per Uncle Steven

Where does the time go????

so, this will probably be quick -- I just have a few minutes until I need to take Whitlee to the dentist ------

We are the mighty Marsden Cardinals -- our colors are grey and red. Our lives have been BASEBALL!!! It is literally all baseball all the time!! Brendan is loving loving loving it!!! He really is on a wonderful team -- the coaches are so great and Brendan loves baseball. Brendan and I had a long discussion about on field hustle and showing your coaches that you are working hard. He said it made sense but I wasn't sure if he had been listening to me but I guess the hustle was there --- His Coach Dan approached him yesterday and told him that he and the other coaches had noticed what he was doing -- he said that if he had to pick one boy on the team that had made the most improvement on the team in the last week it was hands down Brendan. I could barely get his big head in the van:) . I really think we are going to have a great season.

Whitlee will be 4 on Wednesday --- I was trying to wrap my mind around that last night ----- 4 years old!!!! Can that even be possible!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are a couple of shots from practice yesterday ----

I LOVE THIS KID!!!!!!!!!! He amazes me!!!!!!!!!!

it's been a week.....lots has happened......

I'll get to that at a different time.....................



It's been 2 months since my brother died -- he is never far from my thoughts.



this is a shot of Rick with his daughter Amber at her high school graduation.

I miss him.....

So I didn't get back on Saturday ------

Why one might ask.............I fell asleep!!!!


Here are just a few of the 538 photos that I took Saturday at Little League Major tryouts!!!!

Brendan is warming up and showing his throwing form.

So, I also wanted to say something.........My brother Steven ROCKS!!! He is absolutely the best Uncle Steven EVER!!!! I have never for one instant questioned if he loved my children -- he loves my kids as if they were his own. He loves my kids as I love and adore his. He LOVES THE CRAP out of them!!! He loves Brendan to the moon and back and I love him for that!!! I know I know gushing and gushing!!! He would hate it but this is MY blog correct...So there!!! I can write whatever I want . Steven and the wonderful Matthew braved rain and being cold to come and support Brendan -- of course Matthew discovered frinds there!!! That kid knows someone EVERYWHERE:)


Here is a picture of Steven, Jeff and Whitlee --- I'm not quite sure what Whitlee is doing.............


So, Jeff took Brendan back Sunday --- he did well Saturday but did even better Sunday --- guess who was there??? Uncle Steve.........Did I mention that he ROCKED . Brendan was VERY touched that he and Matthew came back. So, fast forward a couple of hours.


The question of the day is.......What do you get when you have an 11 year old who plays a balls out basketball game at odark early on a Saturday followed by an intense Little League tryout???.................














Here is shot of Brendan catching a pop fly --- the man in the Red jacket in the background is going to be his coach (we'll get to that in a minute).













O.K. - Brendan sat on the couch starting at 6:45 Sunday with the phone in his hand waiting for .....THE CALL... He started to panic just a bit....he got the call at about 8:25 p.m. His coach was seemed very nice --- Brendan had a visible sigh of relief!!! The coach sounded happy to have Brendan on his team................I guess we will wait and see..............There is a parent's meeting on Friday and there is suppose to be some sort of practice this weekend. There is a tournament March 08 & 09. Brendan called Uncle Steven to let him know. Steven was SO great with Brendan!! Congratulating him and assuring him what a great season he would have. Have I mentioned !!!! Steven also let me know that this coach is a good match for Brendan. The next call was Grandma (I think we woke her UP!!!!). She was also VERY proud of Brendan. As soon as I get a schedule I'll get it out. The third and final call was to Blake Latta -- Blake had just gotten off the phone with HIS coach................the same coach that called Brendan!!! BRENDAN AND BLAKE ARE ON THE SAME TEAM!!!! They were both excited! Brendan went to bed with a smile on his face and a light heart!!!! It's February and baseball is upon us !!!


All is well in Cunningham Cove!!!!!!

Real Quick

I am only home for literally 5 minutes -- Just to pick up Ginger to take her to work ---- Brendan had a Basketball game this morning ---- HE SCORED A BASKET!!!! Of course I missed it.....Why you may ask -- Whitlee decided to explore her creative side and made a multi-colored carpet drawing!!!! YIKES!!!! Brendan is at Little League Majors tryouts right now -- Steven is on his way with Matthew to check it out - I don't know who is more excited about it Brendan or Jeff. I post pictures later!!!

8 Days and counting:0)

So, it's been 8 days......what can I say life happens!!!

