Another Vacation; guess I better blog about it.

Tomorrow we embark on our first long flight as a family of four (I say four, because Jeremy wouldn't let me buy Keta an airline ticket. Obviously I'm still upset about it, because, seriously, we're a family of 5 1/2...Sherman is only a half because, seriously, look at his little rolly polly self. He's like a sausage, and sausages don't count as whole numbers...also, Sherman would hate the plane, he's way to anxious, hence the reason only Keta would get to go if I had my way). ANYWAY, we're going to Hawaii...to get hitched. For the record, if you're engaged, and considering a destination wedding, I'm not recommending it at this point...it's a headache! BUT I do get to go on a sweet vacation with most of my absolute favorite people in the world. There are a couple who won't be able to make the journey because of super adult things like fresh new babies and no room in the budget, but they'll be there in spirit, and that's what really matters. I'm pretty excited about the trip, and the girls are ecstatic. I'll try to keep the blog updated, I know how y'all love my vacation blogs. But, before we head out, I'm spending every second I can with this face, because, seriously, Hawaii is a long way away from my bestie, and I've never left her for more than 4 days (seriously)...and that's hard, and I'm pretty sad about it today. But I'm sure warm sand and a beer in my hand will put a smile on my face tomorrow! Until then, Aloha my friends!

#100happydays: learning

Doing everything you can to be sure that your kids have the best, most well rounded education, both in literal "knowledge" and in real life "knowledge". That's the best thing you can give then. This is one thing that Jeremy and I push for. We want our kids to have experience. To be cultured. To know how to think and feel and see things that other people don't or can't know and think and feel and see. We want them to believe that they can change the world. That they shape the future. And I'm so glad we can give them the tools to do all of the things that they need to make the future bright. From memberships to the Aquarium, to experiencing music and art, to helping those less fortunate. I can't wait to see how they use all of these things to shape a better tomorrow.

#100happydays: handmade gifts

My mom is the best you guys. I know that you guys have already caught onto that by now, but today we're celebrating her because she gives the best gifts. They're always perfect because she makes them. Dani was sooo excited about her gift from Grandma (and Grandpa because he "had to put up with her while she made that"...lol) and she couldn't wait to wear it. My parents make the neatest gifts. And they're always so perfect and personal. We're awful lucky. 

If you like handmade gifts that are super unique, look up Raghorn Studios on Facebook. That's the 'rents. They have premade stuff, or they'll custom make you whatever you like. Here are a few of my favorite pieces they've made for me.

#100happydays: best parents

                      

Finding a note from your 'rents after they've gone back home may be the sweetest, most thoughtful thing ever. My parents are incredible. Amazing. Seriously perfect. Every single nano second of every single day I am so grateful and so thankful and so full of love for these two people that aren't just my parents, they really are my best friends. I love them bigger than all the galaxy times infinity....infinity times. I really am the luckiest girl in the world.

#100happydays: fire

Most people don't look at this photo and think happy thoughts, but boy howdy! I saw this on my Insta-feed today and I was giddy. There is a special thing about being part of the wildland fire community that there aren't really words for. The energy on the line and at ICP is unlike any other that I've encountered. The commraderie is unlike any other. It's just...unique. And I love it. And I miss it. Every rough season I say "I'm not ever doing this again", and then, by March, I am so excited for fire season I can smell it. Like literally. The air starts to get warmer, and suddenly I'm dreaming of nomex and polaskis. I look around outside and imagine where a temporary repeater would best be placed. 

Ahhhh, bliss.

#100happydays: Jess and Jas

Jas sent me this beauty of a photo of Jess tonight, informing me I needed to post it to Facebook because if he did it, she'd kill him. Don't you guys wish you had a husband like Jas? Or I hott wife like Jess? Too bad. They are my favorite people on Earth and I'm so lucky to call them my family. Obviously we're not blood, but these people are my brother and sister. We are connected. I can't explain it...but if I'm having a horrible day, I'll get a text, out of the blue, from one of them telling me to smile, or that they love me. And that is usually exactly what I need, exactly when I need it. These two have saved me. Over and over and over again. I don't know what I would do without them. They're the H2 to my O. Yep, we make water. Believe it.

#100happydays: best dog, best dad

'Nuff said.

