Christmas Letter 2011

Christmas 2011

Can it really be time to write another Christmas letter?

This year has flown by for me and my little family. We have had a good year filled with great things from above.

I can not tell you how grateful I am for our Savior Jesus Christ.

Baby Jesus was born in the most humble circumstances, his example of love, service and sacrifice, inspire us to do more, joyfully and better.

I smile as I think of the world preparing to celebrate his birth once again.

Family Update:

Sydney is now 13! She is a wonderful A - student, sister, swimmer, pianist, and daughter. She reached a new milestone this year as she is now taller than me. She is 5'8”!!! Sydney loves to read, ride her bike, draw and especially loves to swim for the Maui Dolphins swim club.

Ethan is now 11 and he has graduated from elementary school. He is an avid surfer, and also enjoyed trying cross country and volleyball this year. He is enjoying middle school and he has also discovered that girls are cute. Like his mother, he excels at playing and has had to work on developing some new study habits this year.

Ember is now 7 and she is so busy. My house is always filled with 3-D scenes that she has made, or rock walls that she is building, pulley systems and doll accessories. She learned to use the sewing machine this summer and made a little quilt. She is a great and happy little girl, but never content unless she is creating.

Sophie is now 4 and she is so fun. Sophie learned to ride her 2 wheeler bike this year and almost every evening we end the day with a bike ride through our neighborhood. I have a Preschool day every Tuesday for her and 5 friends and it is lots of fun. Sophie can write her name now and she is always ready for a treat or a surprise. She believes life should always be full of fun and friends.

Troy has had another busy and productive year with his business. It is the 5^th child of the family. He is a great dad, he still enjoys regular rides on his road and mountain bike and has somehow given up sugar which makes him amazing in my book. He is also a major player in our ward family and spends lots of time at church.

I am a busy wife and mother. I figure that there is not a better job. I am self employed, self motivated and the faster I get all the “chores” done the sooner I can go play. My favorite play themes tend to be outside, so I am an advocate of sunscreen and a good strong core. I also get to play at church with all the primary kids so that fits me well.

We are so blessed to be apart of your lives and to have you in ours.

We look forward to the day when our paths cross again.

Much love and Aloha from the Anderson's Family to Yours!

Merry Christmas.

The Time Capsule

I have not posted in so long it is hard to think of what to post.  My keyboard is getting stiff and some keys are sticking so it is not very pleasant to type, but I miss the cyber connection of my blog.

The Anderson's are doing well.  We are progressing, learning, growing and having fun.

Sydney is taller than I am and is practicing her teenage attitude which I am enjoying - memories.... I was there once too.  It is amazing to watch the beautiful young lady develop in that body and mind.  She is a good girl.
Ethan loves surfing and skateboarding and that's about all he talks about 24 hours a day.
Ember is always creating and busy.  She makes rock walls and mixes dirt and water to make her own concrete, makes pulley systems for lifting the cat, macadamia nuts, or lilikoi.  She is always on a project...and always leaves a trail of evidence.
Sophie is a handful.  I love that kid, she is so dang cute that I will keep her, but she does try her mother.  She has just regressed to communicating with one word or hand motions.  Hungry.  That is her favorite word.  She is 4 and has the vocabulary equal to most high school kids, but hay!  Why bother with all the added mess of words when one verb can do it?
I hurt my shoulder trying to surf with Ethan.  Rehab is my new game.  I love acupuncture, PT, and the chiropractor and they love me!  I also have discovered barefoot running thanks to my brother Aaron and I love my vibram 5 finger running shoes.
Troy is constantly looking at road bikes and can't decide which one to buy.  I say go with color, forget all the geometry.

We have had an attack of mice.  They are everywhere.  They are cute, creepy, messy, stinky, and hopefully dead or leaving.  They have prompted me to clean out cupboards, wash, disinfect, bag, and organize everywhere I have seen them.  We have changed the eating rules of the dog and cat, bought electric zappers, set traps and employed the cat, but we are still visited by furiously fast fuzzy rodents.  I am so ready for them to be gone.

We had a fun summer.  We did not go anywhere, but we played everywhere.  It was a nice summer.  I am loving every minute of having my kids with me.  They are growing up so fast and I am just trying to keep up.  One of the things we started this summer were quilts.  Ember is the only one that finished hers.  It is a small doll size quilt and she is so focused that she got done first.  It was so fun to see her using the sewing machine all by herself.

We witnessed miracles this summer.  Our little friend Lanea fell off our roof this summer while the kids were playing hide and seek after dinner.  It was dark and she fractured her skull.  It was horrible.  Troy and another friend gave her a blessing while we were waiting for the ambulance.

