Hawaii Trip - Part 1 "Our Transportation"

I am finally caught up with all my posts and can now start posting pictures of our Oahu trip. For some reason, I feel the need to do everything in chronological order. Who knows how long my journals of this trip will be because I will probably spared no deals! It may end up being several parts.

So, here it goes!

We left for Hawaii Wednesday, June, 23. We flew out of the Medford Airport at 6:00 in the morning to catch our Alaskan Airlines flight out of Seattle.
This was my first time flying since 9/11 and all went smooth. Michael and I tried to pack light so we could fit everything in our carry ons. This was easier said than done. I realized later that the carry on luggage I bought from Wal Mart, for $20, was much smaller than everyone else's. This means I could have brought more! I really wished I had taken a picture of how much stuff I fit into a small carry on suitcase. I, now can claim the "master packer" title.

Once we boarded the airplane in Seattle, I realized that this long awaited "honeymoon" was finally here.

Michael lovingly gave me the window seat and I was mesmerized by the beauty of the Puget Sound and the view of Seattle and surrounding area. It didn't take long before all we saw was ocean and boredom set in. Yes, I did bring plenty of books to read, music to listen to, but I didn't feel like doing any of it. Maybe because I was too excited. Really, all I wanted to do was sleep, but the wonderful seats my husband picked out for us were the ones that didn't recline. GREAT!! There will be no kick back and relax on this trip. Michael wasted no time in snoozing off. I couldn't figure out how he could go to sleep so quick and in such an upright position, so I took up people watching without the people knowing that I was watching them.

People, they sure are interesting. You know how you tell your kids to not stare because it is impolite? Well, I guess I needed that reminder myself on this long flight. I ended up taking care of my boredom by watching the family that occupied the same row as us. You sure can learn a lot about people by just watching them. They were a very interesting family. I wonder what people think of us?


The other problem I had on this flight was the bathroom issue. I am a rather shy person Since I had the window seat, it was much harder to just get up and go to the bathroom. You have to bother, not only your sleeping husband, who seems to be dead to the world, but also the other man on the isle seat who is grossly involved in his work or something. I was NOT about to interrupt them. So I was hoping desperately that one of them would have to go potty soon. I waited, and waited and yes, waited some more. The funny thing is, just when I was in desperate need to go and decided to interrupt the sleeper and worker, the seat belt sign came on due to turbulence. Then after the sign went off the airplane attendants decided to do their snack and beverage trip. Stuck!! I was stuck to see just how good my bladder really was. Long story short, I made it!!!

I bet your wondering when this flight talk will be over and the Hawaii part will begin. Well, we've landed!!! Yeah!!! I was more than happy to step on land and be done with flying.

We landed in Honolulu around noon. The time difference there is 3 hours ahead of Oregon. Since we were smart and took just carry on bags we were out the door and ready to pick up our cute, little, economy car for the week. I wonder what it will be?





The car rental was part of the package. We ended up with a cute Ford Focus The car rental was part of the package deal that Marriott was giving us.

I guess they usually run $80 a day, but all we had to pay was a $45 fee. We had the option to upgrade it to a jeep or a convertible for only $13 more a day, but we were trying to do this Oahu trip on a major budget. The Ford Focus suited our needs just fine. If you ask Michael, he would say that he kind of regrets not doing the convertible. I just keep reminding him of the possible rain showers, bugs and the heat.

So, off we drive to go find our paradise beach resort. This was easier said than done. Michael is driving. I am suppose to be navigating him but the problem with that is, I am NOT good with maps. This is one gene I didn't inherit from my mother. I know she is cringing right now of the thought of me trying to get Michael around Honolulu and to Ko Olina Beach Resort. I tried my best to get us there, but Hawaiian words all look the same to me and I can't pronounce them at all. OK, honestly, that wasn't my biggest problem. You see, I am just so excited to be there and I'm taking it ALL in. I am not concentrating on the map at all. Phooey on the map, let's just be carefree and see where the road takes us.




As you can imagine, Michael, who is type A all the way, is rather frustrated with his "fly by the seat of her pants" wife.

The good news- We made it!!! And, we are still together!

To be continued....

Part 2 - "Our Beautiful Hotel Accommodations"

Hiking and Camping @ Silver Falls *************June 2009*************

Michael booked this sweet little cabin in the Silver Falls campground so that we could have a nice, memorable time with the kids before we took off to Hawaii. I wasn't too thrilled at first about packing for a "sort of" camping trip and a Hawaiian trip at the same time. It just seemed like a lot of work for one night. It was....but, I have to say, that it was tons of fun and I can't wait to go back. Yes, I even loved the cabin. I (who grew up going camping many times in a summer) was very comfortable in this little cabin.

The three older kids slept in a tent and Michael, Josh and I slept in the cabin. I think it is a perfect way to camp, however, I can't wait to do it the old fashion way.

