Maui, Part 1

When James said I could pick a destination anywhere in the world for our 10th anniversary I don't think he thought Hawaii would be my first choice--oh, but it was! I had never been to Hawaii before and had always wanted to go, plus the girls still weren't sleeping AT ALL when we began the planning process and I wanted nothing more out of this vacation than endless naps, late wake-up calls, a beach, a book and a fruity little drink.

We chose Maui because it didn't rain as much as Kauai but wasn't as populated as Oahu and also because it came highly recommended by my parents and so many friends. It was also where James' late Papa and KK liked to vacation so it felt extra sentimental for our special celebration. I can't think of anywhere in the world I would have rather been for the last week in April, Maui was the perfect spot and our vacation was one for the books.

And speaking of books, prepare yourself for the novel that is coming your way. I split our Maui pictures into two posts and it still is a little overwhelming. What I learned during this trip is that you can pack a lot of adventures and a lot of relaxation into such a short amount of time when there are just two go-with-the-flow and down-with-anything travelers as opposed to the whine-fest that usually follows us. They cute, but they naughty! Everything about this vacation was easy and exciting and we have vowed not to wait another ten years (or even another five) to go away together. Shoot, I'm already planning year 11!

I spent the six hour flight from LAX to OGG reading a novel from cover to cover and if I had gotten right back on an airplane and flown home after that experience it would have been vacation enough for me! Oh to read with no interruptions, I had forgotten about that luxury. I ended up reading four books during our week away and it was the best.

  

I thought that everyone was welcomed with a lei as they stepped off the airplane in Maui but the day before we left for Hawaii I learned that was only in the movies. I was pretty bummed and even tried to call a few flower delivery services to no avail, but ultimately decided that we could just pick one up from a florist when we got there. I can't tell you how shocked I was to step off of the plane only to see the most beautiful Hawaiian woman in existence with a lei in one hand and a sign wishing me a Happy Anniversary in the other. James had always known my fairytale vision of Hawaii and had set this up long before my mini freak out session the day before we left California! I started sobbing, straight up sobbing! It was just the greatest welcome to our dream vacation.

First stop, Geste Shrimp. This was one of the few places that warranted a mandatory return visit because it was SO DELICIOUS! We thought maybe we were just excited about Hawaii and that's why it tasted so good, but at the end of the week it was equally delicious so if you're going to Maui, hit them up. We're seriously trying to figure out how to get them to come to Los Angeles.

We spent more time in Iao Valley on a Sunday hike, but the mountains call James like the ocean calls me so we decided to make a little pitstop on our way to the sunny side of the island. This area reminded me so much of Taiwan it was uncanny and made me trunky for that place I called home so long ago.

There was a random and ginormous field of sunflowers on the side of the road and I just couldn't help myself! I yelled at James to STOP THE CAR and then I frolicked in them for a few long and joyous minutes.

We decided to go with a condo instead of a resort because it was 1/3 of the price and was a good jumping off point for the many adventures we wanted to take. Our rental ended up exceeding my expectations in every way and was one of the best decisions of our trip. We were literally a stones throw from the ocean and slept to the sound of crashing waves each night. We had a kitchen, a washing machine and dryer and were able to have the ocean-view room I desired. Second on my must-haves was the options of fruity drinks by the pool and although Valley Isle couldn't provide that luxury, the Westin right up the street sells resort day passes and as James told me, we could have gone every day and still not have come close to the difference in cost of one night! I have already told so many people that they should absolutely stay in this place and who knows, maybe we'll be back in those walls sometime soon!

Papa and KK's old condo.

Not only did we go to Warren and Anabelle's magic show, but we were chosen to sit in the front row and be part of the show. It was incredible! Magic is always awesome, but seeing it inches from your face is astounding. There were so many tricks that absolutely BLEW MY MIND and weeks later I'm still scratching my head as to how they were even possible. The pictures above are when James was asked to secure this magician in a straight-jacket that he could escape from...it was hilarious! The magician told me to get out my camera because he'd give me blackmail for daaaaaayyyyys. Hahaha, I just couldn't resist posting them now! This was a gift from my mom and dad for our anniversary, and we loved it.

