Did you know...

One quiet car ride out of the blue, a little voice in the back said, 

"Mom, did you know that bees have sharp butts"

~Words of Wisdom by Lohena

...I love this kid!

Happy Birthday Layla Mama

I know that this is really late but I just wanted to take the time to give 

Layla Mama a Happy Birthday Shout out! 

I cannot believe how fast time has gone; and now my little baby is one!

She loves to sing and dance,

wear jewelry,

give kisses,

and play with her brothers.

She LOVES watermelon and pirates booty,

and currently has 5 teeth, 2 on bottom and 3 on top.

She can walk a little but is lazy and let's her brothers do all the work for her.

She sleeps through the night, 12 hours plus,

She is mellow and usually always smiling and happy.

She has the cutest curls on the side of her head that when she gets real

sweat curls even more. She has skinny little chicken legs and loves the water.

And, she flirts with almost everyone.

Layla Mama, I am so grateful for the dynamic and sweet spirit 

that you bring to our home and our eternal family. I am honored that you chose "us" forever.

I cannot ever imagine my life without you!

I love you to the moon and back...3 times!

Kids say the darndest things

My kids never cease to amaze me when they open their mouths. Sometimes I think "what are you talking about" and other times I cringe because I know exactly where they got that exasperated sigh from or that sassy-filled "gosh". Yikes.

But to go along with my recent posts on enjoying every day and every moment, I have to back track a little and tell you some of the darndest things my kids have told me this week, and it's only Wednesday morning.

First of all, you all know how much Lohena, my younger son adores me. He tells everyone that we are boyfriend and girlfriend. He always cuddles and wants to play with my hair. He wants to hold hands and is constantly giving me compliments of how beautiful I am. (Yes, I am worried for when be becomes interested in other girls) Anyway, he and I were at the mall and I went into one of my favorite addictions, I mean stores, MAC cosmetics to recycle some old containers and in doing so I received 3 free lipsticks. After much debate and encouragement, I tried "candy yum yum" the hot, neon pink lipstick, and Lohena and I both agreed  it was for me.

Later in the privacy of our car, he again complimented me and then nonchalantly asked,"mom, you're my girlfriend ya?" With an all-expecting nod I replied, "Yes." Then with a coy smile he asked, "when we go home you want to kiss?"

He was dead serious I knew he was to. And when we got home, he surprised me and planted a big one on me. He was not only proud but laughed and giggled with delight when he saw the bright pink lips on his face. :)

Sunday night my wonderful husband had planned and led Family Home Evening. A weekly gathering with the family to go over schedules, accomplishments, have a short Christ-centered lesson, sing some fun songs and usually follow up with a treat for all. Well, this FHE we learned about how we believe Families Can Be Together Forever. What an amazing and reassuring gift.

Anyway, I did not, I repeat, DID NOT make any dessert this time. So after our amazing lesson, Marcus who so obviously wanted dessert yells out "This family is junk!" Ummm EXCUSE ME?! Did we not just learn to love your family? So Cameron and I went back and forth with our extremely stubborn five year old and apologized that there was no dessert tonight. It eventually escalated which led to a dramatic display of stomping up the stairs and followed with the dreaded four little words, "I hate you mom."

*STAB*IN*THE*HEART*** die mom die....I'm on the floor....

I must admit I knew those words would come one day and I MAY have heard them whispered under a breath before, but this time it caught me by such surprise.

My reaction after just having this lesson on Families can be together Forever....I LAUGHED HYSTERICALLY!!

I know I shouldn't have but the timing of it was so humorous and completely ironic. After I gathered my breath and realized that my laughing made it worse, I managed to spit out, "Sorry buddy, you're stuck with me FOREVER!!!!"

And who said Children weren't rewarding?!?


www.mormon.org

Early morning pleasures

Recently I have been debating what the better option might be for my 1st grader who thoroughly loves his sleep.
Options: 1. Let him sleep in as absolutely long as possible and then wake him up and "hurry" (read previous post) him through his morning routine. OR 2. Wake him up early even if it means the same time my alarm is knocking to remind me another day has come, and even if it is before the sun.

I just know how much Marcus loves his sleep that I want to give him that extra time everyday. However, yesterday when I did that, we rushed to get him out the door. And no one wants to be rushed.

Today on this cool, crisp morning when my alarm began to gently chirp at me, I had already been awake. The breeze had me bundled up (with Lohena apparently) and the sun kissed my cheeks. I quietly and gently went to wake my peaceful child and coaxed him out of his bed. He disagreed but eventually joined me downstairs for breakfast.

