Almost May already?!?!

Gosh, where it the time going? We have already been in Hawaii almost half a year. Six whole months!! It sure doesn't feel like it but it's definitely going faster than I expected. I'll admit, I wasn't too happy last month and a few prior to that, but Hawaii is now growing on me.. Just like Oklahoma did after a while. Sometimes I just sit outside and am in awe of how beautiful this place is.  And while the beauty is a perfect reminder of how awesome God is, I still find myself longing to be stateside at times. I know I don't have island fever yet, I just miss simple things, like normal time zones, winter-spring weather, and Hobby Lobby lol. I miss some of these things and as they may sound petty, some people will probably laugh with jealousy of me being here on this tropical heaven.  Yet I will be jealous of those who may be still getting snow and freezing weather! (I am from Jersey...)

One thing I am feeling wonderful about is my running. I have slowly found my love to run again, and not be in pain. While its been humid, rainy, and super windy here currently, a treadmill run sometimes is all I am in need of to just de-stress and feel like a rockstar. My goals are being reachable and I love that! With the 10k that Tim and I completed this month, I decided to sign up for one next month. Not just a 10k, but a 15k instead. I didn't put the numbers together while signing u's up--realizing now it's 9.3 miles. That's almost a HALF!!! I am trying to train as much as I can but lately it seems my farthest is the 4 mile zone.. I need to be running at 6-8 miles but every time I push myself to that level-the lower discs in my back aren't happy! And I fear of being back to when I was training for the OKC half marathon. I don't ever want to feel that way again. So I been taking it slowly and if I have to walk at this 15k, then I know running long distances isn't for me. Maybe I'm meant to be a short distance runner only? I shall soon see. 

Mason has been doing better also. Tim and I enrolled him in a city league and even though he's the oldest on this current team, he's been doing better. I swear he is a natural athlete. Anything that includes a ball, he's a rockstar at! I can only pray that this leads him to some scholarships or the major leagues!!

Maddie is doing well also. Little miss popularity. She's also going to be starting a summer enrichment program here for violin. That will begin middle of June till middle of July. The kids' summers here are short. They get out June 3rd and go back end of July. We are also thrilled to say that my parents will be visiting the first week in June! That will be an awesome time and we have big plans for them while they are going to be here. It will be nice to be around some family again. 

And my main squeeze-Tim. He's been doing a lot of traveling right now and so when he's traveling, he's sending pics of what he's up to. Helicopter rides, tours, dinners, etc. rough job huh? He's finally getting the hang of working with civilians and is already thinking about what it will be like if and when he becomes one lol! I've heard that too much! So when it happens, I'll be just as in shock as everyone else...

Until next time...

Ford Bridge 10k

I signed Tim and I up for our first 10k here on the island. It's the Ford Bridge Run, which takes place at Pearl Harbor. The bridge is approximately 4,672 feet long and it's an actual drawbridge, that was used for warships to pass through during Pearl Harbor. From this bridge, you can see the USS Arizona Memorial. 

In the morning, I was feeling pumped. I had a cup of coffee, (as I do before every morning run), or I pity those around me. We arrived at the bridge where there was around 3,000 runners, walkers, and joggers. I couldn't believe the turnout.

On the sides of the road were people warming up, doing crazy sprints, and all kinds of yoga-looking stretches. As for Tim and I, we just wanted a selfie before the race. We weren't doing it to win lol. Just our present to ourselves. 

(This pic doesn't show even 1/2 the ppl)

All went well up until mile 3 for me. I had a side stitch, probably from my gum chewing, and it was already warm and humid out. I don't do well with those two issues of weather. At one point, an older man ran in front of me, and he had on this pink t-shirt with Phil 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ whom strengthens me". I tried to follow him as long as I could, until it didn't seem too noticeable, but that verse motivated me. Not enough to pick up the pace but enough to NOT STOP. It was a little jolt that I needed. All kinds of runners were out there today. Even kids, although not mine. They were sound asleep while we were breaking our sweat!

Once we were done, we grabbed some water and headed to breakfast just Tim and me❤️. 

(Yup I was in pain here....hey if your still pretty looking after, you didn't push hard enough, lol) 

Until the next one!!! Muah!

OMG

Ok, so here I am, way behind on posts, and lying in bed with my first(and I pray my last) sinus infection. It's actually quite funny you see. I went in for some scans last week, for my girly parts, and while those parts were "possibly" normal, there was two unexpected findings.. Some spots on my liver, possible cysts, which I have to follow up with an ultrasound in 3 weeks along with another CA125, and left maxillary sinus disease, which is a Big name for a serious sinus infection. After my scan the doc asked me if I had been sick and I honestly haven't been. No colds, or flu. Maybe a slight sore throat a week ago. So when I left the doctors office I was baffled because I was at a loss. However, the next night, I soon found out what this sinus infection finding was all about. It was hibernating in my nice warm sinus cavity just waiting to rear its ugly head. And what an ugly head it is. That night I had never felt so bad. I felt like someone had shot my in the left side of my face. My eye, cheek, ear, and even upper jaw was filled with excruciating pain and a pressure that I can only describe as hell.it was literally hell in my head. I had chills, fever, pain, pressure, and just looked like one of those characters off the walking dead.  It hurt to talk, walk, eat, and never mind trying to blow this infection out of my nose-holy Lord! My ear drum went out with it. I wouldn't wish this on an enemy of mine.. Ok well maybe I would. Just kidding.