Doctors were amazed that she lived.

Miracle #1 - She was very alive.
Miracle # 2 She didn't have a lot of pain. 
She lost use of 1/2 of her face for a few days.
Miracle # 3 The paralysis was not permanent. 
She has a beautiful smile that I will never tire of seeing.  Her family (she has a lot of extended family) was so amazing.  They actually came to see if we were doing okay and gave us love and support.
Miracle # 4 Learning lessons: Life goes on.  Healing occurs.  Friendship is made stronger.  Life is precious.  God hears and answers our prayers.

The outpouring of love and prayers from everywhere was huge.  I still thank my Heavenly Father each day for the miracles we were given.

Kids are also required to wear helmets at all times when playing at my house.  Okay, maybe not at all times, but we are definitely advocates of head safety.

Well, that was good.  Writing that emotional roller coaster was hard and I am done for tonight.  I will try to get some pictures up soon and some more Anderson stories.

Youth Conference 2011 - Healthy Lifestyle Class

I thought about my neice and nephews all day as I was writing this talk for our stake youth conference.  It would be so fun to all be in the same stake together.  So here is the outline if you want to read it.  Wish you were here to participate in the class with me.  Love you!

Living a Healthy Lifestyle

I am very excited to have the opportunity to talk with you young adults today.  I am so happy to see what valiant people you are.  I can tell that you know that you are children of God.

Before I start my lesson I would like to remind you that your Heavenly Father loves you and he wants you to be happy.  We know from reading in 2 Nephi that Adam fell that men might be; and men are that they may have joy. 

I promise that living a healthy life will bring all of us joy.

How many of you have felt JOY?

Did you like it?

Would you like to feel it all the time?

I believe that you can, I also believe that it takes 3 important “D” words.

1. Discipline
2. Dedication
3. Determination

First, what do you think of when you hear “healthy lifestyle”?

I think of fun, good food, a clean house, being outdoors and exercise and feeling good.

Doctrine and Covenants 93:33-34 teaches:

For the man is spirit.  The elements are eternal, the spirit and element inseparably connected, receive a fullness of joy.  And when separated man cannot receive a fullness of joy.

I think this is reminding us that for our lives to be full of joy we must have balance with all the elements.

Elements?  What are elements: Like the last air bender: fire, water, air and earth.

Or is it the elements of Spiritual, Mental, Physical and Social

Think for a minute about what areas you feel good about and what areas need more balance.

I feel good about my physical and spiritual balance.  But I need some more Mental exercise.

Remember your areas that you want to add balance to?

Throughout life we frequently need to re-assess our lives for balance.   We cannot improve if we are not humble enough to look at ourselves and see where we need to change.

Having fun in life is very important.  Remember:  Men are that they may have joy.

I am a professional goof off.  I love to have fun.  There are not many sports that I do not enjoy and our garage is full of fun toys.  Every week I have a routine of exercise that I am determined to do and I do something different every day because I enjoy so many things.  I have the discipline to get up early so my activities do not interfere with my other responsibilities.  I also have the dedication to keep up my activities each week.

My favorites are Mtn. Biking and surfing.  I also have taken up yoga, Pilates and swimming.

What activities do you enjoy?

Why do you enjoy them?

What gets me out of bed?

Enjoyment

Health benefits – Heart health, healthy weight, low blood pressure, no diabetes.

Endorphins

Strength

See new things

Learn new things

Meet new people

The sense of accomplishment when I finish

Missionary opportunities

Expand my knowledge

Challenge myself

Be scared

What kinds of things would you like to try?

Did you know that it is healthy to get out of your comfort zone?  I said I like to be scared.  I like the personal growth that I feel when I take on a new – scary challenge and succeed.  It is a personal victory in Amy’s world.  A time for a mini celebration!

You are all good at something.  You may not have tried it yet, but if you stay open to taking the chance and opportunity then you will grow and become great at many things.

Now although playing is very high on my priority list, I am very aware of my responsibilities and other obligations in my life.  My dad reminded me of the “Allen Family Motto”, which is:  Work hard and Play Harder. 

I play hard, but I also work very hard.  I love a clean house and a mowed yard. I try to be frugal and not be wasteful so there is not a strain in the family finances.   I also know my kids need lots of time and attention, I teach them to work and to play and I teach them to be spiritual.

One of the greatest sources of peace in my life comes from being spiritually fed.

How do you feed your spirit?

Scripture study

Prayer

Seminary

Going to church

Family home evening

LDS. Org/youth  -  I love the videos!

