Eyes That Are Opened

A desire that Eric and I have for our kids is that their eyes may be opened to the world around them. We are blessed and so often take what we have and the way we live for granted. We pray that our kid's eyes and hearts would be opened to those around in need. We also pray that they can experience and appreciate other cultures and diversity around them. We want to expose our kids the beauty of other cultures and feel blessed that we had the opportunity to do that during our get away! 

This is one of my favorite pictures of our trip to Cabo with the kids. I feel like this pictures speaks for itself.

It was fun to see the kids eyes being opened to the Mexican culture as we journey to town most nights. We were staying at a beautiful resort but that is not the real "Mexico!" As they walked through the markets they took it all in and we were able to have great conversations with them along the way.

 

The markets in Mexico are such a fun experience.

 

We would spend about an hour or so each evening walking through the markets after dinner before heading back to our resort.

 

The kids had so much fun checking out all the amazing treasures.

 

They also experienced little ones coming up to them trying to sell them stuff right on the street. It is a way of life for the Mexican culture but once again a eye opener for our kids.

 

They were troopers and tried new food!  Some nights they resorted back to chicken fingers and french fries but they did have fun trying new things. The classic nachos were a favorite of theirs.

The first night they discovered Shirley Temples and it was all over after that.  

    

At many of the resturants they had local people that would come in an try to entertain you with singing, magic tricks, balloon creations ... you name it. The kids thought the balloon guy was pretty cool.

 

We had such an amazing time seeing the Mexican culture through the eyes of our kids. Their eyes were opened in a new way on our trip!

Fun In The Sun

The kids could hardly contain themselves with they saw the pool when we arrived at the resort. 

They were excited to spend the week swimming their hearts out. Well you could say things started a little rough our first day in Cabo at the pool. We had been up really early, the kids so excited they couldn't wait to get in the pool. In a matter of minutes Shane had his shirt of and had jumped in the pool and just seconds later Eric jumped in to save our little boy who was quickly sinking, and not moving his arms at all. Shane is a good swimmer but after a long winter in South Dakota and the factors of the day it seemed like he had totally forgotten how to swim. Eric brought him safely to the side. Not even an hour later it happened again. Eric looked at me and said I think we are calling this a trip not a vacation. We shook our heads not sure what got into Shane and what our week would bring.

 

By Day 2 Shane was back to being a fish and Eric and I were breathing a little easier. The kids had so much fun together. Of course the weather was picture perfect and they were loving life in the pool.

 

The kids had fun jumping, diving ....

 

and playing dolphins. Notice Emma is the trainer and Shane and Alexa are her dolphins. It was so much fun seeing the kids have a blast together and also using their imaginations.

   

 The kids enjoyed taking some breaks from the pool playing horse shoes, putt putt golf and one day they even painted a tile.

 

The kids also loved the slide. It provided hours of entertainment for the kid. Notice the friendly little guy that sat on the rock every day and watched people go down the slide.

 

I love see the pure joy that is in the kids face in this pictures. There is no doubt about it, they are loving life!

 

The beach was another place the kids loved to spend time. They were in awe of the ocean.

 

The kids loved running on the beach.

 

I loved watching the kids put their toes in the water for the first time.

     

They loved running in and out of the waves.

 

I loved watching Shane and his dad play in the ocean together. Their faces say it all.

 

The kids also loved playing in the sand and building sand castles.

 

There were some days that all the sun and fun proved to be too much for our little man and he crashed for a little nap poolside.

A Special Get Away

We decided to take the big kids on a special little get away to Cabo San Lucas. I wrestled a bit with the idea when Eric proposed taking them to the time share we have access to. I wasn't quite sure how I could leave Max behind but I also knew taking him would not be a vacation. Eric is so good about investing into each of the kids individually that he thought it would be good for us to have this focused time with our big kids. They have been such a huge help and blessing in bringing Max home and his adjustment. They have given of themselves and at times have had a little less of mom of dad because of the process. They can't wait to bring a little sister home and yet we know that as little individuals they too have needs that we need to meet and to continue to invest in them. We want to continue to foster an open and meaningful relationship with each of them.  I became more and more excited about our special get away as the time drew near. I knew Max would be fine and soak up every ounce of being spoiled and one and one attention from papa and grammy.  I just wasn't sure if he would wear papa and grammy out! 

 

This was the kids first trip to the ocean and to walk on a real beach. The couldn't wait to get to beach a look for shells. I loved just stepping back, snapping some pictures but most of all watching them take it all in!

 

Shane wasn't sure if he should venture down to water first a check out the big waves or look for shells.

 

The kids would often stop in their tracks and look out over the ocean and take it all in.

 

They were so excited as they spotted new treasures that they gathered in their hands to take home.

 

This is one of my favorite pictures of Eric and kids as they were discovering new treasures together.

 

I loved seeing the kids sense of wonder and awe as they discovered and took in this new piece of God's beautiful creation.

 

Emma snapped this picture of Eric and I and it was one of my favorite from our trip. Our faces pretty much say what we are feeling ... complete joy! What a blessing to have this time to get away from the business of life and soak up time together and have time with our big kids.

A Picture Perfect Weekend Away

Eric had to go to head East on business and so I got to tag along.  In 11 years of business this is the first time I have tagged along on a business trip.  Often my mindset has been if I am going to get away with him I don't want to share him with work.  Well this trip changed my perspective on that.  We really had a picture perfect weekend.  This was the first time we were going to be leaving Max for multiple nights.  I knew he would be just fine.  He LOVES papa and grammy and has adjusted so well.  My big kids had a couple days off of school so the timing was perfect.  They were excited to have time with papa and grammy and cousins.  The first night Shane prayed that their time at papa and grammy's would go really slow. I am so thankful we don't have to worry about them when we are gone.  I think we have to worry more that they will tire my parents out with a 2 year old in the mix again. 

