Hau`oli la hanau!! AkA HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

It was a wonderful birthday! I enjoyed all the phone calls, songs, text messages and emails. I am grateful to have such great people in my life! I am officially a Quarter of a Century!! the BIG 25! the benefits really just one: I can rent a car without an underage fee! Evy woke up randomly through the early morning and would roll over and say, "its your birthday or happy birthday". He made me some breakfast and it was yummy. One of my favorites breakfasts he makes. He makes a center in the bread and then cooks the egg over easy in the center.. love it. I went to work most of the day and tried to trick my kiddos to sing Happy Birthday to me even though they didn't understand it was my birthday, but it didn't work too well because they didn't "chose" it from their choice board. But I came home late and my hunny told me we were gonna have my favorite pizza, pineapple and mushroom, for din din. But then the pizza wasnt there when I got home and I was like can't we just go pick it up? And he said no its being delivered..anyways long story short we start to walk out to the car like we are going to pick up the pizza and we walk into our friends Dana and Chris's house and everyones like"SURPRISE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" my friends had a little get together for me and I am so thankful for them. I am spoiled to have such great friends. They bought me pizza and Becky made me a strawberry cake! It was yum. Thanks friends! I cant believe I am 25, not like thats way old, but older than 24! I had a great birthday and I felt very special on my day! I am thankful for my wonderful husband who loves to celebrate me!

Miss Rubi herself wishing me a happy birthday!

Friends sharing in my celebration!

Tanza and Mike Tupola and Dana Bradshaw

Rebecca and Tyler Waldron

Chris Bradshaw

Then our buddies came back to our house and played us some Apples to Apples. We had a great Night! Thanks friends!

**In memory of President Gordon B. Hinckley, a true prophet of God. I remember him this day the 27th of January being 3 years since his passing. I know he is so happy in heaven being with his wife and continuing on in the Lord's great work**

The Days..

This post is dedicated to my feelings about today's day::

There have been a day(s) in life when I...

-didn't play my best soccer game

-didn't study as hard for a test like I should have

-wasn't the kindest to my family

-wasn't the most honest

-wasn't the best example

-wasn't the most considerate person

-tailgated cars for going to extremely slow

-wasn't crowned sophomore princess in high school

-didn't speak kind words

-didn't always listen

-blamed others

-overreacted for nothing

-broke the law and talked on the phone/texted while driving

-..didn't get accepted to Grad School (the trigger for this very post)

There are a lot of things in my life that I didn't always do right or things I wish I could have forced to happen, but lets be for reals, no ones life is perfect and we play the cards we are dealt. But regardless of what I didn't do or the fact that I didn't get accepted to Grad school like I hoped I would, I know that I have made many decisions in my life and have been blessed with many opportunities that have led me to where I am today and I wouldn't have it any other way. What can I say, I feel very blessed.

There have been a day(s) in my life when I...

-was crowned the first "white girl" homecoming queen in over 10 years at Perris High School

-graduated High school

-chose to attend Cal State Hayward where I made priceless friendships

-played college soccer and rocked it

-chose to transfer to BYU-Hawaii from which I chose to serve a mission

-lived in paradise

-met my eternal companion and best friend, Evan Thomas Quon Wai Sung Stubbs

-graduated from college

-was sealed in the San Diego temple forever to my hubby

-applied for grad school

-was nice to my family

-allowed trials to mold me

-followed the Spirit

-prayed hard for strength and guidance

-remembered to put others needs ahead of my own

-made some awesome meals

-proved to myself that hard work and dedication is rewarding

-searched the scriptures for help and peace

-laughed at myself and my own blonde jokes

-loved others unconditionally

I have learned that regardless of what we do or don't do in this life what matters in the end is that we recognize that when one door closes another opens. That our progression in this life is not going to stop because we fail, we will however not learn and grow if we never failed or were rejected. Jeffrey R. Holland, of the Twelve Apostles said it best,

"Faith is for the future. Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the “high priest of good things to come” (Hebrews 9:11) Keep your eyes on your dreams, however distant and far away. Live to see the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, of trust and divine love that will transform your life today, tomorrow, and forever. Look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future."

I am not sure why I was not accepted to Grad School, I was bummed, and it was hard to hear that I wasn't. I can only speculate why the Lord felt that this wasn't what I was suppose to do, but heaven knows I wont get anywhere going about it that way. I have my head held high knowing I did what I felt I needed to do. I do know that what Elder Holland said is true. I need to Look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future.

Saturday was a very Special Day!

