Mele Kalikimaka!

This year we had a pretty quiet Christmas.  With Mike's friend Sam visiting us for a few weeks, me starting a new job, completing finals week for school, and our new church callings I think we both just wanted a few days to take a breather and appreciate each other. 

Christmas Eve I was working during the day (barf) but that night we got together with Rachel and played some fun games and had sparkling cider.  

Christmas day I was SO excited to open presents in the morning!  I had no idea what Mike had up his sleeve, but he got me this AWESOME chair to put on our lanai that I had been eyeballing at Pier One Imports.  I LOVE IT!  It will be great to hang out in this thing and watch the sunsets, or just read a book and RELAX.  Best present ever.

I got him a scuba certification which he is pretty excited to go do as well.  

Later that afternoon we went and watched Les Mis with Brett & Heidi, Caesar & Isabel, and Rachel.  It was the perfect Christmas movie.  I think Mike thought it was a snoozer (he's not that into musicals) but he admitted that the storyline was good and it was a well made movie.  Hugh Jackman was my favorite I thought he did awesome. 

We had Christmas dinner at Dave & Busters with everyone.  We are blessed to have such great friends out here on this rock!  Our friends are pretty much family out here so it's nice to have good ones.  As they say in "It's A Wonderful Life"... No man is a failure who has friends.  Truer words could not be spoken. 

Merry Christmas!

'Twas the night of the Championship

'Twas the night of the Championship, And all through South Beach

Notre Dame fans were saying, "Another title's in reach!"

The luck of the Irish had carried them through, with wins over Pittsburgh and even Purdue.

The Domers were nestled all snug in their seats, with visions of crystal... just one team to beat!

And I in my houndstooth and Crimson and White, knew for the Irish, it would be a long night.

When out of the tunnel there arose such a thunder, fans stood to their feet with amazement and wonder. 

The ground shook like an earthquake had just hit the field, and I felt Irish fear beginning to build.

They scattered and looked for some place to hide, as the announcer proclaimed, "And here comes the Tide!"

I sang "Yea Alabama," yes I sang every word, as Notre Dame marveled at the elephant herd. 

Led by a man both lively and quick, everyone knew that he was St. Nick. 

More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came.  He whistled and shouted, and called them by name. 

"Now Lacy! Now Millner, McCarron, and Fluker!  On Barrett!  On Mosley!  On Warmack and Cooper!

Miami is where Notre Dame's luck shall end.  The BCS trophy is ours to defend!"

Then after the kickoff, a beating began.  The Irish now knew that they were outmanned. 

They tried to get going, but never could start.  They were simply no match for the defense of Smart.

Brian Kelly cried out, "This just isn't fair!  Saban was given a month to prepare!"

But his cries were not heard, they fell on deaf ears. "We have to adjust!  We have to switch gears!"

Then Notre Dame ran what nobody expected.  The faked the reverse, but the pass was deflected. 

The ball was picked off!  The crowd let out a roar.  As the Bama defender walking in for the score.  

Saban spoke not a word to his crimson machine.  As the seconds ticked off, to number 15. 

If one thing was learned in Miami that night, it's that you don't bring a leprechaun to an elephant fight. And I heard the crowd yell to the losers in blue, "We just beat the hell out of you!"

-Sam Woodward

I phone win.

So my smokin' hot man recently got a new Samsung Galaxy 3, and he pretty much thinks he's the cool kid on the block.

He was giving his phone voice commands in front of me nonchalantly, but I know his underlying motive was to show up my iphone (PS, Siri is awesome).

Anyway this is what just went down...

Mike: (talking to his phone) Tell my wife 'I love you.'

Automated phone voice: "Sorry, I can't find contact 'your wife.'

Me: (in my best shocked and outraged voice) REALLY?  I am not even in your phone?

Mike: (talking to phone) Tell Marissa 'I love you.'

Automated phone voice: "Sorry, I can't find contact, "Marissa."

Really???

I phone win.

That is all.

My thoughts on Sandy Hook.

So often, hymns preach sermons more powerful than speeches by the most eloquent orator, or words spoken by any man.  Music can  penetrate the heart, and fill the soul with the spirit of Christ.  Such was the case for me as I heard these lyrics.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, 

Their old familiar carols play, 

And wild and sweet the words repeat 

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come, 

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along the unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head;

"There is no peace on earth," I said, 

"For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, 

With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till ringing singing, on its way, 

THe world revolved from night to day, 

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, 

Of peace on earth, good will to men!

  I was thinking about the recent tragedy in Connecticut... and as my heart filled with sorrow for the families mourning the loss of their precious children, I too pondered if there was peace on earth. As I sang the lyrics of this song I remembered that there is peace on earth; that insofar as we allow Christ into our lives we can feel of the solace and peace that the gospel brings.   

