Flat Heads, Detatched Earlobes, & Bologna Sandwiches

Having been adopted, I found that during my childhood, I would latch on to ANY similar physical trait that one of my adoptive brothers or sister had. It would essentially be an effort in futility, but to someone looking for her "place" in the family, I settled for anything. My sister's face was covered with freckles, just like my mother's and I was jealous. But the day I found a freckle on my own face, I was absolutely sure that they were all lying to me about being hanai'd (adopted). My resolve crumbled when the "freckle" disappeared two days after I'd hit it with Stridex. My other sister had hazel/green eyes like my father. In high school, I bought colored contact lenses. My brother had curly black hair. I would perm mine. I just wanted to find some similarity. Even if it was minute.

I thought back on that last Sunday. My sister Ulu has been visiting with us this last week. I picked her up from LAX on Wednesday morning, she stayed with us the night, and then on Thursday I put her on the train to San Diego where she stayed with our sister Loke for a few days. On Sunday, Charlie and I drove down to San Diego to spend the day with Loke and her husband Phil, our brother Lono, and Ulu. We were all sitting around watching the Charger game, when Phil got up to get a drink in the kitchen. As he walked behind me, he put his hand on my head and gave a gentle squeeze...

Phil: I'm not being fresh Pua. I just wanted to see if you had a flat head too.

At this point, both Ulu and Loke began to crack up.

Pua: Excuse me?

Phil: These two (pointing at the girls) both have flat spots on their heads. I was blown away. The exact same flat spot.

I went over to Loke and felt her head. Sure enough, she had a flat spot on the back of her head, near the crown. Then I went over to Ulu and felt her head. I'll be damned. It was exactly the same. I put my hand on the back of my head and started feeling around. Suddenly, that old, childhood feeling I felt when I couldn't find the physical similarity between myself and my adopted brother and sisters started to rear its ugly head. No flat spot. I was actually disappointed. It wasn't enough for me that we look alike. I wanted a flat head too, dammit!

Pua: (pouting) I'm not a Flathead like you guys! No fair!

Then Lono came to my rescue.

Lono: No worries Sis. I don't have a flat head either.

I can't begin to tell you my relief. I stuck my tongue out at my sisters and hugged my brother. We laughed and started talking about how with 14 kids in the family, there's bound to be some features some share and some don't share. We compared earlobes and eye shapes and our mutual agreement that bologna sandwiches only taste good with Miracle Whip and not mayo. It felt like family. And it was okay that I didn't have a flat head.

My Cup Runneth Over

It's been forever, I know. There's just so much going on that these days it's rare that I get a chance to catch you up. So now I'm posting a month's worth...just because I can. Why? Because I have a much needed day off AND I'm home alone. Wooohoooooo!

Despite that fact that they are often at each other's throats, I have to say that I am the mother of some pretty awesome people. Sibling scuffles aside, they are the first to support each other's accomplishments, and we've had a few sterling occassions to celebrate. I know that I never have to ask, they will always be there for each other in good times and in bad times. There are those days where they fight over small things like who ate the last cupcake, who used who's sweater, or call each other things I won't print and I fear that's how it will remain right into adulthood. But then I remember what Averie always tells me; "Mommy, I can call Bry and Caris the worse things in the world, and they can do the same to me. But I defy anyone else to say squat about my brother or sister. You know we got each other's backs." That's what it's all about.

So, Averie and I visited what will become her new home for the next two years; Chapman University. I thought for sure she'd be leaving us to go to NYU, but she's decided to stay in California. Secretly, I'm a little less devasted. It's going to be hard for me around here without her. She's my morning coffee buddy, my sounding board, my friend. I'm proud beyond belief, but I will miss her.


Averie on campus at Chapman University 

Why Do They Call it Homecoming?

It's funny. The kids attend the same high school I went to. It's my Alma Mater. But it was never "home" to me. I got plucked out of Hawaii against my will when I was in high school and shipped off to live in California. But, I had to make do. Still, I was painfully shy back then (now I'm just painful!) so I never really made my "mark" here. I was content to be a nerdy wallflower; overlooked and basically ignored. So it's amazing to me that my kids have done as much as they've done in high school. From a nerdy Hawaiian wallflower and a skinny geeky white boy come these three gregarious, outgoing, funny, friendly, progeny. I like to think it has something to do with the way we raised them. That they always know how loved and cherished they are and that they can depend on us for support, no matter what. Unlike our own upbringing; Charlie and I made sure they they knew they could do anything they set their sights on. And they've done just that.

High school may not have been "home" for me...but I know it has been a whole different world for them.


Beautiful Sisters 

Dads and Princessess waiting for Halftime Happenings. 

Charlie & Caris waiting for the limo to pick up the Homecoming Court. 

Charlie escorts Caris from the limo 

The limo carrying the Senior Princesses arrives on the field. 

Caris and her friend Tracy, who was crowned Homecoming Queen 

Princess Caris congratulates the Queen 

Pua, Caris, and Charlie at the Homecoming Game 

And Then They Danced...

Bry & Caris before the dance. It's been a long time since milk and cookie days! 

Bryson & his date, Breana 

The Homecoming Princess & her date; Jake 

Halloween Hockey

It's not often that I come up with a suggestion to the question that is whined on October 31st every year; "What am I gonna be for Halloween?" and people actually think it's a great idea. But this year was an exception. For the girls anyway. Since I and every other hockey fan in the world got gypped out of a whole season of ice time last year, I thought it would be fun if the girls took all of Bry's hockey jerseys and created their own "All Star" team. Caris, Averie, and all of Caris' friends jumped right on it. Of course they had to put their own slant on it; fishnet stockings, stilletos, and spandex shorts.

Bryson thought it was a ridiculous idea. That is until they all turned around to walk out the door and he realized that every single one of these hot girls had HIS name on the back of their jerseys. "DANG! Check out my possee!"


Ice, Ice, Baby! 

Who doesn't like hockey now?