Mexico!!!
I gotta be honest, this whole trip has been more about the family then the location. Don't misunderstand, the sun was very important and I think did a ton to rejuvenate my body and soul. But I'm so grateful to be able to say truthfully that I was able to value the time with my family above everything else.
So some of the low lights (just to get it out of the way):
horrible beds and pillows – resulting in soar necks and shoulders and being tired way to much.
The food – an all inclusive resort and the food was mediocre at best.
And really...that's it!
Some of the high lights:
All inclusive no worries about food, drinks, dishes, cleaning, etc! (new favorite drink – the blue hawaii aka blue pina colada)
Putting Gabby down for naps
Going for walks with just Gabby – people always thought she was my baby :) we look so much alike!
Babysitting Maddox – again everyone thought he was mine. I must look the part.
Massage on the beach with a soft breeze blowing, the crashing surf as the soothing music, and a blissful hour for only $40. ( granted later that night I was in excruciating pain, just because it's been so long since my injured neck has been worked on. But it was still a highlight.)
Going on a nighttime walk on the beach with Jordan.
Oh the list goes on!!!
I got to see Jordan bond a lot with my family, he impressed them all with his fishlike swimming skills.
We got to have family dinners and did communion our last night together.
We all played a game called Catan, every night.
We went snorkeling off of a giant catamaran, got to see whales!
I was able to lay in the sun and feel my body wake up and drink in all that glorious vitamin D.
So many memories with my family.
And we were all together.
I am so very thankful for this trip and that we all were able to be there together.
Each night as we lay down in our rock hard bed, exhausted we would sleepily thank God for it. What an incredible blessing.
To be honest it was terrible saying goodbye. Of course it always is, but this time there was a background shadow of not only saying goodbye and unsure of when we'll see each other next, but also that we were going home to a somewhat boring life.
Now I don't mean to complain or say our life sucks. Not at all. It's just that after having the whole family nearby and remembering what really matters, it's difficult to imaging going back to a life without it. Of course Jake is with us and Jordan and I are building our own family and I'm learning to cleave to him. Very important I know. But I don't think I was built to be so far away from family. God built me into a large rambunctious family that is full of laughter, oddities, fights, and love. I don't know how to fully function without it.
But it's all part of marriage isn't it. Learning to become one. To find all these things in your spouse and be okay with just him. And I am. Our first day back and alone was so fun. We laughed and bonded and didn't feel lonely once. But we do still pray that one day we'll all be close again. Long weekends and holidays to be shared.
