Just Another Manic Monday..

Yet another Monday rolls around - where did this year go?!?!

John's reminded me that we've got a bit caught up in the holiday thing and the mass correspondence lately, and I've neglected to blog.

 I challenge him to write a blog (his first ever); he reminds me he's allergic to grammar and asks if I'd accept an IOU.

Yeah, anyway.

This month has gotten kicked off in a big way, there is so much more greatness to keep sharing, and I'm so thrilled just thinking about it.

I have such a great wedding in queue for tomorrow, so check back my fabulous blog stalkers.

In the meantime, here's something just way too cute. Maybe it's just me.

"A face only a mother could love."

This is what I call the "mommy-won't-let-me-chew-on-the-big-spikey-green-monster-in-the-living-room-so-I'mma-give-Daddy-the-Look" Look.

**Sidenote: My Maui friends and fans - this Saturday is the Birken and Bailey's Christmas Pawty, so pack up your own furry kid and come hang out with us (ok, and Santa too).

Happy Monday,

Durable, Like Leather..

I don't remember much of the day.. it flew by in whirl of sushi and emotion.

I always tell my brides to breathe, and enjoy the moment, because it goes by too fast.. this in when I learned it first hand.

Thinking back I see clips of smiles, and tears, and remembering exactly how we told eachother we wanted to spent the rest of our lives with one another.

3 years ago yesterday (because yes, John hid the computer and gave us a little forced staycation) we married eachother.

Leather is the symbol for 3 years, because it's strong and flexible.

I've learned over the past three years how important it is not just to be strong, in life and in love, but to be flexible.

This isn't always an easy lesson, but one that's so important.

Nothing is perfect, and I wouldn't want it to be. Because nothing good comes free.

Photo Credit :: Linda d'Avella - Tropical Photography

Happy Anniversary to my dear, John

and Best of Luck to All of My Lovely Couples.

May you learn all of your lessons together for a very long time.

Just Another Manic Monday..

Happy Monday World Wide Web.

Welcome to yet another late night post in the world of us!

Amidst all of the madness and chaos that is the holiday season, I wanted to take a minute to slow down.  Which could be quite a feat for me, of course.
As John says, I only have two modes - On, and On-er.

As I awoke this morning to find a very recognizable little pink surprise and two big furry smiles (3 including John's) I was reminded that it's often more about the little moments that create that big picture. It's reminded me that you just have to slow down sometimes..
That the memorable moments in life are often right in front you; and that it's always worth seeking.

So as you make your way through your Tuesday, I challenge you to pause your daily tunnel vision,
and see if you can grasp some of the great moments of your life.

Sidenote:  I have THE best husband in the World 

(I mean, seriously, Betsey Johnson AND Camera in JEWELRY FORM?!)

Goodnight for Now,

West Maui Mountains Ablaze

As it tends to happen so often, our West Maui Mountains were recently ablaze. Again. As of today the fire's been 90% contained after burning 6,200 acres since the fire began a week ago. For us over on the south side we've gotten a direct view of the fire on the mountains, and not-so-luckily all of the smoke that's come along with it. 

We're just glad our fabulous families were so flexible in rearranging our schedule (ack!) due to the Pali closure the first day of the fire (thanks guys!), and none of our brides and grooms have been affected.

Check out the highway view of the mountains, and our night-time view from the Kihei Canoe Club..

 

Life on a Rock | 2010 Tsunami

The blog about the 2010 Tsunami. Ok, it's a little late, but we'll cut ourselves some slack...

Ok, I'm not sure if we can still call it a Tsunami... since, there wasn't even really an 'it' to begin with, but never the less..

Saturday began at 3:30am in a 1/2 hour line at the gas station.

Ok, who am I kidding, that's how John's day began - I was frantically packing all the important things in life; photo equipment, computers... and dog clothing.

Yes, you heard me right. But let me take a quick moment to dwell on that. Our dogs aren't just any dogs. They are South Maui dogs. and it's hot here (as in they shiver when they go to the beach). If we could potentially be camping out up the mountain for days (my overreacting mind already hard at work) I could not handle my furbabies being cold.

Fast forward 8 hours, we found ourselves all propped up with family up the road from Ma'alaea Harbor. Laptop connected to live feed from the news, and long lenses in hand - we were ready for the action. Sirens went off intermittenly, fire trucks drove up and down along the coast with loud speakers making evacuation announcements, and boats cleared the harbor.

Then 11:19 came and went.

We sat, eyes glued to the shoreline. All we could see was a pod of whales breaching offshore.

The evacuation orders were cancelled at 3:30, and we headed home.

So after our forced day off, I must conclude with (while anticlimactic) I'm incredibly happy we didn't actually get hit by a tsunami. We were forced to take our first day off together (no work of any kind) for the first time in as long as I can remember, and got really good evacuation practice =)

As I walked through the front door, I couldn't help but be incredibly thankful for everything in our lives - there's no place like home.

Sunrise Over Ma'alaea Harbor..

An Eerily Empty Ma'alaea Harbor