It's not too late to get LOST! If you have never watched the first three seasons of LOST, the network has you in mind. Wednesday night is last year's season finale, and the first hour of the premier on Thursday night is a recap of the first three seasons!
LOST season 3 finale, Wednesday, January 30 at 9/8c on ABC.
LOST season 4 season premier, Thursday, January 31 at 8/7c on ABC
More about LOST in a moment, but now for more on The Farmer Files...
You have to be a fan of the show to get the whole concept of our new header. For those of you that don't know, LOST is filmed almost all on Oahu, where we live. The series follows the lives of survivors of Oceanic flight 15, a plane that crashed on a mysterious tropical island. The flight departed from Sydney, Australia, and was headed for Los Angeles.
The survivors find themselves establishing a new community, and getting to know the island. Mysterious things happen on this beautiful island. The survivors see things they have never seen before, and things happen here that happen nowhere else. There is a chance to go home, but some like Hurley and John don't want to go back. This is pretty much where the parallels end between the show and The Farmer Files.
About us...We have made friends here that we otherwise would have never made. We have been so blessed by them! Things happen here in Hawaii that we have never encountered in other parts of the country. We have learned what it means to Live Aloha. You also have to live here to understand the shirts that say, "Relax. This ain't the mainland!" The people here are so giving, loving, and make us feel part of their "Hanai." That means part of their family, though we are not related by blood. Then there are the things that happen that only happen on the island. They are quirky kinds of things to mainlanders. Here is just a little bit about what the Farmer Family calls T.I.H.
Our family finds ourselves at a crossroads. We know where we came from, and there are so many reasons not to go back. This island has truly been a complete deviation from our mainland life. But then we find ourselves like other characters on LOST, Jin, Sawyer, and Michael, that do long to go back to their old lives. It is hard to live somewhere without family around. We find ourselves waiting for the next episode in life. Unfortunately, Hubby's job is not here forever, though I have threatened to throw myself on the tarmac and refuse to leave. One day we will leave the island, though. We don't know exactly when, but we know it will happen. For now, we are enjoying Hawaii and all that it has to offer. Like the characters on LOST, we weren't expecting to land in Hawaii. It was only through the generosity of a colleague that our lives completely changed.
Now about LOST, if you used to watch, but are amongst those that got bored in Season 2, the writers heard you! That is why they sped up the story line in the second half of last season, and the viewership totally resurrected itself. Supposedly a secret DVD was sent to a select group of previewers on Monday with the first two episodes. They are raving about the new season!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Cars
Hubby and I were chatting away on Friday on his way home from the office. All of a sudden he was rear ended by a Cadillac Escalade. His back bumper and license plate need to be replaced, now. That was a bummer. He is ok, though.
Sunday night Hubby and a friend went scuba diving, of course to see creatures that only come out at night. Danger lurked on land. They came back to friend's car, and someone took a rock and smashed his windshield. That was a bummer. They are ok, though.
Sunday night Hubby and a friend went scuba diving, of course to see creatures that only come out at night. Danger lurked on land. They came back to friend's car, and someone took a rock and smashed his windshield. That was a bummer. They are ok, though.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Family Poster
Last week Son1 brought home a 12x18 piece of construction paper. Each student was supposed to make a poster of everyone that is important to them in their life. Sigh...I can't show you the picture because once I thought about taking a picture, it was SO BEAUTIFUL with everyone's names, and you know how we are about names...
We went over everyone on the poster. Son1 kept cheering, "That's all my families! That's all my families!" Both great grandmothers, both grandmothers, and grandpa were on the poster. My sister and her son were mounted, along with my brother in law and sister in law. On GG's lap sat all five of her great grandchildren (including my two) that are Latino, Asian, African American, and Caucasian. Our immediate family was up on the poster, too, along with pictures from Awanas Cubbies, Sunday School, and gymnastics. Son1 was so proud! Plus, did I happen to mention HOW BEAUTIFUL this poster turned out?
We arrived at school and we pulled out the poster and proudly showed it to his teachers. I dolled up that flimsy little piece of purple construction paper to look just smashing. Ok, I am just being honest. So they loved that. But then as they looked closer, they had a number of questions. And Son1 kept saying, "That's all my families!" I answered their questions, and they were a bit surprised that we are so, um, United Nations looking, and not completely, um, organic, in the look alike sense. We don't all make up traditional families. And I smiled as I told the stories, because I love "all my families" to death. The teachers were so intrigued by the little tidbits I shared, and were so genuinely curious.
I went home and thought about how "all my families" have some cracks. But where there are cracks God has truly shined through. I hope Son1 continues to be proud all his families, regardless of looks and cracks!
We went over everyone on the poster. Son1 kept cheering, "That's all my families! That's all my families!" Both great grandmothers, both grandmothers, and grandpa were on the poster. My sister and her son were mounted, along with my brother in law and sister in law. On GG's lap sat all five of her great grandchildren (including my two) that are Latino, Asian, African American, and Caucasian. Our immediate family was up on the poster, too, along with pictures from Awanas Cubbies, Sunday School, and gymnastics. Son1 was so proud! Plus, did I happen to mention HOW BEAUTIFUL this poster turned out?
We arrived at school and we pulled out the poster and proudly showed it to his teachers. I dolled up that flimsy little piece of purple construction paper to look just smashing. Ok, I am just being honest. So they loved that. But then as they looked closer, they had a number of questions. And Son1 kept saying, "That's all my families!" I answered their questions, and they were a bit surprised that we are so, um, United Nations looking, and not completely, um, organic, in the look alike sense. We don't all make up traditional families. And I smiled as I told the stories, because I love "all my families" to death. The teachers were so intrigued by the little tidbits I shared, and were so genuinely curious.
I went home and thought about how "all my families" have some cracks. But where there are cracks God has truly shined through. I hope Son1 continues to be proud all his families, regardless of looks and cracks!
Just Had To Go Back to Waikiki
Saturday morning started out with some running errands with the two kids in tow. Our plan was to run around for a little while, and then get Son2 home in time for his morning nap. The baby started to fuss, and Son1 started with, "Don't cry baby! In the Farmer Family..." Now I have to stop the story right there. We have started to teach Son1 little proverbs that start with "In the Farmer Family..." They include, "In the Farmer Family we share," and "In the Farmer Family we talk nicely to one another." You get the picture. He has started to repeat them with great enthusiasm. But on Saturday morning, Son1 came up with a new one. "Don't cry baby! In the Farmer Family we..." and he paused for a breath, and resounded with "GO BYE BYE!!!" Ohh Hubby and I just cracked up. Yeah, Son2. Get ahold of yourself. We are just out to have fun in this family. HA! We did get him down for his two naps.
Saturday evening came, and we chose to go back to Waikiki for dinner. Soon after we arrived, we heard the blowing of the conch shells announcing the close of the day. The Village Guards precision rifle team led the torch lighting throughout the grounds to the rhythm of island drums.
Once we were seated at our table, Hubby came up with a great idea. I should go and get my food at the buffet while he and the boys went to see the penguins before dark. What a treat for me! No hurrying, no rushing, and no policing anyone under three and a half feet tall.
Turtles and fish swam through the water, while the penguins knew it was almost bedtime.
Hubby came back with the boys and we sat down for another family dinner. Well, we sat for awhile, anyway until I decided to hit the desserts. And once again, I offered to take Son1 with me, only to lose him, like last week. But I knew right where to find him.
After dinner we headed for the park. Once again we enjoyed it all to ourselves. This time Son2 was not content to just watch the fun. Nah...he knew better this week!
Saturday evening came, and we chose to go back to Waikiki for dinner. Soon after we arrived, we heard the blowing of the conch shells announcing the close of the day. The Village Guards precision rifle team led the torch lighting throughout the grounds to the rhythm of island drums.
Once we were seated at our table, Hubby came up with a great idea. I should go and get my food at the buffet while he and the boys went to see the penguins before dark. What a treat for me! No hurrying, no rushing, and no policing anyone under three and a half feet tall.
