simple is best

Andy was going to post something, but he has forgotten again. I really think it is more the fact that his mind has been focused on some news that is not happy. He learned last week that another person with melanoma has passed away. When you hear of someone being diagnosed with cancer your heart naturally goes out to them and their family. But when you hear about someone that has the same cancer as you passing away it takes more than just your heart to get through the news. This woman was young with little kids and a darling husband. She was diagnosed around the same time as Andy, however, it took all of three months for her scans to show no new tumors or growth to showing the disease consuming her entire body. This is the reality of melanoma. You can be showing stability or reduction in the tumors with no new tumors then at your next scan it can show thousands of tumors throughout every organ and the primary tumors increase to an exponential rate of growth. These moments when we hear of someone with melanoma passing away always sends Andy into a tail spin. It reminds us of limited time, and the difficulty of planning a future. Goals become things of months or if we are daring a year, never 5 years or ten or...
So you ask, "how do you do it?"
You focus on what is important. Family, friends, community, and be thankful for what you have now, health, home, God.Which brings me to yesterday. We attended church (which was Stake Conference for us), and then after prepared for Andy's family to come over for the monthly 2nd Sunday dinner. It was fun, however, we missed those that were not able to come. We did really enjoy having Evans and his wonderful daughters come. Sophie is two and adorable. Kara is four and knows her own mind. Kara took our dog Baler for a walk while Sophie and I meandered down the road. They both got to ride on our horse and laugh as the turkeys. Seeing the world through their eyes is always intoxicating. Our kids are growing so fast. I have to remind myself to stop and enjoy where my kids are at in their life. Simple pleasures, simple times are always best.

The ear piercing music that my beautiful daughter makes

Today was Caity's first private lesson for violin. She has had orchestra for 2 years. However, she has refused until now to have singular lessons. She came right home and practiced. I love my kids and I am proud of their accomplishments. I want them to find themselves in the music that surrounds them. Shaeli took piano for a year when she was 8 years old and hated it. So, Andy offered to teach her beginner guitar. Shaeli surpassed him quickly, so we found a teacher to help her develop her love of the guitar. She now is an amazing guitarist. We will have to record some of her work and put it on the blog for you to hear.
Caitly didn't want anything to do with the guitar or piano. She actually had some violin when she was in 4th grade through an after school program. She loved it and so when she entered intermediate school she took orchestra. Now she is entering 8th grade this coming fall and she wants to improve her skills.
Morgan is my boy. And being such he has always wanted to learn the drums. Drums is an instrument that Andy and I have no experience with. So we told him that when he goes into 6th grade he can take band and learn percussion. Then if he does well we will find a drum teacher for him. I have to mention the level of difficulty we have had over the last 3 years in finding a drum teacher. Morgan is now going into 6th grade this fall and signed up for band. I hope I can find someone that teaches drums or I will be up a creek. I have to admit I am not really looking forward to the sound of drums coming from my house. The window shakes when Andy and Shaeli turn up the volume with the guitars. Can you image what is going to happen when Morgan gets a drum. I need some aspirin just thinking about it.

Andy is a dork!

Yes, I have finally decided to blog the big ugly truth. Andy is a dork!
I did it. I know you all had the knowledge, but now it is said. We have had a crazy weekend, as I have told, but Andy woke this morning with his body in pain and stomach hurting. Let's see here. He consumed enough shredded pork, teriyaki chicken, pudding cake, and rice to kill a Hawaiian. He wrestled a nephew for 5 min. He instigated a dodge ball game, and behaved similar to a baboon all weekend. I just can't figure why he wouldn't feel well. If you can't hear the sarcasm in this blog, then you haven't met or know me. I know I should be happy with the fact that Andy did so much, yet when he then whines like a tired toddler on a Monday when I have a crap load of things to accomplish, it rides on my nerves and tries my patience. Okay, breath in, breath out, breath in, breath out. Positive thoughts in, negative thoughts out. Ahhhh. I feel better, how about you? See, you can endure all things with faith and hope and love.

Party on Wayne...Party on Garth...Party on Andy?

This was an insane day. We played hookie from church today. I know, I know, sinners. Anyway, we remembered it is our weekend to go and mow grandma Andrew's lawn and with the luau festivities we plum forgot. So, off we went after lunch (leftovers from last nights luau. Yummm). It is always good to see Great-grandma Andrew. It reminds me why it is important to take care of the elderly. She was in fine form today, after we left she told Dennis (Andy's dad) that we left because one of our daughters was ran over by the truck. Don't panic no one was ran over. She heard the kids fighting about a spider in the truck and in her mind she thought that one of the girls leg was shut in the truck door and then ran over. All is well. Grannie Andrew doesn't have the entire stack of wood in the wood shed, if you know what I mean. However, we love to hear about all her adventures and stories that come from her mind. We came home and enjoyed a quite late afternoon, until...Andy decided to have a dodge ball game in the backyard. The pics are of the game, enjoy!

We have a visitor with us for a short time. My little nephew Chase is staying with us until his parents come back from a 4 day trip. He seems to be happy about the arrangement. His mom called to talk to him and his response was, "I don't want to talk with her". Gotta love 5 year olds.

I hope everyone's weekend was a party like ours. Remember we love you all. Thank you for your support and prayers. PARTY ON!!!

HumaHuma-NukaNuka-Apua'a

The title of this blogs name is Hawaiian for a fish. It was told to me that this is the smallest fish with the biggest name.

We had a great time last night, I hope everyone else did too. Yesterday we celebrated Joel and Zina (Z'eye' na)'s 50th wedding anniversary. We had the Pauni family come and did the catering and the program. It was a blast. The grandkids all played their instruments, and I even sang a few songs. There was one part where they brought people up from the audience to do the "fruit salad" dance. Bonnie and Matt, my neice and nephew, got to dance, along with Chuck and Marta. They did awesome, I was laughing so hard, I ended up needing my abuterol (athsma medicine), and I didn't bring it. But it was so worth it. So for those of you who were concerned at my coughing, I am ok. A little breathing treatment and I was fine. All and all it was a great night with lots of friends family and laughs.

Merry Christmas and have a lovely day,

Andy Layne