Halloween

 I can't even describe how terribly sad I feel.  It is like I am living in mud.  I am trying to get things done but it take a lot more motivation to even get myself to do anything.  I am the executor of my mom's will so there are a lot of little tasks I have to complete in order to close up her estate.  I feel like I have made some progress but there is still a lot more to do.  AND every time I think I have it done, something else pops right back up.  

So I did finally decorate for Halloween and figure out what we would dress up as for the holiday. I didn't do a fun trunk for trunk or treat like I normally do but I did at least make it to the dinner!  Stephen had to work both nights so he wasn't able to celebrate with us.  My dad did come to the trunk or treat to eat chili but then he want home.  He also just sat outside handing out candy to 300 kids on Halloween so we didn't see him then.  All in all it was a fine holiday.  

Student of the month

 Edward was chosen to be student of the month by his art teacher.  He really does have an incredible knack for art.  His drawing skills have improved immensely over the years.  I am so proud of him. 

Duke City 5K

 I love running the Duke City race each October, and even though this wasn't the best month of my entire life, I still wanted to do a race.  Craig had signed up to do the marathon but his training didn't get him there this year.  So I signed up to run the 5K with him and at the last moment, Stephen joined in!  It was a fun morning pushing Craig to run! 

Kauai, Hawaii Day 5, 6, and 7

 By Sunday, the boys were exhausted.  I had planned a boat dive for Sunday but they didn't want to go.  So Stephen and I called around and got a boat dive for Monday.  That meant that my plans for hiking Monday were thrown out.  So Sunday, we slept in and had a slow morning.  I know I should plan more slow days for my boys because they need a lot of down time.  We drove up the east coast of Kauai and played in the water then went to a delicious dinner near the entrance of the hike I had to cancel.  This was actually the perfect day for my family.  They were so happy to just not have an agenda and go with the flow.  

Monday, Stephen and I woke up early and headed back to Poipu for our boat dive.  The boys were more than content to stay at the condo and do nothing all day!  The boat dive was nothing short of incredible.  It was one of the most stunning experiences of my entire life.  To see the ocean in such a cool way was magical.  Stephen and I had beautiful experience and I am so glad we were able to share that with just the two of us.  Learning to dive really brought my family together.  This is a skill we can have for the rest of our lives.  It was expensive but so worth the extra effort to make our dreams come true. 

This was our last full day in Hawaii so we allowed the boys to decide on what they wanted to do.  Edward wanted to stay at the condo and Nolen wanted to find the big waves.  So we drove up to Wailua and found a really great beach to just sit on and watch Nolen play in the ocean.  We had another costco dinner and then went straight to sleep because we had an early flight to catch back home on Tuesday.  

 

This was the best and much needed trip.  My mom dying has been extremely difficult and I am glad we had planned this trip a year in advance.  Even though the timing wasn't perfect, I am so glad we will have the memories to look back on for an amazing 2024.