Two weeks of hotel living in Honolulu is about to come to a close. Our family has slowly adjusted to the time change of six hours. We’ve also enjoyed people watching in this diverse and very multicultural city. We’ve watched huge event parties staged under the palms in the beautiful parks along the beach. We’ve marveled at the amazing Banyan trees with enormous trunks ad draping vines. Today we visited the U.S. Army Museum, an old WWII battery here on the beach that was so indestructable that though they tried to demolish it in 1970, the wrecking balls couldn't make headway and they had to make it into a museum and keep the building.  My hankering for exotic foods long neglected in the Midwest has gotten me some Thai curry and great sushi. Connor’s the only family member who’s joined me in the sushi adventure…and I’m still getting my feet wet, so to speak.

The Lord must have decided that I was due for some big-time character refining in the HUMILITY department though. If anyone is tempted to think I'm anything other than a real-life mom or this blog only paints the glorious rainbow and sunshine life of familyhood....READ ON.  And you have my permission to laugh!  This is one of those memories I hope will be a laugh someday, but it's still fresh and I'm in recovery.  Yesterday Suza (who‘s been accident free for months I must disclaim) “didn’t make it” to the potty and I experienced the mortifying embarrassment of having one’s two and half year old’s “poopy” shut down a busy beachside resort pool for two and a half hours.

Yep.  My DS1 alerted me: "Suza said she needs to go potty, but it's too late!"  While I was leading the poor child from the water off to the bathroom to clean up, the whistles screeched and the pool SWAT team burst forth replete with orange cones and walkie-talkies. Everything in me wanted to stay hiding in that bathroom and sneak off to my hotel room. But I still had kids at the pool!  Upon returning, I watched, shrinking into my chair, as lifeguards convened, cleared the pool, put up the POOL CLOSED signs, whipped out notebooks to document the incident and looked around trying to figure out who the culprit was. With their dark sunglasses donned and communicators in hand, it felt like they were Storm Troopers. I hid behind the umbrella pole.  Could the patio please just swallow me up?  Janitors, chemicals and pool-cleaning tools appeared, and they cordoned off the sidewalk above the pool steps for disinfecting.  I reluctantly walked forward holding Suza’s hand and said, “Well, it was my child. I’m really sorry.” The lifeguard replied with strained politeness, “It happens.” I wanted to explain how really reliable she’s been for so long, but all I could do was mutely hunker away.

We watched as families slowly gave up the wait and left the pool, while others were turned away at the entrance with bewildered looks.   (Military families drive from all over the island to use this pool for free.  So I had the added guilt of knowing we'd ruined the day's plans for these folks.) We ourselves gave up waiting after an hour and a half. I think they were waiting to reopen till after we left just to punish us. Turning in our towels, I didn’t even want to have to make eye contact with more pool attendants, but the head lifeguard said to me kindly, “You know, nobody ever fesses up. Thanks for admitting to it.“

So, struggling to shake the guilt and bounce back to light-heartedness later that afternoon, I took myself shopping for consolation chocolate while the nappers napped in the air-conditioned room with big brother watching over them. Of course, the shopping trip included swim diapers--we’re not making this mistake again!   Hmmm...a year's probation in Little Swimmers?  A bag of Mauna Loa chocolate covered macademia nuts, caramel cluster turtles, twizzlers, an almond Snickers and my husbands sympathies have since worked wonders...

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Posted by TNMOMTOMANYBLESSINGS

Yes,,, it must have been one of thsoe days. i am not sure if I could ever laugh at something like that though. I am sure you are enjoying your time there besides the "incident". : )

Blessings,
maria

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Posted by Anonymous

Well, I would be lying if I said I didn't crack a little smile at your story, but with the day I have had, BELIEVE ME it was only a little one! I have never shut down a pool but I have had someone tell us in Chick-fil-A that our child wet herself while we were unknowingly eating right next to her!! And there beside us I could instantly hear the drip-drip of a humiliating accident. Oh, and the time same child threw up upon entering a Chick-fil-A right next to a family enjoying their meal and all over her sibling! That's one I still have a hard time thinking about much less laughing at!! I guess these stories are rights of passage, so to speak. I suppose we could wear their memory like a badge of honor and hopefully someday I will enough removed from it to be able to do that! Enjoy your chocolate and your sweet little ones! And try not to take the humiliation to heart! You are still such an encouragement to me! Love to all- Kelli Bragdon

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Posted by ClagettsFLStyle

What a wonderfully written entry. That was too funnny. I have been party to such an accident before.

