Umi, the Van, VS. THIS...

So this is the pile of old roofing that Teagan put Umi into early Monday morning. And here is Umi going away on Tuesday morning to have a long visit with the auto body shop.
Here's what roofing does to a windshield - note the little pieces of glass on the dashboard.
And damage to the bumper -- I still can't figure out what did this (the dent). In the picture of the stack, the white thingy in the pile is an old feed sack, so that didn't do it. And the 4x4 pieces of wood are really too low to the ground, I think. You can't see the white scrapes on the headlight, but they are there.
Lots of white streaks on the side and note the missing antenna and side mirror. Oooh, the fun.
So looking at the estimate, here's what Umi gets to have all new: windshield, bumper, headlamp, fender with antenna, mirror, and various pieces of molding and trim. Hopefully they can buff out the scratches to the windows on the sliding door and passenger door.

Moral of the story? Don't underestimate the damage aluminum can do. (Shan will have other lessons he thinks we learn from all this. They may follow!)

What a Monday. . .So Far...

We are having a Monday. That word should describe it fairly well.

At 5:30 this morning, the alarm went off. As I got up to deal with it, I could see lights and hear that Teagan was up and getting ready for seminary. Good. I listened to him drive away.

At 5:40, Teagan was back. On his way down the farm's hill, he hit a pile of aluminum roofing that was stacked on the side of the drive. He was distracted at the time, it was dark, and he was going too quickly on the turn. The van, Umi, now has gashes sliced into the passenger front side. The bumper scraped and the under-bumper-guard is dragging. The windshield is gouged and has left glass dust on the dashboard. The passenger-side mirror is on the stool in my kitchen, as are two pieces that came off the bumper. Also in my kitchen is the antenna. By 6:00am I was on the phone with the insurance company working up the claim. Teagan and Shan were down making sure that nothing was poking out from the pile to damage some other unsuspecting farm-dweller.

Shan took the boys to school early and headed down to work to do the usual Monday things. Once the necessities were done, he was on his way back to get me so that we can pick up the rental car (which I'm certain will NOT replace an 8 passenger van!), when the middle school called to let us know that Talmage is sick -- cold, pale, with a little bit of a stomach ache. They are on their way home now.

On the bright side: Teagan is okay. Nobody else was in the van at the time. Somehow the passenger front tire didn't get damaged.

On the NOT bright side: it's only 9:50 am on a MONDAY!

More info later. . .and maybe a picture or two. If Monday can stop being so Monday-ish!

A Special Anniversary

Today is the 9th Anniversary of the dedication of the Kona Temple! This past Tuesday, I attended the temple session that our ward was assigned to and was reminded of our experiences 9 years ago. Allow me to ramble a bit!

The temple had an open house for several days prior to the dedication. We had a baby due Feb 1st, so Shan and I had little to no assignments for the festivities. January 12th was the first day of the open house - a day for the VIPs (mayor, county council, local doctors and attorneys) to walk through the building. We took Teagan and Talmage for this first chance to see inside, and on the way out, a friend asked when our baby was due and if it was soon. With 3 weeks to go, I jumped up and down in the parking lot, saying, "This baby's not coming!" We all laughed.

The next morning, about 10am, my water broke. But I didn't really go into labor - I think I was telling my body that I had to wait and for once, it was obedient! 18 hours later, after getting really mad that I wasn't progressing as quickly as I had for Talmage (2 hours, start to finish!), Taggart was finally born! After no sleep and no eating for so long, I was completely wiped out. But the adventure was just beginning. Taggart was safe, but the placenta would not detach, so I was losing blood too quickly. The doctor tried 2 medications and tried to pull it out, but to no avail. She outlined for Shan (and a really dopey me) the 6 steps she would use, the first two already utilized.

Through sleep deprivation and drugs, I remember a couple of things clearly -- if the 6 things were tried and didn't work, then I would die; and second, I told Shan that his blessing didn't work. (Please don't EVER give me demerol again!) With that, they wheeled me off for emergency surgery and left Shan (also sleep deprived) holding an hour-old baby, wondering if I would ever return. I know he had the hard part, worrying and wondering what was next as I fell blissfully asleep. After an hour, I was back in recovery, with step #3 having worked. I was really pale with a low crit for weeks, but I was alive!

The doctor wanted to keep me in the hospital after all the trauma, but allowed me to go home after I promised that I really would stay home and not do anything. I was so glad to get home where Shan pampered me and his mom fed me really well! Taggart was a dream baby, quiet and a pretty good sleeper! I think I gave prayers of thanks every hour for weeks, that I had been allowed to stay and be the mom to Teag, Talm and Tag and the wife to Shan. I knew that if my time on earth was finished, the Lord had had the opportunity to take me home, so He must not have been through with me! I also apologized to Shan for showing a lack of faith under the influence of drugs -- the blessing he had given me HAD worked -- I WAS just fine.

