Here in Oahu this month. Ming Dynasty (1400s) Chinese Junk boat replica

The kids and I visited this boat and met with the crew today. We are studying European Explorers. This was as close as we come to seeing how ships were made in the day, even if it a different side of the world the kids got a good idea how things were on a ship in 14-1500s.

Beautiful Princess
In the year 2002, Taiwan Sailing Explorer Nelson Liu went to China searching for a dream owned by all Chinese around the world. The dream is that a genius Chinese sailing ship can sail to Western Harbour and he can share the beauty of Chinese Ships to the world.
6 years past, difficulty and obstruction did not stop him . In all these years, from searching the craftsmanship to building the ship, he conquered all kind of difficulties and followed ancient methods strictly to build the first Chinese ship Replica-Princess TaiPing. On Apr 2008, Princess TaiPing had a trial voyage from Xiamen to Hong Kong and accepted Hong Kong Maritime Museum’s invitation to have public visiting in Hong Kong. After the final adjustment, she had he final trial voyage from Hong Kong to Taiwan. On 24th Jun, 2008, Princess TaiPing launched her expedition form Taiwan via Okinawa and Japan to the Americas.
The trail of building Princess TaiPing is full of thistles and thorns. Nelson took 3 years to find the evidence in ancient books. Then he had a field research of the craftsmanship for another year. On Jan, 2007, finally, building of Princess TaiPing can be stared, but on Feb, Nelson found that there are bolts and nuts on the ship shell of Princess TaiPing, because the carpenters did not follow the ancient method to do their job. The main mast took them another 3 months to find. After that, the carpenters went really slow at building the ship for 4 months. Being reluctant to wait, Nelson decided to hire other carpenters by himself. After the trial sail to Hong Kong, Princess TaiPing was overhaul
However, the real valuable memories are many generous people willing help Princess TaiPing. Friends in Xiamen, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan help Nelson to fulfill his dream.
We believe that the real beauty of Princess TaiPing is not the high art of craftsmanship or the magnificence of the voyage, but the endeavor of ordinary people just like you and me and the generosity of friends around the world.
Princess TaiPing is not only Nelson’s dream, but also a dream of people who believe the power of dream and good will. A carrot, a hammer, a cup of tea make the dream of Princess TaiPing come true. This magnificent beauty build the ship and made the achievement to launch the Princess TaiPing’s voyage.

Home Front Heros Medal

Tim put the kids in to receive the Home Front Medal Award for their service to the AF and our family during his time away on multiple deployments.

"Cole, Sydney, Mack, and Nora Sterner. Nora was born without her father being there. She endured doctors visits and plane rides without her dad there to hold her. Mack turned 4 without dad and did a good job of transitioning from youngest child to big brother when his sister was born. Sydney is a huge help with baby sister and excellent at accomplishing tasks very quickly. She turned 8 without dad being there to celebrate. She also went without his help while playing softball and learning to ride horses. This was Coles 6th deployment and as the oldest of 4 he steps up and handles the extra work without complaint. Cole was excellent at caring for his younger brother & sister. Cole often does without the sports, camping, and fun times due to his responsibilities while his dad is away. Cole, Sydney, Mack and Nora, Thank you for your service."

Ruth

This week started off in the middle of a camping trip. Well our Pastor has been really emphasizing the fact that Sunday should be the beginning of the week. Our worldly minds just don't work this way. However, if the beginning of the week was Sunday, we were in the middle of a camping trip at Bellows Beach (military recreation right on the beach). Our church is on the same side of the island so we were able to still be at church. Church going in Hawaii is not as strict with the attire as is in the south. They never even knew we were camping.

Monday was Cole's birthday. He had 2 friends that spent the night camping and then we all played at the beach until after lunch. He didn't have a cake...but we did smores the night before. He didn't seem bothered by that. I always tell the kids that I cannot believe I have kept them alive and haven't lost them in all the years they have been with us. This will be Cole's 11th year and I haven't lost him yet....I also tell them that being a wife and a mother is the longest job I have ever had.

Tuesday back to the daily grind and forgetting already what was told to me on Sunday, I was already in despair about the messy house and questioning the ability to homeschool the children. Then an email came....My friend Ruth has been fighting cancer for a long time, one who has gotten one place cleared up only to find months later that cancer has appeared somewhere else in her body. My world suddenly became very small. I wonder how she does it. How she plugs away everyday not knowing the outcome when I am so impatient everyday not knowing the outcome of so many things that are little in respect to what she has going on.

She said to me when she found out I was having #4...."I always wanted more children (she has two boys) but I guess God thought I could handle cancer better." Now that my friends is an amazing woman. But it will not stop there. She will take her cancer and give glory to God and praise him for the grace he has bestowed on her to deal with this intruder in her body. Please pray for my dear friend Ruth.

Sir Peter and the Witch by Sydney Sterner

Long ago in the land of Olom lived a Knight named Peter, son of Alen the great. When he was a boy his father died of sickness. Peter had to take care of his family.

Peter had straight blond hair past his ears. He had sparkling blue eyes and lips like roses. He had six sisters and five brothers. They all looked the same. He got confused with Kary and Mary.

Peter fought dragons, trolls, beasts, birds, wizards, wolves, goblins, bears and evil knights. When Peter was on an adventure, he put his brother Jack in charge of the house.

One day Peter went on an adventure to a cave that was dark and gloomy. He was not scared to enter the cave. When he entered the cave he saw three tunnels. He didn't know which way to go. His horse did not want to go in any of the tunnels. Peter was not going to turn back for his horse. He said to his horse, "COME ON NOW! STOP SHAKING!" He finally made up his mind. He will take the darkest and gloomiest tunnel. When he went inside, he saw a fire.

Around the fire there was a witch. The witch had captured Princess Anna! Peter had to rescue the princess at once.

He did not know how to fight a witch. He said to himself, "I AM NOT AFRAID OF A WITCH". He was not going to barge in. He will come back at night and kill the witch and rescue princess Anna. That night when there was a full moon outside he went down to the witch's cave and with one stab of his sword the witch was dead. He had rescued Princess Anna.

From then on he was not called Sir Peter any more. He was named King Peter the Magnificent!

"I'd like to see gun laws enforced here in America, starting with the second amendment."
-unknown

Nora at four months

I found my feet!!!

Ko'Olina lagoons

Another day at the beach without a camera. This is an awesome place. A great day all around with the kids. The lagoons have hardly any waves. Cole doesn't think that this is a plus but for a mom with four kids, its great. Nora napped in her little bed/tent, I talked on the cell most of the time and threw the nerf football with the kids. Tim hates to sit still. He threw the kids around in the ocean for a while but hanging out on the beach and resting is very hard to do when there is a mountain to hike or miles to run. The only thing I regret is that I brought a book but didn't read:(
Just click on the title and you can read and see pics of this fabulous kid friendly beach!!