Boston

Yes, I know that you thought we were all here in Hawaii, enjoying the wonderful weather, but Seth is actually in Boston, Massachusetts. Sometimes I look back at our lives and wonder-how did I get here? But looking back it is all very clear. Boston is one of those places that we have been directed to, for quite some time. Over a year ago Seth came upon an article that referred him to a doctor in Boston. He contacted this doctor and they began corresponding via phone. Then, in the last 6 months, there was a drug trial that we became interested in being apart of. It was over seas and we had a very hard time communicating with the doctors there. Finally, we received the information that the trial had been closed to international patients. We were sad, but then my dad referred us to a doctor in Boston who would be starting the very same drug trial. This doctor was the same doctor Seth has made contact with before. Crazy, but not really. The crazy part is that we had to research all around the world to land back in Boston where we had started. Seth contacted the doctor again, and she said yes she was hoping to open this same drug trial that we were interested in. He ask how he could best put himself in line to be apart of it. She recommended that he come to Boston to become her patient. So we booked a flight. He left last Saturday and will be there until Friday. Today he met with her. When he called me I could tell things had gone well. He said he was very impressed with her. Not that she has any new answers, although she is going after them as well, but that she is willing to make a plan of action for Seth. She felt positive about his slow progression and felt like there would be some things to help him, including helping him become a part of this trial. He worked closely with her team and I could tell he felt encouraged. This is huge for Seth, since he hasn't put much faith in medicine lately, mostly since they haven't had anything to offer him. His appointments have always been discouraging because they just tell him to come back when he's worse. We have so badly wanted to just have a plan, something to take action on. So yes, Hawaii to Boston is a long way, but we both knew he should go for it. That is the abbreviated public version for right now. We are both grateful for him to be there. He had a friend in Boston from his Babson MBA class that had offered before to help Seth in any way he need, so Seth called him. He offered Seth his home, his car, rides to his appointments, etc. Seth is in good hands while we are apart. Thanks Dave.

So after Seth called me today, I totally melted down. Here he was giving me good news. But I think I had been anticipating this appointment for him, and I was wishing I was with him, and I just needed to release the many emotions I had. I hadn't slept very well last night in anticipation for his appointment, and because I knew he was anxious as well, so I was sleep deprived, which doesn't help my emotional status. I put myself down for a power nap when Jones went down, and I woke up feeling better. Even tonight I feel better. A part of it is hope. Hope is a tricky thing when it come to this. We have put hope in other things concerning the project, and it is very hard when it turns out to be false hope. So as much I as I would love to put all my hope into this or that, I protect my heart, and hold off. With that said, I do have complete hope in one thing, and that is the plan of our Heavenly Father. This hope does not wavier. I have the knowledge of eternal families, and I hold onto that. Seth and I have both been comforted and feel strongly that everything is going to be okay. Everything is going to be taken care of. We don't know what that means for us right here and right now, but we do know our family will be taken care of. So while I may be shy to put my hope into a drug trial, I know that I have had the hand of God in my life. I am not sure there are many who can see the direct hand of God in their lives so clearly, as I can see it in mine. I feel blessed for that. It gives me strength and it gives me HOPE.

Love you all and thanks for letting me be so personal.

Hale Family Spring Break (2nd Spring Break)

So our friends left Saturday morning and my brother and his family flew in on Sunday morning. We had 12 hour rest and we were ready to party with our cousins. My older brother Brad and his family were on Park City's spring break, and they rented a house just a mile up the road on one of our favorite beaches-Castles Beach. The kids were especially excited about having cousins here. 

We kicked off the week with surf lessons for the kids. Here they are practicing their surf paddling. 

      Kate, ready to take on the waves.                                    Maggie with Jake, waiting her turn.

This is an awesome and rare picture. Both Sam and Ben caught the same wave. Surfing cousins.

 After surfing we couldn't resist some more boogie boarding on Castle's beach in Laie. Its a perfect boogie boarding beach and the kids played for hours in the waves. They spent most of the day in the water.

Day two- we hit the North Shore. Here are the Hale's enjoying the view at Pipeline. This picture is unedited. No photoshop here. Check out the blue skies and water. So incredible. What you can't see in the picture is that they are sitting up on a 40 foot sand ledge. The drop down to the water is steep and the waves were crashing in front of them.

  Here we are.

