The eastern sky is slowly brightening from darkness here on Waikiki at 5:30 am!  And we are slowly adjusting our bodies to Pacific Time Zone  Hawaiian standard time!!  We made it to Hawaii!!  I have to cheer a little. (I just got a lesson in time zones from my son and had to edit accordingly.  Thanks, CJ!)  This move was in the making for about 4 years, so looking out on the aqua blue waters of “paradise” from our “partial ocean view room” is making me pinch myself hourly. 

I’ll spare you the details of travel, except to say that it was far less excruciating than I dreaded it might be.  Our luggage trolley in Dulles airport was piled ten bags high after each bag had been carefuly weighed on the bathroom scale stationed in the foyer at home.  My brainy superman had to hold them up high so he could look down to “SEE THE NUMBERS!”  (Brian Regan??)   The children were such good travelers, and I whipped out word-finds, Sudoku, new Polly and Pet Shops, matchbox cars, and Color Wonder periodically throughout the flights.  Not to mention snacks.  Two five hour flights and no meals served on them!  What are the airlines coming to?  “No crackers.  This is United,” our flight attendant quipped dryly.  We had to laugh.

I told everyone that they were not allowed under any circumstance to drop a single thing on the floor of the airplane that they couldn't retrieve themselves.  Bending over my basketball sized stomach to reach between those seats spaced 28" apart was not an option, more accurately:  impossible!

An amazing Hawaiian greeting of leis and hugs awaited us from two dear families we’ve known for ten years.  How comforting to be received so heartily by familiar faces and check out the new faces of kids that have been born and grown, never yet seen by us.  They festooned our necks with the most fragrant flowers my nose has yet encountered.  So sweet.  It was such a great welcome.  (Thanks, aloha-pal!)  I could immediately feel the difference as we stepped out in the air…dense, warm, fragrant, tropical and moist. 

While there are lots of logistics ahead of us, such as retrieving our car today and finding the housing office, we hope to have a bit of time to savor our surroundings.  Ironically we were grouchy a lot yesterday and trying not to be.  There's nothing paradisial about not getting along with one's spouse. 

Well, I must go serve up our little mini-frig breakfast of cold cereal and milk to the troops and start the day.  Everyone has risen as I’ve typed and J has returned with a USA Today and some Starbucks.  Thankfully this hotel stay we get to have TWO rooms that adjoin, since the Navy will reimburse us as we look for housing.   Much less skwunchy!  (--made up word) I feel so richly blessed!  I'll post pictures as soon as I get them downloaded from the camera...

Before I sign off, here's a little tidbit I just overheard in the next room from the decisive voice of a troubled four year old:  "Hawaii is so boring.  There's no toys here."  Just in case you were thinking things were too idyllic to be true... 

Warm blessings to all of you.  I feel far away, yet happy. 

Christa

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Posted by ClagettsFLStyle

So glad you made it safely and are truly enjoying a blessed few new days in Paradise.

Can't wait to see pictures and here of some fun HI adventures.

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Posted by nsremom

Go Navy! How cool that you got TWO rooms. Can't travel without a suite at least, once you have a bunch of kids. It's just not comfortable.

So, is your baby going to be a Hawaiian?

lol.

My green eyed, dark blonde haired husband was born in Hawaii while his dad was in the miltary there. :) My native man.

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Posted by Anonymous

Our girls still haven't realized that S- won't just show up in their lives everyonce in a while!! I try to delicately explain the way of things but they happily hold on to hope that S- is a permanent fixture of childhood friends. Just think how much fun they would all have together now. Hope all the kinks get worked out quickly. I also hope some toys show up to liven up the HI experience for those kiddos! lol We love you guys and are praying God's blessings for each new step.-Kelli Bragdon

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Posted by EEEEMommy

Yeah! Hawaii! Think of how much fun it will be when we come visit! HAHAHA. Yes, first you in Hawaii, then on to Jerusalem to meet Maggie! Sounds like a great plan to me!!! Sigh!

From everything I've heard, Hawaii is such a happy Navy station! I pray that you have a wonderful time there. How great to be re-united with old friends. I have a couple of families of my own (Navy of course) that I would love to be re-united with. At least I know it will happen in Heaven if not here on Earth!

Looking forward to pictures,
Angel

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Posted by Dana

A hint here, a hint there ... it is about time you came right out and told us! Wow, amazing!
10 hours ... was it really as easy as you make it sound?
Congratulations on making touch down.

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Posted by callmekate

I'm so thankful you and your family have finally made it to Hawaii! I'll keep you in prayer. You are truly amazing, girl! Sounds like you still have your sweet spirit, after all the travel and all. I hope things work out smoothly for you, getting the car and finding a place to live. I'm glad you have friends there already. What a blessing! I look forward to hearing about your "paradise" in future blogs. Hang Loose (isn't that what they say in Hawaii?) and God bless!

Kate

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Posted by Anonymous

Hey, great to hear you made it with little problems! Enjoy the beach and all the fun at Hale Koa. We stayed there for a couple of nights back when I met Mom there for an R&R during VNam cruise. I'm sitting here on the front porch swing at WSS enjoying almost spring-like wx (finally!). We feel great if it just gets up to 60!! We miss you! I guess you really are far away. H says Hi. He looks forward to coming out. Love from both of us. Dad

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Posted by Anonymous

So good to hear from you! I've been wanting to call you, but I didn't know your cell phone situation and if Hawaii calls would rack up some big fees for you. Glad to hear the trip went smoothly. I was praying for you guys! I pray all goes well with the housing search, and that you find a place before your family increases in number. ;) I miss you!!
~Al
p.s. Titus update--he's huge! off the charts for weight and 97th percentile for length (15lbs 10oz, 25 in) he's talking quite a bit and smiling a lot as well; also, still sleeping through the night! (with some disturbances, of course)

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Posted by Anonymous

I just found your blog and I am really enjoying it. My name is Kimberly and we live in Northern California-where, by the by, it is cold and rainy today.
Congratulations on completing the first part of your move. Since my dh has been in the AF, we have moved only three times-we moved 11 times before he was in-and it is definitely an adventure. (especially with little ones) I can't imagine being pregnant while doing it! Hope all goes well with your housing situation. Wishing you a lack of mold and lots of beautiful sunsets! :)

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Posted by Leigharev2

Congratulations on making the move! We have been talking about this for some time, and actually met up with an agent while vacationing on Maui this past January. We are really struggling with making it happen financially, though. I look forward to checking in with you and seeing how you are settling. BTW, I have an aunt and uncle that live in Ko'olina...

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Posted by Anonymous

Congratulations! That was, I'm sure, an AMAZING feat for all of you! You deserve all that the tropical breezes, sun, and smells have to offer you. I'm a little sad though...you seem so FAR now! Thank goodness for the internet to keep us updated! Hope you find a house that "fits." Happy new adventure!

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Posted by Anonymous

Yay, you made it!! I'm so glad the kids did well. I had similar tummy issues when we flew to CO in Feb. for my grandma's funeral, and those flights weren't anywhere near as long as yours! I also look forward to pictures. What incredible beauty there! I pray the housing search goes quickly and smoothly!

Claire
www.psalm127.blogspot.com

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Posted by mrssulli

Wow - I have a lot of catching up to do - last time I read your blog you were enjoying the beaches of Florida! I'm happy to see your basketball belly is just as much fun to bend over as mine :) I've resorted to asking my girls to help with any low activities. It is just physically impossible to get around! Funny, I don't remember this from my other pregnancies... The Lord is so good with helping us forget the aggravations! Enjoy Hawaii - and keep us posted, it sounds so exciting!

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