Just a side note: My little daughter was ALWAYS great with the potty UNTIL pool time. For some reason, being in the pool activated certain parts of her body that she couldn't control. Before she knew it, there was an accident (#2 of course). It must have been just a maturity thing, because by the next summer it was gone. Don't know if that helps - might even not be the issue, but thought I would share in case it happens again.

Have a great week.

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Posted by nsremom

you gave me permission to laugh and I DID. hajhahjahah. That was hilarious. But, I agree with the guy....good for you for not slinking away. I bet nobody admits it frankly.

storm troopers? swat team walkie talkies? hahahahah That is still making me smile.

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Posted by Anonymous

Ok! I almost peed my pants reading of your incident (no pun intended!) Not because of what happened (my heart goes out to you!) but because of how you write! I can totally envision the Storm Troopers and you hiding behind the umbrella! Oh man. That made my night. You deserve an award for that one!

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Posted by Momof5littlewomen

I am so glad to read and see that you made it to HI safely! I absolutely LOVE the rainbow pictures. What an awesome reminder of our Lord's goodness!

My life is still crazy and I don't see a real end anytime in the near future. Even though I almost have my dad's business under control, there is still getting Mom moved, collectible cars and trains to sell, a house to sell and now we are being nutty enough to entertain the thought of selling ourself and buying some land. You will have to stay tuned on that front. I finally updated tonight and there are some pictures of my family so stop by when you have the chance.

June

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Posted by mom2fourtreasures

I can imagine literally how awful that must have been. When things like that happen, I just keep reminding myself that I am in the Lord's hands, and nothing in happens in my life without Him knowing or consenting to it happening. It makes me feel better knowing He knows what is going to happen in my everyday activities:) Thanks for your kind words on my blog. I take it you love tea cups. My dd has a pretty good collection going. Her grammy picks tea cups up at yard sales for her. They enjoy having that in common. I hope you have no more disasters at the pool. By the way, I love the vintage picture at the top of your blog. Is it hard to get pictures like that onto a blog? I love victorian things.
Have a wonderful evening.
In Christ,
Geanine

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Posted by Leigharev2

Kudos to you for being a good role model and admitting what happened. This lesson will go farther than we will ever know!

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Posted by chickadee

that makes me think of hazmat on the movie Monsters, inc. everyone rushing in with the orange cones and danger alerts! hilarious but i'm sure not to you. i would have been mortified too. poor you.

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Posted by callmekate

Believe or not, I didn't laugh. I cried for you. I'm so sorry you had this experience. I would have been equally mortified but I would have fessed up like you did, you did the right thing. By admitting it was your child, you impressed upon the workers there the importance of telling the truth and taking responsibility for the actions of your family. Well done! Now, let's pray that God will ease up on the humility lessons for awhile, o.k? And Praise the Lord for chocolate - it's truly a blessed gift!

Kate

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Posted by Anonymous

My poor Christa! Oh, that sounds so horrible. I'm thinking about one of my most embarrassing moments and can empathize with the sinking, stomach pit feeling. Hmmm, I'm wondering why they had to know WHO did it in the pool? Does it matter? Will they place a trail on little S, have the security guards watch out for her? Oh well, kudos to you for braving the poolside special forces.

I noticed that you didn't mention a Symphony bar. Because, due to YOU, I am now addicted and must admit it is one of my favorite candy bars. :) I hope they sell them in HI, if not, you have a care package coming you way!

~Al

p.s. Why is your hotel life nearly over? Did you find a house?!

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Posted by Anonymous

I noticed the eerie lack of photos of the poolside incident... Now THOSE might be some pics worth laughing over LATER. ; )

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Posted by EEEEMommy

Well we all know you're a "real" mom just like the rest of us, but I still think you're absolutely fabulous!
I'm so sorry for your misfortune! I hope you've recovered and haven't had any difficulty venturing back to the scene of the crime! Let us know if people start talking behind your back and pointing fingers as you enter. We'll be sure to get on the next flight to take care of them! :) I'm sure my dear husband would go for that, "Honey, I have to fly to Hawaii right away, my blog buddy needs me!" :)

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