2/26/2025
It's so interesting to me that the last time I wrote in this journal I was also in Hawaii! It was also this time last year that I came for Amy and Ashlee's yoga retreat in Kona. I'm so happy to be back in this healing place with my family and share with them why this place is so special for me.
I was just thinking about all the miracles it took to get us to this point- in Hawaii together spending a month here:
- Being able to bring Michael home so that he could come with us for a month
- Having my own business
- Being able to homeschool our children
Those are the foundation pillars of living this life.
But then just getting here with 4 children. The packing itself took weeks. Thinking about all their needs, what we would need, and fitting it into tiny suitcases.
But the last 48 hours is where the miracles have really been. Here are a few:
- Pam watching the kids on Monday morning while we packed so we could keep our sanity and not be interrupted by 1000 questions, them packing all of their blankets and stuffies, and get everything taken care of.
- Being able to fit all of our supplies for 1 month in 7 suitcases
- Finding out that 2 of them would be checked for free because of my United card
- Finding out I could pay for baggage with miles from my account so it was free
- Getting out the door from Bicknell on time (2pm)
- Making it to Richfield in time to go to the Driver's License Division
- Michael being able to renew his license, including taking the Hazmat test
- Getting Michael and new bank card
- Getting back on the road within an hour
- Jacob being happy on the car ride there, the kids not fighting (I'm sure this has nothing to do with the fact that they played their tablets the entire time)
- Getting into our Hotel at a decent time
- Lindsay Biehn being able to let us park our Suburban at her house for a month
Tuesday morning, disaster hit. As we were loading on the hotel airport shuttle, I realized I didn't have my wallet. In horror I thought perhaps I had left it the Suburban. I called Lindsay and she had her girls check the Suburban- it wasn't there. Then Aaron checked- still no dice. Once we were at the airport, I realized that it was in my brown backpack that I had left on the bench at the hotel. I asked the driver if he could take me back to the hotel, and he did- driving like a maniac. His name was Vaclav Havlik, from Czeck Republic- but in the US for over 40 years. He reminded me of my grandpa Ouzounian- such a thick accent, even after living in the US for so long. He told me he was a pilot in the Air Force and then worked in the Sherrif's department. He was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and the doctors told him to stay busy as long as he could. So now here drives airport shuttles. What a blessing to meet him. Talking to strangers while I travel reminds me of being a missionary. My wife heart swelled with pride when I saw my husband doing the same thing- caring for the stranger. I gave him a $20 tip on Venmo and he was so grateful. He also had no idea how to use Venmo so I helped him set it up on his phone. What a sweet experience.
He got me back to the hotel and sure enough, my bag was sitting there on the bench, with my wallet in it. What a relief! Got back to the airport where my poor husband was trying to manage all 4 kids and all 9 bags. The flight agents took pity on him and helped him out. He got tags for all the luggage and the carseat. Not having to drag all that luggage through the airport was such a relief.
Then the kids all had their own little backpacks with water bottles and books and blankets. We got through security without a hitch, and got to our gate in time to get some food and settle in. On our layover in Denver we caught a ride on a cart so the kids didn't have to drag their "so heavy I'm gonna die" backpacks to the next gate.
Then we got to preboard because we had the stroller and that was so great. The 7.5 hour flight from Denver wasn't bad at all. The kids played their tablets the whole time. Jacob even slept for a couple of hours. We managed a diaper change on the plane. We got a little meal. Everyone was happy.
Flying in over the volcano was amazing. It's been erupting eradically, and I just got news that it started erupting again last night after we landed!! We got to see it's warm orange glow when we were driving to our AirBNB. That was surreal! Got to the airport and I caught a Lyft to get our Chrysler Pacifica for our month rental from LaVerne- a sweet older Hawaiian lady. Then rushed back to the airport to get Michael and the kids and all the luggage. We were all hungry and thirsty and when we landed we had already had a 14 hour day- but we went to Costco to load up on groceries.
Got some milk, bread, peanut butter, jelly, tortillas, cheese, butter, yogurt, sour cream and a few other things. It was $300!! I hope we can make it on $600/week here for food!
Going to sleep with the Cocqui frogs chirping was a dream. Everyone fell asleep quickly- after our 2 hour drive from Kona to Hilo. I wish there had been light so we could see the amazing landscape. But I got to snuggle with my boys in the back of the car while they fell asleep and that was a sweet experience. Woke up in paradise. The frogs stopped chirping and the birds started the moment the sun rose- so interesting! They didn't chirp during dawn. They waited until the sun was up! Jacob woke up at 8am Utah time- so 5am HI time. I thought I'd just make the best of it and wake up and journal and enjoy the silence. He loves it here. He loves the warmth.
The kids have been exploring the yard, eating all the Longan fruit. Alida found a coconut she wants to cut open. They are looking at the fruit trees and exploring the 3 acres behind the house. It's wonderful.
I'm hoping to keep the time here slow and relaxed. Full of love and healing.
I've always come here alone, as an escape. It feels so good to be here with my family, and to share this with them. To enjoy it together.
Bishop Don Bone called this morning to ask if I would speak in Loa on March 23rd. I was sad to turn him down because we will still be in HI! I bet he'll ask again. Karami Crandall also texted this morning to check in. What a wonderful memory of her and her amazing food.
I wish I could see my old friends again from the retreat! Janae and Amy and Ashlee Marchant and Bethanie even, David Smith's friend. What a wonderful and triggering time that was.
Tonight I'm hoping we'll get to go up to the Mauna Kea observatory, since it's a full moon, and look at the stars, and also go see the lava flow! I'm so happy and excited to be here!!
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