Turtles and fish swam through the water, while the penguins knew it was almost bedtime.
Hubby came back with the boys and we sat down for another family dinner. Well, we sat for awhile, anyway until I decided to hit the desserts. And once again, I offered to take Son1 with me, only to lose him, like last week. But I knew right where to find him.
After dinner we headed for the park. Once again we enjoyed it all to ourselves. This time Son2 was not content to just watch the fun. Nah...he knew better this week!
Friday, January 25, 2008
Hugging Hubby
A few nights ago I was putting away dishes in the kitchen, when Hubby came up behind me, and hugged me. I turned to him, and hugged him back, I mean, really, really bear hugged him back, the way we only hug each other and our children. "I love you," he whispered. "I love you, too," I shared, "but that's not why I was hugging you like that." He stood about a foot in front of me and just looked at me, somewhat puzzled. I excitedly went on to explain something I had read in A Grief Observed, by C.S. Lewis. The book is taken from his personal journal after his wife's death. "Oh no, this is going to make me sad, isn't it?" I assured him it would not.
C.S. Lewis writes, "The earthly beloved, even in this life incessantly triumphs over your mere idea of her. And you want her to; you want her with all her resistances, all her faults, all her unexpectedness...And this, not an image or a memory, is what we are to love still, after she is dead."
These words gave me great pause. Hmm. When I read this my mind went other places than identifying with C.S. Lewis's grief. I pondered thoughts of human intimacy and our earthly relationships. When Hubby is traveling, sometimes I close my eyes and squeeze them shut and imagine his arms around me, holding me tight. There is nothing like having him absolutely present in front of me. I can think about it all I want, imagine it, wish for it, but there is nothing like his human physical presence or hug. I cannot substitute it with a thought or a memory. But when it actually happens, my body remembers the all too familiar feeling of being embraced by my husband. And the same thing happens with my boys. Over the last few months I have willed myself to remember what it felt like to hold Son1 as a baby. I know it happened, I know I enjoyed it, I know I have pictures. But there is no substitute for being physically present in that exact moment. I have willed myself to remember how it happened that he took his first steps, the excitement when he started to use a string of words to speak, and when he ran for his shoes to go and see the Christmas lights in the neighborhood every night two Christmases ago. I imagine these things. I play the video in my head. It is not that I have forgotten. There is no substitute for being intimately involved with that other person, right there, in the very moment. Now when Son2 is imitating me, and goes into fits of giggles when he gets me to copy him, the memory of Son1 doing the very same thing comes alive to me in a very real way, a way that isn't accessible without physical human intimacy. It cannot be replicated in a picture or in a memory of the past. This week I am purposely drinking in the moments with my kids and my husband. I have no idea if I will tire of this purposefulness. I hope not. I am adoring the physical seconds, the minutes, and the days of the joys and challenges of being home with my kids, and investing in my marriage.
C.S. Lewis writes, "The earthly beloved, even in this life incessantly triumphs over your mere idea of her. And you want her to; you want her with all her resistances, all her faults, all her unexpectedness...And this, not an image or a memory, is what we are to love still, after she is dead."
These words gave me great pause. Hmm. When I read this my mind went other places than identifying with C.S. Lewis's grief. I pondered thoughts of human intimacy and our earthly relationships. When Hubby is traveling, sometimes I close my eyes and squeeze them shut and imagine his arms around me, holding me tight. There is nothing like having him absolutely present in front of me. I can think about it all I want, imagine it, wish for it, but there is nothing like his human physical presence or hug. I cannot substitute it with a thought or a memory. But when it actually happens, my body remembers the all too familiar feeling of being embraced by my husband. And the same thing happens with my boys. Over the last few months I have willed myself to remember what it felt like to hold Son1 as a baby. I know it happened, I know I enjoyed it, I know I have pictures. But there is no substitute for being physically present in that exact moment. I have willed myself to remember how it happened that he took his first steps, the excitement when he started to use a string of words to speak, and when he ran for his shoes to go and see the Christmas lights in the neighborhood every night two Christmases ago. I imagine these things. I play the video in my head. It is not that I have forgotten. There is no substitute for being intimately involved with that other person, right there, in the very moment. Now when Son2 is imitating me, and goes into fits of giggles when he gets me to copy him, the memory of Son1 doing the very same thing comes alive to me in a very real way, a way that isn't accessible without physical human intimacy. It cannot be replicated in a picture or in a memory of the past. This week I am purposely drinking in the moments with my kids and my husband. I have no idea if I will tire of this purposefulness. I hope not. I am adoring the physical seconds, the minutes, and the days of the joys and challenges of being home with my kids, and investing in my marriage.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Yesterday's Giggles
Hubby and I shared our days with each other last night. Some of the stories made us giggle:
1. I turned on the radio on the way to preschool. The Dave and Dawn show was on the FISH. Every Wednesday morning they have a What's Four Dinner? segment. They share a dinner recipe consisting of four ingredients. This week's recipe was a shrimp tomato rice salad. Obviously, those made up the three ingredients, followed by Italian salad dressing. Oh it was so funny, but you may not get how funny it was if you don't live here! They were stunned that mainlanders would call tossed rice, salad, and shrimp a salad. No lettuce??!?! No, we call that shrimp chop suey here! I died laughing in the car.
2. My funny look tipped off the preschool teachers when we walked in the door. "We can't really read that look," they said. "What is it?" I explained how every morning I throw Son1 in a jacket for him to wear from the car to the door of the classroom in 70 degree weather. Now, he doesn't need a jacket. It's warm. It's not like it's 69 degrees. But every other kid is donning a jacket. I suppose it is winter. Son1 dislikes jackets. He's a smart kid. IT'S WARM. I insist he wears one from the car to the classroom because everyone else is wearing one. Yeah, some life lesson I am teaching him. Do as everyone else does, just so I can look like a good mom.
3. Hubby's work is having a Biggest Loser contest. They left a hospital scale in the main hallway for people to self weigh, and then to record their weights. This contest fits in with his New Year's Resolution. He is entering! He steps on the scale. Oh....wait a minute. It read he weighed 20 lbs more than expected. He tried again. Now wait a minute. This scale must be off. So he stepped off, moved the scale weights down to zero. Hmm. The balance marker read zero. A marine sensed his confusion, and offered to try. He usually weighs 181, but suggested he might weigh 185 in uniform. So he stepped on the scale. He weighed 189. He told Hubby it must be 4 lbs off. But Hubby didn't buy that! How could it only be 4 lbs off for the marine and how could he weigh 20lbs over his own weight? Finally, a colleague admitted to Hubby that he stood behind Hubby with his foot on the scale, accounting for the extra 20lbs. The joke was on Hubby. They all had a good laugh. Later, he saw a colleague self-weighing. The person slid the weights into position, volunteering they must weigh about 175. Oh no! The scale read 195. Oh this person became so flustered! The person was about to try again, but Hubby confessed himself. This person was so relieved! He had this person going they really weighed 20lbs more than expected!
1. I turned on the radio on the way to preschool. The Dave and Dawn show was on the FISH. Every Wednesday morning they have a What's Four Dinner? segment. They share a dinner recipe consisting of four ingredients. This week's recipe was a shrimp tomato rice salad. Obviously, those made up the three ingredients, followed by Italian salad dressing. Oh it was so funny, but you may not get how funny it was if you don't live here! They were stunned that mainlanders would call tossed rice, salad, and shrimp a salad. No lettuce??!?! No, we call that shrimp chop suey here! I died laughing in the car.
2. My funny look tipped off the preschool teachers when we walked in the door. "We can't really read that look," they said. "What is it?" I explained how every morning I throw Son1 in a jacket for him to wear from the car to the door of the classroom in 70 degree weather. Now, he doesn't need a jacket. It's warm. It's not like it's 69 degrees. But every other kid is donning a jacket. I suppose it is winter. Son1 dislikes jackets. He's a smart kid. IT'S WARM. I insist he wears one from the car to the classroom because everyone else is wearing one. Yeah, some life lesson I am teaching him. Do as everyone else does, just so I can look like a good mom.
