Easter Sunday in Hawaii

Happy Easter everyone! Today was probably the least pretty day we've had since being here. Oh well! I really shouldn't complain. We had a very nice day (past few days really) with Edmond's mom in town for a visit. Here are a few things we've done!

Posing with Pat Pat before leaving for some errands and lunch.

At the beach down the street from our house. It was a beautiful day!

Just hanging out!

Yuck....the sand!

On our way down the Mokapu Lighthouse Trail. We didn't quite make it all the way up because Riley was not a happy camper! P.S. He was in a stroller, but that was the part he didn't like! He wanted out and he wanted to walk. It was much to dangerous for that.

One view on our way down.

One more view!

Random picture...our Easter bouquet! I thought these tropical flowers were so pretty and they were very inexpensive from the commissary on base.

Riley's Easter basket and goodies. We didn't buy any candy because we would end up eating it all!

Riley at Easter last year! His hair really cracks me up! It took him so long to get a full head of hair.

Riley and his basket this year.

I tried to get a good picture of him with his basket and he is just too fast for me. I couldn't get him to stay in place AND smile, long enough for me to snap a picture! Oh well, this will have to do!

We went to the O-Club for breakfast this morning before church. It was wonderful. Riley likes to play with the water in front.

Our family Easter picture...I told you it wasn't a pretty day!! And the wind was blowing like crazy (as you can see with our wind-blown hair).

A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That!

Things have been very busy around here lately! The last 2 weekends different organizations sponsored Spring Fling type activities on base. The first (Riley in the red shirt) didn't have as much for his age group to "do", but he had fun eating cotton candy, visiting with the Easter Bunny and doing some people-watching! Yesterday we went to another one on base and there was a ton for him to do! He rode his first pony (Edmond assisted of course)! We guess he liked it...he didn't really show much expression! He also danced to a singing quartet while we waited in line. It was absolutely hilarious!!! The song was quite slow, but Riley did his own thing! The singers were having a good laugh, that's for sure!!

Riley is also continuing to enjoy school. I was on spring break 2 weeks ago and volunteered to help out at his school for the book fair. I felt like such a mom being able to do that! This picture below is one of my favorites!! Edmond picked out this outfit...camoflauge shorts and a shirt that says "Major Hunk". He looks like such a big boy. We are not sure where the squatting pose for the picture came from, but it did make us laugh!

And Edmond has been teaching Riley how to hit a golf ball. I think Riley just likes swinging the club (so we bought him a toy set), but it keeps hims occupied outside so that he is not trying to run away from us.

I have one prayer request and one other request to add! First of all, we heard over the last few weeks that Edmond might have to go to a training out in the Pacific for part of July (about 2 weeks..we think). My due date is July 31st and Riley came about 3 weeks early (I know that doesn't really mean anything). I feel selfish asking anyone to pray for Edmond to be home for the birth so instead I am just asking that the Lord prepare us for whatever is going to happen. I just want us both to have peace and not spend the next few months worrying about what may or may not happen.

Next, this may sound very trivial, but I need help in the cooking department (those of you who know me are thinking "surprise, surprise" I know)!! I get home around 4:30 and it just seems impossible to spend time with Riley and Edmond and have something ready by 5:30/6:00. Does anyone have any suggestions for something fast, easy, and somewhat healthy...Edmond is a health nut!! Let me add, Edmond does most of the cooking right now, but I really want to be able to contribute!! If you don't want to leave it in the comments section, I can give you my email! Thanks so much!!

Think Pink!

We found out today that we are having a little GIRL! She looks good and healthy which is the most important thing!!!

I'll leave you with a little video of Riley doing his most favorite thing right now....dancing!!

Riley's Rockin' Ride (and other fun stuff)

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Pitty Pat, Gaga, Aunt Amy and Uncle David. This little red car is Riley's Christmas present from them and he LOVES it. Christmas was a little complicated this year because our "stuff" had already been shipped, which meant any other gifts would have to travel with us in the airplane to Hawaii. So....Edmond's parents and sister, Amy, gave him gift cards to Target. I really kept forgetting about them, but finally remembered to use them last week. We thought this would be a perfect toy for Riley since the weather is so very warm here and we have LOTS of outside time. Can you tell how much he likes it??

Here are just a few other pics from all that has been happening here! We had a blast with my mom and were very sad to see her leave. Of course I know she had to return home to the rest of the family, but visits with her are never long enough! She was here for a whole week and I only have one picture of her and Riley...and you can't even see Riley's face. i am still going to post it below, but I have to be better at remembering to take pictures when visitors are here!

Here is Riley loving on his Valentine's bear. He is just so sweet!

We took him to the zoo one morning while my mom was here and he really seemed to enjoy it. I know we did! I think he is admiring the giraffes in this picture.

And here is the one picture with my mom...I'm so disappointed that it didn't turn out better!

I don't know the name of these trees, but they are all over here in Hawaii and they are so cool looking! Riley and Daddy are posing one last time before we leave the zoo.

My mom wanted to keep Riley so that Edmond and I could go on a date while she was here. We still have never left Riley with anyone other than family. I think we are ready, but we just don't know any babysitters here yet. Anyway, we spent most of the day in Honolulu/Waikiki. We went to Pearl Harbor to see the U.S.S. Arizona memorial (pictured above). It was very moving.

