How I Love Them

*sigh*

How I love them. So much.

Ryenne brings home "take home readers" a few times a week. Some she really struggles with and others she catches pretty quickly. Reading has been a struggle for her but I think she's catching on.

I'm embedding a video - if you're getting this via email you'll need to click the Dagupion Ohana link at the bottom.



How I adore her. My only girl. She is so special. She is so snuggly. She has become such a helper.

And my Kai Boy. He is going through quite a whiny stage right now. It is so funny because he reminds me so much of Nico as a boy. He falls on the floor like a puddle... but he's so lovey and silly. He is definitely "my boy". Very attached to his Mama!

Cruzer. My baby is growing so fast. While he is completely and totally a daddy's boy, he has his moments when he is lovey with his Mama. His face is changing. He's starting to look like a little boy.

Lately we've been streaming music videos on the big tv so we can have afternoon dance parties. He is particularly attached to Justin Bieber's "Baby" video and dances and dances. And then says, "Baby!" at the end. He's added a couple new words to his vocabulary - ball, baby, and 'nana (banana) are all new this week. He can now say "Hi Bops (pops)" and "Bye Bops (pops)" too. And he insists that Pops shakes his hand before he leaves. :)

Looking out over Lake Austin

He looks like such a cherub!

And this man.... oh this man. How I love this man. For all my crazy ideas, my instant mind changes, my hopes and dreams - he is the one who says I can do anything.

How I love them... this family of mine. How blessed I am.

Super Awesome Sunday

What a wonderful day so far...

Woke up to a happy Kai Boy giving me kisses. Had pancakes and berries at Pops' house. the kids got to pet the cows and climb the hay. Wish I had my camera. All three were up on top of a hay bale with Pops. Ryenne got to jump off into a pile of hay on the ground. Fun and smiles were all around.

Then it was off to Lowe's where the three were in a race car shopping cart and we went through the Christmas aisles. They found a Woody Doll that a child left behind and we went hunting for the owner. They were so happy when the little boy spotted us and we gave him his doll back. In the parking lot we revved our "engines" and I took off running across the lot racing the cart. When I got good speed I jumped on the cart and we rode to the car. Everyone "squeaked" brake sounds when we got close to the car.

Then it was off to Sunflower Market for coconut milk and they were having a special vendor day. They were giving out popcorn, coconut waters, chips, ect. The kids got a Ghost Balloon and tons of samples. So much fun!

I have mini sessions this afternoon, but Pops is coming to pick up the older two for a Pops date to go see Puss and Boots at the theater. Ryenne can barely contain herself she's so excited.

It's a beautiful 70 degrees outside right now. Absolute perfection!

Following Your Heart

It was a while ago that I saw the movie, "The Secret" and I've been really trying to put it to use in my own life. Using the power of positive thoughts and being thankful to receive more from The Universe/God.

I think for a lot of people, they are confused by how fast we're picking up and leaving. "Wow, that was so fast!" I hear a lot. I'm a little confused by this because moving is just that way. It is upcoming and then it's here. No matter when you plan, that last couple of weeks are always going to go by fast. So why not just get it over with?

Which brings me to another point. I am following my heart. It's taken me a long time to realize that I have the power to change things for myself and my family. I have it within my power to shape our future. I am following my heart because I am able to make changes to facilitate what my heart wants. I am able to make this move because I am willing to give up other comforts in my life. I have been able to sit down and determine what is important and what is not in the grand scheme of things. Without doing this, these pieces would not have fallen into place. I hear all the time, "What I wouldn't give for { insert something here }." But really people want something without giving up something else.

I am not perfect. Actually it's been a lifelong struggle to give myself worth and value. I have always felt not good enough, not talented enough, not pretty enough to deserve things that my heart wants. But over the last year - really since that huge fight with Peter - I have come to realize that if I want to open myself up for good things, I have to love myself first and foremost. It's a process but it's happening and my confidence is up and my happiness is up.

So yes I'm following my heart. I'm picking up and leaving Austin because I can. Because I can make it happen to make our dreams come true. And anyone can.

The Midwest, Sweet Potato Pie, and The Zoo

I don't think I posted pictures from Iowa on the personal blog. Cruz and I had such a great time!

Cruz and his buddy Max played so well together!!!

Des Moines is the capital of Iowa. The capital building is beautiful!

The City of Des Moines - looks a little like Austin

Susan caught this moment of me and Cruz. I love it!

The other day I had some really big sweet potatoes and the kids don't really like smushed sweet potatoes (crazy kids!) so I decided to make sweet potato pie. I had a really great kitchen helper!

Kai being my helper in the kitchen. He was very careful!

And I spent a good portion of the day yesterday packing. And playing with my new Nikon. The low light capabilities are AMAZING. I loved getting this image of Cruz. He has a sweet little cleft chin that shows when he smiles or makes silly faces.