We also hiked one of the easier hikes at Silver Falls State Park, South Falls. It was short and sweet, but just what the kids needed that day. Someday I would love to do the whole loop. I hear it is just beautiful and you'll get a lot of exercise!

If you would like more info on Silver Falls check out these great websites: Oregon.com, Oregonstateparks.org and Salemoregon.com.

Like I said in my earlier blog, my family from Aumsville, which is just 25 min. away came to help me celebrate my birthday. My mom brought all the fixings for hot dogs and some yummy sides and a cake.

I really enjoyed having all my family around me.

64 Years of Marriage

My Grandpa and Grandma just celebrated 64 years of marriage on June 23rd.

What a wonderful example they have been to their kids, grand kids, and now great grand kids of a marriage that God has been in the center of.

Michael and I have just barely begun compared to this marriage.

Thanks Grandpa and Grandma for loving the Lord and loving each other so completely. Your marriage is a testimony of how God is full of mercy and grace. It is a testimony of commitment and unyielding prayer of a believing spouse for an unbelieving spouse.

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I would like to share something my Grandma wrote in "The Journey of a Life-Line", an autobiographical history of her, my grandpa and other ancestors.

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God's Amazing Mercy!

I've entitled the biography of our marriage, "God's Amazing Mercy". In one sense, it might seem to convey a negative aspect to our union, for the work "mercy" always takes into account "sin" and implies something totally undeserved. Which is true in our case as with all others in God's family. But in quite another sense, it is meant to convey the positive and amazing "grace" that the Lord Jesus Christ has shown to both of us through that totally unmerited favor of His bountiful love! Indeed, this should be the testimony of every Christian couple, as they demonstrate to each other and to the observing world about them, what true love and commitment of the wedding vows which He has ordained as a permanent covenant bond for a husband and wife. Doug and I did not take our wedding vows lightly. "For better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health, until death do we part" were part of the clear understanding and binding covenant that we made to each other, as well as to God. Amazingly, one of us was not yet "born again" into God's Family, and the other was a "carnal" believer, at best. That is NOT a justification for our "disobedience" to God's Word, but required genuine repentance and God's mercy! The permanent glue of commitment, plus love is, for us, the very essence of a long, happy marriage. That word, "mercy", is an extremely important word in our lives. I shall ever be grate for God's Amazing Mercy!

written by- Sue Bradshaw (my grandma)

"The Mercy of the LORD
is from everlasting to everlasting
Upon those who fear Him,

And His Righteousness unto
Children's children,
To such as keep His covenant,

And to those that remember
His Commandments
to do them."

Psalm 103:17, 18

These pictures were taken on their 64th anniversary. Don't they look great?

My 35th Birthday!

I had a wonderful 35th birthday about two weeks ago and wasn't able to post some of the fun pictures that were taken.


This birthday was the never ending birthday!

It all started on my birthday when my kids and hubby woke me up to my favorite yummy coffee from Dutch Bros, a Kicker. If you haven't tried it then I recommend a stop by your nearest Dutch Bros and get yourself one. That is if you like coffee. I seem to be surrounded by friends, and yes, even my husband who doesn't drink the stuff.

Then, after my shower I walked down stairs to the smell of something very yummy. The kids rode their bikes to Wal Mart, with Michael close behind to get all the fixins to make bisquits and gravy. I think anything tastes 10x's better when my kids make it and not me.

The house was decorated from head to toe with streamers, balloons and many signs that the kids made. It warmed my heart and I felt very loved.

I received an assortment of gifts. The girls got me beautiful jewlery that looked Hawaiian, to wear on my trip, and the boys got me food! Yes, I think food is their love language and thus they think it is mine. I got a box full of diet pepsi, a bag of my favorite chips, cool ranch Doritos, and a bag of Dove's dark chocolates.

We had a wonderful day hanging out as a family and then in the evening Michael took me out to a movie that I had been wanting to see and dinner. Mandy babysat the kids. It so nice to have a built in babysitter now! Here is a pic of Michael and I before heading out on our hot date!




I had such a great day, I forgot how upset I was that I was turning 35!

Then, a few days later, my birthday was celebrated with my side of the family at Silver Falls. We spent Monday hiking and looking at the falls and then that night the family from Aumsville visited our cabin site to roast hot dogs and have birthday cake.



















Then, on Tuesday we drove down to GP to drop off the kids at Nana's house and we had another party. This one was held at a beautiful, new restaurant called Tap Rock that over looks the Rogue River. We celebrated my birthday, my brother in law, Dave's brithday and my in laws anniversary. We had most of the family there, but were missing Michael's brother and his wife and their daughter. As you can see by the pictures we had a lot of fun!!









Then, it was off to HAWAII!!!!!!!