Brayden Received the Priesthood!

On December 14, 2018, the Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints announced changes allowing my oldest son to receive the priesthood a mere three weeks later…instead of waiting until he turns 12 in May. I called my mom before I even finished reading the announcement and said “Does this really mean what I think it means??” and a couple hours later, my parents and inlaws had booked flights to be here for Brayden’s Priesthood Ordination.  This past week, Brayden received the Aaronic Priesthood by my father, surrounded by men that love him.  To be alive in this day-and-age is exciting and invigorating.  President Nelson said to the youth in his announcement on Instagram: “You are among the best the Lord has ever sent into this world. You have the capacity to be smarter and wiser and have more impact on the world than any previous generation! The Lord loves you and I love you.”

I am so proud of Brayden and his decision to receive the priesthood and I am so blessed to be raising, with my husband, four sons that are helping to prepare the earth for the coming of Christ.

Having the priesthood in my home is something that is so very sacred to me and the significance of this at this time is not lost on me. We had the opportunity to go to the temple together the day after Brayden's ordination and do baptisms for the dead. (Skipping school to go to the temple was an awesome decision!) What an incredible experience, and one that I will never forget. B was baptized for 59 souls, and I was able to do work for 20. He got a private little talk with the Temple President that really illustrated the magnitude, significance, and importance of the work he was doing in the temple. I am SO grateful that both sets of grandparents were able to be there for this incredible occasion. The church is true!!

We made the most of the weekend, and Hilo blessed us with beautiful weather. We got to eat out at delicious restaurants, adventure to Narnia (Mom and Lorraine went down the slide!), Volcanoes National Park, and the zoo, and spend really great time with the grandparents! We are so blessed to have so much family that supports us, and we feel the love of our family even across an ocean that separates us.

Kyle is Here and Cousin Lisa Came!

Kyle moved in with us for a few weeks and we went on a lot of adventures but didn't do a great job at taking pictures, unfortunately.

One of the days he was here, our cousin Lisa, her husband, and her in-laws were in port for the day on December 28th on a cruise. We got to spend the entire day with them and it was so amazing. We went to Rainbow Falls and the Banyan trees, Boiling Pots, Eagle's Nest lookout, the Farmer's Market, Hawaiian Style Cafe, and the zoo, where we got photobombed by the tiger! I think we decided it had been 10 years since we'd seen each other so it was pretty great that we got an entire day together!

We spent an afternoon at Volcanoes National park. It was a beautiful day to get some hiking in!

And I spent way too much money at the grocery store for some rhubarb. I was missing it! I whipped together this apple rhubarb crisp and it was amazing! Definitely hit the spot.

Asher has learned that when he wants something, his chances increase if he rubs my feet while he's asking :)

I love this view! This kid loves doing his homework and it makes me so happy!

Brayden will be 12 in May and is too tall for size 10 pants so we bought him some size 12 pants. They are massive on him. Ha. This picture just cracks me up.

Island Getaway - Maui!

Sean and I were blessed to be able to go to Maui for three days. Since Kyle is living with us for a little bit, we took advantage and left the boys behind with him while we explored a new island. We have now been to Kauai, Oahu, and Maui. They are all so different, unique and amazing! 

We got island hopper flights on Mokulele Airlines and it was SUCH a fun experience! We rode each way on a nine-seater prop plane. On the way there the plane was full but on the way back there were only four passengers. It almost felt like a private jet. :) 

There was no TSA, meaning we could bring full water bottles and things larger than 3 ounces. From the time they called our flight number to takeoff was five minutes. It was so cool! The flight there, Sean and I were in the first row so I could have literally reached out and touched the pilot if I wanted. We got to see the controls and instrument panels while we flew, and the flight there was over sunrise and the flight back was over sunset. It was amazing!

Since it was a smaller plane, we definitely got more turbulence than I have ever experienced. There were a couple times that we were definitely free falling and also getting jolted back and forth.  Sean and I both just had big smiles on our faces the entire time. It was so fun! At the end, the pilot turned around and said to us "Sorry about that speed bump!" haha. I am glad that neither Sean nor I are nervous flyers.

We got to Maui first thing Wednesday morning. We grabbed food then headed out to a hidden hike on the Road to Hana that our local friends told us about. It was about 4 miles round trip with significant elevation change. It was through an underbrush trail that then opened up to vistas on the ridge. It required some America Ninja Warrior moves, crawling over and under and monkey-swinging on branches. It was muddy and rugged and was another hike that required ropes to descend the cliff faces. It ended up down at the water and was so incredibly beautiful.  On trips like this, it makes me so grateful for Sean's and my health...that we can do hikes like that and not be slowed down by anything. We are blessed! 

 

 

We met up with one of my closest friend from Junior High, Sam. She lives on Maui and it was so fun meeting up with her at a beach, eating lunch, swimming, and reminiscing. We hadn't really talked much in almost 13 years but it was so great catching up! 

The rest of the trip consisted of waterfalls, hikes, beaches, hammocking, amazingly delicious food, slacklining, going on walks, and having really long and deep conversations. Specifically, the 'Iao Needle hike was particularly memorable of the various other places we went. We were able to climb a ridgeline overseeing valleys and rivers, as well as walk around the valley floor where pristine water flowed between ridges.  Sean was even crazy enough to go in the sub-zero waters for a quick dip. We sat next to the river and balanced and skipped rocks, chatted, and relaxed.

 

Less than any other trip I had ever taken in my life, I made zero plans and done zero research. I had zero expectations and just let whatever was going to happen, happen. It was so nice to just "be." I don't know when I've ever been so unscheduled and it was really great for my brain to just detox and completely relinquish all control and expectation. I should maybe do that more often ;)

I am glad that we were able to visit this island and do one more hoorah before we move this May. We still don't know where that is or where we will end up, but we have been blessed to be able to make so much of our time here in the Islands!