Quarantine Week 1

I'm not going to lie, we were going at break neck speed. This at home business gettin' paid is NICE. Granted I haven't started online teaching and trying to balance my responsibilities as a mother... but hopefully it will all work out with God's help.

We've done fort grand openings. That day was a bit much for me.

Creation of car city. Complete with remote control car destruction. And rebuild.

Jody was really nice to come to school with me so I could get the rest of the things I needed for "online" teaching. We headed to Target after and miracle of miracles we found the last classic monopoly and yahtzee.

While we were at it we picked up a light bright and the kids have been using it nightly to make art.

We had a tea party, very proper with some delish macarons. We were going to watch Emma on Amazon Prime but it was $20. Instead we watched King Julian's manners episode.

We've done lego building races where Eli says he won but we actually TIED.

Monopoly games, tears, heartache and glory.

Walks with Daddy, catch, and the game of 500.

We've had food, toilet paper, and health. We are lucky. Today was a global fast for those effected by the COVID-19. I was glad to be a part of it. I have a hard time fasting but today went by quickly and I felt very humbled. I got to catch up with my sister in Southern Utah whom I love so dearly. I am blessed.

God watches over me

I'm not a stranger to finding the small things in life that are rather large miracles.

Today I was profoundly sad. I'm not a stranger to sadness.

And yet in my just trying to breathe. I got multiple random texts from friends, a neighbor who brought by flowers, and Gloria Gaynor's I will Survive came on a hip hop station.

I'd say God is with me. He loves me no matter how much I screw up. He'll be patient with me. And He knows everything. All will be right in the end. So it's just breathing and getting through the now.

Sunday- Can we make it home before they shut the borders and the snowstorm supposed to hit Truckee?

We said goodbye to our condo and this little fellow who had a baby.

We checked out closed Pearl Harbor.

Eli could have done a submarine tour!!! Next time I suppose.

Hawaii had such beautiful art!!

These doughnuts were so soft. Yes!! Surprised no one took the bacon doughnut!!

The trip home was a blur!! It was a little turbulent, I watched a great Japanese movie about a Prime Minister who lost his memory and turned his life around. We had gross chicken bakes again, no food at the airport!!! Everything closed!!

Got to SFO where people were wearing full on hazmat suits and gas masks.

Headed over the pass in great time... about 2 people on the road total the entire trip. Went to bed at 4AM. 

We are blessed!!! We are safe, healthy, and a little more tan!!

Saturday- Rolling around at Makaha Beach

Our last full day in Hawaii came too fast! We really just filled every part of the day with goodness. It was the first day we hit traffic on the westside.

We went to Target and spent some time looking around there. Ella hadn't spent any of her money so she got some hatchanimals. We got a picnic from a salad place next door.... so fresh and yummy! The little kids got Subway and it was the greatest meal of the trip for them. They were so excited for chips and milk with their fake sandwich.

On our way home we got some treatsies. And stopped by Makaha beach to enjoy our first surfers!!!

The ocean was full of surfers and it was crazy to watch them!! Absolutely athletic! A bunch of kids were using boogie boards and it was fun to watch them do flips in the water. I would have multiple heart attacks if I had surfer kids.

My kids just let the waves crash into them... over and over. And they laughed and laughed and so did we!!

It started pouring. We headed home for our last meal... take out Staxx.

The sunset was healing. I played an hour game of UNO.... it wouldn't END!!!! Eli won!!!!

And we called it a GREAT day!!!

Friday- Koko Steps, Waimanalo Beach, and Shutting Down

In the morning we headed to the Koko Head Crater Steps but there were cops!! Flashing lights, tape... I was really sad.

When we got to it, I was looking at the hill and thought... wow. This is intimidating.

What could we do though... they shut it down. We headed to Waimanalo beach and enjoyed some great sunshine!! The first real uninterrupted sunshine of the rip with no rain!! It was heavenly.

We all enjoyed swimming in the ocean, playing in the waves, and just digging in the sand. It is so very peaceful. There was even a wedding taking place on the beach next to us!! I had to remind Eli not to do peacock sounds while they said their vows.

A really wonderful Canadian woman offered Maria a turn on her boogie board. THEN!! She just gave it to us. They were returning home that night, it was so very thoughtful. There are so many kind people in the world.

We went to a great little local restaurant for a take out picnic. I had a taro burger that was vegetarian and so yummy! It was funny because they had barricaded the beach but locals had just moved the barricades and the parking lot was full. As one local lady put it, they can't take away our right to the beach. FIGHT THE POWER.

Until we get sick.

Everyone was so kind to go back to Koko Steps to check if the cops were there. THEY WEREN'T!!!!!

So, without water or reapplying sunscreen... I had the best hike up ever!! I mile straight up. 1,200 feet in 1 mile with 1,050 steps.

Jody forced the kids to do a few steps... the teenagers were NOT happy. Eli could have done the whole thing but it was the going down that was tricky in spots!!

In fact there was one spot that was pretty treacherous. At least 50 steps over a ravine without any guardrail or something to hold on. I held my breath, said my prayers and took it one step at a time. Funny enough an old Asian woman was at the bottom of this part and clapped for me. 

On the hike we got to see a completely topless woman hiking. Good on you sister.

And of course at the top I said my prayer to God. He is so very good to me. The views were filling.

On the way home we stopped at a local grocery store called Foodland. Jody got poke and some spam sandwich.

Thursday - Pillbox, Laniki, and Laie Templevaca

Nina quote, "We trust you every time. And then every time it's harder and longer than you say. I don't know why we believe you!!!"

It really wasn't that bad... although shoes would have been helpful. And a bathroom for poor Ella.

Nina not happy. Maria not happy and not pictured. But oh how their annoyance brings me joy!

Then I've got my little ones who love every minute and are completely fearless! Let's go jump off a mountain!!

Fortunately I can keep up! Ha!

Loved the colors and the view. So fun!!

Laniki was off the charts gorgeous. Just surreal.

Only complaint, no bathrooms!!

We drove up North again to find bathrooms and see the temple. It was rainy and a bit cold.

However, nothing a little shaved ice and acai bowl and FUMI SHRIMP can't fix!!!

Beaches and eating. What else do you need??
Nothing I dare say.

Of course, as long as you are with the most fantastic people on earth.

On the way back to the leeward side, we happened upon Waimea falls. I had forgotten that they charged to let you hike up. $100 for all of us. Um... we'll pass. That's where I was blessed though as a baby!! Kinda cool!!

Sure, we run you ragged... but of course you still have energy and want to swim in the pool for a couple hours!!!

By this point in the trip the roosters on our condo premises are not my favorite. As well as the obnoxious noises the peacocks make.