Service

For my birthday this year I turned 36, so I decided to do 36 random acts of service.  It took me about a week, but together with my kids we did lots of fun things.  One of the things we did was to pay for the person behind us in the McDonalds drive through line.  She was so excited that she was waving and blowing us kisses.  It was very fun!

Okay we have covered exercise or I like to call it playing and spiritual strength, what else goes into a healthy life style?

Eating!

This is another area that I am passionate about.  I love to eat.  I love to try new things and I have quite a sweet tooth.  I am working on my self-control and it is proof that a balanced life style works because my exercise and eating habits are maintaining my weight.  I don’t go up and down much, which is okay with me.  Consistency is a good thing!

In college I took a nutrition class and I loved the professors advise on eating healthy. 

She said 90% of the time, eat healthy. 

What are healthy foods?

What are unhealthy foods?

Be educated on what you put into your body.  You are all too smart to put drugs and alcohol into your body, but what about prescription medications or artificial sweeteners or even trans fats.  There are so many things to learn about.  My favorite rule is to keep it as close to nature as you can.

Now what about my professors other 10%?  That is the reward for eating 90% great; you can eat 10% of what you want.  If spam musubi is your thing – great – but it is in the 10% category.  Same as ice cream and soda pop. 

Be smart when it comes to what you will let go into your mouth.  Make sure every meal has a fruit or vegetable or both and use moderation.  Read D & C 89 for a word of wisdom review.

Now how do you implement all of this into your life?

How do you become more amazing then you already are?

1. Figure out your priorities.  What is most important to you?  Become passionate about them.  Find the dedication.
2. Set goals.  How are you going to achieve what you want?  Become determined.
3. Make a schedule or routine.  If you do not plan your day, it will not be a productive day.  You need discipline.

You will get where you want to go.  You can do it.  Enjoy the journey.  Aloha.

Sister Amy Anderson

Activity Smoothie

1. Can you tell me one thing that you are bananas about?
2. An apple a day keeps the Doctor away.  What is your favorite healthy food?
3. What keeps you spiritually cool?
4. Is eating your veggies the hardest part of having a balanced life?
5. How do you keep your goals from melting away?

1 banana
1 cup apple juice
1 cup frozen mixed tropical fruit
1 handful of fresh spinch
1 cup ice
Blend and enjoy....it should never be hard to eat your veggies!


(The Hand Out)

Living a Healthy Life Style

Youth Conference 2011

Men are that they may have joy – 2 Nephi

It takes:                               Balance the Elements:                                 Fire - Spiritual

1.       Discipline                 ____________                         Water - Mental

2.     Dedication                          ∆                                   Air - Social

3.     Determination                                                       Earth – Physical

The elements are eternal. D & C 93:34

 

What elements in your life do you feel good about? ______________________

What elements need some additional balance? _____________________

Remember that we regularly and frequently need the re-assess our lives for balance.

Did you know that it is healthy to get out of your comfort zone and try new things?

(It is also fun)

You are Great at things you haven’t even tried yet!

What did you feed your Spirit today?_______________________________

Fun Spiritual food at lds.org/youth

The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of god.  Romans 8:16

Food Rule:

90% good Whole foods how god made them not processed

10% Anything you want –

(Just stay away from Artificial Sweeteners and Trans Fats)

To become more amazing than you already are:

1.  Figure out what your priorities are?

What is important to you?

2.  Set Goals.

How are you going to achieve what your want?

3.  Make a Schedule or Routine

Just Do It!

Discipline                     Dedication                Determination

 

Kanaha WIndsurfing...Again

There is a sport in our family that gets neglected.  Yes, neglected and ignored.  It took the invitation of our neighbor to get us back out to the windsurfing mecca Kanaha.

History.  My parents came to Maui on vacation in the late 80's or early 90's.  They laid on the grass over Hookipa and watched the windsurfing.  It did something to my dad.

He went home to Arizona and bought used windsurfing equipment.  He wanted to do it.  He invited Troy to come do it with him.

Windsurfing is like a drug.  Windsurfing is an obsession.  I have seen my father and my husband, Troy, while living in the middle of Arizona, feel the wind, load the car and drive any given distance to find a body of water big enough to sail on.  Calling these lakes, bodies of water...is a stretch.  One year there was more snow run off than usual and a normally dry prairie filled with water.  It is called Rogers Lake, and I had never been there until it filled with water.  I had to be amused at the sight: A van full of equipment, wet suits, and adrenalin seeking men.  Outside: a prairie filled with icy cold snow run-off, spring wind, moderately warm weather conditions - 60 degrees and the determination of two windsurf infected men.  They sailed in Ashers lake, Mormon lake, Lake Powell and the Cholla power plant cooling pond.  Yes, a power plant cooling pond.