3. Hubby's work is having a Biggest Loser contest. They left a hospital scale in the main hallway for people to self weigh, and then to record their weights. This contest fits in with his New Year's Resolution. He is entering! He steps on the scale. Oh....wait a minute. It read he weighed 20 lbs more than expected. He tried again. Now wait a minute. This scale must be off. So he stepped off, moved the scale weights down to zero. Hmm. The balance marker read zero. A marine sensed his confusion, and offered to try. He usually weighs 181, but suggested he might weigh 185 in uniform. So he stepped on the scale. He weighed 189. He told Hubby it must be 4 lbs off. But Hubby didn't buy that! How could it only be 4 lbs off for the marine and how could he weigh 20lbs over his own weight? Finally, a colleague admitted to Hubby that he stood behind Hubby with his foot on the scale, accounting for the extra 20lbs. The joke was on Hubby. They all had a good laugh. Later, he saw a colleague self-weighing. The person slid the weights into position, volunteering they must weigh about 175. Oh no! The scale read 195. Oh this person became so flustered! The person was about to try again, but Hubby confessed himself. This person was so relieved! He had this person going they really weighed 20lbs more than expected!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Ko Olina Day
Son2 just wouldn't go down for a nap, regardless of our patience with him. He got up a little late, and it threw off his morning nap. Forget it. We snatched him from his crib and headed for the lagoons at Ko Olina.
At the edge of the Marriott resort are four large lagoons with white sand beaches. Small channels cut through the beach rock terraces that connect the lagoons to the open ocean. These channels allow water from the ocean into the lagoons, but are narrow enough to prevent high surf, so the water is perfect for families with small children all year round. (Otherwise, during the winter months the surf can get pretty rough, particularly on the North Shore.) These lagoons are about ten feet deep at the centers. The coastline was cut almost twenty years ago to create the four lagoons, and sand was imported to create four artificial beaches, one in each lagoon.
He was pretty anxious to see what his brother was doing. I hurried and changed Son1 into his integrated wet suit and headed for the water.Son1 was doing some exploring in the water. This is a special boogie board we got Son1 with a kind of diver's mask attached to it. The rubber mask is sealed into the board and then pops up and out about three inches. Since the lagoon allows open ocean water in, a lot of sea life comes in, too. Often we see fish in the lagoons. Son1 calls this his surf board.
Meanwhile, we put Son2 in this floatie. We have a few of these. We are fortunate that our babies are apt to sleep in floaties, lulled by the water. Since Son1 loved to nap in these floaties, we tried the same for Son2.
We slather the kids in SPF 30 and dress them in SPF50 wetsuits for moments like this. They just won't wear hats in the water. Fortunately, neither of them have ever sunburned. 
Hubby hung onto Son2, standing over him casting a Daddy shadow, blocking the sun. He let Son1 and I take our turn exploring with his board in the water. We turned it sideways, laying on our tummies, and the two of us kicked and peeked through the mask until it was time to go home.
Our Baby Hui is Growing Up!
We celebrated at Little Prince's birthday party, the blond on the right. That really was his theme. See how we have grown up!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
A Waikiki Night
The other night Hubby said, "Well, I haven't really thought about dinner because I thought I would take you guys out tonight." La la la... sang my heart!!! No cooking and no dishes! We decided on an early bird steak and seafood buffet special at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Now we can only dine at buffets for so long while our kids eat free! We arrived, and waited our turn at the hostess podium. She asked for our room number. I smiled and said, "Kama'aina." No one behind me knew what that meant. Kama'aina is the word for local. She flashed a smile back at us, and seated us at the table closest to the buffet line, the best seat in the house. This was a little dangerous. The buffet is served on a mock Hawaiian outrigger, or canoe. The line wraps around in a square. Inside of the square is a large fish pond. Hubby suggested I get my dinner first. I offered to take Son1 with me. He tagged alongside for about thirty seconds and then he was missing. Where was he? There he was...behind the buffet line, behind the safety rope, along the edge of the pond, following these fish, two feet in length, toes dangerously hanging over the lip of the pond. I was horrified. People noticed the little boy on the loose. Discreetly and urgently, I hissed for him to come back my way, lest we call more attention to ourselves. "LOOK MOMMY! YOU SEE ALL THE FISHIES?" So much for being discreet. Finally, we rounded the three other delectable sides of the buffet, and settled into our seats, and reveled in our meal. I looked at my family. Ten months ago this day seemed so far off. Today, both of my boys fed themselves (one with a fork, the other with his fingers), and I was able to manage some bites in between cutting food, corraling strewn cheerios, and distributing napkins. Son1 noticed the pool behind me, and asked us if we saw it, too. Before answering, I smiled. This where Son1 took his first swim when he was about 8 months old. We stayed at the hotel for 2 months when we first arrived in Hawaii, nearly three years ago. For a minute I pondered my expectancy back then about life in Hawaii. 
Son1 was antsy. He wanted to see the penguins on the other side of the hotel. Hubby and I weren't quite done yet, so we bribed him with desserts from the buffet line. It was either that or visiting those fish in the pond, again. His favorite was the "Pokey Dot" cake. It was really a pastry called Napoli, made with pistachios and heavy cream.
After dinner we made our way to the penguins. They are South African penguins, or black footed penguins. They can tolerate our climate! They are back there, in their cave, trying to go to sleep.
Afterward we took a little stroll along the boardwalk in front of the hotel down to the submarine pier. We looked out at the flashing lights, and at a dinner cruise boat. We explained to Son1 about the buoys, and how they guide the ship back to the harbor. "Come home, boat! Over here!" he yelled out.
We started back up the walk toward the main boardwalk. We told Son1 little stories about how he was a baby once, and we would push his stroller every night along this very boardwalk after dinner. I recalled silently many conversations Hubby and I had about what life in Hawaii might bring. Hmm.
Finally we hit the park, and we were alone, just the four of us. Hubby, Son1, and I took turns pretending to be firemen sliding down poles and swinging like monkeys. Son2 was content to be held and giggle happy sounds at the sight of his brother. It came time to call it a night. We headed for the car, and Hubby caught my eye. We smiled, and I knew what he was thinking: happy thoughts of what we hoped our life here would be like, and what it has become.
Son1 was antsy. He wanted to see the penguins on the other side of the hotel. Hubby and I weren't quite done yet, so we bribed him with desserts from the buffet line. It was either that or visiting those fish in the pond, again. His favorite was the "Pokey Dot" cake. It was really a pastry called Napoli, made with pistachios and heavy cream.
After dinner we made our way to the penguins. They are South African penguins, or black footed penguins. They can tolerate our climate! They are back there, in their cave, trying to go to sleep.
Afterward we took a little stroll along the boardwalk in front of the hotel down to the submarine pier. We looked out at the flashing lights, and at a dinner cruise boat. We explained to Son1 about the buoys, and how they guide the ship back to the harbor. "Come home, boat! Over here!" he yelled out.We started back up the walk toward the main boardwalk. We told Son1 little stories about how he was a baby once, and we would push his stroller every night along this very boardwalk after dinner. I recalled silently many conversations Hubby and I had about what life in Hawaii might bring. Hmm.
Finally we hit the park, and we were alone, just the four of us. Hubby, Son1, and I took turns pretending to be firemen sliding down poles and swinging like monkeys. Son2 was content to be held and giggle happy sounds at the sight of his brother. It came time to call it a night. We headed for the car, and Hubby caught my eye. We smiled, and I knew what he was thinking: happy thoughts of what we hoped our life here would be like, and what it has become.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Bloggers With Integrity
I received my first blog award from MommaSong! She writes:
"One of my new favorite blogs is http://thefarmerfiles.blogspot.com/ I love this blog! It is always such a happy blog and so positive! I discovered this blog because we were paired up for a Christmas Ornament Exchange and now I check it everyday!"