Last Monday we had snow and ice -- I slipped and pulled or did something -- I could hardly move -- Each time I tried on Tuesday I would burst out in tears -- Jeff took me to the Dr. on Wednesday and I don't really remember anything until Saturdayish. Muscle relaxants should really be called coma inducers. I went to the chiro today -- I go back to him on Thursday - I'm feeling better. I should have gone to him first!!!!

Kids are doing well -- Brendan had a migraine a couple of days ago and I was a FREAKED out mommy!!! I kept having flashbacks of last year. I tried really hard not to stress him out. It went away VERY quickly thank goodness!!! He has tryout for Little League this weekend -- that's right I said little league!!! Because of his age he will be in the majors. He is very excited!!! Jeff is taking him to stretch and pitch on Friday -- his tryouts are on Saturday morning AFTER his basketball game. Whitlee is great!!! It's hard to believe that she will be 4 in just a couple of weeks. 4 years old -- that doesn't really seem possible!!! She wants a Barbie party -- at least today. She is going to have to choose soon!!!!

That appears to be what is going on with us ----- what about you????

Tough Love

I got this email today -------- LOVE IT!

Tough Love vs. Spanking ~ (a psychological conundrum) It seems that these days most Americans think it is improper to spank children, so over the years I tried other methods to control my kids when they had one of 'those moments.' One that I found effective is for me to just take the child for a car ride and talk. They usually calm down and stop misbehaving after our car ride together. This worked so well for my children that I now use the method on my grandchildren. I've included a photo below of one of my sessions with my grandson, in case you would like to use the technique. Sincerely, A Friend

lots going on:)

This last week has been such a busy busy week --- I don't have much time for an update right down - Today is a day off for Brendan -- the quarter/semester ended on Friday and the teachers are using today to make sure all the grades are in and everything is ready for those dreaded report cards. Also, it snowed overnight and I can't wait for the kiddos to wake up so we can go play.......well, the kids can play and I can take pictures:)

I'll be back.............

George Carlin never fails to make me laugh!!!!

You know I try and find fun and creative things as presents for Jeff. This year the kiddos and I got him a George Carlin desktop calendar (cause he needs 2 calendars at his desk!). Each day has a little saying or quip from none other than the man himself. Now, while I find him FUNNY he (George Carlin) never ceases to make Jeff roll on the floor with laughter!!!

The following is the observence from Thursday, January 17th:

"I had an interesting morning; I got into an argument with my Rice Krispies. I distinctly heard, "Snap, crackle, f*ck you!" I'm not sure which one of them said it; I was reaching for the artifical sweetener at the time and not looking directly into the bowl."

THANKS GEORGE!!!!!!!

Day One Down......

There are a ton of people here but everyone is having SO MUCH FUN!!!!! I've taken about 500 pictures already and I have only begun:)

I'll be back to post more later --- Pictures may have to wait until Monday afternoon --- Internet access is picky at best!!!!!!

This is how the conversation goes:

Me: Whitlee Jane -- I need to talk to you......
WJ: Mommy, I need a second........
(20 minutes pass)
Me: Whitlee Jane -- I need to talk to you........
(with grunts, groans and giant sighs.............)
WJ: YEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Me: I'm doing your year page for your scrapbook and I need to ask a couple of questions.
WJ: Can you make it fast because I want a rice crispy treat
Me: I'll do what I can

Questions:

Me: How old are you?
WJ: DUH!! I AM THREEEEEEEE
Me: What is your favorite color?
WJ: Hello!!! Do you know me? it's PINK!!!!
Me: What is your favorite number?
WJ: B...really it's B Mommy
Me: What do you want to be when you grow up?
WJ: What did I say last time?
Me: A Banana
WJ: That's a good answer!!
Me: Why yes it is
WJ: Now I want to be a witch or a BAD CAT
Me: Got it
Me: Who is your best friend?
WJ: Kylie, Eleri & Keanna
Me: What is your favorite movie?
WJ: DUR.......Anything with PRINCESSES!!!
Me: What is your favorite TV show?
WJ: Jack's Big Music Show, Bindi The Jungle Girl & Dora...DON'T PUT LAZY TOWN I HATE THAT SHOW!!!!!
Me: What's your favorite food?
WJ: How many can I pick?
Me: As many as you want
WJ: Let's start with cottage cheese, fire chips (Nacho Cheese Doritos), Carrots and COW MILK FROM STARBUCKS!!!!
Me: Thanks for helping me out Whit
WJ: Man, now I'm gonna need 2 rice crispy treats!!!!

