Christmas 2012: Winter decorations

Keala and Ikaika's bush lit up during the blizzard

More bush lights in the front yard

The house and sidewalk lights

Christmas 2012: Day 3 festivities

This year Christmas spanned over 3 days instead of our usual one (and a half).  We actually attended Aunt Sandy's day-before-the-eve brunch and hung out with Aaron's Chury family.  The house was filled with cute little boys belonging to Aaron's cousins Jayleigh and Becky.

Today we went to visit Grandma Brlas at Wesleyan Village.

She loved her presents of jump suits, candy and perfume.

We also visited Cookie and Ken's house for lunch.  

Save some for us Uncle Bruce!  I enjoyed the turkey, green bean casserole and desserts!  We played scrabble on my iPad before heading home.  Unfortunately Eric's  not feeling well today.  We hope it's allergies and not the dogs or our house that's making him sick.

Christmas 2012: The Chury dinner

We had enough time to load and run the dishwasher with all our pots and prep bowls before Cookie and Ken arrived for dinner, part two.

 Keala hung out with Eric.  He's my college student worker staying with us over the winter shutdown period.

Kyle arrived just as we started eating.  Ikaika is happy to see his Uncle.  Eric's flan was a hit!  Next came our annual gifts exchange and relaxing with a movie.  Kyle picked Expendables 2.  Relaxing, right?  Aaron, Eric and I ended the evening with some Assassin's Creed III.
Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas 2012: The Brlas dinner

 The food is ready!  Almost right on time if the ham didn't have to rest.  The good smells is making me dizzy.

This year we had only Rick over for early dinner.  Grandma is in Wesleyan Village and Kyle was still doing his last minute shopping.

As usual, we got our yearly flannel pj's and snacks, and the pups got their big rawhide.  Thank you, Grandpa!

Keala did her parading around the house with her rawhide looking for a spot to dig and bury it.  It was a big task to take it away from her because she was very, very possessive of her present!

Christmas 2012: Cooking and baking

This year is a simple, blue and silver Christmas.  The lights are out on the house and bushes, we got a beautiful, good smelling 10 feet tree, and the village is lit in the living room.

The cooking started the night before.  I made a firehouse chicken stew with a cream and lemon sauce ...

 ... for 12 people apparently!  I had another pot of stew on the side.

 There is about 7 veggies in it!  Ono!

 Aaron woke up early in the morning to start his ham.  Ikaika was supervising.  That's a mighty big ham there, Dad.  Is half for me?

 The glaze was make with bourbon and ginger snaps!  The house smells wonderful.  I'm hungry!

Eric made dessert... flan!  One of Aaron's favorite!  We also made mashed potatoes and biscuits.

ADOPTION QUEST: Assessor woes

The disappointment continues!  Aaron and I patiently waited the 2-3 weeks the assessor and her supervisor stated it would take for the paperwork to go through.  4 weeks have passed and still no license.  Aaron called on Friday but we didn't get a reply back until day.  She didn't start our paperwork until last week and now she is sick.  I guess my happy dreams aren't possible now.  Maybe we'll be so lucky early 2013.

GIRLIE UPDATE: Man of Steel trailer 2

It's been awhile since we've seen a bit of the Cavill!  I hope there's some ass-kicking in this flick.

ADOPTION QUEST: Prepping for baby

As you all know me, I love to plan ahead.  So I'm putting my crazy life in order as best I can in anticipation of "an arrival"! 

I met with my boss and made a back-up plan if I had to ask for time-off from say, TOMORROW until the end of January.  I'm racing to complete my last big project and once that schedule is set my work load should be minimal until spring break!

Next comes the Christmas planning!  Most of the shopping and decorations are done, yay!  Still thinking about our dinner menu.  Oh shoot, the Christmas cards!!

Nothing thrills me like a challenge but it will all be worth it -- I'll have a lot of available time in the weeks to come to concentrate on other things in life!  I am hoping my recent happy dreams come true!

