The 2 boat/whale pics above were taken by my boss. This just gives you an idea of what I saw with the baby whale. This isn't the same whale, but Casey took this a while ago. Humpback whales are very curious animals, and like to explore boats. So when you are here on the Big Island...come check out Adventure X Rafting!!

The kiting pic was taken by Emily at White Dot photography in Hilo Bay...windy!! Blowing 25-30 mph.
Wow, it has been a long time since I've updated you all on our lives. I guess we've been that busy. Well here we go, the update begins:

David:
Currently, my hubby is not feeling too good. To avoid getting sick, I escaped to Hilo for a couple of days to kiteboard. Yes, I'm a bad wife, but David insisted he did not want me home so I would not pick up the stomach flu, sore throat, cough, sinus stuff, and headache. Doesn't sound like fun, huh?
He missed 2 days of work and slept, and I enjoyed 2 days of intense kiting.
Work for David is going well, he is still in the middle or a remodeling project at Target and is working nights. Our times to see each other tends to be around the dinner hour. God seems to be stretching him in the leadership aspect, and we are praying for a change of position once this remodeling project is done. He is working toward being what's called the Presentation Team Lead, which means his hours would be at 4am-Noon...giving him enough time to play and see each other:)

Me:
Our whale season is rocking. For the most part we have been doing 2 trips a day, packed almost every trip! God is good!! Just the other day, I was so blessed to experience a baby humpback whale, belly up, come and brush against our boat. I've never been so close to a humpback whale in my life, and although a baby, it still is about 15 feet in length weighing over a ton in weight.
Haley reminded me, that when we listen to the whales sing live through our dual hydrophones on board, that they are probably singing to their Creator. All of creation truly sings praises to God, and we get to listen everyday!

Haley and Andrew:
Are our fantastic roomies! We love having them here! Andrew is now starting to do more with Aflac, anyone need insurance talk to him? And Haley has truly been a tremendous blessing helping take a lot of the responsibility with the boat! She is also trying to launch her photography here on the Big Island. www.haleyhendricksonphotography.com.

We still have not found a church, and unfortunately, I work most Sundays. In His timing, things will work out. We find fellowship with Haley and Andrew, and friends from Hilo:)

Signing off,
Kelsey

Aw, Shucks that's life...

One phrase I learned quite well when working with children with autism was the phrase, "Aw, shucks that's life". Folks with autism don't do well with change and when something interrupts their schedule/routine in life, they tend to get anxious, worried, or upset. (hmmm...hit close to home?). Well, "aw shucks" phrase was used to help them grasp reality once again. The reality in life is that hardship and struggle is inevitable. Well, David and I had our "struggle" this week that brought us once again to the famous phrase. Haley and Andrew also had their struggle as well...read on.

We'll start with Haley and Andrew. Unfortunately, their car got broken into. Haley, after work, came back and had her car window broken and door handle pried apart. A couple thousand repair job, if they choose to fix it. But they are handling it terrifically, and are just waiting and watching God move in the situation.

As for us, we bought a new car, well used car, but new for us! In the first hour of ownership, as David was driving it home, he suddenly found himself on the side of the road with no power. As you can imagine, we were not happy and could not understand why such a thing had to happen. However, our dealership took upon the expenses of towing and repairs. After a whole days worth of tests, they found out that it just happen to be a bad sensor in the engine. So we are now proud owners of a 2001 Honda Civic with 89000 miles! The "newest" car we've ever owned.

On the good side of things, I did get a new 2012 12 meter kite and was able to ride it for about an hour and a half the other day. I hope it can take me to the next level in kiting:)

Well life goes on...more to come...

Kelsey

The New Year

Happy New Year or Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!
Tis another year with new goals and new dreams. In fact, I just finished writing down my new year's resolutions from physical goals to spiritual goals, from travel to my relationship with David. Now, if you are like me...the momentum of a new year seems to die quickly, the goals seem to be forgotten., priorities get rearranged once again, and life can continue to be disorderly and chaotic, the important things once again being put on the back burner. So as a friend, I ask...what do you do to keep the momentum of New Year's Resolutions.

Well, as most of you know we did have an 11 day visit from Dad and Mom Waliszewski and Trevor. Running, the beach, and paddleboarding seem to be the only words in their vocabulary while they are here in Hawaii. We had some very windy days before Christmas, which made the beach more difficult and paddleboarding especially hard, however, all in all their trip to Hawaii was great! For Christmas, I was able, thanks to my great boss, bring Trevor and Andrew on our last trip Swimming with Wild Dolphins. Not only did they see and swim with Dolphins but they had an 80,000lb Humpback Whale swim under the boat. What we like to call a Whale Mugging.
Mom and Dad and Trevor were treated to 2 days of Whale Watching on our Big Yellow Boat the Malaialena. The first day seemed a bit "slow" in sightings, however, the second day we witnessed about 6 breaches in a row from a massive Humpback Whale. They all enjoyed their time with Adventure X Rafting.

