February 12-14, 2012-Weekend Roier…

     Instead of a Weekend Warrior, I was a Weekend Roier the past few days.  I used to come up almost every weekend, on my own and with my boys, but since moving out of my bachelor’s quarters and into a family home just a little over a year ago, Roi weekends are few and far between, but that’s what makes them pretty special.  Between the fabulous Valentine’s Surf and Turf Dinner at the Roi-Namur Dolphins Scuba Shack, the time spent reading for fun, and exercising at the pool in the glow of the setting sun, I remembered once again why I love this island so much.  It’s always been more my speed, but being a “bachelor island,” I’m not able to live here full time and be with my kids too, so I made the sacrifice to be away from my dream guy and dream island in order to be with my babies.  That’s what we do as parents, we sacrifice time, energy, money, and usually our very hearts and souls to be there for our kids and help them become strong, independent adults themselves. 

     I will never regret the choices I’ve made in regards to the boys.  It may seem to some that I have allowed others to walk all over me or take advantage of me, so that I could keep the peace and be near and there for my boys in any and every situation possible, but I’d much rather “turn the other cheek” and swallow my pride than argue and struggle to get my way or worse yet, “to seek revenge” and make my children miserable in the process.  I may not be receiving all the rights, respect, and support I “deserve” when it comes to my babies (or that a court of law in the states might award me as their mother), but how will I ever learn to be content in whatever circumstances God places me or how to come through the fire more refined and with more wisdom if I never walk through the flames?  There’s a reason for everything, even if it can’t be explained, and every time a friend or loved one expresses their righteous anger at the difficulties that often accompany the “divided home” within which my boys are being raised, I can agree and usually even get angry myself, but in my heart I keep feeling that I must press forward with nothing but kindness, love, generosity of spirit, and helpfulness towards those who would try to “oppress” me.  Until I hear God telling me otherwise, that’s what I will do, attempt to exhibit the fruit of the spirit in all my daily work and personal dealings. Although, I must admit, I’ve been praying about that  “self-control” one.  I have a hard time controlling my emotions sometimes, and this leads to a lack of discipline and a lack of rational and professional ways of dealing with others, so I will keep working on that one for now.  J  After a busy, nerve-racking week at work, the weekend on Roi provided some much needed perspective on life and reminded me that not only it is the small things that can bring you joy, it’s usually also the small things which bring stress, and these are thing we need not worry about, but instead, give them over to the Almighty One and let it go.  Now, if the weekend on Roi just could have lasted a little longer…

February 8-11, 2012 Inspections…

     After a relaxing three-day weekend (thanks to “playing hookey” on my birthday), I was thrown back into the world of meeting the numerous child care regulations, which is a large and important part of working for an army based child care organization, with the arrival of our inspectors from Hawaii.  These visits are always a bit nerve-racking, but also very useful for our future, helping us to understand why we do what we do in the way we do it, and also to give us ideas on how to do it better. J  We’re at the beck and call of the inspections while they are here, so very little of our regular work gets done, and we are left with a long list of corrective actions to complete within a prescribed timeframe of either 72 hours, 30, 60, or 90 days for any findings on their list of 300+ items to check in the 4 main inspection areas of curriculum, training, program, and administration, but it’s all part of the process of becoming better at what we do.  You’d think I’d be used to it having been through it before, but it always takes more out of me than I expect, so this weekend, I’ll be enjoying a pre-Valentine’s weekend on Roi, getting my mind off of work and onto the business of enjoying the tropical island I am so privileged to live and work on instead. 

 

February 7, 2012-Birthday Business and Melodious Melodies

     It’s my birthday today, so I took the day off. J  Mostly, I relaxed in my pajamas all day, but I also took care of business while in my new comfy purple robe (which I bought for myself as a birthday present).  I printed out our wedding invitations and response cards.  It’s nice to have that chore close to done.  I still have to attach all the labels, but the actual invitations are complete.  One more thing to check off my list!

     Last night, we celebrated my birthday with my babies, having a delicious steak and shrimp dinner with homemade bread (made by me, amazingly-the bread, that is), and a scrumptious 4 layer chocolate and vanilla birthday cake with cream cheese frosting (made by my sweetheart, of course).  To my great surprise, there were also cards and presents (I figured the dinner was more than enough birthday spoiling).  I received a fabulous new outfit (skirt, top, and jewelry included) from one of the local vendors who buys her stuff from the Philippines and sells it here, as well as a new camera to replace the one I lost in the waves of Mellu back in October. It was absolutely perfect!

     To top off my 2012 birthday experience, my fiancé and I headed to Roi for the night, enjoying the visiting pianist for a 2 hour concert at the Outrigger Bar and Grill.  What a treat! Last year a proposal and professional hockey game for my birthday. This year a wedding to prepare for and an amazing concert pianist to enjoy! I am so very blessed.  

February 6, 2012-Hula Time!!

     Back in the late 1990’s I enjoyed taking hula classes here on the island with a friend and co-worker of mine who is a very talented Polynesian dancer in her off time. J  Sometime after the birth of my second child, hula classes dropped off my priority list.  I simply could not fit them into my life comfortably anymore, although I have missed them dearly every year I have been away.  Today, I made time to put hula back in my life, and I’m so glad I did.  There’s something about the flow of the hips and the magic of telling a story with your hands that makes any hula dance positively intoxicating to perform and to watch.  We will be practicing only once a week until it gets closer to the time for our show, but after just an hour of hula, I come home more relaxed and peaceful for having had the time to put myself into the music and let every other thought and concern of life melt away while I helped tell one of the many beautiful stories of Hawaii.  

February 5, 2012-First Communion and Scout Sunday

          At our local protestant chapel, communion takes place on the first Sunday of every month.  This Sunday also happens to be Scout Sunday, when the Cub Scouts celebrate the start of their organization and the “Duty to God” elective achievement that is a big part of the program.  The scouts who attended were all called up to the front by the pastor and presented with a special 2012 Scout Sunday badge.  After that and the message, it was time for my little ones’ first communion experience.  I hadn’t thought about it until the very moment communion was announced, but since the boys were just baptized in December, they are now welcome to participate in the communion ceremony. For a Southern Baptist (which is how I was raised), communion is not something you partake in until you are saved and baptized.  When I whispered to the boys what was about to happen, they were very excited, and of course, had lots of questions, which my fiancé and I had to field quietly while communion was being served.  It was another sweet moment for me as a mom, watching them take part in a long-standing spiritual ceremony I grew up participating in.  Sometimes it’s the smallest and most unexpected moments in life that make it all worthwhile.