Christmas 2012: 10 foot tree

Oh it smells so good!  This year we went for slim and tall.  And that means the tree can't fit in it's usual corner. 

  

It's looks nice being front and center of our entryway!

ADOPTION QUEST: Surprise visit

Wouldn't you know it!  Our assessor decided to make her last visit on the day I stayed home from work with a rash!  Quite embarrassing to answer the door in your pajamas but I wanted it over with.  I must say our house was quite clean for a fall day.  I vacuumed all the leaves that morning and the sofa covers were all washed that night when I thought I was infested with bugs.

Bottom line, we passed!!  I'm going back to sleep...

GIRLIE UPDATE: A night with Vampires and Werewolves

I'm a lucky birthday girl!  Allison let me take a long dinner break to see the last Twilight flick.  Eboni and Michael joined me.  I really enjoyed Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2.  It's my favorite of the whole series.  It had a little bit of everything I love in a movie -- romance, ass-kicking and hot men.  I experienced every emotion too, especially during the ending.  Everyone should go see it!

On another good note, we went to see it at Apollo's smaller screen.  A cute little theater with more row space than the bigger screen and no annoying blinking lights.  Like!

ADOPTION QUEST: Schedule approved!

After weeks of agonizing on our schedule problem, the process supervisor approved our updated schedule plan.  Thank you God!  If it didn't get approved the only thing we could have done differently was for me to find a new job in the day!  It's something we planned to do EVENTUALLY.  Just not now.

It will take 2-3 weeks for the paperwork to go through the state's office and for us to get officially licensed.  Then we'll be assigned a family based case worker to work with us through the fostering process.  And we will start getting calls of available children!!

Boxing workout does the ol' body good!

Wow!  I had an awesome exercise workout with one of my students today!  Eric is going to teach boxing next semester so I asked if he would teach me since Jen couldn't go to the gym today.  It was a great all-over-body workout, and an easy way to let some negative energy go!  I jogged, stretched, crunched, pushed up, stepped, ducked, jabbed, hit, kicked and kneed things in the hour period.  And I couldn't drink any water during that hour!  I hope Eric will teach me more boxing again.  He's a wonderful instructor and motivator.  Aaron even sounds interested in joining us next time. 

Cry, workout, sleep

Got a big shot of negative energy my way today.  I don't need it and I don't deserve it!  Going to declutter my life of things I don't need anymore.  On my way to peace and balance...

GIRLIE UPDATE: Skyfall at the Apollo

Aaron and I finally attended a movie at the newly renovated Apollo Theatre in Oberlin.  The seats are very comfy now and they also have cup holders.  Oddly the rows are still close together so Aaron's knees hit the seat in front.  It's better than it was before when the seat coils would poke you or squeak when you move!  However the experience was ruined when the theater lights went on twice during the show, and the smoke alarm lights kept blinking in my peripheral vision.  It was so distracting.

So I reserve my movie rating until my next screening of Skyfall.  More of Mr. Craig?  Yes please!

ADOPTION QUEST: Alternative homes

Yay!  Nikki and Cookie's homes got approved to be alternative places our foster child can stay over when needed!  Thank God!  Our child care plans would have been ruined if Cookie's house didn't pass inspection.   We are planning to buy Cookie a crib and a car seat for all their future help.

Melt dinner in November

Aaron had the month's special, the New Bomb Turkey -- turkey and stuffing with a cranberry dipping sauce.  I had the Pig Melt Burger -- a quarter pound burger topped with BBQ pork.  Ono!!  Dave and Nikki joined us for dinner and conversation.

ADOPTION QUEST: Child care update

In order to stay positive on our journey, I wanted to acknowledge our awesome friends who have gone through fingerprinting, background checks and interviews with our assessor in order for us to be considered for the fostering-to-adopt program.  Thank you Nikki, Dave, Tina, Jen and Jay for being our back-up care!  Especially to my mother-in-law Cookie and her husband Ken who will be providing a third of our child care while we are fostering.

