We went for a walk yesterday up in the hills behind Launiupoko. This is my dream neighborhood.  We WILL live there in the near future.  I feel it!

We took the trails that the native Hawaiians used to take to get to the shore to fish many many years ago  If they got stuck after the sun went down they would set up camp in these awesome caves in the side of the mountain. It was super cool to walk the same path as they did. The kids loved the history of it and were hoping to find drawings or other artifacts along the trail.  We didn’t find anything, other than pure family bliss.  It was a really nice walk.

As we walked, the clouds opened up and cooled us off with an afternoon shower.  Then the sun came out to dry us off and out came the most beautiful rainbow.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.

(this is how I feel about Hawaii…our dreams really are coming true here)

So, for today’s Aloha Friday question, let’s get dreamin’ and wishin’…

What do you wish for, right now?!

Could be just five mintes to yourself, could be a million bucks, share with us…

BUT write it this way…

Instead of a wish, say it as if it’s already happening. Envision, it. See it.

Really feel what it would feel like to have that wish be true.

Get daydreaming, it’s one of my favorite past times.

Here’s my wish…

I’m sitting on the porch of my three bedroom cottage in Launiupoko.  The whales are splashing in the distance and the kids are romping in the yard.  Duke is at my feet, snoring away and the sun is warming me up while the trade winds keep me cool.

Now it’s your turn, skies the limit, let er rip!

Be sure to visit Kailani’s An Island Life for more Aloha Friday questions.

What I learned yesterday, as we braced for and thankfully escaped a tsunami…

♥ I learned that my husband is our super hero – short of ripping off his shirt and showing an “S” on his chest, he jumped to action at 2 a.m. in the morning, got us all of our supplies and made a plan for us to evacuate.

♥ I learned that my children are so very brave…even with sirens ringing that resembled that of a bomb warning, they looked to us for guidance and trusted that we would keep them safe.  And we did.

♥ I learned that social media is truly a community…the folks on twitter, facebook and through my blog were so thoughtful with prayers and emails making sure I was ok. I received emails from readers of my blog that have never commented but they did take the time yesterday to let me know that they are readers and were thinking and praying for us.  Thank you!

♥ I learned that Hawaii and the people who live and visit here are awesome.  It was miraculous how everyone evacuated safely.  Stood in long lines in grocery stores and gas stations all with smiles and waves for each other.

♥ I learned that the mere threat of a natural disaster makes us all so thankful for everything. I had to work last night and the managers started our night with everyone going around in a circle saying what we were thankful for. This was all very very real for all of us.

♥ I learned I am truly blessed.  I feel so very blessed to have a family (both my immediate family and my family back on the mainland) that came together so strong during a rather stressful time. I feel so blessed for the wonderful community that I am part of, both online and in Hawaii. And I feel so blessed that we were fortunate to learn the valuable lesson of how to handle a natural disaster all without a natural disaster happening. (that’s pretty rare)

A huge thank you to those that emailed me, sent me texts, tweeted with me and called me.  The prayers and good thoughts worked! Phew!

Sunday is the only day of the week that I have don’t have to work…well, I’ve still gotta be MOM, the hardest job on the planet, but it’s my one absolutely free day of the week, and we always try and make the most of it.

This past Sunday we hit the beach along highway 30 just south of Olowalu.  We found the perfect nook with no one else but our friends, their  3 month old son and us on this slice of Maui paradise.  Fallen trees made the perfect natural jungle gym for the kids, the water was mellow and perfect for a swim and the trees offered shade when the hot Lahaina sun got to be too much. Duke even went for a swim and tried out his boogie boarding skills. Next time we’re getting him on the long board.  I see a surfing dog in our future!

It was a marvelous Sunday at the beach…..

Even in Hawaii people have to work.  It’s a damn shame, a cruel joke, but it’s a necessity. A very very big necessity.  It’s expensive to live here.  Most work hard, sometimes two or more jobs, but all play harder.  And what a wonderful playground Hawaii is to play.  To decompress, you take a swim in the ocean, hop on a surf board, go for a hike, grab a shave ice.

And that’s what we did today.  After a day filled with working on the computer we headed to the Honoapiilani Beach Park for a walk with the pup and the kids.  And then we cooled off with a yummy shave ice from Hawaiian Village Coffee.  I know, a coffee joint for shave ice?  YES!  There’s no shortage of shave ice places in Hawaii and most are good. But we love Hawaiian Village Coffee because on Sundays you can get buy one get one, it’s usually not crowded (Locals hang out and meet there but it’s not touristy).  It’s easy to get to, right off the main highway, oh and they have a bathroom on premises for customers. {bonus!} They also sell cool Hawaiian goods, including, coffee, kitchen gadgets and local tees.

click to see the pictures bigger

Have you ever had shave ice?

What was your favorite flavor?