Decorating Aunt Jeri's Tree

“Mankind is a great, an immense family... This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas.” ― Pope John XXIII

 

Ever since my sister Jeri moved into her Fountain Valley apartment in 1999, she always had my children come over to decorate.  First it was with my daughter, then my son Kalib, and then my son Christopher.  

Considering this is the first Christmas my kids and I would be apart, she sent me photos of them decorating her tree.  You couldn't understand the emotional pain I experienced seeing my kids having so much fun, when I was feeling so incredibly sad.  I know inside they were hurting because I was not there, but I am glad my sister was able to give them some sort of normalcy during this difficult time.  She kept the tradition going and for that I am so grateful.

Christmas Music Concert

“When purchasing gifts becomes the focal point of the season, we lose focus on what's truly important.” ― Joshua Fields Millburn

 

For the Christmas season, the children from Waianae Intermediate's school band got to perform at Ala Moana Mall.  Hekla was performing on her trumpet for the Christmas concert.  It was my first time seeing her play.  She did well and she had her whole entourage to cheer her on from the balcony.

My First Hawaii Santa Claus

“What do you think of Christmas?" "I like it," she said. "I think we should have it every year.” ― Liz Flaherty, One More Summer

 

I really enjoyed taking my kids to see Santa when hey were little.  I know I certainly was ecstatic the time I met Santa.  After not being near my kids for 4 months, I decided to go see Santa for fun.  I asked him if it was ok to have an adult take pictures with him, considering I put on weight and Trevor is not a small man.  Santa assured me that he's had numerous Polynesians on his lap and they aren't small people, and we weren't too old, because old women have sat on his lap plenty of times.  

He posed us and the pictures came out great.