Getaway

So back in the beginning of February mommy SOOO graciously agreed to watch the kids while Bryan and I took a late honeymoon just the two of us! It's hard to say no to me as you know, so she didn't really stand a chance! hehehe It was seriously just what we needed to recharge, relax, and have some awesome adult conversation about life, our family, and continuing to heal from losing you. In the weeks leading up to our trip I was really really struggling with keeping it together in every area of life! I don't know if it was because my brain knew we were going to be going away or if it was just God timing that we planned this trip (I am going with the latter), but it was just what the "dr" ordered! I hate to admit that my attitude towards my kids had gotten really lousy the last month before and I was losing my temper frequently. I was so frustrated with myself that I was lashing out at them when they really didn't deserve it! I came back with a much better attitude and refreshed ability to bestow grace in situations that before had me fuming!
 Our trip started on a Sunday and we had an afternoon flight to Kona. Everything went smooth...the flight was slightly bumpy but nothing too terrible. We arrived a little early and the airport there was so unlike anything I have been to. It was all outdoors and in what I would describe as "huts". Pretty neat! We decided to rent the black convertible to drive around in because we knew this was going to be a once in a lifetime thing! So with the top down we drove to our hotel taking in the scenery! From the highway you could see whales coming up out of the water on one side and lava rock as far as the eye could see on the other with the volcano in the middle. It was breathtaking! We felt like giddy newlyweds as we drove around and *gasp* held hands as we walked into the hotel! Our hotel was stunning and really was perfect! We got so blessed to be able to afford to stay where we did and the view from our room was spectacular! Every morning we opened our curtains to see whales splashing around and at dusk dolphins would entertain us with their flipping. Words don't even do it justice! Monday we made it a drive around, relax, explore, and sun burn day. We hung out by the amazing pool, walked to the beach which was just on the other side of a bush from the pool, and explored cool lava tide-pools. We found black crabs, sea cucumbers, lots of neat little fish, and even spotted a sea turtle. Tuesday we drove to Hilo to see Aunt Deb and check out the volcano. She warned us the drive could be dangerous and she wasn't kidding! One side was the straight cliff with rocks falling, and the other the ocean...not too relaxing but Bryan is a great driver so I only got a nervous a few times! hehehe The volcano was awesome and we saw the steam vents, went inside the crater of the volcano, and saw the steam coming out of the middle of it. We weren't allowed to go down to the shoreline where the lava spills into the ocean because it gives off fumes that aren't good for pregnant women, but I can imagine it was spectacular judging from the pictures we saw! It gives me a whole new appreciation for people who live there because it just felt dangerous to live somewhere that has an active volcano on it! haha I told Aunt Deb she was living on the edge! On our way back down from the volcano she took us to a beautiful waterfall and we explored that for a little while before heading back to her house. It was a really nice day and I am SO thankful we got to see her! Uncle Gary had to work but I know he really wanted to see us! We couldn't stay until he was off because it gets VERY dark there with no street lights and the thought of driving back next to a drop off to the ocean was a bit unnerving! Wednesday was our shopping and Luau day! I bought the kiddos and siblings some souvenirs and we had our wonderful Luau by the beach at sunset. They had buried a pig and during the Luau two men unburied it then it was served up for dinner. They had so much food it was a pregnant lady's dream! After dinner they had a show and the dancing was so neat. True to Bryan's self, they tried to pull him onto stage and he strongly refused! haha No surprise there! Thursday was our beach day which sadly ended after only an hour because I got sick, but it was fun while it lasted! We went to the "white" sand beach and I laid out while Bryan played in the water. He was a little bummed I didn't go out in the water with him but I was just not feeling well! So that day was kind of a bust! We spent most of it in the hotel with me in bed or in the bathroom but hey at least the first few days were sickness free! (When we got back I got a prescription for phenergan because I was done with the whole being sick thing!) Friday we had to check out of our hotel but we first had a glass bottom boat tour which was wonderful! We saw all the coral, fish, sea turtles, etc. God's creation really is amazing!!! After we checked out we headed back to Kona from Waikoloa and visited a coffee plantation. That was so neat and we learned a lot about coffee plants, the process of meaking coffee beans, and some facts about decaf that are gross. Did you know that decaf coffee from cheap places is made by soaking the beans in formaldehyde to draw out some of the caffeine. Better coffee use some type of spring water to get the same affect but it's more expensive so most places go the other route. So note to self, don't get decaf anymore no matter how much you want to avoid a caffeine rush! We finished up there and had hours and hours to burn until our red eye flight. We had the epiphany that we could GO SEE A MOVIE! We saw Identity Thief which was ok, a little crass but funny in some parts! It was so weird to have those moments of "Hey, we can do whatever we want, whenever we want!" haha After the movie we drove around trying to find a place to eat but Kona is apparently crazy at night so it was a nightmare! After about an hour we said heck with it and headed to the airport....worst idea ever! The trip up until that point was awesome...the last 5 hours were MISERABLE! We hadn't eaten since about 11:30am....it was now 7pm, we dropped off the rental car, took the shuttle over to the baggage check in, and what do you know, it didn't open until 9:30! Do you think they had a vending machine or anything to eat before you get through security? NOPE! Nothing!!!!! Do you think they had benches to sit on to wait? NOPE!!! Not one!! So as we sat on a little lava wall, my blood sugar dropped lower and lower and I felt sick, I ended up in tears because I felt so crappy! 2 1/2 hours later they opened up the ticket area so we could check our bags in (which by now there was a huge line so instead of being first we had to wait in long lines), go through security (I had to do the ever fun pat down since I didn't want to do the body scanner), then FINALLY to the little cafe that closed at 10pm. We ate quickly then sat for another hour until our plane boarded. I have never been so happy to get on an airplane! We took off on time, had a nice tail wind, and got home in only 5 1/2 hours! Mom was there as we walked out of baggage claim and instead of a "MOM! DAD!" We got a "*tears* but I want to stay at grammie's house!" haha Not quite what I expected but at least they didn't really miss us much!!! So that wraps up our trip! We enjoyed the time together and soaked in all the peace and quiet since we know it will be a very long time before we do that again!
 We miss you more and more and love you like crazy!!!
Your Favorite Second Born,
Carley
Sorry, these are totally out of order but the uploader mixed them all up and I am way too tired to rearrange them! So use your imagination! hehehe