... still looking back!

Everyone that left the island told us they missed it and part of me knew I would but I'm really surprised how much I am truly missing the lifestyle of GUAM and the easy going, no rushing, laid back ways.  We've been in California for 3 1/2 months now and part of me is still "looking back".  

These photos were taken by the amazing Brynja on our last full night on GUAM.  So thankful that the rain stopped long enough for us to capture our time and truly enjoy the island, the way I was hoping to - one last time! 

Mia still asks on a daily basis, "mommy, tell me again why did we move away from GUAM?  I want to go back now!"  Sweet girl... I wish we could... just one last time!  The last year flew by with Dale away on his deployment... it would be nice to have had one last year to enjoy it with him there.  I'm so thankful for our time and making such wonderful memories... some that will truly last a lifetime!

Mommy & her beautiful girls

Daddy & his growing boys

LOVE THESE KIDS!

BROTHERS

SISTERS

DANI

MO

MIA

RY

DALE & DOT

... saying FAREWELL to GUAM

TARAGUE BEACH

Our 3 years on Guam went so fast.  We loved exploring and enjoying all these beautiful locations - one of our favorite places was Tarague Beach.

Jazzie & Mia are a silly duo!  I loved watching their friendship grow... WE WILL MISS YOU, JazWaz!

US Naval Hospital GUAM... Daddy's last day of work!!  

We're now checked into our hotel room... 3 more days and we're leaving GUAM... I haven't been very good at keeping this blog up... I've started a different blog... but I guess we got too busy having too much fun on this beautiful island.  We will miss it here!

... more thoughts to follow... but as I type I'm facing the gorgeous ocean...

Attitude is Everything!

There once was a woman who woke up one morning,  looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. Well," she said,  "I think I'll braid my hair today?"  So she did and she had a wonderful day. The next day she woke up,  looked in the mirror  and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.  "H-M-M," she said,  "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today?"  So she did and she had a grand day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror  and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.  "Well," she said,  "today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail."  So she did and she had a fun, fun day. The next day she woke up,  looked in the mirror and noticed  that there wasn't a single hair on her head.  "YEA!" she exclaimed,  "I don't have to fix my hair today!" Attitude is everything! Be Kinder than necessary for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.. Live simply... Love generously... Care deeply... Speak kindly....... Leave the rest to God

Ephesians 4:2 (New International Version, ©2011)

² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.


April 3rd, 2011 - 

Last night Ryan asked Dale to buzz cut his hair... just shave it all off - leaving a short stubble all around his head.  I'm not fond of it... but Ryan was so excited about the fact that he no longer has to do his hair... until it grows again, of course!  This story made me smile and made me think of RYAN. Never having to seek approval, really not caring what others may think... but just taking chances and smiling through it all!   I just hope that he will always use this attitude for GOOD things.  I've had some heart to heart talks with some of his teachers at school and they are also aware of his leadership skills... just channeling it in a positive way is the trick!  I LOVE his attitude.  I LOVE his happiness!


This morning, I found his older brother staring at himself in the mirror... running late for school I quickly asked him, "What are you doing?"  With a smile Mo tells me, "I'm wondering what it would look like if I buzzed my hair like Ryan's".  He's my thinker... my analyzer - never jumping into things.  One time a barber shaved his head like Ryan's haircut and he really didn't like it - yet here he was again analyzing it because his brother's attitude about his short hair was infectious!  This month he is turning 13.  I will be a mommy of a teenager!  The fact that he takes his time to think things through is exactly what I need to help me get through these beginning teenage years.  He announced a few weeks ago that he has a "girlfriend".  He's realistic about it all.   I LOVE that he is open enough to tell me this.   I LOVE his smile.  I LOVE that he thinks things through.

A few weekends ago I had a different situation.  We went to a baby shower and while the mom's were in one room... the daughters were able to go next door and get their hair braided, styled, nails done... just a little pampering session.  Dani wasn't sure if she wanted to get her hair done... decided on a braid... and after I asked the girl to braid it... she said she wanted to wait until her sisters b'day party 2 days later.  Well... the lady braided it anyway (because I asked her to)... and on the way home she was teary and I asked her why the tears?  Sweet girl didn't want me to get upset that she wanted to take the braid out as soon as we got home.  She didn't like it.  She was upset that I paid money to have it done... that she wasted MY money!  OOOoh my sweet girl... so thoughtful and considerate and always worried about others over herself.  We had a heart to heart on the car ride home and I told her not to worry and that it was okay if she took out the braid... LIFE is too short to be upset over these little things!  I LOVE that she cares.  I LOVE that she considers others.

... and then there's little Mia.  Her hair is taking it's sweet time to grow in.  She makes comments often about wanting to go to school.  We heard a trick that when kids can reach their arm over their head and touch their ear... then they're ready for school.  She takes this literally and every day her little fingers are getting closer and closer to her ear... and the excitement of it all is building daily!  She did manage to move up to the Kindergarten class in church because she turned 4 years old.  That was exciting news!  She couldn't wait to get to church!  Then reality hit.  She was the only new kid.... and the kids were singing a song she didn't know.  Looking at me with uncertainty I snapped a photo of her and decided that I needed to leave the room before she changed her mind. Without saying goodbye, I started to shut the door and our eyes locked... with tears welling in her eyes... she gave me that big girl wave and my heart just sank knowing my little girl is growing up!   She did awesome... she stayed and didn't come running after me.  Definitely the easiest one to separate from me, showing no drama (unlike the three older siblings who all acted like I was ripping off their arms when I left them in a class alone).  I LOVE her independence.  I LOVE her eagerness to try.


Attitude is Everything!  I go to bed at night wondering if I did enough for my kids... did they learn anything from me... do they know they're loved unconditionally... are they enjoying their LIFE now and not wishing or wanting it to speed up.  As a kid we always want to rush life... but now as an adult... how I wish it could just slow down!  I'm so grateful to be able to enjoy my children at every stage... thankful to a loving husband who understands the need for one of us to be home and present for our kids.... and a partner in life who is actively involved in raising our children together!   It makes all the difference!

Guam Seahawks Basketball with Coach McAllister

 If an egg is broken due to outside force LIFE ENDS. If it breaks from inside LIFE BEGINS. Great things always begin from inside... so always believe in yourself:) ♥