Thursday, November 27, 2008

There's always November!

This Thanksgiving I am particularly grateful for November.

Seven Novembers ago, Hubs walked into my classroom with some stapled papers. "I found this house! I know you are going to love it...!!!" It was not a good time. My class was full of parents and students working on a Veteran's Day project commemorating those who lost their lives at the Pentagon. I shooed him away, and promised to call in ten minutes during lunch. I called, and he was already writing an offer on the house without me seeing it. He was right, though. I loved it when I saw it.

We wrote a contingent offer because we needed to sell our current home. We were sweating bullets. Two months after 9/11 the market in the metro DC area declined, a terrible time to sell a home. But that November we sold our home in four days, and purchased the other home by the end of the year!

Fast forward nearly seven years. July, 2008 we listed our home in Hawaii. Just a few weeks later, the economy started to tank. We were slow to follow the mainland because our local economy was fairly strong. Over night our gas prices soared, groceries soared, tourism declined, and homes for sale just sat.

Hubs told the Powers that Be that we needed until November to sell our home in Hawaii. Our plan was to re-evaluate on November 30 if our home was not sold. When we felt down these past months, we reminded one another we had sold and bought a home in November seven years ago. "There's always November!"

Folks, it is November. We are in escrow in Hawaii. We thank God that we have a clear answer and direction. Now, my heart feeling major loss? Well, it is Thanksgiving, and we are only talking thankfulness today. So I will save those heavy feelings for when the packers come.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

We Start 'Em Early on the Farm

In the evening Son1 and I spend alone time, just the two of us, working on Math. Yes, MATH. I know, that's not what it looks like in the pictures, but yes MATH. We joke about raising the poker prodigy and the card shark, but not these nights.

The first few minutes he explores the manipulatives independently. He plays with them however he wants.
Then after awhile, we play different games that require dominoes, Uno cards, poker chips, and dice. I adapted many games I used to teach second and third graders for my preschooler. I am amazed at his Math literacy that I completely did not teach him. Just by handling dominoes and dice in particular, he made simple observations about the different ways to make the same number, such as 4 and 2, 3 and 3, and 5 and 1. They all "make" 6.
His eagerness and wonder inspire me. Am I too grown up or too busy to wonder like a child, to make new discoveries? Do I just need to play more?

Saturday, November 22, 2008

The Farmer Files Phones Home

It is nice to be missed! Mahalo for the comments and emails asking what happened to me. I am alive and well, and I missed you too! I have to catch up and visit many of you!

My mom was here, and The Farmer Files took a back seat. My biggest fan was back on the Big Rock, so sad I wasn't posting pictures of his sons. My mom left last night, Hubby arrived last night, and Hubby's brother comes into town today. With all of the testosterone back in the house....I am going to escape and blog a WHOLE LOT. I promise.

I was asked if I attended Abe's mom's service. My husband went, but I did not. He said Abe's eulogy was inspirational. I read it on Abe and Heather's private blog, and I too was so inspired to speak wisely and carefully to my boys. The pinewood derby hit home, because last Friday my son entered a grand prix with his race car. Here is the beautiful eulogy Abe delivered:

Today I’d like to share a short thumbnail sketch of my mom by answering two questions

1. Who was Carolyn?

2. What lessons did she teach me?

I’ll start with the first: Who was she?
Born October 8th, 1950, my mom arrived in the world with a strong curiosity for learning and a passion for helping others. She grew up with a warm, loving family in Atlanta, GA, and was fortunate to have a strong mother (my Nana Tyler), a wonderful caring sister (my Aunt Peggy), and a wild and crazy but very protective brother (my Uncle Bobby).

Growing up as one of her children was a privilege; she lavished me with love and encouragement my entire life — even calling me on the phone and encouraging me as a parent just days before her trip to Spartanburg, South Carolina.

She was not perfect, but she was a great mother, and friend.

She sought opportunities to serve and care for her family and friends continually.

After my brother and I both graduated from school, she came to Immanuel Bible Church, to work in the music ministry. She came to love her work here - she loved the people of this church, and she was energized by all of the good things going on here.

She had a gift for connecting with people and letting them know that she cared about them. Even with half a dozen things going on, if you ran into her she would suspend everything and let you know “Hey - God loves you, and I do too.”

