Armstrong Family: First's

I love "first's." Maybe I love them because when I do something for the first time I'm overcoming a fear, or being introduced to something new, or because I like the way doing something for the first time feels. Maybe the reason depends on what that "first" thing is. I also love having an option. If I don't ever want to do that "first-time" thing ever again, I don't have to.

One week in Maui I experienced so many firsts.

Surfed (actually rode the wave and didn't get attacked by a shark)
Didn't use any hair products for an entire week (this is BIG!)
Found a lizard in our hotel safe (creepy and weird, but it was quite cute)
Golfed at Elleair and Kahili (required clubbing up two)
Sailed on an outrigger (am I a seven cow wife now?)
Watched a Hawaiian ceremonial blessing before an island-to-island boat race (very sacred)
Attended a Tongan ward where we reenacted the story of King Benjamin. Bre listened to the translation, wrote it down, passed it to me to read, and then I passed it to the family from Texas.
Ate from a road-side fresh fruit stand (passion fruit, bananas and a ginger-lime smoothie)
Stood in a cave behind a waterfall... and didn't have a heart attack (laughing? not me... major fear)
Survived the road to Hana (all 46 one lane bridges and 620 curves... without puking)
Tweezed and needled sea urchin spines from Brett's big toe (pictures are priceless)
Heard my girls say, "Mom, these roads are curvy... kind of like you!" and "Mom, her boobs look like Squidward's nose!" My responses? "Yes" to the first and to the second... "That's what old age and too much sun looks like!"

There are times in my life that I pinch myself... just to make sure it's real. The time and experiences I had in Maui with my family required much pinching. Very blessed and grateful.