our sister whit

Jess has seven siblings, and he's the oldest. Their ages span from 33 to 16. Among the kids, there are vast differences and commonalities. Personalities from one to another are sometimes identical, sometimes polar opposites. And yet, these siblings are as bonded and as loyal to one another as you could ever imagine. The Cheney children are knit together with bonds of love unbreakable. I have been so very blessed to come from these kinds of bonds myself and then to marry into them as well. So blessed.

The middle sibling - Whitney - is the glue that holds them all together. She is always loving, always selfless. She never puts her needs first, always seeking first to serve. I don't think she puts any thought into it either. It's just what she does. She loves with her whole heart, always and constantly. She never says no, even when perhaps she should. She sacrifices time and sleep to make sure everyone in her reach is safe and happy and loved.

She is each sibling's best friend. Each of them find in her the friend they need, the listening ear, the ever constant help in a crisis. As a married-in sister, you might think I'd be excluded from this friendship, but no. Truly, Whitney is among the best of my friends. She has saved me more times than my hands have fingers to count. She and I have shared the deepest of belly laughs and filled some of the best and most ridiculous memories.

My girls are extraordinarily lucky to have Super Aunts on both sides, and Whitney is most definitely among them. She has such a calm about her that babies are instantly soothed when she rocks them. She loves each of them almost as her own. Annabelle has a particular affinity for her, and indeed Whitney has always treated her as her friend. Her best friend. With Whitney's patient love and gentle encouragement, Annabelle's tumbling tricks have turned into legitimate skills. She's always there to hear Annabelle's drawn-out monologues and she does the coolest flip trick with her repeatedly, without end sometimes, allowing Annabelle to use her as a personal jungle gym. Whitney is her friend and her champion, always.

Just this afternoon, Whitney entered the Missionary Training Center in preparation to serve an eighteen month mission in Korea for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She's no longer just our sister. She's a sister. A sister missionary. I cannot think of a single person better suited to serve and love people of a different world and culture than our Whitney. They are so lucky, and I know she will serve and love each and every person she meets just the way she does us.

Our Sister Cheney is one extraordinary sister - here and abroad. We are so unbelievably proud of her and grateful for her example. Belle and I shared some giant alligator tears last night as we contemplated eighteen months without our friend, but then we talked about how lucky the people in Korea were, to have her as their friend too. We decided we could share her. (But just for a little while.) We talked about how lucky they were to learn about Jesus from Whitney. We talked about how she would love us always and be back before we knew it. 

My sweet Whitney, God be with you. You will be missed every day, but you will be championed just the same. Our prayers and our love are with you every. Single. Second. And we are incredibly proud of you. Thank you for loving us and for loving people you haven't even met yet. We love you. Totes. :)

photo dump

This post is for those whose titles begin with Grandma or Aunt and don't mind a lack of wordy dialogue. 

Instead, a handful of random photos, with tidbits of the goings-on.

Also, if you have a special pill or machine that will freeze my babies at exactly these ages, I'm in the market.

News flash: she's NOT a baby anymore. In the last month or so, she has just looked so grown up. It kind of breaks my heart. But then look how lovely she is. She requests random hair dos all the time now, which is fairly exciting for me as previously it was always, "just normal please."

She has her dad's phone and wallet, with the credit cards and driver's license out for easy access. She kind of kills me. 

Last week, I had a thyroid doctor's appointment early in the morning, so Jess worked from home until I got back. Annabelle got herself dressed and ready (I did her hair). She was unbelievably proud of this outfit. I let her wear it all day. :)

When Lolly does something she knows is naughty, she pretty much laughs when she gets in trouble, as seen here. She got quiet this afternoon for too long, and I found her with her favorite no-no - a box of tampons. Beats me guys.

But if she gets in trouble for something that she doesn't understand is wrong - in this case, putting Desitin on as chapstick - she breaks down. Her heart breaks. And we don't even "get mad." If we say "no-no" too forcefully in these cases, she breaks down for an hour, convinced she's committed a handful of unpardonable sins. 