Then we moved to Maui.

Maui is one of the best windsurfing locations in the world.  People come from all over to sail.  Kanaha beach offers some wave sailing, and great slalmon or speed sailing.  Hookipa is all about the waves.

Troy now having constant wind, real equipment and warm conditions, became a real windsurfer.  He loves it.  He loves speed.  He started competing in 2003 winning the championships in his class every year that he raced.  It was fun, he was awesome.   He practiced after work and between the births of his children.  One baby girl was born the morning of one of his races.  He was torn, to race or be present?  His wife won.  I think he regrets missing the race.

I admit I have tried, I have been blown away, I have had to be rescued by a lifeguard on a jet ski.  I have mostly tried to be the good wife, supporting my windsurfing infected husband.  Playing in 25 mile an hour wind with little children and showering them off in a shower that blows sideways because of the wind.  Yes, I have been cold at the beach in Maui...lots.  I have taken the approach of lessons to try and get hooked, but addictions are different for everyone.

Fast forward to present day.  Troy has taken a long leave of absence due to health issues and work demands.  Life has been hard for him.  It is not fun when you can't play.  Today life is getting better and although Troy has sold all of his equipment, (to our neighbor) our neighbor is generous with his time and equipment.  He even has a little star board that is perfect for Ethan.

So we accompanied our neighbor to Kanaha.
Ethan and Sydney were amped to try out the little board.  Ethan did great, but as the board was not big enough for Sydney or I we took to running the beach, building forts and swimming.

Troy got to sail.  He was happy.  Life seemed to slow down and be a good throw back into the past.  Ethan got to sail.  He was happy.  Troy is stoked that his kids want to sail.  The kids had so much fun.  We only froze a little bit and we all want to go back...with a bigger board for Sydney and I to play on.  Maybe Troy can race this summer - 2011.

See you at the beach!

Kauai

Today is conference Sunday. I love Conference. What could be better then laying in bed and listening to inspired messages and beautiful voices singing my favorite hymns? Not to mention the occasional dozing that can be done and the immense amount of snuggling that bonds our little family together.

Speaking of family, the kids and I had the opportunity to go to Kauai over spring break and see lots of family. Family is a funny thing. We love them, or we feel compelled to love them. We hope that they love us or feel compelled to love us. We go to great lengths to please them, prove our love and make lasting memories. What creates that bond? I know that there is a bond, because the absence of a bond creates a painful void. Is it parental familiarity, womb envy, DNA sharing, common ancestry or just sibling rivalry in a spirit of kindness? I don't know. I am pondering the very subject as I write. I really do not expect to ever understand it, but I do know that I love my family.

My parents just finished a beautiful house right on the beach so we literally jetted off to visit the new abode. Me and my little crew of 4.

My highlights included a Kayak paddle to Hanalei bay. This was accompanied by my dad, my son Ethan and my nephew Griffin. We started in the calm, reef protected bay of Anini Beach and explored the coast line. We found a small water fall entering the ocean and climbed up the smooth black lava rocks to a small pool of fresh water. There were huge crawdads in the small stream. As we attempted to leave the shelter of the reef, the bottom or our kayak's drug as the swells retreated into the ocean. It must have been comical to watch my father and I paddle, push and bounce our way over the barrier. Once outside the reef, the ocean was rolling with awesome swells. I love the feeling of being on top of the wave. Feeling that the ocean is breathing and I am on the chest of a watery giant. The view was amazing. Deep green mountains, creased with white paths of long waterfalls, the blue breathing ocean, the white foam from the waves and the smiles of my family. Griffin and Ethan caught a wave on the way into Hanalei bay and had a fantastic ride.

When we got to the beach, we watched a group of spinal injury patients have a surfing clinic. I borrowed some sun screen from one of the event coordinators and she offered us some refreshments which were welcomed by Ethan. It was neat to see the recovering patients have the incredible opportunity to get out on a surf board and ride the little waves.

Later Grammy arrived with the rest of the crew. They brought surf boards, so even though my arms were tired, I paddled out with Ethan to the big waves of Hanalei bay. It was a long paddle and painful with my sore arms, but that is what Mothers do for their surf crazed children. We didn't do too well, as Ethan was on a beginner board in advanced waves and I was just not committing as the waves were big and the crowd was dominating. I did manage to take a direct hit to the side of my shin bone with a board and I am still sporting a mangled muscle, 3 weeks later. Thanks to arnica gel it did not get too discolored and by the next day I could hardly feel it, but it hurt so bad when it happened.

