Thanks to the Weidas

During our period of homelessness in Hawaii, we were lucky enough to stay with Tanya and Jerrod. They were so hospitable and did everything they could to make us feel at home. Poor Jerrod has his TV taken over many times and was forced to watch Barbie movies over and over again. I think having Mia around helped prepare T and Jerrod for all the babyproofing they are going to have to do once their baby comes. Both girls were fascinated with the Christmas tree decorations and one day, Mia got a bit to zealous. We heard the tree crash down and all the adults looked at each other. I can't recall who said it, but someone said, "where is Mia?" Then we heard a wail from under the tree. Luckily she was fine, but T and Jerrod's tree needed a bit of doctoring after that. We are so blessed to have them as friends and the girls just love them both. Since we have arrived in Florida, Makaela has been asking for "Uncle Jerrod" hugs (aka monster bear hugs). She misses him lots.

Last Ko'olina Sunset

Even after our staycation, we weren't ready to say goodbye just yet, so Katie, Steph and I met up for a sunset picnic dinner at Ko'olina. The kids ran around silly as the adults were trying to avoid the inevitable. It is so difficult leaving Hawaii because we have such amazing friends, it almost feels like I am leaving part of me behind. I know I will have amazing adventures in Florida and am trying to stay optimistic but moving will definitely create a loss in our lives. While Matt was away, these friends were everything to me- labor coaches, babysitters, advice counselors, peer editors, confidants, movers, you name it, they did it. Saying goodbye that night was tough and as I drove away crying, Makaela said, "It's okay mom, we will just have to come back and visit really soon!"

Comfort Food

Trying to squeeze in as much time with friends as possible, we headed out to Benihaha with the Martins on the last night of our staycation. Hibachi always entertains the kids (not to mention the adults). Makaela has decided she loves shrimp and basically ate her meal and the shrimp from mine and Matt's meal. This girl has some expensive taste :-)

Hilton Hawaiian Night Out

As part of our graduation weekend, we made it a point to have a night out on the town with our friends. Our night started at the Tapa Bar where we chatted and had to say our goodbyes to Heidi. We had just recently found out the exciting news (that she is pregnant with TWINS), so the Staffaroni family is going to have many changes this year. However, saying goodbye to her made me realize how real this all is- she is leaving, we are leaving and our lives are going to be changing big time.

After many tears, we went out to Waikiki and lived it up like we did eight years ago. Definitely going to miss nights out with my friends :-(

Graduation Day!

December 17th will forever hold a new meaning for me. It is the day I officially became Dr. Hoffman. It was amazing, but that is not to say it didn't go off without a hitch though. The night before I had a nightmare that I wasn't able to graduate. I can't recall the specifics, but I got to the graduation in my cap and gown and was told it wasn't going to happen. I left humiliated and in tears. Then I woke up in a panic, but I did a mental check (at 3am) and did everything the university had asked of me. Well, when I got to the actual graduation, all the PhDs had to line up with our advisors. Our names were taped to the floor so we would know where to stand, but... this PhD couldn't find her name anywhere. Yes, panic set in...for real this time. The graduation assistant told me to just squeeze in and that it was probably an oversight but still, I was worried. Then I was worried that my name didn't make it into the program and I had to sit through the entire ceremony dreading that. It was a very long ceremony, but we got to sit up in the front. It's funny, but I think I actually heard Mia crying which helped me pinpoint where our families were sitting.

After the ceremony, when we walked out, all the university professors had created a tunnel and

they were all applauding the new PhDs as we walked out- it was an amazing feeling!

Celebrating 9 years of Marriage

It was my turn to plan our anniversary celebration, so I decided to surprise Matt with a day of scuba diving. I had him pretty fooled- he thought we were going deep sea fishing and when he realized it was scuba, his demeanor got a lot happier. We hadn't got scuba diving since Australia (and I couldn't actually go because I was pregnant with Makaela). We had a great day diving off the east side of Oahu. We got to see many turtles, tako, eel, and amazing fish. I also found out that I am still certified so I'm excited to scuba in St. Augustine. After that, we checked into the Hilton Hawaiian for a graduation weekend of fun!

Get ready for the Purge O'Blogging

Yes, I have been absent from blogging lately because our lives have been incredibly hectic. This is not to say there is nothing to blog about, actually the opposite. There has been so much to blog about that blogging is now a daunting task, but I cannot fathom one more night of unpacking, so I thought I would take a break and blog a bit to get everyone updated (and to quiet my mom who has been complaining that she has been disappointed not to see new blogs). Here you go and more to come.