The Bahamas

Mark and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary May 12, 2011. When Ryan was born, I thought....by the time our 10th comes around, the kids will be old enough for us to take a trip alone. I've always had that in my mind, and we really did it! With the kids 8 and 5 now, it seemed managable. It was the first time we've both been away from the kids for more than 1 night. Preparing to leave them was definitely stressful, but once we were gone, we were able to relax.

We went to Sandals Emerald Bay resort in Great Exuma, Bahamas for 5 nights! I left detailed notes about our schedule, house and activities for both my mom and Mark's mom. They took care of the kids, who felt special having "both grandmas" watch them! We were very appreciative that they were willing to do this for us!

I was on email...as I knew my mom could reach me if she needed it to, and It was reassuring to know the kids were doing okay.

One the second day, the kids wanted to write us. Here were their emails:

From Ryan:

Hi Mom!

We had a fun time at Dosey Doe's. The play was awsome, and it was also funny! I have been having a really fun time. The childrens's museum was really fun, too, and the bagels were awesome, as usual. And Shankz was really fun. On the last hole, I got it all the way up, and I got it in hole number one.

Last night I really enjoyed it, but I had a really bad stomach ache.Grandma gave me the medicine she used to give you (I asked her if it was the same bottle! she said no). It made my stomach better.

Please give Dad my news!

Love you! Ryan

From Lauren:

Dear Mommy,

I gotted a pink elephant pillow pet, but I named it Fat Elephant. I love you as sweet as root beer! Yeah! I miss Daddy, too.

I hope you are having fun on your first trip without the children. we are having fun, too.

Love, Lauren

We had a great time and were able to actually relax, wake up on our own terms, talk to each other, hang out together, go sailing and snorkeling, utilize the swim up bar and frozen drink menu and feel what it was like 10 years ago, when we honeymooned at a different Sandals. 

But a big difference is 10 years ago, we returned and went back to our jobs and on with our lives. (which I imagine must have included so much free time I don't know what we did with it!)   This time, we still came back to our jobs....but we also came back to 2 amazing kids who we love so much, and who missed us and were soooo happy to see us. They truly appreciated us for at least 24 hours....and were so sweet and loving.  Lauren told me I was the best mommy ever, and Ryan just makes sure  I know that he REALLY  didn't like us leaving.

So on we go with our busy lives, but I am trying to retain the relaxed feeling of the Bahamas, and the loving, patient feeling I had toward my husband and kids upon my return! They are what really matter! And just think, if we wait another 10 years, Ryan will be 18 and Lauren 15. I hope they will have similar feelings about us then! And really, I hope we don't wait that long for another adult getaway.

View from our balcony

Emerald Bay's beautiful beach!

Professional Photos!

Yes I know...I am the worst blogger. I seem to blog in my head...and never get it down on the computer! I spend so much work time on the computer that I am not spending my free time here! But, I want to document our family and so I plan to post more...I promise! Also, who knows what random order some of my postings may be in....as I feel like I need to do catch up.

Here are some of my favorite photos from a professional photo shoot in November of 2010. These were our first family photos since Lauren was 1 year old! I can't believe it. We do need family photos more often!

Lauren was 4.75 and in her last year of preschool. Ryan was 7.5 and in the middle of second grade. He had just lost his first tooth!!! A couple of the photos show the small gap on the bottom.