Globe Trotting

This has been the summer of exploration.  We had to opportunity of going to Lake Tahoe for the wedding of my good friend Jamie.  Then I got to go on a girls trip to Hawaii with my cousin Patty, her daughter Kaylee, and Kaylee's friend Madi.  Less than a month later the fam and I went on a Disney cruise to the bahamas.  Phew, I'm tired just typing it.  Anywho, what follows are our adventures and photo overload.

We were cruising out of Florida, so we decided to go to universal studios and check out Harry Potter land.

 Yummy butter beer

 Averie in the sweets shop...her dream home

 While exploring the wilderness, we took a wrong turn and fell upon serious wildlife.  Sadly Ashton lost his head before we realized our mistake and tuned back.

 Grandpa is so easy to read!

 Here is the port side of the cruise ship.  It was such a cool place to explore.  It was literally like being in a Disney cartoon.

 Every night, our stateroom guy would leave us a fun towel animal and some treats.

 There was a monsoon on Castaway Cay.  This is Ashton playing in the rain before it got really bad, but during the time that Averie decided to explore the island alone...oh bless her sweet little heart.  It only took twenty heart pounding minutes and several Disney workers to find her.  Not to mention my dad and I totally soaked to the bone in thunder and lightning.  It wouldn't be a vacation without a little hardcore worry.

 Me and my mamma 

 Atlantas, Nassau

 The bridge that you can see in the background at the hotel is actually a room.  It is a mere, $25,000.00 per night with a four night minimum.

 Mom and Dad...aren't they so cute???

 Poseidon's throne.

 Ashton is the king of mimickery.

 I loved the colors of Nassau.

 Pirate party!!!  Captain hook tried to take over the ship, but thankfully Mickey and Captain Jack rescued us.

 Swimming with the stingrays.  Averie literally climbed me and made me take her to the beach.  She wasn't going to risk a sting.

 The First Aid station at Castaway Cay. 

 Averie and our server James.  Quite a nice Brit who brought endless shirley temples and bowls of cherries for Averie.  She know how to work it.

Hawaii

 Me and Cousin Patty                                          Lax airport  with Patty, Kaylee, and Madi

Cheeseburgers in paradise

 Cute cousies

Lake Tahoe/ Jamie's Wedding

 Assembling the bouquets 

 Scarlet and Lucy

 Sarah, Jamie, and Noah...This pic makes me tear up.

 The kids and I at Kings beach

 Emerald bay

 Playing wedding planner/ dresser/ stylist/ florist/ photographer

 Seriously freezing wind

 What a handsome couple.  Derek and Jamie

Oh lookie here, more Hawaii

A Downton Epiphany

I don't know who has been sucked into this show or not, it is on PBS and it's amazing.  There is a scene in the beginning where two men are looking at the Abbey.  One has the title that makes him lord of the manner.  He has grown up there, and it has been in the family for years.  The other is new to the elaborate lifestyle of the High Class.  As the first man is looking on they begin to talk about the Abbey.  He says, it may look like bricks, mortar, and stone that cracks in the frost, but to me it is my life's work.

What he meant by that was, that the running of that estate was something that was of the greatest importance and value, it was literally his full-time job to take care of the manner.

While watching, an immense thought came to me.  We should each treat our homes with such respect.  I mean "homes" as our family, friends, teachers, leaders, and all other influences (servants, if you are keeping track with the show) that make up our family home.  We should spend our very last breath defending and fortifying the most precious thing that was given to us...our family.

So much of my life has been spent in trying to make people like me.  That may sound funny, but I have always feared disappointing others...whether I know them or not.  I once had a friend call me an approval whore, which is pretty much spot on.  I think that it finally sunk in...It's okay to say no!  It's okay to put my family first, even if it's above a service project.  Not that I should stop serving, but just realign my priorities.  It's crazy easy to get overwhelmed in doing good.

Believe it or not, I think I just got a little glimpse into the eternities.  Thank you Public Broadcasting System!

In Dreams...

There are just times that I need John.  My heart aches for him, and I wonder how I've made it this long without him.  The last few days have been that way for me.  I've taken stalk of my life this last year.  I keep praying for someone to come into our lives to take the pain, sorrow, and lonely away.  Here's the big problem...How can I move on when I can't let go of John?

That question plagues my thoughts most of the day and night.  People tell me that when I meet the right person, It will all work out.  I just don't know if I buy it.  I hate complication.  I'm a simpleton.  Okay, I wish I was a simpleton.

Last night, I dreamed of John all night.  That really doesn't happen that often.  He was in about 4 or 5 different dreams.  We ran to each other.  Kissed and hugged and cried.  I told him how much I've missed him, and how it was like a dream that he was here with me again.  He would smile and kiss me again, and hold me tight.

I woke up with tears on my pillow.  I realized that there is no amount of time that is enough.  I am so grateful to know that I have endless time with my sweet love.  I am so blessed to have him as my eternal companion.  I never have to worry about not seeing him again, because I know that I will.  I know that we have forever together, and this is but a brief intermission.