Mid Year 2009

Its been awhile since I posted for the Ohana! Geeze...we have been busy.

Summer was nice. We had some great weather and we were able to enjoy it. I loved the sun and it's still shinning. We didn't go to any ohana vacations this year, we decided to stay home and Chey was able to spend time with her friends...We just did our own Mortensen outtings right in our own back yard and took it back to traditonal family fun.

I got to spend time with a few classmates of Leilehua C/O '90 and it was good to reconnect with friends. Seannelle Dixon-Vanatta, LeAnne Sayas-Fontillas, Wendy Rivera, Marissa Maples-Schroeder. I just had a blast. I miss them. We were able to reminisce the softball days and the cheerleading ways.. LOL

I also am still in school finishing my Masters in Business and I am crackng my butt. I am almost done and can't wait!!! I forsee March 2010 and walk in June and in the meantime I get to go to my class reunion and have another in october. I appreciate the committee working their butts off to make this happen.

I also decided to return to church and build up my testimony. I was having a few issue in the gospel and although I know it's true...the ward made it hard. Although some are still hard, I found a way to focus on just my testimony. I am institute and I love it.. Although I am relearning the Book of Mormon, its been good thus far.. I am happy that I am taking the time to make it best for my family

Family--Life--Too B-Z

It's May and its been almost half a year that 2009 is over. The Mortensens of WA are looking forward to a busy summer, busy fall, busy Year.
Since the last I wrote, The Mortensens have lost a family member amongst us.
When I say Mortensen's I mean.. ALL OF US--Hawaii to WA Bound.
Last month I got a call our Uncle Leonard Mortensen passed on to be with his saviour. Although life for Uncle was hard, he had a good family and he was full of life. He smiled always and always made it important to be part of family functions and make parties fun. Uncle was just that kind of guy.
Well, its been almost 10 years that myself or Robin have been home and our children have not met anyone on that side of the family; besides their immediate cousins.
Rob's brother offered to bring Robin home (only) which I ain't gonna lie, it was hurtful, but I understand. I just know that Uncle knows how I felt for him and his sweet family, whom I will add I was very close to. I wish our girls would have met them. Rob returned home and he was able to meet new family, reunite with old ones and try to enjoy himself. He came back renewed and although he missed his family terribly we were glad to have Rob back. He's my best friend and without him reminds me of the song "Without you" by mary j.
I know returning home for Rob was important and he was able to make closures and open new doors.
In March Rob celebrated his 41st birhday and that was fun....he got to eat cake and we played his favorite song "Regulators" by Warren G
If you know Rob, the intro explains who he is and what he does.. A man of Steel.
Our girls are working hard in school and keeping busy. Chey still with her viola and McKenna still loving her electronic games.
School for me is going good and I have an awesome team. I love them! We are more than friends we are family.
I just got a new laptop which I am having a blast on and its' so very personable.
I love it. I love how it feels under my fingers and how good I can type. Yippe..
I will attach fotos later of all the family activities we done and recently we enjoyed the day at the park under full sun and 70degrees here in WA. woo hoo!!
What's next for the Mortensens...'
Summer Trips/Barbecues/Mariners Baseball-Sodo Mojo
Baptismal...and another year.. in the making.

Sun is Shining...The Weather is Swet

We celebrated Mom's birthday on April 2nd and I had taken her to lunch @ Red Lobster. Yah!! there are so many seafood restaurants in WA; But Red Lobster has its Lobster feast. ONO!!!!

That nite we celebrated with cake and ice cream. She wanted wine--I had my Corona. We just enjoyed it.

The rest of the week we did something and last nite with dinner with a friend we took her to Bucca Di Beppo. I'll post pics later. I loved the food but the service sucked. This place is always packed but maybe it was the luck. I'll try going there for lunch next time.

Mom really loved how we made her feel special; I just know that I am greatful that I have her in my life and that I am able to do such things for her. I want her to know that it's not that I only like her with my family, but she deserves to be treated special everyday.. I am blessed to have my mom in mylife, my children's life and I am just blessed for all she does. Words cannot express how much I love her and appreciate her.