Also, I look like my mother back there.

Also, we totes matched on purpose.

With the DISGUSTING weather we've been having (except today, today THE SUN IS OUT AND IT IS GLORIOUS GLORIOUS GLORIOUS), the kids (meaning Jess and the girls) have been very busy with the Legos. This is a Lego cake, built entirely by Annabelle, over the course of two days. It is her most epic creation thus far, and I'm seriously so proud of her. Her Daddy's just a little proud too. :)

Lolly's contribution to the Lego playing involves gathering any and all Lego wheels and carrying as many as humanly possible in two hands and outfitting Lego men with hats and clothes.

things i love

 

+ When Annabelle sings made-up songs and she thinks I can't hear her. Her fake vibrato is spot on and her combination of real and made up lines is pretty much the stuff of current pop music.
 

 

+ When Lou says "please" in tandem with the object she wants. Last night at Papa's house, she ran up to me and said, "Peas hot." Jess was like, "Dude. She's been saying that for a half hour. No idea." Candy heart man. Indeed. Girl loves her cinnamony gummy hearts.

 

+ Being home. We've traveled to Hawaii, St. George, and Yellowstone National Park (photos in this post are from Yellowstone) this year. Just this year! We have a minute of down time before we head out on another adventure (one hint: cherry. blossoms.) and I'm really loving putting life back together - emptying the suitcases, folding the laundry, and settling into real life routines again.

 

 

+ The empty walls of my lovely little house that are starting to come together in my mind. I've been taking my time with decorating and filling in the spaces of our home. Let's be honest - we still have boxes to be unpacked. Not many, but some. And our laundry room, which doubles as a large storage area is in desperate need of some organization. Not to mention Lou's room, which is currently half kid stuff dumping ground, half sleeping place. But that's just the point. It's mine and it's waiting for me to get busy. I love love love this house so much.

 

 

+ This song. I'm not a huge Taylor Swift fan (everything just sounds the same), but I love this cover version.

 

 

+ This song. For spinning (or alternatively, this would be great for running too.) Can't you just feel your legs itching to go.go.go?

 

 

+ The fact that Cap'N Crunch Peanut Butter Crunch cereal is GLUTEN FREE. Guys. Life changer. The great thing about eating gluten free is it eliminates a lot of your common junk foods. The crappy thing about eating gluten free is it ELIMINATES A LOT OF YOUR LIFE'S BLOOD. Thus, my gratitude for gluten-free peanut butter tooth decay.

 

NOTE: Owl beanie made by my mom. Pony tail beanies made by my sister, Marissa. So glad my girls have creative people who love them. :)
P.S. Both song recommendations come from my sister, Danielle. She ALWAYS has the best new songs for me.
P.P.S. Cap'N Crunch cereal doesn't contain straight gluten. But it isn't declared gluten free as it is possibly cross-contaminated with gluten (other food items in the same factory are made with gluten). Additionally, oats unless specifically gluten free are generally not accepted by the Celiac community. As far as I know, I don't have Celiac's, but simply function better on a gluten free diet. Moral of the story: I eat oats and foods that may be cross contaminated. Thus far, this method has worked great for me.

it's been said

 

 

{while taking a bath}

Mom! MOM! This tub is a reflection of the tub at the apartment!

+

{while cornbread bakes}

The oven is hot...it kind of heats me.

+

Belle: Can I do stuff in Hawaii?

Me: Of course! What do you want to do?

Belle: The best I want to do is build sand castles!

{the thing I want to do most = best = I love it}

+

{while in Hawaii}

Jess: Are you my hiking girl?

Belle: No. I am NOT a hiking girl anymore. I'm a SWIMMING girl!

+

{Lou screeches}

Me: What's wrong with Lou?

Belle: Nothing...

Me: Well, what happened?

Belle: She got smooshed.

Me: By you?

Belle: Uh. Yeah.