Today one of my college student worker went through the same process so Cookie and I can have extra back-up while Aaron goes away for a month in March and April.  Thanks so much Monica!

GIRLIE UPDATE: Dynamo announcement

The Butler is signing up for a movie about a landmark soccer game that took place between an occupied Ukrainian soccer team and their Nazi captors during World War II.  The flick is based on a novel called “Dynamo: Defending The Honour Of Kiev".  I wonder if he's producing this one?

I'm going purple...

for Halloween!  I had Nici do Ombre nails from indigo, purple, steel, silver to lavender.  It inspired others in the salon to do the same with other colors.

I also had Nici color my usual copper streaks dark purple.  It was less dramatic than I wanted for Halloween but it came out real nice.  I might color my hair purple from now on!

Say what?

Wow! Hearing aids cost a lot!  And the ones I need are level 2 out of 5 (5 being ones for severe hearing loss).  I'm going to have to wait another year before getting help for my hearing.  Aaron already allocated our health fund for his braces in 2013.  Sorry peeps, I still won't hear you!

ADOPTION QUEST: No go...

Aaron and I did everything our assessor has asked us to do to provide adequate child care but she has NOT approved our plan yet.  Why?  We had every work scenario -- between Aaron's day, evening and midnight shifts, and my evening, afternoon and part-time day shifts -- worked out between day care, my mother-in-law and us taking care of the child.  Cookie is keeping the baby overnight even though we could pick up the child after work at midnight just to accommodate their rules.  You could even see when we would have family days to spend together!

Don't forget our approved FMLA leave, sick leave and vacation times for each of us to cover emergencies.  That is technically 12 weeks of leave EACH if we really need it!  Not that we would use it all but it's there just for our fostering purpose.  We are lucky that both our jobs consider fostering like maternity and adoption as a way to ask for time off and not be denied or a reason to lose our jobs.  We may not get extra leave like maternity or adoption but it will help when needed.

We may have crazy work hours but we at least know our schedules up front, as opposed to people who's schedules are done weekly.  You can pick a date in the next year and I can tell you when Aaron and I work and what the child care plan is!  I now have stress...

GIRLIE UPDATE: Playing for Keeps trailer

The movies I've been waiting for all year is finally coming out soon.  Here's the next Butler movie coming out in December!

ADOPTION QUEST: Child care

I miss my Grandma Konanui.  And my mother.  Aaron and I knew going into this process that we didn't have a whole lot of family here to ask for help.  We were going to rely on day care and babysitters.  But the fostering-to-adopt rules are making it harder for us beyond having crazy work schedules.

Luckily my mother-in-law Cookie is volunteering to help us with overnight care when needed.  She's a Godsend!  Now we have to send our assessor our new plan and hope that the agency approves it!  Cross fingers!

GIRLIE UPDATE: Skyfall trailer #2

Let's count it down... 20 days...

ADOPTION QUEST: Home Study Visit #2

Well we got the official sad news that we cannot get approved because of our crazy work schedules.  They have a rule that children should not be moved after 9-10 p.m. until the next morning.  Our plan to bring the child to an evening day care center while we work our evening shifts, or passing the child off at my working place when Aaron work mid-shifts, didn't fly.

So what's our options?  Get a professional nanny to stay in our house to watch the child overnight.  Or I get a day job.  Oy.

At least our house passed inspection.  The dogs were on their best behavior too.

Holy sunshine, look at the windows!

We finally got the rest of our windows replaced!  They look beautiful.  We are getting a new back screen door tomorrow.

ADOPTION QUEST: Crazy schedules = new job?

This process is making me think about my current job and if it's the right one to have while being a new mother.  Maybe I should look for a day job?  Maybe I should work part-time?  Each time I think about it, I convince myself more and more... that I should find a new job.

GIRLIE UPDATE: Movie 43 trailer

Oh man, the Butler's next movie finally put out a trailer and it's dirty nasty!  But his character is awesome!  Adults only please (that means you can't watch this Khyla!)

