Some Pics.... for now...

Of course, we are here in BEAUTIFUL Hawaii, having super wonderful experiences and loving life... and our camera breaks! It wasn't too much of a surprise, it is an old camera and we were wanting to get a new one in the next year or so, but still... it breaks... at the beginning of our summer in Paradise. Hopefully we can get it to limp through the next few weeks and months with a handy dandy rubber band. :)

Our first week out here, we went to Ewa Beach (pronounced Evah) and tested out the boogies boards. Steve discovered that he doesn't like the taste of salt water... but LOVE the waves! I wasn't too fond of all the coral knocking around my ankles but we had so much fun!

Last week we were able to go on a date to Pearl Harbor, but it took us so long to get there (Google maps took us to the middle of an industrial park), we only had time to walk around and see what we want to do NEXT time we go. Even for the short amount of time that we had, it was a very sobering experience.

This week our two adventures included snorkelling in Electric Bay were we swam with sea turtles and saw dolphins jumping out of the water! If it weren't for the boats cruising around, we would have gone out to say hi to Flipper.

Today we went on another date to Waikiki and enjoyed strolling the mall. We tried some "authentic" food from the food court. We didn't care too much for it. Stopped by the Ferrari Store, Swatch, and looked a Pick A Pearl booth. The lady was so cute with her selling tactics... Perfect sourvenour for your honeymoon. We just smiled. :) We also browsed some of the local markets and started making a list of things we want to get at the Swap Meet.

Work is going really well. Steve had a little bit of a slow start but really rocked it last week! The reps are doing better than expected and because of that we have enjoyed dinner at PJ Changs and going to Robin Hood as incentives. This week has been a little bit more difficult for him becuase they moved him to a newer, nicer area. But everyone seems to be struggling in that area. We now have 12 reps in the area and 5 techs with 3 girls in the office. We are pretty busy with the paperwork and all that. But its great to be so busy.

We finally found a place to stay for the summer. Our boss hooked us with a really nice condo by the Ko' Olina Resort. We live on a golf course and within walking distance of four gorgeous man-made lagoons.

Needless to stay... we are doing really well... and we are HAPPY!

Aloha All o' Y'all!

We love Hawaii. Not all the critters that infest our kitchen at night... but everything else... we'll take. Happily.

Today we went to the beach and enjoyed playing in the waves and boogey-boarding with our friends and co workers... Liv and Ryan. The sky was so blue and the water was warm! the sand was a bit coarse and there were bits of coral being thrust around but it was so wonderful! The palm trees were swaying and the breeze felt so great!

The complex where we are staying is a bit questionable. Alright... a lot questionable. Like I mentioned, we have critters (aka cockroaches) invade our kitchen every night. We have a system where when we get home at night, Steve goes in and kills them all (usually 3-5) and then I go. In the mornings, he gets up and gets them all before I got downstairs. Don't I have the best husband ever! (I did kill one all by myself and a can of Raid this afternoon though. Take that Mr, Roachie!) Plus, there are a bit of questionable people roaming the streets here. (ie... we live down the street from the Homeless Shelter). However, our fearless leader Todd found us a great place to live in Ko'Olina which is like resort city! We can WALK to the beach!

Pictures to come soon!

What a TERRIBLE summer we are going to have!

It's such an awful thing... we HAVE to go to Hawaii for 4 whole months this summer.

It's true. Steve is going to join the ever growing industry of summer sales and I, as his ever faithful wife, will join him. (I know... it is such a sacrifice!).

We are pretty excited. At first, I was bummed about the whole deal because I would have made better sense for me to stay here and keep working my job (which I LOVE!) to make sure the bills got paid and whatnot. But a position in the office opened up over there, and I took it!

Stay tuned for updates on our Summer in Paradise!

Easter Fun

Our date night Friday night was decorating eggs...

...which turned out pretty spectacular!

And the Easter Bunny stopped by Saturday morning!

Out with the old....

And in with the new...

Yes... I finally found a spring wreath!  I ended up making this one but hitting all the after Easter sales... it was pretty cheap!

Cards Galore!

Lately I've been on a card making kick... Here's some of the stuff I've done:

New Position

About a month ago, my store manager approached me about a position that was opening up. She explained that it would be a temporary Brand Expert position. This would entail being a part of the leadership/management team that would oversee the merchandising and the visuals of the store. My heart totally skipped a beat! That is exactly what I did for six months in Oregon and I loved it and I missed it! I drove home that night so absolutely excited that I could not get to sleep! It was better than Christmas!

A few weeks later and I interviewed for the position. It did not go well. I was reminded why I don't like giving talks, why I don't like meeting a ton of new people at once, etc. I don't know what people are thinking and I get so nervous that my brain just stops... My interview was with the lead manager over this position, however, this was a new experience for him, so my store manager sat in. I love Andrea and I was excited that she was going to be there until I realized, that she was going to interact at all in the interview! So I was doubly nervous. The longer it went, the worse it felt like it was going. Jordan would ask me a question and I would blank out. Or I would stutter or stumble through my response. I really felt like I was giving up at some point towards the end. At the end of the interview, I thanked them for the opportunity and walked away knowing that if I were to get this position, it would defintely be by divine means of intervention, and not by my interview performance.

Well, my friends, there has been some means of Divine Intervention.

This past week I was extended an offer for that position, to which I accepted. As it turns out, they were very impressed with my interview and with the experience that I already had. There were two candidates that they wanted, that they ended up creating two positions.

I know to some of you this may seem silly, but I cannot express how blessed that I feel to have had this opportunity. It really has been ideal. The timing, the requirements, my ability, so much has lined up that I doubt that I could have designed a better situation for this to happen. I'm so grateful to my managers and mentors who have taught me how to do my job so well, a supportive husband who believes in me, but most of all, my Heavenly Father who really does love and care fore me.