Moakalakaleauke....

ALOHA!

Tomorrow (and for 8 days),
my family and I will be doing some of this... building some of these...
learning to do this...
watching some of this...enjoying views like this...

and even this...
and pretty much doing a lot of this...as long as we don't come back looking like this, we'll be okay...so have a good week and remember to...

I'm TOO excited to sleep!!

This video is PERFECT and describes what I am going through. I seriously feel like a kid on Christmas Eve having to go to bed so Santa Claus will come.

Kevin and I tucked Brooklyn into bed shortly after 8 a.m. last night. Then, the real festivities began! Packing! I will admit that I love, love, love to pack; to find new ways to stuff everything in; to prove that I only need two suitcases and not more; to get everything organized before it finds its place beneath the elastic arms that hold everything put. This is all very exciting to me! Maybe it's because I know that my impending vacation is very close by as I don't pack weeks in advance, just days. So, there we were with two suitcases, two pairs of tennis shoes, a Dora the Explorer boogie board, a travel booster seat and piles of clothes. My first plan on attack, get Kevin's tennis shoes packed, because they are so big (size 11). I put my size 6 tennis shoes in as well, and we were off...shirts, shorts, skirts... One suitcase down, one to go. Boogie board, Brooklyn's apparel, a few leftover Mommy & Daddy clothes, and then the travel booster seat. And, then, it hit, uh oh, out of room for our getting ready stuff (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc.)

I proclaimed to Kevin that I will just repack because I really didn't want to have to check a smaller third bag. Yuck! So I popped open the first suitcase that already had it's lock on it, and began reorganizing, rethinking wardrobe choices, pulling things out and leaving them behind. Kevin sat there watching the Rockies game, with much doubt that my repacking would make any difference. I got more in the first one, and when I got along to the second one following the same restructure plan, I ended up with plenty of room for our getting ready stuff. Ha Ha! I won the suitcase challenge! I wanted to take only two suitcases, and that will now work. Yeah!!

After working on the carry-ons for a bit, we watched a little TV (we had DVR'd Kid Nation..that will have to be another post!) and then headed to bed. At 12:30, I sat up wide awake. I couldn't get back to sleep. Kevin was snoring very lightly, Brooklyn was deep in a sleep and Shiloh was passed out on Brooklyn's floor. I read a magazine for a little bit, but then decided to go to the office and download all the pictures off the camera to clear our memory card. I decided to email myself a few pictures that I had on the camera, so I went online and took care of that. Still not feeling tired, I headed downstairs to watch some TV. I got the notion to go ahead and set our DVR to tape our shows while we're away. I got that done, and watched a little TV, until 2:30 a.m. when I finally decided I should just go to bed and keep my eyes shut. After all, I do have to work today. So I laid there for about thirty minutes and the last time I remember looking at the clock, it said: 3:00 AM. When the alarm clock when off this morning, I was ready to get up and get going. I'm not even feeling tired today. Too much adrenaline and excitement I guess!!

I am just TOO excited to sleep!! I know, I'm such a big kid!

Nice Matters Award

I have been given an award by Crystal at Praying Mom of 3 last month, and this is the first chance I had to get something up here.

The Nice Matters Award is given to "those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you've been awarded please pass it on to others who you feel are deserving of this award."

First, I must thank Crystal for her kind words. Crystal initiated our blog-a-ship, and started commenting, offering support and lifting my family up in prayer. She is a mother of three beautiful children; two girls and one boy, and gets the joy of being a stay-at-home-mom. She's striving to be a good Christian mom and wife, and is willing to share life's ups and downs with the world wide web. So, again, thank you Crystal for humbling me.

Now, it's my turn to pass the award along.

Steve at Under the Seats is the first recipient. Steve is a real-life friend. I met him almost three years ago as he is one of my husband's co-workers. He's a very down-to-earth guy who will be there always for friends and family. The minute you meet him, he becomes your friend and is truly interested in your life. He's my email buddy as we'll exchange emails pretty much each week about the happenings in our respective lives, weekend plans or just fun stories to share. He even agreed immediately to being our "taxi driver" to and from the airport in a few days, as long as he doesn't have to paint his car yellow!

Let's move on to Jenn at Knee-Deep in Munchkin Land. Jenn is another real-life friend. We have been friends since before we were born as our parents have been the best of friends since before they were married. So, a long time! Jenn is the friend who helped me dig into my first birthday cake on my grandparents' lawn. She's the kind of friend that will always be there for you through thick and thin. She has a very kind spirit, and in fact, when we lost touch for a few years, she rebooted our friendship by attending my wedding. Her and her husband are Brooklyn's godparents and are pure examples of living for Christ.

Next is Jess at O Mama Mia. I "met" Jess through Jenn. Jess is Jon's cousin. Jess has the most adorable little girl, who she calls Starlet. Jess' honesty about her struggle with infertility when trying to conceive a second child was heart-wrenching. But, last week, she posted amazing news that yes, indeed she is expecting her second child!! I am so happy for her and her family, because I think she is an amazing mom. She gets to stay at home with Starlet, and comes up with all kinds of fun projects for them to do that I am definitely taking notes on. I also absolutely love the conversations between Starlet and Mommy or Daddy that Jess posts. Gives me a heads-up to what to look forward to with Brooklyn!

On to Zac at Fisher's Creel. In 2008, Zac will be my BIL (brother-in-law) as he is marrying Kevin's sister, my sister-in-law, Kristi. Even though Zac hasn't posted anything on his blog since December 2006, and I found it through Kristi's blog, he still deserves this award. First, let me say that I am so glad that Zac will be joining our family! Zac has introduced Kevin and I to the world of fishing, something neither of us have ever tried. A month ago, we went to Zac's family's cabin in Wyoming to go fishing. Zac has two rods, and willingly gives each up for the experience to teach us how to fish. He has a very calm manner of teaching, and doesn't care how many time I get the line stuck in the tree or how many times Kevin casts the wooly bugger off. Beyond all that though, he makes Kristi happy, and as her "big sis" I am glad she has him.

