So. Delish.

I made this for lunch today. And it was so simple. THE most simple fettuccine I've EVER made, and the BEST by far. Word of caution. It's so simple you''ll want to make it all the time, but hopefully the amount of butter and cheese encourages you to make it for large crowds so you can share the calories and fat grams. The girls LOVED it. Hubby LOVED it. I LOVED it. And therein lies the problem. LOL

I couldn't be bothered with creating a clickable picture to take you directly to the recipe. Learning that is on my to do list and it isn't gonna get done today. Here's the page where this ridiculously easy, de-freakin-licious, and fattening recipe is located. Enjoy!

Sometimes it's awkward...

So it's been a really really long time since our last update. Coming back to update the blog after such a long absence is like running into a good friend in the grocery store. You know, that one friend who is so thoughtful in keeping in contact with you, and you keep meaning to call them back, but like the slackers we often are, we never do. And you see them in the store and for a split second your face radiates the joy you feel in seeing them.....until your guilt kicks in a nano second later and your face freezes as you try to either backtrack and make excuses or hope they didn't see you and you can escape....while you promise yourself you'll call them AS. SOON. AS. YOU. GET. HOME. (But you won't. Slacker. lol)

Anyways, needless to say between the last post and today, there have been numerous funny, wonderful, enjoyable, remarkable things that have happened, as well as our fair share of frustrating, disappointing, stressful things. That's how it goes. We just hope we handle ourselves gracefully in times of stress, and remain good examples for our kids. WE HOPE.

We're celebrating Kaleineneke's 4th birthday this weekend. She is, at this very moment, walking around the house with a plastic serving tray on her head, practicing walking like a 'princess' in her not so humble opinion. She's even practicing saying "Your highness", if only to teach her sister Lehuakona how to say it 'appropriately'. (Insert big sigh here)

4 years went by quickly. Her vocabulary is impressive, as are her cognitive skills, but what amazes us the most is her creativity. She is a 4 year old weaver of stories. She creates these intricate stories starring the clouds she sees in the sky as we're driving. Her emotions are just under the surface, ready to burst forth through song, dance, explanations and stories. We walk the line with enthusiastically encouraging her without her becoming vain (which we're seeing traces of.).

As for Pumehana, well, she's going to be 18 years old this year. Rather than feel old, her daddy and I feel accomplished. This baby was deemed 'unsave-able'. Doctors and nurses told us she would not make it past the few minutes it w

ould take me to go from my hospital room to the NICU. Our entire 'ohana has poured aloha and positivity into her little body, and encouraged and prayed for her and with her every step of the way. Her spirit is tremendous and we know she is filled with the aloha of her ancestors. She is an amazing big sister.

Lehuakona, our 2 year old is a bundle of energy, enthusiasm, and wit. She is by turns hilarious and stress inducing. SHE makes me feel old. Her creativity equals that of Kaleineneke, it just takes a different form. She is physically creative. By this I mean that she finds numerous strange and alarming ways to express herself. Such as....a half gallon of milk poured on the floor, followed by half a box of Fruity Pebbles with her stomping on them. Why? Because, "Hey Mommy! It's CRUNCHY!" with a huge smile on her adorable (well not so adorable at that moment) face. To provide some context, five minutes earlier, she had decorated her sister Pumehana's bedroom wall with dark brown crayon. Which is what I was cleaning while she decided to play "Snap! Crackle! and Pop!" in the kitchen. Today she decided she would paint me a picture. Using toothpaste. On the bathroom cabinet doors. And floors. I'm laughing now, but you can bet I wasn't finding it so humorous this morning. Even when she smiled and said "Do you like the picture I made for you Mommy?"

Mr. Carden and I are getting better and better at rolling with the punches. There's a lot of laughter at the kids' antics when we're laying in bed and the girls are sleeping. We've been doing great at our resolutions which were to spend more time with just the two of us each day. My resolution to read 100 books in 2012 is going superbly as well. I'm currently on 19 books and it's only March 1st. Yes, I'm feeling pretty smug about it. I do intend to post on our blog more often, and while that's not a resolution, it is a goal nonetheless. Hopefully these posts survive in some fashion over the years so the girls are able to read it when they're older. Because I'm NOT writing all of this twice.

The Gods of Sarcasm and other unrelated stuff

The Gods of Sarcasm have found their muse in Lehua. The other day, for what seemed like an hour but was probably only five minutes, she sang, at the TOP OF HER LUNGS, her favorite, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". At 8:00 in the morning. When I asked her nicely to please lower her voice, what does my little comedienne in the making do? She continues to sing at the same volume, but lays down on her back, on the floor. Thereby making her voice, "lower". Yeah. She's two.

