2012 Re-cap

Goodbye 2012... Hello 2013...

It's hard to believe ANOTHER year has gone by.

Some days felt like they would never end, while others
I prayed would slow down so I could savor the moment.

JANUARY

I rung in the New Year with some GREAT Chi Alpha friends in Arizona. We went to the lake where we saw a car boat, I hiked Hawes Trail with Liz, yet sadly... I still struggled with sleep. I talked about a life worth living, headed to some local events and discussed school options, and toured the new fire station. My parents and I got the opportunity to see the "Honoring Our History" traveling exhibit (although it did lead me to a pretty big rant). I ended my time in AZ with some rock climbing and a girl's night... then it was back to the Aloha state! The month ended with the NFL Pro Bowl.

FEBRUARY

This month started with the addition of Moku and Mandy flying in for a visit! While she was here we... went to a luau, on a whale watching cruise, SUP'd, headed to Dole & Haleiwa, hit up the swap meet & hiked the Pillboxes, met up with Kat and Alex to hike Makapu'u Lighthouse and drive the island, snorkeled at Hanauma Bay & ate some ono grindz & went to Puchbowl, spent Valentine's day in Waikiki, relaxed at Lanikai & enjoyed some shave ice. After Mandy left I celebrated Billy and Adrien's wedding anniversary, hit up some local food trucks, thought about moving the bedrooms around and *gasp* babies, then ended the month by attending the Hawaii Chocolate Festival!

MARCH

I started this month on the north shore with 140 women at the WOH Retreat. After the retreat I updated you on Moku's size, we had an EPIC storm including hail, and I talked about missing my husband discussing the Sunday sermon. Alexis flew in for her spring break, while she was here we... went SUPing & hung in Waikiki, visited Pearl Harbor & drove north shore, learned to outrigger canoe, enjoyed filling our tummies at Eat Out Kailua, snorkeled at Lanikai, went to a (different) luau, and finished off her trip with a hike to the Likeke Falls. My month went out with a bang completing the Warrior Dash as an M&M! ...we also went to the Paliku Arts Festival.

APRIL

I complained about being tired... but then... we celebrated Adrien's birthday in style, I hosted a HUGE potluck at the house for Easter, and I donated my hair! I reviewed my 2012 goals, met Taylor Wiley & attended a Surfrider Foundation Benefit. Dad flew into town and we ended the month with the Spam Jam.

MAY

Dad and I got to witness the Supermoon, then enjoy hiking & beaches & shave ice. Mom flew into town and we all took a hopper flight to the island of Maui! While we were there we... stayed at the Ka'anapali Beach Club, Drove the Road to Hana, snorkeled at Black Rock, drove to the top of Haleakela, and hung out at the Surfing Goat Dairy & Lahaina. I read the book "Act of Valor" and discussed my thoughts. I attended/photographed Cheryl's wedding then had a CRAZY adventure at the Makapu'u tidepools! I ended the month with memorials at Punchbowl and the Lantern Ceremony.

JUNE

Adrien and I started off this month with a sunrise hike of the Pillboxes. Then... QUINN CAME HOME! The boys and I headed to the State Fair, Quinn and I hung out with pineapples & sea turtles, and we played tourists in downtown Honolulu.

JULY

My personal project for this month was the "July Photo a Day." Other than taking photos... we checked out the botanical gardens, I ran another 5k & we watched fireworks, we attended our church's beach bash, I went wine tasting, and the month ended with the  beach & BBQ.

AUGUST

We went surfing and I tore my pectoral muscle! I talked about anxiety...again. We had a fun group date night/day. We started our "Mainland Tour" in Ohio with Quinn's welcome back BBQ, drove down to Kentucky to visit his sister and our nephew, the boys had a guys night, we took family photos & celebrated his birthday, and finally we visited Nanny and found out Carter didn't want us to leave. 

SEPTEMBER

We visited the National Cathedral then our friends welcomed us with a BBQ & we got to see our old piggies. We visited a few more friends before flying to AZ. There we went kayaking with horses, celebrated birthdays, saw Lex's house & had dinner with Ashley and Tena, went to the Cardinals Football game, hung out at the lake, had another BBQ, went to the Healing Field & D-backs game, the trip ended with a visit at Kim & Andy's. Back in Hawaii the Blue Angel's did their practice runs in our backyard and we went to the Military Day of the Airshow on base! Adrien and Quinn planned a wonderful birthday surprise for the last day of the month.

OCTOBER

The month started off with Quinn's promotion ceremony followed by a trip to Cirque du Solei. We made a trip out to Flat Island, then went pumpkin picking. I attended the WOH Refresh event as well as the Joint Spouses Conference. I hung at the beach and we had a low-key anniversary, then we invited everyone over for a Halloween potluck.

NOVEMBER
This month was busy with work and both of us got sick, but it brought the USMC Ball and days on the water. We also hosted our first Thanksgiving Dinner!

DECEMBER

We started off in Honolulu for the Electric Light Parade, made our way the Helemano Tree Farm, and sadly witnessed the school shooting in CT via the news. Women of Hope had their annual "Evening in December," we went to Hawaii Kai for the boat parade, then back to Honolulu for the City Lights. My women's mini-church had a party, then I threw a cookie tasting party, then all of a sudden it was Christmas Eve! Christmas day was spent with friends, we drove to north shore, then rung in the new year in Waikiki!

I am extremely blessed by all of the people in my life!

My husband, my parents, my sister, my friends (near & far)...

This year was jam packed, I can only pray 2013 is just as enjoyable.