I'm Addicted, What Can I Say?

I felt quite ashamed that I've lived in Hawaii for nearly 6 years and I've never once learned to surf. Intimidation? Feeling of inadequecy? Yea, maybe a little bit. I'm quite the body surfer and boogie boarding though. It would be nice to get Nancy out there, but she's not really a strong swimmer, so it's okay I guess.

I first tried about a year ago to surf when my cousins from Germany were here visiting and staying in a beach house in Kailua. I met some local surfers in the water and I just said, "Hey bro, I heard it's pretty hard surfin'." To which he responded, "Aww cuz, you like try? I got choke boards, I go get 'em" He was the coolest dude. I thought it was nice that a total stranger that I never met could be so generous to such a rookie. To those of you who don't know, surfers can be a bit crazy in a sense and are pretty protective of their boards. As they should be. Well, I seriously almost killed myself. I can't even count the numerous times I was pounded in the waves and ate the sand. I got busted up and my side got rubbed raw and started bleeding from all of the wax. It sucked. I could have been fish food. I ended this surf session never standing once.

Now, a little more than one year later, needless to say, surfing has become my latest addiction. Is there rehabilitation meetings for these sort of things? I should probably go. I suck royally, but it's pretty sweet riding on some waves. I've only surfed a few times with some buddies of mine bright and early during feeding time for the local sharks at 530am. First time I went, it was low tide and let's just say I took A LOT FOR THE TEAM! I got so cut up on the reef. It didn't feel too good. I was totally exhausted in like 1 1/2 hours. My last adventure....I rolled with an 11 foot board, cause that's what I do. I cut through the water like Moses on that thing. I felt like I was on yacht-I totally could have had a BBQ it was so huge. I still sucked at standing up, but I got to catch a few waves, while on the other hand, the rest of the guys rode like every single one as I watched in total jealousy. It was a great day to surf. Not once did I hit a reef and I'm gargantuan in the water so I felt good. But, my buddy Troy nearly took my face off with his board when I got slammed by some white wash. Had I not blocked his board with mine, my face would've gotten blasted. His board barely nicked mine but I got two cuts on my hand from trying to block it. Once I saw blood, that was a wrap for me. I didn't wanna be fish food. Plus, in just a small area where we were surfing came a whole bunch of inexperienced tourists who just didn't know what they were doing so I felt nervous being out there.

So, every chance I get, I try and go. I got a nice support system of buddies who help me learn and being the competitive guy I am, they help me stay confident in getting better. I don't know where we'll end up after I graduate, but leaving paradise and the waves isn't the best of feelings. Not just myself, but Nancy too, have made some wonderful friends. I've grown quite attached to this place. Yea, I know right, tear. However, It's seriously gonna be great next semester because all my classes are late in the afternoon. I usually play basketball bright and early at 5am, but I think I'll be surfin' instead. I'm looking forward to my next surf session.....tomorrow!

Before We Were Bloggin'

With so much going on in life, it's been incredibly difficult trying to keep our extended families in touch with what's going on in our lives. What better way to do that than "Bloggin." So, though we just started our blog this month in July, here's a look into our past (this might take awhile to accomplish this, but keep checking back for new pictures)....

California Pizza

Well, for the first time ever...well Mike's anyways, we ate at California Pizza Kitchen near the Pearlridge Shopping Center. It was really a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing. I mentioned to Mike how bad I was starving and he asked what I wanted to eat. We tossed around a couple of places and then I mentioned California Pizza. Mike told me he's never eaten there to which I looked at him crazy and responded "Are you serious?"

Mike loves to go out (especially to spend our money), so we packed up Brandon and Nathan and looked forward to some good pizza besides the usual Pizza Hut we always seem to order. Mike's friend Mike-his daughter just had a baby and we weren't able to go and visit in the hospital while she was there so Mike decided to invite them to come and join us. They were out shopping, but they came. It was probably the worst timing to go to a pizza place at nearly 8pm. We waited about 20 minutes for our seats and we didn't really get out of there until about 9:30pm. I ordered some Fettuccine so that I could share with Brandon because he loves "noodles." Mike got a BLT pizza, his friend got a Creole Cajun Chicken of some sort, and his daughter got Lettuce Wraps. We also ate chips with the Spinach Artichoke Dip which is always a favorite in our family. I, for some reason, never seem to get the right foods. Mike always gets the good stuff. The fettuccine wasn't even cooked all the way.Though despite my bad choice of food, it was a nice little evening to spend together.

A Wonderful Day...A Wonderful Stewardship!

