Intention: days 2, 3, 4 & 5

Full disclaimer: I am brainstorming as to how to make this blog more interesting. I am just journaling for now and will come up with a legit format soon. :)

Spring Break was different for us this year; as we learn how to function as a family while Cali spreads her wings, testing her toes on the shores of independence. She spent a week on the east coast & loved every moment. My brother began his journey to Alaska, first spending some time with 'ohana in Washington, which brought sadness and excitement, as we visualize him across the ocean. For Easter, in lieu of baskets and stuff, we overnight-ed at our favorite spot on the Big Island, Kilauea Military Camp at Volcano. It was with intention that we decided to create memories instead of buy little gifts, realizing the expectations that I set with my children for what holidays entail revolved mostly around stuff, and typically in excess. Now that we have almost exactly a year left with Cali &  6 years left with Kawena at home, are faced with the reality that the time is coming when the influence of home is tested with entirely independent choices.

So as we packed up and began discussing our meals for the road, Kawena suggested we make Sunday our "cheat day" which we hadn't talked about yet, but I mean, yeah. She's been watching me do this. She's been listening to me talk. As it is, mom, so it goes. Do what nourishes your body most of the time, indulge some of the time.

The girls with their treat: Gyspea Gelato in Kainaliu. So 'ono!

When we arrived at KMC after a lovely drive around the island, we changed into workout clothes and hit the gym as a family. It took quite a bit of persuasion for Terry to get on board, which is frustrating [as in, ok, you know what we are doing, why the *bleep* are you making this harder], but the reality is this won't work without him. *conclude rant* While looking around at each of their faces in the weight room, I remember thinking to myself, "Man. This might be the last time we do this as a family of four. This place, doing this. All four of us." I hope that's not the case, and yes, I fully understand this thought will cross my mind more and more as it gets closer to her graduation. Kawena did good. She wasn't bursting with joy over the exercise, and her mind and body need to get used to the changes. She required a lot of pep talks in our 45 minutes there, but she did it. :)

Warm up--love doing this together.

So, there we have it. We started our staycation with intention to do what feeds our bodies and souls. We went to the gym, Cali and I went for a run thru the park, which is the first time I did that, and it was absolutely spectacular. We ate at the mess hall, conscientious and connected to the choices we were making and how we felt. Mindfulness. Kindness (internal voice to ourselves). Intention.