Marcus and I ate our granola with fresh peaches, per his request, and we debated over what kind of healthy snacks he would take for lunch. While we ate our breakfast, just he and I, I read to him two of his recent library picks, When Dinosaur's Go Visiting and There once was an old monkey who swallowed a frog. In the short extra 15 minutes Marcus and I had to share it was our special one-on-one time. No interruptions, just me and him, doing something he likes and laughing and discussing why that silly monkey would swallow a frog.

After he left for school with the carpool, I came back into the quite house and had an overwhelming warm feeling of love. Because Marcus and I are so similar, I mean we could be twins, it's a little more difficult for us to get along at times. Nevertheless, that does not mean that I don't enjoy him or love him with all my heart, I most certainly do. But getting these little moments and making the best of them, allowed me to reflect on how important it is for me to nurture and love unconditionally. To enjoy every minute, giggle, tear and meltdown. I want it all, and I wouldn't change it for the world!

I hope I always remember and take joy in life's simple pleasures.

Earthly Father, Heavenly Father

This video, is EXACTLY what my life is about!

We have such an amazing opportunity to be parents here on Earth and I want to enjoy every single second that I have here with my family.

My children only know what I have provided for them. They never doubt only trust, in me and Cameron as their parents. I read this amazing article the other day, The Day I Stopped saying "hurry up" and it has changed my perspective tremendously. The late mom always saying, "hurry up we're going to be late, we're going to miss it...etc" is oh too familiar. So from this day forward I am going to enjoy every loving and annoying moment. Every meltdown and funny joke that my beautiful children have to offer.

As Thomas S. Monson said,  "If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost ever newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will-to your surprise- miss them profoundly."

I vow to always find joy in the journey. In this miraculous thing called life, with the people that we chose to be with even before this life. 

I love my husband who works so hard for us, to have the comforts in this life that my children rely on. Cameron, you are an amazing father and I love you so much!

"They trust so deeply. How I yearn to do the same. They see so little of how it all came to be. Never questioning, only trusting. "

Being an adult is weird!

It's weird that I'm an adult.
It's like I've been an adult for awhile now. I think I was aware of it, but it's one of those things you don't really notice until you are in a store with spit-up on your shirt, scolding a child for hitting his brother, and just letting your toddler scream her brains out, and you just don't really care that everyone else is looking at you funny. It's like "uh-oh" what did I get myself into?!
So, like I was saying, being an adult is weird.

I can still remember all the crazy and foolish things I once did as a child. The dangerous, no-thought, naivety that once ruled my life. I remember jumping off the roof, or playing in the muddy pond without mom knowing like it was yesterday. Every once in a while when I actually get a moment of peace and quiet, who am I kidding, in the middle of the chaos that I call "normal" I giggle to myself and think, "I used to do that too..." But now that I am the adult, on the out-skirts, an out-sider I watch trying not to interrupt my sweet, rambunctious children at play. And then I think, being an adult is weird. (Amazing, rewarding, fulfilling, stressful, and chaotic but weird.)

It's been a long time since we've all been in one place. My immediate family, I mean. Now we are married with families, and different ideas on top of that. Finally, all my siblings are officially moved home on this tiny, little island and what feels like arms length from one another you would think all we would want to do is be together, to reminisce and enjoy some of the similar activities with our children that seemed to have shaped our childhood. But oddly enough, that's not the case. Don't get me wrong, I think we enjoy getting the cousins together, but it seems like we can only handle so long together before enough is enough!

And yet there is something so comforting and appealing about innocence and your adolescence. It's so carefree. Free of worry, judgement, hate and most importantly time. Sometimes I really find myself longing for relationships that I once had. But I know that it just can't be. It can't be because I'm an adult! Because my days are filled with laundry, school lunches, soccer, piano and whatever else my kiddos do. And unfortunately, my world is a little more jaded and I'm a little more judgmental. Where the world has made me tough it has also somehow stripped some compassion and unconditional love that was once a familiar characteristic. I wish I too was like a child with the ability to bounce back after anything, to fight and hate and then immediately forgive and love again. I look at my relationships with my siblings and I am sad. We are adults. We are different personalities with very different opinions and beliefs. Five children raised by the same two people and yet amazingly we are 100% completely different; and then throw in some spouses too. Phew!

