We are finally leaving Paradise...and RETIRING!!!

It's only been a WHOLE YEAR since my last blog, and so much has happened.  I am sure most of you have been kept up to date with following us on Facebook or from speaking to us, or some other way.  We are finally leaving the island next week, and making the long process of retirement in Massachusetts.  Due to our lovely bulldog members, we have to transport them from LA to Mass on our own.  All the airlines now have either totally banned this breed from flying, or there is a huge summer embargo going on till like October.  Or, we could pay a fortune for a pet nanny to do it all for us, but we decided we will make the most out of a cross country trip with them.  (We may lose it along the way, but hey... memory making right?)  Since we are departing the island next week and we begin the long journey, I wanted to update the blog again so I can track our travels and adventures.. Fun times ahead.

If you don't already know, we had another litter from Lulu in March.  She had 5 beautiful puppies again.  3 girls and 2 boys.  We have rehomed them all and sometimes we kick ourselves for not keeping any, however, they are making other families happy like ours do.  We absolutely love this high maintenance breed, and couldn't imagine our lives now without bulldogs in them.  And of course chihuahuas too.  And Great Danes.  These are the three best breeds ever.  Since working at the vet clinic, I have come to know a lot of breeds and the different personalities of them all, and there's just something about the snoring, heavy breathing, and flatulence that we love so dearly ha!





















This litter was just absolutely amazing and they each had the best personalities.  We all had so much fun watching this litter grow, making some awesome memories of them each, and then forming tight bonds with their new families. This is something we definitely take pride in and I can see us possibly doing it again in the future.  (Way in the future)


We have done some last minute sightseeing in these last few months.  Hikes.  Drives.  Things that we never did previously.  The hikes didn't go so well, as we have two teenagers that hate anything that makes them sweat.  It truly is so beautiful here and that will be one of the many things I will miss about it.  I will miss the floral and tropical sights, the sound of the ocean waves, the smell of suntan lotions, and the amazing views around the island.  Here are some pics from our last hike.









This was the last hike we did as a family to Kaena Point.  It's the westernmost tip of the island.  Here there is a albatross bird sanctuary.  You can also see monk seals along some of the tide pools here on this coast.  Some of the most beautiful sites I think I have ever seen to be honest. 







 










Maddie and Mason both finished school and have been promoted onto the next grades.  Maddie is now officially a high schooler, OMG a Freshman, and Mason is a JUNIOR!  Where have my babies gone? I can remember these two when they were just in diapers and pullups, now they will be getting licenses and checking out colleges.  I am not sure that i am a fan of this stage of life for these teenagers.  I can only pray that this next school year is better for them then these last two and a half were. Here is Maddie's little graduation photo.  I absolutely love it.  As for Mason, there was no ceremony this year as a sophmore, so I am sure when his high school graduation comes, there will be  tons of pictures to come.





And its FINALLY that time again.  We are packing up and moving again.  Only this time, it's forever.  We have decided that Massachusetts will be the permanent home of record and retirement.  No more moves.  No more uprooting the kids from the school.  No more flying dogs across oceans.  Just finally a place to seriously call Home and plant roots into the world.  I can't wait.  Not only is Tim excited for what is to come next in this chapter of our lives, but to be a Civilian again.  Wow, this will be interesting.  We just ask for positive vibes and good prayers during this time of our transitioning.  It will be a HUGE difference from what we have been doing for the last 17 years.  Our kids only know this life too, and this will be a change for them as well.  No more military schools and military kids.  They will now go to a school where kids have been in the same school district since kindergarten.  Like I said, very new to them.  I, on the other hand, have big dreams for our future.  I won't get into detail but it definitely has something to do with my love for my dogs lol.  Here's to the future and to dreams coming true!

















Oh yah, can't wait to unpack all of this again!!!  Says no one ever!!!















Until next time... Coming from somewhere on the mainland =)

Run Hockenberry's RUN

So, my last blog which was in the beginning of April, basically was a rundown of all that has happened and what was about to happen.  April 10th was the BIG DAY.  My first ever Half Marathon!!!  Wake up was super early and that is NEVER a fun thing for me, ha!  However, I think with all the nervous excitement that I had going on and all the adrenaline that I was also pumped with, waking up at 0400 was no biggie.  We set the coffee pot the night before, because coffee is a MUST for anything.  Had Tim and my race outfits prepped and ready to go.  Made sure the bibs were in the car, headphones, phones, gels, water, sweat rags, etc was ready.  It was go time!  Once getting to the race, parking was NUTS.  No wonder why they tell you to arrive about 45 min prior to the start just to look and find parking.  Finding a spot wasn't too bad, (as long as we didn't get towed) and we then proceeded to the restrooms before the starting line.  OMG, the bathroom lines are ridiculous before a race.  I really never seen them bad before any of the 5 or 10k's I normally did.  So I guess I wasn't thinking they were going to be the way they were....  Needless to say, I had to pull a camping squat and pee between some trees before the start.  I'm not proud but I am also not patient!