Get More: Comedy Central,Funny Videos,Funny TV Shows

ADOPTION QUEST: Our last class

One thing about the instructors messing up our training schedule is that they forced us to complete our last class early.  Yay!  I'm so glad one big part of the process is over but I'm going to miss making new friends in class.

Up next... our final home study visit, one unannounced visit, our house fire inspection and our 5 friends getting their backgrounds checked and being interviewed to be our substitute care providers.  Two of the four tasks will happen in 2 weeks time.

Will they approve us to be foster parents-to-adopt?

ADOPTION QUEST: Back to class

Aaron and I are back in class to complete 3 sessions we missed while we were in Hawaii in the summer.  Today was an early day for me but we managed to complete 2 of the 3 sessions.  Yea!  One more to go!

Today's topics were very informative about birth parents and children services.  Some of our questions we had in the home study process was finally answered.

Another frustrating issue came up today.  The trainers reneged on their offer to switch the classes in order for us to take our last class on our day-off Saturday.  Damn.  I hope I'll be able to get a last minute time off approval!

Regular schedule... you're back!

I'm finally feeling calmer at work.  I'm still busy all night but at least I can take breaks now.  My boss was wonderful to offer to train new hires with me this semester.  I got to sit down at my desk and finish a project one night and go to the gym on another.  Now if I can just go to sleep earlier each morning ...

ADOPTION QUEST: Interview and frustration

Aaron and I breezed through our interview process!  But it was a long task to complete.  I wondered why it took me so long to finish answering the questions. They weren't hard. I finally realized that "writing" out my answers made my hand cramp so I would stop and forget to work on it again. 

I admit, the child's characteristics form was hard to complete.  So much options to consider and lots of characteristics we had no idea what they were.  Some were hard to consider for an infant versus an older child.  I am so happy this form was finally completed.

So I had my first frustrating experience of this process.  There seems to be a lack of organization with scheduling and instructions with our assessor.  I thought maybe it was because I'm demanding and over-organized, but I found out all my friends who are helping us with the process had the same problem. I realize the assessor is a very busy worker but she needs to know that we are too.  How is one suppose to get a hold of her if she's never in her office?  She implied that maybe my friends weren't trustworthy because they didn't call her back.  A director of a day care?  A teacher? Another case worker?  People who volunteered to be our substitute care providers?  I don't think so.  She also implied  Aaron and I may be too busy to care for children if we work odd hours.  Excuse me?  It took all my strength to bite my tongue.  OK I need to calm down.

GIRLIE UPDATE: Chasing Mavericks trailer #2

I'm excited for this flick to come out in theaters!

Regular work schedule... where are you?

It's the beginning of week 3 of the semester yet I'm still working overtime!  Two people just quit so I'm scrambling to fix/fill the desk schedule and trying to keep up with new hire training with every free time I have.  I'm feeling a little overwhelmed.  Best I talk to my boss to help relieve some of the pressure.  I need to start directing some of my energy to the fostering-to-adopt process now.

ADOPTION QUEST: New doctor, new lifestyle

One of the many things we need to do for our fostering-to-adopt process is to get the green-light from our doctors that we are healthy and fit to be parents.  I ended up getting a new doctor and I like her a lot!  She is not-too-old but not-too-young and is very pleasant.  She seems caring and that's something I felt I didn't get with my last doctor.

Well the time has come... my body has announced it is officially old!  My blood work said I'm deficient in Vitamin D and after 25 years of staying under, my cholesterol levels have finally jumped over the borderline.  I'm surprised she didn't tell me my bones are brittle too, ha!  But the thing that's going to be hard is changing my diet.  I already have plans to fit exercising into my busy work schedule so I'm not worried about that.  What I'm so not prepared for is the drastic change in diet, like giving up meat!!  I gave up sausages and a lot of processed canned foods, and cut back on my spam and bacon already.  Oh lord. What we have to do to stay young and fit.

Overtime, Baby!

