Leaving

Leaving is never easy. Saying goodbyes are always hard. Life happens so fast sometimes, today I have a second to pause and actually process a little of what is going on or I should say what went on. I don't even know where to start one minute I'm there the next I'm here. I cannot begin to express how much love and appreciation I have for the ones I love and how thankful I am for every opportunity that has come out from all the life experiences that have come and gone and continue to be. Nothing is impossible and with the love support and care from the true and few around it could have never felt any better. I came to Hawaii not knowing what to expect and I left knowing I was exactly where I was supposed to be when I was supposed to be there. I've gained another forever beautiful home and I know I don't have to be there to know that I will always be welcomed back with open arms filled with love.

I'd like to dedicate this post to Mark and Robin Schweitzer who have been amazing friends/family from the beginning. The whole Hawaii experience probably would have never happened with out you guys, Hawaii was never even a thought in my mind but because of the love we have for each other and the relationship we have built Marley and I have had a life experience others only dream of. So thank you! We love you guys so much and it has only been a few weeks and I left missing you before I even left but as much as I think of you, I carry you guys in my heart always and that definetly keeps me smiling. Its funny the things I think of daily that just make me burst out in laughs and then I think to myself how crazy I must look and laugh even more. I find myself saying silly things only we would understand, I see things in the store that remind me of things we would do and all I can do is smile sit back and think of all the wonderful times we had and I know that in the future there are only more to come. Hawaii was beautiful but the time we spent together was what mattered the most. I learned a lot about myself being so far away from everything I ever knew and it feels good to know I have found such a big piece of myself to be able to continue on to another chapter in my life and from here on who knows where I'll end up :-p I'd go on but I'd probably end up crying myself to sleep from a combination of feelings and emotions and all that girly bullshit lol

I Love You Guys!! Thanks Again for EVERYTHING!!!

Pure Love

Ohana

These Will ALWAYS make me laugh!

Jerz What?!?!

Epic Duck Face FAIL lol

Moments :-)

F-U Right In The Face!The One On Ur Arm!!

Pick Me A Winner!!

Zombie M&M

Great Pic!

Im So Excited!! Lol

Pool Time!

Park Time!

Beach Time!

All the time and EVERY time always equaled a Good Time :-) And now I need A Fucking blended drink MARK!!!!!

Traveling with a Toddler

Can I just start this off by saying MOVING SUCKS!!!! Especially when the moving requires you to board planes, have long lay overs, and lame airline assistance! Let me tell you when the airline services claim to offer you assistance or assistance to those with disabilities they LIE and if they do some what help they do it with the worst attitude and look at you crazy. I can't tell you how many people I wanted to slap on this trip back to the mainland OH MAN!!! This particular flight attendant comes to mind, while Marley was watching her movie on her portable DVD player this lady has the nerve to tell me she needs to have headphones on. My internal reaction was as follows: [ BITCH if you would bother to fucking read your flight manifest you would know my daughter has a disability and teaching her how to put fucking headphones on isn't a top priority seeing that we are focused on teaching her how to communicate and other life skills before all else so SHUT THE FUCK UP ain't nobody in the back of the damn airplane complaining and can't nobody else hear it or is complaining SHIIIIEEEETTTTT]. I can't begin to express my frustrations but Marley did GREAT! There were no weird-o's to speak of, no smelly people near us, and no other things or obstacles that make traveling a bit more uncomfortable than need be. So my complaints end their. I was very impressed with the way Marley behaved herself not one cry or tantrum throughout our whole trip and the long lay over that required us to stay the night at a near by hotel was actually better than going straight through. A good in between break from our travels and Seattle's airport provided this amazing overnight baggage service. I didn't have to drag my two over sized bags back and forth to the airport, they kept them there nice and safe for me for a small fee well worth it I may add. The whole travel was exhausting, emotional,draining and it is probably something I wouldn't do alone in the future, well let me clarify I would definitely travel again just Marley and I but NEVER move across the ocean by ourselves! Daniel was a BIG help the first time around and I think I would just stress myself out more than need be to do it again like I did this time around. Big thanks to Mark & Robin for getting us to where we needed to be and helping out along the way I couldn't have done it without you guys! 

Marley and I just enjoying the last true blue sunny sky before we start our journey to the cold.

I remember arriving and coming through identical gates. Time just passes by so fast it may not have seemed like it some days but it's crazy how it all happens from one moment to the next.

Took long enough to get in and on buckled and set one last pic of the Island Airport.

Marley didn't skip a beat she is on and set even a little comfortable :-) That a girl!!

Maui off in the corner I believe. I'll be returning one day can't stay away from sky's like that! (Mark have the blender ready!)

"Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane..."

