Laie Temple

We miss the Temple. In December 2008 the Laie Hawaii Temple closed for reconstruction. It has been SO different without the Temple operating. We miss going more than ever! This is what it looks like right now

I can't wait until it is finished. We won't even live here anymore, but we will have to come back and visit the Temple once it is refurbished.

Happy Birthday Dad!

DAD,
WE WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW MUCH WE LOVE YOU. WE ARE SO HAPPY THAT WE GET TO BE IN YOUR FAMILY. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO AND FOR YOUR GREAT EXAMPLE AS A FATHER. WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!!

To listen to one of the two songs I have for you on your birthday click HERE.
"We're so glad when Daddy comes home, glad as we can be! Clap our hands and shout for joy and "BITE" him on the knee! Put our arms around his neck, Hug him tight like this, Pat his cheeks, then give him what? A great big kiss!!"
(Obviously this is only the version of the song that we sang as children, some of the lyrics seemed to change when I was younger!)

To listen to the other song, click HERE.
"Happy Birthday Daddy Dear. Happy days wil come to you all year. If we had one wish, then it would be A happy happy birthday to YOU from US!"

We love you Dad!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

LOVE,
RISSA AND RYAN

Kids say the darndest things...

We were at Ryan's Intramurals BBall Game.
Lacey came with me.
One of my friends told us we looked a LOT alike and that she thought people would probably get us confused a lot. (They do . . . in fact, two of Lacey's teachers this semester have said, "Hi, Lacey" to ME!)

A while after Lacey got there we sat down and all the kids literally flocked to us. (We must look like we like to play a lot or something.)

One of the little boys, who arrived a little late sat down and looked at us.

He stared for a long time.

He looked from me to Lacey, and back to me, and back to Lacey -- several times.

He looked so confused and finally asked:

"ARE YOU TWO THE SAMES?"

We laughed right out loud.

We both, not on purpose, said "no, do we look the same?"
He said yes.
Then with a skeptical look on his face, he pointed at me and said:

"What's YOUR name?"
"Larissa"
"Well, then what is YOUR name?" pointing to Lacey.
"Lacey"
"Hmmm....OK"

Then he left and played with his friends.
I DON'T think he believed us!

Two Great Friends

Last week, a week ago today in fact, two of my great FRIENDS visited my apartment in the dark of the night and left the sweetest surprise for me. They heart-attacked my door and left a very sweet note. It was so thoughtful. There are times when we NEED uplifting from others and these girls knew exactly when to strike with a secret friendship-caper. I am so grateful to them for being in tune with the spirit.
Thank you both girls!! (You know who you are!)
We feel our Savior's love by those who love us so much and are stalwart examples of Christ in all that they do. Thank you, you two. It is so nice to have friends! ;)

#3 Lawn Mowers and White Birds

Every time the guy comes to mow all of the lawns in TVA (HUGE INDUSTRIAL MOWER...USUALY AT 7:00am...EXTREMELY LOUD!!!) these white birds follow him. Ryan said it is because the mower makes it easier for them to get the worms.
I don't know why, but it is hilarious, and it does NOT get old. I am amazed at how every time he mows, they get sooo close to the mower, but they never get run over. How do they do it?

Ryan's Mission President and General Conference

Listening to General Conference today was so much fun. We were able to listen to ALL of the sessions. We are so lucky because at Temple View Apartments the cable has the BYU channel and Conference was broadcast on TV during the live viewing. We got up at 5:50 a.m. and started our wonderful weekend yesterday by watching conference. Lacey and Cory joined us. It was amazing to hear the messages of our leaders in the Church.


Ryan with his Mission President, President Teixiera and his wife, Sister Teixiera, in 2005-2006. It was so exciting to hear him speak today in conference.


Today Ryan kept saying that he wanted them to announce that his Mission President, President Teixiera would be speaking. We didn't know if he would get to hear his dear President, but he kept hoping. Finally when we were watching the last session today, Ryan said, "I just want them to say that Jose A. Teixiera is speaking next!!" Then he turned to Lacey to tell her something funny and President Eyring announced that the next speaker would be Jose A. Teixiera. Ryan didn't hear it, but when we all froze and stared at him, he figured it out. He didn't believe it at first, but then we convinced him and he was so excited. We were all happy for him. Ryan has so much respect for President Teixiera and was delighted to hear his message. He shared a message about keeping our spiritual GPS in service and always being in a place, and in a standard of righteousness, that our spiritual GPS system can receive the Holy Ghost as our guide. It was fabulous.
Ryan, we are so happy for you!

Brazilian "Saudades"

Ry was having some serious "saudades" for his mission in Sao Paulo Brazil (that means "missings" of his time and especially FOOD there).

















He has been trying to teach me Portuguese and he was instant messaging with one of his investigators, Ane Rose, and had me chat with her too. She gave us one of the recipes that Ryan enjoyed on his mission. We tried it, she makes it better of course, but it was pretty good. I am trying to learn to cook in Portuguese too. haha!


Here are a couple of pictures of Ryan with Ane Rose and her husband Jose back when he was on the mission. Hopefully Rose can teach me some more recipes so Ryan and I can have more comfort for Ryan's Brazilian "Saudades".