When You are Old Enough To Read This Miles...

....I want you to know that I support you in all that you decide to do in life (as long as it's something positive!). Whatever makes you happy, go for it. I hope that your dad and I will have raised you to become a compassionate, loving, humble, and confident person--traits that I already see in you at this early age of 3.5! You are such a blessing to us--and I would not trade motherhood for anything in this world.

I am 29, writing this--and yet as old as I feel with the things in life that I have already experienced (good, bad & all the in between)--I still feel like I have a long ways to go--to learn, love, and experience. It hasn't been the easiest role I've had so far in life, being a mother and also a wife to your silly but loving dad--but it's so far been THE best. I'd say, as a parent, I've become stronger, grown a thicker skin, and also have become more grounded, resourceful, open minded, and especially more appreciative of being alive and having this human experience with you and your dad and all our friends and family. But above all, being a parent is truly a selfless role. You have taught me what it truly means to take care of someone, nurture another human being. And on the flip side, also what it means to take care of myself and don't get lost in the process of becoming anything or anyone in life.

No matter what it is you decide when you are at this age, whether you choose to have a family, raise kids--or not--always make time for yourself and continue to be passionate about what it is in life that you love. Whatever you want in life, you have the ability to manifest it. I'm telling you this now because I'm your mother (haha!) and also because as a deejay, your dad and I would love for you to also be creative with your life. Sometimes, it may feel like the world does not hold so much weight on creativity but it is so important for our spirit--God given, and it IS all around us and in you! And right now, you show so many of us that you have such a creative and imaginative quality--something very natural--and I pray that we will be able to nurture this side of you as well so that you will continue to experience life from this perspective.

I love you so much and want you to know that I entered DMC partly because of you. I want you to know that your mom was able to do what I love while raising you. I want you to know what you said to me when I told you what I was going to do when you were on your vacation. I said, "Miles, Aunty Diane and I are gonna battle in a DJ competition." You replied, "You're gonna battle the boys or the girls?" And I told you, "The boys. We will be the first women to enter this one." And you said, "You beat the boys mommy!" You see, we have each others backs, son!

While your Aunty Diane and I did not "beat the boys" on paper, we placed 3rd...we know in our hearts that we did the best that we could and it was so much fun doing it--being creative, working as a team, and going through the whole process of composing music. There is a lesson gained in everything we experience in life--so no one ever loses anything!!

Love,
Mama



The guys we competed against...


Aunty Diane and I getting ready to do our thing

Mama Feels Good

I can't wait til Miles is back and life feels somewhat calm, a lil crazy, but fun again. I mean, I'm having a good time here, doin' my thang--but being childless is sooo overrated! The other day, I ran into a friend, Miguel, told him that Miles was on a month vacation and he said (being a father of 2/DJ), "well besides being a lil sad that you miss him, it's still important to DO YOU." And I couldn't agree more. So, lately, I have been working on music with Aunty Diane, getting ready for our first DMC Team battle this Saturday! Looking forward to it!! So here's to being a mother & being creative in life! Keep creating ya'll...


http://www.sfbg.com/blogs/music/2009/06/scene_deeandroid_and_celskiii.html


Peace, Love, Unity, & Having fun!

Miles' Da Kine pt.1

Looks like Miles has been pretty busy in Hawaii, hanging out with the boys--Logan, Caleb, and his papa--and doing fun things with his gramma too. Here is a preview of what he's been up too...


Playing with his cousins, Logan & Caleb (check out his hands in his pocket!)


Having picnics with his papa & gramma.


Scuba diving at Ko'olina.


Watching the waves.


Learning what's in the tide pools.


Beach playdates w/ Caleb & Logan & gramma.


Making new friends in the Karaoke room.


Learning about sea life.


Having fun the beach!

A Phone Conversation

Miles: Mama, I miss you. I miss our house.
Mama: I know Miles. We miss you soo much, the house misses you too.
Miles: Come get me now.
Mama: You're gonna ride the airplane soon with gramma and papa and daddy and I are gonna pick you up from the airport.
Miles: But I want you to get me now.
Mama: Oh, I wish I had super long arms to reach all the way over there in Hawaii so I can pick you up and bring you here.
Miles: But you don't. You have short arms. I wish I had super long arms... fire hose arms that are sooo long I can pick you up over there.
Mama: Oh, that would be nice--and funny looking!
Miles: And, if I see a fire, I'll use my fire hose arms to put the fire out. And if there's an empty pool, with no water--I'll fill the pool up with water from my fire hose arms!

Happy 27th Birthday Uncle Ewick!!!

Run DMC

Miles @ Undivided in Hawaii

...was one of the first Hip Hop groups I loved as a kid (along with Beastie Boys). I think I must have been in first or second grade, listening to My Adidas & Walk this way. 20 + years later, Run aka Rev Run is still relevant as a father on MTV's Run House. Justin and I enjoy catching that show, finding his parenting skills fresh, endearing, and straight Hip Hop. He encourages his kids to pursue their dreams in music, fashion, etc. but of course--they are wealthy and have privileges that not the average American has. In any case, it's a great show because it shows a positive and strong, Black family in America, thriving--and also, you know--they're Hip Hop.

