Happy Summer! Photos, Links and Love (As I fly away…)
Happy Summer, Friends!
It IS official now, right?
(Summer that is. Not the friend part. That’s been official for like…ever.)
As this post goes live, Levi and I will be flying high over the ocean on our way to meet up with Dave and Luke in California. I’m so excited! We only have two quick nights with Dave before he has to return to Hawaii to work (and to be with the other two boys) (Man, having four kids is complicated!) I’ll be taking over surf-mom duty for Luke’s NSSA National contest in Huntington Beach. And if you know me at all you know how much I hate lovingly endure surf contests, and how totally stressed out easy-going-happy they make me. (thanks for prayers.)
Anyways, we’ve had a busy, productive, and slightly insane few weeks of summer so far. Levi’s been doing all things water (surf and swim lessons.) Jonah is in his second week of Junior Lifeguard training (see bottom of post), and Josiah has been doing his usual one hundred things at once and helping me out SO much with the little rascal. (bless him.)
Personally, I am really looking forward to my travels and just hoping to catch my breath (maybe just a little?) while I’m away. The real prize comes after Cali and the surf contest madness when me and all of the boys (except Jonah — who will be headed to Indonesia with Surfing the Nations..Did I mention four kids can be really complicated?) will be flying to Seattle for a magical eight days with my family. (And when I say magical, I mean this is really all Luke dreams about 365 days of the year: Time at Grandparent’s mountain cabin. And me? Boat trip to Seattle! We’re gonna pack it in, compliments of the most amazing parents/grandparents.)
Anyways, back to SUMMER.
I thought before I leave I’d share some photos of what we’ve been up to lately. The fun parts anyways.
*Then don’t miss the great links at the bottom of the post!
GO LEVI GO!
Levi has been taking lessons from Sergio, the older brothers’ youth group leader. Sergio runs Island Style Surf School and if you happen to be on the North Shore of Oahu, I highly recommend…Nicest guy ever. My boys have dinner at his house every Monday night and we’re all kinds of grateful for him and his wife Carly. 
**BTW–Just as I finish this post I discovered this article about Sergio and Carly and their daughter (surfing daily with dad at 9 months old!) You need to read it just for the photos!
Summer fruit is picking up pace…By the time we get back I think we’ll have full-size avos and juicy mango waiting for us! Maybe some lilikoi too. Mountain apples are currently plentiful– and still not my favorite, but you can’t love everything I suppose. 
I posted this next one on Instagram for Father’s Day.
And I mentioned that it wasn’t that long ago that one of my boys confessed that it has not been too long since he actually thought Dave was his big brother.
That made me laugh and cry all at once. I’m just not sure where I fit into this world.
Summer sunsets rule. 
Brothers talking nicely on the beach rules. (even if it’s rare.)
But what really rules: OnoYo. (short write-up about OnoYo here.)
On our way to Levi’s swim lessons (twice a week!) we pass this AWESOME frozen yogurt truck. And yes we have to stop every time. It’s made with all natural Greek yogurt and has the best best BEST toppings in the world.
AND this reminds me that I must update my North Shore favorites tab this summer.
Which then reminds me to tell you that I’ll be updating a number of things on this blog this summer.
Which makes me wonder if we could possibly add a couple more months on to summer?
(in unrelated news) One sad thing about having to travel every summer is that I miss most of the sweet, calm waters of summer time on the north shore. It’s pretty much the only time I can really go out and cruise on my Stand Up Paddle board without the big waves frightening me.
There’s nothing more peaceful.
As for Luke and Cali: Like I mentioned, I will arrive just in time for the National Championship in Huntington Beach. But if you’ve followed this whole surf competition thing for a while, and are interested (in other words, if you’re my mom or just a really curious surf fan) you might remember that there are two big contests in California each summer. Well, the one at Trestles (called the Surfing America US Championships) already happened this week. Luke had a very disappointing heat, and did not advance to the final rounds. (I would tell you how disappointing that was but then we’d all be crying and that just wouldn’t be nice now, would it?) The next contest will be super challenging as well because Luke is now in an older age division so he’ll be up against some bigger, older kids this year. And competition is fierce. Not that he still can’t do well, but I’m just saying that the odds are…Well, never mind. I’ll just stop. (excuse me while I go back to my happy place.)
We’ll keep you posted.
But I am incredibly proud of this kid. (And oh I can’t wait to hug him after being apart for three weeks!)
I’m also incredibly thankful for Freddy Pattachia, his Quiksilver coach. Freddy’s experience, (many years on the pro circuit) and expertise are almost as valuable as his positive attitude and kindness towards Luke. Oh and that smile? I know, right?