My husband is so amazing! He took me out for a surprise Saturday in celebration of my upcoming birthday since I have to work most of the day and he has school and work. He surprised me in the morning with a 75 minute massage at Aveda. I love this place. Its all about being GREEN and everything is so relaxing and peaceful there, the music, the smell..yum yum. I had the best masseuse and it felt so so good, it truly is addicting. One of my favorite parts of Aveda is their sauna and rainforest shower head (weird right?? but Evy knows I love the shower head). I think I took the longest taking a shower because I did not want to get out of the shower. I hope one day to have one of those shower heads in my shower. After my massage, Evy took me to "our" restaurant Tanaka of Tokyo (similar to a Beni Hana, but much better). Afterwards we just walked around a bit and then headed back to the car. Where Ev had surprise numero 2 waiting. He bought me a necklace that had a pendant on it that says, "I love you" all over it. Such a sweetie. The necklace was kinda suppose to be V-day gift but he knew he couldn't wait that long to give it to me nor could he hide it from me. I love it so much!!

We went to Mom and Dad Stubbs house and visited Grandma Quon for a little bit. Then we made a quick run to Costco before it closed and then just hung out. We went to din din with Mom and Dad and enjoyed our time with them. On the way back to their place we were gathering up our stuff and went to try and leave and were unable to because the SWAT team was coming in and police were everywhere. I guess that a guy threatened to kill himself and anyone that tried to come near him and he barricaded himself in his house.. So we ended up spending the night and waking up early to drive back for church. It was weird to be woken up by random footsteps and then to look up at the window in the room and see SWAT guys shadows crusing by with all their gear on..I guess after 12 hours the guy surrendered. Crazyness..It was a nice day and night and I love my husband so much for being such an amazing best friend and companion. I love him so much and he treats me with so much adoration and kindness, even when I am annoying him. Thanks hunny bunny for an amazing pre-birthday celebration!

Fun in da Sun in January!

In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. day, 18 January 2010, we went to Waikiki for the afternoon with friends (Becky, Tyler, Autumn, Cody, and Dana, oh and Chris was there in spirit, but had to work). It was nice and warm and sunny just the way I like it. There were a ton of tourists everywhere and some didnt get the memo that the string bikini/speedo beach is the one a few miles down the road. Yikes! We enjoyed laughs, sun, and rest. Our friends went surfing on what waves there were and we rented SUP. I love Stand up Paddling. And since there were small waves, I caught my very first way on the SUP. It was so awesome! The Japanese tourists in the water around me were and I quote,"ohhhhing..wooowwwing..insert something in their language here" I felt pretty excited that I got an exciting reaction from them, I felt like such a rockstar! haha..even more excited that I didnt run over one of them with my board because they just stood their like many do..haha. If we were going to be here longer, I would totally coerce my amazing husband into letting me get one for "exercise purposes" of course (not sure if he'd fall for it though..)

After our wonderful beach time in January, we headed to a restaurant called MAC 24-7. Our friends Becky and Tyler and Autumn and Cody, saw man vs food on the travel channel trying to eat pancakes at this restaurant. These pancakes total about 4 lbs and bigger than Evans entire hand and there are three of them! Yikes! We ordered 2 orders of pancakes and between the 7 of us we took leftovers home. It was unbelievable how big these pancakes really were. We are so grateful and blesses to have such great friends to to be around and hang with and people we are really going to miss. They are so good to us and we just love their friendship! All in all a super fun day!

Gas...and not the kind that makes stinky

I heard on the news tonite about the increase in gas prices. So I thought I would make a note about it for my posterity. Hawaii is one of the most expensive states for gasoline with a statewide average of $3.41 for unleaded 87. I remember when it was $.99 cents..geesh. But we still buy gas because we gotta make cash. I cant complain too much though, because everyday I drive to work along the coastal (Makai side) and I often want to stop and just jump in the beautiful clear water. I love it! So I suppose the point is that some things are worth the sacrifice and there are some things that we just cannot avoid.

Gotta Spare?

Fun night. busy night..Went to work, Evan went to school. Then work again for me, School for Evan, then work for Evan, then laundry for Evan, then I came home from work, then we watched our two favorite Cannon keiki, then I left to put them to bed at their own house.Evan went to a study group. Then Evan came to pick me up after watching the kiddos and on the way home we started to hear this weird sound coming from the car..much like a flat tire or something stuck..we drove into our parking lot and I got out. I whipped out my "Princess and the Frog" flashlight (THANKS MUMS) and proceeded to check each tire as Ev went super slow as the tires made their rounds. I was excited to find what was causing the noise, but reluctant at the same time because that meant I would have a flat tire by morning. Evan and I decided to change the tire tonite, 10:30 pm, and to our surprise our spare tire rim is spray painted yellow of all colors..haha..mission accomplished..we are rolling in style thats for sure!! I Love my husband for working as a team with me and getting the tire changed quickly. I again did my job, which is "oh holder of the flashlight". My dad always gave me that job when I helped him do stuff and I think I have gotten alot of practice, which is why I am so good at it! (I like to think anyways) Good day! Very thankful and very blessed!

