success is something that's on-going; reaching and changing goals as needed in life. What if success is being happy with what we have? People who love us and whom we love in return. Maybe success can be moving forward each day to improve ourselves and our surroundings. What is success to you?

A "beautiful" Seattle day at the park:) Sometimes ya just need to get outside no matter the weather!

And me, on a beautiful December day, happy to pick out the perfect tree:) Picture courtesy of Matt Sumi

My wonderful husband Andy and our sweet boy, Mason

Our new baby (He's a bit bigger than this now though:)

My beautiful boys, Mason and Alex, at Winterfest!(Kalei is in the other picture:)

The kids and me, cruisin around China Town!

Well, there's nothing like a wonderful chemistry class to make you feel like a total idiot. I study, study, and study, but seem to be going nowhere! Science and math are definitely not my strong subjects, and boy does chemistry deal with lots of math! Ugh! The tough part is I need to try my hardest to get an A in this class, we'll see about that....The good thing about all of this is that my brain is getting lots of exercise, it's having to deal with more than laundry, dishes, food, and other routine mom issues! Last night in chemistry lab I made a joke without even realizing it. "I'm just so out of my element in this class!" Get it...element...ok, maybe it was funnier at the time;)

Oh, and as soon as my mommy brain can figure out how to upload some darn pictures, I will post some!

Here goes nothin'!

Today, on this rainy January 14th, I begin my first blog. For a long time I have wanted to start a blog of my own. To share family memories and my own thoughts on life and more. I kept telling myself that my life was too blah, lacking excitement and originality. I'm not an amazing chef, an aspiring photographer, or a super mom! I'm just me, just Jill, trying to make it through life raising my children in the best way I know how and hoping to move forward in a successful manner. It may not seem like much of a life, but boy it sure seems busy and full at times! Managing a family, working, and going back to school, can be very interesting! Thankfully, this busy but average lifestyle of ours, is comforting and actually very fulfilling. Because of my great children, amazing husband, extremely helpful family, and a great sense of humor, we get by pretty well on this adventure we call life. Now, I'm am off to my third Chemistry class. Wish me luck!