This is what I'd like to call my 5 P's (Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance) I CANNOT stress having as much as you can for a toddler on a plane luckily Marley is a simple happy girl to please is with ease (lol) But snacks is a MUST,books, toys, coloring pads, stickers, LIQUIDS!, pillow, movies, and most importantly SILKY! (Marley's favorite blanket)

Without all these modern inventions I don't think I would ever in my life even consider traveling alone. FORGET ABOUT IT! It was A LOT to carry but worth my sanity. Thanks to all those many things I brought along this trip there wasn't a single moment of fuss or frustration. Marley did such a great job and was well entertained throughout that five and a half hour flight between nap time, snack time, and play/movie time everything went as smooth as any parent could wish. The worst thoughts came to my mind prior to this and the disasters I made up were far from coming true so I call this my trip success. :-)

 My sweet baby napping. I may suggest night time diapers! WINNERS in my book with all the liquids taken during the trip and the bathrooms being the least favorite spot for anyone traveling the diapers were an amazing help and very convenient with there fancy ways of absorbing EXTREME amounts of liquids THEY WORK!

Finding different ways to keep her comfortable and to maintain her sleep mode was not easy to maneuver. I felt so bad, she kept moving and had no place to go and this girl is a CRAZY sleeper. I finally ended up taking her out of the car seat and tried to hold her to sleep, it didn't last long but I'm sure it helped her get a few more minutes into her sleep mode.

Snack time!! My last cups of P.O.G (passion, orange, guava) Even if the mainland were to offer such a delicious beverage it would never be the same!

BIG, no HUGE thanks to the inventors of the portable DVD player a true life savor and entertainment for us both. Our feature presentation consisted on Alice in Wonderland (GREAT movie), so glad Marley has great taste in flicks.

Arrival in Seattle... it was COLD -_-

Seattle to Reno needless to say the flight wasn't nearly as pretty or as close to that blue in beautiful paradise.

Xmas ready and this girl was up at 5:30am to 7pm local time and 3:30a.m to 5p.m Hawaii time. The time gap was something I worried about and keeping her on schedule but this girl pulled through the whole day and powered through the jet lag to get back onto her normal schedule within two days, she didn't skip a beat and if it wasn't for her greatness this trip would've been a nightmare. Thanks Marley!!

Remember Me??

It has been FOREVER since my last post!!! Just so you guys know I AM ALIVE!! I have however been a little lost and unmotivated to post or blog but I some how mustered it up and found that piece of me that started this and found the motivation to continue to share. My mind as always has been running around and I can't seem to locate it for long periods of time so this is just a little message to let you guys know I'M BACK!! This isn't over and there will be plenty more of me to come well not just me but everything else too, I need a healthy way to vent and what not so I don't end up exploding so I will be posting!!! Stay Tuned!

P.S
I did something crazy to my hair while off blogging duty and maybe this means for crazier posts???

(Black Blonde & Hot Pink)

Little Creatures & Such

Well I can't begin to tell you guys the very many creatures we run into on a daily here. There are so many little cute, nasty, ugly, interesting things that show face throughout the day. We've made it a game to name the very many regulars we have or at least try to when we don't forget the names we've dubbed on them lol. We share our home to those little guys that come often whether it be our yard, kitchen or pool. There are a few regulars around here that I become worried when I don't see them. I know it might sound silly that I worry about mainly our two resident geckos when I don't see them in there usual spot above the sink at the kitchen window where we have daily conversations about things I can't even remember I know now I sound crazy yes I talk to the geckos lol A stay at home mom gets bored from time to time and when you get the same response from the geckos as you do your toddler it doesn't seem so strange :-)

But our adventures with all the living and non-living things started immediately and its hard to not want to collect and keep them all like Pokemon cards. "Gotta catch um' all Pokemon" lol They are awesome!

 

The first week we were here this little guy was brought home from a find off a work route and it was the first time in my life that I have ever seen and held a chameleon. Needless to say it was way COOL!!! Wish I would've kept the little guy but we all knew it was best for him to be back where he belonged in the wild. 

The geckos however are another story, pet or not they are around at all times and there is not a day that goes by that you don't see at least one. Especially having the ones that live in our kitchen but there is a small pound in our backyard that is home to multiples. They hang out there all day sun bathing, eating, or just fighting with one another it is awesome to walk out and see more than 7 just kickin' it. These guys are cool. A lot of Hawaiians however don't find them to be so cute seeing that they kill the native Hawaiian lizards and eat them or run around in your homes and poop all over your walls. Those guys are taking over and some like them and some don't me , I like um' :-)

They are extremely cute and photogenic! 

