And we’re glad. I missed y’all – no internet access for those of us with a prehistoric laptop that didn’t have wireless capability. 
Hawaii was glorious, and the water really was warm and looked exactly the same color as the postcards. It wasn’t too crowded since it was winter, and “only” 70 degrees every day – oh the trials of this mortal life! The people really smiled all the time and said “Aloha” instead of hi or bye, and “Mahalo” instead of thank you.
We had dinner in Pearl Harbour on the battleship Missouri; saw the Hula Bowl; went on a whale watching cruise and saw not a single whale; haggled with venders for island souvenirs (most of which came from Samoa, the Philipines, etc). We ate pu-pus with a straight face, and enjoyed mahimahi, taro bread, and other local foods.
We looked at unbelievable landscapes, marvelled at the power of the pounding waves, splashed in the surf, climbed down scenic lookouts and up volcanic craters, oohed and aahed at the tropical fish casually meandering along the shores. 
But a week was the perfect length of time to make me miss the laundry and dishes (yes, truly!) and my own bed, and especially our girls. It was very comforting for this always-cold person to leave 70 degree tropical Hawaii and arrive in San Antonio to a temperature of (get this:) 69 degrees.
The flight home was long enough that I still can’t remember what day this is. Is this today or tomorrow, and if this is today, what day is it? I’m still doing the math in my head: we left Hawaii Tuesday night, and it was light when we changed planes in Los Angeles, then we picked up the kids and took them to see Narnia and it was dark again when we got home, and now it’s light…Actually, I think yesterday was tomorrow, so today must be the day after tomorrow…
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I missed your blog while you were gone, as well. Glad you made it back safely! Thanks for sharing your pictures and details of the trip. Enjoyed the cute pictures of you and your husband. I love to see natural beauty on a vacation. Give me a National Park and scenery over museums and tourist shows any day.
I guess now you can say that your next little one will have been the first of your children to visit Hawaii
My mom has told us that Caleb was the first of the children to go on a train ride when she was pregnant with him while mom and dad took a trip to Colorado.
BTW, I made another batch of your Spiced Chai mix today. My family loved the first batch and we went through it in a little over a month. I may need to start doubling the recipe. Did you make it up yourself? I think it is one of the best versions of Spiced Chai that I have tried. I’m very picky about my chai, and definitely an “addict” or maybe a “connoisseur” is more like it
Hope all goes well for you and your family as you get back into the “swing of things.”
~Lydia H.
Hmmm…you missed the laundry and dishes? I’d say tsk, tsk, but I’m afraid that at some sick level I can understand. There’s just something about routine. But then again, I’m sure there’s also just something about HAWAII!! Well, in any case, your subscribers are all glad you’re back safe and sound. And we certainly missed your crowd at church! Welcome home! (Oh, and to build on Lydia’s comment, my hubby is a “connoisseur” of Russian Tea, and he’s gone through his batch quickly as well. He was so happy when you posted that recipe.)
Glad you’re back and getting into the swing of things again. Just right, isn’t it?
Glad you’re back. Sounds like you had a lovely time. I’m right with you on missing one’s own bed and home. Vacations are nice, but it’s always good to come home!
Hi! I’ve been a lurker for a few weeks, but a crazy thought came to me the other day and I’m coming out of hiding. Did you by any chance happen to once be a moderator on the forum Young Women Abiding in Christ? I ask because I remember emailing one of the moderators who’s name happened to be Kim and I just loved the article on the dress/skirts issue that she sent me. I love your blog so much that it just seems like the most ironic coiincidence if you happen to be the same person!
Welcome back Kim..glad you guys had a good time! (I’m still jealous,lol) I bet the girls missed you guys just as much as you missed them!
Lydia H. and Stephanie,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the tea recipes. We’re still drinking them nearly every morning, pretending that it’s cold outside when we wake up
Neither recipe was originally mine, though I did tinker with and combine several chai recipes to come up with the one I posted.
Lurking Lydia,
No, I’m not *that* Kim, though I do wonder if anyone I have known in real life or from old email lists has stumbled upon my blog. I have come across some old Sunday School acquaintances, friends-of-friends etc. in the blogosphere purely by “chance.” Did anyone know me as Kim Brown, Steve and Carol’s oldest daughter, in the Portland, Oregon area when I was a kid or pre-teen?
Drats, that’s a pity. Still, I guess I’ll have to become a regular commenter now. I wrote a long post of my thoughts after reading through your archives a few days ago (if you’d like to read it you’ll find it on my homepage under the title “A Baker’s Dozen”). Just thought you might like to know. You have fans in Australia!
Welcome back! I’m glad you had the opportunity to take such a great vacation!