Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Week 2

We've adjusted more to the time change and differences here. Beau has been working hard, and is gone half the days with the car, so I've had to get creative with what to do with the girls. My neighbors have been amazing. I truly believe they are a reason why we are here. Day 2 - Julie is on my front porch with toys, groceries, a list of things to do (and avoid), and dinner. Seriously? The Lord's provision with this transition has been amazing. I feel like I have known Julie forever and we have spent time together everyday since we have been here.We are a great fit to encourage one another, and we have already started a bible study together. And our kids, they love each other. If you're reading this, please pray for Julie and her husband Joel right now - that they would continue to be a bright light in their community.


Standing on the street below, looking up at our townhome. Ours is at the very top on the far end.


Kailua Town party was last week. It's a festival they do once a year where they shut down the main street in town, and all the restaurants and vendors come out. We even got to see several hula dancers!

Brynne going down the slide at the festival

A common view on our drive

Lanikai Beach


Little miss independent thinks she needs to feed herself...all the time!

The girls have gotten much better at playing with one another and entertaining themselves. I'm so thankful for how they love each other!

Friday, April 15, 2011

Aloha from Hawaii!

We are loving the townhome and region we live in. It's a favorite place of the locals and we can see why. Everywhere we walk, the scene is gorgeous. So far I have walked to the town every morning to get groceries with the girls in the double stroller, and on thursday we went to the town farmer's market. It's neat to see the things that are similar, and that which is different. The sense of community here is amazing, and next time I'll blog about our neighbors that we have been so blessed by. I love the casual everything..Beau and I fit right in wearing our work out clothes all the time, hair always up due to humidity, and everyone is "family." There is no ac - everyone has open windows all the time (but you can hear everything...you get close quick that way). THe other night I was washing dishes while Beau was outside with the girls and all the kids. I kept hearing "uncle Beau," and wondering "what in the world?" Then my neighbor told me that in Hawaii, you call neighbors aunt and uncle instead of mr./mrs. as a generous gesture saying "you're like family." Every time we walk outside, the kids yell "Hi auntie Mel!" I hope to post pictures of them soon!

Pics from the flight. The first flt and layover were a breeze, the second was brutal...but we survived!



The Front of our Condo

The view from the porch on a cloudy day

The view from the living room

The kitchen and living room

the grassy area in front of our house the kids play on every evening


The girls favorite hiding spot

The girls at the market. They were not nearly as impressed as me! All the local fresh fruits and veggies you can imagine. The only thing in Hawaii that is cheap!

And this is what will soon be my fabulous new scar. I hit my head on a window shutter that I didn't see and split it open! 8 stitches later, we're at the beach

brynne and daddy in the water



the view from the hill near our townhome

Monday, April 11, 2011

All settled

We are all settled in our condo in Hawaii and enjoying it. The travel day was smooth except for Madelyn's meltdown around bedtime. We left our Frisco home at 10am to get to the airport and walked into our Hawaii condo at 2 am (Frisco time). Long day, but we were thankful for the many mercies throughout the day.
We're working on getting adjusted to the time change...we hear it takes a week. We got our bags unpacked, went to breakfast, grocery shopped, and took a scenic drive this morning. Brynne and I enjoyed a jog to the park so she could play.
Tonight we were blessed to know all the neighbors with kids come out into the grassy knoll in front of our condo every night. Brynne met several new friends and had a blast. I think we will really like hanging out with our next door neighbors, whose kids are 5 and 2. Beau had met them before, and they were so kind to have a few baby items waiting for us here when we arrived.
I hope to post pictures soon! Thanks to the friends who have been faithful in praying for our adjustment!

Saturday, April 09, 2011

A few cute pics

My Duck


Sweet girl watching airplanes waiting to pick up daddy from the airport (for the last time :o))


What happens when left alone with a bowl of mashed potatoes


The pantry thief

Friday, April 08, 2011

a pic of the place

Can't believe it - but Molly Piper, daughter of the famous John Piper, is going where we are going the same day. And, she managed to post a picture of our beach...check it out -
Crazy - that's literally our beach, and our home is 1 mile SW from the back of that neighborhood.

A going away get together

Our sweet church friends can always find a reason to party..so they gave us a "temporary going away party," and it was so much fun! They rented a clubhouse that had a park and 2 bounce houses for the kids. Good gosh there was food and they gathered to pray over us. We were so blessed by it all and love local body of Christ the Lord has allowed us to be a part of. No words can describe the depths hearts feel when you get in the Word and pray together and live life together. We will miss them dearly!

(notice the "whatever" on the sign...hilarious)







Saturday, March 19, 2011

Aloha!

Many of you know Beau began working with St. Jude Medical almost a year ago, training to become a territory manager in the neuromodulation division. He absolutely loves his job and it is a perfect fit for his skill set. Since January, they have put Beau on a temporary case covering for a territory manager in Hawaii on maternity leave. He has been flying there every 2 weeks and staying there for 2 weeks. The company would benefit more from him being there full time for a number of reasons, so they have agreed to move us there for the remaining 4 months of his assignment.

We have missed him so much and are so excited God has worked out the details for us all to be together all the time. The company is leasing a townhome of a family that is doing the same thing as us, (they too have children), and have kept it furnished for us. The townhome is in a great neighborhood, an area where Beau works often, and it is a central location for him to store his medical supplies. It is walking distance to the store, park, beach, and restaurants, and Beau has already met the neighbors (and lots of kids!). Beyond our wildest imagination, God unfolded every detail for us to be able to stay there. It's an opportunity we would never have otherwise had and a great stage in our life to do it. We're excited to teach our children about a different culture, for the adventure we will get to take as a family, for getting involved in the acts 29 church plant there, and most of all getting to be together. What a blessing to show our children that when God calls...you get up and go! We'll miss our friends and family deeply, but we know the time will go by quickly!


The girls and I will be there April 10th through early August!

Our address is

1111A Akipohe St.

Kailua, HI 96734

I hope to blog about our adventure as much as possible!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Saturday, March 05, 2011

Off She Goes!

Madelyn took a few steps before her first birthday, and after one week, she is all over the place!
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Monday, February 21, 2011

Madelyn Turns 1!






We can hardly believe our sweet Madelyn is one! This past year was long and tough for numerous reasons, yet I'm not sure how it seemed fast at the same time. It feels like we brought her home from the hospital last month! She is so darn sweet - giving kisses, hugs, and laughs to Brynne, Beau, and I all the time. She brings joy to our hearts every day. We love you Maddy!

Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Snow days

We had a great time together as a family during the snow days this year...but we were more than ready to get out of the house once it melted!







I figure it's about time I put up the Christmas pics before I put up Maddy's 1st B-day pics! Better late than never :o). We had a great Christmas here in Dallas and have had several snow days this year. Unfortunately, I'm always too busy playing in it with Brynne to take pictures!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Family Pics 2010





You'll be seeing these on our Christmas card...so don't peak if you haven't gotten it yet! ;o)