I’ve got to get off this computer now…I’m like twelve hours behind on the little schedule I attempted to make for the hours leading to my departure.
But I know you like to stay busy, so I I found some really great links for you to click on. ENJOY! 🙂
FAMILY/LIFE:
Study finds ocean views linked to better mental health. (you knew it, didn’t you?)
What it’s Like to Have Four Kids (#2 couldn’t have described my brain any better.)
These Printable Summer Rules have already helped Levi and I so much! Just perfect.
The Question we should really be asking. (busted over here.)
The Life Changing Phrase to Use when parenting Tweens
Talking To Kids about “Tricky People”, not just strangers.
Loved this God Centered Mom podcast. I’m fully inspired.
FOOD:
THIS SALAD is what I want pretty much every day of summer.
Blueberry Lemon Pudding Pops. (and healthy too!? Score!) Forget the kids, I want these!
Busy Morning Almond-Oat Pancakes. (made in the blender. Cool!)
A FINAL NOTE: While I’m away I’ll try to hop on to share a few fresh posts (with updates or a little something I’ve prepared in advance) but I’m also going to pull a few older favorite posts from my archives…(something I give myself permission to do each summer while I’m traveling!) Hopefully you’ll discover a post you’ve never read before, or be reminded of one you haven’t seen in a while. (Depending on the season you’re in, an old post can sometimes deliver a fresh new message!)
Thank you for grace while I’m away…
And let’s just end with this fun little Jr. Lifeguard video Jonah’s buddy put together. You’ll spot Jonah in it about fifteen times, and I thought your kids might like to see what kids in Hawaii do for their summer break. (Hint: It doesn’t suck.)
And if it won’t show up here, sorry (!) you might have to click over to youtube.
How about you? What’s going on with your summer so far? I’d love to hear what you’re doing, where you’re going, or what’s new where you are!
Stay safe and have fun this summer you guys!
I ADORE YOU!!
See ya soon,
Monica
Hello fabulous lady,
I am emailing to request prayers for my relationship (common law husband and myself) and my family, as we are going through an intense healing journey through a horrible and very painful past.
We’ve been ignoring the pain by abusing drugs and alcohol. This has reached a level of mental sanity where we can no longer cope with the anger and fear of losing a major amount of our lives and time to be able to accomplish something worth being proud of. My personal wish is to leave a good legacy to the world, especially my children. I / we have wasted so much of our lives ignoring and numbing the pain of the past that we’ve forgotten who we truly are and who we were created to be.
Just yesterday, my partner went into detox and I felt absolute fear of losing my life and thought I would die. I finally realized that the abuse to our bodies and spirits, had put the fear in my mind and heart. I became fearful that tragedy was lingering in the midst threatening to harm all that I love and adore. As has been happening in the past. I was totally convinced that there was a curse on my life that meant that I am destined to experience loss and grief forever and that it is inevitable that I have only losses and harm to be prepared for and that my greatest fears will be realized someday.
I’m asking for your support via prayers for divine intervention in my body,to not have to go through the route of using more medicine to let go of the addiction but instead I will be spared by God’s mercy and healing power to instantly heal from the physical addiction as the particular drug I was abusing is a physical addiction and the only way to overcome the drug is by using medication to treat the pain and withdrawal symptoms when I am learning to live without abusing drugs any longer. I believe that if I ask the Lord for anything, he will do it. Therefore, I am asking for God to heal my body from the physical addiction and reliance on daily use of the drug to be able to function but I will suddenly wake up refreshed, renewed and healed that the doctors and I will be able to experience a miraculous instant healing and forgiveness, so I can get on with life and begin doing what God wants me / us to be, what we’re capable of and the residue from the physical abuse would be miraculously removed without having to go through the doctor and get prescription drugs to help with withdrawal symptoms because I won’t feel withdrawals and the fear and other lies the enemy tells me will be overcome by God and He will bless me to know what I am meant to do for God. I am wanting to know what my purpose is so I can begin to do what He wants me to do. I will leave you with this and hope and pray that you have any words of encouragement and wisdom as well as your prayers as I truly believe that you have a great connection to God and your prayers will be powerful and effective as you seem to have a special relationship with the Lord.
Thanks for your continuous positive and happy, relaxed and healthy blog posts. I love how you maneuver through the daily routine of family life and share your thoughts and opinions on anything and everything that one would expect from living in this lifetime. So, enjoy the rest of the summer and take care of yourself and your family as you do what you do during the your fun and exciting life. Safe travels and God bless!!
