Road to Hana

The north/east side of Maui (opposite side from where we were staying in Kihei) has a beautiful coast line drive that takes you through some amazing jungles filled with waterfalls, unique beaches and cool hikes. We got up early Saturday morning and drove to Wai'anapanapa State Park where there was a gorgeous Black Sand Beach. We had reservations from 7-10am and got to the Black sand Beach around 8:30am. I really wish we would have had a little more time at this beach it was super fun walking and playing in the black sand and exploring the rocks and surroundings. We had a lot of fun in this small cave reenacting the little mermaid scene. Haha I think Jeff won this competition. 

Next we headed for Kipahulu Haeakala National Park. The main thing to do there is hike the Pipiwai trail to a 400 foot Waimoku Falls. This 4 mile round trip hike was really beautiful lots of shade complete with bamboo forest, Huge trees, super pretty. We hike beyond the "stopping point" and got right up and under the waterfall. Very refreshing and an amazing hike. 

A few other cool stops included the Koki Beach Park - Red sand beach. This beach was beautiful but super rocky and I wish I would have taken my water shoes to help with the sharp rocks. You had a small hike down to the beautiful cove the beach had a camp ground feel with trees, dirt, rock with amazingly clear water . We got here later in the day so it was a little more chilly than I would have preferred, so we didn't stay long. 

Hamoa Beach was a beautiful white sand beach. super soft sand and a crescent shaped relaxing spot. Fun to explore, hang out and just play. I really wish this beach had been located closer to Kihei where we stayed.

The drive all along the way was just beautiful with breathtaking views and lots of fun stops. We stopped and bought some authentic Hawaiian Leis from a couple of adorable local children. Stopped at a local fruit stand in the town of Hana ate some yummy food (I was never so excited for GF French fries in my life!) and purchased some souvenir's. 

Hawaii 2022 Celebrating 20 years of bliss

I feel so blessed. Ron and I had the opportunity to go on a week long vacation with out our children. I love my kids but I'm not going to lie it was really nice spending that time alone with Ron. We have never taken a trip this long or like this before and it was incredible. We went to Maui, Hawaii and experienced the ocean, whales, snorkeling, hiking, paddle boarding, boating, swimming and exploring. I enjoyed every single second of this trip and am so grateful for friends and family that made it possible for us to go. 

Ron is so adventurous and fun to travel with. He never complains about anything and is always up for an excursion or experience. Poor Ron had some sort of sinus infection the entire trip but he didn't complain once and didn't let it hold him back. We snorkeled, paddle boarded, swam and cliff jumped on the regular. The only thing I could think to possibly complain about is Ron's level of excitement over the whales. He was so enchanted by the whale activity and his excitement only slight irked me when I was trying to relax on the beach. Haha He wouldn't let me nap and had to inform me every time he saw a whale breach or spout on the horizon across the ocean water. It was adorably annoying at times mostly because it was whale season and the whales activity was constant. LOL

I thoroughly enjoyed exploring and experiencing the ocean with this man. He seems so invincible to me. I've always been someone who is cautious of underwater animals, Sharks specifically. They have unrealistically terrified me for most of my life. I have been so surprised with our last 2 beach trips that I am able to snorkel and experience the ocean not letting my fears get the better of me. I know all of that is because of Ron. He makes me feel safe and pushes me to experience things. I love that about him and I know he would fight a shark off for me if necessary. 

Callie Has joined the Celiac Club

Another one bites the dust... Last Thursday at 6:30am we checked in at Phoenix Children's Surgery center. Callie was put under general anesthesia and Dr. Carroll performed an Endoscopy to check for evidence and a diagnosis of celiac disease.They took a camera down her esophagus scoped and took biopsies from her small intestine. Right after surgery Dr. Carroll came in and talked to us. He was fairly confident she did have Celiac Disease but sent samples to the lab for results. The lab confirmed she does in fact have Celiac Disease. According the the different levels and degrees of celiac disease she is at a level 3-A. (the scale is from 0-3 with 3 being the most severe. level 3 has 3 sub levels A,B or C) I have cried off and on for the past week (and since her original blood work came back with elevated levels a couple months ago) just thinking about it. I struggle with feeling guilt that it's my fault. Even though I did not knowingly give it to her it is a generic trait I passed on to her. I've been thinking about her teens years, socializing/parties/dating with celiac disease. It's going to be rough, it's not something I personally had to deal with as a kid so I can't imagine dealing with it in adolescence. It makes me sad that this is a life long trial she will have. I know she is a strong girl and totally capable of handling it but it's definitely one of those things I wish I could take away from her. But she will have full family support on this and we will move forward with out heads high. I'm grateful that this is a manageable disease. We don't have to go on medications, we don't have to have chemotherapy and hospital visits as long as we maintain a strict diet.

April is just so sweet. Before Callie's appointment she told Ron "I hope her test comes back saying she can have gluten" That little girl amazes me day after day with her empathetic abilities. She knows it's not an easy thing to be GF but she does usually have a positive attitude about it. I do like that they will at least have each other to lean on through this ordeal. Girl GF Power all the way.

Priesthood Ordinations

January 9, 2022 - This week was simply amazing. Mason was ordained a Priest and Noah a Teacher last Sunday. On Saturday, Mason planned a temple baptism trip with his school friends (thank you Grandma Faler for the online help!) and today he blessed the sacrament. My momma heart is full and so so happy. Watching him honor and use his priesthood. He was so excited to baptize his friends. When Kelsie (one of his friends) realized Mason would be the one baptizing all of them she smiled and said "Oh! Baby is all grown up!" These kids are so good and great examples for each other. I'm very pleased with the crowd Mason has chosen to hang out with.

On Sunday when he blessed the Sacrament water after getting the bishop's nod of approval he turned back to hand out the trays and I could see his eye brows raise up and down with satisfaction. It's hard to see his full facial expression behind the mask but I can't explain the joy I feel watching my boys grow and make decisions for themselves. Decisions that I can see make them happy and feel good. 

A couple weeks later Noah did the same thing with his friends. Noah only had guy friends able to make it to our 6:30am appointment. I have lots of family names that my brother Allen gave me to accomplish. So this time I guilt tripped my mom into actually being baptized with me. Words can’t explain how amazing it felt to have my son use his priesthood and help me with temple ordinances. Plus I’m so happy I’m almost finished with the long list of temple family names Allen emailed. Haha

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." - - 3 John 1:4

Sidenote: One of Mason's friends showed me how to make a video reel on Instagram. Haha I'm so proud of myself.

Time for a Haircut

Mason FINALLY agreed to a haircut. I do miss his curls but I’m so happy to be rid of that mop top. All that blonde swimming hair needed to go. I can’t tell you how many times people asked him if he bleached his hair. Lol He’s a good looking kid both with crazy hair and a shorter style. I’m still getting used to his new do, the other other day I didn’t recognize him as he walked into the temple meeting me there for temple baptisms with his friends.