Nicknames

Seth and I are very thankful for the names we were given. We were blessed with names that had meaning and something to strive for. Seth means "Appointed, young warrior", and April means "Blossoming, pure lily". But there was one thing both of our names were missing. We have no nicknames. You cannot shorten Seth, and I don't care for April shortened. (I'll let you figure that one out.) So, it was with great care that we named our children.

They each needed a name that had significant meaning. Adalie means, "God is my refuge, noble and gracious", Kylia means, "Lovely praise", Zoie means, "Life of faith". But they also needed a name that could be shortened if that desire ever arose. Adalie could be shortened to Addie, Kylia could be shortened to Kylie, and Zoie could be shortened (or lengthened) to Zo, Zo-Zo, Zoinaders, etc.

As you know, with nicknames, they cannot be predetermined. Sometimes names are discovered. Certain events can give one a nickname. And at other times they are given by a 4-year old sister.

Zoie has been called a number of different nicknames since she was born. The most popular being "Zo" and "Zo-Zo". So I guess it would make since that she now calls her sisters . . .

"Ad" and "Ky".

These are not nicknames that Seth and I had ever thought of. Most likely, they are not ones that we would have chosen. Yet, there they are,

Ad, Ky, and Zo, three little girls, with nicknames given, just like Seth and I had desired. Well, sort of. :)

The Night Memories were Made

While in Hawaii, Seth and I were blessed with a date night. (Thank you grandma and grandpa for taking our kids for the night!) We had the night before us, $29.00 to our name, and a world of possibilities.

Heading out at 8:00 p.m., we drove to Bubba's, a cute hamburger joint, with inexpensive burgers and frings (french fries and onion rings and it was said they were, "known to save marriages".) We ordered the teriyaki burgers, because it seemed most like Hawaiian fare, and we enjoyed them with our frings, believing that this purchase had truly saved our marriage. :)

At 8:42, with the night still before us, we journeyed over to the Grand Hyatt Hotel, hoping to discover amazement. And that is exactly what we found! Upon entering the hotel we were enticed onward with melodies floating on the air. We found ourselves dancing under the stars to those tunes, feeling as if we had discovered a private world, where we were the only inhabitants.Wandering through the grounds, we drank in the sights and enjoyed the beauty. Our feet dangled as we swung back and forth to the sounds of waterfalls cascading beside us. And then we stumbled upon Tidepools. Grass huts surrounded by a lagoon, waterfalls from every view, torches burning, and fish to entertain. Walking in with $12.00 in our pocket, we asked to see the dessert menu. Molten Lava Chocolate Cake called out to us and we were quickly seated.This truly felt like paradise.Just the two of us, together.
The restaurant was beautiful, the cake delicious . . .oh, so scrumptious . . .
and quickly gone.Had we really eaten the entire thing?Finding our way to the beach, we discovered empty cabanas calling us in. Our view was breathtaking. Stars stretched for miles in all directions. Waves seemed to float to shore. Again, we were the lone inhabitants in this magnificent world!

As our night came to an end we were thankful to have been two people, in paradise, with music and waves floating together to make a beautiful, romantic harmony. Memories were made!

What is a Vacation?

This question may seem a little odd, but to my Zoie, age 3, this was a very real question. It was never asked in these exact words, but it came in other ways and with other questions.

While waiting to board the plane, Zoie's sweatshirt sleeve was being nervously chewed upon. This is something that she never does and made me wonder just what was going through her little mind. (Please note the wetness and placement of her sleeve in the picture below.)

While sitting on the runway, waiting in line for our turn to take to the skies, Zoie asked, "Are we in Hawaii now?"

She was first to pick up the safety pamphlet and "read" it from cover to cover. Strangely, that seemed to make her happy (not nervous).

The plane ride went fairly smoothly with only, "Daddy are we going into the clouds?" being asked.

But when we landed in Hawaii, the questions really started to flow. As the airplane taxied to our gate she asked, "Daddy, is it looking for the hotel?" and "Looks like we won't have to row!"

As we exited the plane and headed to baggage claim she asked, "Is this where the pool is?"

Waiting for our rental car, the time feeling like 11:30 p.m. to Zoie, she asked, "Is this car going to take us home?" "Where is our bed?" "Is this car going to take me to my bed?"

We hadn't brought many of her toys from home, or other familiar items, and I realized on Sunday morning the importance of having something familiar. Seth plugged in our Ipod and blasted worship music throughout the house. When Zoie came downstairs, she heard the music and her face lit up. "Our Ipod is here?!!?!" Then she ran to her sisters and exclaimed joyously, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!!"

Her questions were so precious. Her desire to understand "Vacation" so obvious, and its meaning was explained in many different ways by many different people.

By the end of our trip however, I still don't know that Zoie completely understood "Vacation", but I am confident of this, she had a wonderful one!!

Hawaii, How Do I Love Thee!!

Hawaii, a place of beauty!

A place that makes you feel beautiful!A place where you can play in the waves at 6:30 a.m.,or gather in the pool by 8:00 a.m.A place where you can climb to the heights of a mountain and get lost in the clouds,or explore deep within a cave, unable to see your next step.A place of brilliant flowers,exotic birds ?!?!?,and waves of blue stretching into forever.
Hawaii, a place of beauty!

Hawaii, how do I love thee!