She saw her life purpose as worshiping God - by serving others.

Understanding a little about who she was, I’d like to share three lessons she taught me.

Lesson One

I remember vividly, the many discussions I had with her when I was in high school. I wanted her to tell me what I should be but she refused.

She explained that WHAT specific role I chose would be much less important than HOW I chose to live it out. Whatever I did, I should do for God’s glory and the benefit of others. She encouraged me to pray, decide for myself, and take a leap of faith.

Incidentally, I ended up joining the Army and becoming a paratrooper. I don’t think she intended for me to take her advice so literally!

This past Christmas, she solidified her advice giving me a wooden plaque with the famous quote from Abraham Lincoln, "Whatever you are, be a good one."

Lesson Two

When I was eight years old, and playing with my friends the Hurdles, I invited my brother Dan to jump on the bed with us. After only a few bounces, he flew off the bed like a cartoon character and bonked his head into a radiator. Blood was everywhere; I screamed for help and Joan Hurdle and my mom rushed Dan to the hospital.

I was very sad, and I cried (although I did ask if I could have all of his toys). A few hours later, he returned with some stitches and a smile.

That night, my mom made it clear that Dan was going to be okay - but at the same time, I should never take loved ones for granted. She told me that I had a very important job; when I asked what it was, she said “Love your brother - everyday."

As I matured, I grew to understand a broader meaning of what she meant. I was to love my brother Dan; and I was also to love everyone with the same compassion she demonstrated.

Lesson Three

When I was a child, I attended Cub Scouts and I learned the scout motto “do your best.”

Some of you might be familiar with the Cub Scout tradition called the pinewood derby, where scouts carve wooden cars and then race them. At my first pinewood derby, I had a mechanically challenged car that barely made it down the track. (Dad, you remember!)

But my mom was so proud of me, when it was my turn to race, she stood at the sidelines and cheered for me “Do your best! Do your best Abe!” My car did so-so, but my heart was so filled up with love, I never forgot that lesson.

Throughout my youth, she always cheered me on to do my best.

At 17, I left home to attend West Point. As I suffered through the first year of hazing I remembered her words “do your best” I did - and I made it through.

At Army Airborne school, faced with jumping out of planes and completely terrified, I could hear her whispering “do your best”… and I overcame my fear of heights to become a paratrooper.

During Army Ranger School, while ascending a mountain in the Tennessee Valley Divide and struggling with a sprained ankle and over 120 pounds of equipment in the cold of winter, I could hear her “Do your best!” - I went on to climb that mountain and graduate Ranger School.

Even today, as a 34 year old man struggling with new problems and worries, I can still see her standing on the sidelines, smiling and cheering me on “Do your best. Do your best Abe!”

Whatever you are, be a good one. Love your brother. Do your best.

I am grateful for these lessons, and many others that my mother taught me. I thank God for her vibrant life, and I thank this church for remembering her and for loving her family.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Aloha Friday #8


Fridays are the days we take it easy in Hawaii. We call it Aloha Friday, much like what folks on the mainland call TGIF. I post a question, and you comment. That's it, unless you want to ask your own question at An Island Life. My question is:
Do you play games for fun or for money?
We have been known to do both. I have more fun playing for prizes than for money, though. Come back tomorrow and read how my four year old plays with poker chips and dominoes.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Walking with Abe and Heather

Hiking Diamond Head is the one thing every one tells you to do on Oahu. Except no one tells you to hike it pregnant. But Heather didn't seem too worried. She was pregnant with her second baby, into her second trimester. We stood in the middle of the crater in the parking lot. The early morning sun was blazing hot already. Hubs was saddled with our chunky toddler in a back pack frame. We grabbed water and cameras and climbed to the mouth of the trail.