Today was quite a wonderful, totally awesome day. Since I had a wedding last night, Peter took the night off, which meant that he could wake up and spend Sunday morning with us. To celebrate this momentous occasion, we decided a Sunday breakfast out on the town was in order. We picked up Pops and headed to Moonshine in downtown for an amazing Sunday Brunch Buffet. It was AMAZING. And we sat in a part of the restaurant that was built in the 1860's. It was BEAUTIFUL. The kids were extremely well behaved and the waiter's name was Ryan so he loved talking to Ryenne. It was awesome.

Then we took the kids to the Austin Zoo. We saw animals, fed some deer and llamas and rode on a train. Cruz and Kai walked mostly and it was so lovely outside. Truly a wonderful family day out. I wish we had more family days out like this. It was such a treat to have Peter off on a Sunday!

See the tiger back there? RAWR!

Ryenne loved the tortoises.

Feeding the deer

Feeding the llama

Cruz loved it!

The Dagupion Ohana in front of a giant chicken!

I had a lovely photo shoot tonight and came home to steak for dinner - Thanks Pops! Lovely, lovely day!!!

Hope we get it

I have been scanning Craigslist and The Maui News for a home for us on Maui. Scanning and scanning and seeing total dumps for rent. And then I saw this...

Plantation House - Check
Sweet original details - Check
A kitchen I can cook in - Check
Fruit Trees/Gardening Space - Check

Family and friends please keep it in your prayers that we get it! It's walking distance to Makawao Elementary, the library, coffee shops, ect. Nico is going tomorrow for me to check it out with the owner.

The Mexican Fisherman

The American investment banker was at the pier of a
small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with
just one fisherman docked.

Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna.
The American complimented the Mexican on the quality
of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied, “Only a little while.”
The American then asked, “Why didn’t you stay out longer
and catch more fish?”
The Mexican said, “With this I have more than enough to support my family’s needs.”
The American then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”
The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life.”

The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing; and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat: With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the
processor; eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles and eventually New York where you will run your ever-expanding enterprise.”
The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”
To which the American replied, “15 to 20 years.”
“But what then?” asked the Mexican.

The American laughed and said that’s the best part. “When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions.”
“Millions?…Then what?”

The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”

Something to think about, hm? I look at all I have, all the opportunities that are coming my way, and am feeling blessed and happy. 

Maui on my mind

Still so many pictures from the summer to go through. I figured I'd get some off my phone while Cruz is napping. I have a big stack of photography things to do, but I figure that I need to take a moment to go through my own images as well. Good for the soul ya know!

Koa, me, and Nico. Kinda funny I'm the oldest and the shortest!

Ry gets a lawnmower ride with Uncle Nico

Airport Beach, North Kaanpali. Peter and I photographed a wedding on the lawn here.

Beautiful Plumeria

The hiking trail we took up the mountain when hiking to the "L"

Part of the way up. SORE LEGS!

The amazing view. We hiked quite a long ways up the mountain!

Part of the way up. I think Lahainaluna High School has the most amazing location for their football field. What a view!

We took the kids to Lanai for three days. It was supposed to be just me and Peter but we decided we would miss the kids too much. They did AMAZING on Lanai. I took them to the stables to ride a pony. The pony's name was "PONY BOY" which Kai really liked cause he said it was just like him. 

Kiddos on Pony Boy

The kids with their paniolo guide

The Lodge at Koele Window Seats are amazing. I adore them.

Playing Croquet

Cruz and Daddy

My big girl adored riding the pony

Kai putting his riding hat on

Ryenne helping Kai. He was a little afraid of being up so high. I got a few pictures like this and then I held his hand. The pony was so sweet and lovey. And the stables were so nice to let us hang out and watch the big horses come in from their rides.

Our visit to the Maui Ocean Center - kids had a blast.

There are still more to go through but I figured I'd get some of these moments online before life moves on and I forget. Plus when we're back home permanently there will be lots of new memories to be made. :)

And onto the present...

Ryenne's first book report. It was about Curious George.

Me scoping out a wedding spot for tomorrow. Zedler's Mill in Luling. I'd love to bring the kids back here before we leave Texas.

Spotted this on the way home from Luling. Kinda weird to put a crashed plane by the Skydive sign... not sure about this marketing!!

My new workhorse. My gear is almost 6 years old. My favorite lens broke and I needed something for low light situations. I bucked up like a big girl and made a business decision that I know will pay off. Hello Nikon!

Ryenne's school has a program where the students can buy a book to be donated to the library. Ryenne chose Princess Justina Albertina and the book is forever inscribed with her name.

The best possible way to wake up

I opened my eyes this morning to find a snuggly Kai Boy looking right into my face. He smiled. It was his big, goofy, silly smile where he shows all his teeth. And he said, "Noses, Mama?" and I smiled and said, "Yes please." and was then given sweet noses and butterfly kisses. What a fabulous way to wake up!!

I might as well announce it already...

We're going home. Soon.