Not a bad first morning view, huh?

POG (passion fruit orange guava juice) at every breakfast!

James and I spent our Sunday afternoon hiking the Waihee Ridge Trail. It is approximately 5 miles--2 1/2 straight up and then 2 1/2 back down again. It was breathtakingly beautiful at every turn and we're so glad we did it, but it was definitely harder than I expected and I'm so glad I brought water and wore good shoes. I saw people in flip flops trudging through the mud and there was just no way for them to make it all the way. I'm also glad that it was just the two of us. It probably would have been too hard (and ridiculously miserable) with the little ones and besides, there were steep drop-offs that I knew would have been a bad idea. I saw people with kids, but mostly worn in packs. Anyway, we loved it and were so grateful for the beautiful views all along the trail.

Hei-Hei's were everywhere!

I needed a reward for hiking on vacation!

This is the view from our table at Hula Grill. To be honest I thought the food was mostly just OK but that view--THAT VIEW!!! This was Papa and KK's favorite restaurant and their ashes are spread right off the coast.

Happy Anniversary in Hawaiian. Or maybe it was congratulations?!

We sat on the beach in silence almost every night until the sun set behind the horizon. There is something so beautiful and spiritual and relaxing about watching the sun bid our view adieu, and something miraculous about knowing that in another part of the world, my shift to darkness is theirs to daylight. I love the sunset, and watching it on the beach is just heaven.

This seriously never got old.

808 Grindz was one of our top breakfasts in Maui, and that's big because I am OBSESSED with breakfast. They're a local dive in a strip mall but what they lack in ocean view they make up for in charm and the best dang food EVER. Those mac-nut pancakes were so good that we bought a jar of their syrup to bring home to the kids and James' loco moco was so good that I kept stealing bites.

We spent all day Monday lounging by the pool and swimming in the ocean at the Westin. I ordered drinks to my heart's content and those pulled pork nachos were a total A+. This was the relaxing day I envisioned when we were planning our trip...and it was also the only completely sunny day we had in Maui so it was pure luck and perfection.

We spent many-a-day chasing rainbows.

Different day, same view, but still so gorgeous and the colors so different that I had to get a pic!

Stick donuts at Komoda bakery in Macawao were good, but their butter rolls were UNFORGETTABLE. James and I gobbled six in mere seconds as we drove the road to Hana and they were so good that we made a MAJOR detour on our way to the airport and bought two dozen to bring home.

 

Our road to Hana experience was anything but ideal, what with the surprise rainstorms, flash flood warnings, road closures and abandoned road-side stops, but we made the most of it. We were really exciting for some serious hiking but instead we were given extra hours in the car to talk about life and enjoy each other's company. We saw incredible waterfalls and the rainbow eucalyptus trees, and we even made it to the black sand beach (although we were drenched after that short jaunt, as seen in the picture above). We had planned this adventure for our actual anniversary because we thought it would be great to be in such beautiful surroundings on our big day (and I was especially excited to visit The Garden of Eden and swim in waterfalls) but just like life and marriage and so many other things, this day didn't go quite as expected. It was still good, just different than we had planned.

It was crazy because as soon as we got off the road to Hana and landed on Ho'okipa Beach the clouds parted and the sun shone brightly. Figures! It was great to see the dozens of giant turtles, drink milk from a fresh coconut and enjoy the sunshine (I LOVE the sunshine!)

We almost cancelled our reservations to Mama's Fish House after such a crazy morning in Hana and I'm SO GLAD we didn't because we would have missed one of the most extravagant, delicious and memorable meals and moments of our trip. This place is really expensive and I'm anything but a big spender, especially on food, but I would do this again in a heartbeat! From start to finish they made our anniversary unforgettable. They prepared a window table overlooking the ocean and left a card wishing us a happy anniversary on our table. The manager brought me the most gorgeous and fragrant lei for James to gift me at the dinner table. And then of course there was the food--oh the food! Every last thing we ate was the best thing I've ever eaten in my life, especially the tenderloin papaya appetizer and my stuffed fish entree. The menu changes on the daily depending on what the fisherman catch and at the end of our evening they gifted us a menu with our anniversary date written on the top. I have never felt more pampered and I'm so grateful for everyone at Mama's for making our evening so special.

