Wow! I thought I'd have more time when the kids were all in school, but it seems to be going faster and faster! Chad and I have been back from Hawaii for 2 weeks now! I hate that it goes so fast. It was a wonderful trip and a great opportunity to see my parents. We were also able to spend several days with my oldest brother, sister-in-law and one of my nieces. One of the most memorable things about the trips was finally being able to snorkel. I am terrified of the ocean, yet LOVE the ocean. (I must've seen Jaws one too many times!) I am a bit claustrophobic as well, but once I put my face in the water--it was so AMAZING! The first time I tried was with my brother's family. Chad, Laura, and Ashley had not problem. (Craig doesn't snorkel.) We were in a preserve area where you couldn't touch anything, including ALL of the coral reef. So I panicked and quit. The water was only to about my thighs, but because I couldn't stand up and I headed the wrong direction and couldn't get to any sandy area, I'd had enough. I was really glad that I tried again the next week with my dad and Chad. They were trying an area called Shark's Reef first. I just watched--I'm not sure if it was the name or the BIG waves that scared me off :) Anyway, that proved too rough for them and so we went to the tide pools right by. (No sharks allowed in there!) I almost couldn't do it because Chad told me he almost put his hand on a sea urchin! Not knowing what they were, but knowing what they could do, I panicked. I soon saw one (there were hundreds of them) and realized they weren't sitting on top of the corral waiting to get me, they were hidden in holes, I was okay. However, I still panicked when I got in thick areas of corral because there were tons of them. I was able to see quite a few cool fish. It was amazing to me that we could talk and understand each other under the water, but out of the water I couldn't understand anything! I've rambled enough, but it was an amazing experience.

We went on many hikes while there and also enjoyed the Polynesian Cultural Center. I would love to go back and visit again, but maybe in the colder months! I have a wonderful mother-in-law who happily took our kids for 10 days! Now we are home and catching up with life. Football is over and wrestling doesn't start for another week, so this has been a calmer week. I'm glad the kids enjoy sports so much, but it gets tiring. I will try to be better at posting--all though I notice I'm not the only one that needs to improve!!!!!!!!!!!