Mia Kai in Hawaii // Oahu and Kaua'i

We've decided that Mia Kai has basically waited until we were on Hawaiian soil to hit any of her milestones. She started crawling around ten months while on Kaua'i then took her first steps at 13 months old, once again on Kaua'i. She was nine and ten months old during this trip and I have to say, this is the age I captured some of my favorite photos of this sweet girl. We got her ears pierced, hiked the Wai Koa Loop on Kauai, hung out on Baby Beach in Poipu, walked around the International Market Place on Oahu, and ate our first starfruit! 

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Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail // Poipu in Kauai, Hawaii

If you're following along with the Scripture Memory / Dwell Richly printable, here's the verse for week 29: 

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (NIV)


If you're looking for a lengthy yet leisurely trail with lots of breathtaking views, the Maha'ulepu Trail will be perfect for you. As always, bring lots of water. It's an adventure filled with incredible lithified sand dunes. 

This trail was super close to our hotel in Po'ipu. You basically walk the coastline (and walk on the edge of a golf course at one point) then hit a semi-secluded beach at the end of the trail. We were running out of water (and daylight) so we didn't spend much time on the beach this day. However, we did drive back a few days later (incredibly bumpy dirty role with lots of pot holes - motion sickness almost got the best of me) and spent the afternoon bathing in the sun with only a couple of other people around. Bliss, my friends. Sheer bliss.

Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail in Poipu // Trail Hike in Kauai, Hawaii // via Jitney's Journeys

Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail in Poipu // Kauai, Hawaii // via Jitney's Journeys
Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail in Poipu // Trail Hike in Kauai, Hawaii // via Jitney's Journeys
Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail in Poipu // Kauai, Hawaii // via Jitney's Journeys
Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail in Poipu // Trail Hike in Kauai, Hawaii // via Jitney's Journeys

Here's the random, infamous pink chair...

The Pink Chair on the Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail in Poipu // Trail Hike in Kauai, Hawaii // via Jitney's Journeys
The Pink Chair on the Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail in Poipu // Trail Hike in Kauai, Hawaii // via Jitney's Journeys

You can also find an ancient open-roofed sandstone sinkhole called Makauwahi Cave but it was closed by the time we got there. 

Hawaii : Makapu'u Lighthouse of Oahu / Adventure Is Out There!

After our spontaneous adventure, we continued on our hike up to the Makapu'u Lighthouse. 

There is no way this lighthouse could ever be hidden. It's a pretty clear picture of Matthew 5:14-16.

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." 

Isn't it beautiful...

The entire path lasts about two miles. Apparently, it is the prime spot for whale-watching on the island from December to April. Maybe we'll get the opportunity to see the migration one season!

In the meantime, the lighthouse proves to be a fantastic sight to behold for now.

Do you see the white fence that leads to the lighthouse? 

Well, we found it and tried to follow the trail. Instead, an electric, locked fence denied us of entering. 

Booooo.

We explored a few more paths along the way. As I was taking more photos of the lighthouse, JD was being adventurous. A little tooooo adventurous for my taste.

My heart practically beat out of my choice when I turned around and saw JD sitting on this rock (aka the top, outermost point of a 500-ft cliff). I took a few photos as I walked closer to him (in a quiet panic) and asked him gently to please get off of that rock before the wind blows him off. 

In my defense, it was insanely windy. 

Whew. Fortunately, he somehow maneuvered a safe dismount and we got some incredible photos from it. Just looking at this photo makes me queasy. Haha! I really wish I had the boldness for adventure that he has. Gosh, he's awesome.

We hiked several more of the trails and headed back to the parking lot. The ole' Subes was awaiting our arrival. We couldn't have asked for a more fitting rental car than a Subaru. Have you seen those commercials!? The commercials alone make an adventure-seeker want to drive one.

If you decide to take a stroll to the lighthouse, check out the other paths but be careful. Most people were only walking the paved road to the lighthouse. They missed the adventures hidden among the off-course dirt paths. As we were walking, JD said, "Life is really what you make of it." I replied with, "Adventure is out there!!" 

Have you ever been on an adventure (physical, emotional or mental) that challenged you?? Was it worth the risk?

A Coconut Crackin', Tree Climbin', Hula Dancin', Adventurously Hikin' Hawaiian Recap

We still have one more daily recap post coming later this week (fingers' crossed), but we wanted to go ahead and post this video of our luau (finally!!) and the infamous Koko Head hike (post coming soon).

Music Choice

Boy with a Coin - Iron & Wine

Beautiful Day - U2

In other news, it seems like we'll be around Huntsville for a while. Yippee! Project corner, here I come!! I've already been working on some new projects and I cannot wait to post about them, in hopes you get some inspiration. As for Huntsville, we're excited that we may finally get to check this place out and enjoy it for a while.

Do you have any suggestions for our Huntsville adventures? 

Weather willing, we are super pumped to hike Walls of Jericho this weekend. I found out today that Davy Crockett hunted there. This happily serves as Reason #104 to hike the Walls of Jericho. 

Have a happy Tuesday!!

September 26: Exposure to the Filipino Culture

JD and I ate breakfast together at CJ’s again. Those macadamia nut / coconut pancakes are basically the only local food that we’ve enjoyed on Oahu.

While traveling, JD and I have both picked up reading for enjoyment. I finished the book “I Don’t Know How She Does It” while on this trip. The book laid out a vivid perspective on the working mom vs. the stay-at-home mom. Though it was eye-opening, it tended to be quite depressing at parts. This is not a book I would recommend; however, I have not seen the movie. Have you seen it? What would you rate it?

MM, JD’s cousin, and I hung out today. Our plans were to hike Diamond Head but those plans faltered a bit because of car trouble. Luckily for us, we were in close walking distance to the mall. I bought some nicely designed travel journals and a sweet driftwood birdhouse, which we gave to my parents for Christmas. It was unbearably hard to part with, but I know they will love it just as much as I did.

MM’s uncle picked us up at the mall and fixed the truck. MM then took me to Max’s, my first Filipino restaurant. It was a little different than I expected. She ordered a squid on a platter and I ordered the only food I was familiar with (thanks to Mrs. Josie cooking it for us on the holidays)… pancit. Despite my lack of interest in the food, MM and I had a blast! She was great and the spontaneity of the evening was delightful and intriguing. I’m thankful for the chance of meeting family on Mrs. Josie’s side. [If you're wondering "where JD came from" (as some people put it), his mother is full Filipino and his dad is caucasian. I can hardly wait to see what our babies will look like one day.]

Today served as a late morning and a late night for JD at work. With our travel schedule, we’ve learned that “home” can even be a hotel room. This has become one of my favorite quotes and images I’ve seen on PinterestHome is where your husband is.