And for those of you who really know me, you know that I LOVE snow cones! We found some right on Waikiki beach and they were definitely the biggest snow cones I have ever seen. They are actually called Shaved Ice here, but you know...it's the same thing!

That's about it for now. Riley starts daycare and I start work on Monday. Ughh!! I am not looking forward to leaving him at daycare, but I know he will enjoy it. We took him Friday to see the place and get acquainted with his teachers and he didn't even look back at us when we got there! I'm sure it will be harder on me than on him!!! Hope you are all well!

Riley has something to tell you!

Yes....he is going to be a big brother sometime this July! My actual due date is July 31st....I am almost 16 weeks along. We have waited so long to tell you because I was just able to have my first doctor's appointment this week. It was very complicated with our moving to a new duty station and being at home in Louisiana for 2 months. I really wanted to see the Dr. and hear a heartbeat before I shared the news. I'm sure you understand. My gut feeling is that this one is a girl, but I would be completely happy with either. Edmond is determined that he will have all sons...we will hopefully find out on March 15th when we have our first ultrasound.

I also wanted to give you a few Hawaii updates. One huge praise is that Riley got in to the Child Development Center here on base. They originally told us it would be a 3 to 6 month wait and we were trying to figure out what to do in the mean time, but they called last week about an opening. This is the best daycare situation I have seen. I am thrilled with the idea of Riley attending, although I'm a little worried about him getting sick from the other kids. I know many other families deal with daycare so we'll just handle it all as we go!

I start work on February 22nd. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. It has been about 9 months since I've worked so I really hope I haven't forgotten what to do. My mom comes into town on Friday for a week...while she is here, I will probably go by the school just to meet people and find my way around (I am so pumped about her being here...cannot wait).

One more thing! We moved into a house last Monday. It has been quite an experience. It is a VERY old house, but we are trying our best to make the most of it. We have painted some rooms and are trying to decorate a little. They told us we will move into a new home in June. We are keeping our fingers crossed! One major perk to this OLD house is that we are right down the street from a beach here on base. We can walk there in less than 5 minutes. It is so awesome. I will leave you with a few pictures of the view!

All Kinds of Fun Stuff

Let me warn you, this post will contain LOTS of backtracking! I apologize for not posting pictures throughout the last few months, but I could not find the cord that connects my camera to the computer. Edmond found it yesterday and I was so excited!

There are several events over the last few months at which I did not have my camera. So sorry that those fun times will be left out. Here is what I was able to capture!

Riley had some good visit time with his Long family cousins over Thanksgiving!

Riley had a blast with Luke Lewis and his brother Abel. Don't they look like they have been up to something!

Riley experienced his first snow while in Pineville.

Riley became very attached to Buddy, my parents' dog, again!

Riley and his Fontenot cousins posed for some pictures.

This is Riley and Mimi all dressed up for the Christmas Eve service at church.

Riley had his 2nd Christmas and really seemed to know what to do with the gifts.

Riley and Aiden M. were able to spend a little time together while we were in Bogalusa, LA. They are just a few months apart in age and hopefully will be best friends one day!

We were so excited to meet up with some of our dear friends from Pensacola for lunch in Gulfport. I just can't put into words how special they are to us.

Riley had his first haircut...and boy did he need it!

Riley really likes when we blow bubbles with gum. Here he is trying to eat his dad's bubble. This was the day we left for Hawaii. I was probably off crying somewhere...just kidding...I only cried a little.

Riley developed a great love for suckers while on the very long plane rides.

And here is one of our first views in Hawaii. We could see the waves from here and they look just huge.

Well, that is all for now. I promise to give you more of an update on things here in Hawaii once we get more settled. We haven't had time to do much sight seeing yet, but are hoping to get to that this weekend! Aloha!

Quick Update

Sorry...no pictures today, but I did want to write a quick update. It looks like we will be leaving for Hawaii on January 23rd. Edmond is away at another training right now (a very much not-so-fun training) and will be back on the 20th of January. A few days later, we will leave on a flight from New Orleans. We are excited, anxious and a little sad, all at the same time.

We have been blessed to spend some time with family over the holidays. We spent Thanksgiving with all of Edmond's family. It was great to have a house full of kids. Riley loved chasing all of the older ones around. And sweet Kayleigh was his little mother again...so precious. We had hoped to make a trip to Ringgold around New Years to see them again, but found out that he had to attend this training. Yuck! We spent Christmas here with my familiy and Riley and I have been here since Thanksgiving as well. It's been nice to spend so much time with them. I do think my mom will be ready to have a clean house again when we leave!!

One bit of exciting news is that I have a job in Hawaii. I have mixed feelings because I've really enjoyed my time home with Riley, but I was missing the fulfillment that comes along with my line of work..not to mention the little extra money. I will be working at an elementary school not far at all from where we will be living. The best part is that they are not working on Fridays (through the end of the year). I really wanted part-time, but knew I probably wouldn't find that in the school system, so I guess this is as good as it could get.

Ok, well, I think that's all for now. I hope to post again before we leave, but if I don't...you'll hear from me when we have arrived in Hawaii!!!