At Peace

It is always so difficult to come to a place of peace after a friend or loved one passes away. Most battle with the thousands of questions concerning the circumstances. Many consider their own mortality and realize how precious life really is. Some deny that what they are experiencing is actually reality. Today I have struggled with all of these things, but I have finally reached a place of peace and understanding. I know that Chrissi is with the Lord, and looking over all of us now. I know that she will continue to do so for the rest of our lives. I also know that she is wanting us to all continue to living our lives and not to be sad about her death. But, we will always remember her - in lots of different ways. When we see her favorite plumeria, when we see pictures of her bright smile, when we get together and miss her laugh, when we go places that we have been with her, when we play with Lizzy and Matty - we will remember her cheerful and beautiful self. But, we are thankful for the many moments that we did get with her. She was an amazing mother, wife and friend. She has only slipped away into the next room... 

CONGRATULATIONS, MA!

Congratulations to my sister!! Today she graduated from UTMB school of nursing! WHOOP! 

Mom and Dad are down in Galveston with her celebrating. We are so proud of you!!

PS - if you know ANYONE wanting to go to UTMB nursing school, 

follow Nancy Reagan's word of advice and 

"JUST SAY NO!!" 

(seriously) :)

In the blink of an eye

Yesterday Aggies all over the world met to celebrate the lives of other Aggies that have passed away in the last year. Muster is, for me, one of the most meaningful and touching traditions of Texas A&M. I was thankful that the Oahu Aggies A&M Club organized a great Muster, which sparked so many emotions in me. I was excited to meet other Aggies out here in HI. However, most of all, I was looking forward to celebrate the life of Dan Barker, and honor him and his family by lighting a candle and answering "here" when his name was called.

Thinking about Muster and everything that the tradition represents is so much harder emotionally this year with the unexpected double heart attack that my dear friend, and fellow officer's wife, Chrissi Baerg suffered this weekend. After the EEG today, the tests showed that

 Chrissi's brain is not functioning enough to keep her lungs and heart functioning (without the use of machines). I have been struggling all day, as I know so many of our submarine family members have, with the reality of losing a dear friend. How could something like this happen to someone so young (31) and vibrant? Could she ever regain enough use of her brain to be able to live a normal life? The prognosis for Chrissi could not be more devastating. Her body is signaling that it is shutting down by spiking a fever and her heart is back to a racing pace. Today her husband and the chaplain had to explain to their children that mommy's not coming home. How does one put that into words? How old will the kids be before they fully understand what is going on right now in their young lives? Will the kids remember how

 FANTASTIC their mother was? Chrissi was full of life - and then some. Always optimistic, and there to cheer anyone up; automatically lighting up a room just by walking in it; fun-loving and caring; one of the best moms that I have ever known. Chrissi has an amazing family that is here in Hawaii figuring out the logistics of the situation, and spending every moment with her in the ICU. In the blink of an eye an amazing wife/mother was lost. In the blink of an eye...

Please continue to pray for Chrissi and her family (pictured below).

In sadness,

RAWE

Easter Mainland Visit 2009 and Sub Ball

I can not believe that I have put off posting for so long since being back in HI. I have lots to discuss, so I will begin with our trip to Texas.

First, CONGRATULATIONS to Zac for passing PNEO training/school!!! Zac was in DC while I was in Dallas. He had interviews to complete his training to be engineer qualified, and he did really well! We are all so proud of him. And let me tell you, he was living large staying in the DC Ritz. :)

When I first arrived in Dallas I spent time with family and friends. I got to see so many people, which made my whole trip! Fun lunches, a day of fabric shopping (and then some), a happy hour and dinners that I cherish so much - and that I will remember forever. Thanks to all of the people who rearranged schedules to hang out with me on such short notice!  

The Friday of that week I flew to Midland and met my sister, mom and dad! We drove to Marfa, Texas, where my mom grew up. There we met my aunt, uncle and two of their friends for a weekend of reminiscing and art. Friday mom took us on tour of all of the homes that she lived in, as well as other places around town that she remembered, then we had a lovely dinner at a local Mexican food restaurant. Saturday we toured the Chinati Foundation art collection. In the morning we toured several installations, broke for lunch at the Pizza Foundation, then regrouped and toured more of the Chinati collection. That night we had a lovely dinner at Maiya's and tried to see the Marfa lights, however they were not visible that night. The next morning, which was Easter, we all drove out to my mom's cousin, Chachi's. She lives near Alpine. There we had Easter lunch, and I had to unfortunately cut out early in order to drive back to Midland to fly to Dallas. 