I am so honored she chose me as one of the five recipients! I write to all of you from my heart about things that truly matter to me, and to the three other Farmers on this farm. Living far from family and some of my dearest friends is a challenge, but I purpose to chronicle our daily joys.
Now I have to award five more bloggers with this award. If you don't get an award it does not mean I think you lack integrity!
In no particular order:
1. http://www.famigliagrande.blogspot.com/
Buffy is a new blogger, and I hope this award encourages her to blog often. Her blog and Christmas letter absolutely moved my soul because of her and her husband's courage to share their son's journey with Fragile X Syndrome. Plus she will stand in the rain with me in front of the White House, well, just to prove a point, and no, it wasn't political.
2. http://www.vitafamiliae.com/
LL just tells you the way it is, without blinking, about raising, loving, and teaching four kids born in less than three years. My favorite thing is that she esteems her husband often and publicly. I wish more wives would. Plus, she inspired me to blog!
3. http://histreasuredpossession.blogspot.com/
Rachel has made me love her more and more when she shares where she has been in her spiritual journey, and where she is going. She has witnessed a lot of my own growth, too. Besides, how could she not get this award when she has been so honest about her emotions, hormones, pregnancy, and love for Target????
4. http://www.livinglifewright.blogspot.com/
Michelle is as honest as they come about having a son. I giggle when I read because I am 10 months ahead in the journey with a son. Plus she tells the world about how much she loves her marathon running husband. Check our her belly pic! I never looked that cute in my third trimester! She has been such a prayer warrior for me over the last several years. She is true to her word when she says she will pray for you!
5. http://amyspring.blogspot.com/
Amy has made me laugh so hard I have wanted to cry (have you seen God sunburn, OT humor) and just brought me to tears with her honesty about moving and family, because I am too familiar with the feelings. She tells how she loves her husband and loves that her sons love him, too! She is full of words of encouragement, so you know she speaks my love language!
Now go forth and award five blogs, each!
Ok, and an honorable mention is my sister. She is a baby blogger, and her integrity has stopped me in my tracks. But her integrity is so much more about her courage over the last several months than about her blog. And I love her for that!
"One of my new favorite blogs is http://thefarmerfiles.blogspot.com/ I love this blog! It is always such a happy blog and so positive! I discovered this blog because we were paired up for a Christmas Ornament Exchange and now I check it everyday!"
I am so honored she chose me as one of the five recipients! I write to all of you from my heart about things that truly matter to me, and to the three other Farmers on this farm. Living far from family and some of my dearest friends is a challenge, but I purpose to chronicle our daily joys.
Now I have to award five more bloggers with this award. If you don't get an award it does not mean I think you lack integrity!
In no particular order:
1. http://www.famigliagrande.blogspot.com/
Buffy is a new blogger, and I hope this award encourages her to blog often. Her blog and Christmas letter absolutely moved my soul because of her and her husband's courage to share their son's journey with Fragile X Syndrome. Plus she will stand in the rain with me in front of the White House, well, just to prove a point, and no, it wasn't political.
2. http://www.vitafamiliae.com/
LL just tells you the way it is, without blinking, about raising, loving, and teaching four kids born in less than three years. My favorite thing is that she esteems her husband often and publicly. I wish more wives would. Plus, she inspired me to blog!
3. http://histreasuredpossession.blogspot.com/
Rachel has made me love her more and more when she shares where she has been in her spiritual journey, and where she is going. She has witnessed a lot of my own growth, too. Besides, how could she not get this award when she has been so honest about her emotions, hormones, pregnancy, and love for Target????
4. http://www.livinglifewright.blogspot.com/
Michelle is as honest as they come about having a son. I giggle when I read because I am 10 months ahead in the journey with a son. Plus she tells the world about how much she loves her marathon running husband. Check our her belly pic! I never looked that cute in my third trimester! She has been such a prayer warrior for me over the last several years. She is true to her word when she says she will pray for you!
5. http://amyspring.blogspot.com/
Amy has made me laugh so hard I have wanted to cry (have you seen God sunburn, OT humor) and just brought me to tears with her honesty about moving and family, because I am too familiar with the feelings. She tells how she loves her husband and loves that her sons love him, too! She is full of words of encouragement, so you know she speaks my love language!
Now go forth and award five blogs, each!
Ok, and an honorable mention is my sister. She is a baby blogger, and her integrity has stopped me in my tracks. But her integrity is so much more about her courage over the last several months than about her blog. And I love her for that!
happily ever AFTER!
Hubby made me a little promise almost ten years ago, when I was a new bride, that he would call me every day no matter his location. For the most part, he has been true to his word. I have settled for email sometimes, though. I look forward to his calls when he is away, just lovestruck. This week was no different.
This trip he was five hours time difference from us. He called us everyday, and we did some webcam, too. Wednesday night he told me he would call Thursday after Son1 got home from preschool. Thursday the hours ticked by. Ugh. I was seething. No call. Soon it was 6pm in Hawaii, 11pm there. No call. Where was he? Then I started to worry. At about 6:30pm, Hawaii time, my cell phone rang. That would have been 11:30pm his time. I heard it, but I was putting Son2 to bed. I figured he would call back in a few minutes. I checked the voice mail. WHAT??!?!? He was tired, and if I didn't call in the next few minutes, he was going to bed.
Now I brush off the fact the Hubby travels when folks ask me. I usually have, even in the early years when he traveled 50% of the year, and then 75% of each month after Son1 was born when we lived in VA. The travel in Hawaii has been light. So I really have nothing to complain about here. My in laws think I handle myself well about the years of traveling. I do most of the time. But after that voicemail, Hubby might break his almost ten year promise. I was mad, and felt the need to share.
I punched the numbers to his cell. My voice was super edgy. And then he called me on my edginess. Oooh I didn't like that. I will skip the drama, because I was a lot of drama. And there was nothing graceful about the conversation after he explained he had been out to dinner and watched a movie and was tired. Even more frustrating, he didn't offer much of an explanation. Finally we made peace before we hung up. He was going to call me Friday, after Son1 got home from school. Only two more nights until he was home.
Friday was busy. Son2 had a doctor's appointment in town, and it was lengthy. I cut it very close to make it back to meet Son1 after preschool. I pulled wide into our driveway. Son2 was asleep. I popped open the garage and ran straight into the bathroom. Just as I was finishing, I heard noise over head. Someone was in my house!! I panicked. Where was my cell? Should I call 911? I hadn't seen any other cars near my house. If it was a thief he didn't have a get away car. Cautiously, I looked into the dining room. Hubby's laptop backpack was sitting on the table. Oh!! Someone was ransacking our house. Maybe he had left his laptop, and they were going to take it! I looked up. The laptop was sitting on the desk, with my picture set as the background. My gut said something my mind couldn't understand. "HUBBY???!????" He called back to me before he descended the stairs. Nooo way.....what was he doing here???!?!?
"Did you see the roses I brought you? I got lunch, too!" He explained that the night before when he called me, his call was late because he was in the air. He had seen a movie, on the plane, not in a theater. He called me from LA, where he had spent the night before boarding another plane to Hawaii on Friday morning. His car was parked around the corner from our house, so I wouldn't catch on when I pulled up. He stopped at our favorite Thai restaurant, too, and picked up my favorite coconut milk curry dish. Now folks, that was some serious romance. Hubby has taken earlier flights to come home early, but never, ever has he been able to completely surprise me!!! Now you know I was feeling guilty for my little dramatic episode the night before.
We were all totally thrilled to see him and have some delicious food. The boys both went nuts over having their daddy home.
This trip he was five hours time difference from us. He called us everyday, and we did some webcam, too. Wednesday night he told me he would call Thursday after Son1 got home from preschool. Thursday the hours ticked by. Ugh. I was seething. No call. Soon it was 6pm in Hawaii, 11pm there. No call. Where was he? Then I started to worry. At about 6:30pm, Hawaii time, my cell phone rang. That would have been 11:30pm his time. I heard it, but I was putting Son2 to bed. I figured he would call back in a few minutes. I checked the voice mail. WHAT??!?!? He was tired, and if I didn't call in the next few minutes, he was going to bed.
