Perspective

They come every year. They cause stress, happiness, commotion, and merriment to name a few. The Holidays. This year I have been focused on one thing: what my perception of contentment is. In years past, it might have been focused on material items or lack there of, or on friends who didn't call to hang out. I've been doing some pondering. Does it really matter if we have 50 pairs of shoes or a really nice car? Does it really matter if we have the biggest, nicest house with all the most stylish furniture? Does it really matter how cool we are (perception!) in the eyes of others and in our own eyes?

I think about parents who's children are losing the battle to cancer at an age far too young. Would they give everything to have my few humble belongings and meager salary if their child was as healthy as mine are? I reckon so. When the December storms pass over the island, I think of all the families that don't have adequate shelter over their heads. I am humbled and grateful for my little home with little rooms on a little lot. It might not be a sight to see, but it is ours and it serves its main purpose: shelter.

It is all about perspective. I have enough. I am happy. I am loved. I am full. I am grateful. I am good enough. I am thankful. I am blessed.

Good Advice?

"Kiri, you would look so cool if you cut off all your curls"
-Lyon, 5

Gardening Hats

They are so lucky. One set of grandparents lives 15 minutes away and they get to spend just about every Friday night with them (oh wait, WE are so lucky). How wonderful to see knowledge passed to the younger generations. Grandparents are like treasures. At Papa and Lelo's they learn about gardening and chicken farming among other things. Of course, you have to wear your gardening hat when you go out to garden! (Kiri 4, Lyon 5) They love their special time at this house!

More Coined Phrases

Oh the joys of being on Earth for only 4-5 years! :

"Mom, do you know why I want to sleep next to you? (sniff sniff) Because you are warm and I like you" -Kiri, 4. Working it.

"CANYON BALLS!!!" (Lyon diving into the pool)

Ariki: "Lyon you have Yoga after school"
Lyon: "Yogurt? What?"

Girl Turns Four

 Kiriana Heimataura Kauvai Foster: You are named to remember your elders who came before you. Kiriana as in Karen, your maternal great Aunt. Heimataura was your great great great great grandmother and she was a queen in Tahiti. Kauvai is your paternal grandmother's last name..we gave you that name so your people would know who you are when you return to Rarotonga one day.

But your face tells another story. The night you were born, you came sudden and early, true to Foster form. It was late, around 11:30pm and you were born via C-section. When you came to my arms, I fell in love helplessly and hopelessly in an instant. Lelo was there and the first thing she said about you, "She's really beautiful" Your features were a perfect mix of Latin and Polynesian. You did not cry except one single yelp when the doctor took you out. You did not cry for another 3 weeks after that.

Today you are four. You are beautiful, tall, lean, exotic, studious, creative, astute and sweet. Your sweet side is balanced with your fire and determination. You are the center of your father's heart.

Last night you told me you never want to move out, never want to get married, never want to have kids and never want to leave mom and dad. You told me you want to live here forever and take care of us. Okay, fine by us. the laundry and dishes are waiting.

The world holds possibilities for you that have yet to be seen. Our creator has laid out a life for you that has not forgot any detail or thought. You were born into a family that loves, therefore you will love and be loved. We knew you were coming. Papa had a dream about you before he knew about you. God has purpose for you, Kiriana. Take heed and wait upon Him and see what an amazing life unfolds.

Te Quiero mi amor, mi muneca, mi mundo....

Stand.

This morning at church a mom and her physically disabled teenage son sat in front of us. Her son was mentally "there" but his body was served by a wheel chair. The implications of having such a child are beyond my imagination.

During one of the worship songs "I Am Set Free" most people stayed sitting. The boy, physically disabled, struggled with the help of his mom to stand on his feet and raise his hands to God. His mom braced him to stand as he stood and sang out "I am free" to God with his hands in the air. I was so moved by this moment. What we take for granted, being able to stand, is what takes one person all he has and the help of another. And then again, one day this boy will be set free from a body that hasn't served him well. 

Questions from a four-year old mind.

"Mom, this year for my birthday I want a unicorn Pinata and a flute" says the girl with curly hair.

"Mom, are dolphins nice to people? Are they friends with turtles?" says the boy with the big brown eyes.

"Mom, does the wind help or hurt fire? What about your mouth-wind (breath)?" says boy.

"Mom, do dinosaurs have big bones?" says boy.

"Mom, I never want to get married because I don't want to leave you" says little girl.

"Mom, why do sharks eat people?"-boy

"Mom, what do turtles eat" -boy

And many, many more....

The last days of "Four"

These are the last days of being four. We started this journey when he came home at four pounds. Now he is four years and in a few days, five.  He finished preschool, he finished Kindergarten Camp, he rides bikes around the neighborhood and tonight he is having his first sleep-over at Moses Brown's house. Even though Moses is 1.5 years older and bigger, they seemed to have carved out a nice friendship given Lyon's headstrong personality and "directing" personality. Speaking of that personality, Lyon's personality is emerging as a leader. He always wants to be first, to be in front, to be the speaker, to tell everyone what to do. The other night he told me he wanted to be the boss of the neighbors. I said no, they have parents. He said he wants to be the boss of the parents too. I said not possible.