Nine days after Taggart' entry to the world was the temple dedication. I still had not left my house, but there was NOTHING that was going to keep me from being there outside the temple for the cornerstone ceremony. We arrived early and brought a blanket for me to sit on. I may have walked slowly, with Shan carrying Taggart and holding on to me, but I was there. I found a spot at the base of a palm tree and just sat there, holding Taggart, while Shan kept up with Teagan and Talmage (age 7 and nearly 5).

President Hinckley, Elder Packer, and Elder Hallstrom were the dignitaries of the day. They came out from the temple to lay the cornerstone shortly after the dedication session had begun. President Hinckley asked for a couple of young children to come help him put mortar in at the cornerstone. Teagan was summoned to be one of the children, and Talmage did what little brothers do: he followed his big brother! They each got a moment to talk to the prophet:

GBH: What's your name?

TKJN: Teagan.

GBH: Teagan? Well, who took your teeth?! (Teagan had his front teeth missing for 3 years!)

Then Talmage had his turn:

GBH: What's your name?

TISN: Talmage.

GBH: Talmage? That's quite a distinguished name!

Shan's sister Jill was in a perfect spot to capture the moment with Teagan and Talmage being helped by President Boyd K. Packer and Elder Donald Hallstrom as they placed mortar there. Then, Teag and Talm triumphantly returned to me and Shan.

The crowd outside the temple took quite a while to disperse. No one wanted to leave! They just wanted to soak in the Spirit.

We have so many cherished pictures of that day. I will post a couple of them once I can find the software to install our scanner on this computer. My gratitude was augmented the next day when we got to attend the 2nd dedication session. Shan was in the bishopric at the time, so Shan and I got to be in the celestial room, just 20 feet away from President Hinckley. WOW. That's the only way to describe it!

So this week always reminds me of how blessed I am: I get to be the mom to 6 great kids, the wife to a wonderful man, and we have a temple of the Lord just 8 miles away! Not many people are here who were there for the temple groundbreaking, or there the day that the Angel Moroni went up on top, or there for the cornerstone and dedication, but we have been here for it all! What a blessing!

The Judo Rainbow

We had judo promotion last week and here are the results: Teagan is a green belt, Talmage and blue, and Taggart is orange! There was such a large group of students that they did not each get the chance to show their skills on the individual basis that they did last year. Teagan, though, got to be a villain, trying to attack two of the young ladies. They each tossed him and showed how they could have debilitated him long term. Sensei said of Teagan, "Hey, he looks like a criminal." I have to differ -- even when he tries to look a bit scary, you just can't keep that smile from his face and the light from his eyes.

Sydni, sitting on my lap, commented, "Mommy, look at the rainbow belts!" And she was right -- we were only missing the purple belt among our boys, at least from the colors awarded that night.

We are proud of our boys! And they LOVE this sport!

Teagan Plays With Fire

New Year's Eve means fireworks and staying up really late. Teagan watched some fire dancers in early December and was so inspired by them that he had to try doing some of their routine. Last year, he did this some, but this year, he brought it all to a whole new level. He wished for some kevlar and white gas, but Mom just can't seem to find any (wink wink --how hard would YOU try to find those for a 16 year old?

He really does love to practice with his staff and is gaining some skills. Here's a glimpse of his talent:



I didn't want to post the one where the fireworks strapped to one end goes flying off and burns quietly on the grass for a full minute - I guess I'm losing my sense of fun! Teagan always seems to have a few friends (aged 16 to 40ish) willing to help him prepare. One way to never quite grow up: playing with fire!

Bishop Shan!

Yesterday, Shan was sustained as our ward's Bishop! Our previous bishop moved to the mainland four weeks ago, so the ward has been speculation central, with many people declaring Shan to be the bishop for all these weeks. Now he has officially been sustained -- without that scene from 'Mobsters and Mormons' where the ward doesn't sustain the new bishop! The funniest thing was that there was a storm outside, so when the stake president announced Shan's name and asked for the sustaining vote, there was a ROLL OF THUNDER!!! What do you think that means?!?!?!? Laugh or panic?!

Shan will do a great job. He kept the two counselors from the previous bishopric, hoping to get a good running start and not upheave the ward too much. He has long thought that our ward has great people in key positions and that just a tweak here and there could make things even better. I know that he really loves the youth and greatly desires being familiar with them and their lives.