Every semester I go into crazy busy mode for the first week or two and oddly enough, I actually love this time of the school year!  My college student workers come back from summer, all eager to get back into the swing of things, and new hires come in for all eager for training. I even like making the last minute changes to the schedule when my workers need them, and this semester is no different. 

Let's see how long this "happiness and cheer" lasts...

ADOPTION QUEST: Random...

I had my first random drug test today.  Aaron did his later.  It made me late for work and apparently I wasn't a good provider.  I never could produce "on demand".  What we have to do for babies!

COUNT 2012: Fall workout plan

I hope I can start my new workout next week.  Work is too busy right now.  I found a couple of friends who want to go to the gym with me.  Aaron also has me on a supplement to help me lose some water weight and suppress my hunger.  My goals are:

• Go to the gym once a week; maybe up it to two times a week if my work schedule allows it
• Lose weight -- any weight!  Eventually a total of 15 pounds to get me to my college size
• Stick to an eating routine -- breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner -- maybe cut out the last snack in the early mornings; changing my work hours for the summer messed my body up
• Go back to eating better foods -- lots of veggies!
• Drink a lot of liquids

Wish me luck!

ADOPTION QUEST: Stroller for one

More baby stuff!  I am hoping we don't have to have the stroller put together before the placement.  If we are lucky and have two children placed, I'd prefer to get a double stroller instead of two separate ones.  We can return this one for an upgrade.

Always excited to get stuff for our future family members!

So long summer!

Aaron and I had a rare but relaxing long weekend at home together!  We hardly have our days off together, let alone a couple of days in a row.  We did a mix of stuff -- movies and dinner with our friends, food shopping, DVD movie watching, a dinner date, book reading on the couch, long served naps, dog walking, home projects and housecleaning.  I actually felt like a family.  Time to expand our little Ohana unit.

Today I'm back to work -- welcome fall semester!  That means I'm working my evening shifts again.  This week will be crazy.  I'm scheduled to work overtime until 2 a.m. every night as well as Friday and Saturday.  New hire, student supervisor and closing training -- let the kala roll in!

GIRLIE UDPATE: The Expendables 2

Double date night!  After Aaron and Mikey went to a bike fest today, they took Tina and I out for dinner at Carrabba's then to see the movie.  Holy shoot-em-up-blow-the-joint-down, Stallone!  Love it!  The night was still young so we hopped over to Ace's Bar and Grill for a couple of drinks.  We had a chance to catch up on their cruise, our Hawaii trip and baby-baby talk!

ADOPTION QUEST: Diapers... check!

So in order to prepare for a baby (or two) from the ages of 0 to 4 years old, we need to have some clothes and diapers in our house for the day of placement.  Yep, we have 10 sizes, with the last 3 sizes being training pants.  Usually diaper packs have about 70-100 diapers in them.  I found online that they sell smaller packs that have about 20-30 in them and for under $10.00 per pack.  Sweet!  I suppose the sizes we end up not using can go to our friends who are planning to foster-to-adopt too.  But we are so prepared now!

BOOK CLUB READS: Fifty Shades Freed

Once again the book came in right away although I was suppose to wait in the queue.  I found out my library received new copies and I got to jump to the head of the queue.  Lucky me!

I am happy I stuck with the storyline and read the whole series.  I was hoping for a happy ending and I got it!  Love still prevails!  I rated this book 4 of 5 stars.

GIRLIE UPDATE: The Butler List

How did this movie slip by me?  Apparently Mr. Butler is doing a movie called Motor City, due to come out in 2013.  It's about a released felon who seeks revenge against those who framed him. 

It's been awhile since I've followed this man closely.  He's been out of the gossip columns for awhile now.  Being a good boy?  I hope so.  So let's recap!  These movies are on his queue:

• Chasing Mavericks
• Playing for Keeps
• Movie 43
• Olympus Has Fallen
• How to Train Your Dragon 2
• Hunter Killer 
• Motor City
• Thunder Run
• Manhunt

A busy man!  Looking forward to his next movie in the fall!