The first day of Kindergarten camp went well. There were no tears. Only questions: "what are we doing here" -going to camp. "Who is that lady" -your teacher. "well whats for lunch and what time are you picking me up?" Once he had all the facts he went with it and had a good time. His teacher is Ms. Dizon. You wouldn't know it by her name, but she is a beautiful, skinny tall blonde. Lyon referred to her as the tall, bony lady when he couldn't remember her name.

Katelyn.

Lyon's first crush is a Filipino girl named Katelyn. Katelyn is the alpha-female, boss-chick at the preschool. She has an older sister so she's waaaay mature. Lyon told me that he went up to her and whispered in her ear "Your my girlfriend" and so now she is. Kiri told her neighbor friend "Brianne, my brother is getting married soon. Her name is Katelyn" all so matter-of-factly. Sometimes I wonder if we have only been raising kids for four years, only?

Blockers

poor Lyon had a stuffy nose last night and was getting really frustrated to the point of tears at not being able to breath. At one point he pointed all the blame on Kiri with "SEE KIRI!! you put your butt in my face and now I have the blockers in my nose!!" huh?!

Dentist Time

Here she is at the Dentist. She did super!

Not Well

Lyon: "Mom, I don't feel well"
Kiri: "Well maybe he has a beaver"

Beaver, fever...same thing.

New Zealand 2012

I am sitting here listening to Bon Iver and reflecting on our trip. So many memories that put a smile on my face. So many moments spent connecting with friends and family. Moments of silence as we traveled across New Zealand; the farms, rolling green hills, sheep, forests, cold oceans, roadside cafes, the moments looking in the backseat and seeing two sleeping children. I remember a year after we got married we took a trip home. It was just the two of us and our newly-wed excitement. After a few days with the family in Wellington, we got into our rental car and waived our teary goodbyes to the family in the driveway. As we drove off, I looked at Ariki and said, "one day there is going to be two little babies in that backseat driving away with us" and we both laughed. Our vision of a blessing comes to pass as a real blessing. Indeed.

This is life. This is real. We could spend endless hours pursuing more money or material things. Or we could spend endless hours living life, each day, each moment counts. If there's something that is on your bucket-list, do it. Plain and simple. Just do it.

First Dance Class

After our trip to New Zealand (which I will post about later) Kiri got the dance bug. She loves her traditional dances of Tahiti and Hawaii! Today I took her to her first dance class. She was the youngest in the class and the little girls were really sweet to her. She really liked it!

Song and Baby Names

Last night after work, both the kids were still awake. I got them in bed all snuggled up in the dark and Lyon started singing in the most angelic, childlike 4 year old voice: "If yoooouuuu go to Jaaaail....you get to ride in your own cop-car....yea yea...." HUH?! I had to chuckle.

And then he told me "hey mom, when I get big, I'm going to move out of here"
"ok, where are you going" I asked.
"I'm getting my own house."
"Can I come visit?" I asked.
"Sure. I'll come pick you up in my Jeep" Lyon answered.
"Well are you going to have a wife and kids at your new house?" I asked.
"Yeah...her name is going to be Joya." He answered. "That's a good wife name, don't you think, Mom?"
"Yep, good name" I answered. "What about your kids?"
"Trainer and Conner" He chimed in.
At that point Kiri piped in "I want a wife toooo!
"How about a husband, Kiri?" I suggested. This got her mad. She didn't like the idea of having something different than Lyon so she started to cry. "Nooooo....I want a wife like Lyon!"
"Do you just want to stay here with Mommy when you get big" I asked.
"Yeaaaa....." she said through tears. And then she thought about it for a moment and added "but I want babies like Lyon" sniff sniff
"Monica and Makayla" sniff sniff
"And maybe Jayden" sniff sniff

And that's how we ended Sunday night. Thoughts of babies, future, and a thoughtful song on what perks their are if you go to jail (private cop car ride).
The End

How Old Are You?

I just had to re-post this story from my dear friends Kim and Jared. Judah is their 5 year old son. Too funny!

Judah was admiring his light up Skechers he got for Christmas. He asked me, "Hey mom, did you have Skechers when you were a kid?" When I told him no, he said, "So, what, did you just wear shoes made out of bearskins like Indians?" He was serious. Evidently I have reached the status of being old...really, really old.

Lyon's Snail Friend

This afternoon I was out tending to my little garden while the kids played in the yard around me. All of a sudden I hear Lyon exclaim "HEY look! It's Shaggy!" as if an old friend just arrived. I looked around perplexed. "Lyon, who are you talking to?" I asked. He pointed to a snail in the dirt. "Mom, that's Shaggy!" Apparently they had met before. Lyon and Kiri got to work digging out a pool for Shaggy in the dirt surrounding the banana trees. They added a water slide with the banana leaves. Shaggy is one lucky snail so we decided to let him live near our ti-leaf plants.