Vacation!
Someone, please tell me why we waited so long to take a real family vacation!!! Being a military family, there were plenty of times when we packed up our household and moved across country, usually traveling by roadways. I frequently (using the nicest term possible) complained that it was a terrible, terrible shame and waste of wonderful opportunities every time we passed up locations on our way to somewhere and never lingered, not even for a brief visit. I knew we were passing up chances to see things we would regret later, I didn't realize how very true that was.
For years, John's sister has been coaxing us to join them for their vacation in Florida. We just didn't consider it seriously until this past year. Between the kids all being much older and our improved ability to afford the trip we took the leap and reserved the condo next to them last Christmas while they were here. As the time drew nearer, there were serious concerns about whether we would be able to follow through but in the end it worked out perfectly.
No, we didn't go to Disney or any other well-known attractions. We simply spent the week in a beautiful condo directly on the beach. We ate well (but simply to ease the work of preparations), slept as late as our bodies needed, spent the mornings at the gorgeous beach, had lunch and spent the afternoon poolside. In the evenings we enjoyed hottub for the adults and more pool time for the kids. Along with our extended family we got to meet the other family that they look forward to sharing their vacation experience with each year.
We dined out several times (following their usual traditions) including an afternoon visit to Applebee's with John's Grandmother. One of our dining pleasures included all you can eat king crab legs at a joint called Cooters - boy, did we get our money's worth, particularly Joshua!!!
I have to share the first exciting adventure of the trip. Being the water lovers that we, are Joshua and I ventured out pretty far, me on my floatie and Joshua swimming alongside of me. Brad, the jokster in the group, stood up on the beach and called to me, "Susan, what is that? What is that, look, what is that?" Guessing that he was just trying to get me to embarrass myself and fall off the raft and swim as fast as I could to shore I just kept floating and enjoying myself, visiting with Joshua. Then John, along with pretty much everyone else on the beach, was standing looking out toward us and he quietly, simply motioned with his hands to come ashore... "Hmmm, Josh, your dad is serious. Let's head back - don't kick or splash, just float with me." When we got back to shore everyone was abuzz about the 15-20 creature swimming directly beneath us. When it came up for air someone identified it as a very large manatee. I realize, in hindsight, that this gentle creature would not have bothered us at all. But in the moment, when no one could really tell what it was, it was a little disturbing, especially to my family :-) It's nice to know that they would miss me :-) The next couple of days I heard a couple of people talking about it - yeah, that was me.
I will post more about it the next few days (the sand dollar diving will be a post of its own!) but I wanted to add some photos now for those of you wondering where we went and where are the pics!
I just want to share that I am so thankful that we went together on this vacation. It opened my eyes completely to a new perspective of family. Even my 22-year old joined us, we were a complete family for an entire 9 days. We laughed together, played together, talked and enjoyed new experiences together. We rested while we played. I didn't answer the phone except from those with me (don't forget to bring down an extra towel kind of calls), I didn't open my laptop (I did use John's to check e-mail twice but did no work or internet surfing) and I didn't worry about what wasn't getting done. I drank in every moment, quenching a thirst I didn't even realize I had. I confess, happily, that is is totally addictive. We all agree that this must, without fail, become a yearly tradition. Even as the kids grow and are on their own we hope to enjoy vacations as reunions, if need be, for the entire extended family-to-be. Realizing that it might not alway be possible as they find their own paths, we will strive to make the opportunity available and possible for every one of our children and their loved ones.
This is one of the best gifts God has ever blessed us with. Thank you, Father, from the bottom of my renewed heart :-)
For years, John's sister has been coaxing us to join them for their vacation in Florida. We just didn't consider it seriously until this past year. Between the kids all being much older and our improved ability to afford the trip we took the leap and reserved the condo next to them last Christmas while they were here. As the time drew nearer, there were serious concerns about whether we would be able to follow through but in the end it worked out perfectly.
No, we didn't go to Disney or any other well-known attractions. We simply spent the week in a beautiful condo directly on the beach. We ate well (but simply to ease the work of preparations), slept as late as our bodies needed, spent the mornings at the gorgeous beach, had lunch and spent the afternoon poolside. In the evenings we enjoyed hottub for the adults and more pool time for the kids. Along with our extended family we got to meet the other family that they look forward to sharing their vacation experience with each year.
We dined out several times (following their usual traditions) including an afternoon visit to Applebee's with John's Grandmother. One of our dining pleasures included all you can eat king crab legs at a joint called Cooters - boy, did we get our money's worth, particularly Joshua!!!
I have to share the first exciting adventure of the trip. Being the water lovers that we, are Joshua and I ventured out pretty far, me on my floatie and Joshua swimming alongside of me. Brad, the jokster in the group, stood up on the beach and called to me, "Susan, what is that? What is that, look, what is that?" Guessing that he was just trying to get me to embarrass myself and fall off the raft and swim as fast as I could to shore I just kept floating and enjoying myself, visiting with Joshua. Then John, along with pretty much everyone else on the beach, was standing looking out toward us and he quietly, simply motioned with his hands to come ashore... "Hmmm, Josh, your dad is serious. Let's head back - don't kick or splash, just float with me." When we got back to shore everyone was abuzz about the 15-20 creature swimming directly beneath us. When it came up for air someone identified it as a very large manatee. I realize, in hindsight, that this gentle creature would not have bothered us at all. But in the moment, when no one could really tell what it was, it was a little disturbing, especially to my family :-) It's nice to know that they would miss me :-) The next couple of days I heard a couple of people talking about it - yeah, that was me.
I will post more about it the next few days (the sand dollar diving will be a post of its own!) but I wanted to add some photos now for those of you wondering where we went and where are the pics!
I just want to share that I am so thankful that we went together on this vacation. It opened my eyes completely to a new perspective of family. Even my 22-year old joined us, we were a complete family for an entire 9 days. We laughed together, played together, talked and enjoyed new experiences together. We rested while we played. I didn't answer the phone except from those with me (don't forget to bring down an extra towel kind of calls), I didn't open my laptop (I did use John's to check e-mail twice but did no work or internet surfing) and I didn't worry about what wasn't getting done. I drank in every moment, quenching a thirst I didn't even realize I had. I confess, happily, that is is totally addictive. We all agree that this must, without fail, become a yearly tradition. Even as the kids grow and are on their own we hope to enjoy vacations as reunions, if need be, for the entire extended family-to-be. Realizing that it might not alway be possible as they find their own paths, we will strive to make the opportunity available and possible for every one of our children and their loved ones.
This is one of the best gifts God has ever blessed us with. Thank you, Father, from the bottom of my renewed heart :-)
AWESOME!! I am so happy for you! Love the pics!
ReplyDeleteSee you later :)R