NOTE: there was continual eye rolling -- clearly she must have something better to do!!!!!
Here is her page from last year (2006)




















Then it was Brendan's turn.......He however was a bit easier due to the fact at this point he will do anything to get out of his room --- Being grounded is a bitch!!!

Me: Brendan can I talk to you for a minute
BR: Take more than a minute mom
Me: I need to ask you some questions for your year in review page
BR: fine, just make sure you use pictures of me with my contacts in!!
Me: I'll do my best
Me: How old did you turn this year?
BR: Um........11 you were there weren't you?
Me: yes, I was
BR: Nice to hear it
Me: What is your favorite color?
BR: ORANGE -- if that's not available Blue
Me: What is your favorite number:
BR: What did Whit say?
Me: B
BR: She does realize that that is a letter right?
Me: I pointed that fact out to her
BR: and she still went with B?
Me: yes, she did
BR: She needs help!!
Me: well, she is ONLY 3 years old
BR: B is a letter
Me: I know
BR: I guess my favorite number is 8
Me: What do you want to be when you grow up?
BR: A hockey player or a soccer goalie
Me: Who are your best friends?
BR: Cameron Hiller, Emily Moren, Jonathan Taylor-Kantz and Sara Abed
Me: What is your favorite movie?
BR: Transformers
Me: are you sure it's not Hairspray
BR: Mom, you are going to make me puke....
Me: well, you like RENT
BR: it's totally different show
Me: I see
Me: What is your favorite TV Show?
BR: Avatar
Me: What is your favorite sport?
BR: Soccer (like you didn't know that)
Me: what is your favorite food?
BR: Pizza
Me: What is your least favorite food?
BR: Broccoli -- Well, ANYTHING GREEN!!!!
Me: What is your favorite book?
BR: The On The Run Series
Me: What would you do if you had a million dollars?
BR: mmmmmmm...........give some to charity, some in my college fund and then spend some
Me: nice answer
BR: am I still grounded?
Me: YES!
BR: Then, some to charity and then spend the rest
Thanks for your time Brendan!!!!

Here is his page from last year............

Facebook oh Facebook...............

so, my friend Amy convinced me to sign up for Facebook --- What she didn't tell me is that I would instantly become OBSESSED!!!!! I LOVE FACEBOOK and I want friends......

Brendan had basketball practice tonight --- I found myself being "team mom" What have I gotten myself into?!? It will be fun:)

Progress reports come home tomorrow ---- we'll see if Brendan has a good weekend --- he should.

A couple of days..........

so, it has been a couple of days since I posted --- Whitlee is back in fighting order!!!!!!!

trying to still get in the swing of things --- YIKES!!!!

I had a meeting at Brendan's school tonight --- YIKES!!! This year is good it's next year I am concerned about. I am meeting next week to make sure things are in order for him.

Not a whole lot going on just getting through day by day.

2 Days.........

So, 2 days since I have posted --- Not that I couldn't find time but I COULDN'T FIND TIME!!! Whitlee is sick --- I'm not sure what is going on -- she has a fever -- I have been keeping it down with meds -- but today she ate 1 chicken strip.......DID YOU READ THAT??

ONE CHICKEN STRIP!!!!!!!!!

and a couple cups of kool-aid.....She didn't even want a popsicle not even a pink one!!!! When the meds wear off her temp sky-rockets to 101.5. I am going to go try and get her in first thing in the morning.

Anyhow that's all I have time for right now ----- I only slept an hour and a half last night!!!

You say it's your birthday..............................

Today is my nephews birthday -- so, since I don't have permission to blog about him I'll just say this.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHNNY!!!!

And since I don't have his permission to post a photo I'll just post this:

You may not get it but Johnny will!!!!! And trust me when I say IT IS FUNNY!!!!!

According to George Carlin....................

Do you see a pattern here??? I found the funniest calendar for Jeff's desk -- George Carlin!!!!

According to George Carlin:
A radio commercial says that a certain diet pill works three times faster than starvation. Question: Are they guessing, or did they really run these tests?

He never ceases to make me smile ----

Today was better - I think............Tomorrow is a new day!!!!

And the beat goes..........

bam bam bam bam bam bam bam --- each beat of my heart every breath, every blink, every second. The only thing to do is jump over the moon...............

Today, I took the kiddos to see the Bee Movie at the $2 theater -- They loved it -- I found it mildly entertaining! Good message -- not sure if the kids picked up on it.