This guy is a night crawler and he's see threw, there are a few that hang out around the house every night and are ugly and cute all at the same time. I've always wanted to catch one of these in particular but something about them makes me want to look and not touch :-)

This chameleon lives in our spare bedroom his name is Pollock. the wild outdoors just behind closed doors. Its pretty cool how fast these guys adjust and become domesticated he blends right into the trees and hand feeds crickets out of your hand, turns colors when agitated and interesting to watch.


The Turtles!!!!! Need I say more?! Awesome!!

The rest of the photos bellow are just random pictures taken here and there and everywhere little pieces of the island for your eyes to enjoy. I cannot begin to describe the beauty of all things around or even describe the feeling that engulfs you while your here, such a humble and beautiful experience that I only wish to pass on pieces to all of you who have never been. Hawaii isn't just a paradise but home to many so if you ever do get the chance to visit take a second and thank and appreciate all these things that stay beautiful by the people who live here.

Plumeria 

Birds of Paradise (I think lol) 

The island of Maui so close but yet so far

Palms Galore 

Pool Side Sunsets Breath Taking Everytime

Mahalos for reading and Aloha for now :-)

Rough Day

It's so weird, I feel like I've been missing out a little lost even. I have so many thoughts running through my head as time passes and I can't ever get them straight or in order for that matter. There is always something to write about but putting it into words can be a little hard for me. It's all in my head I can't even speak of them because they are so out of order I don't even know where to start...

So let me start off with today and my morning. This particular morning has been a little difficult, Marley has been in a crazy mood today and I don't know what has gotten into her and its making me CRAZY!!! She isn't being herself and I've checked all the possibilities (like tummy ache, cold etc.) so really she's just having one of those days. It's so weird having a fussy crying baby because I am not used to her being this way. She is a mellow, happy girl 98.9% of the time so when she cries over every little thing as simple as a cup of water it makes me want to pull my hair out! I'm reminded of how lucky I am, I don't have to go through these motions and frustrations on the regular and how lucky I am that even though she isn't verbally speaking she is still able to tell me what she wants without all the chaos. So when things get crazy I am at a loss of patience which is so weird for me. I have been in the daycare business for over five years and dealing with tantrums and crying children is my thing, I'm good at it BUT when it comes to Marley it is so different you would think I can just pull my skills out of my Mary Poppins bag and figure it out but nope, I wish it was that easy but here is what I do; I take a step back and remember we all have difficult days no matter how old you are and take a deep breath, find my patience and let her cry it out a bit, ask her if she is all done (throwing her fit or crying) if she isn't I wait but when she is we move on from there. I know I am not the only one that deals with these tantrums or frustrations so it would be cool to get feedback as to what other mothers do when they're kids are having rough days. It is so much like a roller coaster ride too because one second she's fine playing and the next BOOM fit central I almost have to laugh to myself because what could possibly be so horrible for a toddler who needs for nothing, I shake my head in confusion and then come back to the reality that this little thing is still hysterically screaming WOW! It's so crazy how easy it is for me to zone out and block the screams of not just her cries but any kids for that matter especially when there is NOTHING wrong! Now if she was sick or hurt that would be a different story but nope they're just random bursts of emotion that then turn into random smiles and signs of contentment until the next, but for now she is just having one  of those days and I'm off to deal.

How Can Someone So Cute Be Such A Pill

Wish me Luck! :-)

On A Daily

Marley is very much on a schedule like I have mentioned before and I'll lay it out as sort of a future guideline for parents to compare to their own maybe or even just to give you guys an idea of what goes on during our days. Never do we really divert from this schedule and when we do its rare and unplanned. Things run easier when we stick to the schedule and are better predicted when we know what is what and when is when.

6-7a.m - Wake up
         ~ Depending on her energy level from the night before depends on her actual wake up time but its pretty regular on a daily and very routine.

7-8:30 - Resting time/ t.v show (signing time, Dora, Imagination movers etc.)
         ~ Resting time is very much meant for me mostly, just a few extra minutes to help me wake up are extremely beneficial and its all routine so Marley is super mellow during this time and lays with me quietly. Getting closer to 8 she asks in sign to get down off the bed and play and during this time she will cruise around the room and play with her toys or just take them all out and makes a big mess. Also she will sometimes ask for a movie and that is when I pick a show to put on for her and she will happily sit next to me and watch what ever it is that is playing. :-)

8:30-8:45 - Dress/ Breakfast prep time
           ~ This time is used to change her diaper and pick an outfit for the day and get her breakfast ready, set out her medicine and get her a cup of water going while she waits and I give her vitamin while I set up.

8:45-9a.m - Breakfast
          ~ These meals are always rotated between 3 main dishes, oatmeal, pancakes, and cereal. All 3 have about 2-3 sides fresh fruit, dried fruit and dry cereal or crunches.

