ITS A GIRL??

Morning everyone!! So for weeks I have been counting down to Friday, the day we got to find out what the newest little Morgan would be, boy or girl? Would Zade be severely outnumbered in the Morgan house or would it be even? Turns out the appointment was not scheduled right so I begged her to take a look anyway and she was 80 percent sure its a girl!! We go back on Tuesday for the official word. At least if it is a girl she is a lady and hanging around with those legs crossed like ladies should!
So for now I have to refrain from buying excessive amounts of headbands with BIG BIG flowers on them, until Tuesday ;) After that, its shopping time friends!
Good news is I get to go home and I get there Thursday so Friday = shopping with my mama!! I could not be more excited! I get to stay home for 2.5 weeks and am going to love every second of it! I cannot wait!!
Will post again on Tuesday with the official word! :)

Have a great little Sunday everyone!

I am back!!

I didn't forget!! I really don't even have a good excuse!! But here I am! I'm sure all of you have caught our latest and greatest...we've got a teeny Morgan on the way. I hope the world is ready for another Morgan!!
We have had an exciting and busy couple of months! More visitors of course and we escaped to Maui for a week which was beautiful and spectacular...everyone needs to visit Maui at some point in their life - its peaceful and serene and just picture perfect every where you go.

My newest hobby is trying to get rid of everything and make room for baby! We have too much stuff for our tiny Hawaii home, I am not sure what I am going to do with all the space once we leave Hawaii, it will be like Christmas morning every day. For now I have become rather inventive at getting things to fit places and have learned to get rid of what we don't need for the next few years.

So being preggy in paradise is pretty great, until you get an awful sunburn - eek! Remind me never to do that again. We both got the worst sunburns of our lives I think, which has now somewhat subsided, thank goodness! I desperately need to be one of those preggys that is tan and looks cute in a bikini for my entire pregnancy...yeah, we will see how that goes!!

I have been blessed with two preggy friends to help get me through what hasn't been the easiest thing I've ever done thus far in life. Rough first couple of months but I am feeling like myself again and I don't have to nap everyday which is awesome because you really do get a lot more done when you aren't sleeping for the majority of the day!! So now I am excited to be feeling great and back to my old routine for the most part.

I promise to be a better blogger!! And even some pics next time! Its good to be back :)

Beautiful Morning

Good Morning! Its a BEAUTIFUL Hawaiian morning, I hope it is beautiful wherever you are, and if not then find the beauty in it!!

Today Zade's cousin Emily and her BF Joe are coming to HAWAII! Awesomeness! AND!!!!! Zade comes home tomorrow! Thank goodness, it gets pretty quiet around here without him! Ruby keeps me busy though :) Been enjoying the quiet time to myself a little bit but am SO very glad for him to be home with me!!
Its been rather hot in Hawaii lately, its only 8am and I am sure it is high 70s or 80s already - good thing I got that run in early this morning (and it was still hot!).

Mostly I have been occupying my time with exercise and homework - lots of papers this weekend! I am so excited for the day I have no papers to write (it seems like it will never be here!) I somehow always manage to wait until the last minute to write them (some things never change!).
Short post today...got lots to do to get ready for visitors!! :)

Aloha!

Fell for it!

I CAN'T believe it...I fell for another one of his April Fool's jokes AGAIN...and this time from many many miles away! So I woke up in the middle of the night and read my email on my phone...had an email from Dad (not unusual - he wakes up way before the sun)...BUT he informed the entire family in the email that his mother would be getting MARRIED - whaaaaat? I couldn't even sleep, just wondering about it...since he said he couldn't get any details out of her about who he was/the wedding...OMG I didn't realize it until the moment I was getting out of bed at 7:30 - DUH!!!! April Fools...I mean, he got everyone good! Sheesh!

So I just spent a few hours running around town to various Asian grocery stores (NOT my favorite) looking for Tamarind, trying to make Pad Thai tonight...not able to find the Tamarind but good news is, I think I can whip up something similar that might just work for the Thai food. I have made coconut curry chicken before but this seems quite a bit more challenging...will have to let you know how it turned out!

Nothing too much of interest other than that today...better get started on the recipe though, I am the SLOWEST cook ever (I read and re read the ingredients and the measurements like 400 times before I mix them), at this rate...we should be sitting down to eat around nine or so...NO FOOLIN!

<3

To fool or not to fool?

Aloha! Enjoying my week off of classes but ready to get back into the swing of things here pretty soon! Monday brings 2 more classes my way...which means, only 3 more classes after those two until I can add 3 little letters to the end of my name! Whooooooa, what a long ride it has been, feels like I have been working on this forever...really it has been a year and a half in the making...feels like forever.
I have been catching up on recretational reading...halfway through "The Last Song" by Nicholas Sparks, so far so good! Working on my running, and just well to be honest...being lazy!
Waikiki beach workout last night was incredible, as usual...abs are hurting super bad today!

