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I love my job!!!

I've been so occupied with work I haven't had much time to blog! Our VISION fundraiser has consumed my life...the great news is that despite the economy tanking, listeners gave so abundantly in support, we raised our operations goal in a day. I've been told that's never happened before! This just goes to show that while we may be worried to death about Wall Street taking a plunge, God is bigger than all our economy woes.
I absolutely love my new job. The people are ten times nicer than me--they affirm and encourage me all day, every day. It's a very uplifting environment to work in. I feel like a sub-par Christian surrounded by such incredible people of faith and integrity. I've still got a steep learning curve, but I'm confident that I'm right where I need to be. After suffering through such a toxic work experience at WMBD and enduring a difficult year, I feel like this job is my reward and I'm very grateful for it. Of course, adjusting to the morning shift is no small task. I'm up by 4:15 a.m. I sleep only four hours a night if I'm lucky...and take a nap during the afternoon. Jeff and the kids will no longer get packed lunches and the housework doesn't get done...But hopefully in time we'll all adjust to a new normal. I definitely think it's worth it.

Soccer Fun

Max really gets into the game when he's playing soccer! This Saturday Jeff & I enjoyed watching Max run his heart out on the soccer field. He's really good at the sport. His team has never won a game but this weekend they tied, which is pretty close! They're getting better and better. Boy do I feel for some of the kids on Max's soccer team--parents can be pretty aggressive on the sidelines and very hard on their sons. Luckily, Max's parents are only encouraging...right, Jeff? :)

Doesn't he look darling in his gold uniform? I think it's a great color that complements him. For those interested in attending his soccer games (namely Mom Hopkins!) I thought I'd post the remainder of Max's soccer schedule:
Oct. 6th: 5:30 pm
Oct. 11th: 11:15 am
Oct. 16th: 5:30 pm
Oct. 23rd: 5:30 pm
Oct. 25th: 11:15 am

Now the work begins...

It's weird to send a prayer request on a blog but if you could say a quick prayer for me in the morning or this evening that'd be great. I'll be introduced on the radio tomorrow and my nerves are as frayed as my grandmother's linen. I haven't been this nervous about anything in years for a couple of reasons: 1) I am still recovering from jet-lag and haven't really slept in three days! Jeff snores like a chainsaw when he's tired so even after our 12-hour flight I didn't get much sleep yesterday and will likely not get sleep tonight since I'm nervous and am afraid I'll press the snooze button on my alarm clock! 2) This job is so incredibly personal and I've got many opportunities to screw up just by being myself. It's apparently very easy to offend people so I'm hoping not to!
For those tuning in, my schedule is as follows:
5:40am: I'll talk about my professional life
6:20am: I'll weigh in on sports. (BOY DO I NEED PRAYER FOR THIS AREA. I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT SPORTS!)
7:40am: I'll talk about Jeff and the kids. The focus will really be on Jeff and our marriage. WHOA...DEFINITELY NEED PRAYER FOR THIS SESSION
8:30am: I'll talk about my trip to Hawaii.
Thanks so much for your prayers and support!

The Saddest Day

I didn't sleep a wink on the 12-hour flight back from Hawaii. I spent most of it in tears. From the moment my mom dropped us off at the airport's security gate, the waterworks turned on and I couldn't get myself to turn it off. I planned on taking a picture with my mom before we left but I started to cry so hard, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Before we entered the security gate, I begged Jeff to let me stay in Hawaii with my family. I grabbed his shirt and squeezed him tight to keep myself from full-on sobbing. He had to push me through the security line because I wanted to turn around and go home. It's incredibly sad to be back in Peoria. I wish my family was awful so I'd enjoy my space from them but the truth is, they're so wonderful and it's the only place on earth I feel unconditionally loved by the only people I can fully trust. I'm grateful to throw myself into a full work schedule starting tomorrow morning. It's a great time for me to be a work-a-holic so I can forget about my life and all that I'm missing.
Speaking of work, Jeff decided to go straight from our drive from the Chicago airport to work today. He didn't sleep on the flight, either, and is fully wasted, so if you could throw up a prayer for him to get through the day and drive safely, your prayers would not be lost on him!

A Hui Hou...

...means until we meet again in Hawaiian. Jeff insisted on surfing another two hours this afternoon in Waikiki Beach since it's our last full day on the island. I think our skin color resembles light toast from the sun. I was mesmerized by the water...I could've sat on the shore all night.

This afternoon we enjoyed Dim Sum with Mitch's wonderful family. His sister, Shari, is so much fun and built a gorgeous home with the nicest kitchen I've ever seen. She moved all her dining room and living room furniture out on the porch where they enjoy a view of the ocean and sunset. It's a perfect party house! It was nice to connect with family.

Here's our final picture of a sunset. I cried on the beach this evening when I realized it was the last sunset I'd see in Hawaii this year. I love my family, I love the beauty of the islands, and I love the multi-cultural food and atmosphere...it's always hard to return to Peoria where a six-month winter awaits. It's been unbelievably nice to enjoy maid service (thanks Mom!), meals made every night (thanks, Mitch!) and free transportation (thanks, Grandpa!). My mom washed and folded our laundry every day, made our bed, gave us lunch money, bought us clothes...It was nice to be treated like a princess for once since I feel like I do a lot at home! I did not lift a finger. Now I know why my brother won't leave the nest. He has it too good.
Oh, well. My husband promises we will move here for good once his kids are grown. When Max turns 18, I will throw him the biggest birthday party of his life! Of course Jeff and I need to save like mad to move here. The average home in Manoa is over a million dollars! We'll be lucky to live in the projects!

Paradise Cove

Tonight my parents took us to Paradise Cove to enjoy a traditional Hawaiian luau. During a demonstration before our meal, the announcer asked people to raise their hands if they've never tried poi (a taro paste that's a traditional Hawaiian staple). Jeff's hand shot up and he was called to the front of the stage to try it. It was hilarious. The hula dancer told Jeff to put his pointer finger and middle finger together and dip his fingers in the poi mixture. The expression on his face after trying it was priceless. His face scrunched up. The dancer asked if he liked it. He shook his head: YUCK! It's definitely an acquired taste!

Jeff and I also took a canoe ride along the shores of Ko'Olina before dinner. It was beautiful. The luau as a whole was a spectacular experience with authentic hula dancing, music, Hawaiian games, lei making demonstrations...I highly recommend it.

I'll leave you with another snapshot of a Hawaiian sunset. We took a million pictures of sunsets we've had the pleasure of watching this past week and all are so beautiful, the camera can't do them justice.