Glued to a palm tree is where I'll be...

Ugh! It's already February? Thank goodness. I think. I can't believe how time has flown. Life for me seems like such a whirlwind. Last July my husband flys off yet again halfway around the world. I start a new job, make some wonderful friends, get into fun and exciting mischief and attempt epic fails at surfing. Along the way Lisa and I decide to pass time by dressing up as disturbing Sesame Street characters traveling the island jamming to Spice Girls. We hang with NFL players and coaches on Friday nights at the poolside beach and watch the fireworks explode all over the island to where we can barely see in front of us from the smoke. We get trapped by wild boars and fall off cliffs before we attempt to rock climb and defy death. We run fully clothed and sober in the ocean only to be scolded by the night security guards. I lay at the beach drinking from a freshly cracked coconut and pray I don't get swept out by the current because Waimea Bay life guards like to embarrass you and have no intention of saving you. Do I seriously have to leave this paradise? I know it's gonna be like another six months, but I can't believe I've already been here over a year! I'm SERIOUS about the whole gluing myself to a palm tree people.

I mean... I've established a lifestyle here! My dogs have become accustomed to chasing geckos for fun and playing in the sand (forced by mommy). I have a sweet obsession with the Parisian guy who makes fresh crepes at the North Shore market on Sundays and eating too many containers of sea asparagus as the guy with his goat on his leash walks by... I enjoy my fresh salmon bagel and my new found relaxed beach style that I assume will be rejected on the mainland especially in the months of November- march. How will I ever wear close toe shoes again!?!?! These are serious dilemmas in which I will soon have to face. Where will I find SPAM logo clothing and spam and rice on the McDonalds menu? How will I make it!!????!??!?

The people here are friendly and laid back and I like the way things are here. They say Hawaii is "part of America" but truly it is it's own entity. I want to settle here, raise kids here and never leave. I just hope our new adventure is half as great as this. And as a side note.... Lisa... you have been my best and most amazing friend. Thank you for all the laughs and adventures. You made something wonderful into something indescribable....

Another day down

A short post. I'm so happy and sad. Maybe sad I'm so happy? My life with my husband may not always be perfect, but I consider it to be pretty darn close. We go through ups and downs just like every marriage does, but lately it's all ups. I think with our time coming to and end, (ok, a really long pause), we are trying to make the most of everything. Every minute together seems to be enhanced tot he fullest and I wonder if that's going to make it even harder to say good-bye. Talk about bittersweet. I don't hate the army. I know this was his job and I knew this would be our life. I'm proud that he does what he does so other people aren't forced to. But it's scary. We have lost some VERY dear friends, and as much as he says, or anyone else says, he'll be fine, I can't help but think that's what everyone says. But not everyone comes home. I'm sure you're wondering why I put such a horrible thing on here, but it's my reality. It's something that is possible. Sucks huh? Anyway, I'm ready for him to be home already. I guess I'll have to see him off first though. :P Well, he just walked in with a haircut he's not thrilled about, so let me go tend to this. Catch ya later.

My heart is shattering

I am still horrible at writing, thinking that maybe I'll improve upon this upcoming deployment. I'm not even sure what I'm going to write about this time. My husband is leaving for Iraq two and half days, and day and a half before our four year anniversary. It's sad, but he didn't let me down. He treated me to a five star dinner with music and dancing upon the Honolulu Star cruise ship last night. It was a PERFECT night. I think I started crying about three times throughout the night because it was THAT perfect and I didn't want it to end. Today we went to the golf course at Ko Olina and I rode along side my husband as he played nine holes of golf and I read a book. It was a beautiful day. Warm but overcast with cool winds, and again we were blessed with another perfect day together. We then met up with two dear friends Jeff and Lisa as we bid farewell to Jeff for the next year. My heart broke for Lisa as I knew that come morning, she would have to send off her husband to war as I so dread doing to mine. I know she'll be ok though. She's a strong woman and she'll probably be the one comforting me.

Meanwhile, as I write I look to the future and know I have two full days with my husband. I hope they are as perfect as can be. I hope the days will suddenly accrue more hours, but I watch the clock and it seems as if the next day is in a rush to get here. No plans tomorrow. Maybe enjoy a day at the beach or a movie. I look around at everyone around me, and even though it looks as if we are living the same life, we are in denial of what's coming. I know that in three days, most of the people I see together will be eating at a table at dinner, while my family, my heart and soul, is on a plane to defend the freedom that allows that to be. That's ok though. I'm proud of him. I know he will come back and we will put this behind us. Even though this is our third deployment, and I know it won't last forever, it doesn't make it any easier. I have to drop him off at the buses, try and drive safely home through tear filled eyes and spend the next year alone in a home we made together. Scooter and Bailey are the only thing that comfort me in the emptiness of my home during deployment. Thank God I have them. This has to be the hardest deployment for me. I know I should be coming to terms with it, but I feel like the only way I can possibly cope and make these last two days enjoyable at all is to ignore the inevitable, and stay in a fog of denial. I'm in for a rude awakening. Sad.