And here we were.  In this massive crowd that not only made me nervous to be mixed in with, but also amazed at some of the runners that were there.  It was surreal and I just was so excited to begin. There were so many people from all over, not just here in Hawaii.  There were runners of all sorts.  One's that take running way too seriously (doing some crazy warming up and running miles BEFORE the half even started..), and then there were the walkers, strollers, and just people who were there to be a part of it and say they did it (like me).  It was awesome.  And while I hadn't run such a long distance since being in Basic Training, I am surprised at my endurance and drive to complete it.  Tim and I hung in and only walked uphill at the 10-11 mile marker, and that was it.  We finished with times of around 2:20.  For a first timer, that ROCKS!

Rocks so much that when we came home, I signed us up for a few more races.  The Metric Century Bike Ride, which took place on North Shore Oahu.  Then the Pineapple 10K, which when you finished this race, you were not only given a tee shirt and a medal, but a YUMMY Hawaiian pineapple.  And yes, while most people would rather get a pineapple at the store, this one was well worth the 6.2 mile run.  Then the best of all, I signed us up for ANOTHER half marathon.   Can I just say how much I love running?  Here are some pics from the ride we completed that was a first for both Tim and I.  Our bike rides have consisted of fun sightseeing rides, or maybe at the most--30 miles while we lived in Oklahoma.  This one was a doozy but what a beautiful experience.  It would have been a lot better if it was sunny that day and not windy but hey! We did it!

And we were only gonna do the 50.... Ha, we did the full!

Then the Pineapple 10K.  This one took place around some of the pineapple fields.  It wasn't very pleasant out at all.  Very humid and gross.  I was happy to get this one over with.  You would think after doing a half, that 6 miles would be cake.  Nope.  Just wasn't feeling this one at all.  Plus, it really wasn't in a beautiful area.  Maybe if it was along the beach or something?

And FINALLY, half marathon number 2 in the books!!!  This one I already knew what to expect with 13.1 miles, however, it was still awesome.  We got their good time, waiting forever in line for a port-potty... And then got right to the start and began.  I think the euphoria of the first one I did wore off by now, and I wasn't as thrilled as last time, but we still completed it.  I must've had so much adrenaline going that I didn't realize the injury in my foot that I am now currently nursing with sadness.  I hope this heals fast so I can get back out there and run.  I tend to get very cranky when I don't run...  (Sorry in advance)  Here are the pics from Half #2

porta-potty line :[

Of course we went to breakfast after all that!!!!

April showers bring...

I'm just realizing that it's been forever since my last post. Here it is April 5th, and I've somehow skipped February and March. Lots has happened since the last update so I'll try and go in order as things were. 

I'm not sure if I posted in my last blog but our beautiful Lulu had 7 adorable English Bulldog puppies and since then they have all been rehomed except for the only lil lady-Maxie-and she's ours! We have added her to our brood. She's the cutest lil fat face ever and she takes after her mama so much. I am so happy we were able to keep one of Lulu's pups so she's have the experience to grow with one of her babies. It has been such an awesome experience for me personally, to have a litter and to help lulu blossom into the mother she is. Not to mention, the fur-grandma I am now☺️. 

Here is Lulu with her 6 boys and 1 girl

Here is the lil princess, Maxie💗

All 6 boys are doing great and I get updates and photos all the time. We even hosted a "reunion" and it was so cool to see them all together again. Needless to say, they all slept great that night! 

Mason and Madison are both well, Keeping up their after school activities and awesome grades. There's no complaining going on as far as that is concerned, but with their hormones and attitudes, I'm ready for them to go off to college already! (JK) Mason is already 5'5, and I'm pretty sure he will keep growing for a while. His shoe size is almost same as Tim's and he went from youth extra large, to men's sizes in clothes. Omg and shaving! My little boy is now becoming a man. Ugh. And Madison also is growing so fast. She went from being a tiny little shy girl, to never being home on weekends, wanting her hair colored, and falling in love with boy bands such as Fall Out Boy. Where did my babies in matching diapers go?!?! What I'd sown times give to go back to those times. I'd freeze time and never let them hit these trying teenage times! 

Time is going by so fast... 

Tim has been busy between here in Hawaii-and Korea, Alaska, Japan, the mainland, and everywhere else. He's traveled more since we been here than he has in his whole military career. He is definitely racking up his miles. I have finally started working at the vet clinic here and I wasn't really able to spend much time with the kids for their spring break. Tim was able to take some vacation time and do stuff with them. Things I wouldn't normally do or agree on. Mason was enrolled at the youth center most of the break so Tim and Madison had some awesome father-daughter time. Parasailing was one thing that the two did that I would've probably never agreed to. It was a first for both of them and they had a blast!! 

What a view!! I would've worried about sharks and whales the whole time, lol.

While they were having a blast, so was I. I finally met and held a sphinx and it was so cool!!! 

I have signed Tim and I up for more races and we even are getting ready for my first half this weekend!! We do it for the shirts and bibs! 

Mama and her girl

Wish us luck for the run!!! My goal: to not stop running/jogging! Half marathon here I come!!!