ALOHA!!! part 2

Ok, seriously, I took a bazillion pictures of the beautiful scenery from the golf course, Dole Pineapple Plantation, Laie Temple grounds, and Polynesian Cultural Center, but here are a few...ahem, more than a few... of my favorites.

To view more of my favorites, go to my photography blog or click here.

ALOHA!!! part 1

After 9 weeks apart, Doug and I were like newlyweds...it was enough just to be together!  We kept glancing over at each other, smile, kiss, smile, giggle, smile, say "I love you", smile, kiss...you get the point.  Since we decided to meet at the airport, the kids would have to wait another week to see dad.  It was hard leaving them, but I knew they were in good hands- thank you Daddy, Devin, Hannah, Mom, Dan, Hunter, Jeannie!  Colt did venture to Hawaii with us since he was only 7 months and still nursing....did make for some challenges, but Doug just loved seeing his son again.

Here's some highlights from our trip:

View of Waikiki Beach from hotel room.

Other view of Diamond Head from our balcony.

Retro Hawaiian hotel we stayed in...thank you military discount.

2 double beds pushed together makes 1 super size king...and a place for our baby to play on.

Hickam Airforce Base golf course on the beach!

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Our visit to Pearl Harbor had a little more meaning for us than anticipated...that's what this Army thing does to ya I guess.

Doug loved all the weapons.

Colton's first taste of ice cream.

A submarine who fate is unknown...there were lots but took a pic of this one because my dad's name is Jack and mine Amber.

Colton didn't like sea kayaking...or was it the life jacket.  Like I said, it was challenging to do somethings with a baby around.

Colton loved the beach, especially eating the sand.

Love, love

love this boy!

It was fun showing Doug the houses I grew up in.  This one was in Mililani on Makapipipi Street.  Ages 5-8.  It used to have pineapple bushes, mango, and papaya trees...oh and a nasty cactus plant.

Kindergarten-2nd Grade for Amber

Baptised a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Bishop Lee here.

Laie, Hawaii Temple visitor center.

Laie Temple

When we lived in this duplex, it was a mustard yellow color and had two tall coconut trees in front. Ages 8-10...Mom worked down the street at BYU-Hawaii.

The reason we were in Hawaii...just a few days before their wedding.

Clarksville 2nd Ward...

"We'd like to take a moment to let you know that we lost Bro. Wallace this week.  He was killed in the war in Afghanistan."  with tears in his eyes, our bishop sadly states.

Wow...what an introduction to our new ward.  The rest of the meetings I could hardly focus.  The majority of the ward is Army with most of the men currently deployed.  I saw moms pushing babies in strollers around church while they escorted their other kids to class.  I saw many sad faces in which I wondered what their circumstances were.  I saw a bishopric that seemed desperate and emotional.  I saw women who seemed lonely, tired, and "in their own world" probably just trying to get through the day.

I just can't help but feel sadness for the Wallace family, whom I don't know.  Bro. Wallace was the father of 4 kids ages 1-7 years.  I'm sure his wife is in pieces and probably can't even begin to explain this to her kids.  How does one get through a tragedy like this?  

As I heard Doug telling the kids a goodnight story that he was making up about sleepy dragons and then hearing the kids giggle in delight, all I could feel was gratitude that he is here, in our home...what a blessing.  

Reunited, a break down, and a break in...at least not a break up =)

I will post on Hawaii when I get a chance but for now here's our recent adventure.

Doug, Colton, and I flew in from Hawaii on Sunday, reunited as a family with Jax and Talon and it was a Celestial moment to be together as a family again.  They were so excited to see Doug.  I saw them first and Talon said, "Hi mom, where's dad?"  Jax said, "Hi mom, where's my bubble gum?"  Then Jax decided to hide from Doug in the back of the van.  Talon jumped out when he saw dad and gave him a big hug.  They held the hug for a long time and Doug shed a few tears.  I told him Jax was hiding so Doug went to open the van back door.  Well, Jax was holding onto the hand so as the door slowly opened, he found himself slowing becoming horizontal to the concrete....and then splat, face first.  He was a bit stunned, so his reunion with dad he didn't quite know if he should cry or what.  After a few tickles, he was laughing in no time.

That evening we passed out Hawaii treats to family and packed for our 3 day road trip cross country again. I had most of it ready to go before I left but there was still plenty to sort, organize and wash since the baby formula exploded in my suitcase.  The next day we drove to Denver to stay over night with my cousin Kristen and her husband Spencer.  The next morning we headed out and about an hour and a half into our drive we heard a clunk and our car would no longer accelerate.  There went our transmission on our van we've only had for a year and a half only 81, 000 miles.  Called USAA, the tow truck came, Jax and Talon said, "This is cool mom." as they drove us back to Limon, CO.

The blessings:
1.  It was only in the high 70's, low 80's.
2.  We just ate.
3.  We were safe, healthy, and I was surprisingly calm.
4.  We were together as a family!