Thirty-Three

I wanted to have a Favorite Things party for my birthday. Either that, or a Cereal Bash. Wouldn't that have been fun? I had those ideas months ago and wrote them in my planner under today's date so that I could remember my own genius when I went about throwing myself a rockin' bash. I was going to invite ev-er-y-bo-dy! I love birthdays. And parties. And celebrations of every kind. The mere thought of smelling blown out birthday candles makes me smile and my heart pitter-patter. Gathering friends is even more of a thrill. 

But first came Hawaii (and before that near-single mom madness), and then the stomach flu, and before I knew it it was May 7th and I was eating a bowl of Raisin Bran while scooting my favorite people out the door to school and work. Not exactly what I had in mind. Whose idea was it to make Monday birthdays legal anyway?!

Mostly, today was just a Monday. There was laundry to fold, toilets to scrub and groceries to buy. We had piano practice and homework. The boys still had to do their chores and I still had to make them dinner. And let's not even talk about how the girls woke up in the 5 o'clock hour and decided to scream and cry and whine and fight for, you know, the next twelve hours. Yep, it was a Monday.

But also, today was anything but ordinary. Today was a beautiful witness of the goodness around me. Those melancholy morning feelings of mine were quickly forgotten thanks to the kindest words and the kindest gestures done by the kindest family and friends a girl could ever have. There was a steady stream of texts and calls and birthday emails. People sang rousing renditions of the birthday song, wrote messages that made me weepy and dropped off the most thoughtful gifts and treats and all along I just kept thinking: I am so lucky. I am so blessed. I am so happy that they are mine and I am theirs. 

James came home just in time for homemade Hula Pie and took on bedtime duty so that I could enjoy some fresh air and silence on a walk around the neighborhood. This city's jasmine bushes have long had my heart and tonight the air was so sweet with their fresh blossoms that I couldn't help but think that even Mother Nature knew it was my birthday; oh what a gift she gave me. As I was rounding the corner, nearly home after the most enjoyable stroll, I noticed the sky for the first time. It was so subtle some may have mistaken it for pure white, but all of the sudden I noticed unnamed shades of pink and blue and gray that were soft and calm and natural and so beautiful that I couldn't help but stop and stare. I pulled out my camera, desperate to preserve the feelings of peace and contentment welling up in my heart, but even after the snap I still couldn't will my feet to move. I looked to my right and in the distance could see some hot orange and yellow remnants of what was probably a most-impressive sunset, but as though the brilliance didn't exist my eyes naturally came back to the unassuming painting above my very own street. I saw the sky; I saw my birthday.

I am a lover of big parties and bold sunsets and sometimes they are mine to enjoy, but on my thirty-third birthday I am especially grateful for beauty found in simplicity. I am alive. I am loved. For those reasons and so many more this birthday may have been one of my best yet. 

Wigginton Six

I showed this picture to just about anyone I met in Maui because loving those kids and bragging them up oneside and down the other just comes so naturally to me. This was taken at a wedding of some good friends of ours just a couple of weeks ago and if you think we look good with that impressive backdrop, you should have seen the six of us on the dance floor!!!

Daddy-Did List and Angel Mema

For Christmas my parents gifted us a weeks worth of service during the year. For my Mom, that meant taking care of my babies last week when we were in Hawaii. For my Dad, that meant fulfilling the Daddy-do list I left for him. Everything those two touch turns to pure gold and they are extra in every single way so basically the kids never wanted us to come back and neither did our home, haha! While my Mom spent her days playing and loving and caring for the littlest Wigs, my Dad spent his days working and weeding and re-doing our home...and we couldn't be more grateful for everything they both did! They are the greatest parents and I want so badly to be like them someday. When I got home I took lots of pictures of our garden and the things my Dad did outside, but freak if you could only see the inside (his repairs, that is, you probably don't want to see the barf bowls and laundry!) As far as my Mom goes, I only have a few pictures of their week together but I'll cherish them forever. These two, there are just no words.