Climbing the steep trail, Hubs quickly found that the weight of the backpack on the incline was less burdensome if he kept moving. Our little guy wasn't quite a lightweight. So he and Abe kept a-climbing, while Heather and I hiked at our own pace. I could hear Heather's breath quickening as she continued to climb. I kept asking her if she wanted to stop. Most times she said no, but every now and then we would stop for some water. I was a little paranoid because we had already been to the hospital once since they arrived (oh it was necessary and eventful, but it turned out ok). I had no idea what it felt to be pregnant and making the steep climb, but I was right there with her, walking the trail. We were both going to make it to the top, one way or another.We climbed the switchbacks and finally caught the men before the 99 step staircase. Next was the spiral staircase, and a few more steps. Hubs stayed behind at the summit since the backpack wasn't going to fit. Pregnant Heather, Abe, and I made the low duck out of the the last tunnel and stood 761 feet above sea level. We had made it! We stood at the top of the crater that dominates all of Waikiki, looking 20 miles west to Barber's Point, and 9 miles to Koko Head Crater behind us. Heather was the only pregnant lady we saw. We took some pictures, admired the beauty, and began our descent. We started back down Diamond Head, down the spiral staircase, down the 99 steps, and the other tunnels. At one point, Abe offered to carry our little man. He didn't know exactly how Hubby felt making the ascent, but he had inkling because he had walked with him every step of the way. So he offered to carry little man down the trail.
We started walking with Abe and Heather in 2000. We met them in Northern VA, through an Adult Bible Fellowship. In 2003 some of our friends ran in the Marine Corps Half Marathon at Quantico. Hubs fell behind some of the faster guys in our group. Abe hung back with Hubs until they reached the finish line. He was with him every step of the way.You know how you just click with some couples? The husbands click, and the wives click, and it just works? That's how it is with Abe and Heather. I asked Hubs how that happened for him and Abe. He admired Abe's commitment to God, to his unconditional love for his wife, and who are we kidding...this is Hubs we are talking about...and his intelligence. Oooh when I met Heather I thought ohhhhh she is so like me, I want to be her friend. Well, she is like me...in a remote way I suppose. HA! But she is infamous for her, "Now, if I was a Farmer I would....but I am not a Farmer, so I will not..."

I remember our pastor in Virginia said more than once, "You pick two or three couples where you are committed to each other's marriages, and you walk with them your whole Christian life."

I looked up synonyms for walking, and here is what I found:

stride, stroll, trek, stagger, tiptoe, limp, hobble, hike, march, pace

See how many different ways there are to walk? They are all require action, though. We are committed to walking with Abe and Heather, like they have been committed to us.

Some of our walking has been carefree, and some has been emotional. We have walked with Abe and Heather. We have known births, we have known deaths, we have known stress, and we have known joy. But just as I didn't know what it felt like to hike Diamond Head pregnant, we have only an idea because we have chosen to walk with them.

Columbus Day weekend, Abe's parents were in a terrible car accident, miles from their hotel. We spent the last month praying for a miracle, praying for peace for their family, walking with them, even from 6,000 miles away. Veteran's Day, his mother was promoted to Glory, and is at Home with her Heavenly Father. Our hearts are heavy for their loss, but bittersweetly rejoice that she is no longer in pain and her soul is at peace.

I grew to know Carolyn as more than Abe's mom. She mentored me, and I grew in my marriage. She also helped me when I had trouble nursing. How we hurt for you, Abe and Heather. Know that we are walking with you.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

How good is your Hawaiian?

Wordless Wednesday:

Almost all of our street names are in the Hawaiian language. There are only 12 letters in the Hawaiian alphabet. Street names are difficult to pronounce so many locals give directions by landmark and not street name.

For more Wordless Wednesday participant go here.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Hubby Gets LOST

Last Saturday Hubby got the call to be an extra on LOST. He emailed a response to the show's request for military guys. Now he isn't in the military, but he sports a military hair cut. He was cast as someone totally different, thanks to his great local looks. Still, he needed a hair cut, even if he wasn't cast as military, before Tuesday's filming. He planned his hair cut for Monday.

On Sunday afternoon we were on our way to the pool. The kids were strapped into their car seats in the driveway, I was running in and out of the house, and Hubby was gathering things from the garage. He heard me come into the garage with his back to me. "Um, I think I need to go to the hospital," he muttered. And then it was like a bad movie. He turned around slowly, and all I saw was his profile. Blood streamed down his temple, down his cheek, across his shirt, and all over his hands. I screamed. I panicked. I freaked. It was that bad. It was a lot of blood. And I don't do blood.