All the cousins went crabbing one night. That is such a fun activity for the kids. I love walking behind them, watching the flashlights, listening to the squeals and screams and looking up at the stars. One of my nephew's came to show me how to hold a crab (which I may have taught him 10 years ago) it was very sweet and then funny as he accidentally squished the crab while telling me to hold it gently. Thanks Morgan.

Going to Uncle Greg's Playground, I mean house was the highlight for my kids. There are skateboards, bikes, ropes to climb, rings, swings and best of all a boat. We all had alot of fun wake boarding, water skiing and surfing behind the boat. Ethan and Sydney wake boarded. Ember surfed with me and Sophie liked doing doughnuts in the back of the boat. Sydney was impressed that her mom could ski on one ski and make walls of water. I love that I can still out perform my kids. I know that they will be teaching me new things before too long so I better enjoy my last years of superiority. I loved being behind the boat. I have missed that. Thanks Greg.

Ember and I were both up early one morning and we made a mechanical bird. The idea was in the Family Fun magazine and Captain had all the supplies organized on his work bench. I love that he keeps everything, and keeps it organized. I bet he didn't even know that he had everything to make a mechanical bird! (Okay, he probably did.) Thanks Dad.

There was also the yummy food, friends that we had not seen in a long time and new friends. 

Family is good. Bonds. Kindness. Love. Patience. Fun. Learning. Adventure. Kauai.

TP for Babysitting

It has been a long week. Longer as we are starting to feel better, but not well enough to go outside and play. I was so ready for a break from being in my house that I snuck away Saturday and had a fun haircut and bought hair stuff, which is a good change from my norm. The Lady who cut my hair was named Stacy and I really liked her. She took a good 45 minutes to blowdry my hair and tame the frizzys out of it. It was just the pampering I needed after pampering everyone else all week. At the end she exclaimed, "You look georgous! Call up your husband and tell him to take you to dinner." (See why I really liked her) Not one to be disobedient when someone tells me to do something enjoyable, I called Troy and told him to get ready to go out.
Now what to do with the kids? Usually a movie is the easy enertainment, but we have really over played the movie card this week, so I told the kids that they could all play with Toliet paper while we were gone. I have a history of decorating with TP. It is in the cosmic genes that I feel obligated to pass on to my children. It is clean, white, soft, biodegradable, long, handy, educational and fun! Here are the homecoming pictures:






So next time you need an easy entertainment...Remember...it is under the bathroom sink!

Flu inspired: Lemon Veggie Soup

We are all sick. I think it is the flu, but we are all experiencing different symptoms: Sore throat, headache, achy legs and back, runny nose, tired, grumpy, throw in some vomit and we have a stay at home date for several days. I am glad that we are all sick at the same time, but it is quite an adventure. I really wanted a yummy Lemon veggie soup that they make at the Makawao Garden Cafe, but she did not have any today, so I thought, I guess I will have to make it myself.

After consulting several online recipe's, I came up with a plan, making it with what I had on hand. It turned out so yummy I am blogging the recipe, so I won't forget it.

Saute 1 onion, 3 cloves of garlic and 2 inches of ginger (crushed) in 2 T olive oil and 2 T butter.
Add 2 1/2 T of Better that Bouillon Chicken Stock and one quart of water.
Add 1/2 C wheat berries and simmer for 1 hour or until berries are tender.
Chop whatever veggies you have, I had celery, carrots and broccoli.
When wheat berries are done add additional water and veggies just until done not too long.
Salt to taste and add the juice of one lemon. Feels so good on a sore throat and gentle on the tummy!

I would have taken a picture, but what is the point, you can't taste a picture, or smell a picture...so when we are not all sick, come over and I will make a fresh pot!

Whales and Ember's First Grade Class

Ember's class had a field trip this month to go out Whale Watching with the Pacific Whale Foundation. It was a great day, beautiful weather, calm seas and lots of whales. I didn't get much action on video, but I did get 2 baby breaches!

Amy's Day Out

My Friend Laura called Thursday morning and asked if I wanted to go fly to Hana in a Cessna 172 with her and her husband and brother in law. I believe that you should never pass up an opportunity to do something new, so I said YES! I called another friend to take Sophie for the morning and I hurried to the airport.

On the way out, we flew above the ocean and watched the beautiful coast.

Then we landed in Hana, hiked to the State Park and went for a refreshing swim. The weather was perfect: A little overcast and not too hot.


We flew over the mountain on the way home and I could not count all the waterfalls we saw. The trip home only lasted about 10 minutes...which was way too short for all the beautiful things to see, and so amazing...in a car it takes a good 2 hours.


This day and this week was a reminder of the amazing friends that I have. I am so very blessed, spoiled and loved!

Hana Waves of Fun