Hawaiian Vacation

We're obviously back from our trip to the States but as usual I'm behind on my blogging. I have a ton of pictures so bear with me. Here's a recap of our last week in Hawaii.
Here we are at the Maui Ocean Center. Jay loved the fishes! I haven't seen him as excited as he was there maybe ever. He just kept pointing and saying, "Oh, oh, fishy! Oh, fishy! Fishy!!" He was thrilled, to say the least. We got a video of him but I don't have it here, mom will have to send it on. He was so adorable! The Ocean Center was certainly a highlight of our trip.

This guy was a little scary when he got too close. So cool though!

Check out his Unicorn Fish. We couldn't believe the size of his horn!

Jay and Nona playing in the outdoor tidal pool.

Ooo, slimy!

Here's Jay with his favorite new friend Abby. He still hasn't stopped talking about her! They had a great time throwing rocks into the water together.

After going to the Maui Ocean Center we drove to the other side of the island so Jay could take a nap in the car. We went to Makena Big Beach and it was beautiful. It was sort of rainy and so there were fewer people out. We were told it's been raining a lot on that side of the island lately which is why it is so green right now. There are even plants growing in the volcano fields! The drive was so pretty. You can't beat the views on Maui!

One day we met Cory and our good friend Rhonda for lunch at the golf course. The food was fantastic. We sat at a table next to a crew of construction workers on their lunch break. One woman had her dog with her and Jay couldn't stop talking about it. The owner and her dog shared a meal together. She fed him right off her own fork! She gave Jay a handful of noodles to feed the dog too and he thought that was pretty amazing.

After lunch I went golfing with Cory. Well, I road in the cart and walked while he golfed. The course was incredible. It's hard to appreciate the views from these pictures but take my word for it they were spectacular! (they'd better be for $175 a round - don't worry, Cory had a discount) I had such a wonderful time with Cory. Not only was it really fun to watch him golf - he's definitely an above average golfer - but I also just enjoyed the opportunity to hang out and talk. I love my big brother so much. He's so good to me. I think every big brother should take lessons from him on how to be the perfect sibling.

The sunset was amazing!

One night we went out to Kobe's for dinner. Jay loved the show, although the fire part did scare him a little.

Here's Jay and Papa hanging out together, watching movies.

On our last night in Maui we went to Lelani's for dinner, our favorite. Dad loves the "wedge" salad (a huge wedge of iceberg lettuce smothered in blue cheese dressing and bacon bits). All the food there is incredible including the famous Hula Pie. Jay loved the pie most I think.

Before dinner we were walking around the outdoor mall and a man at the Volcom store gave Jay these cool shades. I was amazed he wore them for as long as he did. He normally hates sunglasses. He definitely was feeling the vibe :)

One last treat before we go. Jay loves chocolate!

Here are some pictures of the house. It's so beautiful!

Stay at Home Mom

As I sat next to Jay's crib tonight humming lullaby's to sooth my sweet, jet-lagged, terrified of his room child a few things ran through my mind. First a quote by Elder Neal A. Maxwell from an article entitled Women of God published in the Ensign in 1979. He said to women...

"Women, more quickly than others, will understand the possible dangers when the word self is militantly placed before other words like fulfillment.You rock a sobbing child without wondering if today’s world is passing you by, because you know you hold tomorrow tightly in your arms.
So often our sisters comfort others when their own needs are greater than those being comforted. That quality is like the generosity of Jesus on the cross. Empathy during agony is a portion of divinity!
I thank the Father that His Only Begotten Son did not say in defiant protest at Calvary, “My body is my own!” I stand in admiration of women today who resist the fashion of abortion, by refusing to make the sacred womb a tomb!
When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses? When the surf of the centuries has made the great pyramids so much sand, the everlasting family will still be standing, because it is a celestial institution, formed outside telestial time. The women of God know this.
No wonder the men of God support and sustain you sisters in your unique roles, for the act of deserting home in order to shape society is like thoughtlessly removing crucial fingers from an imperiled dike in order to teach people to swim."