Shan's setting apart was so wonderful and emotional for me. I knew someday this would come and that this has been part of why we are supposed to be in Hawaii. Now the adventure begins!

And it's nice to not have to redirect conversations anymore!

Just a Quick Note

I just had to quickly let y'all know that we hope to get back to the blog again soon. We are recovering from The Great Computer Crash of December 13th! After 10 days, our friend determined that we were better off putting $ into a new computer rather than trying to fix our old one. So, we have a new computer, but still have lots to do to re-install programs and documents and data and all. The Christmas letter will hopefully get done during this next week and we will get a little more normal again.

But we ARE still here! Aloha!!

Your Wish is My Command!

So Valerie wanted to be in three of my posts in a row, so the genie grants her this wish! (I had fun granting Marci's wish the other day when she hadn't heard the flamingo song) It's the season for giving, right?!
We arranged with the DC temple for Teagan and Talmage to join a group doing baptisms. We offered Shan as additional priesthood help and off we went, dragging Val's crew too!
We tried to get the kids all here at the same time, with pleasant looks on faces, but it just wasn't happening!
Staci gets a little practice at tour guide for Caroline. They both enjoyed the home display in the visitors center.
Tanner and Seth enjoy the displays.
Talmage and Teagan, ready to enter (and hopefully find some cute girls from Pennsylvania!).
"Aunty Balerie, Caroline went in there."
Six of the seven all content in some shade on the temple grounds. James took the older kids on a little nature path, too. They were pretty patient while Teag & Talm got their temple experience!
"Sydni, you push it like this and it lights up."
Tanner and Rachel fit so perfectly under this beautifully arching tree! Their own little space.
The kids were pretty good in the lobby of the distribution center while we adults took turns going in for necessities.
Only missing Shan in this one! Sydni didn't like being there at first, but I think everyone else did. James went on a mercy mission and found the makings for a great picnic lunch. We had just started eating when Shan, Teagan and Talmage joined us again. Thanks again, James & Val, for being great hosts when we were in your neighborhood!

S&T Historical Part 3 - the Zoo!

One problem I haven't solved yet in Blogger is when I remember where more pictures are after I have already done most of the post! Guess where these semi-happy little girls are?
We sent Teagan to see what he could see of the famous pandas, and this was all he could see, after fighting his way through a thick holiday crowd.
Brad enjoys the mist - AHHHHHHHHH! Now the beginning of the original post!
In order to get to the National Zoo, we got to ride the subway -- quite the feat for a family of 8, but we were able to do that a couple of times.
At the zoo, we met up with Val and James and kids and Dad and Brad! It was so bright and sunny that we took as many chances in the shade as we could.
No surprise -- Brad quickly renewed his special ways with Sydni and Staci. Here they are tickling him -- I think he was a bit tired of it by the end of the day.
Brad points out the hippos to Syd & Stace.
Rachel helps Grandpa figure out where to go next with Eliza while Seth wishes his Dad would cast a bigger shadow - the bottle of water wasn't enough.
Teagan works his magic on girls of all ages -- I don't think Carrie appreciated his charm enough.
Eliza, Seth, Tanner and Taggart loved watching the birds -- trust me, they LOVED it, even if they don't LOOK like it!
OOOooooohhh! Flamingoes! I've excluded other pictures of the animals, but this one introduces the next pic:
Seeing flamingoes meant Val and I had to sing "Mister Stand on One Leg." Got a couple of funny looks (not all from our kids, too), but sometimes you've just gotta sing! I think Val's kids thought I was the weirdest aunty they have -- always singing goofy songs and trying to make them laugh--especially Seth, since he wasn't feeling his best that day.

We didn't last the longest, and didn't see the pandas (too long of a line to get there and apparently not easily seen that day -- they were taking the Memorial Day off too!), but we had fun being together!

S&T 2008 Historical Part 2

With all the rest of the Krumps gathering this past week, here are the missing two of us and our families from this past May:

We arrived in the late afternoon and got to head right over to "Aunty Balerie's house", as Staci and Sydni say! After 13 hours of travel, our kids were anxious to stretch their legs and get out the wiggles! (After Staci got the chance to wake up!) Caroline also needed a chance to get used to this huge clan of invaders!
Talmage, Eliza, Rachel and Tanner go off into the woods!
Syd & Stace tooka few minutes to wake up and warm up, but were glad to play on the slide!
What a great yard to run and play in! Even Teag couldn't resist climbing on the play equipment! It was similar to ours at home, so they got comfortable fast!
Tag and Seth were buddies pretty fast, too!