After arriving in Dallas, Zac picked me up and we had dinner with his parents, grandparents and Beth and Neal at Uncle Julio's - and it was Nellie's birthday! Monday Zac played golf with John Flemming, I hit a couple more quilt stores and had lunch with Mandy, we ran a couple more errands, then we had an Elliott family dinner at Zac's aunt and uncle's house! We loved getting to see everyone that we love and miss so much. We made one last stop to see Ellen, Steven, Beth and Nick at Two Rows, then finally called it a night. Tues. morning we met Steve and Kay for brunch at Cafe Brazil, then got on the airplane and flew back to Honolulu. 

We had so much fun on the mainland, and I am so thankful to Zac for my flight, which was my b-day present! I loved every single minute of it. CLICK HERE for all of the pics from the trip!

This weekend was the 109th birthday of the Navy, and the Submariner's Ball! After a patience building experience of sitting in a chair to have my hair done, which took FOREVER, and then waiting for Melissa to also have her hair done, we finally made it to the Hawaii Hilton for the event. After a pre-party in the Captain's suite in the hotel, all of the wardroom (officer's) and their wives headed down for dinner. The ball was lovely, and you can see all of the pictures HERE!

And now, for some sad news. One of my friends, who is also an officer's wife on our boat, had two heart attacks in the last 2 days. Chrissi is only 31 years old, the mother of a second grade daughter and a pre-k son, and loving wife to our friend Alex. She is in ICU here, her heart rate is slowing down to a more normal pace, and the doctors and nurses are taking such great care of her - but please take a minute to say a prayer for Chrissi and her family. 

Until next time,

RAWE

Back in TX!

Things that I have experienced since arriving in Texas this a.m. that I love and miss!!

• Francesca's
• speeding on the highways - and speed limits above 55
• Texas toast & chicken fingers
• sweet tea
• Chuy's Tex-Mex
• seeing Texas flags and license plates everywhere
• an abundance of Targets
• an abundance of country and Tejano radio stations while flipping through the channels
• FAMILY and FRIENDS!

Things that I am excited to experience in the next few days while in Texas...

• MORE FAMILY and FRIENDS!
• shopping for fabric
• finding out the sex of the Peanut
• Sonic
• BJ's
• the *ding* sound (in person) on a Southwest plane
• Marfa, TX

And many more...

Tune in later to see more updates and pics!

Me ke aloha from Texas!

-RAWE

Scary -> Fro Yo -> Sunny

For anyone that has been keeping up w/ Grey's Anatomy - today I was Izzie Stevens. I have been closely watching a crazy looking spot on my back, and the last time I had a doctor appointment with my Navy doctor she referred me out to a dermatologist in Honolulu. Today was the appointment I had been dreading and thinking about a lot lately. The doctor removed the spot on my back this morning and sent it off for testing, and will call me sometime next week to give me the results. *insert prayers here*

But, after my appointment I met Audra and her two kids, Noah and Anya, at Menchie's for a lunch of only frozen yogurt - to celebrate my b-day! MMMMmmmm. Menchie's is a fun frozen yogurt "boutique" - walk in, and you are sure to be overwhelmed, as I was! There are sooo many flavors and toppings of fro yo to create your ideal treat. I had Original Tart and Georgia Peach yogurts with some graham cracker crumbs and just a few Butterfinger crumbs. Sounds weird, yes, but it was delish! I will DEFINITELY be making several more trips to create some more awesome concoctions. And heads up Dallasites - there is a Menchie's in Highland Park, and for you Houstonians, one is opening soon there!! So go forth and have fro yo!

After Menchie's I came home, quickly changed, picked up Ted, and we headed down to Ala Moana beach. There we met Steve and Natalia for an afternoon of SUN! The weather lately hasn't been very beach-like (windy and chilly), so Ted and I wanted to make the MOST of it, and that we did. We stayed all afternoon and soaked up the rays.

So, after a scary start, today ended up being fun after all. :)

My 27th Birthday

First of all, thank you everyone for the sweet birthday wishes!! I am truly blessed to have the most amazing friends and family.

Today I had a relaxing itinerary that consisted of Target with Melissa, quilting in the afternoon and then dinner at Aloha Tower. Sadly it rained off and on all day, so I didn't make it down to Makapuu Beach (south east tip of the island) - a beach I have driven by (and taken this picture), but never actually been to yet. 

But, what better way to spend your birthday than at Target!? The 2 Targets on Oahu opened at the beginning of the month, and I was beyond excited to be able to shop there again. So, I met Melissa and baby Mason there at lunch time to shop around. We had a fabulous time, and of course, bought stuff we really didn't necessarily need, but couldn't live without! Then I came home, waiting for the guys to get back from running an errand, and worked on my current quilt project for the afternoon. This evening, Zac planned dinner with some friends at Bikini Cantina in the Aloha Tower. CLICK HERE for pictures from the evening. 

I can't believe that a year has already passed. I am excited about what this year has to hold. 

Me ke aloha,

RAWE