the countdown is on!

In January of 2013 my brother Kevin and his family moved to Hawaii where he is currently stationed as an Officer in the Army Nurse Corps. Although I guess it is not THAT sad to have family in Hawaii, and that does come with its share of benefits, it was terribly hard to say goodbye and I miss them more than I can possibly explain. I used to drive down to San Diego to spend time with them at least once a month and now it has been almost a year since I last hugged my big brother! I went to visit for the first time in March of 2013 - I spent my 28th birthday in Paradise and it was perfect. I woke up to snuggles in bed with Madeline and ended the night at a luau. I will turn 29 in exactly 1 month. This year my birthday is on a Wednesday...and I will be a work...SUPER DISAPPOINTING. However, it is with GREAT excitement that announce the COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN. I am headed back to the island where dreams come true in May 2014 and I CANNOT WAIT!

My birthday trip to paradise was my first ever experience with Hawaii. Growing up, my family camped together, that was our definition of vacation. I still have never been on a plane with my mom and I flew with Dad for the first (and only) time in 2012 when we went to Texas for Kevin's OCS graduation. My childhood lied to me - HAWAII IS VACATION! I went to see my family more than I went to lie on the beach and drink frozen delights - but I did my fair share of both and it was the perfect way to usher in 28.

I arrived on a Sunday afternoon and my little M was so excited to see me - that might have been my favorite moment of the entire trip. She gave me a lei and then we spent some time in the car catching up and waiting for KC (Kevin & Jamie's cat was my travel companion - though I'm not sure he enjoyed the trip quite as much as I did). We had dinner together on base and I got the official tour of their new home. Kevin was working nights at the time, so off to work he went and Jamie and I settled in with a glass of wine to catch up and watch the season finale of the Bachelor (spoiler alert: Sean picked Catherine) - some things are exactly the same in Hawaii. On Monday we went to the Dole Pineapple Plantation - it was gorgeous and we had a really fun afternoon exploring and eating pineapple whip (which is just as good at Disneyland, in case you were wondering). Tuesday was my actual birthday and we started the day with breakfast in bed (I kept the homemade construction paper menu) and then headed to Pearl Harbor - a stunning and really powerful place. Now that Kevin is in the military, I have a lot more respect for the people who have fought for our freedom and the true sacrifices that military families make to protect our country. It is real in a whole new way now and I am so grateful I have become acquainted with this new level of gratitude - I am proud to be an Army sister. After naps we all got dressed (I put a giant bow on Charlotte) and then spent the evening at the luau where we went on a canoe ride, made flower headbands, ate delicious food, and watching those hula girls dance! Wednesday Kev had to work again, so we went bowling and then grabbed lunch at the Kole Kole before he had to go. Thursday Jamie and I took the girls to the beach in front of the Turtle Bay Resort. I jumped a lot of waves with Madeline and did a bit of snorkeling (which is SHOCKINGLY more difficult than I remember - I took scuba in high school - but I was not prepared for underwater breathing). On our way home, we stopped at Aikos for shaved ice - a North Shore specialty and one of Madeline's very favorite things. Friday was another huge highlight for me - we drove to Waikiki for dinner and then watched fireworks on the beach. There was something truly spectacular about feeling the sand between my toes while my hair blowing in the cool Hawaiian breeze, I could hear the ocean rippling and fireworks were illuminating the glorious palm trees. It was absolutely radiant. After the show, we went to the Hale Koa (where Kevin and Jamie lived for their first month in Hawaii) and spent some time in their barefoot bar. THAT evening was the encapsulation of vacation - sitting (drink in hand) with people I love most and soaking up the beach. Perfection. Saturday Kevin was off again, so we hiked Waimea Falls together as a family. The hike was easy enough and the surroundings were extraordinary. The grand finale was a stunning peacock strutting through, that is an exquisite animal. Sunday we all went to church, did some quick shopping, and then had Malasadas (Hawaii donuts) which are probably my very favorite Hawaii food even though the rest of my family wasn't crazy impressed. This girl loves a beignet and these were VERY reminiscent. Monday I said a very tearful goodbye (hugging Madeline at the airport was pure torture) and headed for home.

It was an incredible trip and I loved being there so very much. I have said many many times before, but Kevin, Jamie, Madeline & Charlotte are my people. They're my family. They get me. They love me unconditionally and I love them. I wish we got to spend more time together, but I definitely treasure and cherish the time we do get. So here it is, the start of the official countdown... 80 days until I'm back in paradise!