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Friday, December 30, 2011

20 Things to Stop Doing

Got this email from my sister. I don't know where she got this from but I would like to share with you. Since the new year is quick approaching, I also thought it would be good read to make 2012 an amazing year!
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1. Stop holding grudges. – Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness.
2. Stop meaning what you don't say. – People can't read minds. Communicate regularly and effectively.
3. Stop making it all about you. – The world revolves around the sun, not you. Take a moment to acknowledge this truth on a regular basis.
4. Stop lying. – In the long-run the truth always reveals itself. Either you own up to your actions or your actions will ultimately own you.
5. Stop blaming. – Blaming others accomplishes nothing. Either you own your problems, or they will own you. Your choice. When you blame others for what you're going through, you deny responsibility – you give-up your power over that part of your life, and you annoy everyone around you in the process.
6. Stop doubting. – If you think that you can't achieve something, I have some news for you, you're probably right. But don't let your self-doubt interfere with other people's dreams. Remember, the one who says it can't be done should never interrupt the one doing it.
7. Stop interrupting. – Correcting someone when they're blatantly wrong is one thing, but always interjecting your opinions out of turn gets old fast. 
8. Stop being selfish. – You get what you put into a relationship. Nothing less, nothing more.
9. Stop judging. – Everyone is fighting their own unique war. You have no clue what they are going through, just like they have no clue what you're going through.
10. Stop gossiping. – Gossiping about others is a lose/lose situation. It hurts them, and then it hurts your reputation.
11. Stop making promises you can't keep. – Don't over-promise. Over-deliver on everything you do.
12. Stop being defensive. – Just because someone sees something differently than you doesn't mean either one of you is wrong. Keep an open mind. Open minds discover great things.
13. Stop comparing people to others. – No two people are alike. Everyone has their own strengths. We are only competing against our own selves.
14. Stop expecting people to be perfect. – 'Perfect' is the enemy of 'good.' And genuine 'goodness' is hard to find in this world. Don't overlook it.
15. Stop trying to be everything to everyone. – It's impossible. But making one person smile can change the world. Maybe not the whole world, but their world. So narrow your focus.
16. Stop screwing people over just because you can get away with it. – Just because you can get away with something doesn't mean you should do it. Think bigger. Do what you know in your heart is right.
17. Stop making mountains out of molehills. – People make mistakes. Crap happens. There's no reason to stress out yourself and everyone around you because of it. One way to check if something is worth mulling over is to ask yourself this question: "Will this matter in one year's time?" If not, then it's not worth worrying about.
18. Stop being dramatic. – Stay out of other people's drama and don't needlessly create your own.
19. Stop giving out advice, and just listen. – Less advice is often the best advice. People don't need lots of advice, they need a listening ear and some positive reinforcement. What they want to know is already somewhere inside of them. They just need time to think, be and breathe, and continue to explore the undirected journeys that will eventually help them find their direction.
20. Stop complaining. – Instead, use your time and energy to do something about it.

I know it's quite a list but I know there are some things on here I should stop doing. Let's just pick one or two we really want to stop doing every month and work on it!
No looking back at our mistakes or our past. Let's move forward!  
Here's to a new year! 

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Hai-yah!

Aaron had a silly band on his head and an armband/wristband and started karate chopping and of course Raya ha to get in on the action! I asked him what he was doing and he said he was a "Power Ranger Samurai" and continued his chopping.
His faces are hilarious! My kids love to pose for the camera! Aaron was trying to do some breakdancing move or something.
They sure keep me entertained!

REWIND - Back from CA Trip in October

In the plane eating cookies my mom gave the kids.

They weren't on their best behavior but at least no one complained (to my face anyway).

Reunited with David at the Honolulu baggage claim. I got lost trying to get to the claim area.


I'm not going to explain, just know that I got really confused with the renovations that were happening at the airport.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Aaron & Raya 12.22.11

Aaron and Raya are so cute when they get along. I love how their arms are around each other. Of course Aaron has to make his faces and so Raya followed along :)

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Raya has a ponytail!

Yay! I love that her hair is long enough for me to make into a ponytail! She is too cute and looks so much older than her 2 year old self!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Aaron's (school) pictures

Aaron drew the nativity in Sunbeams. His school picture from Bright Beginnings - Hauula.

I was gonna post his class picture but I probably should respect his classmate's privacy :)

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Oh Christmas Tree...

We finally put our tree up!

I opened up our box of Christmas decorations and found that ants had made it their home and was breeding in it. Yuck! So Aaron and I went outside to clean out the ants. Bleh. I hate ants.

The middle of our tree's lights went out last year and I was given a string of lights from our neighbors and since I didn't check it until now, only half of the lights worked. I just wrapped the lights in the middle halfway since we didn't really need to see the side facing the window anyway...right?

Aaron was so excited to put up our tree and decorate it. He was such a great helper and he didn't even drop an ornament, it was me! I didn't catch it in time and it smashed into pieces all over the floor. 
Poor Raya was sick and slept like all day but she sure enjoyed seeing the finished product!
"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..."