Oahu, and family

Before I get to the pics and the days posts, I wanted to share a post on my family. In this case it is about my brother, sister, and two sweet, sweet nephews. In reading JR and Kates' posts prior in going to Oahu, I got a sense that they were unhappy, and overall not having a good time on the island. After spending a week with them I realized this wasn't the case. Here is what I saw. In the weeks time I noticed how difficult it was to: work from home while, Kate manages two babies and a toddler. Let me explain that one a bit, so JR works at the end of the hall, door shut as to keep out noise and Finn. At the end of the hall there is a baby gate to keep out Jake ( Henry doesn't yet crawl). JR gets breaks from the phone and spends the time helping where he can, plug this one, change that one, chase the other. After all the kids are awake and JR is on the phones, Kate feeds, entertains, and changes the three, while also making sure Finn doesn't hurt Jake who doesn't hurt Henry who doesn't take Finns' truck or gator. This balance goes on thru out the day JR working and breaking, Kate feeding changing and feeding. I didn't see from PHX how much work it was, they live in Oahu, how could that be so bad? Then when its over they get to leave the kids and go to the beach, take a swim then later catch a movie. But who is watching the kids? They are, so in order to do those things they need to pack up three kids, (two if Scott is home) and that, if you have any kids even one is a task in itself. i could go on and on but the point is my outlook has changed on how life is in Oahu. JR, Kate, you guys are doing an amazing job. You took on a task that sounds like paradise to the rest of us, but is difficult to maintain every day. I know that now, you are great parents, great aunt and uncle to Jake, and a great brother and sister to Mandy and Scott. I know there is fun times during the grind (not food) I was a part of them. I just want you to know I have a greater respect for the task you took on, I want to thank you for making our trip more then we ever expected. I hope you are afforded a day out like Kendra and I got, a time to explore the island in a two seater drop top. But for now, thank you. Thank you for showing how it can be done, and for being human enough to show it's not all fun and games. Thank you for living in such a beautiful place, thank you too Scott and Mandy for opening up your home, surf boards, cars, pool and comfort for my family. It meant the world to us to be together like that. Ma-halo.