More Fun in the Sun

Way, Way back, when I had a normal life I had this adventure. Also, we forgot our camera so these photos are what I could find online.

So, what's a girl to do after a fun trip to Florida?...Well, head back a week later for some more fun of course!

This time we went on a cruise for JR's work.  I know, I know tough job.  We sailed from Miami on Carnival's "Imagination"

Our first stop was Key West, FL.  We kept it really simple.  We went to Ron Jon's and bought JR a shirt. (What a surprise, a surf shop tee shirt).  Then we walked down to the "Plug". 

It was beautiful walking around Key West.  I was surprised by all the chickens running around down there.  I was talking to R while walking around and I told her about the chickens and asked what I should do. R simply replied "Kick it".  So, I actually tried...well I got closer to the chicken.  That chicken must be used to such behavior and just took off.

Funny story (not as funny as Epcot), we were just leaving the southern most point marker when my phone rang.  It was one H's teacher.  She asked if I was driving and I said that I was in Key West.  She was shocked, apparently the other teacher didn't tell her we were on vacation.  She apologized but then went on to have a 15 minute conversation about how she was upset with H's behavior and how she wanted me to talk to H immediately.  This part of the story is sad, there is a little girl in H's class who is fighting cancer.  She had come back unexpectedly to school and was wearing a mask to prevent her from getting germs.  H had seemed nervous around her.  That upset her teacher.  I figure she is in preschool and wasn't expecting to seeing her friend with a mask on.  I did call H and she told me that she was nice and would be nice but didn't want to sit by the girl because she didn't want to get her sick, plus the mask scared her.  I decided that was all I could do, and how upset can you be with a 5 year old who is away from her parents again.

The next day we stopped in Cozumel, Mexico.  I love Mexico.  We got off the ship to go on our excursion. Our tour guide lead us down a block or two, then lead us through a gross alleyway to get to our transportation.  Beauty and dirty all mixed together.  Anyway, we drove in Beach Buggies to Punta Sur.  It truly is the most beautiful beach I have ever seen.

We went snorkeling.  It was a first for both of us.  Should I be honest?  I kind of freaked out before we got in the water.  I was scared...I really am scared of the open ocean and strong tides.  This experience was so wonderful.  I had nothing to fear.  I am glad JR talked me into it.

(So, not me! I mainly enjoyed the view from closer to the surface, but JR was part fish)

Afterwards, we had a Mexican lunch on the beach. Then headed to another part of the park. We saw ruins of some Mayan hurricane warning system. In the lagoon we got up close to alligators. We even saw one eat a fish that was swimming by.

 Then we had one day at sea.  We played miniature golf, soaked up sun, of course had Virgin Pina Coladas, and went to the water park on the boat.

We had fun every night enjoying the food and the comedy shows.  One night we could even watch dolphins swimming right next to our boat.  All in all it was fun, even with having to attend work meetings and dinners.

A moment to pause

Lately, I have been feeling a little sorry for myself.  Just a minute ago, I finished reading the latest update of H's preschool classmate who is fighting Leukemia.  That caused me to pause and realize all the blessings in my life.  Lice and morning sickness will pass.  I have so much to be thankful for.

Another thought that really kept me going last week was from Corrie ten Boom's The Hiding Place.  When Corrie and Betsy were in the concentration camp, Corrie was complaining.  Betsy, her sweet sister, pointed out that we should thanks to God in everything.  Corrie asked, "Even the lice?"  Betsy said "Yes" and reminded Corrie that the guards would not come into the barracks because of the bugs.  This allowed them to be able to study from the Bible they had snuck in. I kept telling myself be thankful for the lice.

Lice

Yep, we have it.  It has been going around the school for months and we finally have it.  FYI, Tea Tree shampoo doesn't prevent it.  Anyway, one of my friends has helped me go through the girls hair.  She asked that I put this lifecycle on my blog to inform people.  I am happy to do it since she has been a lifesaver. 

 Lice is a pain!! (especially when you are pregnant)

I Have a Question

So, if you use baking soda boxes in your fridge it absorbs odors.  Do you think if you just put them around your house they would absorb odors too?  I am just wondering...my nose is very sensitive right now.

BTW

"Buddy" is set to arrive the beginning of November. (that is a positive test if you can't tell)

Epcot Center

Ever since I was a little kid I wanted to go to Epcot Center.  I was so excited to finally go.  Here I am in front of the "huge golf ball", as my girls call it.  This is my first moment in Epcot, notice the smile.

I liked the auto ride, Fast Track. We rode Soarin';( really Florida doesn't have enough cool about it to have it's own ride?)  We were "soarin" over California.  Afterwards, we quickly made our way to the different countries so we could have lunch at the Japanese Teppan Edo, where chefs cook your meal in front of you on  a grill.  I was the only one who hadn't been to Epcot and couldn't convince the other adults to explore all the "countries".

After lunch is when my experience at Epcot took a turn.  We hadn't been able to find the bathrooms, so when we saw a family restroom I decided to use it.  I promised I locked the door.  Okay remember this is a single room with just an outside door, a minute later the door opened and 2 boys came in.  They were so shocked they just stood there.  I was so surprised I just worried about covering myself up.  Then the dad followed the boys in the room.  Luckily, he quickly ushered the boys out and apologized.  I could have died!! I never wanted to see them again.  Then when I walked out they were at the door. I was mortified...but have since had time to reflect and realize that he was guarding the door to make sure that didn't happen again.  So, thanks for that mister.  When I got back to my group a step or two from the man I was a little miffed at them for not noticing and acting.  Though they were all right at the door, everyone was on their cell phones and oblivious to their surroundings.  Thanks guys!

Snow White was on the other side of building from the incident

After that we walked to Maelstrom. It a ride in Norway and was Brandon's favorite as a child. Then we went on his current favorite ride, Journey to Mars at the Mission: Space pavilion.  All I can say is JR and I were so sick afterward we had to go back to our hotel room.  Ugh, I don't even like to think about that.

So, in the end I was very happy to say good-bye to Epcot Center.

The Animal Kingdom

  My favorite kingdom was the Animal Kingdom.  We got to go on "Safari"

Then as we were walking we ran into Flick.  There was no line, so we took a picture.  I think I have seen Bugs Life maybe 1000 times since each kid has gone through an obessed stage with it.

Here is a picture of our favorite ride.  It is Expedition Everest.  I think we really liked it because we had no idea what we were getting into.

Once we were able to ride it back to back.  Actually, we could have gone as many times as we wanted.  JR was smart and didn't keep riding it.  He went to watch his favorite monkey pals (I know it's hard to see in this picture) The rest of us were done after 2 times and ready for a break. Ugh, our tummies.

Okay, here is a random picture of JR and me eating popcorn with Everest in the background.  The day we were at the park was my friend's 40th birthday.  We ate popcorn in honor of her.

  Other things we loved at the Animal Kingdom were the Dinosuar ride, the Gorilla exhibit, going on the water ride and watching Brandon get soaked (but he couldn't complain.  That was the rule.  Plus, it was his idea to go.  That was really hard for Brandon).  Also, it was cool going on the Safari ride multiple times and seeing different animals in the morning compared to the afternoon, the bongo leaping the fallen tree, and the cheetahs staking us when a storm was approaching.