Stop and Smell the Ocean Water

Look out VA Beach, Model Crossing

I actually observed the Sabbath this weekend.  I actually stopped my routine, rested, enjoyed time with God and with my family.  It was wonderful and I find myself on priceline.com and looking at our family calendar to see when we can do it again.

We went to Virginia Beach with my in-laws and it was Izze's FIRST TIME AT THE BEACH!  At first she was excited about the idea (thanks Nick Jr. for all your beach episodes) but when we got there she looked at me with this stank face when she put her feet in the sand and she was afraid of the ocean.  No worries, we got her acclimated and before we knew it she was rolling around in the sand and running for the water like she had been doing it her whole life!  This picture is actually of her being held back from running into the ocean by my mother-in-law.  She kept yelling "Nana!! WATCH THIS!"

Look Nana, I go to the OCEAN!

Can I just say something?  Family Vacations are WORK!  Sigh...don't get me wrong, it is truly worth every moment.  The packing for a toddler, multiple outfits for accidents, toys and books for entertainment, the trips to the potty, the being aware of timing and making sure she still gets her naps, having to stop and feed your kid even though no one else in the group is hungry, being ready with snacks and extra juices and water to avoid dehydration, thus creating more trips to the potty!

My parents took my sister and I on great vacations, every year...sometimes I think even more than once a year.  I couldn't help but think of them this weekend and realize all they did for us to have a good time, every time.  Thank you Mami and Papi!

For those of you starting new families, make sure you do vacations...it takes more planning and prep as your family increases, but it is well worth it.  Those of you reading this who are beyond that stage, empty nesters, please continue to remind us the importance of this.  Hold us accountable, remind us to stop working all the time and make the cuts in the budget necessary to make these irreplaceable times happen.  Although it took us 7 1/2 hours to make a 4 hour trip...and all the other craziness that occurred with organizing 13 people...this was a once in a lifetime moment that I will cherish.

Cherished Moment, first time at the beach with her Daddy.