What was really funny about it.....much later......was that I of course, wish I had a camera handy to record her doing it. In this digital age we post damn near everything to Facebook, including the pictures to go along with it, and everyone has their phones attached to their hands....except when something of actual note is happening. Ah well. At least I recorded it here on the blog. Maybe she can read it when she's....three.

As for unrelated stuff....I was recently told about something called "Hot Hula", which apparently is an exercise initiative, which supposedly uses Hula motions. My knee-jerk reaction is to bash the crap out of it, but I shall refrain. For now. Until I discover and *shudder* "observe" for myself just what "Hot Hula" is. For now, the words "appropriation", "culturally inappropriate", "appropriation", "commercialism" and yes, "appropriation" are popping like comic book thought bubbles in my mind.

We love you Aunty Kelly

I am determined. That one day I will teach myself how to fold a friggin fitted sheet. As well as I can a flat one. And maybe one day, I'll get over my fascination with and craving for bubble wrap. I confess I love it just as much as I love getting whatever came encased in it. It's the simple things, you know?

I noticed the date on my last post. Then I realized just how many things have happened since then. It makes me tired just thinking about all of it. Some of the highlights....Kalei turned 3, we went to Arizona for the Aloha Festival, got involved with the Utah Pasifika Festival. planning numerous events yada yada yada, The low? Today. Losing Aunty Kelly. Anything we might say only pales in comparison to the loss felt by our 'ohana. The grief is too new. The loss too all encompassing. There are moments, there have been moments throughout this where I'm wondering if I'm being enough of a comfort to my husband. You will always be within us Aunty.

"Kau i ke ki`eki`e ma luna o Ka`ala, keia pua mae `ole. Pa mai ana i ke Kaiaulu a honi e ka Ulalena. He pua ahi, he wehi aloha pili i ka poli o Pu`u O Hulu..."

This always vibrant blossom, placed high above the reaches of Ka`ala. Caressed by Kaiaulu and kissed by Ulalena. A blazing blossom, a loving adornment in the bosom of Pu`u O Hulu.

Ha'o mau makou ia 'oe e `Anake. Noho malie me na kupuna a honi i ka `ohana i laila no makou. A hui hou.

It's FEBRUARY ALREADY?!

Ahhh....it is FREEEEEEEEEZING in Salt Lake City! As in 12 degrees. Craziness, I tell you! So with this freezing weather, David was 'ono for Portugese Bean Soup. I've never made it before, but I thought, really...how hard could it be? Turns out, not too hard at all! Pretty simple, and it turned out super 'ono!! I absolutely love dishes that don't require too much fussing. Hey, I'm super busy, I don't always have time to fuss with dishes that require strict attention. Here's a photo, and I must say, the photo does not do justice to its taste. It's certifiably delicious.

So it's Valentine's Season. In our house, Valentine's is a Season all its own. We normally start around David's birthday, (Jan. 23rd) with decorating, getting goodies for the girls' Valentine's baskets, and February 1st always kicks it up, we do Valentine's baked goodies, a movie, and crafts. This evening we did Valentine's cupcakes, Winnie The Pooh's Valentine movie and heart wishes as a craft. I'd post pics except the girls got messy making cupcakes, then messy eating them, then add to that the glitter and glue for tonight's craft and well, you get the idea. Monstrous mess. But it's the first night of many, so I'm sure there'll be cute pics shortly. We will even have a Valentine freebie this week, for you to download, print and use! Fabulous! Lucky you! hahahaha

And lastly, here's a "only a parent knows" moment. I was doing laundry and I overhear Kalei saying, "'Kay, Hua, your turn!", followed by Lehua giggling, and saying a few minutes later, "'Kay, Leilei, your turn!" and they're both giggling. I'm thinking to myself, "Awwww.....I love when they play so nicely and politely with each other!!" My heart is turning to mush, and I'm starting (as in just for a nano second) to think, "Maybe my insistence on please, thank you, etc., is paying off!" Only to take the corner and see that while yes, they're taking turns, it happens that they're taking turns at the window, making googly faces at the landscapers who are outside clearing away dead branches. Nice. Yes they get scolded, all thoughts of taking them for a treat fly out of my head, and instead, we go back to the drawing book, and read about Bert and Ernie and the importance of being polite. Crazy kids.

Rolling on through January

Received a new planner for the year at work. Started out empty and in about five minutes flat, filled right up. Amazing how it does that seemingly all by itself. Geez. Then I realized, if I'm not careful, 2011 will be about crossing out each event one by one....versus living my life. Whew. Good thing I noticed that trend (it happened a lot last year unfortunately) early this time around.