JPAC Arrival Ceremony

So this is something that I have been wanting to blog about for awhile, but as per usual procrastination has gotten the best of me and I have not yet had the chance!

Marianne and Jim, my awesome in-laws, came into town off a cruise for a few days.  We LOVED getting to spend extra time with them and having them in our home.

While they were here, we were lucky enough to get to see a JPAC arrival ceremony.  These were remains that were recovered from Vietnam, Kiribati, and Germany from WWII and the Vietnam War.  Mike was on one of the missions in Tarawa where they found some of the remains.

Here are some of the artifacts that have been found at different sites.  

My in-laws 

The plane that had the bodies in it prior to the ceremony

Transporting the body back onto the plane

The bodies were put on the busses and then transported to the burial site... Mike was on the bus.

It was a really cool ceremony to see and it helped me appreciate the work that my husband is doing!  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today was a great thanksgiving holiday... I love the spirit of gratitude that thanksgiving brings, and wish we could be more thankful all year round! 

I love this quote and have been feeling especially blessed this holiday season.  

It was hard not to be at home on this day with the family... but I was blessed to spend a week with my parents this month!  

Our Hawaii friends (the Aubrey's) had an awesome dinner at their place with some friends.  It was great... I made stuffing, which turned out a little soggier than I would've liked, but the whole pan was eaten so I think it was okay!  And I also made some bomb sweet potatoes.  I found a weight watchers recipe, and as I was cooking it taste tested it and decided it wasn't all that great so I modified it with more butter and brown sugar... needless to say, no longer had the nutritional factor going for it but they were delish. 

Also feeling grateful to be with the hubby and spend some good quality time since his return from his latest mission in Tarawa!  I had a blast hearing his tales of adventure from his latest TDY... it was a very eventful mission and he loved learning the history about the battle that happened there in WWII.  

There were 1700 American marines killed on this island in '43.  

Here is Mike standing next to one of the huge guns the Japanese used to fire at the Americans when they were invading the island... they had ripped them out of navy ships and put them in strategic points around the island to defend themselves. 

As the American ships were sailing in they got stuck in the reef about 600 yards from beach and the marines had to get off the ship and wade through the water (under heavy machine gunfire) to get into the beach to even start the battle with the Japanese.  

What a crazy (and overlooked) piece of WWII history! 

So that's the latest, just enjoying our time together!  

PS... one other quick funny that happened yesterday.. so Mike has been talking about how he wants to get the new Halo 4 game... well I decided I would surprise him yesterday and while he was out running errands I went to Gamestop and picked it up for him.  When I returned home (and my heart was beating out of my chest, every time I try and surprise someone with anything I nearly give myself a heart attack) HE WAS SITTING ON THE COUCH PLAYING HIS NEW HALO GAME!  Yes, that's right, we were simultaneously buying the same game.  Talk about being on the same wavelength!  Oh I just love him. <3

52 minutes

Mike gets home in 52 minutes.

That is all. : )

...my days at ho'okele...

Let me just start off this post by saying that life is crazy!  Good, hectic, stressful (the good kind) and full of joy. 

My job is one source of my contentment.  It's so strange how much work influences my outlook on life... probably a little too much, but I feel a lot of reward when it comes to my job.  I am a scheduler / caregiver for a care at home company called Ho'okele.  I have never worked in a more cohesive office, where everyone works together with a great attitude (except one lady, who shall remain nameless. but she's pretty much the exception to the standard there).  

I go to work and the time just flies.  And that is a huge blessing.  

I am grateful to have a job that I love in an economy where so many suffer and struggle finding work.  

God bless America! 

{football saturday}

So I woke up on Friday morning with a pit in my stomach.  

I had dreamed that Alabama lost their football game, and I had to tell Mike over the phone that his team's national title dreams were dashed.  

I was so relieved that it was just a dream... over breakfast I told my parents I just didn't think I could handle his disappointment over his team losing!  It makes me so sad in my heart.  

Then this Saturday arrived and.. sure enough, to my dismay, Bama lost their game.  

And so now, the phone call that I usually anticipate with great excitement...well... I am dreading a little bit. 

Perhaps we take football a little too seriously in this house.  : ) 

Roll Tide & Rise and Shout!  (sidenote... BYU smashed Idaho.  This is nothing groundbreaking, but its happy news for me!!)

{never forget}

Today we got to spend a lot of time touring Pearl Harbor.  I never get tired of visiting the historic harbor sites and remembering the WWII attacks.  

We started with the USS Utah. 

Here there are about 60 men still entombed from the attacks.  Very sobering sight to see. 

We also saw the USS Oklahoma Memorial...

Each white pillar represents one of the 429 lost souls of the Oklahoma.  

The Oklahoma is near where the Battleship Missouri is docked.  The Mighty Mo is where the Japanese signed the surrender treaty in 1945.  

