Steven and I were married for 10 years in March and decided to take a big anniversary trip - I put it off until September so I didn't have to rush weaning Mary Jo, plus I wanted to be sure she was sleeping through the night before I left our Moms to deal with that for a week. I felt like I prepared for the trip the entire month - I did lesson plans in advance, made freezer meals, pulled out the kid's winter clothes. Sometimes vacations with little children (even when they don't travel with you!) feel like they're more trouble than their worth - but this one was NOT! We're kinda boring, I guess, because after looking online at some other all-inclusive resorts we just decided to go back to the same resort we went to on our honeymoon - which is still absolutely wonderful. The resort had grown about twice as big as it was when we went 10 years ago but still had the same open, peaceful feel. Here is a picture of the outside of our unit, there are several of these with about 12 rooms a piece.
Here is the inside of the room - I love the open windows and private balcony - and maybe the maid service more than anything else. Something I don't think I cared about as much 10 years ago - but someone making up my bed and tidying up my room not once, but TWICE a day? That's paradise!
Neither one of us are very good at selfies - this is the best Steven could do. It was sad to leave the kids and I had some dear friends praying for me to keep my anxieties at bay, but we quickly remembered how to enjoy each other's company again without the many distractions of every day life. For the first time in 13 years (since he started working) Steven actually turned his phone off. He didn't get an email, text, or voicemail for almost a week! He and his phone really needed that space. And I enjoyed his attention immensely!
I really am such a foodie - I got excited about every meal. I worked hard to get my weight down for this trip then went and ate whatever I wanted for 6 days - thankfully the scale was more merciful than I was expecting when we got back. The food was absolutely delicious - I don't think I felt hungry the whole time we were there (we just ate the next meal because it was time to :)). I counted up the number of meals I normally prepare, serve, and clean up in a typical day at home and was so thankful for the break. This is a picture of dessert one night.... cheesecake I think? It was just such a pretty arrangement!
Ten years ago we were there in April - I of course had been tanning some so I wouldn't be pasty white at our wedding, Steven had not. So, of course,.he got an awful sunburn on that trip and had to go to bed early one night with sun poisoning. I guess I was being nostalgic but I was a little skimpy with the sunscreen for myself the first couple of days on this trip and I got pretty pink on my back - add that to a jellyfish sting and I was miserable for a few hours. One thing they still have at the resort is a lot of activities available at no extra charge, one of them being a Sunset Catamaran Cruise. Steven remembers wearing this same shirt on the same excursion 10 years ago. What a cutie I married.
This was our view - it really must be one of the most beautiful beaches in this world. I couldn't help but marvel at the awesome power of our Lord, the colors he gave us and the amazing views, it's hard to capture in pictures.
This was my favorite place to be. With a book, of course. Then when it gets hot you can take the white squishy seat off and float on it in the ocean or pool. It's just perfect.
We met some nice people, enjoyed playing raquetball (I'm terrible), ate way too much, talked about how much has happened in our lives in the past 10 years. We are so thankful for the blessing of marriage - that God saw fit to bring us together all those years ago. I think we're more in love than we were 10 years ago (sorry to get mushy).
I can't possibly post without talking about the kids - they did great and were well taken care of by their grandparents (all 4 had a part, and Aunt Leslie! It takes a village with this crew). If not for family I couldn't have left them, so thanks especially to our Moms! We were able to Facetime with the kids a few times which was great to get to see them, and they see us and where we were. The little 2 did not understand, I know, and David has been a little unhappy with me since we got back. I tried to show him some pictures today and he just threw the phone down. Hopefully they'll understand one day that a marriage needs time, too. And he wouldn't be here without ours! I'm getting back in the groove of everyday life - missing the maid and the food from Jamaica. The maid and cook here is just not very good. :)
Goodnight!
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