So here's to 2011 being about not just going OUTSIDE of my comfort zone as much as EXPANDING it. Lots of things in the works for 2011....some of which may come as a slight shock to some, don't worry, it's a GOOD thing, and some not so shocking. Like you know, FINALLY getting Kalei and Lehua to COMMIT to toilet training. Because oh my goodness diapers (not to mention wipes, although I think we'll need those until they're much older...hands, faces, handprints...) are flippin pricey and for THREE kids?! GET. OUTTA. TOWN. Crazy expensive. We'll just have to keep at it.

BUSY WEEK this week! Ho`oponopono class, genealogy chant review, awa chants/ceremony, KALEA board meeting, Native Hawaiian Naming practices presentation with Hui Hawai`i O Utah, and ho`opuka...whew! But we do all these things so it's the "norm" for our girls, that they're raised being engaged in cultural practices and in the community. Trying to grow strong Native Hawaiian females, here people! LOL

BECAUSE IT'S WORTH REPEATING...

even if it has to be over, and over and, yes, OVER again.

"In a world filled with a GAZILLION people, there exists only a mere handful that share the same DNA, history and roots as you. Only a relative few that are connected to you so intimately, it exists on a cellular level that time, distance and lack of familiarity cannot diminish. THAT is 'ohana."

That's right, I said it.

The only thing that is permanent is FAMILY.

E KOMO MAI E 2011!!!

Cherish your past, it brought you here. Be engaged in your present, there's no time like NOW. Anticipate your future, every step will take you somewhere new. Here's to 2011 bringing love, light, blessings and ALOHA to us all!

Me and the favorite niece

Kalei and her Baba Rayce

Kalei and Aunty Ramie

Kalei and Baba Blayde

Me and my poor tired Hunny

I love this pic

There were LOADS of Christmas memories for 2010. TONS. Papa and Mama slept over on Christmas Eve to help the babies and Pumehana open their gifts from Santa, which was their most favorite Christmas event of all.

Playing with Aunty Stacie

Christmas breakfast with Mama

No saving the paper here!!!

Daddy and Pumehana

I LOOOOOOVE THIS PIC ABOVE. Christmas morning, both she and Kalei were so excited at seeing all the gifts that Santa left for them.

Pume and her most favorite people IN. THE. WORLD.

COZY THANKSGIVING

As we come out of the food hangover, we're springing RIGHT INTO CHRISTMAS!!!!! Can't wait to get the house all dolled up for the girls! Here's some shots of Thanksgiving with our awesome `ohana!!!!

More photos via facebook, I'm still too lazy from last night...and leftovers to post them all here...lol

Giving Thanks...

STILL trying to come to grips with Thanksgiving being this week. Sad, I know. Normally I'm much more prepared, so NOT being prepared is fully throwing my OCD self for a loop. Auwe. Anyhow, had a GREAT time at Hui Hawai`i O Utah Hawaiian Civic Club's 25th Anniversary party! Lots of kupuna, lots of friends, and family and of course mea `ai! So rejuvenated, and ready to do big things in 2011!!! Especially with KALEA! Was so funny, David was like, "Wow hon, it was so good to see everybody!" only he said it like 20 times. Can you tell he misses being with everyone??! Yeah, little bit. Hahaha.

Back to Thanksgiving though, in this time of giving thanks, I am acutely aware that not everyone will have a table full of food to gather around, not everyone will have a home to enjoy the holiday in, and not all of us will be surrounded by family and friends. Those of us who are fortunate enough to have even a little of these blessings, be thankful. Be humble. Be giving. If when you're celebrating, you experience a moment when it is all driven home for you, just how blessed you are, take the time to realize that not everyone will enjoy the same blessings. Then do something, anything you can, to change that, even if for just one person.

On a different, but no less serious note, one thing I am heartily grateful for is the fact that THERE IS NO CAPTAIN COOK DAY. Mahalo Ke Akua for this small blessing. In light of our Native American cousins examples, we can be grateful for this small gift.

We are now gearing up for the civic club's Christmas party which should be fun!!!!!!!!!!!!! So many things to look forward to!!! This Thanksgiving, we hope you all are bountifully blessed with the gifts of family and friends and the blessings of warm homes and warm meals to sustain you. From our `ohana to yours, may EVERY DAY BE A DAY OF THANKS

Happily UN-Frazzled!!!

So we have an event this weekend. And wonders of wonders, I'm not freaking out, I'm not stressed, my face isn't blotchy, no hives in sight, and my blood pressure isn't sky rocketing. No, I still have my OCD, it's alive and well, thank you. I'm fairly calm because my board ROCKS!!! My executive board for Hui Hawai`i O Utah Hawaiian Civic Club are doing an amazing, amazing, AMAZING job with all of the preparations for this weekend's event.

