Back to Reality

Cade and I arrived back home Yesterday afternoon and today I am feeling like it all must have been a dream!!  The kids were so excited to see us as well as we were ready and excited to see them!!  The vitamin D that I soaked in from our vacation hopefully will serve me well in the next days / weeks because I know that it will be a lot of adjustment and testing now that Mom and Dad are back home and we settle into our routine.

I have so many pictures that I want to share from our trip but I will try to limit them and not get too many scenic / ocean pictures but it was really a beautiful place!!  As many of you know, our trip was a time for both Cade and I to recharge and get back "on board" to tackle issues here in our home, not only with our "newbies" but also habits that have transformed in the past year mostly as our focus has been so much on our "newbies" that our bio children have suffered in certain areas, but mostly just I have become lenient in some areas with the other children and they have developed habits and feelings that do not encourage family love and togetherness.  Cade and I were able to establish new Home Rules and presented them last night to the children and were certain that EVERYONE was on the same page on what is expected in our home and then "love and logic" can be put to use, which is basically consequences (right away) for not abiding by the rules, without having to nag, or get weary and angry!!  We were so happy to come home to find the kids in very good form, thanks much to Krista!!!  What a brave person!!

Here is our basic outline for our Home Rules:

# 1) Treat others kindly.  (TREAT OTHERS AS YOU WANT TO BE TREATED)
#2) No bossing.
#3) No hitting, biting, kicking, pulling hair
#4) Be respectful -no back talking
      -attitude, loud voice, stomping
#5) No distractions (phone calls, ipod, etc) at the dinner table (family time)
#6) Fully complete chores on chore list 
#7) Rooms cleaned thoroughly once / week
      -checked by Mom or Dad

Some of these rules may seem to be overboard, however, sometimes it is better to be particular with details more for the "littles."  The last rule applies to the older three in particular.  

What do you all think?!  

Now, on the subject of Hawaii, any of you who are debating on going to Kauai, don't debate any longer!!  It is so worth it!!  IT is a great place to relax, yet there are so many things to do there (outdoorsy things - hiking, kayaking, ATV riding, horseback riding, snorkeling,...!)

Here are some pictures of the resort where we stayed  (Kauai Beach Resort).  This place was so kid-friendly!  Would love to take the kids back some day!!!   
       

This was our view from our blacony / room!

pool area

looking back from the ocean at the main part of the resort building

looking out the front of the resort

at the ocean by our resort!

"sunning" at the resort

inside the entrance of the resort

There is a lower level there that goes right outside
to the pool area than to the ocean.