 Jayne is a collector of many things. Shells are her latest fade. She also collects sea glass. Glass that has been dulled due to the rough ocean. I am a fan of collecting shells, but not so much the sand that comes with the shells. She's getting better about washing them. I couldn't resist this picture of her.

The Hales were standing at the top of the sand bank waiting for a wave to reach up and touch their feet.

 The wave did a bit more than hit their feet.

 But you can see by their faces, this is pure fun.

After Pipeline we stopped at Lani beach to see the Turtles. There weren't any on shore, but we saw 6 swimming and feeding on the rocks. 

Guess where we took them next? Maggie and Sue with their first shave ice of the trip.

 Most were too busy to really pose for the picture, but you can see that they were enjoying it.

After some shave ice, we did some damage at the surf shop for cousins that had forgot rash guards and already had bleeding rashes from the day of surfing and boogie boarding. On our way home we at Kahuku Grill. Matthew devoured his hamburger and asked for another one. I am not sure if we had starved them or if they are really that good.

Day 3 (Wednesday) We spent the morning snorkeling at Turtle Bay. Turtle Bay is great for first time snorkelers because it is protected and there aren't any waves. We played and played there until we were starving for lunch. We couldn't even make it past the outdoor restaurant on the beach, so we ate there.

In the afternoon we went to the PCC.

 All those white legs hanging over the water are all the cousins sitting front row to see the boat show.

 Sam wanted to take the cousins to the PCC on Wednesday so they could join him at his fire-knife dance class. The girls joined in as well.

 Ben picked it up fast.

 The cousins after getting tattoos in the Fiji village.

 Sitting in front, waiting for the night show to start.

 Jayne of coarse force everyone to go get picture with the star of the night show. She would go every time if I let her. Check out how Sam is standing next to him. Love it!

Day 4 Waimea Bay

Waimea is so great to play in when it is mild. Here I am surrounded by kids with Jake on my back. He's  now comfortable with riding on my back, and it makes it so fun to have him come with. He like to cool down in the water, especially at Waimea with no waves. After we went to Castles to boogie board.

My Days are blurred but I believe this is Day 5. We returned to the PCC after playing at the beach. This day was really fun, because of seeing shows we just did all the fun activities. Like New Zealand stick throwing.

 Tahiti Fishing and Spear throwing

Jayne helping the instructor at Hula class in Hawaii.

 Tahitian Dancing.

 The Tongan Drummer

 Then to finish off the day, Uncle Brad bought everyone tattoos. The villages will give island specific tattoos that just wash off, but at the front you can pay to have a semi permeant airbrush tattoos. Since all the Hales wanted to have tattoos for school, they all lined up. Uncle Brad included the cousins as well. He bought 10 tattoos. Here's Sam-

Uncle Brad getting his tattoo on his massive Hale calf.

Ellie

 Jayne

 All the tattoos.

 We took the tour of the temple and said good bye to the PCC.

But we hadn't had quite enough for the day. So we jumped in our swimming suits and headed to Shark's Cove for some sunset snorkeling. We found Impossible Pizza truck there at Sharks Cove and ordered pizza to eat on the beach. We also saw our first Hawaiian Monk Seal. 

And we finally got down to the cove right in time for sunset. Awe

 Seth enjoying the site.

This is one of my favorite pictures of the kids walking across the tide pools. Its Maggie, Kate, Sam and Ben. Believe it or not, but I have forgotten my camera at home, so this was taken with my Iphone.

Ben alone in the cove.

 Jaker's walking our to Ben. He is a crazy nut, look how deep it is one him. Obviously not afraid of the water. 

The day was quite the adventure. It was fabulous to end it with such a beautiful sunset.

Our last Beach day. Jake was buried several time this day. First by Aunt Susan in attempts to get him to hold still. Then by Jona and Sam with Jake standing up.

 Sam and Kate coming in.

 Susan looking deep into Jake's soul to see if he will ever not hit or throw everything.

 Cousins

 Half open shutter.

 Sunday, the last day. We decided that Pearl Harbor was great Sunday activity. Here are the kids waiting to ride the boat out to the Arizona Memorial.

 The Memorial was a great place to learn. I hope such a deep respect for those who have fought and died for our freedom. I feel like the kids learned a lot.

And at last we are done. The longest blog post in history. After Pearl Harbor we went into Waikiki for an awesome dinner at Roys. Jake isn't very good at formal dinners, but we had some great food and had a chance to hug all our cousins good bye. Thanks for the fantastic week.