I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Toto!

Oh goodness, some things just can't be explained in words.  The feeling I get when I drive around here is one of them.  I sincerely miss my friends.  I miss them like the moon misses the sun (it can't shine in it's absence) but this place is more of a melting pot than Nashville.  I didn't think that was really possible.  To meet someone who's actually FROM Nashville is a very rare thing.  Almost no one is a native.  But truly, here, there are SO many folks who are here because they chose to come, give up whatever it was they had before, and just make this place home.  It's comforting to drive around and see and know that so many people are just here because they get the privilege to do it, not because they have to.  I think that probably doesn't make any sense... sorry.  But it's just a feeling I can't explain.  It's like you're not alone, even though you don't know another soul.

The one thing that's difficult for me is that I don't think many people here "get" the whole "orphan thing."  I don't even know if they realize there actually IS an "orphan thing", or even an orphan for that matter.  I wear my 147 gear and never get anything but confused comments or wondering glances.  It's a whole different feeling to when I wear it at home and people know my passion, they know my heart, and they know there are orphans.  Okay, God, what in the world are You thinking... seriously, You must know I am NOT the right girl to get any message from you right.  Remember Jonah?  Well, I have a feeling I'll be spending some time in the belly of a whale sometime in this Hawaiian adventure.

On other fronts, I'm pretty much learning a new language... at least learning to read it.  I keep feeling bad for all the times I laughed at tourists who couldn't pronounce "Demonbreun" street at home.  Boy, am I getting my payback.  Try saying Kalianaole and Halemaumau and Kuliouou Streets three times, really fast!

The kids are adjusting as well as could be expected.  Jack says that he likes it in Hawaii, even though he's not totally sold on school yet.  Liam has already made friends and is loving every day.  That's not too surprising because of all the kids, he's the least self-conscious, the least self-aware.  He's not really clued into the fact that he's "the new kid."  In Liam land, kids are kids, and that's really how it should be anyway.  Connor is probably suffering the most.  Not surprising... he's the least flexible of all our kids.  He doesn't really like school, but he's made three friends, nonetheless.

Amy is here with us, which has eased Mommy's transition considerably.  She is leaving on October 24, but we are begging and pleading her to come back.  I will be so lost without her.  Even though she only started babysitting for us in April, she's become a part of our family.  She's so amazing, she fits right in with our family, always has energy for the kiddos, can tutor them, nurture them, and talk them into behaving without them even knowing they are doing it.  She's a dream.  I was way more stressed about coming before I knew she would be with us, and every day I beg her not to leave.  She keeps saying some nonsense about people at home needing her or something, but I'm pretending she has no family and that she has nothing better to do than hang out here with us in paradise.  :)

Okay, a few more photos... our house and a few other fun things.

This is the kids at the top of Diamond Head

Me and Brian, as taken by Connor

We have gotten into the habit of swimming every night before bed.