It Was Relaxing, I Promise

Though the number of pictures below may present a different story, we really did have a relaxing day. We started out with breakfast at the Kountry Kitchen where, despite being informed that we could, we did not each orchids. I just took pictures of them. Instead, I ate a macadamia nut pancake bigger than my head. I put coconut syrup on it. Mmm...it was SO good. I'd go back to Hawaii just for that.

 

After breakfast we drove to a couple water falls,



took some pictures



and took some more pictures.




Then we found some more water falls (twins),



took some more pictures,



and found someone else to take some pictures.

When we were done with the waterfalls (you can only look at them for so long), we headed out to Secret Beach. It's not so secret anymore since it's in at least one guidebook, but it was (nearly) secluded.

A muddy downhill hike brought us through interesting foliage

to beautiful views



of the Kilauea Lighthouse,



crashing waves,



green rocks,

birds that knew exactly how far the waves were going to come up on the sand and would stay just beyond them,

and an ocean liner just leaving port.

Some of us relaxed and read,

while some of us jumped off rocks.

And since we were in Kilauea, ever so close to Kilauea Video, Ice Cream & Candy

we stopped for some of the best ice cream in the world.

When You're Three

and your mom lets you choose your own clothes, sometimes you end up with this:

But you always end up proud of the independence you demonstrated so your mom lets you do it anyway.

 

A note from the mom: This outfit was a dramatic improvement over the original which left out the orange shirt under the sweater vest. I didn't want my little fashionista to get cold...

Travelin' Thru

This mother's day I've been very focused on the "journey" of motherhood and am incredibly thankful for all the women God has put in my life as friends and mentors to help me along this adventure. As I reflect back on what I thought motherhood was going to be and what it actually is, I am brought back to the William Faulkner quote in my blog header. The task God has set before me requires tiny footprints set upon my children's hearts; footprints that create a foundation of faith and trust in God that can serve them in their walks with Christ. No, motherhood is not the "monuments" I received after 12+ hours of labor, but the  footprints I leave as I continue to grow and nurture the three incredible gifts God has blessed me with.

Five Question Friday

Play along here.




1. Have you ever had roommates?

Yes, during college. Some were bad. Some were great and turned into life long friendships. I have to admit, however, that NOT living in a house full of women is much more peaceful.


2. How many names do you/your children have?

They have a lot, probably 4 or 5 each. I guess I really love terms of endearment (revelation). In fact, most of the time I do not call my children by their real names. Pumpkin, peanut, peaches, little man, sweet pea, lady, lady Jane (that's a holdover from my own mom), princess, beautiful, handsome, buddy, love are just a few of "names" you'll hear in our house. This is all in addition to variations of their given names.

3. Did you watch the Royal Wedding?

Big fat N-O!

4. What is the messiest room in your house?

The laundry room. It's the only room that is almost exclusively mine so it doesn't get picked up very often. And I have very few opportunities to have uninterrupted time in there to get it organized. Who am I kidding? I have very little uninterrupted time in any room. Maybe I should just list my whole house! In the words of my mother, "this too shall pass."

5. What is your ideal mothers day?

Any day that I'm surrounded by my family and don't have to prepare meals or wash dishes.

Low Key

An incredibly busy day filled with custom made boats, humpback whales, the Hawaiian Smith family and their luau left us in need of some low key fun. We found it the next day on the golf course...mini golf, that is. We were temporarily enamoured with the idea of learning to golf - real golf - in Hawaii. We wisened up.

The views were still beautiful,

the golf mates (mates? is that the right "golfy" term?) fabulous,

 

the competition fierce,

and the holes challenging.

And when it was over we still liked each other. And someone that came in first, second or third* (can't remember) got kissed. 

*If you're wondering why I didn't list fourth you've obviously never been mini golfing with me. Fourth is my spot. Always. Unless just two people are golfing. Then I come in second.

The Rest of the Dream

This first sunny, semi-warm day we've had in way too long got me thinking about Hawaii. "What's next in the Hawaii memoir?" I thought to myself. "Oh yea! The Luau!"

After our exciting morning and afternoon on the sea, we headed back to the condo to get ready for the Smith Family Luau. I know...Smith? In Hawaii? But it was great.



And traditional (I think) with a pig cooked in an imu.





The grounds were beautiful.

The show mesmerizing.



And the company fantastic.

Five Question Friday

Play along here.




1. What is your favorite Easter tradition?

Not the bunny. Before we had kids I really looked forward to going to a Good Friday service. It's a little more difficult to do that not that we have kids with us. We still go, but I can't reflect on the service like I used to before we had three little "distractions." At home, we are creating new traditions with our children, including a daily devotion using the resurrection eggs that have become so popular. We are always looking for new ideas to make Easter meaningful to our family, though, so if you have ideas, I'd love to hear them.


2. Are you a "shower" or a "long, hot bath" kind of person?

I choose long hot shower. Baths get cold too quickly. The longer I'm in the shower, the hotter the water has to be.

3. Can you parallel park and if so when is the last time you did it?

I used to be a master parallel parker because I did it nearly every day in high school. Now? I'd probably still be pretty good at it in a car. But I don't usually drive a car; I drive a beast. And since I have a hard time with that in a parking lot, my guess is I'd earn a parallel parking "fail" if the need ever arose. 
 4. What is your favorite Easter candy?

Does chocolate count? It's not just for Easter. Chocolate in pastel wrappers seems to be, though...

5. Easter: do you go all out with the Easter Bunny or focus on the religious part of the holiday?

See question 1. No Easter bunny in our house. The kids do get baskets (mostly because I like to buy things for our kids), but they know they're from mom and dad.