Now I brush off the fact the Hubby travels when folks ask me. I usually have, even in the early years when he traveled 50% of the year, and then 75% of each month after Son1 was born when we lived in VA. The travel in Hawaii has been light. So I really have nothing to complain about here. My in laws think I handle myself well about the years of traveling. I do most of the time. But after that voicemail, Hubby might break his almost ten year promise. I was mad, and felt the need to share.
I punched the numbers to his cell. My voice was super edgy. And then he called me on my edginess. Oooh I didn't like that. I will skip the drama, because I was a lot of drama. And there was nothing graceful about the conversation after he explained he had been out to dinner and watched a movie and was tired. Even more frustrating, he didn't offer much of an explanation. Finally we made peace before we hung up. He was going to call me Friday, after Son1 got home from school. Only two more nights until he was home.
Friday was busy. Son2 had a doctor's appointment in town, and it was lengthy. I cut it very close to make it back to meet Son1 after preschool. I pulled wide into our driveway. Son2 was asleep. I popped open the garage and ran straight into the bathroom. Just as I was finishing, I heard noise over head. Someone was in my house!! I panicked. Where was my cell? Should I call 911? I hadn't seen any other cars near my house. If it was a thief he didn't have a get away car. Cautiously, I looked into the dining room. Hubby's laptop backpack was sitting on the table. Oh!! Someone was ransacking our house. Maybe he had left his laptop, and they were going to take it! I looked up. The laptop was sitting on the desk, with my picture set as the background. My gut said something my mind couldn't understand. "HUBBY???!????" He called back to me before he descended the stairs. Nooo way.....what was he doing here???!?!?
"Did you see the roses I brought you? I got lunch, too!" He explained that the night before when he called me, his call was late because he was in the air. He had seen a movie, on the plane, not in a theater. He called me from LA, where he had spent the night before boarding another plane to Hawaii on Friday morning. His car was parked around the corner from our house, so I wouldn't catch on when I pulled up. He stopped at our favorite Thai restaurant, too, and picked up my favorite coconut milk curry dish. Now folks, that was some serious romance. Hubby has taken earlier flights to come home early, but never, ever has he been able to completely surprise me!!! Now you know I was feeling guilty for my little dramatic episode the night before.
We were all totally thrilled to see him and have some delicious food. The boys both went nuts over having their daddy home.
Just the Two of Us
Son2 and I spent alone time together this week, and it was precious. Son1 is back in preschool, happy to be with his friends, and we are settling into our routine again. We take Son1 to preschool, and then spend the day together. It was a sweet week. I watched him graduate from Army crawling to crawling up on all fours. I watched Son2 stand for the first time on Tuesday, and tears came to my eyes. I love this job! This week at Costco, the cashier smiled at Son2, looked at me, and said, "He looks a little like a Mexican baby, doesn't he?" I looked back at her with a smile and said, "Well, I am full Mexican." That's my other ethnicity, when people don't assume I am local in Hawaii! Aaahh, we are a rare breed here in Hawaii!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Sixty Nine Degrees
Most homes in Hawaii are built without insulation. It is an extra $8,000 to have it put in your whole house pre-construction, and much more afterward. This was a big shock to us when we moved here. We had just our attic insulated to retain cool air from the air conditioning, and retain the daily heat during the cooler winters. We live "mauka side" or on the mountain side, about 1,000 feet above sea level. So it gets cooler here. I was freezing late this morning! I threw on a sweatshirt, some black yoga pants, and socks. (Ha ha, I am not into yoga.) Oooh it was still really cold! Right before I jumped under the covers to warm up for a few minutes, I glanced at the thermostat. Sixty nine degrees. It did get into the seventies later in the day, but I kept my warm clothes on! It's funny how temperature can be relative. Sixty nine degrees was a really warm day in the Virginia winter, and one degree from average year round temperature in Southern California. Hawaii is the only place I have ever felt cold at sixty nine degrees!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
G is for Garden
The letter of the week in preschool is G.
The hat reads:
G is for garden. Growing and learning together in 2008.
See those little green shoots in the middle of my purple ground cover? Those are from heliconia, which is a beautiful plant my neighbor planted on the other side of the mailboxes. They have a crazy under-root system, and we can't seem to get rid of them.
Pulling Up!
Today, I opened the door to Son2's room. He was sitting up in his crib! He has never willfully sat without being placed in a sitting position. He prefers to crawl. And just as I was changing his sheets and talking to Hubby, I looked up and he pulled himself to stand. I am so glad God's timing is outside of the confines of a pediatrician's benchmark list!
Getting Ready to Climb
I sat across the room and watched. Son2 got up on two knees at the base of the stairs for the first time. He slapped that bottom step with two hands over and over. Then his head tilted back and his eyes swooped up the stairs, as if to say, "Can I make it?" He turned and looked at me, as if to say, "Not today!" Then he rounded the base of the step and reached the wrought iron banister. He did the same little routine when he almost pulled himself up. He thought about standing, looked over at me, and grinned again. Not today!
Raising a Modern Day Knight
This book is a must read for fathers of sons. It addresses authentic, noble biblical manhood, and mature masculinity. I liked the definition the author uses for a man."A man is someone who rejects passivity, accepts responsibility, leads courageously, and expects a greater reward." -Robert Lewis
The pastor overseeing family ministries at our church in VA recommended this book. His sons were both teenagers at the time. I purchased the book for Hubby three years ago. He started it, but didn't get very far. When we recently took our vacation to the Big Island, I was pleasantly surprised he packed the book. I had been thinking about reading it, too. We both read it on the trip. Moms, you can glean a lot of information from this book, and can really support your husbands in raising your sons. But this book is addressed to fathers. The first two-thirds of the book are very foundational, and do not specifically delve into exact life lessons. The last third of the book is far more application based. The book is much better than I anticipated. What a unique and indescribable responsibility to raise sons!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Kailua Beach Park
We spent a large part of the day at a baby luau at Kailua Beach Park. A baby luau is customary for Hawaii families, regardless of race or ethnicity, to celebrate a child's first birthday. In local culture, a baby's first birthday is considered a major celebratory milestone. The parties are huge in number, and the entire family is invited. We have been to the fancy shmancy kind that are on par with a wedding reception, and also the beach kinds, where parents still shell out some big four digit bucks for the party, too. The best thing about today's baby luau was the balloon guy. He is by far the most talented balloon artist we have seen.
Son1 is in absolute boy bliss.
His second balloon sculpture was an octopus with some cool eyes.
The luau was just at the top of this hill, a few feet away, in the grass. But Son1 always seems to find the water if it is nearby. It is amazing he stayed in the bounce house and out of the water.
Son1 is in absolute boy bliss.
His second balloon sculpture was an octopus with some cool eyes.Food at baby luaus is generally buffet style. Starches of rice and noodles are usually served alongside whatever else is served. Son2 just refused to be left out. Just like his brother, he will be raised on local food. Rice and noodles will quickly become favorites.
The luau was just at the top of this hill, a few feet away, in the grass. But Son1 always seems to find the water if it is nearby. It is amazing he stayed in the bounce house and out of the water.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Driveway Sharing
We had agreed I was taking Son1 to gymnastics this morning. After I put Son2 down for a nap, I looked over the upstairs railing. Hubby had the front door open, ready to take Son1 to gymnastics. I put up a little fuss, but he insisted. The front door closed. I never heard my car start, though. Hmmm....I dialed his cell phone. Had he left? No answer. Well, maybe he was waiting for my second protest, and he was still in the driveway. I ran down the stairs and made my way down the driveway. He was standing there, with two men in ties.
The three men looked up when they saw me, awkwardly. I had interrupted their conversation. Son1 was strapped in his seat. He was waiting patiently, but there was a visual lesson he was learning about who his dad is and whom he serves. "Ohh," I stammered. "I was wondering if you wanted me to take Son1." Hubby winked at me, and assured me he would take Son1 to gymnastics. I retreated to the house, as the two men reached out, and shook Hubby's hand. One said, "Thanks for the chat, my friend."
