Weirdo...

Okay, so back in November around Thanksgiving I found a real crime book at my moms house, and I started reading it. I became addicted quickly, and couldn't put it down. So when I finished, what did I do?? I got on Amazon and bought a million more...okay more like 6. Anyway, crime books+Melanie=major scaredy cat. So then, I decided to take a self defense class, where we learned that prowlers could be lurking on every corner, and I got myself a handy little Kubaton, which I like to refer to as "the dagger". The combination of the books and the class and the dagger basically turned me into a freak. Every time I would go out to my car (even during daylight) I thought surely someone was hiding in, under, or around the car ready to kill me. At night I was scared too. We had lost a cell phone and one night around midnight it started beeping every 30 seconds. I didn't know it was the cell beeping, and with it only beeping once every 30 seconds, it was hard to locate... so what did I think it could be? Yep, a bomb. So I wake Chris up and I'm like "I need your help finding the beeping noise" and my not so happy husband, gets out of bed and we're looking all over for like 30 minutes until finally we find it inside the piano. That was the night Chris demanded that I stop reading real crime, and I quickly agreed. Things have been so much better since then. I worry way less but still vigilant about safety. Chris doesn't really know yet but I just started reading about Ted Bundy so we'll see what happens, but I just thought anyone reading this would like to know that I am part mom, part wife, part weirdo.

Running out of air and loving it...

I had decided that while in Hawaii for the 10 days that we were gone, I would take a vacation from running. This would normally not be a big deal, but crazy me had signed up to do a 10k two days after we got back. Just as I suspected it was not an easy run. My body didn't ache, but my breathing seemed to be nonexistent. Luckily I had my friend Tammy there (who had been faithful and ran while in Hawaii) to root me on and help me through. We finished in around 56 minutes, and with how I felt, I am pretty happy with the time. The funny thing about running is that you sometimes want to die during races, but afterward it's the biggest rush that it kind of makes it all worth it. It reminds me a little bit of childbirth...minus the sweet baby. I love it, and even though I want to die doing it sometimes, it really is all worth it.

Hawaii 2011

I feel so blessed to have had the chance to go to Hawaii with my whole family again. The kids had their moments of arguing, but over all it was a trip filled with tons of memories, and fun! Our condo was 25 feet from the water and it put me to sleep every night. Chris and I took turns taking the kids on walks along the beach each night. One thing I love about my husband is that he can walk away from work to go on vacation and not think a thing about it until we return. It was much needed getaway. I will remember it forever.

Friend's at the beach

Our wonderful friends were in Hawaii at the same time as us. So of course we had to take some time and spend together. Our kids loved, loved, loved having their kids to play with. Every day after the 1st time we saw them, the kids begged to play with them, and it didn't take much to twist my arm. I love the Brennan's, and being with them in Hawaii, was even better, I think we're all meant to live there.

The Zoo...

I'm not a huge Zoo fan in general, but I LOVE the Honolulu Zoo. The animals are so up close and personal, and there's hardly ever anyone there because I think every one else must be at the beach. The kids and us had a fantastic time!

A Temple is a Temple, no matter where it is.

We have been to Laie temple once before, but coming back was a must. I love going to see Temple's that we don't see regularly. The Laie temple is absolutely gorgeous. We saw the Joseph Smith movie for the 6Th time. We have seen it in several locations and every time, Chris, myself and the kids come away crying our eyes out. It is amazing how no matter which Temple you visit, the spirit is the same. I love that you can count on that wonderful feeling no matter which one you visit. It was the perfect day. It is honestly one of the best days of the entire vacation, because the kids were all getting along that day, and we were all filled with the spirit.

What did we do 95% of the time...and was it worth it???

We were on the beach...period. Laying in the sun. Snorkeling, floating on floaties in the water, splashing each other, etc. We learned within a few short days that to get Scarlett to take a nap, all we had to do was place her in her floaty and the waves rocked her to sleep. She'd sleep like this for about an hour every day. It was heaven. Chris has a very tan back from holding her in her floaty every day.

Taking the kids out snorkeling was so fun. Chris and I would take turns, and seeing the joy in their faces as they would hold my hand and point out fish, was priceless. It's kind of like Christmas...living through your kids and seeing new things through their eyes is a remarkable feeling, and one I could never trade. I feel so blessed to have experienced this with six kids in tow and a husband who is truly my team mate. So was it worth it? Without a doubt, worth every minute and every penny, and the memories will be treasured forever.