And, last but definitely not last in my book, there's Kevin, my dear sweet husband at No Means Know. (Disclaimer to Kevin: I know that your blog is connected with your job, but I couldn't give other bloggers an award without recognizing the man who I choose to share my life with.) Our family of three, four with the pup, wouldn't be complete without him. We've been together 10 years, and have known each other for 17 years. No one can make me laugh harder than him. He's truly the love of my life. Nothing is sweeter than watching him and Brooklyn interact, it makes my heart just melt. And, if you have never checked out his blog, you really should. He has a unique take on current events and even children's television.

So there have it... and, Steve, Jenn, Jess, Zac and Kevin, post this award, or not, it's your choice, just know that each of you are special to me!

On a side note: I really wish this award would encompass those non-bloggers too, but it doesn't, and I am trying to play by the rules.

Zip zip zipping along...

In the midst of me stressing over illnesses in my household, wondering when my family members would get better, wanting to make them feel better right now, and not really wanting to work on a Tuesday, I talked to my mom about our Maui trip.

We have all tossed ideas around about doing a fun, adventurous activity for some time now. I mentioned that we should try a zip line tour, after kayaking with the sea turtles was turned down because of the fear of swimming with animals and my husband's dislike for kayaking.

After much consideration and discussion, I just booked our reservation on the zip line tour. For those of you not familiar with a zip line, here's the Wikipedia (wink, wink Kev) definition...
"Zip-line consists of a pulley suspended on a cable mounted on an incline. They are designed to enable a user propelled by gravity to traverse from the top to the bottom of the inclined cable, usually made of stainless steel, by holding on or attaching to the freely moving pulley. Zip-lines come in many forms, most often used as a means of entertainment. They may be short and low, intended for child's play and found on some playgrounds. Longer and higher rides are often used as a means of accessing unusual areas (a rainforest canopy for instance) or found at outdoor adventure camps where they are usually one element on a larger challenge or ropes course." NOTE: for those of you with kids, think the show Go! Diego Go!
Our tour is definitely not something you would find on a playground! We'll be soaring over gulches and through the trees along the slopes of one of the world's largest volcanoes. The tour blends a short hiking experience with five zip line crossings, an “Indiana Jones” style swinging bridge, and an introduction to Hawaii’s unique and fragile landscape. The tour website promises a one-of-a-kind adventure giving us memories that we'll "talk about for years to come."

I just got the email confirmation and in the notes section, it says "customer should not have an extreme fear of heights." Well, I am pretty afraid of heights in that I won't go more than 2-3 rungs on the ladder at any given time, but this is going to be an adventure, so I'm all in!

Fall Lineup...right around the corner

Our household doesn't watch an exorbitant amount of television. However, I'll admit there are those shows that we have become addicted to. Ones that we have on a pedestal, where we know each character intimately as if they were our real life best friend. Some of these shows came with being married, others we discovered as a couple, or introduced to one another. For the most part, it's one to two shows a night Monday through Thursday that we just have to see. And, over time, our shows have changed as several have been either canceled or have run their course, and are no longer apart of our weekly lineup, and their time slots have been replaced by a new show.

Mondays
Past: 7th Heaven (ran its course), WB/CW; Everwood (canceled)WB
Now: Prison Break (ready to start its 3rd season - this show is one of my favorites), Fox

Tuesdays
Past: Gilmore Girls (sadly, very sadly the show was canceled), WB/CW
Now: ?? - No clue

Wednesdays
Past: Dawson's Creek (canceled), WB; Smallville (moved to Thursdays, lost our interest) WB/CW; The Apprentice Martha Stewart (ran one season in 2005...I only watched this!), NBC

Now: One Tree Hill (will premiere their 5th season in January 2008, used to be on Tuesday nights - one of my favorites!), WB/CW

Thursdays
Past: Friends (ended after 10 amazing seasons), NBC; The Apprentice (would watch if it were on...I personally love Donald Trump!), NBC; Joey (canceled, but hey, we were BIG Friends' fans!!), NBC
Now: The Office (4th season starts September 27 - Kevin's absolute favorite), NBC


We tune into other shows that are on from time to time such as: CSI (the original); Buffy the Vampire Slayer (reruns), ER (it's just changed to much for us to watch all the time); Beauty and the Geek (1st season only -- with the annoying Richard!); The Girls Next Door (I think this show is pretty silly!), and on and on. Who hasn't tried watching a different show now and then again though, right!?! However, none of these shows held that "special" place with us to commit us to tuning in week after week to see what the characters were up to.

So, what's the point of this post? We're excited about the new fall TV season and all the season premieres...

Are we sad?

17 days and counting...

We're heading to Hawaii, the island of Maui, for 9 glorious days in paradise! It's going to be a family vacation as 7 of us are going: Kevin, Brooklyn, my Mom, Dad, Grandma, Sister and I. All of us are very excited, and can't wait for the day to be here. It will be so nice to sink our toes in the sand. Here are some pictures of where we are staying...are you drooling, Mom??

This is the resort we'll be staying at.
The pool is the largest in Kihei.

Our condo is 60 steps from the beach...
and you can take a 5-mile walk once you get on the beach.

Oceanside tennis courts!
I have already challenged my Dad to a match.

Isn't the grass really green!?!

Oceanside BBQ grills...how fun!!