Finding Balance

Finding Balance

Since I started this blog, I have been a little out of sorts.  Okay, extremely out of sorts.


I have been so unorganized not only in my time and schedule but my thoughts as well.


I need balance in my life.  I don't know how to "do it all" or "get myself together".  I need to find peace,to get everything done.


{{Focus}}


My life was already full of demands before I started my blog and I want to find a way to add blogging into my life because I love it.


I have been inspired by so many other people out there who are so encouraging.  They are real, honest, raw, brave, open, fearful, confident, secure, scared... everything and anything, and it's OKAY.


I am learning that there are people out there who love one another for who they really are.  I don't need to try to be someone I'm not to be accepted.


I don't want to lose what I have found in having my blog so I am working on laying everything out, making a plan, reminding myself why I started and NEVER give up.


I love to share my life and inspire others.  I know God has allowed me to have the life I have in order to relate to others, to have compassion and encourage those who have been through similar things as I have.


At times my days get overwhelming but I know I need to take a step back and focus on the simple things that matter the most and then it will all make sense and what I need to do will be clear.  At times, for me, it's a lot of moments throughout the day.


I was inspired by "The Shine Project" and will be linking up on Friday on how to "Create a Simple Life".  What perfect timing.


There is a resource here which has already inspired me to make changes in my life.


All my heart,

Salena

Tuesday Ten :: Memorable Places

Ten Memorable Places

1. Diamond Head Lookout

why: my husband proposed to me there

2. Alaska

why: honeymooned there and fell in love with the place

source

3. Kaka'ako Park

why: many of our pre-marriage dates were there and it's the place where I danced a special hula for my husband while we were dating

source

4. Ala Moana Beach Park

why: it's the place where Aleshanee had her first experience with the beach as a baby

source

5. Waimanalo Beach Park

why: my grandmother used to take me and my sister there all the time.

source

6. Shirokiya at Ala Moana Shopping Center

why: my grandmother's favorite place / Japanese food and all things Japanese /  she would buy us Sanrio stuff which is why I'm so obsessed with Hello Kitty and other Sanrio characters till this day

source

7. Dole Cannery Plantation

why: we love to take our kids there to feed the Koi fish at the pond in the back, ride the train to tour the plantation and finish the day with yummy frozen pineapple yogurt

source

my girls feeding the koi fish

8. A side street near The Waikiki Shell

why: first kiss with now husband =)

9. Kaiser Moanaloa Hospital

why: my 3 older kids were born there

and

it's the last place I said "I love you" to my grandmother and she said "I love you too" the night before she passed away

10. Kapiolani Hospital for Women and Children

why: it's where we took our long journey from infertility to having our 3 little miracles

All my heart,

Salena

Linking up here:

 and here:

ohamanda top ten

and here:

2 truths 1 lie:: week 1 REVEAL

2 truths 1 lie: REVEAL

#1 was a lie!

I {do not} like steak.

{{{WHAT???!!!}}}

I know, I know.  Shocking right? It’s a texture thing. The only way I would consider trying it {because it smells so darn good!} is if it is totally, extra {and I mean} extra, well done. 

=0)

All my heart,

Salena

Linking up here:

Randomosity

2 truths 1 lie:: week 1

I saw this game over here.

Rules:

Make a post, telling two truths and one lie.

Update the post within 24 hours to tell which is which.

1. I LOVE steak and I could eat it everyday.

2. I had my first baby shortly after I turned 16.

3. I have worked at Gold's Gym.

2 truths, 1 lie.  Which is which?

Leave your guess in the comments!


{{This post is now closed.
Go here to read the answer.}}

Good luck!

All my heart,

Salena

Linking up here:

Randomosity

Hawaiian Music & Menchie's

Family time at Mililani Town Center

Free live music 

 Musicians for the night singing Hawaiian music.

One of the gazebo ramps all kids must climb.

menchie's frozen yogurt

Our favorite place

Yes people, that is a chalk board wall.  Cool right?

Hayden eating all daddy's yogurt

Dakota loves her gummy candy and Passion bubble balls

Aleshanee is obsessed with
Menchie's she always asks to go.

My favorite, Natural Tart and Taro
with chopped almonds.  I added
caramel brownie bites tonight - YUMMY!

 Hayden all of a sudden started doing the splits over and over again with her slippery Robex shoes.  In the middle of dancing around to the music in the background.

Enjoying time with my family having dinner outdoors and listening to live Hawaiian music.




All my heart,

Salena

Share Your Joy:: Coming back to us

I'm having a kind of a bad day today.  Not feeling like doing much.

Then I came across this linky party over at high heels 2 flip flops and I wanted to play along.

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This is one of my favorite photos which was taken recently.  It shows my 3 year old Dakota with her older brother, Kapono.  I was so happy I captured this moment.  This is the day that her older siblings came to play with her after her near drowning at a community pool.  

{Dakota and Kapono having fun at the playground}

It was the first time she opened up and started to show that she was ok emotionally and was willing to interact with others, especially big sister Ashley who was the one who found her and saved her life.

{This is the moment Dakota finally opened up to
Ashley and hugged and smiled at her}

It was a scary time for all of us and we are so grateful she is fine.  In fact, while she was recovering in the hospital she seemed to have blossomed and become an even smarter little lady.

{having fun with toys from the hospital playroom}

{heading home with new friends given to her by hospital staff }

She will be 4 years old this year on Thanksgiving Day.  We will be celebrating her life with a lot more gratitude because God allowed us to keep our little girl.  

All my heart,

Salena

Linking up here:

Blessing Bags

I just came across a great idea on Pinterest and I had to share it.

It's called Blessing Bags.

I've been meaning to do something like this for a long time  using hotel complimentary shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, etc.  This blog has a list of things that I would have never thought of.  Such as...

Gallon size Ziplock bags

items to go in the bags, such as:

chap stick

packages of tissues

toothbrush and toothpaste

comb

soap

trail mix

granola bars

crackers

pack of gum

band aids

mouthwash

coins (could be used to make a phone call, or purchase a food item)

hand wipes

you could also put in a warm pair of socks, and maybe a Starbucks gift card

Assemble all the items in the bags, and maybe throw in a note of encouragement. Seal the bags and stow in your car for a moment of providence.

Putting these bags together would be a great thing to do with your kids, they can help and you can teach them compassion for others at the same time.

Click on this link for more information:  Blessing Bags

All my heart,

Salena

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Wordless Wednesday:: My baby is growing up!

My {baby} is growing up.

All my heart,

Salena