+

Mom, this skirt is so Hawaiianess!

+

I think the trees sleep. And the sun wakes them up.

But the sun is so quiet. It just shines.

+

{to me, downstairs}

Mom, come upstairs and see the brilliant thing I can do.

{a tumbling trick}

 

 

 Belle: Mom, can I have another bowl of chips?

Me: Nope, remember I said just one.

Belle: But Mom! They're soooo good!

Me: But Belle! I said just one bowl.

Belle: But Mom. I'll not have FIVE bowls. Just TWO.

+
Belle: Mom, may I be excused?

Me: A couple more bites please.

Belle: But Mommmmmm.

Me: How old are you?

Belle: I'm three.

Me: Okay, three more bites.
Belle: Welllllll, actually I'm just one.

{freals?!}

+

{after an impromptu dance concert of her own during her aunt's concert}

I don't even need a dance teacher Mom!

+

{after a dance number during the concert, holding her program like an adult}

Mom, that dance was very good.

+

{while using the public restroom}

Belle: And then I was like, blah blah...

Me: So you're done going to the bathroom?

Belle: Oh, no! Sorry.

{Puts her head in her hand.}

I'll focus.

+

{while eating a pancake}

Belle: I'm done. May I be excused?

Me: How about two more bites.

{I fork two pieces on to the fork,

thinking I'll trick her into a couple extra pieces.}

Belle: Well, there are two pieces on the fork.

So that would be my two bites, right?

{SERIOUSLY?}

+

Me, while reading a food label: Hmmm...is this gluten free?

Belle: It tastes gluten free!

+

{as I try to walk into the living room}

Belle, moving some toys: Here, I'll get this out of the way...it's kind of a disaster.

+

{while discussing cleaning up after ourselves}

Belle: I should help you clean up. But sometimes I'm just so busy!

 

 

cake-coo (thank you, and she says this without prompting a lot, which melts me)

peppa (pepperoni, she literally likes to eat these, the turkey variety)

haw-daw (turkey hot dog, dipped in ranch,

preferably, a trick she learned from her sister)

app-uh (apple)

aw-duh (all done)

hi-hi-hi (hold her hand or help her with something)

uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh (while pointing, she wants something)

banky (her blanket)

beebee seeping (baby sleeping, like her dolls, whom she covers

with blankets and bounces and pats to sleep and everything)

sah! (sad, like when her sister is throwing a tantrum)

whe-go? (where did s/he go?)

cup! cup! (a drink)

wawahr (water)

chip! (you guessed it, chips)

chuck-utt (chocolate)

chock (also chocolate)

seat (she wants to sit down, usually in your seat)

ear go (here you go, as in when she brings

you a plate of play food "to eat")

show! (she wants to watch a movie, or have

the Kindle read her a story)

I deed it! (I did it!)

dad woke? (dad's at work?)

cope-cake (pancake)

ott! (off! as in take her shoes or coat off)

uh-ky (okay - you will die if you ever hear this, cutest thing ever)

jaw (draw - she wants to draw, probably with crayons, on the walls)

oh keeewwwwt! (oh cute! usually when clothes shopping

{she gets it from Belle, who finds most clothing items cute}

or small babies or animals)

 

happy heart day

So I'm a holiday person. I can't help it. I like that we have special days to remember special things. Even Valentine's Day, which is mostly manufactured. I love that it's a day to remember and notice and specifically cherish those you love.

I sometimes look at these babies of mine and feel as though I've stepped into a dream world. Some moments are really pure magic. All I've ever wanted was to be a mom. And I'm so blessed and lucky to be able to be one. I have a man who supports me in my dream, and I have babies who fulfill it to its bursting point.

And I think that's worth celebrating, especially today.

Happy Heart Day, ya'll.

