Monday- True Bliss

The plan was to set up beach camp and finally have a day with nowhere to go...just to relax and do the "beach thing". The kids and I woke up early and went beach combing. We set our chairs up, to claim our little piece of paradise, which was next to the kids' sand creation, otherwise known as "Sea Weed City". Billy soon followed with fishing poles in hand.

 

 

The day was perfect...we even got to do a little sneaky surprise with the kids. When we found out that we were doming back to AMI, we also found out that Tom and Nicci would still be there long enough for a couple of our days to overlap. We have been keeping this a secret from the kids so we could surprise them. We set it up so the kids were just playing in the sand and happened upon each other!!! It was awesome! The looks on their faces were priceless! Plus I got to visit with my bud while Billy and Tom swam out to a sandbar.

The very moment that we got back into the condo, the kids passed out, literally...with candy in their mouths (CHOKING HAZARD)...Billy and I had to force them to spit it out while they were asleep, that was crazy hard to do! lol!  Billy and I went about our night, making a filet for dinner served up with a martin and ate on the patio. The kids woke in time to watch yet another amazing sunset. True bliss.
                                       

 

 

"Sun" day

We all slept like rocks. I woke up at 5:30am and got the day started. It wasn't long before Tay was up, so her and I did an early-bird stroll along the beach. It's a beautiful sunny day!

 

We set up "beach camp" and did what is meant to be done on a beach vacation. NOTHING but play & relax. Okay, so, they did a bit of fishing too, but I think that still fits the bill!

We went to "The Bridge Church of Palma Sola" for their Sunday evening service. We went last year, enjoyed it, friended the pastor, and always look forward to visiting when here.  The kids still wanted to sit with us, rather than go to the kids program. I think it had a lot to do with the fact that, after a sunny day on the beach, they were tired and wanted time to lay their heads on our shoulder and just listen. They were so well behaved, it was a nice service.

Oh Glorious Day- We're Here!!!

We got to the island around 1pm. Since we already had the keys to the condo, we could go right in...we already knew what to expect since we had been to the island, done a ton of research, and seen so many pics of the place, but NOTHING and I mean, no amount of photos can totally prepare  you for the breath-taking view when you are faces with that water! That gorgeous, turquoise water and endless sky. It is almost overwhelming...we were instantly grateful, thankful to God for creating such an amazing place and for blessing us with the opportunity to be here!

The condo was amazing, the views are gorgeous! We unloaded the van, made a margarita and headed for the beach. It's literally right out the front door! Immediately the kids were happy, swimming, digging for shells, playing in the sand...happy day!

We hung out by the water for most of the day before coming back to the condo. I put our stuff away in the condo, we got our fishing licences and prepared for the week ahead.We ate dinner at Oma's Pizza and came back for a quick "catch-up" nap.  We ended our first night there by watching the sunset over the water. Now THIS is vacation!

 

Vacation II- The Sequel

Unlike in the movies, the 2nd one "is" better that the first! We've been planning this beach vacation since Billy surprised me with it as a gift on Christmas. We have been super excited to go when it ISN'T hurricane season! lol!

School got out on Tues, June3rd and we headed beach-bound on Friday. Billy got off a few hours early and we were off! This time, thanks to our friends, Tom and Nicci, we looked at the drive from a different perspective...not just a means of getting "to" the vacation, but actually as part of it! We bought junk food, loaded the kids up with every electronic they owned, blasted fun music and pulled and "all nighter". (with the exception of an hour or so at a rest stop in Georgia...lol)

Our favorite road trip songs were:  Beautiful Day by Jamie Grace, Open Skies, Happy, I'm yours, and then the usual Zach Brown band beachy songs.  We all arrived with anticipation and smiles upon our faces!

 

End of Year Parade

It's the last day of school for all the wonderful kiddos at Progress South! It's parade day! Blake is exiting 4th grade and Taylor is finishing her first year of school...my sweet babies are growing up so fast. 

Watching all the excited kids, go walking through the streets in their Eagle spirit wear, makes me want to cry. I'm not sure why, maybe just a happy cry...along with the kids...that SUMMER IS HERE! More than likely, it's a cry because another year flew by like a flash. The sirens from the local Fire Trucks are blaring, the kids are singing school songs, with beaming smiles, as they wave at all of us parents. We cheer them all along...this sense of community is nothing short of amazing. I feel blessed beyond measure, to be part of the Progress South Community. (another reason for a happy cry..lol)