We started our trip in Baltimore.  We arrived on Thursday night. On Friday Eric had meetings he had to go to.   I enjoyed sleeping in, having a lazy morning with a quiet breakfast, a LONG shower and took as much time as I wanted to get ready.  This is the view I woke up to.  It was a beautiful day.

I spent the morning walking on the pier, doing a little shopping and having a wonderful lunch sitting in the sun by the water. 

I spent the afternoon sitting by the water, enjoying the sunshine with a good book in my hand.  It has been awhile since I have read a book for fun. 

Eric got back from his meetings in the afternoon and we enjoyed a fun evening.  We had yummy food and good conversations with a beautiful view all around us. 

We finished our evening with a walk around the pier and some cheesecake to go from the Cheesecake Factory.  As we were waiting for our cheesecake some guy asked us if we just got married.  We said we had been married for 12 years and had 4 kids.  He said, "Wow, people I know that have been married that long don't love each other anymore or at least don't act like it.  That is why I never wanted to get married." I am so thankful for the way that God continues to bless and grow our relationship.  That doesn't mean life has been perfect and we haven't had our ups and downs but it is through all of those things that God has drawn us to him and to each other.  It was good to reflect a little and made me appreciate the man God has blessed me with and the marriage we have.

On our way back to our hotel there was a large group of people who were protesting.  They were following the lead of the New York protesters who were protesting Wall Street.  There were a couple signs that caught Eric's attention and he found himself in a conversation with a Buddhist, Nero-scientist.  Needless to say there was an interesting conversation taking place. Eric kept looking at me like are you ok with us taking some time for these conversations.  It was actually quite entertaining and new twist on date night. 

We had a relaxing morning and a nice breakfast. We jumped in the car and enjoyed a beautiful fall drive to Washington, DC.  Neither Eric or I had been to DC so we were excited to have a day to take it in. We were blessed with another beautiful day of picture perfect weather.  

The first thing that I was overtake with was all the amazing architect. 

All the details on the buildings were breathtaking. 

Eric and I continued to walk through DC and took in as much as we could.  

We met our dear friends, Greg and Laurie, for lunch and we got to spend the rest of our weekend with them.    Greg was our worship pastor, but as a couple they have had such a huge influence in our life.  They have walked through many ups and downs in life with us. Greg met with Eric and a couple other guys for 5 years.  He mentored them and I know all of the wives of these men can say God has blessed our marriages and families because of Greg's influence in their life.  He pointed them to the Gospel weekly.  He equipped them as men of God and leaders in the church and in their home.  Greg also met with me as I walked through some of the darkest days of my life after Leigh Ann's death.  He walked through grief with me but also walked through the all that was to come with bringing Max into our family and all the possible emotions, thoughts and feelings that could collide.   Laurie has also played a huge roll in my life as an example as a godly wife and mom. She has invested in me in so many ways.  One of the fun ways was through a fun cooking class she did for a couple gals.  Cooking is a gift of hers but it isn't just the food it is the way she shares Christ with those she shares it with.  She has always taken an interest in our kids and their lives.  They love Laurie.  We have been blessed to have them in our lives and were very excited to spend time with them and get a little glimpse into their life. 

We spent the rest of the afternoon taking in DC, enjoying the beautiful weather, walking many miles and cherishing the time we had with friends.

The kids were excited that we were going to see the White House so we took a couple pictures just for them.

It really is amazing to see all of these monuments in person.

We walked through the World War 2 Memorial. 

Then we visited the Vietnam Memorial.  It was humbling to see this wall with all the names of those who gave their life in this war.

We then walked to the Lincoln Memorial which was just massive. Look at the size of it compared to the people in front.

I am so grateful for the foundation of faith that our country was built on. 

We finished with the Korean Memorial.

We then decided to take in one of the Smithsonian Museums.  Our friends recommended the Air and Space one.  When we got there the protesters that were in Baltimore were also in DC and they just happened to pick this museum to stand in front of so we were out of luck.  They had shut down the museum.  Next we decided to go into the building of the Archives of the United States of America.  Well when we got to this building there was a line wrapped around the block to get in.  So we were really feeling like we were striking out.  We decided to sit on the step and find a good Sushi restaurant for dinner. There was on Dupont Circle so we got on the transit system and after a couple switches made our way to Dupont Circle.  Well we had our 3rd strike out when we found the restaurant but it wasn't looking like a place we wanted to try so we started walking and checking out menus.

This is the magical little place that we just happened across. I just can't believe I forgot to take a picture but this is pretty much what it looked like the evening we were there.  The weather was beautiful as we sat on this quaint little patio.  The food was amazing and so were our conversation.  There is something about skipping through the small talk and going straight to the heart with people that you have done life with.  It was an evening of laughs and tears. It was a perfect way to end our day and a night Eric and I will always treasure.

On Saturday night we drove to Maryland where Greg and Laurie are living.  Greg is in a 9 month program with Sovereign Grace Ministries.  They have stepped out in faith and are feeling like God is leading them to church plant.  We were able to see where they live, meet their new friends, see where Greg spends his days in classes and worship with them.  I can't even put into words how refreshed and filled we felt after walking out of their church.  God's presence was evident.  We finished our day with lunch with them and a little dessert at a fun cupcake shop.  We then headed back to Baltimore to board our plane and make our way back to our 4 little blessings.

Like I said, it was a picture perfect weekend.  I was able to have a very relaxing day, a little time to myself, some shopping, quality time and conversation with my husband,  good food, fun, beautiful weather, amazing sites, a sweet time with friends and feeling filled and refreshed spiritually.