Reason for the Season

We had a relaxing and beautiful Christmas. It has been an eventful 2008. Sape and I are always trying to better ourselves and do the Lord's will. We have plans this year to help families, improve our spiritual/financial/family lives. As some of you may know, we have'nt been able to conceive a child yet. This year we are looking to try in-vitro. Our insurance doesn't cover this, so this baby can cost us somewhere around $10,000! Keep us in your thoughts and send bebe vibes, as we would like to become parents this year. If it doesn't work, then we'll look to other options.
AFL was suspended this year and that sucks for us and many others in the arena football family. No warning was given and we're in limbo about it. Thank goodness for our Primerica business. I feel terible that Sape's been keeping in shape during the offseason and there will be no play time. Plus we were planning to be in Denver for a few months to get our Primerica office running up there. We're trying to find other solutions. We will attract positivity for these upcoming months.
Here are some of my fave Christmas pictures from our home. May we always carry this spirit with us throughout 2009. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Maui No Ka Oe

December 2008 Trip to Maui

New Nephew Kaua

Here he is! Kaua Terangi Toyokazu Okimoto, my newest nephew! I was so happy to see him when I went to Maui. My sister Teahi flew in the day I was leaving and I was able to visit with them just for a few hours. Bummer! I gave him a bath, lots of gifts, and many kisses. His parents are Curt & Ramona (Teahi) Okimoto who are photographers in Laie.

My Grandma

Last week I was able to spend 6 days with my 87 yr old grandma. We call her Popo which is a nick name for "apo" (grandma in Chinese).
She is a woman who I admire. Her husband died at sea when my mom was in college, leaving her to raise 5 children. She worked at Maui dairy, headed up U-E (she was like the Martha Stewart of Maui), Relief Society president 3 times, and volunteered at the Maui Memorial Hospital for over 15 years. She is a woman of faith.
The past two years have been difficult as she suffered strokes, blood clots, and a broken arm. She attends daily physical therapy and is still sharp for the most part. Some days are better than others, but she is preparing to meet her husband and Heavenly Father. As she tells me, "I'm going to be dead already." LOL! That's what she tells me when I call from the mainland. Gotta love this old Maui wahine.
My visit was more or less a farewell to her. It's beautiful and sad at the same time to be able to share your love with someone living. Often times we forget that our calling home (death) is not for us to decide, but that He gives us time to LIVE. This 2009, let's share the aloha and be grateful for our loved ones. We love you! Merry Christmas!

Disneyland

We went to Disneyland for our Thanksgiving weekend! We joined the Kaonohi family for an exhilarating 3 night trip to the Magic Kingdom of Disney California. It was one of the best Disney trips ever & Sape's first to a U.S. Disney park (we went to Tokyo Disney).
I'll have more updates once I get a hold of Anja's blog and Kimi emails me. I have to collect pictures from Anja & Kimi. We didn't have our new camera yet because it was being bought by Megan and Tommy on black friday.