Home sweet home, I just love our little cottage. Especially after all the work that Pepa did!

I gave my Dad a list of five projects to do and thought it was a little much, but then I came home and found out he did ALL OF THIS!!! Honestly, inside and out my house has never been in better shape! I can't believe how much energy he has and how much he can accomplish in just a little old week.

Our tomato plants the day before we left.

Our tomato plants the day after we got home. They look great!!!

Strawberries in my window boxes.

New ferns and new wood chips and so much weeding!

Our plants have never been prettier or happier!

Our little garden gnome happy as can be in his garden.

Proof that Mema is a thousand times cooler than their Mom. They came home sweaty from a walk around the neighborhood so she let them all strip down to have a water fight in the backyard!

 Dinner at Souplantation.

 Spider swinging with Mema!

My mom sent me lots of pictures of this sweet pea because how could I live without that smile, even in a tropical paradise?

Back to barf, back to reality

Last week James and I had the dreamiest vacation of our lives in Maui celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary. It was our first time away since our honeymoon and while I had some concerns of homesickness I'm happy to report that I was too busy having a blast on adventures and catching up on r&r to notice! Sure, by the last couple of days I missed the kids but mostly we were doing things they would've hated anyway like crazy hikes, long car drives, snorkeling, eating at fancy restaurants and pooling at the Westin Resort (wait, they probably would've liked that last one, but all the others not so much!) It was great for James and me to remember that while we're parents, we're also (and first and foremost) spouses and it felt so good to reconnect and adventure together. Geez, it was fun. Monster post with pictures galore to come!

But back to the purpose of this post. And the reason that monster post of fun will still have to wait.

When we got on the plane to come back home the pilot said, "Welcome aboard American Airlines flight from Maui going back to... reality!" I couldn't help but laugh knowing that four crazy kids were waiting for me at home and boy is that a smack of reality after a week of silence, but had I have known what was really waiting for me at home I may have added some tears to those chuckles!!!

My Mom had told me she would be asleep when we got home so I was surprised when she opened the door to welcome us home at midnight. "I hate to welcome you home in this way," she said. "But Coco is throwing up everywhere. I just got her back to bed. I think she may have the stomach flu."

The end. Game over. Put a fork in it. Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

So, it's Wednesday. We got home on Saturday night. My parents left Sunday morning. James went back to work on Monday. Bam! Reality! Back to mom-life with four barfers to boot! As I type this at 3 in the afternoon four sicky kids are on couches covered in sheets and towels watching movies with barf bowels in close proximity. I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, hence my ability to write right now, but we're not there yet heaven help us. I've spent the past four days cleaning up throw-up from so many places and from so many mouths, wiping nasty bottoms, dishing out gatorade and saltines and cooling fevered heads. I've wiped salty tears, held whining hands and rubbed backs hunched over the toilet, almost always with another sick baby in tow. Us Wigs have never had a stomach flu experience quite like this one, and it decided to come the second we came home from our vacation. What the timing, amiright?

To be real though, the timing probably couldn't have been better. Sure, it was a rude awakening from our relaxing vacation, but I felt so refreshed from a week away that the cleaning, the worrying, the lack of sleeping didn't seem as daunting as it otherwise would have. It's amazing how much better I feel at my job of mothering with just a little time away. Stomach flu X4, bring it!

On second thought, stomach flu X4, please have mercy and don't hit the Wiggy adults!   

