Christmas in Hawaii

Yes, you read this correctly, we will be enroute to Hawaii Christmas morning. As I think about this endeavor, I feel so lucky to know I have been blessed with such a great family. It's not easy leaving Christmas morning, at the crack of dawn too, but we feel thankful knowing we can spend this Christmas as a family. I look at my kids and how they are growing up, literally. My oldest daughter will be turning 17 in January, so hard to believe; my son will be turning 14 in February, and my youngest daugther is not too far behind becoming a 'tween'.

I have spent a lot of time planning out our travels for this upcoming year. I see my oldest graduating from high school in 2009 and our time together is more precious than ever. She has turned into a beautiful young lady; scares the crap out of me and my husband sometimes with how beautiful she is, sorry had to throw that in there because that is how we feel at times! Especially tonight, having dinner with the entire family, all generations and my daughter's boyfriend. I am amazed at times when I look at her and know that she is half of me, but I never felt as beautiful as she looked tonight. Ok, too grown up too!

So as we embark on our long flight(getting Erika geared up for when we travel to Korea after she graduates)I want to express what is truly important in life. It's not about what job you have, it's not about how much money you make, it's not about how beautiful you are, it's about spending time with family and really, really enjoying their company. I like simple, simple is good. Simple means no complaining. I'm grateful for what I have created for myself and my family. I hope I am teaching my children to truly enjoy it all.

I wish for all of you when you celebrate Christmas or any other Holiday, that you will find the joy in the simple things. For with the simple things, you are better able to see what is in front of you rather than looking past it and missing the greatness of it all. We are simple humans, we just make ourselves more than we really need to be.

My hope for all of us is to live the way God intended in 2008!