Tomorrow Brendan goes back to school -- I think he has mixed feelings about it -- he has missed his friends and wants the structure yet the past 2 weeks have been very stressful. He also is starting basketball practices -- Thursdays at 6:30 --

I talked to Steven today -- Little League signs ups are coming -- It seems like everytime I turn around something is going on!!! YIKES!!!!

Guess that is all...........................

The long and the short of it is.......

life continues.....

Much has happened since my last post -- Christmas -- it was a good one

We went to California for my brothers memorial service. It was beautiful. His children were there -- they are an amazing trio those 3. I'd could go on and on about them but since I have yet to ask their permission to blog about them I'll just say this --- the three of them - well, 3 + 1 are amazing and loving and they fill my soul with pride. It is not a surprise that their father was SO PROUD of everything they did -- they stood united and provided him with a beautiful and moving memorial. I didn't speak at his service -- I couldn't I thought I might be able to but I just couldn't. I will cherish every single memory. I will hold them tight within my heart. I'll bring them out every once in a blue moon. I will pass them on to my niece and nephews and their future children.


The funeral home provided this great Hawaiian cloth pouch to house Rick's ashes -- his sunglasses perched atop the box. The card that is Rick on the front riding a wave --- if anything about this had to be perfect this was..Rick riding a wave -- perfect


.....My father came -- didn't speak one word to him -- I simply have nothing to say -- I have said my peace I have spoken the absolute truth it simply doesn't matter if he wants to hear it or not -- the truth is the truth and the truth stands alone. He didn't speak to my children watched them but didn't speak to them not that I expected him to. Brendan was afraid he would say something hurtful to him -- make him feel like crap again. That would NOT have happened. My kids were surrounded by love and protected by that same love -- 2 Great Aunties, Cousins by the trio (plus one) and various assorted 2nd cousins.I appreciate that he was there for Rick's children -- I appreciate that he was able to give Rick the respect in death that he was unable to give him in life. It doesn't change things but I think it may have meant something to Rick.



My children did great. Brendan was very sad -- he was also torn as he doesn't really remember Rick just phone calls. He is sad that he won't have the chance to have his Uncle Rick to teach him to surf as they had talked about. He is sad that Rick won't be able to take him out spear fishing. He is sad that he won't be able to hug his uncle. He is glad that he was able to tell Rick that he loved him. He is so sensitive that boy of mine!!! Whitlee met her partner in crime:) Key is about 15 hours older than Whit -- she is the daughter of my cousin -- adorable simply adorable!!! They are 2 girls cut from the same bolt of fun!!!!

We are back and I am trying to get back in the "groove" --- school starts on Thursday --- lots of laundry to do --- sadness simply invades my being -- I miss him desperately -- I miss that the phone will no longer ring and a voice will say"Hey, little sister". I suppose it will get easier -- that's what they tell me "It will get easier" We shall see.

Happy New Year!!!! May 2008 be better than 2007.

Richard Yamashita

These are my brothers --- Steven in the green and Richard in the print.

Rick passed away today -- it was by his choice. He didn't want any more treatment. His kidneys were failing. His brother Peter and daughter Amber Rose flew into Hawaii yesterday -- they were with him until the end. He was not alone.

There was no unfinished business between my brother Rick and I. He was a happy go lucky let it roll right off your back kind of guy. I knew no matter what he always had my back. He never failed to tell me he loved me and he never called me by anything other than little sister. He taught me many different ways to use the word "Dude". He taught me to surf -- ok it was a disaster but he tried hard. He also took me kyaking out in a cove only to have a migrating blue whale surface with in 50 feet of us. The breach was breathtaking. When I remember Rick it will be with a smile. Life lived and ended on his terms. The hole in my heart is immense -- My pain is not for myself but for his children -- while they are grown adults it hurts me that they are in the pain that they are in.

Call your sibling(s) tell them you love them ---- don't think just do it.

update............

48 hours...............

Amber and Peter flew in today...............

Waiting for information.......................

This SUCKS!!!!!!!!!

Got this in an email:

Thanks Angie!!!

New Rules For 2008 by George Carlin:

New Rule : Stop giving me that pop-up ad for classmates.com! There's a reason you don't talk to people for 25 years. Because you don't particularly like them!? Besides, I already know what the captain of the football team is doing these days--mowing my lawn.

New Rule : Don't eat anything that's served to you out a window unless you're a seagull.. People are acting all shocked that a human finger was found in a bowl of Wendy's chili. Hey, it cost less than a dollar. What did you expect it to contain? Trout?