ADOPTION QUEST: Holy paperwork

I knew there was a lot of paperwork but this is A LOT of paperwork!!  Even scanning them to hand in copies is tedious.  Not all paperwork is letter size so you can't just run them through the copier/scanner feeder.  Been "un"stapling tax forms and trying to keep them in order too.  I need an assistant, ha!

ADOPTION QUEST: Car seat class

Busy day taking care of kids stuff!  Aaron and I attended a class held by our local fire and health department.  We learned the laws and how-to's on children car seats.  So different from our days.  We watched a video that showed what happens when children are not properly buckled up and how we should put our child(ren) in the car and seats for their best protection.  Very enlightening.  I think I need  a booster seat sometimes for being so short!

At the end of the class we got a nice seat that we can use for a child 0-4 years old.  It can convert for an infant to a toddler.  And for a sweet price!

ADOPTION QUEST: Fingerprints and background checks

Aaron and I finally got our fingerprints scanned for our background checks this morning.  Our classmates had theirs done sometime during the first classes that we missed.  We also finally visited the Children Services office in Elyria.  Same building but different floor from where our classes were held.  This is where we'll need to bring our foster child(ren) for visits with their relatives.

GIRLIE UDPATE: Cavill fix

Oh Henry is ka-SINGLE, ladies!!  He needs a vacay to Hawaii to recover from his break-up.  Don't you think?

GIRLIE UPDATES: The Hunger Games DVD

It was the Hunger Games movie marathon this weekend!  I managed to watch it 3 times already.  I still cry at the sad parts and cheer for the star-crossed lovers, Katniss and Peeta.

Can't wait for Catching Fire to be released!  Let the countdown begin... 15 months to the premiere!

ADOPTION QUEST: Home Study Visit

We met our case worker Magdalena today.  She explained all the paperwork we have to fill out and documents we need to turn in.  Luckily I like to keep paperwork and had everything she needed.  She met Ikaika and Keala who amazingly were on their best behavior and also made an initial walk around of our house.

Right now we are set to take 2 children under 4 years old since we have a single bed and a crib in one room.  We'll need to rearrange our office / guest bedroom if we want to consider children up to 5 years old and of different genders. 

There should be two more visits plus a fire inspection by our local fire department.  It could take 3 months, 2 if I have anything to say about it! I don't want to lose my momentum and want to complete everything before it gets busy at work.

By the way, Aaron and I are swaying more to requesting two young children now, instead of just one.  Crazy, right?

GIRLIE UPDATE: Bourne Legacy

Date day with the hubby! This movie was full of action but I was a bit confused about the plot. And I didn't want it to end. I guess they want us to see the next installment.  The whole time I was thinking Aaron Cross was a younger version of Mr. Craig.  Or should I say Bond, James Bond.  And I was hoping Aaron Cross was Jason Bourne after plastic surgery or something sinister like that.  Oh well.

Big shout out to the Philippines -- did anyone else see my daddy wearing his red and gold wool cap at the end of the movie? =)  I rated it 4 of 5 stars.

ADOPTION QUEST: Little angel clothes

are oh so cute!!  Aaron and I have bought only one piece of clothes so far.  My friend Jennifer was kind enough to loan us some neutral gender clothes for ages 0-12 months.  We still need to get outfits for each size 1-4 years old and probably for each gender.  Hoping Aaron's cousin and best friend can help with that.  We are required to have a set of clothes for the child (or two) for placement.  Since they could be anywhere between a newborn to 4 years old, we'll need a small wardrobe ready.  Once we get a placement (or two) we will be able to buy everything they need based on their sizes and gender.

BOOK CLUB READS: Fifty Shades Darker

I guess I'm on my own with this series!  None of my BFFs have shown any interest since my review of Grey.  I wasn't planning on reading the next installment right away but my copy arrived faster than I thought.  So this book was easier to read probably because the main characters were established in the first book and I got used to the style of writing.  Don't like the bold prints!