A minute later the house phone rang. The caller ID said it was Hubby on my cell phone. If he was going to sit at gymnastics, it was no wonder he took my phone. I am the one with internet access. He shared with me a bit about his conversation with these men.
Since we have moved to Hawaii we commonly have people who share from a few different religions come to our door. We have made a practice to stop and talk to these people, with somewhat of an agenda:
1. We give them our time. These folks are out sharing with many people. When they are talking to us, it is our belief that they are not spending time misleading others. These visitors, or more importantly, these guests, understand that we genuinely want to hear what they believe, and have the time to understand where they are coming from.
2. Our hearts are softened toward them. We are saddened that they do not have an assurance of salvation. We believe the only way to heaven is through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. All those that have knocked on our door, sharing of their faith, have believed that we must earn our salvation, and that God has not extended this invitation to everyone. We have been told we must be careful, because only 144,00 will ever be saved, or we may not achieve the highest terrestrial level of heaven.
3. We offer to pray for them. We genuinely do care about them, and their souls.
4. We share out of obedience. Jesus commands us to in the Bible. It is not out of any type of super ego or personal gain. It is not because we want to argue or have the upper hand in any discussion. We share because we love Jesus.
We have met so many interesting folks. Some have come back to chat, and brought others from their congregation. Only a couple have gotten angry. Most of these guests we meet once, and we have no idea if we will ever meet them again. And that is a risk we take. We have no idea how God will choose to use us.
The three men looked up when they saw me, awkwardly. I had interrupted their conversation. Son1 was strapped in his seat. He was waiting patiently, but there was a visual lesson he was learning about who his dad is and whom he serves. "Ohh," I stammered. "I was wondering if you wanted me to take Son1." Hubby winked at me, and assured me he would take Son1 to gymnastics. I retreated to the house, as the two men reached out, and shook Hubby's hand. One said, "Thanks for the chat, my friend."
A minute later the house phone rang. The caller ID said it was Hubby on my cell phone. If he was going to sit at gymnastics, it was no wonder he took my phone. I am the one with internet access. He shared with me a bit about his conversation with these men.
Since we have moved to Hawaii we commonly have people who share from a few different religions come to our door. We have made a practice to stop and talk to these people, with somewhat of an agenda:
1. We give them our time. These folks are out sharing with many people. When they are talking to us, it is our belief that they are not spending time misleading others. These visitors, or more importantly, these guests, understand that we genuinely want to hear what they believe, and have the time to understand where they are coming from.
2. Our hearts are softened toward them. We are saddened that they do not have an assurance of salvation. We believe the only way to heaven is through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. All those that have knocked on our door, sharing of their faith, have believed that we must earn our salvation, and that God has not extended this invitation to everyone. We have been told we must be careful, because only 144,00 will ever be saved, or we may not achieve the highest terrestrial level of heaven.
3. We offer to pray for them. We genuinely do care about them, and their souls.
4. We share out of obedience. Jesus commands us to in the Bible. It is not out of any type of super ego or personal gain. It is not because we want to argue or have the upper hand in any discussion. We share because we love Jesus.
We have met so many interesting folks. Some have come back to chat, and brought others from their congregation. Only a couple have gotten angry. Most of these guests we meet once, and we have no idea if we will ever meet them again. And that is a risk we take. We have no idea how God will choose to use us.
In My Own Little Hands
Son2 insists on holding everything himself. This gets a little tricky when we are trying to feed him and he wants to use the spoon, trying to wipe his little hands and cheeks, trying to diaper him when he wants to hold the diaper, and even attempting to eat our own food without sharing with him. He knows what he is doing, too. He giggles and giggles at his little keep away game. Hey buddy! We are on to you!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Dump Truck Delight
I had just put Son2 down for a nap, and was closing the door to his room, when I noticed the garbage truck sounded louder than usual. Uh oh. The front door was just ajar. I ran downstairs and saw Son1 on our front lanai (Hawaiian word for covered patio). He was watching the truck outside from just outside the front door, in what little he could. Literally. Check out his digs. He wasn't quite dressed, yet. Once he saw me, though, he ran to our front rock wall and took a front seat. Our garbage truck is mechanical, meaning we don't have the guys that hang off the back of the truck and run and grab the trash cans, and dump it in the truck. Nooo. Our trucks have these special fork fingers. The driver just pushes a button, the mechanical fork fingers grab the can, lift it about 20 feet in the air, and dump it in the garbage truck. This is fascinating to kids all over our neighborhoods. The excitement ended with a vigourous wave and shouts of goodbye.
Hau'oli Makahiki Hou OR Happy New Year!
Our New Year's Resolutions-
Hubby:
1. Read through the Bible, Genesis to Revelation, in 2008
2. Finish PhD
3. Lose weight
Me:
1. Read through the Bible, Genesis to Revelation, in 2008.
2. Take a sewing class
3. Make a practice of saying NO to others more often rather than trying to cram too much in. Saying NO to others means I am saying YES to my husband and kids more often.
Hau'oli Makahiki Hou means Happy New Year in Hawaiian. The western Christmas and New Year fell during this same time of the year that the Hawaiians traditionally honored the earth for giving them plenty to eat. This period of resting and feasting was called Makahiki. It lasted for 4 months, and no wars or conflicts were allowed during this time. Because makahiki also means "year", the Hawaiian phrase for "Happy New Year" became "Hau'oli (happy) Makahiki (year) Hou (new)"(how-OH-lee mah-kah-hee-kee ho). http://gohawaii.about.com/od/festivals/a/hawaii_xmas_a.htm
Hubby:
1. Read through the Bible, Genesis to Revelation, in 2008
2. Finish PhD
3. Lose weight
Me:
1. Read through the Bible, Genesis to Revelation, in 2008.
2. Take a sewing class
3. Make a practice of saying NO to others more often rather than trying to cram too much in. Saying NO to others means I am saying YES to my husband and kids more often.
Hau'oli Makahiki Hou means Happy New Year in Hawaiian. The western Christmas and New Year fell during this same time of the year that the Hawaiians traditionally honored the earth for giving them plenty to eat. This period of resting and feasting was called Makahiki. It lasted for 4 months, and no wars or conflicts were allowed during this time. Because makahiki also means "year", the Hawaiian phrase for "Happy New Year" became "Hau'oli (happy) Makahiki (year) Hou (new)"(how-OH-lee mah-kah-hee-kee ho). http://gohawaii.about.com/od/festivals/a/hawaii_xmas_a.htm
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Putting Out the Fire
We put Son2 to bed in the 6:00 hour (his choice, not ours) and Son1 to bed between 7:30 and 8:30, when it is a late night. Sometime after 10pm last night I heard some boisterous excitement coming from the far bedroom upstairs. It sounded like a very involved situation. I climbed the stairs, and made my way to that closed door. I opened it, to find an animated Son1 outside of his Thomas tent reaching in and slapping the mattress. Curiously, I asked him what he was doing. "I'm putting out the fire!!!!" Well, you know me. I helped him until it was out. After some silly giggling between the two of us, I returned him to the cooled off mattress, tucked him in, said prayers, and gave him instruction not to get up.
Costco Cookies
The day after we arrived home from the Big Island, the boys and I made a run to Costco for some groceries and some samples. While on the Big Island, Son2 broke out in a rash thanks to cinnamon in a Gerber jar. It is a fairly uncommon allergen, but he displayed all of the signs of a skin reaction. (A skin reaction may not necessarily indicate an allergy later in life, however, we are taking food precautions with cinnamon now.) So I explain to Son1 who is seated in the grocery cart next to his brother that he can have samples because he is a big boy, but his little brother is a baby, and can't eat all that he eats, and not to share.