Ha, a little humor to make me feel better

So it's been a few days now and I have googled every home remedy and tried just about all of them. I also read a lot of unnecessary things too, that I probably shouldn't have.  And just when I feel like I think I'm recovering, I get pain and pressure all over again, and my head feels like it's a 15lb bowling ball.  However, since I'm on round the clock 800mg Army Motrin, I haven't seen the fever come back.  I hope this is what they call on the mend. 

              Isn't this the truth!!!! 

I had a lot to write about but I can't focus too long on a screen. It hurts my eyes.  I promise to catch everyone up soon on how things went before this unfortunate thing. Love to all! 

Maddie's 12!!!

We had a great time for Madison's birthday party on Valentine's Day. She had invited 7 girls and we were suppose to spend it at the beach and bbq, however, the weather didn't allow that at all. We had all kinds of rain and wind so Tim and I googled what we could do indoors with a bunch of Tweens, that would be fun and not in our house lol. So we did a Mall Scavenger Hunt at one of the malls here. We had a list of things the girls had to do and get during the scavenger hunt. Things like finding change on the ground, taking selfies doing stuff like dressing up and trying things on, to asking store workers for a job application. It was hysterical. Tim took 4 girls and I had the other 4. We all had a time limit and we all were on the hunt. It was funny watching the girls figure out stuff and use their brains when it came to certain tasks that were on the list. I realized I had thrown the lists away so I will try to name some of the tasks: find a photo booth and take your picture. Find a ketchup packet. Try on matching outfits. Find silly hats or wigs and try them on. Take a picture with a superhero. Find "Adam Levine" and get your picture with him. Sit in a car. Buy a frappachino and share it with your team. And several more. Here are some pictures from the mall ;)

Find the photo booth

Try on sunglasses

Take a pic with a superhero 

Look! It's Adam! 

Match outfits

Try on new shoes

Share a frappe

These are just a few.. I took a few too many pics. And at the end of the mall hunt, we got Madison her second holes pierced. With all her friends there to cheer her on. 

Maddie getting her piercing 

(She chose red for her BFF~Chelsea)

And she didn't cry like her first ones lol! It was a great time. We came home had a little bbq here, opened some gifts, and then four of the 7 girls spent the 

night. Ughhhh. Just kidding ;). It went well. Surprisingly. The girls did spa facials, makeup, and watched movies. I had gone to bed after 10, and they were all still awake. Everything sounded peaceful till about 0400 am and I seen lights on and heard talking. So out of bed I went to see what the heck was going on at 0400! One of maddie's friends seemed to be having a reaction to the face mask or makeup... Benadryl to the rescue. At least I knew one would be going to sleep shortly lol. I told Maddie enough for tonight and they all needed to hit the sack. 

After a long night of partying hard

This was at 0900 this morning. :P

Everyone was gone by 1230 and needless to say, the party was a success!! Yay for Tim and me. We are a great team! 

And our lulu made it safely to us!! Our house is still minus one but stormy is doing so good where she is. Heck, she fits in with the horses on 20+ acres and we get daily updates! I miss my old lady but we will see her again. 

Lulu was mad at me for something lol.

We love and miss you Stormy!!! Xoxox

Just a little

The house is finally done!! We have finished all the grueling work of opening boxes and finding a special place for all of our things: some things we couldn't find homes for so they are either in the garage or donated. We have donated a box or two of clothes and nick-nacks to the thrift shop here on post, in hopes of finding good homes in the future. I have saved the majority of hotel soaps and shampoos that the cleaning ladies would leave for us, after cleaning our room, and my plan is to drop them off at one of the many homeless shelters here. Not to be rude and say "hey-- some of these people need to wash themselves or whatever", but in hopes that they go to good use and not waste. I probably have over 40 items but I still know that's not enough for all the homeless here. It's our "pay it forward" for these people I guess. I'm really saddened by just how many people are homeless here. When filling out the kids registration forms for them to attend schools here, there's even a box to check if they are homeless. Sad to think that a lot of the kids that attend these schools don't have a home to go to. 

Both kids are slowly adjusting to their schools. Madison seems to be moving along faster than mason. He is having a hard time with things, and is really missing his Oklahoma friends. He really met some great kids there and he's been holding them to a pedestal. The kids here just aren't meeting his "friend" requirements. I pray he meets some great kids here as well, and builds some friendships as well. It's hard having to meet and make friends all over again after finding people you truly enjoy spending time with. This is the first "during the school year" move for us all, so please just keep Mason in your prayers for an easy transition and people to call his friends. And while on the Mason topic, we had to register him for FRESHMAN year!! Where did that come from already? I'm so not ready to be a high school student mom! :( 

Here's a shot of him at Freshman orientation... Whaaaaaa. My little bear is growing up way too fast.