Not that yours truly hasn't been busy. I have. Extremely so. So much so that I walked past the calendar and saw that Thanksgiving was next week. Now, on a technical level, I did know that yes, Thanksgiving is next Thursday, but on a practical level? Well the whole idea seemed a little abstract to me. Focusing on Civic Club, and work, and stuff with the girls, shifted Thanksgiving OUT of focus, and put it into the "background". Walking past that calendar shifted the focus back, gave me a mini shock to the head and heart, and has now placed Thanksgiving smack dab in the foreground again. And just in time. Got the grocery list going, menu planning, decorations, and we're moving right along!

Even with our crazy lives, we receive gems from above every day. Lehuakona, our 19 month old has been happily starting to go potty all by herself! She's got the whole thing pretty wired, even if I say so myself. She'll strip off the bottoms and diaper, climb on the potty, balance, do her business, jump off, reach for the toilet paper, take care of things, flush and go to wash her hands. Mommy or Daddy are always there to supervise, but we just love her independent spirit! We'll get back to you when she's 15 and see if we're loving her independent nature then.

Kalei's creativity is growing by leaps and bounds. She now loves to draw and will make up little stories about what she's drawn, and she'll sit with a book and tell her sisters all sorts of stories about what she believes is happening in the book she's reading. Her memory retention is amazing. She's been able to pule in Hawaiian for a while now, she'll recite the whole thing, and is now moving on to teaching her sister Lehua, who can follow along with her. So cute. So humbling.

Pumehana is a typical big sister, gets after the babies when they're acting up, and hugs them tight when the crawl on her lap to snuggle. She's looking forward to watching Harry Potter this weekend, but I think it's more for the popcorn, which she loves. She loves taking the popcorn tub away from Daddy and putting napkins in his hand instead. Her way of saying "You've had enough dad." I guess. Kinda funny, because sometimes he doesn't even notice, especially if he's really into the movie, and goes to put the napkin in his mouth. You can't shut Pume up after that, she's laughing hysterically at that point.

David's been spending a lot of time with her, especially once the babies are calmed or sleeping for the night. He and Pumehana have Halo Reach disputes, with Pumehana always insisting she's winning, and that she has more "kills" than he does....then their teasing back and forth begins. Which Pumehana LOVES. All the while I get to get caught up on work, civic club, Kalea, community or household stuff. Lately I've been able to take care of all of that early in the week so amazingly enough I've had time to read. To the tune of 4 books since this time last month! I just realized that. Give me a moment to get over my shock. Ok pau. Mostly it's due to my amazing husband who will take care of the girls and stuff while I get work done. Leaving me time to read in the latter part of the week. So far, I've read "The Glassblower of Murano" - it was okay. "The Botticelli Secret" - it was better than The Glassblower of Murano, same author, "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" -pretty good once the story got rolling, and "Bed of Roses" pretty good, I was surprised I liked it. I'm now on "The Rossetti Letter" and so far so good.

Anyhow, that's our life as of this week. Holy moly that was a long post!!! Will have tons of pics to post after this weekend! Stay tuned!

MY side of the family...

From the last post until now has been a constant whirlwind of activity for me. A few times just recently it's started to feel a little overwhelming, but my amazing husband is always there to help relax me. No, not THAT way, but by being my sounding board, my support, my cheering section and my most amazing source of support and comfort. The fact that he "puts me to bed" every night with a massage doesn't hurt either. Not even a little bit.

But there have been a few things that have happened that serve to make me smile in recollection, one of which was having an AMAZING night at the `Ekolu concert!!! We rolled up with a total of like 45 of us that night, from brothers and sisters to nephews and nieces, cousins and friends, and it was so much fun!!! We had a great time listening to great music, surrounded by great people, dancing like I was 19 again....although, funny thing...I don't remember ever having aches and pains after a raging party when I was 19....ah, age, it may as well be a four letter word. hahahaha Mahalo piha to everyone who came out that night, it was a blast! Here's some shots from that night:

One other funny thing was with our 2 and a half year old, Kaleineneke. She comes up to me with her shape sorter and says, "Mommy! This is a pentagon, and it's my faaaaaaaaaaaavorite!!" So of course, daddy chimes in with, "Haha, my side of the family, hon." Wthout missing a beat I reply, "Uh-huh. SPELL pentagon." That reply is met with a blank stare. After a few seconds, which probably felt like minutes to my husband, he says, "Pssshhh....it's because she always sees stop signs when we're driving!" Again, without missing a beat, I respond, "Oh you mean those pretty red OCTAGONS? Uh-huh. MY side of the family." Hubs gives up gracefully and changes the subject. Hahahahahahaha too funny.

Such is life in our household. We lead busy lives, but who doesn't? Everything we do, is done as a family. Today's frustrations will serve as tomorrow's jokes, even if we're the only ones who get it.