Recently, I have been a little sad about our ability as a family to get together and just LOVE. There have been some broken relationships and some harder than others, and I have been pondering on this for quite sometime. Through the great counsel of my husband I am slowly learning how to LOVE everyone and to have no expectations. This simple sentence is anything but simple. It is extremely difficult to love others. And i think that it starts from within. I have diligently been working on loving myself unconditionally. Loving myself when I do stupid things, when even I am embarrassed of myself. Loving myself no matter what. Loving myself unconditionally the way I know and I have felt on multiple occasions that my Heavenly Father loves me. To be like that resilient child that loves unconditionally.

My heart has been full and heavy the last couple of days and I haven't really been able to put my finger on it. Sometimes life comes out of nowhere and gets me. But for the past few days I have been what my husband would describe as "grumpy". Today we were late for Church and missed the Sacrament. I even wanted to dig out a little early and go home. However, I stuck it out and I am so grateful that I did.

Today in Relief Society a special, older sister of whom I love, shared of her experience with her family and sisters this past week. Her once astranged family was reunited, and her story spoke straight to my heart and I couldn't hold anythng back; my heart and my eyes were full. Although the words seemed like they were only for me, it wasn't so much that our thoughts were on a similar path but that I received a direct revelation in my heart that I know that my Heavenly Father LOVES me! That he knows exactly who I am, my wants and my specific needs.

 Every once in awhile my boys ask me how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can be watching them and yet be everywhere; their argument is that they can't see him! And what a great argument that is. The other day I heard Marcus tell Lohena that Heavenly Father is always in our hearts. (I just about melted) I know deep in my soul and my being that not only are Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ real and alive but that they know each and every one of us individually. They LOVE each and every one of us unconditionally when we don't feel we deserve it and when we aren't at our best.

Tonight as Cameron held Family Home Evening with out little, growing family, my heart was full of love and happiness. We watched a video on "Families Can Be together Forever" and as much as they can drive me crazy, I am so grateful to be sealed for all time and eternity to my special little family. To have them forever in this life and the next. I too am grateful that I am also sealed to my siblings, their children and my parents. I can only hope that like that sister who shared her story today, I can grow to be a loving and caring mother to my children. To be non-judgmental and open, to accept and love everyone unconditionally, and to love myself always.

To my children who continue to test my limits everyday, I love you always. To my husband, I cannot imagine my life with anyone else. It hasn't always been easy but completely worth it. I am so happy and grateful and because I don't say it enough, I didn't want to forget the feelings that humbled me and softened my heart this evening.

Big Island Vacation 2013

A few weeks ago I was asked to do hair and makeup for a wedding in the Big Island. The bride was kind enough to send my sister and I over for free, so instead of taking the time to myself to run away for the day, I decided to turn it into a Heide Family Vacation! I think this is only second time that we have gone on vacation. A real vacation, not a "visit" to see family. Cameron and I were looking forward to taking some much needed time off. Cameron has been working obscene amounts of hours at work and with our personal business, and I have been longing for some vacation and family time.

The night before I packed everyone's bags and loaded it in the car. I told the boys we were going for a ride and we ended up at the airport.

They were so excited! They kept running around and jumping exclaiming how much they love us.

The 40 minute flight was just long enough for me to handle between who gets to sit near the window and a toddler who is constantly trying to wiggle out of my arms. Although, she did pretty well since she spent most of her time flirting with the flight attendant.

Luckily, my close friend was gracious enough to house us at her beautiful mansion and feed us as well. They have a huge pool with a pirate ship with slides that we just couldn't get enough of. I did eventually dry them off and drug them out for some sight seeing. 

"Helenihi Resort"

We saw the Volcano and learned about lava and lava rocks. We even learned about the Hawaiian Legends and Pele-The Fire Goddess. We were lucky enough to see some "smoke" and feel the hot steam right on our faces. 

We walked through a real "lava tube" which Marcus was deathly afraid of, that lasted all about 2 minutes. 

And managed to get a half-way decent family photo in too. 

Unfortunately, after a day at the Volcano and the sulfur in the air, it was followed up with a trip to the Urgent Care for Layla and her breathing. But, after one treatment of albuterol, she was fine. 

We visited the Big Island Candies Factory- my favorite! YUM!!

 "Mom, they have so many FREE cookies here," Marcus said, as she stuffed his face with "samples".

And of course we ate at some of Cam's and my favorite restaurants when we traveled with BYU-H. 

Layla in her "Sassy Seat" at Ken's Pancake House. 

She definitely is "sassy", she ate all the banana mac pancakes.

Overall, it was a fun filled week. It is nice to be home again, but the time away and together as a family was wonderful. Until our next family adventure. 