None of my kids are prone to nap or sleep outside of their beds so it was a complete shock (and totally picture-worthy) to see them fall asleep this week on couches or chairs or even on their beds with no prompting. Cora was the first to go down but by today she was back to smiling and playing and hamming it up for the camera so there is hope for us yet! Can't wait until all four of my sicky kids are smiling again.

On us, on 10 years

While it's the perfect fairy tale and hopelessly romantic, marrying a stranger also has it's fair share of surprises. James and I have been married for ten years last week, which means we've known each other for all of ten years...and four months. After less than a month of dating he put a ring on my finger and although it felt natural and right, I can now appreciate why people around us were freeeeeaaaaaking out! I didn't know his birthday when I agreed to marry him. I didn't know his favorite color, or how he liked to take his eggs. I didn't know his favorite music, or what books he liked to read. And those are just the little things. Ten years later I can see how lucky I am because I  didn't know how he'd handle tense situations or unmanageable heartbreak, I didn't know if he had a temper or bad habits and I hadn't seen him through so many seasons. How could I have know then how gentle and patient he was? I didn't. And again, I'm lucky it turned out the way that it has.

What I did know ten years ago was that he had a big brain, a kind heart, a good soul and a future full of dreams and plans that included me right by his side. Most importantly I knew that Heavenly Father had promised that when I met the man I was supposed to marry I would feel a burning in my soul and I would know without a doubt that he was the one, and while that never had made sense to me before it was perfectly clear on a cool Sacramento night in December when I went on my first date with James Wigginton and instantly knew that I would be made a Wig! He was the one. Even if I did learn later that he only listens to music made before we were born, haha!

Our ten year mark has caused me to reflect on our marriage, our family, our accomplishments together and how we've grown and changed and improved both individually and as a couple. We've had four kids, filled a wall with James' degrees, dealt with diagnoses and surgeries and so very many moves! The last ten for us has been busy and full of adventure and so incredibly difficult at times but we really believe has been spent merely building the foundation for our life together; these years have been so important and I know we will spend so much of our future thinking about all the lessons we learned during this young, transient and faith-stretching portion of our relationship.

But more than what we've accomplished in the last ten years, this anniversary has caused me to reflect on how well we know each other now, how we understand each other's thoughts and anticipate each other's needs and for heaven sake know each other's birthdays!

He knows that I need furry socks on my feet and a warmy blanket to sleep, even in the heat of summer. He knows that my favorite date night is a movie in bed and that if he lets me have a few extra minutes when I wake up with my cell phone the morning is much more tolerable for me...and everyone. He knows that writing is my release, but also my love language, and he knows that if he brushes his teeth in my presence I'll break out in goose bumps and squeal until he goes back to the bathroom. He knows that I'll be the last and most embarrassing one on the dance floor and will beg him to join me, and also that parties and dinners and big events give me SO MUCH ENERGY! He knows that I like Rum Raisin candy at See's, a bean and cheese burrito at any Mexican restaurant and a life filled with adventures. Adventures, and sunshine.

I know that wherever we go he's going to inevitably find someone who speaks Russian and that the smile on his face when he's talking to them will be bigger than any other's I've seen. I know that he'll choose a documentary on Netflix, a history book from a bookstore, and even on a vacation will find and want to visit ancient or historical or religious sites...and a cemetery or two to boot. I know that he loves to learn and will never forget anything. I know that he's faithful, steady and righteousness comes easily to him. I know that he yearns for cold weather but more importantly yearns for me and the kids to be happy--hence a home in sunny SoCal. I know that he needs a few minutes with his plants each day and I can expect him to dig in the dirt in the middle of the night even before he comes in to say hello after work. I know that he likes to consolidate holiday's for easier celebrations and he knows what I think about that, wink wink.

One of the things I knew ten years ago that is still so true is that James Wigginton is just good and nice and kind to the core. He balances my spiciness (which he now knows alllllll about) nicely!

I say it every year and I'll say it again now. I'm proud of us and the family we continue to create. Marriage takes love and commitment and compromise and work and compassion and for the last ten years we've been doing our best to make it our best. Happy anniversary James, here's to us and many more.