Moving In

We moved into an apartment 2 days ago.

Its all very exciting!

But, it is a MESS right now.

We still need a lot of things like dressers and dining table and such.

Its a lot different than moving into TVA. We didnt seem to need to worry about little things like can opener and spatulas and such because of the freebie bin.

We dont have internet yet (and wont have one for a while) so I will only be able to update when we go over to my in-laws. 

So yah, ill do updates later.

Traveling Adventures with my Little Sidekick

For my own sake, I want to record my great accomplishment of traveling alone with Hyrum. So bear with me, this may get a little boring.

PS. This post is a little delayed since I was out of commission for a week. 

Thurday 28 April (NZ time) 11ish am

Last moments with doda, dodo and toti 

Left New Zealand on an 8 1/2 hr flight to Hawaii.

In Auckland airport there this viewing place where people can do their last goodbye .

Got a special assistance from an AirNZ crew which was nice since we buzzed through security, got to pre board before any of the pre boarding was called and got a whole row (3 seats) all to ourselves.

Hy fell asleep while we were taking off so right away, I was confident that it was going to be a good flight.

I only slept for an hour of the 2 hours that he did.

Then, as soon as he woke up, it was PLAYTIME!

Hyrum watched TV, played games on the TV, played with toys, played with the seatbelt, played with the people sitting behind us, played with stickers, paced the aisle, bugged the stewardess, admired the clouds, had lots of snacks, read books, peed on a seat (coz he took his diaper off and I didnt notice), and smiled and waved at everyone that payed attention.

I brought 4 books

Playing with the tv remote

Never ending snacks

Playing with stickers

This one kept him entertained for a while

The flight actually went surprisingly fast. Except for the last hour, where he had just had enough.  And this is the time when we needed to just be seated coz the plane was descending.  So he kicked and screamed and refused anything that I was giving him.  This was also the time that I was tempted to bust out my secret weapon (benadryl). But I didnt since he stopped squirming once he started to feel the pressure on his ears. Then he started to whine because he felt the pressure on his ears but since he didnt want to drink, he just slept it off.

Then, it was the moment of truth. Facing immigration.

If we wouldve risked it 4 month ago, this was the stage that I was scared for.

I was still pretty nervous. Especially after they sent me to another place and got me to sit down on a couch after checking my passport for about 30mins. Good thing Hyrum was asleep during this time.

After all the paperwork was done, I got finger printed, briefed on policies then sent off my merry way. 

Kealani Makaiwi with her husband Josh and twins Jordan and Jayden came to pick us up and welcome us back to Hawaii. 

Jordan and Jaydon with Hyrum making mischief

Thursday April 28 (Hawaii time)

NZ is a day ahead so we had a Thursday redo.

We headed off to Laie with Kealani and the twins at about 6am and dropped off our luggage at the Ke Alakai office for safe keeping during the day.

We stayed there for a little bit till I got the day all planned out.

Then we went to TVA to say hi and goodbye to old neighbors then off to the beach.

Hitomi and Amy with baby Tae and baby Marcus

A quick photo shoot with Marianna to remember our Hawaii then it was me and Hyrum time with the beach.

My phone camera doesnt give Temple Beach any justice

I sat there with Hyrum on my lap feeling the sand and the waves.  It was really nice. I talked to Heavenly Father then said my Aloha O'e.

Went back to TVA and had a shower at the Gomez's then met up with Leahi and Alex to do a quick geocaching run. Then picked up Bro. Crowell's truck so we could use it to go to the airport.

My first geocache out of NZ

Then off we go. Security was a hassle. Hyrum was active. Waiting was a pain. Then we get slapped with a..."This flight is full, stand-by passengers will now be put on the next flight." Did I mention we were flying stand-by for the first time... The next flight (and last flight out of Oahu to the mainland) was to San Francisco which was also full. Turns out, an earlier flight with 300 people got cancelled so all those people had to be on another flight. Which means all stand-bys had no chance of getting out of the island. After much confusion, stress, anxiety and calls to Maverick, we decided to just purchase a ticket for the next night to secure a seat. I called Ckaz who lives in town then caught a taxi to crash at her house for the night.

Honolulu Airport at 1AM, shot while waiting for the taxi

My poor Hyrum was so exhausted. Im sure he would be cursing me for putting him through this ordeal if he could talk. I was so mad at myself.

Regardless, we had a good night sleep and woke up ready to play.

Friday 29 April

Just chilled at Ckaz's house. Took naps, played with baby Kalen, last minute Walmart trip to top-up the snacks. then off to the airport again.

It was great to spend the day to catch up with these two

Security was still horrendous, waiting on the gate was long, the flight was super full, but, as soon as the plane engine started the boy was OUT! 

and he didnt wake up until we landed in Pheonix, Arizona.

Thank goodness for red-eye flights!

Saturday 30 April

LAST LEG OF THE TRAVEL!

Ive done so much traveling already that a little hour and a half plane ride to Boise, Idaho was nothing.

I can finally see the end!

Thank you jetlag and time difference since it was still only 4am in Hyrums body clock.

He slept right through this flight too, which made it so easy!

We landed. Turned phone on. Walk (jogged) towards baggage claim. AND

THE END WAS THERE!

Mr. Maverick Mitton in his reggae color shirt and shorts with a smile beaming from ear to ear.

16 weeks and 4 days has come down to this very moment. 

TOGETHER AGAIN!

And as a bonus, Hyrum recognized his daddy and would push me whenever I would lean in to hug him.

I CAN BREATHE AGAIN!
(Until I got deathly sick a day later)

DIZZY dizzy DIZZY

Too much traveling has gotten me all DIZZY dizzy!