For a SPECIAL TREAT: click on this link to see Lohena "walk the plank"!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151719717352210&l=7801673127274887791

Meet the newest member of the Durrett Clan

 

Kona Kauakahiali`i Ammon Durrett

July 2, 2013

7lbs. 6 oz.

Practically Perfect in Every way

 

Congratulations Kahi and Krysyan!

Happy Independence Day!

 

 

This past 4th of July our ward hosted an Independence Day Parade.

The kids were dying of excitement.

They decorated their sweet rides and ate a big breakfast.

Hena boy crashed his scooter trying to get "hops" 5 minutes in, but other than that it was a blast. 

I am thankful for my life, my health, my family, our jobs, my husband, my children, my friends and family. The gospel, the Church and my freedom!
God Bless the U.S.A.!

Elder Jackson Durrett

 

My awesome little brother has decided to serve the Lord by a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He has kept himself worthy, spiritually and physically fit and will be reporting to the Missionary Training Center this October to serve in the Mexico Torreon Mission, Spanish speaking.

I am so poud of Paka and I know that he will be an awesome missionary. I have such a strong testimony of missionary work. There is much work to be done and you don't have to be an a white short and tie to do work for the Lord. Everyday we can touch the lives of others and serve our brothers and sisters, and my brother will spend the next two years of his life doing just that.

I know you will be awesome! I love you "Paki-Paks"!

Kindergarten Graduate

I think I need to back up a little bit.
Earlier this summer Marcus graduated from Kindergarten at Mauka Lani.
He loved his class and his teacher. It was an awesome experience.
He has learned so much and he just LOVES to learn.
I was very proud of Marcus this school year and for how much he has grown.
He has really come out of his shell.

Good job Marcus! Mommy & Daddy LOVE YOU!!

La-La

I Know I have missed a few pictures of Layla and my how she has grown. I think she is starting to look more like Cameron. Either way she is absolutely beautiful, but I am a little biased. Anyway, she has the biggest eyes, and a big smile with 2 little teeth. Layla has just made 10 months old (wow time flies) and she is the height of an 18 month old. She crawls and cruises along the furniture, up the stairs and she thinks she's a big girl. Here are her 9 month photos (p/c: www.alanayates.com) and some of her silly smiley self. She is such an easy going baby.

Happy 4th BIRTHDAY Hena BOY

Ok, I know Rosa is dying because I have not been keepin up with my blog! So here we go.

Let's start with today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOHENA!!!!

 

I just love this kid.

He sucks his fingers to fall asleep and pulls my hair. H's loud, fun and outgoing. And he is the sweetest kid I know. He doesn't have a mean bone in his body. He is definitely a lover. He loves his friends and family; and the ladies a little too much! He is always concerned about me and my well-being. He is stubborn but so quick to apologize. He never holds a grudge and is just full of life. He is daring and brave, too brave for mom. He has broken bones, cracked his head and runs into something on a daily. He has big dreams and knows that he can achieve anything he wants to. I love his cuddles, his long kisses and sweet personality.

I am truly in love with this kid and extremely grateful to have him in my life.

I love you Hena-Boy!
 

 

February Mash-up

It seems as if February, the month of "love" doesn't really get all the attention that it deserves in our house hold. I blame it on the fact that my birthday is just a few days before, so unfortunately it always gets clumped together for me. But a celebration regardless is still a celebration! yay!

So yes, on the 10th I turned 28! 

(ahhhhhhhh)

so far I feel exactly the same. 

phew...

we celebrated with dinner and hot tubing! 

I also got this cheesy card from Cameron which I absolutely adore and tickets to James Taylor in April. Can't wait to make a little weekend out of it.

But seriously, if our hearts could talk, I'd bet they'd go on and on about how perfect they are for each other.

Anyway, we are so alike, his original plan was to take me to Disneyland for 5 days! JUST US!!!! But, when he asked the "babysitter", there was no way she could handle the kids and Layla (who only drinks breast milk) for that long. I'm glad, and it wouldn't have been the right time, BUT major brownie points for trying! 

 I Love you Cameron!!!!

Valentines came and I had the bright idea of making cookies for Marcus' and Lohena's class. Man, this took me forever. Literally hours....never again. Next year i will not try to be cute I will resort to those little box cards and I will tape a fruit snack to it!!!! Oh, yes I will.

I "mustache" you a question. Will you be my Valentine? 

They were super cute though huh?!? 

Dang you pinterest!

