3/12/2012 Grandma Serrao's 100th Birthday Family Reunion.

This was from awhile ago....  We got together in celebration of what would have been Grandmas' 100th Birthday.  So mom got her brothers' and sister's families together.  We had originally had it planned for Laie, with a temple session and a walk up to see Kaleohano's grave, but due to a big rainstorm, we made changes.  We met at the Aiea chapel which turned out great, we were able to stay dry and it was a more central location.  We will have to make it to Kaleohano's grave sometime though.



It was nice for us to see some of the family that we rarely see, especially since Micah and I had just returned home a few months prior.  Some family did not realize that we were home long term.  It's really nice to be close to family, but I do miss my cousins in Utah.

Also at this reunion Momi collected some photos and we had to guess who these photos were of.  Mom had us go around and recite who we are, meaning tracing our Genealogy back to Grandma, and for the over achievers, back to Kaleohano.  We Sang "Pili Pili Mai", and the other songs too.  Next reunion-Descendants of Kaleohano Nui, that will be nice.

Let's try again....

I know I haven't been the best in writing on this blog and it has been over a year since I posted anything.  I am still unaware of how many people know about this blog.  I notice a lot of my cousins and friends have not posted on their own blog in awhile, so maybe I don't feel too bad.  Maybe blogging is not as cool as it was before.  Needless to say, a lot like my journal writing I have been at a stand still with the blog.  Also like my journal writing I am going to try again.

I have made changes to the blog, updated some information and in the process of changing photos.  My photos that I have on here suddenly disappear and it's just not the same without photos, so I will try and work that out.

In February, just 3 months ago, I started a new job, which I enjoy, and is nearby so I don't have to travel far.  The job before that, I was driving everywhere it seems and no mileage reimbursement, plus I was falling asleep a lot and had to take pit stops on the way to town to take naps. Realizing that this job was not for me, especially with my sleeping, and after a lot of prayer and contemplation, I had decided to leave (even though there was no replacement job set).  My last day was on a Friday, I had an interview the following Thursday, and the week after they offered me the job and I started the Monday after.  It went so fast and it worked out so well, I knew Heavenly Father was answering my prayers.  This job was right in line with my experience and it was nearby and just what I wanted.  So I am now a Program Specialist working with individuals with developmental disabilities, Monday-Friday, ending my day at 4. If I leave right on time, the traffic isn't too bad too Nanakuli.  Anyway I'm loving it....I have a few stresses, but still, I am loving my new job.

Our Sealing-January 21, 2012

 I just recently received the photos that were taken on the day of our sealing at the Laie, Hawaii Temple and so here they are.  Thanks Nai and Bryce.

Micah and I at the fale with the temple in the background

This day I was joined not for just time, but for eternity with my husband, my love, my best friend, and now my eternal companion.  Thank you Micah for loving me with all of your heart despite all my many weaknesses that drive you nuts.

my parents with us

Micah's parents with us

Thank you to our parents that have made us what we are today, who have taught us to make choices that will ultimately help us to be more like our brother and Savior Jesus Christ.  "Life's a climb, but the view is great" (Hannah Montana Movie).  We now have started on forever and we now continue to endure this test called life.

carrot cake ordered from BYUH Catering....it was so good that Micah's mom has been asking to order it every time we go to Laie since.

my dad and Aubree having fun with the cake

Thank you to all of you that were able to join us on this special day, and also those that were there in spirit or even joined us for lunch after the ceremony.  We appreciate all your love, support and prayers.

can't get together with close family and friends without food

and entertainment

Lari, myself, and Gavon- my long time friends since our teenage years

Holidays at Home in the 808

So it has been just about a month since we have been here.  We are not settled in like I would have liked but, I think we have done pretty good considering the holidays and how quick we made the move.

 Christmas Eve was spent at Momi's home in Kaneohe.  As with tradition a spiritual thought was given to remind us of the reason for the season and then it was time for grab bag, that can get pretty competitive.  This year it was Ian and I fighting for the cheese balls and sparkling cider.  I got the cheese balls and Ian got the cider.

 and Christmas Day was spent in
Nanakuli at Micah's parents home.










The stack of Christmas gifts on the right side of the tree is for this little girl.  This is Micah's cousin's daughter Aurianna.  She is so adorable.

Another adorable girl is one of Momi's grand-daughters, Sanae.  Here she is with her Auntie Ame.

Don't forget the Ono Grinds.....on the Eve, we had beef stew, kalua pig, tripe stew, chicken long rice, pipikaula, poke, poi and other stuff.  The next day we visited the Gomes Family, and they had the same thing pretty much.  Christmas Day dinner was Turkey and Stuffing, Shrimp Macaroni Salad, well you get the picture.


Now that the holidays are done, now we can work on gaining a job and losing some weight.

HOMEWARD BOUND

No kidding,  everyone that knows that we are leaving are in shock, mostly because I have been here for 9 years and just never saw it coming.  Well  I can say again, that "with God, nothing is impossible".

Okay, so it' just my interpretation of what happened:

Micah and I have been working on our business and it has been great, we have done a lot and it has been a great start.  However, there has not been any profit and so we had decided to go back to work.  Our lease is about over and so we decided that this would also be a good time to consider returning home.  Micah and I prayed to see whether we should take this opportunity to go home or continue as planned and find other employment here and continue with our life here and continue to work with our contacts and team here with Kaleo Aloha Home Investments.  Well, we prayed, made a list of pros and cons and the answer surprised us.  I wanted to go home and Micah wanted to stay.  So we continued to pray thinking that we would continue on here in Utah, then I had a dream about my mom and it was a push in the direction of returning home.  If I had that dream any other time, it would have been just a dream, but it came during our intense questioning, pondering, and praying and it was the answer that it was time to come home.

With that push we acted and not much longer  than a month later we will be leaving for home.  I think it was within a week from receiving an answer from our Heavenly Father, we had found a great air fare from Los Angeles to Honolulu, had sold our truck, television and sectional and  had made plans to drive  to  Cali with a stop in Vegas to meet with some family and a chance to go to church in Riverside where I served my mission. We will also see if we can go to Disneyland as well (Micah has never been).  We have some more things to sell and if we don't, it will be given away or sent to DI.

So there you go, Micah and Teuila are Homeward Bound.  We arrive at home on December 5th at about 9:00 pm.  We are flying Hawaiian.  To those at home, we will see you soon.  For those in the 801, thank you for everything and making my 9 years so special and Micah's 2 great as well.  We will miss you all, especially our family.  Much Love and Aloha until we meet again.