The negatives:
1.  Mechanic said it would take at least 6-7 days to fix (order parts, the weekend, and install).
2.  Doug had to be at work Thursday morning (it was Tuesday) and we had a 2 day drive still.
3.  We had our car PACKED with stuff.
4.  $$$

So after a day of hanging out at the Chrysler dealership in the booming town of Limon, they closed and we stood outside still trying to decide what to do.  The sun was setting, we were all hungry, tired, mentally out of it, our ANGEL came and rescued us.  Spencer picked us up in his truck, we bought airline tickets, drove back to their house, got a good nights sleep, and flew to Nashville safely.  We are having our broken car shipped to us.

We didn't all fit in Doug's little car, so he had a friend drive an hour to the airport to help transport the 5 of us, our 8 suitcases, and 3 car seats.  We arrived to our new beautiful home to find signs it had been broke into.  As of right now, we haven't discovered anything missing (most of it is still in boxes and thank goodness we don't own any nice electronics or prescriptions).  The back screen window was broken and our front door was unlocked and boxes where moved.  The police said there was another breakin a street up and they took electronics.  Just a bit unsettling you know.

Well, I should be unpacking boxes but I just didn't want to forget this experience.  We are so happy to be together as a family...hope it last a long time...still dreading deployment news.  But I know the Lord is looking out for us and will help us go through all our earthly trials.

Our Summer 2010

Besides 9 weeks without having a husband to snuggle with or a Daddy to help get those energy bugs out, we did have a wonderful time with family in Utah.

Here are some of the highlights:

• Swim Lessons- Jax learned to swim with about 7 feet with his face under the water!!!  Talon learned to blow bubbles.=)

• Jeannie- a true gift from Heaven.  My dearest cousin/friend who lives in my mom's basement apartment.  It was just glorious to have someone to talk with.  I just couldn't spend enough time with her.  I even found myself asking if she wanted to come talk to me while I packed for a trip...and she did because she's amazing like that. I LOVE YOU JEANNIE!

• Jace- Jeannie and Jared's 3 year old who loved to play with my boys and they loved to play with him.  They spent their summer days pretending all sorts of imaginative play and I called them the 3 AMIGOS!!!   

• Baby Aaron- my first nephew on my side.  Daniel and Adrienne had their baby boy while I was there.  We were able to witness his baby blessing in which Daniel kept calling him Aaron (they named him Aden) and so after the blessing they decided  his name must be Aaron.  

• Hannah- my darling Sister!  She was kind enough to share her bedroom with me.  We'd stay up till the wee hours talking like sisters do.  I always wanted a sister I could do this with and it was heavenly.  

• Grandma Copley- was living with my Mom this summer and it was so fun to enjoy her laughter.  She's in the last years of her life, but what joy she can make out of the little things, like laughing that she thought she needed to put her teeth in when they were already in.  Oh, how I love you Grandma!

Grandma Copley with all her great grandkids!

• The Temple- I made it a goal to go once a week.  My family was so great to help watch the kids so I could feed my soul with peace and comfort there in the temple.  Adrienne graciously did a little preschool with my kids so I could have Thursday mornings as my temple time.  I love Mount Timpanogos as that's where I took out my endowments and was sealed to Doug!  We even were able to do the work for my Grandma Sturgeon who passed away a year ago July.  That was super special.  Hannah did her baptism, I did her initiatory and endowment, and Lori sealed her to Grandpa with Daddy as his proxy.  It was truly was a celestial experience.  

• Lifting weights- I decided since Doug was getting fit at Officer's Basic, I better keep up.  So I started lifting again (used to lift in college and LOVED it!).  It was a bit depressing when I couldn't even do a sit up.  But I'll tell you, by the end of the summer, I could do 13! Whoohoo!

...can't you just see the muscles! =)

• Visiting Idaho McArthurs- enjoyed seeing our new nieces who were adopted from Haiti.  Spending 4th of July weekend in Jen's little apartment.  She was kind to give up her only bedroom for me and the boys, while Mom & Dad McArthur, Kim, and Jen slept in the living room.  Jon and Holli had their first baby boy Jack Wyatt and we got to attend his baby blessing.

Ava's birthday party.

Saying goodbye to our new neices and nephews.

Riding horses with Uncle Ben.

Singing songs with Aunt Janelle.

Idaho Falls

• Feel so much love from my Family- from when my Dad helped pick me off the bathroom floor when I was so sick with Mastitis to my Mom spending teaching moments with my boys about listening to the Spirit before making a choice, it was glorious to feel so much love from my family.  I couldn't have enjoyed this summer without their love.  Dan even turned the Air Conditioning on for us!  Lori and I found ourselves endlessly talking about Army life, kids, health, especially right before bedtime.  

time for a name change

Since we are no longer living in Morgantown, WV, it was driving me crazy that our blog name was morgantownmcarthurs.

I guess it also represents us starting a new chapter in our lives.  Maybe I should of titled it "Military McArthurs" or something like that, but then I would have had to deal with the name driving me crazy after we got out of the military.

If you'd like to view our previous blog, you still can: www.morgantownmcarthurs.blogspot.com but we hope you'll add our new blog to your list.