Poipu Beach {We Saw Seals!}

Yesterday we saw sea turtles. I was so thrilled to have seen them! When we were deciding which beach to visit today we read that people sometimes see Hawaiian Monk Seals on Poipu Beach. Obviously I was hoping we would see them. As we were walking down to the water there one was, gliding through the waves. Shortly after we saw a second one.

We saw them off and on as we waded and splashed and marveled at the gorgeous, clear, warm water. After a bit Eliana was the only one still in the water. The rest of us were soaking in the sun on the beach. And here came the smaller (I assume female) of the two seals. She waddled up on the shore directly in front of where we were sitting and immediately went to sleep.

It wasn't long before the larger seal (I assume male) decided to join her, but he didn't seem to be quite as ready to nap, much to her disgust. She told him exactly what she thought about him waking her up. And then told him exactly what she thought of him in general.

He seemed ready to fight back, but quickly reconsidered and decided he would nap later. 

It seemed like a good choice to me.

At least, I'm pretty sure that is what happened right in front of us. I may have gotten 1 or 2 details incorrect, but I know it is very close to accurate.

Tonight we are going to a traditional Luau. Hopefully I'll share pictures from that event tomorrow. We skipped lunch in preparation for the feast after reading about what to expect.

Kauai, Hawaii Tunnels Beach

I have to blog about this trip. I just have to. It gives me that place to return to where all of the memories are captured in real time. That is priceless. And I like blogging. I miss doing it. So I'll blog the trip then see where we go from there.

Yesterday was a loooong day of travel. We had two 6.5 hour flights plus a 5 hour layover in Seattle. By the time we got to our Airbnb we were exhausted and ready to sleep. And we did. I wasn't sure how everyone would handle the 6 hour time difference, but they all slept and have been busy all day today so I do not think it's going to be a problem for anyone.

We are staying in the Lae Nani Resort in an apartment that is rented out as an Airbnb. It's a great place. It is perfect for us. We can walk down to the beach and see it from our balcony. I'm planning to sit out there with a cup of coffee tomorrow morning. There is a huge salt water pool, where the kids are swimming and relaxing right now.

This morning I knew I needed to start the day with an aćai bowl. I mean, I'm in Hawaii. Do I even have a choice? So we stopped at this great little place. Annika and I tried out their {{amazing}} aćai bowls while the others ate bagel sandwiches and pancakes. 

Then we followed the winding road north as far as it would take us before parking in a questionably legal spot and heading to the water. The color of that water! It's hard to describe and absolutely nothing is as amazing as seeing it in person.

There were sea turtles we could see as the waves rolled in. And they would sometimes stick their heads up out of the water.The water is so clear that it was easy to see them just riding the waves.

Everywhere we look there are gorgeous flowers and exotic plants... oh, and chickens. Chickens are just strolling around wild everywhere. I have some pictures of chickens strolling the sidewalks in China so I told the kids I'm going to start a "chickens of the world" album.

I'm ready for bed early tonight. Ok, Ok, I'm ready for bed early every night. But tonight is no exception. Tomorrow is another gorgeous and busy day on the island!

To My Son On His First Father's Day

Dear Douglas,

Happy Father's Day! Can I just say that watching you take on the role of Daddy to my granddaughter is one of the greatest joys of my life thus far? No one warns you of the exquisite push and pull of joy and pain as you watch your children grow into the amazing people you knew they could become. The joys are obvious. The pain is elusive, lurking there, reminding you that you cannot protect them like you once could, that they don't need you like they once did, that they will never be a part of your day-in-day-out life like they were for so many years.

You have always been precocious, doing, seeing, and understanding things sooner than expected. It should not be a surprise that you are K. Douglas Martin, BSN; a husband, a father, and pursuing your dream career at the age of {barely} 22. You were never one to sit and watch the world go by.

I can only hope that Riley brings you as much joy as you have brought to me through the years. Being a parent isn't easy, as you have already discovered. And I can't really tell you it gets easier, because it doesn't. But the pleasure far outweighs the difficulty in each stage. For you, right now, the pleasure is winning the rare and fleeting 5-week-old baby smiles. For me it is watching you become a caring parent.

That precious little girl of yours will challenge you in ways no one else can or will. She will make you laugh, she will make you cry. Don't be afraid of either. She will make you change your ideals on some issues, and that is OK. God knows you have done so with Dad and me! 

Children have a way of reminding us to laugh and to play. Life comes with lots of pressures, but you owe it to her to bear those for her and allow her to grow up in a carefree environment. It's part of the job of parenting and one of the areas I hope you are stronger in than I was. Kids are fun and like to have fun. Some of my best memories of my dad from my childhood are the simple, everyday things that he did to have fun with us. Don't forget to do the little things. Little things are the big things in the end.

It is strange watching the years roll by. This day used to be all about Grandpa Sams. Then it was about Dad. Now it is your turn. You come from a line of good, strong men. I could not be more proud to watch you take your place among the good dads.