P.S. I accidently used Evs toothbrush this morning...hehe

Blessed... I feel so blessed!

Mom, Dad, and Us meet Avatar in 3D

A Saturday with the fambam! I am so grateful to live close enough to my in-laws to get to see them just about every week. Whether we sit and watch TV, play with Mom's garden, visit Grandma Quon, its always just time well spent. After a long day of work Evs and I met up with Mom and Dad Stubbs. They got started waiting in the long line. We finally beat the crowd and got tickets to see Avatar in 3D. Tickets here were selling out so fast every weekend. I will admit that we followed the crowd and really wanted to see it because the movie got such good reviews and people we know saw it and said it was way good. Ev and I did not want to see it based on the trailers we saw, but we decided to make it a date and since Dad wanted to see it we all went. It was a very good movie. Watching it in 3D was the best to see it, I felt like a weirdo though trying to catch the falling things or trying to touch things that seemed so close, I suppose the people sitting around me thought the same thing about me. After the movie we hit up the usual, Zippy's, and had us some good grinds.

AVATAR in 3D

We are styling in our 3D glasses. Dad looks like a Blues brotha!

Winter is catching up..

Burr...burr.. I am so glad that we have flannel bottoms and blankets because its been starting to get a bit chilly around these parts. The fact that I have been able to go to the beach and sun bathe in December and January has been amazing. I never thought I would really see winter this year, but we have hit some record lows in the evenings..ready for this a whole 58 degrees I know, that is pretty sickening right?? But it was a little bit nice to get a chance to bundle up in a little sweater and blanket today..Oh Hawaii how I love you!

the sweetest thang

A couple days ago I was on my way home from work and called Ev. We were deciding what to make for din din and I said lets have pancakes..(I love Binner aka breakfast for dinner, but its not Ev's fav meal) So then I added we could also have eggs and spam too. He agreed and was going to start it. So I get home and I wonder why nothing was made yet. Well, he shows me some weird stuff that was inside our pancake mix, it looked like wood shavings in random spots...I didnt think pancake mix went bad, I think we had the bag for about a year...but needless to say were were grossed out and threw away the bag. So Evan whipped up some amazing food anyways and we didnt starve. Well this morning he had a 7:30 am class and he comes home, comes into the bedroom and says can you turn on the song Banana Pancakes (by Jack Johnson). So I turn it on and then he says okay come see. So I go into the kitchen and he bought a new box of pancake mix and two bananas. He mixed it up and made Banana Pancakes. It was the sweetest thang! I love that guy..

I had a busy week with my new job and its been such a good experience. I really enjoy it. I had an experience this week that got me thinking. One of my kiddos with autism is 4 years old. We went for a walk to the park with his Mom so that we could practice his safety behavior and social interaction. He was playing well and having fun. A little haole boi came to the park and started playing. Me and my kiddo were playing and then my kiddo saw the little boi playing and went over to him to join him on this little animal bouncer. Well the little boi was like,"No, get off, I dont want you to play with me." But my kiddo didnt understand so I had to intervene and have him ask to play, but the little boi still said,"No!" Such a rude little boi. Then my kiddo saw the a toy on the ground that the little boi brought and thought it was cool so he started looking at it. Well the little boi was like,"Dont touch! thats mine!" I cant believe how unkind this little boi was to my kiddo. The little boi's sister came with her little car toy and my kiddo thought it was so cool. He tried to push the little girl and she was getting mad. So I stepped in and tried to get the kiddos to play tag together. The little boi started pushing his sister and running in a circle on the playground, well my kiddo thought it was so fun and he was laughing and having such a good time however the little boi was yelling at him telling him to leave them alone and go away and that they didnt want to play with him...etc. We tried so hard to get the kids to play, but they were so rude. It made me so sad. So sad for my kiddo. My heart went out to him and his Mom, who deals with this type of situation alot. Even though my kiddo probably wont remember how mean the kids at the park were to him, I will. I know that when we have my our own kids, we will teach them and educate them to be nice to all kids no matter what color they are, no matter what they look, and no matter what..I know I understand and respect that principle because my Mom always taught us to accept all people no matter if they were different, handicapped, of a different race, no matter who they were. I truly appreciate my Mom for teaching me such an important principle.

It is 11:24 pm on Saturday evening in Laie, Hawaii. We are winding down from a long day and all of a sudden we hear "Cacadoodle-do!" Honestly, is there really a rooster crowing at 11:24 pm??Seriously..It did it a few times and then had another buddy of his join in on the "Cacadoodling". Evan and I decided that the rooster must have come from Newfoundland, Canada because it is 5:54 am there, these roosters are having some real issues with their biological clocks. Go figure a Canadian rooster roaming these parts..All I gotta say is we be keeping the country country..for reals!