It is not easy returning from a glorious vacation in one of the world’s most beautiful places. My amazing parents took me and my son to Maui for 12 beautiful days. I experienced some of the best snorkeling ever in  Kapalua Bay. I saw almost as many variety of fish at Kapalua Bay as I did at the Maui Aquarium. I snorkeled with sea turtles and watched the spinner dolphins put on a display of pure beauty and amazement on our whale watching tour. (more about the whales in an upcoming blog).
I felt rejuvenated and in pure awe of the ocean (my favorite place on earth). A piece of my heart was left at Kapalua Bay with the puffer fish….
So, after trying acclimate to Portland’s climate I am back to the blogging and the organic baby clothes biz. I have been inspired and you will see this Maui experience in  an upcoming organic clothing line.
peace,
Justyn

Oh, here are two pics from a day of snorkeling (not at Kapalua Bay,but  West Maui). One of the coast line of Maui and one of me and my son. Photos  by Justyn LeDrew ©2008 -please give credit if you use.

Last night it began raining pretty hard and my five year old son went to the window and exclaimed that " the best puddles were waiting to be jumped in." He then said, "let’s go jump in them." It was dark and cold outside and for a moment I hesitated and a "no, it is too late to go outside" almost came out of my mouth ,but in that moment of hesitation I had clarity. "Okay, let’s do it" I said. It was cold. It was dark,but heck how many times will I get to jump in puddles with my young son ( okay we live in Portland). We put on our rain boots, rain jackets, I got a flashlight and brought my camera. He was right. There were huge puddles. He jumped in. He kicked the water around. He splashed and did not hesitate to splash me. I took photos and we began walking around the neighborhood. We stopped and jumped in every big puddle ( and yes, I jumped in them too). We were cold,but jumping in the puddles was pretty fun. I noticed that my pants were not only soaked,but getting muddy too- I kept jumping. We laughed and even got some neighbors to wave to us and laugh too when they were coming and going from their houses. It felt good to walk in the rain, to jump in the puddles, to not worry about the soaked clothing or mud. I did not tell my son that we had to go in. I let him tell me when he was ready. When he was satisfied we went home. We got into our pjs, I made hot chocolate (with tiny marshmellows), and even lit our first fire of the season in the fireplace.
As a parent I have worked on being present with my child every day, and believe me it is something I work on. Each day I have times that I space or that I am totally in my mind,but I also try to find moments and chunks of time every day that I am present with my child. I take opportunities to live like a five year old and enjoy the most simple things in life. When the words "no" are about to come flying out of my mouth I try to catch myself. What is really important? If I say "no" to this opportunity will I regret it later? So far I have never regreted saying "yes".
"Here’s to dancing in the puddles", Justyn.

Organic Baby

Copyright © 2007 Justyn LeDrew All Rights Reserved.