New Year's Revolutions

Aloha,

For whatever reason [I'm a lazy bum] I really did suck at achieving many goals in 2014.

Out with the old...Sunset on O'ahu, Dec. 29, 2014

Now, don't get me wrong, it wasn't a *bad* year, but more of a quaffable year, definitely not a year I would put on my shelf and wait ten years before thinking.

I sit here tonight on a patio by a beach cottage we're staying in... thinking about the last few New Year's we've spent here and knowing this will be our last.

2015 brings a whole new set of challenges... we'll be moving to Virginia soon (+/- 90 days), so there's the whole deal with finding a house, school, pub, wineries... you know, the usual stuff.

But, it's going to be okay.

Anyone in the military reading this is just nodding and going, "yup, been there, moved here."

We've been *blessed to have spent four Christmases in Hawaii and while I don't know where next Christmas will be, I know it will be surrounded by love.

So, no New Year's resolutions for me... I'm going with the Revolution.

It's time for change -- and that includes my blog name, too :)

Happy New Year to you and yours -- and golly gee whiz, may *all* your dreams, hopes and aspirations come true.

Write on, dude.

New Beginnings... New Year's Eve Sunrise...

Why I Missed IWSG...(the 8,000-word* post :)

Aloha,

Ok, so you know how a picture tells a thousand words?

Well, I've eight pictures to share, but based upon the title of my post, now I'm not sure anyone will stop by !!!

However, if you are reading this, thanks :)

See, I have a very good reason why I missed IWSG by A. Lex Cavanaugh for the first time in more than a year...



Take it away, Pics....


...We decided to spend a few days at the end of the year, here at a beach cottage...




"Kermit," the Hawaiian Monk Seal

...When we arrived Friday afternoon, our soon-to-be buddy, Kermit, was chill-axing on the beach - about two hundred feet from our front door.

While we unpacked, he lay there, all happy inside his 150-foot roped-off buffer zone, and was still there after we left the following Wednesday morning.


 (It's obviously a hard job to be a Monk Seal - but as there are only 1,000 left in existance, it's great to know they are being protected by a group of awesome volunteers who man the Hawaiian Monk Seal Response team.




Sunrise at Barbers Point, Oahu, Hawaii

The next morning, I woke up and this ^ was the view from the front door... (that's Kermit just off the beach on the lower left hand side.)



Later, I had the chance to have a ball cap "placement session" with No. 2 Son...

Papa, this hat is so becoming of you!

...And enjoy a facial massage...

Don't worry, Papa, I'm a trained professional


...While celebrating the beginning of 2013...

From our beach to yours :)

...but the main reason we went to Barbers Point was to celebrate the FIRST birthday of No. 3 Son who turned one on New Year's Eve...



What? I've turned one? Already? Ah, man, I need a nap...




Luckily, we got to see a few Rockin' Sunsets...

When I grow up, I want to be Alex's stunt-silhouette :)

...And spent some quality family time together...

Mom, did Papa really write an 8,000-word post?

Thanks for making it to the end of my 8,000-word post and I know it's already the fourth, but wishing you a very happy, healthy and successful New Year:)

You Know You're a Parent.... (#4)

Aloha and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

You Know You’re A Parent When…

You write a countdown letter to your newly born infant son...

Dear No. 3 Son,

It’s 11:47 p.m. HST on New Year’s Eve, 2011 and I’m writing this in the midst of a pink hospital overlooking much of Honolulu City and County.

Can't a guy just get a little sleep around here?

 11:50: While things are rocking and rolling in downtown Waikiki, up here the corridors are empty, doors are closed and all is quiet at this medical behemoth. (This is the quietest New Year’s Eve I can ever remember – but your arrival makes it the most exciting, and one I will never forget.)

11:52: Sitting close to you – my sleeping nine-hour-old son – your mother and I whisper and glance over at a muted, five-hour-old cable rerun counting down to midnight at Times Square.

11:53: The moon is a bright, white half-smile in the clear dark sky. This I discover only because a nurse stops by to say we should open the window blinds and catch the upcoming fireworks show.

11:57: I open a bottle of contraband – justifying the scandalous breach in protocol by telling myself if there was ever a time to have a sip, just a sip, mind you of something that tastes suspiciously like champagne – it’s today, Dec. 31, your Birth Day.

00:03: Mama and I spend a few minutes counting our blessings that you and her are both well and that this C-section was the easiest of the three.

00:05: We raise our plastic glasses to the memory of Uncle Junior who died exactly twelve years before you were born. Your birth means December 31 won’t have to be a day reflecting on loss.

00:07: Grandma, Grandpa and Special Guest Star, Uncle Jerry, call to wish us a Happy New Year. (Grandma says there are three glasses with twelve grapes each for when we bring you home Monday – I’ll explain that particular family tradition once you’re old enough. It involves wearing a red shirt and jumping up and down twelve timesJ)

00:17: For about fifteen minutes, the entire sky – from Waikiki to Honolulu international Airport and beyond was filled with thousands of fireworks from hundreds of groups and families.

Wow, what a great show and a cool way to celebrate your birthday!

01:53: Mama is sleeping and I’m looking at an old friend, the hospital blue chair, the one that opens – somehow – to a single bed. The sky is clear again, and it’s time to go to bed, but I just wanted to say Happy New Year, son. May you dream big, live large and be the person you are meant to be.

Happy New Year!

P.S. Another silly reason Mama and I were happy to see you today… your timely arrival means we’ll get a tax break for 2011. (We promise to use the extra funds to pick out the finest diapers and wipes money can buy at CostcoJ)