From this bench near the Mo you can see the USS Arizona memorial as well. 

Mom and dad also enjoyed trying to imitate the famous kissing statue... 

It was such a fun afternoon.  I saw this quote I really liked at the Oklahoma memorial -

"for history does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid"

-pres eisenhower

Thankful for this wonderful country we live in, and those then and now who keep it free. 

{disheartened}

Like everyone else, I have been tired of the endless negativity of the political elections this year, and was glad when it came to an end today.  

I was saddened by the results - Since Mitt ran in 2008 I have been so excited and hopeful and to have the hopes dashed again was disheartening.  

For several reasons, which I don't want to delve into in this post, I feel that Mitt is the man for America.  

Here are a few pictures that really touched my heart this election year - it's true a picture speaks a thousand words!! 

I am so grateful to live in a country where we can vote and elect our leaders.  Where we are free to worship how we choose, and to fill our time with extracurricular activities.  Love you 'Merica! 

Historical Honolulu Sunday

This Sunday was really nice!  I got the chance to take my parents to the Moanalua Ward with me, and it was so fun to introduce them to everyone.  It was great. 

We went downtown after church and saw Kamehameha and Iolani Palaces.  For some reason I thought they do a ka'maina discount every first Sunday and let you in for free, but I guess it's actually the second sunday of each month... ANYWAY, we just walked around the buildings and took fun hawaii pictures. 

Mom & Dad in front of the Kamehameha statue.  Irrelevant sidenote there was a Japanese tour bus taking pictures as we were, so I'm pretty sure we photobombed at least 30 Japanese people's pictures.  That's just how we roll. 

I really enjoyed Dad's impersonation of the haka (not sure how to spell that, but I think that's right). 

Mom and I in front of a super sweet banyan tree! Those things are amazing.  

After we walked around the palaces we went up to the Pali lookout and enjoyed the view there.  Mom didn't like the story of the Warriors being forced off the edge of the cliff, however... 

Everything is so green and beautiful at the look out.  It kind of has this mystical feeling there. 

There you have it!! Our day of Hawaiian history.  I am sure there will be more to come! 

Confession.

I have a super embarrassing confession to make.  I just updated my password to log in to blogger... It used to be *takes deep breath* jakeheaps.  There. I said it.  

The awful quarterback from BYU who I would like to purge from my memory was just starting his reign of terror when I created this blog.  

And I still had not changed that password.  Shame on me.

Until now.  Sigh of relief.  As a sidenote my husband has had discussions with me about password security... so just so you know, I didn't change it to anything ridiculous like rileynelson.  

I have mostly been busy with work as of late.  Which is good.  I love my job at Ho'okele in the office, and I love the part time field work I do as a caregiver.  It's a perfect balance for me, and honestly, who gets to do both?  I worked with a patient this week who gave me some flowers from his garden... they are gorgeous and absolutely made my day! 

Also enjoyed a nice date up on the north shore with my man since I have last blogged... wow it's been a while!  Anyway, he is pretty hot and I really enjoy this picture so I'll share it with you. 

So rugged and manly with the sexy button up and the shades... and such a boy with the cotton candy flavored shaved ice.  One of the million reasons why he is perfect for me.  

Life is good.  Today the parents flew in from the mainland... It has been so fun.  The past few weeks I have been busy making ribbon leis with my friend Kandace to prepare for their arrival.  We spent hours making these leis.  My mom's already broke but they do look sweet.

They had just arrived from their journey at this point, and were pretty tired.  Mom power napped while dad & I watched the Bama game for a little while.  

We left just before the 3rd quarter to catch the sunset at Hickam Beach... (man I must really love my parents to be dragged away from the nail biting end of that game... spoiler alert, bama WON!).  

It was a beautiful night.  A wonderful sunset to behold. 

There was a flag up for some function that was going on, so we took a picture by it.  This is my beautiful mother... 

And we also played some boggle by the beach... I won't say who won.  : ) 

So glad to be with my parents and enjoying paradise!  

14 Things on the 14th

I seem to have a lot on my mind right now.  Maybe, if I blog it all out it will stop circulating around my cerebral hemispheres and I will get some sleep!  

1.  Super homesick lately.  I have been seeing everyone post absolutely gorgeous pictures of Utah in all its fall splendor.  One of my favorite times of year - dad's pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, crisp autumn air, hoodies, hot chocolate, scary movies (okay, scary movies I mostly stopped watching because my husband doesn't like them, and when he leaves I really just can't handle myself.  I digress). Long story short, I love Utah fall.  

2.  Feeling some measure of disappointment in my football team as of late.  If you don't know I am a cougars fan, you can probably just stop reading now. : )  I had much higher expectations for the cougars this year and they have disappointed.  I still love them though. 