I am reminded by a few that I should be lucky, but I already know. She is my best friend and I would not know what to do without her in my life.

Heres to you mom!!

Another One!

I wanted to add another entry...I recently attended my first Time Out For Women last week and it was a day full of thoughts about who I am, where I wanna be, and where am I going...

I felt very good about my first all womens Conference held at the Benaroya Hall, Seattle WA. I carpooled with a lady friend from my Ward and it was nice. Both her and daughter attended as well. Although they went Friday Night, I was able to attend Saturday. I had a birthday party for a good friend to attend on Friday and that was fun. I was able to reconnect with my BFF Zoanne who is not only a friend but family to us.

TOFW was a place that helped me know that as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and I am counseled that the lord loves me, this time the reassurance hit hard that "I am a daughter of God" and I will face many trials, but it's how I handle them that will make the me person, wife, mother, sister, or friend that matters. How I choose to deal with hardships is what counts.

I also learned what it means to add to my "What I know...List" It was my first expierence to think of that question, but it struck me as I know that the lord answers prayers, and that no matter what--how my day is going.. He doesn't judge me on my shortcomings nor makes me remember what I did wrong that day. I also know that girls in my life/friends, help me just by giving me an ear and support. I know that as women we need that in our life. Friends help us through those time, support us, and make us feel loved.

I enjoyed TOFW and I plan to attend another one....St. George Utah!!!

Family Update

Aloha Friends and Family.

Realized that I have not written for awhile and I thought.. I better do that.

The family is doing fine. Lately with all the talks of economic strife, I have to add, our family has been economic proof. We praise the blessings to our Heavenly Father who has seen us through these struggles and we are indebted to him. Mahalo Au'Makua!!

Rob has been home for awhile, he hurt his ankle but he has been able to bounce back.. He went fishing the other day and caught two steel head salmons.. Yummy!!! We'll be having a feast today. We shared the other with some good friends of ours The Littles.

Cheyenne is doing very well in school and working hard at her viola. Like any other teenager we go through our ups and downs but we are able to discuss things with her and she understands who she is. She remembers who she is...Her grades are good and she is working very hard to keep that GPA. She's decided to do track. We will be going to meets soon, lol!!

McKenna, well what can is say??? She is doing fine and enjoying school. Loves her DS and nothing much has changed for her. She enjoys the outdoors, but since this freaky weather we've been having.. it's not an option.. Either it's too cold, too snowing, or just plain rain.

As for me....Stats...Stats...Stats.. have 3 weeks and I am not feeling this at all. My team is great. We gained 2 more and it's been awesome thus far. We have not been able to meet, but we plan on it. I am doing so well with my A streak that I don't want to loose it, but I will really have to bust my butt to keep it...Work is fine for the both of Robin and I and I am just feel blessed.

Recently we went to a wedding and it was nice. It was held at the The Lodge at Beaver Creek, Lake Samammish, WA.

It was a wedding described by Rob as "something you would see on the Young and The Restless". Her Dress was beautiful and the setting was very fitting. It just was a quaint place located in the woods and it was just absolutely divine. We had fun and it was a chance for Rob to meet my friends from Work. A pic attached to the place the Wedding was held. A nice evening for a wedding for my friend Zoe to marry the man she loves and is her "best friend".

(The Pics are above..some I included)

New Month...

Oh boyee!! Can you believe it?? it's almost Valentines Day then My Anniversary.. WoW! where did the time go.
I wanted to share with you alittle something that I wrote to introduce my daughter tonight at a Church function..her YW New Beginnings...Hope you like it.