There was hope and love, and the mystery of the infamous Mr. Grey is unfolding.  Looking forward to the conclusion of this storyline!  I rated it 4 of 5 stars.

ADOPTION QUEST: CPR and First-Aid training

Another early morning for me!  Aaron and I attended two classes today.  Firefighter Jon taught us CPR for adults, children and infants as well as first-aid.  A lot to know before getting certified.  30 compressions, 2 breaths... 5 times!

I have discovered I'm more squeamish than I thought I was.  Talking about broken bones and burnt skin is just not my thing!  Yuck!

Now we have 3 earlier classes left to make-up.  I'm happy we finally have them set-up with our instructors.  We should be done with those the first week of October.  I'm excited to get this part out of the way!

ADOPTION QUEST: It's beginning...

to look a lot like a nursery!  Bye bye guest bedroom.

 This crib can convert to a toddler bed or day bed, and also be used as a regular bed frame

It was an easy project -- good job Aaron!

GIRLIE UDPATE: The Amazing Spider-Man

Now I like this re-boot!  I could never get into the McGuire (sorry) but Garfield was adorable!  Stone was lovely as always too.  It had a lot of everything -- action, close-my-eyes suspense, laughs and romance.  And don't forget zipping through the city via spiderweb!  The library scene made me smile.  I rate it 5 of 5 stars!

Happy 9th Anniversary!

Still lookin' good after being together for 12 years!

GIRLIE UPDATE: Playing for Keeps trailer

Lookin' good G!

Hau'oli lā hānau Kels!

To my beautiful sistah Kelly!  You still look young today as we did back in the day!  Love and miss you!



Waikiki, 1995

GIRLIE UPDATE: My Olympian pick

Ryan Lochte -- need I say more

GIRLIE UPDATE: The Dark Knight Rises

Date night with the hubby! We decided to see the last of the Batman trilogy in IMAX today. It blew me away! No really. My chair was shaking and my ears popped from all the booming. I was a bit confused at first (cause I'm half deaf and can't hear half of the things they were saying) but they wrapped up the story nicely at the end. Wow! Mr. Hardy was buff! I'm sad that this series is over. Aaron asked if the next trilogy will be "Robin"?  I rated it 4.5 of 5 stars.  We ended the night with dinner and drinks at Bar Louie.

ADOPTION QUEST: Home study

Aaron and I have two more classes coming up and three to make-up but we got the call to set-up our home study process today!  It really is happening!  We have so much more to do!  I have 18 days to go through all the old paperwork in the office. Oy!  At least the crib is on order!

GIRLIE UPDATE: Magic Mike

Oh yeah!  Lady's night!  My friend Barb from the public library and I finally planned a movie night and saw the chick flick of the summer.  We were pleased with the naked bodies and dancing.  It brought back memories of Lureen and my college Chippendale's outings. Did you know I was friends with a couple male strippers back in the day?  Barb and I were not happy with the girl they picked to be Mike's love interest.  Come on!  I could have done without the drug scenes but perhaps they were trying to be real.  A fun night.  Just wished my Titas were with us!  I rated it 3 of 5 stars.

GIRLIE UPDATE: Skyfall trailer

It's Bond, James Bond!

ADOPTION QUEST: Fostering stories

I was reminded today that Children Services policy is to always work toward children reunification with their families -- one of my fears going through this process.  As I mentioned before, I would be so heart-broken if we get placed and attached to a child that gets taken away.

But hearing all the stories of children being removed from homes for various reasons needing help, I think I can convince my mind and heart that perhaps Aaron and I could take in a child who just needs a place to sleep for a few nights.  Especially with the holidays coming up, no child should be stranded.  I also have to convince myself that work will not be #1 priority anymore too.

We have first-aid and CPR training in two weeks then the home study process kicks in!  Got all the preliminary paperwork handed to us.  Fun.  How do YOU feel about fingerprinting?