A sensational Sunday

So yesterday was a nice Hawaiian day! We started out by heading to church and were thrilled to be joined by our two friends. We couldn't spend mother's day with our own moms, but our church prayed and thanked all moms for what they do. It was so nuce to walk into our service to see moms all around the congregation getting presented with leis by thier loved ones. We also had a young hawaiian girl present the most graceful hula in honor to moms during a wonderful Christian song. How often do you get to see that at church? Awesome.

After an hour of praise and worship, we FLEW back to the house and jumped in our suits, hopped in the convertable and took off to the North Shore! There is a farmer's market there where a tight lipped European makes the best crepes. I wanted the one with Nutella, bananas and strawberries. Only 30 minutes to get there! As we pulled up I was happy to see my watering mouth would soon be satisfied. After splitting my crepe with Cynthia, we headed to a local sandwhich shop called Konos. Yummmmmm.. After our bellies were more than full, back into the convertable we go.




We finally pulled up to an awesome snorkel spot next to Shark's Cove call Three Tables. Really nice beach and great snorkeling. After a few hours there, we headed back to Haliewa to get some awesome snow cones, but not before seeing a huge sea turtle basking in the sun. Awesome Sunday. :)

Any flying pigs?

I thought it would be the same day that pigs started to fly when I got some decent rain here! It has been such a nice few days of steady light rain. I know I know... you are wondering how I could complain about oo nice of weather... All I'm saying is that a few days of rain makes you feel cleansed and relaxed. Although.. this means I will now have to go back to war with the invading slugs and snails.

I just decided to plant my own herbs and tomatoes. Seeing that I kill literally everything I plant somehow, even though I tend to them more than is considered sane, I don't have high hopes for this beginner garden of mine. Wish me luck though. There really isn't much going on this week. Rustin is back to working five day work weeks after two months away, and I'm sure he's less than thrilled. I know I am. He leaves at the end of June which means we only have 7 weeks left together. I thought I was well prepared for this deployment, but it turns out that it's turning out to be the hardest one to prepare for. I was feeling good about it, but the closer it gets, the more I realize I need to strengthen my faith BIG TIME. It's the only thing that will get me through. A year is just so long! You can't see the light at the end of the tunnel on a booger like this one. One day at a time huh?

Until then, we have family coming to visit and a trip to the Big Island for 5 days. I'm trying really hard to focus on the happy stuff, but at the same time, the closer all that good stuff gets.. the closer and more real the deployment gets. Not good. Why does the good stuff have to be so bittersweet?

I swear I'll post more!

Ok... I've been horrible at this bogging thing, but I promise to be better. I just got a new laptop which I now have no idea how I lived without this convienence! I have done so much since my last post including Maui. Our trip, with two of our great friends Jeff and Lisa was pretty good. I don't know if I'm just spoiled or what, but I wasn't super impressed. Landing for the first time in Oahu sent chills up my spine, but a 20 minute flight to an adjacent paradise didn't quite do the same. Don't get me wrong though, if you are planning a trip to Maui, don't chalk it up to that travel insurance. You'll love it if you are coming from the mainland. It's a much more chilled vibe and I reccommend staying on the east side as it's much more lush with more outdoors to explore.


We moved here to Hawaii about 4 months ago, and after several informal discussions, we have no idea how we will ever adjust back to living anywhere else. The weather is unbeatable, the locals are one of a kind, the lifestyles and traditions are still present, and there is something for everyone. Sunsets, surfing, hiking, outdoor festivals, inter-island travel, beaches, farmers markets and I can go on and on. How often do I get to see giant sea turtles, whales and sea lions on a regular basis!


We went in shark cages a few weeks ago and it was amazing. It's pretty hard to impress and get a thrill out of my husband who shoots guns and jumps out of planes for a living, and even he got a kick outta this one! It's so amazing to be a foot from a dozen sharks circling you and knowing that your oh-so-precious extremities can slip out of the not so small cages openings at any time. (My leg did, and I'm proud to say that I somehow still have it!)

Anyway, I'll keep this up more and post pictures as soon as I figure out how to transfer them to the laptop from the big computer upstairs. :)

-M

A new found passion?

Okay... finally a little chance to write. Just wanted to update ya'll on my little adventures. I apparently LOOOOOVVVVEEEE to hike. Do I start on baby hills for beginners? NO sirree. So far I've chosen 3 hikes and they were all very different in their own ways. I've some some moderate hiking and some variation of rock climbing. I've slipped the slopes and crossed the streams and avoided wild boars. But the best part is that at the end of each of these hikes, I've seen some amazing things and felt such a sense of accomplishment. I've had so much fun this past week. Oh! I almost forgot to mention the whales! Oh... they were so beautiful. They are migrating and I watched their tails splash in the ocean and I've seen them spiral up into the air and hit head first into the water while their enormous size created large waves. SOOOOO AWESOME!!! Of course, I always bring a suit along to unwind and relax on the beach. I finally got some hiking shoes and I have blisters to prove that all this is NOT made up. Anyways, that is all for now. Off to bed for some needed rest. :)