Our Focus

Our days are changing. We have shifted our focus to include this new baby into our every day lives. Michael loves to see his baby brother and calls him Eefitt. Is is the cutest. Over night he became a big boy...not our little toddler any more. He is a good helper too.

He is so excited to see when Ethan is awake. He likes to interact with him. Of course he doesn't understand why Ethan doesn't smile at him or talk back. But he is learning to be gentle and quieter  around Ethan. 

This set up we have is pretty perfect. Abby is the main care-giver and while Kevin is at work, I am the back up. Michael hasn't felt jealous or put aside at all. If he needs his mom I take the baby. If Ethan needs mom, I focus on Michael. It has been wonderful. I couldn't love them more.

The Newest Addition

He is here! After 9 months growing in his mom's belly, 3 days of laboring at home and 12ish hours of labor and delivery at the hospital, on May 16, 2016 Ethan Douglas was born!

8 pounds on the nose and a length of 21 inches he is healthy and ready for anything.

He isn't a fussy baby. He is content to sleep. Abby has to wake him up to feed him. I'm pretty sure that will change....but for now...he is just heavenly.

He has the best, most kissable cheeks ever!!

Big brother has been hearing about this new thing called a little brother for months.

He was so excited to see him for real and finally learn what all the fuss has been about.

Their bond was noticeable from the start. These two are going to be buddies.

Michael was excited to hold him. He was also happy to get mom's lap back!!

When he is awake he likes to look around and just chill. 

Of course another baby is a welcome addition. I am so beyond grateful that they are living so close (with us). I love every minute I get to spend with these precious boys.

He is just beautiful.

Papa likes him too and is calling him Bug (Michael is Butch). So our little Bug is finally here!!

Welcome to our family beautiful Bug.

Ethan looks a little more like Kevin than Michael does. But they both look a lot alike. 

Michael wanted to wear Ethan's hat from the hospital. Silly boy!!

And then he was content to watch PBS Kids on Abby's phone while we chatted. He is pretty easy to take places.

I just love this tiny human. He is perfect.

My two grandboys. I couldn't be happier or more proud. They are the light in my life and I couldn't love them more. 

Oahu: Day 6 The Afternoon

After we visited the Pearl Harbor memorial we went to the Punchbowl AKA the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. It was a beautiful cemetery with a monument with the fallen soldiers names on concrete blocks lining the steps. You can see them in the picture below on the right hand side. When we walked up all those steps we may or may not have sang the theme from Rocky.

Looking from the top of the steps back out toward the ocean you can see Diamond Head and Honolulu. 

Behind me you can see inside the main building. It has tile murals depicting key battles in all the Pacific wars. 

A picture of Ilise taking a picture of me taking a picture of her.

Another view of Honolulu.

Jim's back was hurting so he took the opportunity to stretch while he and Robert looked at the murals.

Deep thoughts.....

I love seeing the flag. It inspires me.

There was a little chapel here too. It was beautiful and multi-denominational. 

This memorial isn't as visited as Pearl Harbor but was just as moving.

Yes. More flags. 

There were beautiful flowers everywhere. I didn't take as many pictures of them as I should have. They were stunning.

After this we found some dinner and headed for the airport. It is a 7 hour flight and we HATED every minute of it. But it is how you get to paradise so it is a sacrifice I am willing to make. I can't wait to go back. Hawaii, you have captivated me heart and soul.

Oahu: Day 6 AKA the Last Day Part 1

On our last day we visited the Pearl Harbor Memorial.

We rode the ferry out to the memorial. This is a pic of the oil that leaks out of the hull (2-9 quarts a day).

There is a sacred feeling here. Like a cemetery. There are bodies interred here...their final resting place. 

There is a sadness that we could feel. If you look at Jim's face in the following pictures, you can tell he wasn't just feeling the sad. 

The names of the brave soldiers that lost their lives are carved on the wall at the end of the memorial. It feels like a chapel, reverent and sacred. 

I couldn't help but wonder if I was the only one that left there feeling more patriotic than when I came in. The sacrifice of our military members never ceases to amaze me. They and their families give so much.

I love this guy. He has a big heart. This was really a hard visit for him. 

Angry eyes. He had a hard time concealing his emotions.

The gun turrets still stick out of the water.

Dear Lord

Lest I continue

My complacent way

Help me to remember

Somehow out there

A man died for me today.

As long as there be war

Then I must

Ask and answer

Am I worth dying for?

–Prayer Eleanor Roosevelt kept in her wallet during WWII

That prayer on this wall at the memorial hit us hard. A brave question...Are we worth dying for?

This is a photo from the internet. I like how you can see the outline of the ship the USS Arizona under the water. The boat at the bottom of the picture is the ferry that brings visitors out to the memorial. You can see the gun turret and the flag that I took pictures of. The end of the white building at the top of the picture is where the chapel with all the names is. 

This was a great way to start our last day in Oahu.

Oahu: Day 5 Part 2

 After we snorkeled at Hanauma Bay we stopped for some pizza (because we were craving some good food) and then headed back to our house. On our way we decided to detour at The Valley of the Temples. 

Located near Kaneohe, the park is dominated by a majestic Byodo-In Temple. The temple is a replica of the magnificent 900-year-old Byodo-In Temple of Equality in Japan. The original stands in Uji on the outskirts of Kyoto. The Oahu replica was built in 1968 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant to Hawaii. (credit Hawaii.com) 

 The three ton temple bell is supposed to help in meditation but I found it to be too loud.

 That is the meditation hut. It is really peaceful. There are cemetery grounds surrounding the temple. It is quiet and peaceful.

 Japanese carp. EW.

There was a giant Buddha in the center of the chapel. People can light incense to help their prayers reach heaven. 

I was so impressed by the towering pines. I love that we have pine trees AND palm trees in the same day.

 Beautiful flowers and foliage.

 The clouds sitting on the mountains made me feel like I was back at home in Utah.

 My crazy post-snorkel hair.

 One giant pine cone in the center of those leaves?

 We found fruit!!

 The next two pics belong on the Pearl Harbor post. Before we left  the North Shore area we stopped at the BYU-Hawaii campus to shop at their bookstore.

 I liked these trees....more flowers than leaves!! Pines, palms and flowers...this place has it all!!