I handed Hubby some towels, and we landed in the car. I jumped in the driver's seat and drove to the nearest hospital. The minutes were long. We knew the blood was coming from his head and he was sopping through towels. I dropped him off at the ER and then met him inside. I looked in his scalp, and sure enough there was a little canyon two inches long. His head had caught a corner of the white wire shelving in the garage. He imagined stitches were necessary, following a hospital shaving of his head. He was nervous for the very same reason as me. I bent down, kissed him goodbye, and said, "Don't let them shave your head! Tell them you are going to be on LOST in two days, and you can't let them make your head look all funny." Well, long story short, he didn't have stitches. They used the new super glue for deep cuts on his scalp. No stitches were needed. Even though his hair was a bit long, he was raedy for Tuesday filming.

We intended to share his LOST day like I shared mine. He arrived on a closed set (first clue), checked in, and went to costume. The costume director sized him up and down. His wardrobe was perfect, unlike most extras. He donned a custom made suit, shirt, and shoes. He had them all hand made in Thailand in the fashion district. His wardrobe fit like a glove.

A closed set meant that there was only one way in and one way out of the set. When I was on LOST some of the public had access to the set. Not this time. It was all hush hush. Hubs also had to sign a multiple page confidentiality and non disclosure agreement. It states he could be responsible for $5 million if he breaches the agreement. So there went this blog post! And yes, some big stuff went down on the day of his filming.

His episode airs in February, episode 7. We will have to wait for his recap then. I know! But he did bring me home this:

Friday, November 7, 2008

Aloha Friday #7


Fridays are the days we take it easy in Hawaii. We call it Aloha Friday, much like what folks on the mainland call TGIF. I post a question, and you comment. That's it, unless you want to ask your own question at An Island Life.

My question is:
Who is your favorite LOST character?

I really like Ben because there is still so much we don't know about him yet. I met him when I was an extra on LOST. My husband was an extra this week. Find out more tomorrow!

Halloween in Hawaii

I am still recovering from a Hawaiian Halloween. It's just not your standard trick or treating here. Nooo. The night before Halloween I was making goody bags for Son1's classmates. Goody bags are a cultural tradition for Halloween, Christmas, Easter, and the end of the school year in Hawaii. You have to make one for every single kid in the class. See my bags? They had SIX pieces of good candy in each goody bag.
And this was the loot that came home just from his classmates, before we started trick or treating.I tried to talk Son1 out of this costume. It is hard enough to trick or treat with TWO feet in the dark, let alone six. But thanks to a birthday gift card from Grandma T., he won.
What would a cowboy be without his cow? People in Hawaii are extremely generous and do not give out much cheap candy! People either gave treat bags or really great candy! We treated just our street without a stroller for Son2. We rounded our culdesac and jumped in the car, and headed straight for a church Trunk or Treat. Right at the trunk of a car I found myself a Beth look-a-like. You know, Dog the Bounty Hunter's wife?!? So Hawaii!
Finally, we headed back to our neighborhood and hit up a few more streets with the neighbors. It was so late we put the kids to bed, and sorted out the loot ourselves. We received quite a bit of play dough in our stash. When it was all said and done, we sorted the candy into six gallon sized ziplock bags. Whew! I am going to miss this!!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Just In Case I Birthed A Future Politician

(SORT OF)
Wordless Wednesday:

Son1 came into the booth with me. He asked to color one box, and I helped. He ran in between Hubby's booth and mine. He didn't listen when I told him to stand still. Soon enough I felt my curtain exposed again. "Who are you gonna vote for mayor, Mommy????!!!??" I ignored his persistence.

Outside, Hubby admitted he sent Son1 to ask me which candidate he should vote for mayor. There were no party affiliations next to the candidates because mayor is a non-partisan position in Hawaii. Needless to say he and I voted for different candidates. Hubby was so disappointed! I reassured him our votes canceled out one another.
For more Wordless Wednesday visit here.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

It was really late when we shot this. Hubs pointed out how many times I said "um." Yeah, um, he
was, um, right!

Winners!

Mahalo to all that participated in the Bloggy Giveaways! I will be answering many of your great questions very soon! We have some very exciting news coming this week....and it just MAYBE involves TV. Maybe. And you MAYBE get to read about it here on Thursday. I know. You're squealing. I am too!!!

The winner of the Kona coffee is Hil'Lesha.

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

30

Timestamp: 2008-11-02 07:32:51 UTC


The winner of the Hawaiian Tea is c3pokah!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

35

Timestamp: 2008-11-02 07:19:44 UTC