 

Hopefully they pick up their game for the remainder of the season!

3.  Lots of gratitude for great friends.  Had some dinner with our good friends the Aubrey's yesterday.  Rachel is my workout buddy - I swear if it weren't for her my happy butt would miss many a good workout!

4. Random story... So my bff in Utah, Emilie recently got engaged to her man Landon (SO happy and excited for them).  Anyway, Landon told me if I ever came across an Elder Sorensen serving here in Hawaii to tell him hi, because they were great friends.  Elder Sorensen just got transferred to our ward here in Moanalua!  Such a small world.  He was so happy to hear about Landon and Emilie and I have to show him some pictures next time.  Love when things like that happen.

5.  Feeling a little bit of work stress.  Right now I am torn between 2 jobs.  Job A pays 15.50/hr, but is inconsistent with hours and unrelated to my degree.  Job B pays 12/hr, is related to my field, and a perfect schedule.  Gah.  

6.

                                     

This... should never happen.  Blasphemy.  

7.  Roll Tide!  Despite my favorite team's lackluster appearance, Bama is doing great.  I am enjoying cheering them on as they work their way to what looks like another national title.  The crimson tide is fun to follow and their fan base is crazy.  and I love it. 

8. I am so excited for Breaking Dawn part 2 to come out!  I am in love with the twilight series.  Hate away. 

9.  General Conference was great last weekend... and still is great.  I am enjoying listening to the talks in my car on the way to and from work and it definitely makes a difference in my day when I take the time to listen to our leaders and ponder the wonderful counsel they have for us. 

10.  The debates.  The election.  Get involved!  Whatever your viewpoint, where ever you stand politically, learn about your candidates and vote.  It's going to be a pivotal year and I am getting super excited.  

11.  Emilie and Landon's wedding!!  I am so excited to go back to Utah in March and see my best friend go through the temple and be sealed.  Awesome. 

12.  School is absolutely insane!  My favorite class is Pathophysiology - the study of disease - and it's tough.  But so interesting. 

13.

                                  

Latest pinterest project - SUPER cheap cell phone cases!  And you can change them out yourself whenever you want (all you do is get a clear case, and cut your designed paper to fit in the back!)  LOVE when I find budget ways to be crafty! 

14.  This man.  The best. : )

14.  

A really good political post.

With all the political clamor going around, I thought I should bring it back to some of the more important issues. 

For instance, who would you vote for if the VP's switched hair styles?

That is all.  Your welcome. 

Maui, Conference, Life!

Time for a completely random post of the fun things that have been happening the past few days! 

My sweet mother in law cruised in (literally) for a day.  She had the great idea of flying to Maui for a day trip while Mike and his Dad spent a day on board the cruise ship that they are on.  

It was a little crazy getting going, but we made it!

We were flying on separate flights - and I flew on the teeniest plane I have ever been on!  It kinda freaked me out as Mike and I recently watched a movie where a little plane, much like the one I was on, wrecked.  Everyone in the movie died.  I hate movies like that.  cough cough Red Dawn cough cough.  I digress. 

My mom-in-law got some super cool shots of Oahu as we flew away that look AMAZING!

That one is my favorite.  

Anyways, we got there and went on a pretty sweet Zipline!  It was SO PRETTY!  I was just so excited to be off Oahu and somewhere new! 

Our guides were hilarious.  They had us laughing the entire time.  

It was an adventure that's for sure!  We were zipping over pineapple plants too, who knew it took 18 months to grow a pineapple!?!  That's longer than it takes to grow a kid. 

After our zip tour was done we drove into the cutest beach front town called Paia.  We got the BEST shaved ice there.  

It was the perfect treat to cool down and enjoy the Maui scenery.  All too soon we had to head back to the airport to catch our flight home.  

Luckily that night we got to go on board the Holland America ship and all have dinner together!  It was so yummy and made me want to go on a cruise SO BAD! I love cruising.  

There is a blurry picture for your enjoyment of Mike and I enjoying the smorgasbord of delicious food!

We had such a wonderful time and were sad to say goodbye, but they set sail for American Samoa that night, so hopefully there is some enjoyment going on at sea right now! 

This weekend Mike & I thoroughly enjoyed conference this weekend!  Since conference plays ridiculously early in the morning here, we just waited until later and went down to the beach and listened to some of our favorite talks!!  Here is our beach conference oasis...

It was so peaceful in our little tent in the shade eating sushi, listening to the waves, and hearing the inspired messages of our leaders. 

My favorite was President Uchtdorf, who's message was to slow down in life and not be so focused on the finish line, but rather enjoy the journey.  I absolutely love that man.  And yes, that is something I am going to work on.  

Enjoying our get-away for a day together.  

And we got some shave ice after!  Great conference weekend!