I bet we helped make Val's house WAY louder than the neighbors were used to, but then, we have that effect lots of places. (Like their ward on that Sunday when a noisy little Staci girl didn't want to share her crayons and had to be taken out during the sacrament -- yelling all the way "I don't WANT you! I want my DADDY!!" -- we entertained their ward for the week instead of ours!)

S&T 2008 Historical Part 1

Way back in May, we took this trip to Washington DC. I have hesitated putting too much detail about the trip and why we went because we were blog-stalked early last year and I haven't really wanted to put the full security on here. So we'll stay a little vague, but still give you a glimpse at the once-in-a-lifetime family trip!Just the boys on the steps of the Supreme Court. Certainly one of them will return someday to argue a case before them or to serve on the Court. Given the picture of Tanner, I pity anyone going up against him!
While we were at Val's for a couple of days, we finally got to watch the second National Treasure movie (thanks, Netflix!). Thus, we had to have a picture of the Library of Congress building! I think even Talmage could find enough reading material there without having to re-read books!
From the steps of the Capitol, we could look down the Mall and get this pic of the Washington Monument! We were grateful for our fellow tourists who were very patient with our clan and worked hard to get everyone looking roughly the same place at the same time!
This is the back side of the Capitol -- before we got around to the front.
Yep, they are saluting the sun! You'd think we didn't ever see it where we live! Lots of coaxing to keep the girls looking the right place and the boys with their hands down! We also had LOTS of comments about our matching apparel. At least it was easy to know who was with us!
But we did kind of get one eventually! This picture was featured in the paper during the Fourth of July weekend in their travel section. Since the paper was one of our sponsors for this trip, we were happy to allow them to use it. Lucky we live Hawaii!

These were the highlights of our wandering tour after the first day of official Bee activities. More of all that soon!

Eagle Court of Honor

Finally getting back to the blog! Teagan had his Eagle Court of Honor a couple of weeks ago. Here, he takes the pledge surrounded by many other Eagle Scouts, including Uncle Matt (L), Uncle Shawn, (upper L), trek son Scott (upper R), and Uncle Sheldon (R). There were other Eagles from the family there (Shane, Jared, Clark) but not in this picture, and we missed the mainland uncles Paul and Bryan too (but we talked about you!!!).
Here is the display we did of Teagan things, including things from his Cub Scout days, his spelling bees, science fairs, FBI camp, and Boy Scouts.
Keeping with Tradition, I made Teag an Eagle Quilt. The cross-stitched Eagle is one I made for Shan years ago so that our boys would know what we wanted them to shoot for. Teag's Eagle scrapbook is open to pages about his Makali'i experience. Also, you see his Duty to God Deacon certificate too.
The sign in table, with guest pages for the scrapbook, the programs, and little bowls of Li Hing Mui Gummy Bears. The bears had a little card stuck to them saying, "From Cub to Eagle" and Teag's name and date. Of course, you also see the flowers that Shan's mom worked her magic on!
She also had fun with the centerpieces. I had hemmed 16 of the 22" squares of flag fabric, figuring that they would be used plenty in the future -- not just for Talm, Tag and Tan, but also for the many upcoming Eagles in our troop.
Staci and Sydni are ready for "the party!"
My friend Christie made this beautiful Cookies and Cream cake for Teag. Give her a theme and she always comes up with a work of ART!! (At the base of the name letter, those are red and blue "flames" made with re-formed Jolly Ranchers -- cool, huh?!)
The rest of the troop take this really seriously- - NOT!
These are some of Teagan's friends from school who came to support him in this! Each of them is either an Eagle or very closely connected to one. From left to right: Samantha's dad is an Eagle and is currently the scoutmaster for another troop in our district; Cody's dad is an Eagle; Ethan is an Eagle; Jordan is Ethan's sister; and Brandon is thinking of joining a troop -- he still has time!
Program is finally underway. We review Teagan's path to Eagle with the help of Eagle Scout Scott, Life Scout Zy, Star Scout Zahz, 1st Class Scout Andrew, 2nd Class Scout Reid, and Tenderfoot Scout Joseph.
The Eagle's Nest join Teagan in the Eagle pledge -- 24 Eagles in all!!!
We had Eagle Scout Dad give his Eagle Scout Son the Eagle Scout Charge. I think this will be our family tradition through the other 3 boys.
And then all the leis weighing down the boy at the end. I think everything went as Shan had hoped and planned. We had about 150 people there and plenty of ono food (Janille did the kitchen for us!!). We are grateful for a wonderful example in this Teagan-boy. Besides, by getting his Eagle now, he has 2 full years to wear the oval badge on his uniform before he has to take it off as an adult! We really like the idea of finishing this all before the Jr year in high school! Hooray for Teagan!