It's been a long summer, and some of the stress is not gone, but we are back together again, and in Hawaii!
Crowded beaches? Hardly!
We still have not sold our condo. The drain under the condo is damaged and needs to be dug out and fixed. Because the drain is damaged, water seeps into the house. Because the water is in the house with no one living there, there is mold. Insurance won't cover it, because it's the condo's responsibility, so we are waiting.
And waiting.
We flew here on Tuesday with 13 hours of traveling, 4 time zones, 3 kids, and 2 layovers (Dallas and Los Angeles). And all our baggage: 5 huge checked bags, 3 car seats, 3 backpacks (diapers in one, food in another, and toys in the last), 1 double stroller, and 1 umbrella stroller. It was a zoo. I have no idea how it worked, but it did---our kids were pretty awesome. Everyone got fed and changed and entertained. And about 9 pm MST, they all fell asleep on the plane. We had the entire back row to ourselves, six seats, and with various configurations we all slept.
Apartments in Hawaii go like fresh malasadas*. Fast. Mr. Graff camped out with a co-worker for almost a month and spent the entire month looking and applying for apartments. It was disheartening. And when it looked like we would be living in a tent on the beach, we got the call that we had a place to live!
I love it.
I met the house all in boxes with just necessities unpacked. It's perfect. Mr. Graff left a message in a bottle on my nightstand. Rather appropriate for living on an island.
We are in another two bedroom, one bathroom apartment like we lived in our entire marriage. (Five years, woot!) This apartment reminds me of our first married student apartment in Provo that we named the "Birds' Nest".
It is mainland-small, about 800 square feet, but feels palatial in Hawaii. I love the cinder block walls. I love the galley kitchen that looks out into the dining room. I love the washer and dryer next to the bedrooms so I can chuck dirty clothes in the washer instead of the hamper. I like the tiny lanai where I'm going to put a container garden. I like the southern exposure in my living and dining area and the cross breezes through the house.
Like Rae told me, "I like it; it's kinda beautiful."
Hawaii fits us, at least for now.
ALOHA!
*Malasadas, which you have to say with appropriate appreication, are hole-less donuts served, usually, out of food trucks. Sometimes filled, traditionally coated with sugar, these pastries are revered by the kama'aina (locals). My little keikis like them, too.
