Over the last several weeks, since we got home from Hawaii, I have been processing much wisdom I gained while we were there. Before Hawaii, I had been in the darkest depression of my entire life. I suffered my closest loss, and dealt with endless negative circumstances surrounding that loss. My life felt like it had a tangible darkness wrapped around it, blinding my eyes from seeing past my painful present, my heart from feeling anything but darkness, captivating my capabilities. The trip planning became a teensy speck of light, that grew brighter as we walked toward it. Our first evening in Oahu, we walked to secret beach to watch the sun set. As my little girls played on the sparkling shoreline, my two guys sharing a sweater ...
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homeschool update : from the heart
I had originally planned to write more in real-time about our experience with homeschool. I learned quickly though, how close it felt to my heart, and how vulnerable I felt as I shared. It's delicate knowing which parts of my story to tell, the parts of mine which overlap with theirs. We've made it over half way through the year, and we've been on a journey, for sure. In the summer, we were just figuring all this stuff out. By fall, I felt in a world of my own. My friends settled into their public school routines, while my new homeschool friends were well into their own groups and schedules, leaving us with a lot of time together. (which I guess is the point, right?) All was going well, but for me, I had a wave of ...
girls shared bedroom reveal | family home interiors
I am finally finishing up the girls shared bedroom! When we first moved into this family home, we had the two big girls in one room, the two babies in the other room, and the large room for a guest/media room. However, the three girls were constantly wanting to have a "sleepover" in the guest room, so we decided to switch up how we were using our spaces. Let me tell you, I LOOOOOVE changing up rooms so I can utilize them better. This is such a better use of our space, and the girls love their new room. It accommodates all their things to be able to host friends and play in there, too. I for one love having this little bachelorette pad at the end of the hall. I wish I could move in! It's what sisterhood dreams are made ...
tidbits from the island
Harlo - loving the island. Stoked about homeschool, and is doing well finding facts about the island and keeping up with learning while we're here. She did say today she was missing home a bit, but we're now in the last week of our trip, and so I think that's pretty dang good. She's had a blast playing in the water and stepping out of her comfort zone all the time. Stella - Would send for her things and live here forever. The island fits so nicely on Stella. I think she may love it the most. She is always down for any adventure, whether it is hiking to a look off, diving in the waves of the ocean, or jetting around the neighborhood on the golf cart. She is so go-with-the-flow, and full of love, ...
Settling into Oahu | traveling with kids
Where do I even begin with this place? It is more beautiful than I could have known was possible. I am stunned everywhere I go, every direction I look. Aside from the beauty, the slower pace of life here on the island has been a welcome surprise. It is calm here, and it's so easy to be full to the tippy-top with gratitude. Our first week here we adventured ALL over Oahu. In fact, on Sunday after church, we took a drive around the island, making stops along the way. We walked around the temple on the north shore, and watched the huge waves the storm blew in. On the sunnier days, we've spent hopping around from beach to beach. Wading with fish in sharks cove (which was more of a growing experience for ...
first week in Hawaii | traveling with kids
Our first handful of days traveling with the kids in Hawaii have been nothing short of a dream. We have gone beach hopping around our part of the island, eaten delicious food, soaked in the sun, and savored every inch of the beauty around us. It is SO beautiful here!! It seems too perfect to be real. The last couple of days we spent exploring the North Shore. We swam with fishes, spotted turtles, ate fish tacos from a truck stand, took a drive through the country. As I write, I'm on the Lanai having breakfast. The kids are working on some poetry for school. Soon we'll be suiting up and heading to the lagoons for a more relaxed day. The island has been good to us so far! ...