9-11:45 - Free play/ activities
          ~All depending on the day and Marley's mood this time is used to practice signing, learning colors, putting puzzles together, singing songs, reading books, going to the park, playing in the yard, going to the beach, therapy, or just running errands to the store. All depending on the day.

11:45-12p.m - Lunch Prep

12- 12:15 - Lunch Time
              ~ Foods at lunch time are all very different and random and mostly consist on leftovers or what ever I can scramble up at the last minute. Marley is very easy to feed, she loves and enjoys all foods. Though lately she has become a handful from time to time I have to bargain with her and what she will eat. A bite of food in exchange for a goldfish or crunchie because she acts like she doesn't like the food options given to her but knowing that she does its not a negotiation if you don't want it you don't eat because if I start jumping at all the "no's" she wants to start giving then there would be no end to the back and forth I'd be doing.

12:15- 12:30 - Wine down (change diaper, sit on potty, get comfy)
             
12:30- 1p.m - Rest time
               ~ Before nap time I like to give Marley time to relax and just stop everything that's going on. After she eats we come back into the room toys put away, tv off and just sit and relax and get ready for nap. She has started to ask for things before its time to go to sleep so I limit it to just her cup of water so she doesn't get too fussy or excited and at this time she just hangs out in her bed and relaxes herself to bed. Sometimes I do have to help her down and I will still pick her up and hold her until she falls asleep but most of the time she does a good job all on her own.

1- 2:30/3 - Nap Time
           ~ I take this time to clean, blog, shower, or even nap myself sometimes its good "me" time.

3-4p.m - Wake up (diaper, potty, water cup, t.v show)
    ~ Marley has started more consistently using or sitting on the potty which is exciting news, before our move to HI she was using the potty quite often but the change in move and the actual toilet has made her sitting a little less comfortable but nonetheless she is going "pp in the potty" and it never fails to excite the both of us every time.

4- 4:15 - Snack Time
         ~ I like to keep snack time different as often as I can and allow different treats or snacks to be rotated into the routine so they vary from applesauce, pudding, jello and yogurt with the sides of a fresh fruit, dried fruit, and a dry cereal, rice cookie or cereal bar. I know Marley never minds what it is for snack because she will eat what ever is put in front of her at this time but I'd like to think rotating different things keeps them all new and less boring each time.

4:15- 5:45 - Free play
        ~ Backyard, playroom, park, coloring, painting, chalk, a trip to the store or just lounging around its hard to say what it is we do with some of the time we spend together because it's not always the same thing but what ever it is we do we do it :-)

5:45- 6p.m - Dinner Prep

6- 6:15/6:30 - Dinner
          ~ We never all eat dinner at the same time so again these meals are random and may consist of the meal we had the night before whether it is chicken and rice, pasta, beans no matter Marley's meals are always well rounded, I know for a fact this girl eats better than I do most days.

6:30- 7:30pm - Movie/Show (chill out time)

7:30- 8p.m - Bath time
            ~ ALWAYS a fun time well I say always until it comes to the part when it's about to be done :-) She loves it. There is never a time when something can't be taught or practiced and with the things they make now a days you can teach your child anything at any given time. Marley isn't near learning her letters or numbers but it never fails to introduce them and have them around. During bath time we practice pronouncing letters that she is close to saying but also the colors when she is willing and also getting better with hand eye coordination and using both of her hands while playing in the tub she never feels like she is working in there so its easy to get her to do things during her favorite time of the day.

8-8:30 - Wine Down

8:30- 9p.m - Bedtime
               ~She still needs help getting to sleep so depending on her energy I help her fall asleep during this time whether its rubbing her back or rocking her to sleep, she has however become a 2 year old in this aspect I used to get to hold her to sleep and now she is restless and wants to lay down all by herself I'm thinking this is the "big girl" stage coming in which is very bitter sweet my baby isn't such a baby anymore :-) but anywhere between this time is when she goes down for the night.

               ~ Everyday is different as I mentioned before a few times some days its easier for the both of us to just turn a movie or educational video on and let things go to where ever they may and other days its easier to work with Marley using words, sign, and teaching her all the things her therapists suggest, so depending on the day, weather, and mood it doesn't matter what, there is always something waiting to be learned and done. During the day it may seem to you from the schedule that the t.v gets turned on a lot but in reality Marley stays busy making messes or wondering around the house and playing with her toys more than anything, the t.v is more of a background noise and music than it is a sit down thing it is not my "babysitter" and Marley doesn't sit around long enough to watch a whole episode so t.v is never a go to its more of an intermission kind of thing sometimes.

- But once the day ends the next comes and then it starts all over again. :-)