As for work, it has been wonderful having Haley come work for ADVX. She has picked things up so well, and seems to be enjoying the job. Unfortunately due to the 40knot winds and then some engine trouble, we did have to cancel the majority of our trips before Christmas, however, once the winds calmed down and our engines were fixed, we had some pretty incredible Whale Watching trips after Christmas, and we hope to continue with the great Whale Watching as the season progresses (the majority of Humpbacks are here Jan-March).

It's been so great having roommates (I hope they can say the same as they get to live with David and I and our quirkyness). I love being able to share life with another Christian couple. With all four of us loving Jesus, life seems good:) Haley and Andrew are hoping to get involved in canoeing. There is a canoe/paddle club just down the road that offers recreational canoeing. Andrew has plugged himself into a gaming community in Kona every Wednesday night. Not sure what they do...but I know he seems to enjoy himself with the guys. If you are looking for some entertainment I have 3 words: Zumba, Haley, and me! Yes, the secret's out...Haley and I have taken up Zumba (in the privacy of our own living room fortunately). Coordination and rhythm are not my strong suit, but I'm working on it. I think I get more of a work out laughing...then I do with actual Zumba. The wind hasn't been great kiting wind...I'm hoping that will soon change. I'm looking forward to a new 12 meter Switch kite on its way:) A very generous Christmas present!! David is still playing hockey with the boys. He also now has a kayak. A few days ago, he went out on his kayak and I went out on my stand up paddleboard and guess what we ran into? A small pod of dolphins! For about 10 minutes we enjoyed the dolphins completely to ourselves....until a zodiac decided to join us and scared them away. It was pretty remarkable. While watching dolphins, a whale decided to breach in the background...boy, God puts on some pretty spectacular shows.

Well, what's 2012 going to bring? We have a political election going on, still in an economic crisis, wars and rumors of wars, and Jesus coming back? etc. We can sometimes get so caught up in things we cannot control, instead, I hope you take time to enjoy the little joys that God brings in life. For us, just a few days ago, it was dolphins and a whale breaching...what little show/joy is God allowing you to participate in? I believe those little things in life are just ways he tells us how much He loves us!!

May 2012 be a great year!
Kelsey

Mele Kalikimaka 2011!!!

Hello all,

Mele Kalikimaka and Aloha from Hawai’i!

Christmas has always been one of my favorite times of the year. The snow (and yes the Big Island has snow… it’s on the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa as I type this), the cool weather in windy Waikoloa town and the festive music on the radio reminds me of all the great memories of Christmas’ growing up. It isn’t quite the same as a white Colorado Christmas, but enjoying the remarkable geography of the Big Island sure gives it a run for their money. This time of year is a most joyous occasion, from the food and fun, and we are glad to be sharing it with Andrew and Haley, as well as the rest of the Waliszewski clan, Bob, Leesa and Trevor. We’re preparing for a great Christmas here in Hawai’i, but we miss each and every one of you on the mainland during this time!

Kelsey and I are so thankful for everything going on in our lives right now. We are able to play to our hearts’ content as I spearfish as Kelsey chases the wind kiteboarding. My work as a Team Leader (assistant manager) at Target has been quite the growing experience, but has been an enjoyable ride and one that seems to be getting better and better as I stay on and learn how to be a manager in the world of retail. It’s nothing that I thought I would do, but I love working alongside of the awesome crew at Target 2412 in Kona and enjoy seeing how I can help a business operate! Kelsey’s job is just kicking into full swing for the winter Whale Watching season. Imagine being able to take boat trips to watch amazing humpback whales play in the warm Hawaiian waters, and then get paid for it! Her work at Adventure X Rafting keeps her very busy, but it also keeps her in a place where she thrives - working with people to provide visitors and kama aina (locals) with a remarkable trip to see some of God’s most amazing creatures up close!

In all of the busyness of this season, we hope that this season finds you all enjoying time with family and friends, and full of the expectation of real meaning of the season. I have been so in awe at the unfair, minding-blowing move of God that happened all that time ago when the King, the creator of everything wrapped on human flesh to begin His campaign of redemption. When the Father sent Jesus to the world, the entire earth was waiting for His arrival, as it now waits for His return. And what a glorious day that will be! Kelsey and I hope and pray that you may experience the arrival of Jesus in your lives in new ways in 2012!

Gloria! In excelsis Deo!