#100happydays: Savannah

                         

Sometimes people hit the friend jackpot. And, let me tell you, I certainly have.

Spotlight today is on Savannah. She's amazing. Her heart is pure gold. And today, she knew I was feeling crappy. It was mostly residual crappiness from yesterday, but she knew. So she came over to check on me. To share Jackson's giggles. To just make sure I was ok. That's just the kind of person she is. And I am so grateful to have her. And so happy the girls have her as their "auntie". 

....to the moon. xoxo

#100happydays: nightmares end.

The last four months I've experienced to many unexplainable emotions. And most of them bad. My thoughts have been consumed by hate and guilt and anger and bitterness. I honestly have no idea how I didn't break down and get admitted into State Hospital North. Probably because I had to keep my composure and my happy face for the littles. I still don't understand how a person can be so selfish and horrible. It absolutely breaks my heart that the girls have been forced to endure so much hurt, so many let downs, and so much pain because of how selfish their mother is...but it's finally over. This nightmare we have been forced to live in it FINALLY ended with the sweet script of Magistrate Fortier. And I am so relieved. So overjoyed. That is my happy today. That our lives can have some semblance of normalcy soon. Thank you, Derek Pica...you gave us so much reassurance and helped keep us positive through this hell. Friends: don't have kids with selfish humans then get divorced. It's a really bad idea.

#100happydays: rock the vote

Before I begin, I beg, IGNORE my makeup free face. I rolled out of bed late this am, realized we were out of milk and cereal, so was forced to cook French Toast for breakfast...between that and getting the littles ready, there was no time for me to pretty up.

Ok, now that we have that out of the way, it was School Levy Election Day here in District 2. And that, pretties and gents, is a big deal. A huge deal in fact. If your school district was holding a levy election today and you didn't rock the vote, that's a big shame. For two reasons. First, our Founding Fathers gave us a right that most people in the world aren't afforded: free elections. For everyone. You get to have a voice. Thousands and thousands of men and women have fought and sacrificed and died to protect that right. And that's not something to take for granted. Second, it's for education. If our future generations aren't educated, then, well, we have nothing. Education to me is the single most important thing there is. Education brings understanding, tolerance, and a desire to help make the world better. It's a really, really big deal. 

You see, friends, voting is important...especially when it's for schools. And I am SO HAPPY that I voted for schools today. And I hope you did too. And I hope that if you didn't, you think about doing it (and DO IT) next time. It's a pretty big deal...did I say that already?

#100happydays: bed

My happy right now is finally getting home, after a whirlwind trip, to my warm bed. That's it. Sweet dreams.

#100happydays: this love.

For reals, you guys. Two years ago I was SO happy to be in a relationship that I knew was a dead end. In fact, I sought out men based on their never-getting-hitched appeal. Enter this guy. He drives me bat shit crazy. He makes me want to pull out my hair and scream out at the top of my lungs. And he makes me the happiest effing lady on the planet. He gets me and I get him and we drive each other NUTS but he is my person. And I never thought I'd have a male-marry me-stuck with this guy for life sort of person. I wanted to die single. I loved being single and free and independent. Until this guy. I guess that's love. You don't know how great it is until it slaps you in the face by the recycle bin and you call your BFF and tell her "I think he's my Jason"...

#100happydays: Moving

Those of you who have known me a long time, know I've always been a gypsy of sorts. In the last ten years I've lived in three states and seven cities. I never stayed one place to long. That is until I met them. Now moving makes me super anxious. I worry about the girls making friends, getting cultured, growing up to fast. I stress over all the details that never mattered in my bachelorette-hood. But now they do matter, because I have two beautiful, brave, smart girls who depend on their daddy and I to make the best decisions for them. And, you guys, sometimes that's scary and hard. So I brought them to their new "home" this weekend. Anxiety was high. I was scared to death that they would hate it. I was scared of so many things. But they love it. Even when, in typical Seattle fashion, it's pouring down rain. So my #100daysofhappy is happiness in the rain. Gum walls, aquariums, markets, and family are awesome whether it's raining or not. And if the girls love it here when it's pouring, I know they'll love it even more when it's not, and that is something to smile about.