New Rule: Ladies, leave your eyebrows alone. Here's how much men care about your eyebrows: do you have two of them? Okay, we're done.

New Rule : There's no such thing as flavored water. There's a whole aisle of this crap at the supermarket, water, but without that watery taste. Sorry, but flavored water is called a soft drink. You want flavored water? Pour some scotch over ice and let it melt. That's your flavored water.

New Rule: The more complicated the Starbucks order, the bigger the asshole. If you walk into a Starbucks and order a 'decaf grande half-soy, half-low fat, iced vanilla, double-shot, gingerbread cappuccino, extra dry, light ice, with one sweet-n'-Low, and one NutraSweet,' ooh, you're a huge asshole..

New Rule : I'm not the cashier! By the time I look up from sliding my card, entering my PIN number, pressing 'Enter,' verifying the amount, deciding no, I don't want cash back, and pressing 'Enter' again, the kid who is supposed to be ringing me up is standing there eating my Almond Joy.

New Rule : Just because your tattoo has Chinese characters in it doesn't make you spiritual. It's right above the crack of your ass. And it translates to 'beef with broccoli.' The last time you did anything spiritual, you were praying to God you weren't pregnant. You're not spiritual. You're just high.

New Rule : Competitive eating isn't a sport . It's one of the seven deadly sins. ESPN recently televised the U.S . Open of Competitive Eating, because watching those athletes at the poker table was just too damned exciting. What's next, competitive farting? Oh wait!? They're already doing that. It's called 'The Howard Stern Show.'

New Rule : I don't need a bigger mega M&Ms. If I'm extra hungry for M&Ms, I'll go nuts and eat two.

New Rule: No more gift registries. You know, it used to be just for weddings. Now it's for babies and new homes and graduations from rehab. Picking out the stuff you want and having other people buy it for you isn't gift giving, it's the white people version of looting.

New Rule: and this one is long overdue: No more bathroom attendants. After I zip up, some guy is offering me a towel and a mint like I just had sex with George Michael. I can't even tell if he's supposed to be there, or just some freak with a fetish. I don't want to be on your web cam, dude. I just want to wash my hands.

New Rule : When I ask how old your toddler is, I don't need to know in months. '27 Months.' 'He's two,' will do just fine. He's not a cheese. And I didn't really care in the first place.

New Rule: If you ever hope to be a credible adult and want a job that pays better than minimum wage, then for God's sake don't pierce or tattoo every available piece of flesh. If so, then plan your future around saying, 'Do you want fries with that?'

Santa Visit Part Two.....

tonight we are going to visit the jolly man again:) I'll be posting more photos later --- it has been a crazy few days. Things should slow down to warp speed by Monday ---

Please keep my brother Rick in your thoughts -- if you pray I'll take a couple of those for him also. It tears me up that I can't do anything to help. My siblings mean the world to me.

Christmas is in 12 days and I haven't even started!!!! Well, I have had a little talk with Santa. I hope to have my 2nd Christmas card done tonight:)

Cunningham OUT!!!

UPDATE: Santa didn't go so well, the kids were fine it was the Santa people and Santa himself. He was slouched over in his chair with his belt up to his arm pits -- I am pretty sure Santa was three sheets to the wind. We are going back to the Supermall tomorrow (Friday).

Santa Dear Santa!!!

I took the kiddos to see Santa Claus on Friday --- it was suppose to be a dry run. Whitlee decided she would rather just get her picture taken. I curled her hair, grabbed a shirt for her brother and out the door we went.

She is SO excited!!! Yes, I realized she is sporting 80's bangs work with me here she wanted curled and will be wearing a santa hat!!!















Brendan is such a GOOBER!!!




















Almost there.....





















The group in front of us literally right before they went had a "group" of friends show up and they let them cut --- someone was NOT happy!!





















This was taken right after the mad shot --- I told here that Santa saw the others cut -- and that something like that could put you on the naughty list.













I of course liked my shots better --- We will be doing more formal shots later this week.

I know I know I know!!!!

It must be an illness I am posting so quickly:)

Can you believe Christmas will be here so soon --- yeah.......YIKES!!!

That's all!!

Oh hey Mike I made spring rolls:) YUM

Still playing.........

OK, so I am still trying to figure out what I am doing with the design of the blog ------ so far I haven't been happy with anything --- Well, I did like the David Beckham template but well enough said!!!!

I wonder if there is Chicken Joe template ---- off to find out.