Today has been one of the best days. I was called today by the Bishop to serve as a teacher in the Primary for the 9-11 year olds. I have no idea why the Lord called me to do it, but I know it's where I'm supposed to be. I substituted one Sunday for the couple who couldn't teach, and the kids fell in love with me. Everytime I see them and everywhere I go they constantly wave to me, and say "Brooothhherrr Crowe," and call me "uncle," with the sweetest enthusiasm any child could ever have. I'm delighted to be a role model for them. I currently hold a calling in the Stake as the Assistant Executive Secretary as well so I know things will be busy for me. But, I am excited to do the Lord's work and teach those children.

Today was also the first time I met the families I am responsible for home teaching each month. I'm glad that this time, I have a very diligent companion who cares and takes pride in his stewardships over the church. What a great thing home teaching is. Then, to make the more bittersweet, we did our Sunday stroll to the temple. Brandon absolutely enjoys this a lot and he always looks forward to going. I love going there with him, Nancy, and little Nathan. It brings such peace to our lives. This day just couldn't have gone any better.

Bon Voyage Lightning McQueen!

Like the rest of the parents around the world, we've struggled for quite awhile with getting Brandon to finally break himself of using diapers. Over the last two and a half years Brandon has grown quite attached to 'Mater' and 'Lightning McQueen' diapers. Having two boys in diapers is quite expensive and it always seems like the minute we've changed them, they've already loaded their diapers with a nice chocolate surprise for mom and dad...and it certainly isn't Godiva.


So, after following mommy and daddy into the bathroom and observing each and every bowl movement for a little more than a year, Brandon finally decided to go to the bathroom completely on his own!

OFFICIALLY AS OF TODAY, Brandon fed Mr. Toiletman a nice breakfast and he continues to do his business on what Brandon likes to call "The Poopy Chair." And...he doesn't let us empty his business, in his words..."Brandon do it." How cool is that!

We're both so proud of him, and the best part about it...I think he's proud of himself too. He's so happy every time he goes potty. It's bitter sweet. We couldn't be more proud of our boy!

The Best 4th Of July

One of the things that we just can't get over is how beautiful and how blessed we are to live in such a beautiful place. What a cool day this was today for our family. We joined our old ward-the Aliamanu Ward for a BBQ and "Beach Day" at Bellows Air Force Base to honor the day of our Independence. There was plenty of food, games, and all kinds of mingling. It was nice to see everyone again. It had been awhile since we showed our faces together so they were all so delighted to see us there.

One of the activities in particular was a watermelon eating contest. Like always, Mike loves to participate. Well, he did a good job! Him and another member were on the same team and it was a contest to see who could eat the most watermelon in just 2 minutes. Mike and his teammate won and it turns out that they ate about 16 pieces! Mike alone, devoured well over half of them. Look at the juice and seeds all over his arm! He could barely keep it all in his mouth he kept eating it so fast. Mike later mentioned when he was younger and attended his dad's party for his work, they had a watermelon contest as well, where him and his dad went head to head-Mike wasn't so successful in that one. But, I guess it was good training. The look on Brandon's face is so curious. I don't think he's ever seen his dad eat so fast.

Mike wanted to spend some time in the waves with Brandon so Mike put him in a life vest for the very first time. Brandon loved it. He just looks so adorable in it. It used to be so difficult for us to get Brandon to enjoy going to the beach. He was always terrified of the waves crashing into the beach and he always wanted to be carried and go home. He would never let us put hime down But now? TOTAL 360! He absolutely loves the beach! He could stay there for days if he had the chance. He's still a little scared to be in the water by himself, but if he's with daddy, he enjoys every minute of it. Brandon will always say "Daddy, go dere," and he'll point out into the deep end. It's so cute. He's such a good boy.

I'm not sure what it is, but it seems like Mike has a way with other kids. They always want to play with him. Everytime the waves would come in Mike would pick this boy up and launch him into the waves. He just kept coming back for more.

Well, the day at the beach didn't really last all that long because we ended up being kicked out of the water because of their being 3 aggressive tiger sharks along the shoreline. This was definitely a first for both of us.

We ended up being so tired and exhausted from the beach that we didn't really do much for "fireworks." Mike wanted to spend the evening with one of his best friends who is a single, divorced father. It was a good time spending it with him. We just hung out, chatted, laughed, and enjoyed an evening with the missionaries as well. What a great day it was today. We had so much fun! It has been awhile since we had a real "family day" so this was certainly a nice way to spend some time together.