BOOK CLUB READS: Fifty Shades of Grey

So my BFF book club was wondering what the hype was about Fifty Shades of Grey.  It's been doing really well on the best sellers list but it's not the typical kind of books they read -- romance!  I was the lucky one to get a hold of a copy first and decided to read it and let them know if it was worth it or not.

Conclusion - It is not a romance... it's erotica!  An easy read but the style of writing had bold print throughout the book.  Steamy content meant I couldn't read it during my breaks at work.  It took me a week to finish because I was busy at work and classes.  I plan to read the next two in hopes for that happy ending ever after.  I didn't get it at the end of Grey.  I rated it 3 of 5 stars. 

ADOPTION QUEST: Race vs. Culture

This class was all about culture. I thought it would be easy breezy because hey, I'm from Hawaii!  What I realized is that I may have been exposed to many cultures because I'm from Hawaii, but there are so many other cultures that I have yet to know!  I was humbled and enlightened.

GIRLIE UPDATE: Chasing Mavericks trailer

Finally, a Butler flick!

Get More: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog

Blog temporarily in maintenance

I didn't know I had a limit but apparently I used all my data space while downloading my vacation pictures!  Phooey!  Will probably have to resize and re-download the pictures in order to make space for the rest of them.  Sorry I'm taking long to share my vacation with you!!

[Update 7/29/12 -- making progress!! Downloaded all pictures from Maui!!  Got Lanai pictures to go!]

ADOPTION QUEST: A nursery

We are finally getting serious and started tackling the junk in our second bedroom, aka the office / Khyla's room / the blue room, to prepare our house for a baby room.  We decided to keep the desk and move the double bed and Aaron's wardrobe in this room so we can convert the third bedroom, aka the guest bedroom / the green room, to a child's room with a crib and the single bed.  This is all in preparation for our home study process that follows our classes.

No one needs to see the mess we've created over the years!  But we won't have a throw-in/junk room anymore!  If we can't get rid of everything I'm thinking we'll need a storage unit.  I feel sorry that Aaron has to lug stuff up and down the attic all the time and we still don't have enough room.  Aaron and I are adamant about using our garage for our cars!

Hopefully we won't get lost in all the old paperwork in the office!

ADOPTION QUEST: Parenting class

We turned in our application to adopt tonight!  I feel so committed now!

So this session is my favorite one so far.  I tell you, everyone who has a baby -- naturally or by adoption -- should be able to take this class!  It was parenting 101!  I started taking notes to try and keep myself up during the 3-hour session but soon after I could barely keep up taking notes of all the tips Pat was giving to us.  She had a lot of experiences dealing and managing behaviors with infants, toddlers and teenagers and all using positive reinforcement or consequences.  It made so much sense!  And apparently we will have a great support system in place for us as well as the foster child.

Oddly all this talk of trying to teach a child to grow and go through typical mischief with positive reinforcements, and hopeful become a well disciplined, independent person with some small respect for their parents made me excited to adopt and have a child already!  Aaron and I are so happy we are getting these sessions -- we feel like we won the lottery!

ADOPTION QUEST: Tough but insightful classes

This was our first Saturday classes which meant we had two sessions in one long day.  We had another instructor today.  Jane dealt with the topics of De-escalation and sexual abuse.  It was tough and emotional but I think I came out with some tips I could use to diffuse stressful situations in my own life and home, as well as a awful understanding about sex abuse.  Honestly I had no experience to draw on with that touchy subject, and thank heavens! 

So now I'm thinking the rest of the classes should be a piece of cake, right?  We'll see!

GIRLIE UPDATE: Brave

I was itching to see a movie and had a chance to do so today.  As expected the story was cute.  I liked it because it's about a strong willed girl who learns a lesson of family and love.  The graphics were awesome and of course, the Scottish accent made me think of the Butler.  And Merida's beautiful red hair made me think if my college student Monica, who happens to be cute, strong willed and a kick-ass too!

I rated it 4 of 5 stars.