Aloha and Goodnight...

We are packing up and getting ready for our red eye flight tomorrow night. It's been a wonderful "escape" and we're ready to head home to our routines, friends and kitties. This trip has been a blessing and we are very aware of that. I think we surprised ourselves that "getting away" is wonderful but there is also something special about being amongst family and friends during all the craziness that makes up the Christmas season. Here are some final pics of our trip...Snow and a 50 degree drop in the temperature...here we come!

Cliff Jumping...Not for the faint hearted...

We discovered a new place today called, "The End of the World". It's a big volcanic field with a crazy lava path to some great jumping cliffs. We all jumped from 3 feet and then Josh and Jett jumped from 35 feet. It would be easy to freak yourself out by the big dark shadows deep beneath you in the ocean but instead we just kept our chin up and enjoyed the swelling ocean all around us as we bobbed up and down. Josh is more freaked out than the average octopus of the deep turquoise ocean...unless he has goggles so he can see what is coming to eat him. HOWEVER, he'll jump off any height of a cliff as long as he sees someone do it first...test dummy ya know. Jett added one more notch in his daredevil belt today...35 feet and counting!

Tuesday - Dry Land Day

We took a break from the water today to do laundry and enjoy the sun and get REALLY sweaty...Jessika got her first taste of real Hawaiian Shave Ice...such a wonderful invention!

Mauna Kea beach...finally...SAND!

We've discovered the Big Island is mostly volcanic on one side and jungle/rain forest on the other. We found this sandy beach 45 minutes away and were oh so happy...we're heading back soon. Check out the awesome pic of Sailor and her sailboat!

Christ's Birthday Is Nearing...Did You Know?

Were Mary's the first eyes you saw
Or did You remember choosing that shade of brown?
Were You surprised at the shepherd's crazy story
Or did You know You wrote the song the angels sang?

What was this life like for You?

Did You know?
Did the cross cast its shadow o'er your cradle?
Did You know?
Did You shudder each time Your hammer struck a nail?
Did you know?
How much heaven and how much earth
Were in this baby at His birth?
Did you know? Or did you wonder?

Did you remember the brightness of Your glory Or did You just notice it was cold and dark here?
Did You know Your name or did you have to be told?

Were You just a baby or were You as old as time?

What was Your life like?



***Can you imagine? Can you imagine what that baby knew upon His birth? Can you imagine if that 10 year old was preparing Himself for what was to come? I can't imagine...but how humbling and awe-inspiring. Close your eyes and breathe in each word from Mr. Agnew's song. Let His love overwhelm you this week. Maybe we can't know what His life was like but we can know what His life was for...it was for you and it was for me and I love Him wholly and completely for it...let us be an example of that overwhelming love...because we DO know!

yesterday continued..

Chase stripped down on the hike...too hot.

Snow, Oh No...We Wouldn't Know... :)

Yesterday was another energetic journey to Kiholo Bay to play with the turtles. We trekked 1.5 miles into the desert coming out in the oasis of the bay...palm trees, black rock beach and turtles... amazing sleepy turtles. The kids made friends, Josh explored and Jessie and I read...we are addicted to our books and are trying to finish them so we can take part in more of the festivities...Thanks to my Joyful, I will now be recommending, The Mermaid Chair, by S.M.Kidd, aka Secret Life of Bees author. Jessie is reading New Moon...the Twilight craze...

Here's a pic of our Christmas tree we made and our pretty lights we hung. Boogie boarding is calling our names today since it appears we might have some clouds for a few days. Love you all and thanks for keeping up on our Hamik O'Hana...I love the texts, emails and comments.