I can't believe tomorrow is April...which reminds me I need to think up a good April Fool's for my lovely hubby - hmmmmm...My Dad is always really good at April fools jokes, the one that stands out the most was the time he rubberbanded the spray attachment in the spray position on the sink, so when you turned on the sink the sprayer would spray right at you, that I would say, was pretty good.

Time is really flying by!!

Catch up!

Been too long, but I have a good reason! My family was here in Hawaii! We had the best time ever, I don't think I can even recap all the fun we had...I can't believe March is almost over, it flew by with all the fun I was having with them here!! The house is a tad too quiet for my taste right now and I finished my classes yesterday so I have a whole week off, which should be something I am glad about, but Im not sure what I am going to do to keep myself busy (I know most of you are rolling your eyes right about now...but really!!).
I've gotten back into my running shoes and loving it, training for my MARATHON in December...it's never too early to start training for that!
Ruby and I's favorite part of the day is when we hear the Harley coming from miles away...well now it seems the neighbor has also gotten a Harley and poor Ruby girl is confused, its only 930 in the morning and she is peering out the window wagging her little nub of a tail waiting for her Dad to come up the steps :(
Well...I'm off to clean the house and lace up my sneaks for a run. Have a great day everyone!!

Tsunami fake out

What a day! Woke up shortly after 4 to news that a Tsunami was headed to paradise. I glued myself to the news all day until 2pm when they finally called the all clear. No Tsunami for Hawaii, a lot of excitement and no action (Not the good kind of excitement). We played it cool for the first few hours then realized we could be in for it and ventured out. Cars lined the streets in front of gas stations and grocery store parking lots were packed. One thing is for sure, Hawaii's economy had a great day! We didn't go too overboard thank goodness! Bought 4 bags of ice, which are currently melting on our porch while Ruby tries to devour every last cube (the girl loves her some ice!), propane, water of course and sunchips (duh). We are on the top floor of a house so we figured we would be okay, good thing becuase I havent the first clue as to what I need to take with me if we do ever get evacuated.
I need to gather up a kit in case this happens again, but we always say we are going to do that and then never do (you know its true!).
Skyped with my family ALL day while watching the news. It was an interesting day!! Just watching and waiting...
When I woke up this morning after hearing the news it was all I could think about that I had NO clue how my day was going to end. All the prayers and well wishes worked! The tsunami stayed away and basically was a gorgeous day out, just too bad we didn't get to enjoy the amazing weather!
Now just resuming life and getting ready for our first visitors a week from today! I am so happy there still a beach and a beautiful place for my family to come to! I hope this week flys by - I just cannot wait until Saturday night.
Off to have some dinner with the neighbors.
Thanks everyone for all the prayers!

Waikiki Beach workout & North Shore

I should start out by saying Waikiki beach workout was more like Waikiki beach torture! But oh so good! So apparently this amazingly fit man was inspired by his own weight loss that he started up a workout on Waikiki beach on Tuesdays and Fridays. I had only heard from Meghan that it was some sort of Boot Camp...but let me tell you! Oh goodness...first of all, running in the sand is NOT a joke, nor is running in the sand barefoot...then for at least 40 minutes at a time (oh with push-ups laced in that). WOW. Seeing 25+ people my age complete this beach torture was truly inspiring. As if the rediculous amounts of sand running wasn't enough (though it can't touch what my husband has completed in his line of work...I know have a new found respect), ab workout followed! ON THE SAND! Whoaaaa sand EVERYWHERE...and I mean EVERYWHERE!
The workout was painful but being on the beach with all those other people all striving for the same goal to get fit and not to mention on the beautiful beach of Waikiki at Sunset...it was all worth it! I will most definetly be returning - oh and the best part (FREE!)
Feeling it today!
Meghan and I headed up to the North Shore today - so many pretty sights to see! We attempted a turtle stalk at Turtle Beach but none were on shore...amazing Thai food again (im obsessed - yes that was twice in ONE week) and Shaved Ice! AAAAAMAZING. I kinda understand why people wait in line for over 45 minutes for the stuff. (We picked a much shorter line which ended up being just as long due to the fact that only one guy was shaving away at the ice). Guava + Ice Cream! Amazing!
Had a nice long run with Ruby girl tonight (we got lost and ended up running for lots longer than had planned for) but I enjoyed looking around our neighborhood and seeing new sights.
By the way, my downstairs neighbor Don = best cook ever. He and his girlfriend always bring me up a plate when Zades gone (and brought Zade up plates when I was gone)...They are the BEST! The food is so amazing I always wish someone were here to drool over it with me, its really quite shocking how delicious it is!
Rubygirl had another swim in the pond today...I really can't keep her out of there anymore! It's pretty funny though to see her swim - everything except for her tiny face is under the water and all you can hear is her snorting for air. Sounds like a little piglet is coming towards you! I love my little piggy dog! Oh and apparently she barks now when people come to the door (which is actually a good thing, for me). She's becoming quite the dog!