Cheers,
Renata
I am absolutely praying for you Renata. Thank you for sharing so honestly. That takes courage. God loves you and has a great plan for your life–I am confident of that. I pray for healing, but I also pray that you have the courage to go through whatever it takes to get clean and healthy. God forgives you immediately and completely, but sometimes we still must face consequences in the physical realm as we live in a broken world and our bodies were not made to handle drug abuse and etc. Sometimes God does do a one-time, instant healing and that may be His will for you (I pray.) But if He has you walk through treatment, medicine or whatever you must do, please do not give up. He will be with you through every step of it and He will give you a much better future. Let me know how you come out of all of this, ok? Blessings to you and don’t give up!! Aloha. PS Thank you for the kind words. I love to think that I brighten any of your days. 😉
Monica
I have been reading your posts for a long time now and truly enjoy them. We have three boys, ages 9, 8 and 5 and I just adore them! Living in Dublin, Ireland our lives are different from your family’s but as fulfilling. Our boys love rugby, football, swimming and camping with their scout group. Reading your posts reminds me to enjoy the moment, even if the moment us scraping the mud from the rugby boots right before a match or drying soaked tents before packing up.,,, thanks for highlighting what I can only describe as the joys of boys!!! Keep writing
Annemarie x
Thank you so much Annemarie! LOVE hearing from you. I seriously am fascinated hearing from people from other lands who live such a different life from ours…and yet — like you said — fulfilling and even similar on so many levels. I am thrilled if I have encouraged you to enjoy the moments! (Sounds like you’re pretty good at it! ;)) Much aloha and thank you for taking the time to comment! xo
Hi Monica, welcome to my stomping grounds, I’ve been living in HB since the age of 12, and my loving husband of 27 years, BJ, and I are raising our two teens here; Hannah who is now 16, and Michael who is almost 14. The kids are currently at beach camp with our church youth group down in San Clemente for 5 days (so they are in heaven). I have been following your blog for about two years now and I have to tell you how much you inspire me! I love your recipes, your parenting insights and I feel like you and I are kindred spirits. You’re schedule is probably jam packed while you’re here in So. Cal., but if you’d let me treat you guys to breakfast or lunch while you’re in HB I’d be honored. I loved the Jr. Lifeguard video, my son loves to make videos too with his GoPro. I attached the link below under the website area if you’d like to check one out from a trip we took to La Jolla last year. I’ll be saying prayers for Luke as he competes and you too (I’m not quit sure how you juggle 4 schedules, my 2 kids are a ton of work). Blessings!
Aw Kim, that was just the sweetest!! I really appreciate you taking the time to comment and introduce yourself! What a blessing! How fun that our lives are literally interesting here between San Clemente and HB and all of the activities…Thank you so much for the thoughtful invite. I’ll keep you email on hand in case we get a couple down days (which is possible, depending on the surf contest schedule. :)) I’m calling Luke over now to watch your son’s video…thanks for sharing! Much aloha and do keep in touch. If not this time then one day it would be fun to meet! XO
I do have some local restaurants to recommend your family try if we don’t get to treat you: Sugar Shack has been on Main St. forever and is our favorite spot for breakfast, our favorite taco spot is Sanchos Tacos right on corner across from beach parking and CVS, and for a healthy treat we love Bonzai Bowl (they’re packed full of delicious fruits). My cell is 714-392-6966 if you decide you have some free time, it’s the best way to reach me. 😎🏄 Aloha!
Awesome Kim, thank you. Yes, Sugar Shack is part of our regular routine when we are here…;) All the surfer kids gather there often! Never tried Sanchos Tacos so will look for that. And big Yes to Bonzai Bowl! We love acai and all things healthy smoothie! Thanks and Aloha- 🙂
Hi Monica. We (my boys, husband and Mom) are currently in a very small Santee, South Carolina. (Finishing week one of vacation.) Reading, Relaxing. On Lake Marion. Lots of nature to walk through. Attended a Catholic mass in a small church which was awesome. Our current church is huge in terms of numbers of people. This was a refreshing perspective in an intimate setting. Next off to Edisto Island via a one night stay in “civilization”. Forced relaxation is good for me….my brain needs a break. 🙂 Lots of board games thus far (won Scrabble which for the record I never win. Played Monopoly…..a whole game….enough said…). Safe travels to you and your family.
Laura–LOVE all of that. Sounds both dreamy and healthy. Therapeutic! Enjoy the rest of the time and soak in summer. Much aloha-
Thanks for those links. I’ve seen a few of those articles linked on FB, but I like to wait until I see them linked from a reliable, respectable source (you:) before I bother taking the time to check them out. Happy Summer!
What a compliment, Melissa! Haha. I hope you enjoy them now. 🙂 Much aloha and happy summer days to you! xo