best. date. ever.

david and i went on a date this weekend.  it's one i have been wanting to do for awhile, but just haven't had the right babysitters or opportunity to do it.  but, with the holiday weekend, it worked out!  once a month, we trade babysitting with some friends.  they get our three kids, and at some other point that month, we get their three.  well, friday, david was off.  and there wasn't going to be a ton of traffic.  so...  we did a hike!  don't get me wrong, i love ANY date that involves my husband and me.  but, i can sit in a movie theater anywhere.  i have really been wanting to experience hawaii with just d.  but that's sometimes hard to do when we try to plan the dates starting at 6 pm, because of work schedules, etc.

so, we drove east.  to almost the farthest point east on the south side of the island.  to a crater called koko head.  it's 1100 railroad ties straight up 1200 feet.  

about halfway... when i could convince d to had me my phone for some pics.  the point of land at the top of the frame is diamond head.  we are looking down on hawaii kai here.  

that is the hawaii kai shooting range.  it was crazy to hear the guns as we hiked!  (they have signs warning you to stay on the trail, due to the gun range!)

from the top.  you can't see it well, but in the center of the frame, at the horizon, you could see molokai and maui.  

looking toward the windward side.  makapu'u light house is on the other side of that hill...

more windward.

my love.  on top of the old military fort.  

on top of the world.  

you can see hanauma bay on the far right...

hanauma bay is on the left now.  we found some nice swedes to take our picture.  you know what they say...  "you can tell a swede.  you just can't tell him much!"  just kidding... they were a sweet couple!!!

the look down.  i was standing at the top, about to take my first step back down...  yes, it was as scary as it looks...  i went pretty slow.  (way slower than d wanted...)  we had a funny discussion on the way down about his second wife, should i not make it.  (which was why i went first.  i am more prone to falling and told him that if i go, at least i wouldn't take him down with me!!)

looking back up the trail....

it was an old military post, with the railroad ties used to take supplies to the top!

we went to kona brewing company for dinner (in case you couldn't figure that out!) afterwards.  their beer is inspired by local landmarks.  i had "koko crater".  i kinda had to!  (ps... i heard recently that beer is really good for helping you recuperate after a strenuous work out.  however... i think i'll stick to water most days!  but, it was good... and the food was great.  the view even better.  totally want to go back!

he's so happy to pose for me!  can't you tell?

 the marina where the restaurant was.

we watched the sun set.  and talked about what we would name our boat.

i am so in love!

again, he posed.  i got a look afterwards, but he's just so cute!  (i should say, ruggedly handsome!!!)

diamond head.  

the other side of diamond head from by our house.

we were home by 7:30pm.  our friends were just putting our kids to bed.  we kissed them, and still had time (and energy!) to snuggle on the couch.  it was a perfect night.  and a great weekend!  

i'm not going to lie.  it was a hard hike.  but it was so much fun to do with david.  we talked on the way there about my quitter mentality.  i have realized recently that i am unmotivated by my own devices.  i don't usually attempt something where i might fail.  there are things i am good at, or natural at.  i do those a lot.  but the other things... not so much.

it really struck me when i was on vacation with my family and we were talking about me not playing tennis.  i had been practicing with the team and taking lessons.  i planned to try out.  but, afraid of failure, i decided not to try out.  and i don't think i ever told anyone why i wasn't going to try out.  i was just sure that i wasn't good enough.

what i never realized (or at least have no memory of) was that the coach called and (according to my mom) begged me to try out.  not that i was going to be a star, but she must have at least thought i was good enough.  

there was a (small) part of me that didn't want to do the hike.  because i might not be able to make it.  but, i had told a bunch of people we were doing it, so i couldn't back down!!!  i don't want my kids to see that quality in me.  i am realizing how much they are picking up on right now.  and i know that i will pass on some bad traits.  but this isn't one i want them to pick up on.  (please note, this is ALSO NOT be blaming my parents or anything even resembling that!!!!)  

how, as a parent, do you instill confidence?  is this just life?  because there are so many other things i had the confidence to do... join the navy.  move across the country.  travel the world.  it's just my individual motivation.  

there you go...  that's me....  on a very personal note!  and conquering some fears!!!  so, if you want to come visit..... i will do koko head with you!