Like literally.

I havent been able to get up without stumbling since Monday.

Which means looking after the little one has been everybody elses responsibility.

Kinda sucky!

BUT, im getting better.

THIS IS IT!

We leave NZ in about 20 hours.

Then we get to Hawaii and stay there for 25 1/2 hours.

Then we have a stop over in LA for 2 hours.

Then we FINALLY get to hug Maverick again.

With that said, the next couple of days is gonna be beyond EXHAUSTING!

Bitter sweet for me to leave New Zealand. More on that later.

As for now, I gotta get back to packing!!!

2 DAYS!

I get my US Embassy interview in 2 DAYS!

Im a little bit nervous

a little bit anxious

a little bit scared

but a lot bit excited

AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Aloha 'oe Hawaii nei

You have given me more then I ever anticipated.

I will be forever in debt of all the wonderful things that happened in my life while I was in your midst.

I am very saddened that I didn't say goodbye.

That I couldn't say goodbye.

Maverick closed our TVA R-150 door behind him for the last time this morning.

It was empty and ready for a new couple to move in.

Sad day as he also closes the door to this chapter of our lives.

Ready to tackle new adventures and challenges.

Whatever they may be.

Mahalo nui loa for all the aloha.

And.

Mahalo for teaching me how to give aloha.

Aloha 'oe Hawaii nei. Till we meet again.

Liberated?

Today I went to the city to get my booster immunization for my US visa medical.

ALL BY MYSELF!

Since parking is horrendous in the city and my dad is home from work antways, I figured it would be easier if I left Hyrum at home with my dad and I take the bus. 

And OW MY GOODNESS! It felt weird...

It's been a while since i've gone out in public ALL BY MYSELF.

I mean ive left Hyrum before at home with my parents but he would usually be asleep or nearly asleep already. And I would leave to be with a friend or something.

It was liberating? in a weird kinda uneasy sort of way...

I dont really know how to describe it but I honestly did not know what to do with myself as soon as I stepped out of the door.

And by the time I got to the bus stop, my mind was racing.

It was filling up with ideas, memos, random thoughts, fears, reminiscing and all the other fluffs in between.

Good thing I thought of bringing my journal along right before I left. I ended up writing 5 WHOLE PAGES! that has never ever happened before!

So for the 3 1/2 hours that I was away, I felt like I was free as a bird. I was pretty satisfied just shutting everything out while I listen to my music and write away. (I mean...you cant really do much while on a bus).

I was glad to have had that 3 1/2 hours to myself. 

But, I was pretty happy to come back home to see my boy again. Who was eating his dinner like a big boy! All poised with a spoon on one hand carefully spooning out a bit of rice from his bowl. 

He did greet me with a frustrated scream after a short-lived big smile. Nonetheless, I wouldnt trade being a mother for anything else!

These pictures aren't from today but its always nice to end with pictures.

Maverick the College Graduate and leaving paradise

It has taken longer than expected (thanks to me making him drop some classes and a semester).

BUT

My wonderful amazing husband is now (or gonna be in a few hours) a college graduate.

Hyrum and I are very PROUD of him! 

But mostly just me since Hyrum doesnt really have an opinion yet. 

And very VERY grateful for all the hardwork that he has done during his last semester. 

Full-time student, part-time job, senior research plus he packed up our WHOLE house by himself.

Told you he was AMAZING!

I wish, more than anything at this moment, that we are in Hawaii to celebrate with him.

Ive been looking forward to this day since I graduated a year and a half ago.

I was excited to do a graduation photo shoot, then make his grad invite/announcement, plan a little shindig with his workmates and friends.

I was excited to pack up our house, do garage sales and give stuff away.

I was VERY excited to leave the BYUH/Laie bubble and move to the real world.

I wish I was there.

I wish I was there.

I wish I was there.

I thought I was ready to leave Hawaii.

I'M NOT.

I am 4 months less of ready.  

I feel like i've been robbed of that 4 months that was necessary to properly say goodbye to paradise.

I had 5 AMAZING years in BYUH.

I grew up A LOT during those 5 years. 

A LOT!

The people that I encountered there will continue to inspire me.

 The experiences that I had will be treasured FOREVER.

Most importantly.

I met my eternal companion there. 

and was sent out first angel.

Hawaii is definitely my special place. 

Maverick flies to Idaho on Monday and will (hopefully) start looking for a house and car for us.

Which means that Hyrum and I will go straight to the mainland once my visa gets approved.

Dont get me wrong, I am VERY excited.

Im excited to start our new life.

Im especially EXCITED to be with my college graduate again.

BUT, mark my word Hawaii.

I WILL BE BACK!

April IS the month

Yesterday I got the letter that I have been patiently waiting for.

The one from the US Embassy Consulate.

The one that was suppose to say we can leave and be with Maverick for his graduation.

BUT...

no such luck...

My interview is not until April 21.

So my poor husband is ALONE...graduating and packing up our house.

I am very disappointed to say the lease.

I didnt know my time in beautiful Hawaii would abruptly end. Let alone be away from Maverick for such a long time.

So if you see Maverick during graduation, give him some love from us.

We miss him tonnes!

On the other hand, at lease we now know that APRIL is definitely the month.

Unless US still dont want me and decide to deny my visa again.

Whitianga Vacay

Favourite shot from our 5-day Whitianga vacation last week. 

The trip, once again, reminded me of how BEAUTIFUL New Zealand is.

PS. I was impressed with my point and shoot camera during this trip. My SLR camera broke a few of weeks ago...so im gonna be trusting my point and shoot camera for a while.