Our Jamaican Adventures

While we were in Jamaica the main thing we wanted to do was rest and relax and enjoy not having any kind of schedule to follow.  As we were researching our resort and the area I did find some activities that I really wanted to try and Rhonald, being the good husband that he is, agreed to try them too.  He would have been happy to rest the whole time but I think he would tell you that he enjoyed the things we ended up doing as much as I did.  Ever since I was a little girl I have wanted to swim with the dolphins.  Growing up in Michigan we did not travel to the ocean at all so the chance was kind of lost...until this vacation!  Rhonald and I did a dolphin swim and had so much fun!  We were in a small group of people and worked with a trainer while in the water with the dolphins.  We were able to let them kiss our cheeks, play "fetch" with toys, dance with them and we even got to ride belly to belly with our dolphin.  It was amazing!!!!  I would do it 100 times over if I was able.  They are so amazing and smart and so gentle.  I think both of us had smiles on our faces the entire time!

Another adventure I wanted to do together was climb Dunn's River Falls.  This is something I had done several years ago while in Jamaica on a mission trip with my dad.  I knew, without a doubt, that Rhonald would love it and I was right.  Dunn's River Falls is a 900 foot water fall that you are able to climb up.  It is breathtaking and fun and cold and wonderful!  We had such a great time climbing up the falls!!!  It was actually raining while we were there which was fine because we were soaked anyway.  You literally climb up the rocks and water and, if you are willing, you can swim in little ponds on your way up.  What a fabulous memory!  Neither of us had ever been snorkeling before and that was the last item on my "Jamaica Bucket List."  We actually waited until our last day to snorkel and I wish we would have done it sooner so we could have gone again.  It was awesome!  Once we got the hang of breathing through our snorkel gear it was so relaxing and so much fun!  Again, another activity I would do 100 times over.  I loved the peacefulness of it and the beautiful sea life we were able to enjoy in real life.  I could not believe all of that was right under our noses...literally!  Just thinking about it makes me excited to go back!

"No Problem, Mon!"

 (view from our room)

Rhonald and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary this past March.  One thing we decided we wanted to do was take a trip together...just us...something we have not done since we went on our honeymoon!  After researching and researching we decided on a Sandals resort in Negril, Jamaica.  I have never been more anxious about anything in my life!  I was so excited to be spending 6 days alone with my husband but I was so nervous to leave my kids for that long (and be so far away).  I really prayed about this because the nervousness I was feeling about leaving was really taking away from the joy we had over going.  God proved faithful and removed that nervousness from my heart about a week before we left and then all I could feel was excitement!  It was fabulous to have that time together - to reflect on the past 10 years....to dream about the next 10 and to simply relax and hang out together.  We read books under umbrellas and stared at the ocean quietly, we had room service over and over on our patio ON THE BEACH, we ate yummy meals, we kayaked in the ocean...we simply enjoyed being together and enjoyed making memories just the two of us.  I will say that I could not have made it through our trip if we hadn't had a free international texting app so my mom could text pictures and updates on the kids.  It was so much easier to enjoy our time knowing they were enjoying theirs as well.  It was a wonderful experience for all of us and I have to say, I am already excited to do it again! Ha!  I never thought I would say that.  It was perfect and I am so thankful we were able to do it.  Here's to another great 10 years, babe!

Wordless Wednesday

Our Garden ... Planting Update

The weather here has been absolutely crazy this Spring.  Rhonald and I have been debating on when to plant our garden...we have all been so excited about this project and we hated to plant it at the wrong time.  Finally, after we got home from Jamaica, we decided we had to do it.  And it was so much fun!!  We all got involved and got our hands dirty and we have all taken pride in our little garden.  This year we decided to try lots of different things just to see what works the best for us...we have herbs of all kinds, potatoes, carrots, onions, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, and 2 strawberry plants that Lily had to have!  Cole and Lily run and check the progress of everything every single day...they love watching their hard work pay off!  So far everything is growing and thriving.  I can't tell you how excited we all are to be able to pick something we have grown!  It has been such a fun family project!!

Toothless Wonder

Cole has had two wiggly teeth for months!  Or it seems like months.  Well, we were waiting and waiting, wiggling and wiggling...talking about the tooth fairy and praying these teeth came out before our anniversary trip to Jamaica.  Well, our prayers were answered one Sunday night after church!  We were getting pj's on and settling in for bed when Cole asked me to wiggle his tooth because it was really hurting him.  I thought for a minute and realized this was my chance.  I grabbed a tissue and wiggled/pulled just a bit and out came his tooth!  Oh my!  Cole was beside himself excited!!!  Rhonald and I could not believe our first born had lost his first tooth!!!!  After calling his pops (who is a retired dentist) to tell him the news Cole ran up to bed and put his tooth under his pillow.  He could not wait to see what the Tooth Fairy would bring him!  To say that the "Tooth Fairy" had been planning for this day is an under statement.  I mean, we had had months after all.  That night I made a tooth receipt (to keep in his baby book), a note explaining how this tooth fairy thing worked and I even spray painted glitter on to the tooth fairy money.  Let me tell you...the glitter money sealed the deal with Cole.  Once he saw that special money he knew something special really had happened.  I loved it!!!!  Then, to our surprise, his next tooth fell out just a few days later while playing with a friend.  While he was excited then too I think Cole was mostly relieved.  He had not been able to eat well at all and was thankful to be rid of those looks teeth once and for all.  It is so hard to believe that he is growing up so much....it is so excited and so overwhelming all at the same time!

(Mostly) Wordless Wednesday

Cole played catcher during his second T ball game of the season.  He really liked it and did very well.  After the game, after all of the high fives and "way to go's" the umpire came over to Cole and gave him the game ball.  He told Cole that he had done so well that he deserved to keep the ball!  Cole was thrilled!!!!  He has carried it every where since that night, even to bed. 

Wordless Wednesday