fourteen

Shawnie! (yes I will probably call you that for a log time) -- time has flown and here you are, taller than all females in the household now. You love to eat, run around, do gymnastics, fly your drone, swim, hang out with your friends, joke, watch funny shows, teach us about technology and our phones, do 3D printing, bake, cook and do chores (jk).

But you are awesome at chores!!!

This has been another year of transition and you showing maturity and flexibility. You have adjusted to being home and being back at your old school. You have made some good new friends and kept some old friends. You are becoming a leader for what is good and honorable among modern teens and for that I am proud.

Dad and I are so proud of the young man you have become. We love having you in our family. You remain the light in my heart.

Love, Mom

the cooks

Gary and I took our first cooking class at a local hotel, and it was so much fun. We learned to make acai bowls, salmon, a couscous dish, and my favorite...butternut squash falafels!

We met some sweet people who were visiting our island, a few of them were on their honeymoons.

I made the falafels once since the class. They are tasty but lots of work. I so appreciate being able to eat out sometimes to try time consuming recipes that I wouldn't usually make.

We were visited by a sweet young woman who taught us to make the acai bowls. She has her own blog, check it out at the balanced blonde.

sometimes you have to go island hopping

What a great idea. A short holiday weekend. A quick flight. We stayed both in Kailua and Waikiki and reconnected with old friends. Our kids loved seeing little Lantana who is now their official adopted cousin. What a bright light she is, all smiling and loving and innocent and so talented as a musician. With two parents who play amazing Balinese music, it's no wonder.

anniversary dinner

This past Christmas Gary surprised me with a dinner out...in February! It was such a fun night and we celebrated our anniversary. First we walked around a cute small town with gift shops, and then drove to the restaurant. A beautiful oceanfront location. The food was exquisite and we had lots of laughs.

I am very grateful to have found Gary.

swami's visit

This year when Swami came in January Sky had just moved back home with us. I was still getting settled after a quick trip to California, so instead of me, Gary travelled with the group to a neighbor island.  He had a great time. A few days later he arrived with the group, about fifteen people. They stayed at our friend Ron's house, which is around the corner from where we live.

Our new friends came also, with their three sweet boys. We all loved having them. We had meals together, went to the beach, swam in the pool, harvested tulsi to be sent to Japan, went for a hike, and of course, made a lot of ruckus.

Swami's visit brought new musical friends as well and some wisdom. He did a day long retreat and I got to ask a couple questions:

How do we develop patience?
How we we get rid of our personal negative tendencies?

His answers were great. In terms of patience he said we need to do two things: first we need to  have the understanding and wisdom that we need patience. And secondly, we gain patience through experiences. He used the example of a child having a tantrum. We stay in a higher state and don't beat the child out of love. We recognize that the behavior will pass. That takes patience.

In terms of internal change he said the first step is that we have to know that we need to make changes. Also, we often forget that our negativities are not our true, deepest selves. If we can be detached from negativities and recognize that they are not our true self, we can more easily make changes inside.

There was more but these parts stood out to me. I am always appreciative to spend time with wise and kind people and learn and grow.