Thanksgiving in Oahu

I am so thankful that I was able to spend my Thanksgiving in Hawaii with Ed and the Jehovah's Witness Convention of 30,000!! Although it was my first Thanksgiving away from my family....I'll see them at Christmas! ha Ed used to live there so I had local tour guides! His parents are also world travelers so we got free food/drinks at the hotel every day and got upgraded to first class on the way home! They really spoiled me! Because of the holiday, we missed out on the luau and snorkeling at Hanauma Bay......but we did plenty of other sightseeing! Some highlights: 30' waves at North Shore and lunch overlooking the ocean, Dole Pineapple Plantation, sunset dinner at Orchids, malasadas at Leonard's and banana daiquiris by the pool! We saw tons of rainbows on our morning walks and got lots of pool time! Here are a few of my favorite pics! There were so many beautiful flowers.....

and rainbows....

and beaches!!!!!

Live for Today

Lately, I've been thinking alot about living like today was my last day on earth. I know what you're thinking, how morbid! But really, it's the best way to live! We are only promised THIS MOMENT, so why not live life to the fullest? Here are some things I ask myself constantly (and struggle with daily):

In relationship with Christ - Have I confessed all my sins to God? Have I made that relationship my number one priority? Have I done everything in my power to further the kingdom? Have I put my trust in Him? Have I abandoned myself to His will?

In relationship with Self - Have I reconciled any differences with others? Have I forgiven others who have wronged me? Have I given everything I possibly can to help and love others as Christ loves me? Have I gone after my dreams and my calling in life?

In relationship with Others - Have I told them everything I need to? Have I put as much effort into the relationship as I should? Do I need to apologize to them for anything? Is there anything I need to talk to them about? A relationship with Christ? A concern I have for them? Have I loved them unconditionally without judging them?

While I'm human and will fail along the way, my desire is to have no regrets in this life. We should always strive to live for today. Tomorrow will worry about itself. Let's cherish the relationships God has given us, love unconditionally, forgive often, laugh even more, and praise God for the blessings he has given us!

Do you all think about these things or am I just odd?

Eight is TOO MUCH!

This Halloween Ed and I decided to go as Jon and Kate Gosselin (pre-wrecked marriage of course). I had no idea that we could look so much like them but man, it was hysterical! My boss had an unbelievable party with a spread of food and decorations by the U-Haul (no seriously, they have so many, they bring them from a storage facility in a U-Haul and it took them a week to get the house ready. Many asked, "where are the kids?" but according to my wig, Eight is too much, so we had to leave the kids at home with Jon's girlfriend. :) It was a super fun weekend but I'm glad to be out of that itchy wig and Ed was glad to lose the muffin top! Tara and Ryan came as a witch and her "black cat". HA She wanted to be a witch but wanted them to be a matching set so when asked what they should do, I suggested he either be her black cat or her broom.....he chose the kitty. Meow! Hope everyone had a safe and Happy Halloween!!