My hard drive is overflowing with photos taken during my recent trip back home to Hawaii. The monumental task of weeding through, organizing and editing over 2,000 photos continues to loom over my head.

Photo walks, photo shoots, snippets and snapshots of everyday life in the islands – images waiting to be brought to life; the beautiful moments and stories behind them, waiting to be shared with the world…

Celebrating the birth of my cousin’s new-to-the-world baby boy, Austin.

He’s beautiful. He’s perfect. And he’s making my uterus ache for another little one. Maybe I should have my tubal ligation reversed…

Sharing in my best friend’s exciting news. She’s pregnant…with twins!

She’s the best friend anyone could ask for and a wonderful aunt to my children. There’s no doubt in my mind that she’ll be an incredible mother. I am so happy for her, but I’m heartbroken about having to miss the rest of her pregnancy and the birth of her children.

And standing in awe of one of the most inspiring people I know, my cousin Jacob.

His strength, determination and perseverance moves me to tears and I can’t wait to share his photos and amazing story with you all.

I’ve many photos and memories from my journey home to share with you all over the coming weeks. I hope you don’t mind.

It’s time for goodbye. My time with family and friends here in my island home of Hawaii has come to an end. I’m hitting the road,

Leaving on a jet plane,

And heading back to my husband and three older children in Missouri. Though I can’t wait to see them again, I hate that I’m leaving this all behind once more.

I hate goodbyes.

*Turtle photo credit: J. Carter

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Thanks so much for stopping by and linking up here at Live and Love Out Loud. Looking for more folks to link up with?

My time here in Hawaii is coming to a close and though I miss my husband and three older children back in Missouri terribly, there are so many things that I’m going to miss when I leave.

Birthdays. Milestones. Holidays and more.

But most of all, I’m going to miss these guys…

The only thing I hate about going home to Hawaii? Saying goodbye to my niece, Star, and my nephew, Lono. I’m really going to miss these guys.

As a native Hawaiian transplant living on the mainland U.S., flying to and from Hawaii is really no big deal. Even when there are four children are involved. But last week’s flight was one for the record books.

My two-year old had an epic 90-minute meltdown during our flight from Atlanta to Honolulu.

Over the last nine years, I’ve flown with my children from as far as North Carolina to Honolulu. Each and every year I did so without the help of another adult and with nary an incident as well. My children are well-behaved, polite and respectful at home and school, but even more so while we’re travelling. In short, I’m the lucky mom traveling by plane with her four ridiculously well-behaved children.

Not this time around.

As we taxied onto the runway, my angelic little toddler morphed into a crazed tantrum-throwing demon. The screaming began and it didn’t stop for 90 long.torturous.minutes. There was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide and we were forbidden from removing our seat belts. I was stuck in my own personal hell and everyone on the plane hated us.

Hated.us.

I tried apologizing to the 50-something year old gentleman sitting next to me by explaining that my little girl had been traveling since 4am. My apology fell on deaf ears as he looked me square in the eye, narrowed his evil gaze and shook his head in disapproval. Did I mention that he proceeded to cover his ears with his airline pillow?

He hated us.

The unsuspecting woman whose seat was rattled by flailing toddler arms and legs?

She hated us.

The throngs of people who felt the need to turn around in their seats and pelt my weary mom-spirit with their disapproving, judgmental looks?

They hated us.

Thankfully, there were a few kind people on our flight who didn’t hate us. The incredibly sweet flight attendants who were compassionate and extremely accommodating. The sweet old lady who handed me a few tissues after she noticed the tears running down my face. And the handsome young man who entertained my daughter and made me feel like less of a horrible mom.

I sure hope our return flight home goes a little smoother.

I can’t tell you how happy I am to have my feet on Hawaiian soil again.

I love coming home. I’m different here; more relaxed, laid-back and carefree. I’m missing my husband and three older children like crazy, but I’m enjoying the time I’ve been able to spend with family and friends.

I’m also enjoying the quirky little things that make my island home unique. Like cool looking Spam cans.

And a plethora of Hawaiian-inspired goodies for sale at the local Target.

They do things differently here in Hawaii. There’s no place like home!

What kind of unique things can be found in your home state?

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Thanks so much for stopping by and linking up here at Live and Love Out Loud. I’m heading on over to link up with a few of my friends. I’d love for you to link up with them too.