 My Valentine's "attack". 

I LOVE this. I have this hanging in our room and you can write whatever you want on it. The other morning I woke up to this. Hahaha...Love you...fatty! 

"Stache Bash"

A day before my birthday I hosted a small get together/baby shower for my friend and class mate Rosey and baby Nehemiah. Of course it was a mustache kind of party and we all had a blast. So glad we could all get together and congrats Rose on your bundle of joy!!!

100 Days of School

A few weeks ago Marcus celebrated his 100th day of school. Everyone had to complete a project having to do with 100 days. Tank you interest, his project was a huge hit!

Happy 5 months

Happy 5 months little Lady.

18 lbs and 28 inches. For her age, she is the average size of a 9 month old.

I love her gummy smile, her eye lashes. her mellow personality, the few long, wispy little hairs on her head and everything about her! 

I love you Layla xoxo

Throw Back Thursday

Since today is Thursday, I want to show you some of the cute pictures that have come back to my attention in the last few weeks.

This is Cam & I back in 2005, at the Lakers game at the Stan Sherif.

I remember we were just barely married.

My beautiful girlfriend U'i posted this one of us in high school at birthday bash, not too long ago and I just about died. I couldn't even remember where it was. She had to remind me and I just laughed and laughed. So shame.

All 3 of us #mormonmommies!

As a little girl, I was #1 fan of this guy right here.

Every great memory growing up definitely involved this man, my papa.

I love you papa!

Ok, this is not a picture throw back but definitely a throw back!

I bought this the other day off of Amazon for the kids. They think it is so cool! Plus they need to learn about MJ!

Lohena's First day of Preschool

Lohena's first day of Preschool

1.22.13

Makakilo Baptist

Remember this kid?

Well he started school today.

Not because I wanted him to but because he was sick of being at home and not having his own friends. At least that is what he told me. 

My two boys couldn't be an more different and I love that. It keeps me on my toes as a parent.

The Lord is constantly reminding me of how different these two spirits are.

Sure, they may be brothers but they are completely different and they should be treated as such.

Just because I went through this whole process I mean same school and all, doesn't mean anything. It's like a whole new adventure...again.

He was so stoked to start, he didn't even say goodbye. 

He loved every moment and according to his teachers made lots of friends very easily. 

Lohena-

I love you so much. Please use that energy for good and enjoy being the little

 social butterfly that you are.

I love you,

mom 

xoxoxo

4 points

We started Soccer again and I just have to share this little story.
Marcus' team won 4-0 on saturday morning.
Marcus was the only one who scored.
I don't know when and how it happened, but we have ourselves a little beast.
And the best part is Cameron and I just laughed, I mean some were dog lucky shots,
and the coach was going to make hims switch teams.

Good job son!
And to think he did it all for an Icee.

Layla 4 mo

What a pleasure it is to be this little girls mommy! (I hope I am still saying that when she is 16) She is so calm and happy all the time. I love her so much!

She is weighing in at 18 lbs and 28 inches long.

Off the charts for both height and weight for her age, or an average 9 month old.

She can roll and sleep through the night. She coos and laugh out loud. It's so cute. She likes to sleep and is always down for a good time.

Love you xoxo

Christmas 2012

As always, Christmas sneaks up on us. And once the Holiday's hit, this mama is crazy busy. So let me get you caught up to speed.

Our Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon) hosts an annual Christmas dinner where Santa makes a special appearance. It was so much fun and the kids were so excited to see him. Look closely, see how we have a "Hawaiian" Santa. Well, Marcus caught on to that rather quickly and said, "That Santa has the wrong skin!"

They still told him what they wanted, and when they got their little goodie bags, Lohena peeked in and said, "Hey! This is not Gak! (what he asked for)"

These kids I tell you. 

I grew up never really believing in Santa not because we are Grinch's but mainly because we were really focused on our Savior and I think, as you parents already know, it's hard work. So we made sure to merge our traditions. We shared about Jesus Christ's birth and left notes and cookies for Santa as well.

Thank you to all you contributed to make this Christmas fantastic. As always it was exhausting and fun and the kids got way too much. I hope you all had a great Christmas!!!

If you didn't get one, here was our Christmas card. 

Thank you to Alana Yates Photography for the awesome photos.

Palehua Christmas Party 2012

Kids Workshop

December 2012

The Fire truck Santa brought that they sleep in every night.
(If you look carefully you can see their faces watching tv!)

Gingerbread Houses

Mauka Lani Elementary P-3 2012

Letters to Santa