I often think of this powerful talk when I'm up late with Jay. As I sat with him tonight I also recalled a conversation I recently had with my brother when he asked me if I was happy staying at home with Jay. Do I feel fulfilled? I answered him honestly that I do, though I know there are many women who don't feel satisfied staying at home. I'm not writing this to debate the right or wrong of staying at home but here are my thoughts on my life personally. My brother was happy for me knowing that my happiness was assured and for that I am grateful. He has always looked out for me and wants the very best for me. But it made me think. Why is it that I am fulfilled? Why do I feel happy doing mundane tasks day in and day out? Why do I love my job even though I am sometimes bored and rarely physically or monetarily compensated? I have often thought that I do what I do because I am shaping Jay for something greater than I am. Something he can achieve in this world because of my support. That never seemed to make complete sense to me though. If I am preparing him to make a difference why not just go make a difference myself today? Why does Elder Maxwell emphasize the fact that the "shaping sound of lullabies" will ultimately make more difference than the "echoes of gunfire?" Tonight it finally sunk in, although it may be obvious to most and somewhere inside me I knew all along. Jay may make a difference in this world because of my being here with him at this crucial time of his life. But if he doesn't become the next Nobel Peace Prize winner or anything more than a hard working husband and a great father I'm okay with that. What I'm shaping him for is the eternities. What's the point of this life really? I believe it is to learn important truths and make correct decisions so that we can live eternally with our Heavenly Father, our Savior Jesus Christ and our families. I know I'm not the perfect mom. I know I can't ensure that Jay makes it back to Heavenly Father. I know I won't always teach him the best way to live. But the best way I personally know how to help him achieve what I consider to be the most important thing in this life is to be at home with him. Home where I can teach him. Home where I can try to be an example to him. Home where I can build a relationship of trust with him so that he will turn to me in times of crucial decisions. Is there anywhere else in this world I can be, anything else I can do that would help my own son to fulfill my deepest desire for him? No. There is not. Perhaps trading my stay-at-home-mom status for making a difference in the world in another way would not effect the outcome of his eternal salvation; but in my mind if there is a chance that it would, than there is no choice at all. I choose to be at home with my son. I can see why women who do not believe the same as I do may not see staying at home a worthy endeavor. Yes, your children will likely still be successful if you are a good parent that works. Yes, your children will likely be well rounded if you are a good parent that works. Yes, your children will likely be happy if you are a good parent that works. But the thought that my child will still likely have eternal salvation if I am a good parent that works... well, that's different for me. I know that staying at home in no way ensures that my child will choose the right, stay on the strait and narrow, or endure to the end but for me, me personally, I know that I have to do the most I possibly can do to help him achieve these things. For me, me personally, this means staying at home. It means being with him as much as possible during these impressionable years so that I can teach him, be an example to him, build a relationship of trust with him and do all that I can to help him on his way back to God. I am grateful to know that I as a woman staying at home with my son can make such a powerful difference in the world. I know that this is what my Heavenly Father would have me do. I am grateful for the sweet whisperings of the spirit late at night as I sooth my child to sleep. I know that my Heavenly Father loves me. I know that he lives. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior. I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ is on the earth today and for these things I am eternally grateful, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Happy Birthday Baby

I can't believe my little baby is two years old! I love every minute with you honey and I am so blessed to have you in my life. Sorry today wasn't more exciting for you. It's good that you don't realize when it's your birthday yet ;) We'll celebrate when daddy gets home. I love you!!!

The Adventures of Mike

Here are a few pictures and a video that Mike sent me. Doesn't he look awesome in his gear? We miss you honey! Be careful crashing those cars.

Eating an Apple

An Island in the Sun

We have been having a wonderful, relaxing time in Maui. This island is absolutely beautiful. We've been here about a week now and it's easy to get used to this laid back, sun soaked life. The water is so warm here. I always forget how much warmer it is than anywhere else I've been. Even the Mediterranean doesn't compare in my mind. Jay is in heaven, of course. His days are filled with auga, auga, agua! Almost every morning Papa takes him out swimming in the swimming pool out back. He loves to jump off the side of the pool into Papa's arms and he also enjoys standing on the bottom step with just his little head above water. Dropping his cars in the water and watching Papa pick them up is fun too. He's taken in a few mouthfuls of water which he absolutely hates but he's always willing to get back in. He's usually in and out of the pool a few times a day. He thinks splashing water is really funny and it's downright hilarious when mommy has to avoid getting it in her face. His laughter is so infectious! Jay also loves looking at the birds in the backyard. They're always coming to eat at the Cheerio filled bird feeder. Of course they tend to fly away when he gets too close. Watching the geckos scramble up and down the walls is another favorite activity. They make the funniest squeaking noises. There is plenty of animal life here to keep a 2 year old entertained. Jay has also discovered the cool stone grinding bowls in the back yard. They are filled with water and throwing rocks in them makes a big splash. When we do leave the house the beach is Jay's favorite place to go. He loves the one across the street. The water is so warm that he can play in it for hours without getting cold. Nona is really good at making big splashes in the auga. Jay likes to pick up huge rocks and hand them over for her to throw into the water. The bigger the better. I can't believe how much he can lift. Some of those rocks have to be one quarter of his weight! There are plenty of beaches around. Baby beach is nice because the waves are less violent for a 2 year old. Jay enjoyed digging in the sand there and washing mom's toes off with his plastic salt-water filled watering can. We also raced beach nuts down the sloping sand. In the end Jay decided throwing them in the water was more fun than watching them race though. We've also been to our favorite beach, Napili Kai. Turns out it isn't the best beach for babies. The incline of the sand is just a little too steep. The waves break just exactly where it's shallow enough for Jay to stand and the ocean swells nearly wash over our heads when I hold Jay in the water. I guess we'll have to wait until he's a little older to enjoy Napili properly. We love staying out late enough to watch the sunsets at the beach. They are amazing. There's nothing like watching the sun set over the ocean. Of course Jay is usually more excited about the doggies digging in the sand and throwing rocks in the ocean than he is in the sunset. We've walked into old Lahaina town several times since we've been here. There are several new galleries open. I met the artist Ruby Mazur, origional creator of the mouth and tongue - a symbol of the Rolling Stones. He's done over 3,000 album covers throughout his career. He's a pretty cool guy. When I asked him if he was tight with the Stones he said they've been rocking together for over 30 years. You never know who you'll meet in Maui!We've also been blessed to see Cory while we've been here. He's here with his girlfriend Katlyn and her family. It's so good to see my brother. He's such a stud. Jay still can't say his name - it's one of the only names he hasn't gotten yet. He does try though and he's pretty good at saying Uncle. He does love playing with his Uncle Cory. Just like daddy Cory likes to rough-house which means plenty of flips in the air and hanging upside down. Overall, the food has been great, the beaches beautiful and the company the best. I couldn't ask for a better place to spend my time away from Mike. Wish you were here honey!
Jay loved "pushing" the bags along the luggage belt at the airport.Dad on our cool new bike about to head into town.
Pretty waves and a sailboat.

Mommy and Jay in front of the house.