Thanksgiving 2009: Physical and Spritual Feast

Thanksgiving of 2009 turned out to be an exciting event. On Wednesday, John went to Hawaii Kai to pick up his parents and I was at work participating at our school turkey trot. We came home and welcomed the Kloeppels into our home. That night I was fortunate to go to a movie with the ladies, it was really fun going by ourselves. Thursday, was Thanksgiving and I had a list of food dishes to get ready, and a plane to catch in the late afternoon. It came down to the wire but I managed to accomplish the meal and at 12:00pm we had a wonderful luncheon. Good food, good company, good everything. Get to the airport by 4:50pm and catch a plane to Kona, Hawai'i at 6:00pm. I was so excited I couldn't contain my excitment!
Prior to the planning of this trip, which had been a goal of mine since January 2009 as one of my resolutions, I encountered a lot of stumbling blocks along the way. From the La'ie Hawai'i temple being closed to waiting a year to do the work, and then getting it done without any family members present. It was an attempt I had to do for my dad by myself it couldn't wait, he needed to be with an eternal family. His parents needed him. I needed the comfort to know that he had a place and parents ready to greet him with open arms. All was possible with the help of my Heavenly Father, prayer, personal revelation, and friends ready to serve. The spirit was so strong at the temple and I know that everyone was pleased with me. It made me grateful to know that I was able to do this because I was obedient to the Lord's commandments and promptings of the spirit all my life. My grandparents waited 30 years for this blessing. Just comes to show that you should use the talents and gifts you are given to one day bless the lives of others waiting for you. I learned to act upon the promptings of the spirit, and to not give into temptation.
I returned home Friday night and was very grateful and able to now focus on taking care of my immediate family. My children were happy for me. They missed me while I was gone.

On Saturday I went to a funeral. A member of our community passed away. The funeral services and message was very uplifting and the message and music was just what I needed to hear. Basically those that are called early in life have a great work to do beyond the veil, and family members left behind should talk and share experiences about their loved one that left. It's all part of the healing process. So share your memories about your loved one and talk about times you remember when they were here with you on Earth. Also don't be afraid to approach others and tell them what you remembered about their family member.

That evening my husband and I were able to go on a date to see a movie. The movie was inspiring, uplifting, and taught me to that one person can make a huge difference in someones life. Now it's on to Christmas and remembering to LOVE our family, friends, and the world we live in. So that was my crazy, emotional, busy, whirlwind of a Thanksgiving break.

Hauoli Halloween

Halloween 2009 proved to have some scary changes. Not only was the crowd not there in Laie but the treats were different too. All signs of the economic times. We mangaged to keep one tradition alive and that was trick or treating with Auntie Amie, Joshua and Lavania. Prior to that evening we went to Kaden's soccer game and shopping with mom. No time to buy and carve a pumpking this year, or even pick one from the patch. However, all in all we made our own fun, with great company, food, and a movie. We look forward to next year and hope it will be filled with a little less change. Now it's on to Thanksgiving...

Our 1st Memorial: Remembering Our Dad/Papa

On Wednesday, October 28, 2009 our family remembered Dad/Papa. We served his favorite foods and we invited close friends and neighbors that helped us last year through this difficult time. We watched a video that was made at his funeral, and we shared stories. It was a start of a new year for us. We made it through all the first without our family patriarch. It was a roller coaster year and we just hope that we will have a better year ahead. We love our dad and papa and we will continue to prolong his legacy here in La'ie and in our family. Mahalo to all those who shared this night with us.

Enjoying La'ie's Festivities

It has been a busy and fun weekend. I didn't even have to leave La'ie to find thrills, excitment, and socialization. On Friday, we went to the 2nd Annual Haunted Lagoon which took place at our very on PCC in La'ie. It has opened since the beginning of October but took me this long to build up the courage to go. However, it helps when you have a good friend to go with. So we arrived early, and then waited in line. It was top notch entertainment with excitment, thrills, and chills. Then on Saturday, we went to the college to attend the Foodfest. The weather was perfect, tradewinds were back, and the company was awesome enjoying eating dinner outside. Who could have asked for a better weekend? I'm glad I was able to enjoy the festivities of La'ie without getting in a car to go to town.

A Relaxing Break

Well I've come to the end of my Fall Break with the kids. It was so nice sleeping in, making breakfast, and doing housework. Normally I wouldn't say that I enjoyed doing housework but when I work all day it's just piles up. When I stay home it gets done. So I was glad I had more control over the housework instead of it controlling me. It made me realize though how much time is taken away from the home. There are so many distractions now in this world that it puts added pressure put on me to be too many places at once. I must continue to have a balanced life, get organized, and most importantly say to myself you have to give this up today to do that. So back to work I go tomorrow and I look forward to doing the best I can do and appreciate the breaks that are to come such as Fridays I'm off, and Winter Break.

Fall Approaching

So the seasons are hard to feel temperature wise in Hawai'i. The temperature is pretty much the same all day. I can tell when Fall approaches due to the scheduled football games. Most convinently going to Kahuku High School football games. Not only is my 15 year old daughter interested in going to the games, but her mother is interested in going too and spending time watching her interact with her peers. I have been blessed with a wonderful friend who likes to go along with me to these games and we have children close to the same age. (Mahalo Amie!)We deffinitely have fun together and get some good laughs too.
Therefore because Amie has done such a good job being a weekly Kahuku High School sports reporter she has inspired me to write about going to see Football. Pictures will come next time. Mikayla, Kaden, and Kahana sure enjoy seeing the crowd, players and eating the grindz and the Kahuku Football Games. I sometimes feel like a celebrity when children I've taught both at Kahuku and Laie come together to take a moment to say "hi" to me.
Kahuku football if you live Laie, you gotta love it! Go Big Red! (I'm still a warrior though don't worry Kamehameha fans) I love you both! Imua!

A Summer of Change

Well our summer break is winding down and this has diffinitely been a summer of change. We all knew it had to come that life would not just be the same as past years but time crept up on us quickly. It was time for the Akana/Kloeppel families to accelerate themselves into high gear. On June 1 we rented our parents house to BYUH faculty, we were fortunate that dad built us a home with mom in mind. Mom got to move in with us and we have enjoyed every minute of it. She has done so much to help out with the children. Craig and his family were able to stay with us and they then ventured to St. George. It was difficult seeing them go but I'm very proud of them they were blessed with opportunities that they wouldn't have gotten if they stayed here. Our favorite friends and neighbors from Utah the Lloyds came to visit us. This was deffinitely the most memorable highlight of my summer. We just picked up where we left off and enjoyed spending time together. We got to relax with them and enjoyed Hawai'i. Going to Waimea Bay, Macky's Shrimp Truck, Celebrating Mikayla's 15th birthday and going to PCC to say the least... The time sure went by fast. We look forward to our next reunion together. I also taught preschool and got my skills tuned up so I'll be ready to teach Kindergarten this fall. Afterall that is my forte. Toward the end of the month of July I moved from 6th grade to Kindergarten, and am part of a new team which have embraced me as their colleauge. So far so good and Fall is yet approaching...getting ready for the Football games and Holidays. Yeah!