Happy Birthday, Graham!

 

Happy Birthday, Lucy Goosy!

 

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah!

Back before everything was shut down....again, we decided to take the older boys ziplining up on the North Shore.  It was such a fun adventure!  

 

Another Update...

 Whelp...looks like another couple months have passed and I need to update.  Not a whole lot has transpired since my last entry, but it seems like a weird time in history and in our lives, so it should be documented, right?

The boys didn't end up going back to school in person.  We are 100% online for now.  The COVID numbers were rising quickly here on Oahu, so they decided to start with distance learning.  A lot of the country is doing the same thing, with the exception of more rural areas.  Although, a lot of Utah is open to at least a hybrid set-up.  Every other day at school.  

I'm struggling quite a bit with feelings of jealousy and discontent.  I'm trying to keep them in check, but it's been tough.  Many of our friends are able to do sports, travel, go to school part-time, etc.  We're in another shutdown here.  Beaches are closed (we're able to surf, which is great, but no hang time on the beach is permitted), hikes are closed, no sports.  We're really only supposed to be in groups of 5 or less with the exception of family members.  Such a weird time.  Politics and the election year seems to play a huge role in what's closed and what's not.  Mask wearing is mandated here.  When you read the articles and news that is put out, you can't get a clear picture as to what's happening in the world.  There is sooo much covid testing going on and the number of positive cases is astronomical, but the huge majority of those people are asymptomatic.  It's hard to see the end game.  

In the meantime, private schools are still open, so I am working Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from around 8:00-12:00.  Jason is teleworking Tuesdays and Wednesdays and every other Thursday, but it's tricky for him to get things done while facilitating and helping the kids move forward with their online schedules.  We're working it out, though.  Hopefully they'll be back in school part time next quarter, but we're trying not to get our hopes up.  

The boys are doing okay.  There is so, so, so much screen time happening and I'm trying to not micromanage and over kill the talking and reminding about balance, but I struggle with that.  I worry all the time that I'm giving them complexes about food and screen time.  I do feel that ultimately, I'm doing the best I can.  I know the Lord will fill in the gaps and we'll come out okay.  

The last couple of weeks, we've been discussing where we will move next summer.  It's time to rotate to the next job.  There's lots of talk about California (Oceanside, San Diego,  Port Hueneme, Monterrey), Washington state or possibly even staying here for another tour.  It's hard to know what will be best for the family.  We want to go where we are needed and where the Lord directs us.  We're working through that now.  I've been researching all of the places.  Looking at schools in the area, recreational activities and trying to get an idea what the housing will be like.  It feels daunting because Jason wants to stay and I feel very, very ready to leave Hawaii.  I don't know if that's just because of the stagnant state we're in because of Covid.  I have a hard time picturing Graham at any of the high schools here.  We're seeking the Lord's direction.  I know it will all work out and clarity on the path we should take will come.  

One of my classes at Navy Hale Keiki.  We did a unit in August that included games using Hula Hoops.  

Sully lost both of his front teeth!  I need to snag a picture of both missing teeth.  

Grateful that there are lots of little boys for Sully to play with.  We see Townsend, John and Miles a lot around here in the afternoons.  As I type this, Sully and Miles are playing with balloons we had blown up for Graham's birthday.