For a trippy blast through the past:

Heart Day 2012

Heart Day 2011

Heart Day 2010

somewhere over the rainbow

So that version of that song we've all heard (here), Somewhere Over the Rainbow? It's so Hawaiian. Because I'm fairly certain that when you're in Hawaii, you're literally behind a rainbow. Or in a rainbow. Or at the end of one. Or somewhere near a rainbow. Because it's all lush and beautiful and almost magic sometimes. Plus there are the leprechauns.

Kahakuloa Head

Walk to Honolua Bay

Wainanapanapa Arch

Jess was a busy man on this trip. We joined him for some of the photo taking, and let him go alone for others (like for the Road to Hana, a windy road not recommended for those who get carsick (me and Belle) or children). Some are photos taken on the road, in no particular place, but I've labeled those that I know. Because if anyone has stumbled on this, and is about to go to Maui, let me say this: don't just sit on the beach. I mean, I totally support spending the majority of your time basking, but seriously - look at Maui! So much pretty to see.

Kahakuloa Village

Road to Hana

Jess has a particular talent at capturing the world and nature at large. And over the years (all five of them), we've developed a pretty good method of tag teaming the photo taking and the family time and combining them when possible. I'm so glad we have, because although I'm stuck in the frozen tundra land right now, I have Hawaii right here.

Waimoku Falls (Road to Hana)

Sunset from Haleakala

valentine's printables!

I'm interrupting your Hawaiian 2013 Recap to bring you...

...some shameless self promotion! Yeah!

For any of you who actually decorate for the holidays, I have some cute Valentine printables up in my shop. And don't forget to use the FRIENDSFAMILY coupon code for 25% off. (Feel free to pass this code on as well.)

I wish I could say I have my favorite Valentine printable on my super cute mantle with my super cute Valentine decorations. But mostly I just spend my time cleaning up super cute crayon drawings off every super cute surface of my house. Super cute!

Also, I haven't a mantle. The way I see it, it's just another surface for one nineteen-month old stinker to claim as her masterpiece. :)

a hawaiian belle

So Annabelle. Our prim and proper, rule-abiding, paragraph spouting child. She hates to be dirty, she still often requests that I feed her for fear of the food getting on her, and she routinely organizes her toys into colors, stacks, shapes, etc. She's the perfect picture of OCD.

But put her in a swimming suit and set her free in Hawaii? Totally different child. It's very ironic the way our girls trade personalities near sand and surf. Annabelle spent HOURS upon HOURS basking, playing, swimming in the "bubble pool," getting buried in the sand, and building sand castles (thanks to her very patient and very sweet aunts and uncle without whom this trip would've been an entirely different ball game). 

She was still cautious about the ocean, due to our warnings, and until the last day, wouldn't go near it unless she was holding a hand. But the last few hours we were there? She jumped and laughed and splashed. She let that ocean beat against her legs. I'll never forget the happiness on her face in the hours before we left.

Annabelle also seemed to grow up in bounds this trip. She was so patient and responsible. She had only a couple exhaustion-induced tantrums, and instead was as obedient as I could've ever expected her to be. She made sure she had her sunblock on and often demanded she do it herself. She made sure her sister had her sunblock on. She sat patiently through meals. When we flew home, despite the red eye exhaustion that had depleted her legs of any willpower, she walked every step of those connecting flights because she literally had to. We walked her pace and took a few breaks, and she took on the role of big sister so marvelously.

When we told people we were taking our babies to Hawaii (again), so many of them looked at us like we were crazy. And perhaps it is a little nuts. But for us, so much of the joy of Hawaii and our yearly road trips is our babies. We've learned that although they are still very young, these trips change them. They see the world. They recognize our respect for God's beautiful creations and adopt it themselves. They know that a national park means a stamp in their National Park Passport Book. They are changed as they stretch and expand and wrap themselves around new places and worlds and ideas. 

Yes, vacationing or roadtripping with kids is fairly exhausting for the parents. But the reward at the end far outweighs the sleep deprivation and advanced planning that a vacation requires.

And lest you were concerned, there are more photos. Jess took some amazing AMAZING shots this trip. So stay tuned. :)