I am paying at the register when I hear protests from the shopping cart that I momentarily took my eyes off of to swipe my mugshot on the back of my plastic, and dear friend, American Express. My attention is split between my register total and the boys. Before I fully comprehend what Son1 is saying, I eye Son2, face covered in chocolate, and crumbs stuck to his plump little cheeks. None of this is on my approved list of foods for him. Immediately I knew what happened. Those tiny little fingers yanked that cookie from Son1's hands and Son2 devoured it. I know because I witnessed him grab my chicken wrap a few days ago and do the same. He is just over nine months old, and his teeth have just come in to the point where I trust them to chew. Table foods are new to him in the last two weeks. And after nine months of observing, he completely feels entitled. Breathe grandmothers, there is no cookie reaction to report.
I am paying at the register when I hear protests from the shopping cart that I momentarily took my eyes off of to swipe my mugshot on the back of my plastic, and dear friend, American Express. My attention is split between my register total and the boys. Before I fully comprehend what Son1 is saying, I eye Son2, face covered in chocolate, and crumbs stuck to his plump little cheeks. None of this is on my approved list of foods for him. Immediately I knew what happened. Those tiny little fingers yanked that cookie from Son1's hands and Son2 devoured it. I know because I witnessed him grab my chicken wrap a few days ago and do the same. He is just over nine months old, and his teeth have just come in to the point where I trust them to chew. Table foods are new to him in the last two weeks. And after nine months of observing, he completely feels entitled. Breathe grandmothers, there is no cookie reaction to report.
Big Island Steakhouse is a BIG MISTAKE!
Big Island Steakhouse
69-250 Waikoloa Beach Drive
Big Island of Hawaii
"The prices certainly aren't justified given the setting. Cheap furnishings, unkempt surroundings, the place seems in desperate need of an upgrade. The service is adequate and the food passable, but you're paying to get your socks knocked off and yet, they'll stay firmly attached to your feet." -Hawaii The Big Island Revealed, 4th Edition.
I should have opened the guide book before we decided on this place for lunch. We decided to take a walk from the Waikoloa down to the King's Shops for lunch. My eldest is not really an asker or a beggar, so when he does ask, we have a tendency to say yes. All he wanted was some macaroni and cheese. On a recommendation from the concierge, this was the place to go in the King's Shops.
We arrived at the restaurant and saw the menu posted without prices, outside. While not so common, we have experienced this at gourmet rooms. Many times it is called a lady's menu, where prices are reserved for the gentleman's menu picking up the tab. No published prices usually means pricey, and usually the food commands the price.
We were seated for lunch. We were handed menus that did reflect higher prices. Our eyes quickly moved to the kids' menu. Regular portion prices were not as shocking as the children's portions. A child's portion of macaroni and cheese is $10, drink not included. The kid had been asking for macaroni for three days. Did I mention he generally doesn't ask for much? We raised our eyebrows, and settled on that for him. There was a homemade Angus burger for $10, or a Hooked Up Burger dressed in cheese and mushrooms for $12. We asked the waitress when she came to take our order about this Hooked Up Burger, described as homemade. Was it handmade? She didn't know. She went up to the kitchen and asked. No, they are pattied and pre-sliced. I was hungry. I ordered it anyway, and my other half ordered the Philly Cheese steak, and the price of the Philly escapes me now. The server brought our drinks and disappeared for at least fifteen minutes. Confession...we do our fair share of eating out. It hardly happens that good servers these days fail to bring out a child's meal first to keep peace in their establishment. Nearly 20 minutes later the server appears, and announces that they have run out of macaroni and cheese. I looked at my husband, and he mirrored my eyes in disbelief. It took her twenty minutes after putting in an order of macaroni and cheese to let us know they ran out? I will spare you the whining that ensued. We scanned the menu again. My little guy finally settled on a cheeseburger. Just as the waitress was writing this down for $10, plus the added cost for cheese, my husband, with some irritation, suggests that she bring us the adult steak burger for the same price. The two plates for the adults came out a minute later. We gave the little guy some off our plates while we waited for his plate that came out well after we finished the first two plates. The waitress failed to check on a few occasions about our drink refills. We leaned out of our seats to remind her, and were met with her total embarrassment each time. Finally, the third plate arrived several minutes later, and we picked at the plate since it was on our tab, anyway.
I hope this post finds many people via Google before setting foot in this establishment. You are in luck, though. An Islands Restaurant is coming to the Queen's Shops across the way relatively soon. Eat there. Their food is de-lish, reasonable, and caters to a cross demographic with an extensive menu.
69-250 Waikoloa Beach Drive
Big Island of Hawaii
"The prices certainly aren't justified given the setting. Cheap furnishings, unkempt surroundings, the place seems in desperate need of an upgrade. The service is adequate and the food passable, but you're paying to get your socks knocked off and yet, they'll stay firmly attached to your feet." -Hawaii The Big Island Revealed, 4th Edition.
I should have opened the guide book before we decided on this place for lunch. We decided to take a walk from the Waikoloa down to the King's Shops for lunch. My eldest is not really an asker or a beggar, so when he does ask, we have a tendency to say yes. All he wanted was some macaroni and cheese. On a recommendation from the concierge, this was the place to go in the King's Shops.
We arrived at the restaurant and saw the menu posted without prices, outside. While not so common, we have experienced this at gourmet rooms. Many times it is called a lady's menu, where prices are reserved for the gentleman's menu picking up the tab. No published prices usually means pricey, and usually the food commands the price.
We were seated for lunch. We were handed menus that did reflect higher prices. Our eyes quickly moved to the kids' menu. Regular portion prices were not as shocking as the children's portions. A child's portion of macaroni and cheese is $10, drink not included. The kid had been asking for macaroni for three days. Did I mention he generally doesn't ask for much? We raised our eyebrows, and settled on that for him. There was a homemade Angus burger for $10, or a Hooked Up Burger dressed in cheese and mushrooms for $12. We asked the waitress when she came to take our order about this Hooked Up Burger, described as homemade. Was it handmade? She didn't know. She went up to the kitchen and asked. No, they are pattied and pre-sliced. I was hungry. I ordered it anyway, and my other half ordered the Philly Cheese steak, and the price of the Philly escapes me now. The server brought our drinks and disappeared for at least fifteen minutes. Confession...we do our fair share of eating out. It hardly happens that good servers these days fail to bring out a child's meal first to keep peace in their establishment. Nearly 20 minutes later the server appears, and announces that they have run out of macaroni and cheese. I looked at my husband, and he mirrored my eyes in disbelief. It took her twenty minutes after putting in an order of macaroni and cheese to let us know they ran out? I will spare you the whining that ensued. We scanned the menu again. My little guy finally settled on a cheeseburger. Just as the waitress was writing this down for $10, plus the added cost for cheese, my husband, with some irritation, suggests that she bring us the adult steak burger for the same price. The two plates for the adults came out a minute later. We gave the little guy some off our plates while we waited for his plate that came out well after we finished the first two plates. The waitress failed to check on a few occasions about our drink refills. We leaned out of our seats to remind her, and were met with her total embarrassment each time. Finally, the third plate arrived several minutes later, and we picked at the plate since it was on our tab, anyway.
I hope this post finds many people via Google before setting foot in this establishment. You are in luck, though. An Islands Restaurant is coming to the Queen's Shops across the way relatively soon. Eat there. Their food is de-lish, reasonable, and caters to a cross demographic with an extensive menu.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Aloha, Big Island!
I snapped a couple on the way to the Kailua-Kona airport. Here is the expanse of Kiholo Bay from the highway.
The only thing we didn't do was write our name in white rocks along the highway. All along the highway you find the same kind of stuff you find carved in trees on the mainland, just spelled out in white rock. It's almost kind of an acceptable form of highway graffiti. The writings in white rock are quite impressive against the black hardened lava and black gravel. At some points in the highway the rock writings are dense and go for miles. Obviously, not my real name:
The only thing we didn't do was write our name in white rocks along the highway. All along the highway you find the same kind of stuff you find carved in trees on the mainland, just spelled out in white rock. It's almost kind of an acceptable form of highway graffiti. The writings in white rock are quite impressive against the black hardened lava and black gravel. At some points in the highway the rock writings are dense and go for miles. Obviously, not my real name:
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Kiholo Bay
One morning while on our trip, we gave Son1 a few options on how to spend our day. He asked to go on a hike. We got out our guide book. Kiholo Bay looked relatively close. Relatively is the operative word. A saltwater bay with freshwater floating on top, turtles, and a lava tube with a fresh water spring 80 feet from the ocean intrigued us. The guide book even stated we could take an alternative path and drive much of the way. What could be better with two small kids, right? So we decided on a bit of a later morning start. We took the smooth gravel road from the main highway almost straight down to the ocean. We walked some yards from the parking area and were met with this sweet sight:
At the time we were not totally aware that behind us was the far side of Kiholo Bay.