#100happydays: Playing Together

Being stepmom to two beautiful human girls and momma to one beautiful pooch us hard work. Sometimes it makes me want to dig a hole all the way to Australia and disappear into the outback. Other days my heart is full of so much love and appreciation for them that I think it could burst. And sometimes, like when the three of them are playing and having fun with one another, I'm filled with happiness and gratitude. That they can be innocent, fearless, smart, and full of so much laughter. I love it. Every second of all of it. Even the seconds when I want to dig a hole to Australia. 

#100happydays : the challenge

I've been kind of really slacking on the blog thing. Like two years slacking. I needed something to kick start me and get me going on keeping up with the Joneses. Enter #100happydays challenge. Basically, the idea behind 100happydays is to post a picture once a day of something--anything--that makes you happy. It's a pretty terrific idea actually. And I'm excited to get started. Technically I signed up to begin today. And I'm going to post a picture to my Instagram today, but I'm going to start blogging my photo challenge tomorrow. If anyone else is up for the challenge, please send me a link or your insta/facebook usernames, and I'll follow you too. So excited!!

Hawaii 11: Day 6

Today I swam with sea turtles at Kahalu'u beach park. Kahalu'u is just down Alli Drive in Kona from where the tsunami hit the hardest. Apparently the fish and turtles didn't mind the tsunami a bit. Incredibly large fish...and the sea turtles were amazing...as soon as we arrived and were in the water gearing up, one literally ran into my leg...later, as I was swimming off (probably somewhere I shouldn't have been) by myself, a turtle joined me and we swam together...probably among the five neatest things that I have ever done...completely therapeutic. Words can't describe the peace that I felt with this absolutely majestic animal swimming alongside me...he was the coolest turtle ever, for sure.

We also visited the Kona Farmer's Market, where I added to my collection of pictures of "dirty souvenirs"...there will be pictures to follow at a later date, after we warn all of our friends not to let their children view this blog ;) The "dirty pig" must be popular in every tropical destination though, that's all I've gotta say.

Ended the evening with some sixes and a sunset from the hot tub (which wasn't to heat yet, was a bit chilly)...tomorrow--Marlin fishing!

PS..you can view the video of the turtle swimming on my FB page, otherwise pictures will have to suffice because I am clearly not technologically gifted enough to download it to Blogger...please forgive me!!

Hawaii 11: Day 5

Place of Refuge. Don't the words make you think this is where you just get away and relax? No cares in the world? A nice spa and cabana boys? Not in Hawaii.

Place of Refuge was the historical equivalent to when we played tag when we were kids and we got to base. Only instead of playing tag with a bunch of kids, you're playing against Warriors with spears and you have nothing. If you don't make it to base, and they caught you, it was off with your head (or something equally repulsive). So much for relaxing.

Luckily, there are no longer warriors, so Place of Refuge is a pretty awesome place. The park was completely torn up by the tsunami, but, lucky for us, the reef outside the gate called "Two Step" (because of how the lava rocks make two steps into the ocean--for the record it's three steps though) was still thriving. We spent the morning in the water. Fish here are pretty darn big, and although the water wasn't particularly clear, it was still awesome.

Hawaii 11: Days 3 & 4

On Sunday after walking the beach at Kailua, we drove up to Kaneohe to meet up with my friend Bridget. We hadn't seen each other since she moved to North Shore in Elementary School, so it was pretty neat to see her (and new baby Evan!) after so much time had gone by.

Monday morning 4am came a little earlier than hoped...since our flight to Hilo left Honolulu at 6am, we had to wake up, get packed, and get headed through the mountain pretty darn early. That's right, THROUGH the mountain. To cross this island, you have to drive right through a rock wall. It's pretty much the coolest thing since escalators.

Upon arrival at Hilo, we hit the Farmer's Market for some fresh local fruits and veggies, and began our trek across the Big Island. We did a quick trip into Volcano's and saw some vents, but didn't continue on because we were kind of pressed for time...we'll visit later. It was pretty wild continuing south in the miles and miles of old lava flow. Completely desolate. We ate lunch in Naalehu at Hana Hou, the southernmost town (and restaurant) in the United States. We (finally) arrived at our "Kona-Side" house...it has a beautiful view of the ocean, but is in the somewhat questionable village of Milolii...they obviously are cursed by Pele', because lava flows seem to have destroyed it on multiple occasions. They were also hit hard by last weeks tsunami (as was the entire Kona coast).

