Dave and I have been to many places together in our lives, but we've put off Hawaii because we heard it was really "touristy". Well we ended up loving it, tourist traps and all! It is certainly no Tahiti, but we're happy to get to go anywhere these days! We stayed in Waikiki at a great resort that had all the comforts of home.

The hardest thing about our trip was leaving Isaiah behind. But he had a wonderful time at home bonding with Grandma and Grandpa. We talked to him every day and we could hear how happy he was to be with them in his excited little voice. Grandma and Grandpa informed us that he took our picture to bed with him and kissed us goodnight every night. So sweet.

The nice thing about Waikiki is the public transportation. We are budget travelers these days and didn't want to have to rent a car. It costs $25 a day to just to park, on top of your rental fee! We ended up taking the bus everywhere. For $2 you can go just about anywhere on Oahu! We also liked meeting the locals and really seeing the island by bus. It gives you a different perspective. And think about this, all that time waiting for the bus would have been time spent getting lost anyway!

We really enjoyed going to the Polynesian Cultural Center. We learned so much, saw so much, ate so much and capped the night off with a fantastic show! It was quite amazing- all the main cultures of Polynesia in one show! It ended with an amazing Samoan man dancing with fire. It was incredible!

Being preggie limited us a little bit. We would have loved to do cage swimming with the sharks, hiking on volcanoes and a helicopter ride, but we'll have to save those things for later. We still had a very adventurous trip!

One of the best things we did was snorkeling at Hanuama Bay. This beautiful sealife preserve is home to some incredibly huge and colorful fish! We saw parrotfish that were more than half the size of me! They were so close we could touch them (but didn't dare- have you seen their beaks chomping on coral?). Other fish we saw were: Humuhumunukuku... something or other or the Hawaiian state fish (trigger fish), Hawaiian cleaner wrasse, Spotted toby fish, Angelfish, and many types of butterfly fish. The bay is also full of sea urchin and sea cucumbers. Snorkeling was actually one of the best things I've done while prego. I'm actually better at it then when I'm not pregnant. I think the extra belly weight keeps me anchored so I don't get knocked around by the waves so much! Plus, there is no back pressure, hip pain or foot fatigue. We stayed out there for hours (or until I had to pee). We ended up going two different days because we had so much fun!

One thing we didn't get a picture of was Hawaiian plate lunch. This horribly fattening, artery clogging delight was one of our main cravings while we were there! Our favorite was the Moco Loco. It is white rice topped with hamburger patty topped with a sunny side up fried egg, drowning in gravy with a side of macaroni salad. Sounds disgusting?!? I know, but don't knock it till you try it! MMM MMM good!

Well as they say, all good things must come to an end. Our last day was a travel day and after our last plate lunch we were headed to the airport. This day found me the same as the first day out, a weepy mess missing my little boy. Nothing is like coming home to your child!

As nice as Hawaii was for a couple (and a baby to be) it would be wonderful for a family. It is very family friendly and we hope to bring the kids back next year! So Hawaii, Aloha and Mahalo for a great time!

The article was written for the North County Times. Isaiah is quoted in the 4th paragraph.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/04/08/news/coastal/3_11_114_7_07.txt

MOPS

Hi All,

It's time to raise money for the AWESOME ministry of MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers). MOPS has really been a wonderful organization to be a part of - what could be better than growing to be the BEST MOM you can be?!?!

Please, please support me in this awesome program. I love going to MOPS and feel so blessed and enlightened. I really feel that it is God's will to help me be the most gracious, fufilled mother and wife.

We are fundraising on behalf of the moms in our community and to raise money for our MOPPETTS teachers; who dearly love our children, to support scholarships, and other events that give towards our moms who's worth is far above rubies.

If you feel you would like to sponsor our MOPS group, please go to this site -http://www.firstgiving.com/horizonmops

It's easy and tax deductible.

Thanks again everyone!

Love,
Eileen

Proverbs 31:28 "Her Children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her"