That's me on the black sand beach.
We walked for a little more and came upon this house, another house that wouldn't fit in the camera frame. It is owned by the guy on TV that runs the Paul Mitchell hair products.
He paid 200 Balinese workers $1.50 a day for two years to create the intricate carvings and build the house. He then had it taken all apart, and had it shipped to Kiholo Bay. The big green logs from the Borneo rain forest shrank and split in Hawaii,
By this point Son1 was getting tired. But I was in denial. He ran over and sat down right in the front garden.
Those big round things we are perched on are coconuts. We walked a while more and we looked out on Kiholo Bay. It was still quite a walk to the ocean inlet, and we had traipsed a mile across the rocky coastline with two little guys. Hubby peered at me with eyes squinting at the sun and suggested turning around. Son2 was trying his best to take a nap, but couldn't find rest. Without hesitation, but with disappointment in my voice, I agreed. No ocean inlet. No turtles. No mix of saltwater and freshwater. He asked if I was upset. Nope. Not at all. Life is just different with the little guys. And life has its limits. We weren't too far now, maybe just another half mile. But the kids are more important than turtles and an ocean inlet. No worries. We will see more in another season of our lives. We were just about to come upon the yellow house, when Son1 eyed some flat rocks covered in coconuts. He pushed the coconuts aside and....
Hubby and I couldn't just let him rest like that! Hubby had an idea. My backpack would make a great pillow. We gave him just a few more minutes of rest, because we still had a long walk back. He got his hike, alright!
After a bit of a breather, we pressed on along the black shoreline. On the way back, a group of local folks were gathered around by their different 4WD vehicles with music blaring, blocking my view to something behind them, about 80 feet from the ocean. So I kinda casually walked up, with Hubby and the kids following...and was greeted with a "HOWZIT!" (Local for: How is it going?) I looked below and I found what I thought I had missed, Queen's Bath! The Queen's Bath is a super clear waterhole, lava tube bath, made of fresh spring water, not ocean water! The water level rises and falls each day with the tides, though. There is a wooden ladder that drops from the top of the lava tube down to the bottom of the clear spring. It is attached to a dry lava tube cave where you can find petroglyphs in the dry cave. It has two openings to the sky. I am sitting in one below.
Lava tubes are a characteristic of young, growing islands. That's why you primarily find the good lava tubes on the Big Island, the youngest of the islands.
So the locals were so cool with me getting in with my clothes on since I didn't have my swim stuff on, but you know...again, it just wasn't meant to be in this season of our lives.
After a bit of a breather, we pressed on along the black shoreline. On the way back, a group of local folks were gathered around by their different 4WD vehicles with music blaring, blocking my view to something behind them, about 80 feet from the ocean. So I kinda casually walked up, with Hubby and the kids following...and was greeted with a "HOWZIT!" (Local for: How is it going?) I looked below and I found what I thought I had missed, Queen's Bath! The Queen's Bath is a super clear waterhole, lava tube bath, made of fresh spring water, not ocean water! The water level rises and falls each day with the tides, though. There is a wooden ladder that drops from the top of the lava tube down to the bottom of the clear spring. It is attached to a dry lava tube cave where you can find petroglyphs in the dry cave. It has two openings to the sky. I am sitting in one below.Lava tubes are a characteristic of young, growing islands. That's why you primarily find the good lava tubes on the Big Island, the youngest of the islands.
Captain for the Night
By far his favorite thing at the hotel was to ride the boats whenever possible, with Mommy or Daddy. It worked out that the baby was sleeping most times.
He was fascinated by these peacocks. At least that is what I think they were, females perhaps.
Wouldn't you know it, the driver offered to have him pretend to be the captain!
He was fascinated by these peacocks. At least that is what I think they were, females perhaps.
Wouldn't you know it, the driver offered to have him pretend to be the captain!
Monday, January 7, 2008
Family Pool Time
This was the happy trio after the drama:
But prior to that.....There is a staircase above the rock cave to the camera right. Those stairs lead to an additional pool on the right. Hubby was watching Son1 in the pool that is above the water slide to the left of that man in the blue, up at the top. The pool was full of parents and kids up at the top of the waterslide...so when Hubby turned to get a couple of drinks from the snack shack....who would have thought we could have lost our precious three year old? Please, no lectures on taking our eyes off the child...we already nearly suffered a heart attack, each. I was waiting across the way from the water slide, at a third pool, below. I never saw Son1 come down the slide! (Confusing, I know...all of these pools meander across several other pools not pictured.) Hubby raced along the main level pools that the waterslides from different higher pools drop into, and couldn't find Son1. I jumped up and raced to the top of this waterslide pool, and asked all of the kids if they had seen the little boy with the Spiderman ring. Only one in the crowd says, "YEAH! He is in that pool up there!" So I took the stairs a couple at a time, above the rock structure, with Son2 on my hip, and guess who met us coming down the stairs from the top pool? Hubby and Son1! Hubby shook his head, frustrated. When he asked Son1 what he was doing at the upper pool, in the water, without his Spiderman ring, away from his parents, Son1 gave him a what-do-you-think-I-was-doing look, oh-worried-father-of mine, and said, "I was up there swimming with my friends." He calls EVERYONE his friends. Sheesh!
Now, about Son2, Hubby and I were so proud. He took to the pool water immediately, splishing and splashing, without my Body Glove water carrier, this time. He loved his little wetsuit and chewed happily on the covered foam of his suit, and stayed in the water quite a while. I reassured Hubby that we birth fish in this family.
Well, Son1 did go down the slides by himself several times, right into Hubby's arms. Here is a little video of the boys splashing around, under the watchful eyes of their parents!
But prior to that.....There is a staircase above the rock cave to the camera right. Those stairs lead to an additional pool on the right. Hubby was watching Son1 in the pool that is above the water slide to the left of that man in the blue, up at the top. The pool was full of parents and kids up at the top of the waterslide...so when Hubby turned to get a couple of drinks from the snack shack....who would have thought we could have lost our precious three year old? Please, no lectures on taking our eyes off the child...we already nearly suffered a heart attack, each. I was waiting across the way from the water slide, at a third pool, below. I never saw Son1 come down the slide! (Confusing, I know...all of these pools meander across several other pools not pictured.) Hubby raced along the main level pools that the waterslides from different higher pools drop into, and couldn't find Son1. I jumped up and raced to the top of this waterslide pool, and asked all of the kids if they had seen the little boy with the Spiderman ring. Only one in the crowd says, "YEAH! He is in that pool up there!" So I took the stairs a couple at a time, above the rock structure, with Son2 on my hip, and guess who met us coming down the stairs from the top pool? Hubby and Son1! Hubby shook his head, frustrated. When he asked Son1 what he was doing at the upper pool, in the water, without his Spiderman ring, away from his parents, Son1 gave him a what-do-you-think-I-was-doing look, oh-worried-father-of mine, and said, "I was up there swimming with my friends." He calls EVERYONE his friends. Sheesh!
Now, about Son2, Hubby and I were so proud. He took to the pool water immediately, splishing and splashing, without my Body Glove water carrier, this time. He loved his little wetsuit and chewed happily on the covered foam of his suit, and stayed in the water quite a while. I reassured Hubby that we birth fish in this family.
Well, Son1 did go down the slides by himself several times, right into Hubby's arms. Here is a little video of the boys splashing around, under the watchful eyes of their parents!
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