David and Kelsey Poole

Merry Christmas. Just today, David and I were talking about this whole "politically correct" movement saying "Happy Holidays". I encourage you, no matter the "politics" never take Christ out of Christmas. How easily we forget how much this little baby changed history. How much this little baby came to change our lives, if we let Him.

Well an update on our lives...
A little shout-out to my hubby who has blown me away this week. Besides working a 39.5 hr week at Target, he changed the spark plugs on my car and fixed my window wiper fluid device:)
He also spray painted our dining table a brown, no longer its original ugly cream color. He currently is making a homemade pizza and bread which friends of ours, the Perkins, taught him to make on Monday during our trip to Hilo. Not sure what has gotten into my husband, but I'm loving it! Call him cook, mechanic, and painter.

Thanks to my aunt, Haley's mom, we have a little Christmas tree which we have decorated. I don't think it will ever feel like Christmas here in Hawaii.

Haley, on Saturday, saw her first whale on our boat, Adventure X Rafting. Starting Dec 20, we are stopping dolphins and switching to Whale Watching...something we are very excited about! Witnessing these 80,000 lb animals breach, is absolutely incredible!

Well may you draw closer to Jesus this Christmas season!

Kelsey

Our New Home....number 5

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Aloha,
So we have moved into our 5th place on the Big Island found in the beautiful community of Waikoloa Village. We also have extended our family to Haley and Andrew Hendrickson (my cousin/sis and her hubby). We all thought we would give this idea of community living a shot. So far...we love it!
I must say, that when they first arrived, they had this "deer-in -the-headlights-look" about them. To suddenly up and move from your homestate to a brand new state/ at one time a different country...talk about CHANGE. However, after a good night of sleep they seemed to wake up refreshed and not so overwhelmed. To read about their experience (and for WAY better pictures as Haley is a photographer), check their blog out at:

hendricksonsinhawaii.blogspot.com

Haley's first day on the boat will be tomorrow with me as we Swim with Dolphins with 15 guests~ Looking forward to having her on board.

Andrew is hoping for a job with Aflac...however...a job opened up with our competitor Whale Watch boat...hmm?? A spy maybe??:)

Kapule seems to have adjusted well. This outdoor kitty thing is quite new for her, and she will squawk about it for a while. However, today I haven't seen her since this AM, so she may be out exploring her new territory...i hope. I tell you its been more of an adjustment for me...wait til we have kids...I'll be a nervous wreck! Mom and Dad, don't know how you did it!

Speaking of mom and dad, my folks and Trevor show up in 16 days! They'll be spending 11 days with us on the Big Island...and I may or may not have a surprised up my sleeve for them:)

Well, that's all for now. Thanks for praying for us as this adventure continues!

Kelsey

We are moving...again!

Well, as always a lot has happened in the past few weeks. Time flew by, and I didn't realize that 3 weeks had passed since my last post. Yes, David and I are still alive and well, just continuing to live this adventure called...LIFE.

So, as stated in the title, we are moving...again. This will be our 6th place to have lived since we moved to Hawaii. Just call us house-hoppers. From our last move, almost everything is still in boxes since we knew it was only going to be a temporary place. We have signed a 6 month lease (with potential for a year), and are moving into a 3 bedroom house in an area called Waikoloa on the Big Island. My cousin/sister and her hubby will be moving here on the 30th of Nov, and we'll be sharing the house with them. A new chapter in life for both couples, and a chapter that we are very much looking forward to. Haley and I always talked about living together, we just didn't know it would be with our husbands...in Hawaii...working on a whale watching and dolphin swim adventure boat...Wow, God is good!

So come visit!! We'll have an extra room.

Nothing too new to report work wise. David and I are both continuing to love our jobs and God is stretching us to be management material:)

My folks come to visit in 4 weeks along with my brother, a Senior at Notre Dame btw. Looking to go to Law school after college. It will be great to have a lawyer in the family.

Haven't kited in about 3 weeks. Let's just say there are several grumpy kiters on the Big Island right now. We need some wind. Blow Makani blow!!

David and I had access to a condo for a couple days. We invited our friends, Art and Donna, to come over and spend some time resting and relaxing. What great fellowship. Although this condo is 10 minutes away, it was a great retreat from the "norm" of life.

I am about to finish out my sentencing of a suspended license. *sigh* Can I just say, I am a lucky gal to have such a great hubby. Not once did David complain about taking me to work at 5:30 am, or picking me up after his work and being late to hockey. I tell you, if roles were reversed, I'm sure I wouldn't have been so gracious as he has been. (I'm working on that). I am a very blessed gal!

Well email me at kelsey.poole09@yahoo.com if you want our new address.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Kelsey