It's football season and supposed to be the busiest time of year for Peter. But it's been the worst season ever. So much so that I've been afraid of how we're going to make ends meet. So it doesn't make any sense at all to move into a small, cheap place in Austin and try to survive. We'll just get stuck because there won't be any extra money to put away toward a move. As we approach winter, there aren't any photo shoots, either.

So it makes sense that we go home to Maui as soon as possible. I have already turned down 12 photo shoots for October on Maui and several for November. I'm hoping that I'll continue to get business there. And thankfully my in-laws are taking us in and helping us get back onto our feet. Big shout out to them as this wouldn't be possible without their help.

So my last wedding in Austin is on November 18th. Shortly after that we'll be homeward bound. Dogs will have to wait until 12/22, but we'll figure it out. It will all work out.

My Hula Girl

Sitting and tackling some "to do" things today. My desk has a big pile on it! My hula girl...

Home from Iowa

What an absolute treat to fly to Nebraska and drive to Iowa to see a dear friend. I love to travel - almost as much as I love photography. So it was a treat indeed to combine my love of travel, photography, and friendship into one trip.

Cruz and I flew into Omaha where we met with Susan and Max for two days of play, photography lessons, editing lessons, Starbucks, and pedicures. Cruz loved playing with Max (2 months older) and Max's big brothers. I loved hanging out with a girlfriend and getting to know her and her family better. 

The midwest was lovely. I am so glad that I got to go and experience Fall in a different part of the country. We had such a beautiful time.

Back in Austin... for now.

Kai's Birthday

Kai's birthday was small and sweet - just us. His big gift was a Lighting McQueen scooter. Here's a video of his excitement receiving it and Cruz stealing it.



And his birthday cake!

Big Boy had a great birthday. He is loving his personalized book from Gams and all the Cars things he got from Grandma and Papa in Hawaii, and his big racecar he got from Great Grandmama. He's a race car fiend!

Hurry Up and Wait

I feel like I'm in such a limbo land right now. HURRY UP and WAIT! We got our list of things we need to fix on the house for the buyers. I was dreading it. It's honestly not too bad of a list, but it's the money I'm most worried about. This has already been the worst Fall season for tips we've experienced.

It's still too early to find a rental to move into so I feel like I don't know where I'm going yet. It's really troublesome on my mind since I love to plan things like this. I want to know where I'm going to be. So I'm just waiting until we can go looking so I'll feel more steady about everything. I'm nervous about qualifying for a rental. We have to prove income and right now it's teeny-tiny. I think after the house wipes out our savings we'll be able to qualify for food stamps so that will help. I just applied for reduced lunch for Ryenne and hope we get it. It will reduce her lunch from $2.10 to $.30.

I don't usually like to post financial things, but right now it's really tight and really scary and we're going to lose the only cushion we have to the sale of the house. I'm ok with this. The house is too big and too much money. I am really excited about a smaller space with lower utility costs. And as crazy as it sounds, I'm excited to organize all my crap. It seems like with a big space you just have room to put so much STUFF. Looking forward to downsizing.

So all my readers.... please just send some positive thoughts out into the Universe that everything will work out just as it should and that this transition in our life will go smoothly.

Funk Today

Replace the N with a C and we've got today.

I have two very cranky little boys. This morning has been nonstop clingy, cranky, crying, unhappy. Two little unhappy, cranky little boys = tired, crazy mommy.

Doing my best...

Kai turns 3

My big boy turns 3 today. At 5:05pm precisely he is a whopping 3 years old. There are no words to describe how important and special this boy is.

He is the epitome of thoughtful, lovey, and sweet. He is a Mama's Boy through and through. He has come such a long way in the past year. So much so that I am so incredibly proud of him and want to shout it from the rooftops.

I remember when he started speech therapy I told the therapist, "I just want him to be able to say his name. And I'll be happy!" because my sweet boy lost almost all of his speech. (By the way, if anyone wants to hear my thoughts on his speech loss and delays, please email me and I'll be happy to share with you my thoughts on what happened to him).

Throughout the last year his speech has blossomed. He loves to talk and tell "Tall Tales". His imagination runs wild. His thoughtful comments blow me away all the time. Just the other day he walked up to me and said, "Mama, you're my beautiful and so is my Ry Ry. I love you."

He is the tiniest of my babies. He is still so small that he can climb into my lap and fold himself up into a snuggly little ball. When I go to sleep at night he's curled up on his tummy like a newborn with his legs tucked under him. But don't ever say he's small because he'll yell, "No I'm not! I'm a big boy!"

Kai is a person who loves life. And he's a fighter. I know in my soul that this child will grow to be an incredible person. I love having him as my son. I am so thoroughly honored to be his mom.

He graduated out of the ECI speech and development program (which ends at age 3) so I took him to the Austin School District evaluation to see if he qualified for further therapy through the school system. He was tested and while he still has some small things to work on, he is now testing at the level the rest of his peers would test. It is incredibly gratifying and wonderful to hear that he is at the level he should be. I'm so, so, so proud of him.

Happy 3rd Birthday Kai Boy!!! Love you to infinity and beyond....