BEACH

Christmas at the Beach!

Don't Know What You've Got ...

Don't know what you've got til its gone ...
There is a place I long to visit. It is so beautiful. A vacation destination for many. And to think I used to live 10 minutes from there ... BUT HARDLY EVER WENT!

I love this beach!
Now that I live about 1000 miles away, I often wonder why I didn't take advantage of what was right down the road. I remember feeling bogged down by the beach "stuff" needed for the kids, metered parking, and sandy car. It now takes special vacation time and a 20 hour road trip to visit. Ugh. That really puts things in perspective!
Since moving to Texas I have found fantastic spots around town that are charming and fun. There are so many new experiences that are unique to this area: farmer's markets, museums, parks, farms, and sporting events. And I remember not to take them for granted or let a short drive make me decide not to go. Its too easy to be too busy to get out and enjoy your town. Embracing what you have ... that is what its all about. 

Hot -> Beach

It must be because I grew up in South FL, but whenever it gets really hot outside, I crave the cool waves of the ocean, a white sandy beach or at the very least a pool! Our apt. doesn't have a pool and the beach is ... well, it is within driving distance. But it is very different from the ones I am accustomed to. This one, for some reason, is more brown than the other beaches. Its unlike anything I have ever seen! So on hot days like today I take a look at pictures like these and just enjoy the times we have had at a beach I love.

A "Where's Mickey?" Weekend

Chris and I always love to get away from the busy day-to-day happenings of home to focus on our family. The kids love the undivided attention: no work, no cell phones, all play. Okay, so we all love that. We hadn't vacationed to the beach in awhile, probably because we live so close to one. We decided to give it a try. It was a great weekend for the fam. We spent a lot of time together at Disney's Vero Beach resort. It was cozy, quiet, beautiful, and relaxing. The best part... we were together.

Where are the pictures? Sadly, our camera has died. Yes, died, and in d e a d. Sad, I know. so you will have to enjoy some stock photos and use your vivid imagination.

We told the kids we were going to Disney's Vero Beach ... Avery and Mary Hannah were quite confused. Where were the rides? Where's Mickey??? They really enjoyed the beach, the "water shooter" (Avery's name for the water slide), the kid's pirate ship water play area, the playground, the mini golf, and even the sing along campfire with ooey gooey smores... But, according to the two smallest travelers in our party, something was missing.

So on Sunday, we checked out of our hotel and decided to forego the beach to go find the missing piece of the puzzle. We drove a short hour and 45 minutes to Walt Disney World... and, yes, Mickey. We spent the day hopping from park to park, starting at the favorite Hollywood Studios. After riding many rides and greeting characters, we took a boat on over to Epcot where we had a delightfully surprising lunch at our fav. restaurant, Le Cellier, in Canada. We were fortunate to get a last minute reservation. Okay, okay ... so the kids weren't as pumped as Chris and me. In fact, Hannah was so wiped out that she fell asleep in her highchair. I wish I had a picture of that. It was priceless.

Avery said, as we were walking through Hollywood Studios, after riding his new favorite ride, Toy Story Mania, "Mom and Dad, Can I just never leave?" We laughed. I think that he caught the spirit of us all. We love to be together. Wouldn't it be great if we could live life on vacation?

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In other news...
It was the weekend of the Disney marathon. Talk about an in-your-face challenge! There were all kinds of people running through the parks. That's right, the marathons snake through the parks! People line the streets, cheer, hoot and holler, ring cow bells, wave banners and signs, and encourage the 22, 000 runners to finish their race. Young and old, thin and not-so-thin. I am totally intimidated, but I am considering it. Chris is all about it. He was wanting to jump right in. But that would've been awkward. Maybe next year, maybe next year. I really don't love running. But I do think the whole concept is a good one: its not about the run, its about the discipline.

3 of my cousins ran in the half marathon. Kudos to Rob, Kim, and Jaimie for completing the 13.1 mile run. You are impressive!

Towns: Big vs. Small

I have been reading ThePioneerWoman.com. She lives in small town OK. VERY small town! On her family's working cattle ranch. Very isolated, but then again not so alone. These images are from the town's cowboy and cattlemen's annual get together. BBQ and dancing. Its so quaint, people are so kind, familiar with one another. In her words "everyone knows everyone...and everyone is somehow connected."

There are many many things I love about South Florida. I love my family. They are mostly here. (Dan and Steph, we miss you!) I love the warm winters, that a light jacket is the most I'll ever need, and how I go on vacation to see snow. That means my flip flops are good all year! I love how I can go to the beach anytime. And how I can swim in my parent's pool. I love PUBLIX. Its the best grocery store. I love the huge hotels on South Beach and the chance that I just might see someone famous out and about.

I really love its diversity. I love that my brother is married to a girl with such a strong, close, and loving Cuban family. I appreciate the stories of Abuelo, Uncle Ronnie, and tight family love. In my church alone, there are people from over 70 countries. I love that those people feel the freedom to be who they are, to wear their traditional clothing, and to enrich our area with their traditions, celebrations, and cuisine! Just last week I had the privilege of having breakfast with a new friend from Nigeria. She has been here for less than 3 years and had lots to say about home. I love learning about other cultures... what "home" means to them.
This kind of diversity is unique. I choose to embrace it. And I hope that those who live in "monochromatic lands" (where everyone is the same color) would also decide to appreciate cultures that are different than their own.

Although there are so many wonderful things about this area, there is room for improvement. There are so many people in South Florida. SOOOOO many! Even though our houses are close together, our lives are far apart. It would be nice to combine the two: the warmth of a small town and the enormity of where I live. How about a community BBQ and dance... for the few million in my town? And lets enjoy the strangers, counting them as friends. (But please, leave the crime at home... errrr... just leave out the crime).

I recently visited a small town. (They don't even have a WalMart!) I was surprised that the Walgreens was spotlessly clean, and closed at 10. I was even more impressed that the local gas station had an enormous display of Pepsi 12 packs sitting outside the front door. And there was no one stealing them! Then I passed the local hardware store. Likewise, there were piles of mulch, gardening stones, and lumber all outside. The store was closed, the parking lot was mostly dark, and there was not a hired security detail guarding the items. What!?! I actually exclaimed, "Chris, LOOK! I can't believe these are still here!" Needless to say, our yard got a sweet makeover... thanks to those suckers!
Ha ha. Just kidding.

SOUTH FLORIDIAN (UPDATE)

South Florida is a great place. Its diversity makes it beautifully unique. I love the languages that I hear as I am out and about. The new and different foods that come from other countries. And the way the definition of "family" changes depending on the culture. Its a blessing to live among such a diverse people.