The day I found out, I was going to be a Mother—I was shocked. What was the Lord thinking when he allowed you to come to your Dad and Me. How could this be?
After telling your grandparents and talking to my Bishop, I realized that if it was time for me to settle down and grow up; you would be the one to do that. My life changed—no more rigorous Hula practice. I had to slow down and I had to begin the role of mother.
I knew what I would name you; Cheyenne. I thought I knew you before I met you, but you knew me first. The scriptures say that children choose their parents; I believe you knew what family you already wanted.
Prior to you joining us, the Dr. found that your head was bigger than normal. You were pre classified as mentally ill, but every day from day 1 I received a blessing. That day, the blessing was different. You were blessed with a prayer that you would be smart, happy, kind, and loving. You would lead your family to stay close to the gospel and you would be the one who would lead by example. Ending asking the Heavenly Father to bring you to me healthy. Papa said after the blessing, “Ahh, she just wants to join us early”. “She wants to be where the action is”.
You were born Aug 17th 1996 and it was a long long process. You were stubborn and you came your own time. Breakfast time…and healthy weighing.. 8lbs. 9oz.
The minute the Dr. placed you on my tummy and I saw your big Hawaiian Eyes, you smiled and you knew your name “HI Cheyenne, it’s me-Mommy”. And you blinked in acknowledgment as to who I was. I gave you the name Kamalani,-because I loved the song. But I found out it meant Child of Heaven. My Kumu Hula said it was fitting. He said I knew she would triumph from the Heavens. At the very last moment Mom added another name, the very last minute—Elizabeth. I wanted to give you that name of my grandmother, who came to America from Canada in 1946 to start her life with her new daughter in tow to be with her husband in New Jersey to start her family.
You learned so much from the gospel through the years and Today, once again this New Beginning of your life; you will lead your sister. You will start your journey with women, priesthood, and girls and boys alike who will be there for you, grow with you, and teach you the gospel in areas that Mom or Dad could never do. So as I introduce you to your home ward, Brier and Mountlake Terrace, I introduce you this day, as Cheyenne Elizabeth Kamalani Mortensen.
The girl who loves breakfast, who likes to be where the action is, and brings joy to all those that will be in your presence.

I am so excited.. even if it don't happen.. This will be posted her in Book...

The Mortensen girls date-McGraths.

Here is Chey and Me...What a shot.. Love my hair. Done by Chey

Chey just had a bowl of chowder--I'm full.

Almost pau' mom...Cheese

Here is Mckenna grinding on ribs @ McGraths

Rob acting Goofy as usual

2009..and it's just fun times.

Here is the Mortensen Ladies-Me with Chey and McKenna...

What a Friday Night....wanted to take the gang to dinner and I ended up going by myself with my girls. So I made it a night, Chey and Me got our nails done while Mckenna patiently waited. We had fun. I ended up copying my daughter who only painted her tips and it was all good. Love the fashioness..Wonder where she gets it from-Oh Me! LOL!

We then headed right over to McGraths' for Dinner as this is where we took this shot. That week was pretty crazy. WA had 4 rivers plus go over flooding levels and if the restaurants are facing hard economic times as well as everyone else, McGrathh was sure busy. Good! Another restaurant saved. Going on these dates was fun. Never tho' had I imagined to go with both my girls. Normally its Chey and me and vice versa but this was our first gathering together.

I enjoy spending time with my girls, now only if I can get my husband to join. Well the eating part anyway.

2009...

It's 2009 and Teresa leaves tomorrow. The girls return to school and I go back to the grindstone of work, study, and prepare for class on Thursday.

This holiday was enjoyable. I had my family here and it was nice. I was able to relax with them, laugh with them, and shop with them. My girls got what they wanted for Christmas, isn't that what its all about???

I am so procrastinating to finsih my homework-which I know what to do, I just feel alittle "what for" attitude. The instructor never posted updated grades and has not kept in contact with us since the snow storm. I guess he is soaking up the holidays too, but whatever! I think we should have our updated grades since taking the quiz. Oh well. We shall see come Thursday.

I think 2009 will be a another good one for the Mortensen's. Rob told me he is responsible for another project for Corona Steele. Its near the Microsoft campus and there are some additions. How cool is that???