Must get back to homework! Thanks for reading!

<3 Andrea

Just another day...

IN PARADISE! I realize that some of you may be reading this from specifically snowy locations...so I do apologize, but I am constantly amazed at the beauty of this place! Everyhere you look there is evidence of the wonderful creation God has made for us, it is truly a blessing to be living here in paradise. Island life is beginning to set in, people said it would...but it has. Rare are the days that I "do my hair" or wear makeup or even dress myself in proper clothing! Most days a swimsuit followed by shorts and a tee shirt will suit just fine, this is the new me.

Some excitement is on the horizon as Zade and I are forming a business plan for something that is going to crushhh in Virginia Beach. Im not going to go into too much detail but it does in fact involve a Ranch, cattle ranch at that - I will let your imagination run wild over that. Later this week Im going to be meeting with a Rancher on the North Shore to begin to formulate more of a plan. It started out as a project for class but it will be much much more.

I am counting down the days until Mom and Dad Kissell arrive in Hawaii! This is so exciting, I have been waiting for this day for it feels like FOREVER! I love Hawaii but everyday I miss my family more and more...I cannot tell you how great it will be to have them here! Just a little over two weeks until they start to arrive, how am I going to contain myself until then?!?

Welp, back to Homework for me...at least I have that to keep me busy while Zade is away.

Lots of Aloha your way,

<3 Me

Adventuring

Morning! Again it has been a while since my last post...I will get better at this someday soon. Had a great long weekend with Zade, we ventured out to different parts of the island and found some really fun things! There is so much to do here that we havent even begun to find...so my favorite it just getting in the car and going someplace new. We ventured to new beaches, new hikes, new places to eat - successful venturing.
Enjoyed a sunrise hike at Makapu'u on Valentines day. The sunrise is a truly beautiful event to experience, even more so here in Hawaii! We could see to the other islands (Molokai I believe) since it was SO clear. The clouds blocked a lot of the color from the sunrise but it was still a gorgeous morning spent with my love. A restful afternoon then Dear John (bring your tissues!) and to Koko head Marina for Kona brewing company (delicious and fun!). Then of course...our addiction...Yogurt Mama. DANGER!
Yesterday we drove up to the North Shore - popped in Dole and picked up some treats then found a deliciously amazing Thai place in Haleiwa (I still can't believe how good it was!) We sat outside and enjoyed the company of some local peacocks :)
Hubby is off to Northern California for a week or so...but Ruby and I are going to enjoy the week anyway of course!! Got lots to catch up on.

xoxoxo Love from Hawaii! Hope everyone is having a great day!

Obsession

My new obsession...ahhh Hot Yoga! Never thought I would like it but its been 3 days and I spend most of the day looking forward to going to class :) I posted a pic so you can see the aftermath...I mean everything is SOAKED! Amazing! Its quite the workout, and I feel great! Going to add some running back in today and see how that does :)
Check it out!!
The only bad part is now I need lots of cute Yoga gear - and why is it so expensive, oh well - they win, I need it :)

Have a WONDERFUL day everyone - Im off to find some yoga shorts :)

<3

Back on the Island!

Excuse the lapse in posts please!! Back now on the Island after a trip to Virginia to visit my family. It was the best surprise ever, I wish I could relive those moments a thousand times! Loved every second of being home but also glad to be back with Zade and Ruby in warmer climates. Took a three day layover in San Diego and had an amazing time with the Wilson's, I wanted to put all those little ones in my suitcase but I am pretty sure some might frown on that :(
I've been doing homework for three days straight to catch up from being away - I am almost all the way caught up now. Zade and I have started going to Hot Yoga at a studio here in Kailua. I was really nervous to try it but it actually felt really great! The second day was WAY sweatier than the first but I loved that even more, the sweatier the better! We got a pass for 30 days so will keep you posted on that...I always thought Yoga was not really a true "workout" but let me tell you! It is! You should try it, at least once...do yourself a favor.
So Zade is back to work today and I am going to work on Homework and finish unpacking and putting life back together after being gone for 2 weeks.
Missing the snow in Virginia! It looks like so much fun.

Mahalo!
<3