A Day at North Shore

Sunday August 31,2014

1. Green World Coffee Farms
2. Waimea Valley
3. Sunset Beach

 1. Today Charlie and I decided to load up the car and head to North Shore! Driving into to North Shore we always past the Green World Coffee Farm and this time we stopped to check it out. At the farm they have plenty of things from coffees to teas and even some homemade honey all locally made here in Hawaii. They also have a coffee garden so you can see how coffee is made, and a little store so you can shop. Overall we had a awesome experience here and we walked away with a coffee for me of course and a milkshake for charlie. I even scored a really cool coffee burlap bag. 

 2. Once we left the Coffee Farm we did a little shopping and then drove to Waimea Valley. To go to the waterfall you take a short 30 min walk through the gardens. The gardens are absolutely beautiful!! When you reach the waterfall you can get in and swim and set right under the falls. Charlie and I just floated and enjoyed every second of it! This place is by far one of my most favorite places on the island. Luckily I remembered to bring the camera, but forgot to bring the Go Pro so I wasn't able to get the photos in the water. I am sure we will go back very soon and I will make sure to post those.

Ran into this friend in the gardens
  

3.  When we left Waimea Valley we headed to Sunset Beach to catch the sun going down. We spread out our blanket and soaked up every bit of the beautiful scenery. We ended the night with a delicious dinner at Cholos Mexican restaurant and headed home. We had such a wonderful romantic day and I LOVED very bit of it. 

Aloha Y'all, 

Lauren

Charlie's Home!!

August 24-25, 2014

Charlie finally came home from training. This awesome man of mine surprised me a day early, and I could not be any happier.


While Charlie was away he was promoted to First Lieutenant, so of course I had his favorite cake waiting for him when he got home!

 We made a home made pizza and packed it up in the picnic basket for a date night on the beach!

 Being a military family is defiantly a challenge, but the moment your soldier comes home... whether its from being gone for two weeks or even nine months the times you get to share with them are absolutely the most precious ones. 

Aloha all,

Lauren

Run Your Own Race

August 24, 2014


"On Their Mark" // Pastor Robert Madu from InspireChurch.tv on Vimeo.

This Sunday Inspire Church has a guest speaker Robert Madu! It was such an amazing service and I encourage everyone to watch it.

My Notes:

-Run your own race. Stay in your lane and keep your eyes on God. Almost everyone can say that they have had a time were they became consumed with what someone is doing, or using their "but me" googles. Instead of wanting the best for others you become envious. By doing this you are forgetting that God made you the way you are for a purpose. If he wanted you to be like everyone else he would of made you that way. We all have a reason we were put on this earth, we just have to find it. Remember to always keep your eye on God. Do not worry about what some else is doing, instead wish the best for everyone but dedicate all of your focus on the mission God sent you here for.
- You are a masterpiece! Every one of Gods children are beautiful. God made us, how could we not be?
- Listen to your calling. We all have a purpose to why we are here. A calling God sent us to do. To you it might be something small, but to the Lord it is large. You are not just a teacher, you are someone who teaches Gods children etc.  Always keep your focus on your calling.
- Robert Madu says we have two destines
1. To become more and more like Jesus everyday
2. You are to become unlike everyone else
Remember you are beautiful, a beautiful creation God made. Do not change, but stay who you are. You are exactly who God intended you to be. Embrace it, and spread the love God put into you to everyone else.

Scriptures: Hebrews 12, Samuel 18:5-6, 2 Corinthians 10:12, Ephesians 2:10

After Church Charlie and I spent a gorgeous day golfing on the beach.

All in all what a wonderful sunday it was......

Aloha Y'all,

Lauren

A Birthday In Blissful Paradise

July 26, 2014

My birthday was such an awesome day! I woke up to my wonderful husband making me breakfast, and preparing everything for the day we had ahead of us. We headed to Honolulu and grabbed a delicious lunch at P.F. Chang's. Our next stop was the Gorgeous Byodo Temple which was by far one of my most favorite places.  The atmosphere is so peaceful and relaxing you just get lost in it.  The entrance fee is only three dollars per person which is not bad at all. We ended the night at Paradise Cove, and if you have not been I do highly recommend it. As you walk in the gates you are greeted with a drink and a lei. They also take a picture with you and it can be purchased towards the end of the night for around fifteen dollars. This luau is very laid back and they have different activities for everyone to participate in from the craft station where you make your very own flower bracelet and more to Polynesian games and traditional Polynesian tattoos. During that time you are able to see the dancers, the tree climber, the roasting of the pig, and so much more!! Around seven everyone is seated and treated to a Hawaiian buffet. While eating, the Amazing show begins! My birthday was defiantly a great one and I have Charlie to thank for that. 

Aloha Y'all,

Lauren

Hilo Hattie

"The store of Hawaii"

July 21, 2014

Today Charlie and I went to the Hilo Hattie store to see what it was all about and we loved it. I highly recommend going to the Nimitz Flagship Store in Honolulu. Right when we walked in we were greeted with a shell leis... How cool! A super sweet lady was giving free lessons in Hawaiian Leaf twisting and I quickly jumped on it. She helped us make a bookmark and even gave us two roses she made. They also give free leis making classes during the week 10-12pm. If you are wanting a true Hawaiian shirt/dress etc. I defiantly would go here! The entire staff was SO nice and almost everyone that saw us graciously thanked my husband for his service and thanked me for supporting him. Absolutely loved it!

Aloha Y'all,

Lauren

Diamond Head

On the fourth of July Charlie and I decided to wake up early and go hiking at Diamond Head in Honolulu. It was the first fun thing we were able to do in Hawaii and I am so happy we did. I highly recommend going early in the morning the earlier you go the less traffic and you do not have to worry about the heat as much. Parking does fill up pretty fast so be prepared to park at the bottom of the hill and walk to the top. The cost is 5$ per car or for a walker 1$ per person. The park is open from 6 am to 6 pm but the last entrance to be able to walk is 4:30 pm. The walk up really is not that bad but once you hit the stairs they are very steep and you defiantly will start to feel it in your legs. When we made it to the very top there is a fence you can "jump" over to this lookout area (not sure if its aloud) but you go around the back of it and can see the views all around! We just set on the ledge and took in the breath taking views. If you haven't been to Diamond Head I do highly recommend it. When you are finished there is a "I conquered Diamond Head" certificate you can purchase, super cool!

The trail to the summit of Le'ahi was built in 1908 as part of O'ahu's coastal defense system. The 0.8 mile hike from trailhead to the summit is steep and strenuous, gaining 560 feet as it ascends from the crater floor. The walk is a glimpse into the geological and military history of Diamond Head. A concrete walkway built to reduce erosion shifts to a natural tuff surface about 0.2 mile up the trail with many switchbacks traversing the steep slope of the crater interior. The ascent continues up steep stairs and through a lighted 225-foot tunnel to enter the Fire Control Station completed in 1911. Built on the summit, the station directed artillery fire from batteries in Waikiki and Fort Ruger outside Diamond Head crater. At the summit, you'll see bunkers and a huge navigational lighthouse built in 1917. The postcard view of the shoreline from Koko Head to Wai'anae is stunning, and during winter, may include passing humpback whales.

http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/oahu/index.cfm?park_id=15

You can visit their website above for more information. 

Aloha Y'all,

Lauren