Tim still isn't really "working" yet. He's been going in for little things here and there, so we have been able to spend time together. One of our favorite things has become hiking! Right outside our front door, is a hiking trail and we still aren't 100% sure how far it goes yet. We did 2 miles up the other day, and from the gps, it eventually leads to a stream. However, we didn't push it that far. Again, let me remind you, it's ALL UPHILL on the way out. On the way back its down, but that hike uphill kicks some serious butt!! It's been so refreshing just taking in the beauty and peacefulness of it. Here are some pics from our latest hike:

It's so beautiful here!! I still have to pinch myself sometimes to actually believe we are in HAWAII!!! I'm never leaving seriously! Yah, I know... That's not what the Army will say in a few years.. We are pros at relocating! It's sad already.

Madison has made a friend, well several actually, but one in particular that is highly spoken of. She finally had her first sleepover this weekend and had a blast. Tim made delicious homemade grilled pizzas and the kids helped make their own. It was fun. And yes, I overate. Whenever Tim cooks, there's no boundaries to how much food I eat! He's such a phenomenal cook, how'd I get so lucky?!?

Mine is in the sorta-shape of Jersey❤️

Yummy right? Ya I'm still full from my home shaped pizza lol. It was delicious that's for sure.

Well, one last thing before I close. I have another appointment this week for my lovely ovary that keeps acting up. I had another positive CA125 test, and even though my recent MRI didn't show a concern, the doc wants to do laparoscopic surgery to see what the cause of this issue is. I'm a bit concerned and this week, I will meet with him to discuss things as far as if I really need this surgery, and when he's planning on doing it. Please keep me in your prayers and my family as well. (I've never had surgery, general surgery, and am super scared), and I just pray for my doc to make the best decisions for me and fix whatever is going on. I'll keep everyone posted once I know more. 

Hugs to all!

And to end this blog, with a pic of my cutie!

Ahh, a home at last!

It's been a few weeks but we have been extremely busy setting up our beautiful house!! We finally got out of the hotel on the 6th of January and have been busy bees with unpacking and settling in. The transportation people came on the 7th, unloaded all our boxes, and put some of things such as beds and stuff-together. They were suppose to take two days to get our goods to us but they were so awesome that they did it all in one day. Needless to say, we had tons of boxes and sooooo much clutter.  It was so overwhelming for me, that I seriously contemplated running back to the hotel lol. We focused on getting everything unpacked as soon as possible. It was nuts! But in the end, all those boxes are finally gone and the house is pretty much done! 

We were welcomed by the neighborhood watch crew!!  It was so funny! Here come these roosters and chickens, out of no where,  and they were so friendly and domestic. Seems they been here for a while, and previous neighbors would feed them and get fresh eggs from them.  So of course we all looked forward to getting our daily dose of chicken-interaction and welcomed them like they were part of the family! Tim has become a little too attached. 

We also have a yard cat. Maddie has given it the name PJ. I'm assuming it's a boy. ? Anyhow, we tried to get close to it and feed it, but it's definitely a stray cat but very shy. So we only get to talk to him from our lanai out back. We also noticed one day that the chickens and cat all were chilling together in the yard together. There was also a mongoose too but he wasn't very camera happy! 

It's just funny seeing this sort of thing on a daily basis. Chickens, roosters, cat, mongoose, and even lizards everyday. Tim and madison has named al the foul yet I can't keep track of them. They just are fun to see.

Across the street from our front porch is a mountain that is for hiking and whatever. Tim and I have hiked it twice already, the first time we only made it a mile because it's ALL UPHILL!  The second time, we made it up a mile and a half. This hill is NO joke. It's a constant uphill walk and as soon as you start the hike, you have to seriously find your breath because it'll be gone in an instant. We heard there are pigs living in there song with parrots and whatever else. We heard pigs, but didn't see them. I think I would've freaked to see a wild pig on the hike! Tim brings a stick when we go, just incase! Here's Tim at one of the top points. You can see the city in the background. 

And some other big news.... Tessie finally arrived! Oh it's been a long two months or so since I had last seen my precious!! When her quarantine was finally over, we had to wait for it to be warm enough for her to fly. It was apparently freezing in Oklahoma!! Well, not here!! Lol. So waiting for her to be able to fly seemed like forever, but she finally arrived on Friday, the 16th. Because she didn't get in till the clinic at the airport closed, she had to stay overnight there, which just made the wait even more longer it seemed. For me anyways! But on Saturday morning, we were at the airport holding facility by 0800 and she was released!

            The wait was torture lol

It's been great having her home!! And soon lulu will be home too! Then all will be complete. 

Love this puppy.......