Why am I talking about Run DMC? For one thing, the 3 of them--each being equally important in the crew--remind me of Justin, Miles and I. Partly cause we are a set of 3, but also cause we are a crew--hence, Cadabes Crew. Two, we are raising Miles, Hip Hop. And I'm not talking about the stereotypical culture portrayed by most mainstream media-but I'm talking about cultural elements & principles of Hip Hop that are important: "Each one teach one", "Peace, Love, Unity, and Having Fun," Finding your niche and doing you...those are some of the things that come into our parenting style. Anyway, I'm also just missing our 3rd member right now, terribly and synchronicity keeps happening, reminding me of our lil Cadabes Crew (which I'm so thankful for, I love my guys!!), including this--finding a new thing to follow daily online, Rev Run's twitter!

Now, I'm not on twitter, but I've always wanted to get Run's daily texts that he usually does at the end of his show, reflecting on the day's lessons. They are always uplifting and something we can think about in our everyday normal lives. They are straight to the point (but I guess that's what twittering is about?) and also effective. Yesterday, I was a bit melancholy, missing my boy Miles and happened to stumble onto one of Rev Run's daily insights, "What type of day you have is up to you.. YOU GET TO CHOOSE WHAT TYPE OF DAY YOU’LL HAVE! believe dat!" So instead of moping around, I got myself up and decided, "Hell yes, I'm gonna have a good day!" And so it was...a very good day. No matter what we go through, with all the ups and downs, there is always something positive to reflect on. Why choose to dwell in the negative? Let me keep it moving...

Miles is my little Rev Run. He schools me on life, in the most simplest ways. One day, I was a bit annoyed having to clean up (during Finals week=stress) a big mess. I didn't say anything out loud but my facial expression must have said it all. Miles goes up to me and says, "Mommy, are you mad?" And I told him, "No, I'm just feeling a bit stressed, thank you for asking." And he responds with, so matter-of-factly, "Well, Life is too short to be stressed! Come play with me!" And like that, my mood changed and I joined in on his role-playing fun and voila! I have to remember that he's 3 years old--which is also why he amazes me with his understanding of life in general already. The other day, mom aka gramma told Justin what Miles said to her, "I want to be a kid in my next life. It's so much fun!" And there you go...wise with age (or wise with many lives lived!). I love you Miles....


Hanging out with gramma & Aunty Theresa

It's Only Been 5 days.

I do miss this...

And this...

And this, fresh from the oven...

But I especially miss this boy right here...

...including his samangot ("mad") face...


Mileskiii, mama misses you!!

We're Baaaaaaack......

...well, Justin and I are back...without Miles! :( <---that's the facial expression we are wearing until he gets back!

Just kidding. We are actually happy that he is having so much fun with his grandparents, going fishing, swimming, and of course--just having the QT w/ his Hawaiian ohana. After all, dad & mom deserve some time to enjoy their retirement with one of the craziest boys on earth. Lately, he's been into calling people, "butt crack face" or when you ask him a question he'll respond with, "butt crack." I'm not sure if he got it from his preschool playmates or if he got it from his other playmate named daddy.

Let's see, some of the highlights of the trip included eating at Leeward's drive inn, shave ice from Aiko's North Shore, eating Korean chicken at Zippy's, oh and eating opa. But besides eating all that deep fried goodness, we also enjoyed nature's spa--the beach at Ko'olina, driving Kam highway and taking in all the beautiful views of the mountain ranges & beaches galore, going on a date with Justin to watch Erykah Badu (my idol!), experiencing Hawaiian Hip Hop and meeting some of the OG's at the Undivided event, and just chillin' out at mom & dad's place. Feels like a 2nd home!


This is that Korean chicken @ Zippy's! Broke da mouth!


Zippy's, come to the Bay!!


The beer battered mahi salad @ this spot had me sangin'--"Ooh, I can't believe it...Fuego!"



So many delicious foods to choose from!

Miles loved cruising North Shore in his gramma's convertible, calling it a transformer car and yelling, "Wowowwow!" He also considered himself a swimming professional (but w/ water wings), swimming on his own. He wanted me to take him further down a lagoon to the rocks but I can't swim. I really got to work on this essential life skill--no joke! Miles also enjoyed his first Toddler Tuesday class with me at the Discovery Center. So nice that his grandparents signed him up for such fun activities while he's there. He gets to interact with all the keikis--which is so necessary since he hasn't had much children interaction since his semester at preschool ended. So far, his playmates have been his papa & gramma! They made a little section of their living room Miles' space with art supplies. He retreats into that area when he wants his alone time and politely asked his gramma, "Please leave me alone, I'm painting."

Before I left, I went to a local spa with mom and we got a facial & massage. I wish I could do that more often! Pampering myself is the last thing on my to do list. Actually, it ain't even on my list! It was such a nice treat (thank you mom!!) but I felt so bad for mom who was shocked at the pain that came with the extractions. We couldn't help but laugh afterwards talking about how relaxing it was up until they start cleaning out your pores! Mom made me laugh so hard describing how she grumbled during the process and said the once a month recommendation would be torture. However, I'm just thankful for my smooth skin right now and unclogged pores! But facials, like wearing high heels, and waxing, and all these things we women do just reiterates the cliche', "Pain for Vain" But anything in moderation is good with me...I'll take a massage any day!

I got some new pics from our time in Hawaii but am having trouble uploading it to this mac. So until then, I will leave you with pictures via Justin's blackberry...


Miles was happy to get his first lei from his daddy, "I never got a lei before!"


As soon as he saw his papa's VW pull up at the airport, he screamed, "PAPA!!!!!!" = priceless.


As soon as he got to his gramma's, he was stunned to find a special surprise--his first big boy bike!


At the end of his first day, he made smoothies with his gramma.