Nothing to exciting yet--but we're headed to Captain Cook and Two Step today to find us some dolphins, and turtles, and fishies--OH MY!....so prepare yourselves for excitement. Until then, Aloha.

Hawaii 11: Days 1 & 2

As we sat in our hotel room and watched the horror in Japan, we wondered why on Earth we were still planning on getting up at the break of dawn and heading straight into what was likely to be a catastrophe in the 50th state. Lucky for us, it was far from catastrophic here (thank heavens). Even on our flight to the Islands from Seattle our Pilot was reassuring the passengers that the state of Hawaii somehow averted a disaster once again.

It seems that it's become a theme for Downing family vacations to always coincide with a tsunami...last year when an earthquake devastated the coast of South America, we were in Costa Rica awaiting the wave that they promised would hit, lucky for us it didn't happen then either.

Natural disasters aside, Oahu has been...it's been. Somehow in my mind I have this picture of tropical alongside a picture of culture. Thus far, Hawaii lacks the culture. I have never seen so many Coach, Cartier, Gucci, and Tiffany stores packed into such a tiny little place--this beats Las Vegas as far as high end "yuppy" goes. There are high rises virtually everywhere. Everyone speaks english. The locals avoid the tourists like the plague, and when we (tourists) go to local spots, they look at us like they're going to maul us. I understand their disgust completely...with 1.5 million residents on this tiny island, plus tourists, I'd hate anyone outside my tight knit community as well.

We visited Pearl Harbor upon arrival, but because of the tsunami warnings, the boat to the Arizona was not running...and because it didn't run on Friday, Saturday there were twice as many people. It was absolutely incredible to be there where we lost so many soldiers. Such a monumental event in US History that gave me the chills, and made me even more thankful for the men and women who serve us in the US Military.

My top destination in Oahu was one that won't surprise those of you who know me well: I wanted to see the apartment building that President Obama grew up in. In my short lifetime, he is definitely the most "ordinary" President that we have had, and I wanted to see how "ordinary" he actually was. I put my stamp of approval on his "ordinary-ness" as this apartment building was just like any other middle class American home....maybe I can be President after all....

We also visited Manoa yesterday, and it was absolutely gorgeous. Beautiful flowers, plants, and trees. It was absolutely breathtaking. I did get eaten alive my these tiny teaser misquitos and swell up balloon style, but I survived it and came out alive. It was a pretty awesome hike.

We also hit up the North Shore yesterday, and watched some wind surfing (not many guys surfing the traditional way, we assumed because the water is really unpredictable still) and saw some whales...pretty stellar. It was crazy traffic back to Kailua though, but saw some awesome water, and beautiful valleys....

Girl's Best Friend

"A dog has no use for fancy cars, big homes, or designer clothes. A water log stick will do just fine. A dog doesn't care if your rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give him your heart and he'll give you his. How many people can you say that about? How many people can make you feel rare and pure and special? How many people can make you feel extraordinary?" -Marley and Me

I've never understood it when people say "it's just a dog", maybe because I've never had "just a dog". I remember when the people showed up with the litter of puppies that Daisy came from. I had been babysitting for a friend of my mom's and her house keeper had showed up and told me she had puppies. I told her I'd take one, but didn't ask mom and dad...so, on that Saturday when she showed up at our house with a litter of puppies, mom and dad were more than a little surprised/mad. That is, until this little runt of a dog went straight to dad. He'd walk around to the other puppies, but this one stuck by him. That's when I knew I was getting the puppy I wanted...and also the moment that she would no longer by my puppy.

Daisy did every thing with us: she'd ride the tube behind the boat, ride the four wheeler, go grocery shopping, and go on vacation. When dad had to run to town, she'd even get the front seat of the pickup. She slept with us, she followed us, she comforted us when nothing else seemed to help. She was so much more than just a dog. She was our family, our comfort, our gift. There is no better blessing than a dog. She completed our family. She was the spoiled "last born". And she will be forever missed.

There is no person who will make me feel as extraordinary as Daisy did. No person will ever smile every time I walk in the room, but she did (insert tail wag). No person will ever just listen and never talk back (although she'd occasionally howl...). No person will ever have that perfect cuddle that she had, or the look of curiosity that always made me smile. There is nothing as extraordinary as my Daisy...she was perfect, and will be forever missed.