2010: The Year of Entrepreneurship And The End of Diapers

Well, I haven't done a Christmas card or letter again this year (surprise surprise with two little ones). I did however manage to put up some lights and a little tree which the kids enjoy every night. Now you have me inspired, so I'm going to compose a Christmas letter right now, right here for you:

2010: Year of Entrepreneurship and The End of Diapers

2010 was a big year for the biggest to the smallest of the Foster Four. First and foremost, I'd like to focus on the most important aspects of our lives. We are all healthy. We still have a great little house we rent with a huge yard and a stream running through the back of the property. We live close to family and we have a wonderful support system through our family and church. Finally, we are happy and thankful in life and for life. Now, moving on to a little closer look of each person in our family.

After running our recording business from our house for most of 2009 and 2010, we couldn't keep up with the demand and asking two little ones to keep quiet while Ariki recorded at home. That said, I set out to look for a better, commercial location. I credit it to good timing and divine intervention, we stumbled across a vacant location in Lihue that WAS a recording studio! Because Ariki gets asked to play drums at various churches on island, he knows a lot of people. So when we met with the real estate agent managing the location, he immediately remembered Ariki and gave us the lease for dirt cheap. Thus, Dubb City Productions LLC was officially born (yes, the name paying homage to Wellington city). Due to Ariki's expertise skill and gifted ear, we are getting numerous clients and as of right now, booked through June 2011! In his off time, Ariki has taken up water sports such as surfing, body boarding and stand up paddling. He also enjoys doing an exercise training class once a week. He is an excellent father, loving husband, and popular guy on the island. I always marvel at how many people he knows that I don't know, considering I was the one who grew up here! It seems like everywhere we go, someone is greeting him with a big smile on their face.

Lyon

Lyon has had a successful year as well. After two and a half years of intervention services through Easter Seals (due to being premature), we finally decided to end services because he was caught up in all areas. No more speech and physical therapy! Lyon marked the occasion by attending a graduation ceremony at the Easter Seals office in Lihue. We are relieved to put all aspects of his premature birth behind us completely and move forward. We are grateful beyond words that he has not a single lingering symptom of being born at 24 weeks gestation. Truly a miracle we have witnessed in our lifetime. Now at three and almost a half, Lyon is a super bubbly, silly, funny, happy, loving kid. He's always into something he shouldn't be and he's always laughing about something. He carries a lot of features from the Legacy side-pin straight hair, funny forehead, skinny body, and possibly a lot of body hair (bummers, sorry kid). He takes pride in his older brother role and is quick to intervene for his sister if anyone is messing with her on the playground. He is Poppa's (my father) number one fan. I think if we gave him the green light, he would pack up his toys and move to their house in Kalaheo in a heartbeat.

Kiri

Not to be out-shined by her older brother, Kiriana was soon to walk, talk and potty train quickly after Lyon. That makes two out diapers and I can't tell you how happy we are. Our wallet is even happier. Kiriana is the reflective, observing, moody personality. She wants to snuggle all the time and be close to mom. This I don't mind as I remind myself to relish these times. One day she isn't going to want "mom" like she does now. Kiri enjoys animals and playing with whatever Lyon is into. Not so much interest in dolls and girly things just as I wasn't. Oppositely, Kiri takes on the Foster side: cork-screw curls and polynesian features. She is all over Ariki. Let's just hope not his size!

Finally a little on me. I'm still working at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in the private events department. I enjoy this job very much because it allows me to be a mom on my off time and not worry about work outside of work. This year was a tough one for everyone on Kauai. Most of the Hyatt staff was temporarily laid off and I was included in that bunch for 6 months. As usual, when life gives you lemons, you better make damn good lemonade out of it! So that I did! I've been enjoying how to make useful things- environmentally friendly laundry detergent, non-toxic cleaning products, healthy cookies, homemade lasagna. Another great thing that happened this year was time and opportunity to start my event coordination business. Through friends knowing my knack for being uber organized, planned, and already doing this at the hotel, to date I have put on four great weddings of 150-300 guests. Thus, A Perfect Day Events was born! I can't tell you how much I enjoy doing this business. I love details, I love parties, I love the challenge of getting it right and perfect. And since I already work in the industry, I have tons of contacts for everything needed. It was a no-brainer, I needed to do this business. I have another wedding coming up in April and very excited about that.

I feel like I am leaving out a lot of details but this is a good synopsis of our little world. Mom continues to work at the airport and substitute teaching during the day. Dad is retired now, just about lives in his garden with his vegetables and egg laying chickens. My older brother, Gabe, has moved home after 14 years on the mainland USA. Finally we are getting to know each other. Life is good, and we are thankful.

Looking forward to seeing you one day again.

Merry Christmas and Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!
Marie, Ariki, Lyon and Kiriana