This is the view of the base golf course off of the lanai.

We have finally arrived in Hawaii! After a long month of packers and travel, it’s nice to finally feel as if we are on the road to getting settled again. We arrived Saturday at around 5:00 p.m. after a very long and arduous flight. The boys did great on the flight from St. Louis to Dallas. However, after that, things went downhill for Brody. Luke fell asleep for the first three hours of the flight. Brody, on the other hand, didn’t sleep AT ALL. After having gotten up at 5:30 a.m., the poor little guy was exhausted. He was loopy, mean, tired, grumpy, silly, and just plain difficult. I know the people around us were ready to get off the plane. We were “that family” that everyone kept giving dirty looks. Trying to get Brody to sit for the approach into Honolulu was a bit like trying to wrestle an alligator. I literally have large bruises all over my legs from where he was kicking me. As soon as we got off the plane, he fell asleep.

Tom’s sponsor and his wife picked us up from the airport, and we checked in to our temporary house without any problems. It’s an older (think 1960’s) furnished three bedroom townhouse. I think it is old staff NCO housing. It’s a pretty good size and has an amazing view of the golf course. There is a wonderful little park across the street, and we’ve already been there four times. The boys love it, and I love it too because it helps tucker them out. Upon our arrival, a friend brought us some milk and cereal and such to get us through the night and the next morning. It was a godsend to have such a gift.

The kitchen and dining room.

The funky 1960’s lamp. Who in the world thinks orange and yellow are good together?

I went to the commissary yesterday. Let’s just say that if groceries are “cheap” at the commissary, I’d hate to know what they cost out in town. For example, I had been getting the boys organic milk in NC. It ran about $3.50 per half gallon at the commissary and Sam’s Club. When I went to pick some up yesterday and noticed it was $5.50, I decided that the organic milk wasn’t feasible anymore given the large volumes of milk these two little monkeys consume. They had another brand ($5 a gallon) that doesn’t use growth hormones, so I went with that. It was fun to look at all of the different Hawaiian brand foods that are on the shelves. They actually sell Hawaiian animal crackers--think dolphin, whale, octopus, etc. Pretty cute.

The weather has been warm mixed with clouds and a bit of rain every now and then. It is windy all the time. I’ve noticed that when the wind blows through the palm trees it sounds like rain.

We are going to go exploring this weekend, so there will be more to come. Thanks for all of the well-wishes and know that we miss everyone!

Saying Goodbyes

Yesterday and today have been busy days for goodbyes, and quite frankly saying goodbye sucks. With military friends, you expect to have to say goodbye to them, but you know that there is a pretty good chance you will see them again. Maybe because we have lived here so long I was under the delusion that I’m from here. This place has become my home. When we drove in to Jacksonville in the dark of the morning in January of 1996, those are words I never thought I would say. However, this place has become a part of me, and saying goodbye to my friends who are from here has been harder than I imagined. Yesterday I saw my friend Marlene, who was my first assistant principal when I moved here. It hadn’t really dawned on me that I’ve known her as long as I have until I went to say goodbye to her yesterday. She knew me when I was a 24 year old just married girl who moved here and has seen me through five deployments. She’s also seen me go from teacher to administrator to mom. I also saw Jennifer yesterday, who was a teacher when I was a principal. She and I are cut from the same cloth and could probably pass for sisters based on some of our “hang ups.” It’s been fun to see her become a mom and then get to see our kids play together. Today I saw Cleo first. What can I say about Cleo other than she is one of the most loving generous people I have had the honor of knowing. She’s simply the greatest. She taught me more than she knows through her quiet example. Then I had lunch with Linda and Marilyn, great friends from my White Oak days. I know that when I’m with them I will always leave with my cheeks hurting from laughter. They are friends who simply make me feel good when I’m with them, at ease and able to be myself. My day ended with Judi (pictured above). From Judi I’ve learned just exactly what is meant by strength of character. She exemplifies this quality more than anyone I’ve ever known. As I write this, my eyes are filling with tears. I have been very blessed with wonderful friends who have become more like my family.

The Adventures of Captain Christmas

I wrote this for my nephew in 2005 based on pictures that my brother had taken of him the previous Christmas. The pictures told such a story, I just couldn’t resist! Enjoy! (Now my challenge is to come up with something just as cute for the boys!)

Once upon a time in a far away land, a little boy woke up Christmas morning much earlier than his parents had planned.

With a smile on his face and joy in his heart, he quickly began tearing his presents apart!

There were boxes full of Christmas toys with special stuff for little boys.

He couldn't believe his sleepy eyes, for each box held an even better surprise.

He played with stuff both large and small, while his daddy took pictures of each moment all.

Buttons, bells, and Sponge Bob too, it was almost too much for one boy to do.

He played with each toy every one, but it wasn't long before the fun was done.

His daddy, being oh-so-clever, planned a special caper using the leftover Christmas paper.

Daddy put him on the paper down on the ground and quickly pulled him all around.

The boy smiled and giggled and laughed some more, as through the air he pretended to soar.

His silly daddy even took the paper and used it to see what the boy might look like dressed as a Christmas tree!

Then all of the sudden what did appear, the little boy and his dad donned in super hero gear!

For Christmas was in danger of being over too fast; it was up to Captain Christmas to make the fun last!

Captain Christmas flew all around the living room keeping away any Christmas doom.

He flew from here, he flew to there spreading loads of Christmas cheer.

The Captain and his dad were both handsome and silly and goofy and strong, surely saving Christmas would not take too long.

Their smiles full of teeth so shiny and white were making sure Christmas was happy and bright.

Saving Christmas was hard work and lots of fun; it seemed quite clear Captain Christmas' work was done.

He had worked really hard and done his best, but it was now time for the Captain to take a rest.

He declared with delight when his work was done, "My daddy sure is lots of fun!"

"We saved Christmas, we saved the day, we had fun and found time to play. The presents are open our work here is through, now there is only one thing left for us to do. We'll get dressed and put on our clothes, and down the street to Nana and Papa’s house we'll go. There are more presents to open more fun to be had, I cant wait to tell them all the adventures we've had. I know they have presents to open up too, we need to hurry because there’s lots left to do. Aunt Roo Roo, Uncle Pig, Uncle Darren and Aunt Dee, I know they all can’t wait to see me. I cant wait to see them because I love them I do, they are the best family a super hero could have, and that's true."

So with his work all done he was dressed and ready to go; the only thing that could have made the day better was a little bit of snow!

For Christmas had come, Christmas was here, and the boy was sure the best Christmas would be this year!