Jamaica!

**Just found this post about our Honeymoon I wrote over a year ago.... Not sure why all these posts are drafts. Figure it's about time to get them up!**

The morning after the wedding Paul and I got up quite early and caught a flight to Dallas/Ft. Worth and then on to Jamaica. The flights, connections, getting our luggage and the drive to our Sandals resort, all went very smoothly.

Our first night in Jamaica we had dinner on the beach and saw some fun performers. We learned how to dance reggae style.
This man balanced all sorts of things on his forehead. There was another man who did the limbo under a board of fire, some reggae bands, and lots of tasty food!!!

Speaking of food, here is one of our favorite treats while in Jamaica, Cajun style fries. YUM! I make them all the time now. So tasty tasty.

We spent a lot of time on the beach. Above is a picture of our friend Duckie, the fiddler crab. All the food was marvelous in our Italian-themed resort (see below).

Our favorite memory of the trip is the day we got off the resort. We took a jeep tour that took us to Dunns River Falls, where we climbed up the falls (with hundreds of others), and then the tour took us inland.

We went through a number of villages. We learned about coffee harvesting (Blue Mountain Coffee is their famous brew - Paul loved it!). It is a very long and involved process!!



We stopped and had a snack of fresh fruits on top of one of the peaks which overlooked quite a bit of the mountain range.



We went to the highest point in the region and could have seen Cuba had the day not been so hazy.

After a wonderfully relaxing week, we headed back home. We got to the airport quite early due to lack of shuttles around our needed time.

Jamaica is a beautiful and poor nation. I was humbled by the rows of shacks lined up next to acres of resort. Without tourism the island's situation would be even more desperate. Everyone we met were very nice and hospitable. We often heard "No problem man" and "Ya man" and found out that "man" is a term of respect. The most important thing to remember is this: in Jamaica you may have a situation, but never a problem. A situation, you see, can be fixed, but not a problem, so there is "No problem!"

Disney World!

Vacation this year was a Christian family trip to Walt Disney World. All but Stephen were able to make it. It was hot, humid, and absolutely fabulous. Here are a few pictures.

The United Kingdom at Epcot

China at Epcot

I'm not going to lie, I got really, really happy when we got to the Magic Kingdom.

Our last day Paul was gracious enough to allow me to pick where we went and... we went back to the Magic Kingdom :o)

Texas!

My niece Kathryn turned one year old on October 4th. Paul and I went and visited her and her family (my brother David and his wife, Amy, and their son, William). It was great seeing all of them again - especially getting to play trains with William and laugh with Kathryn.

We read and relaxed and went to a street fair. College Station isn't far from them, so we went to the George Bush Library and Museum as well (and got to see my cousin).

I had a great time and got a fresh perspective on some constant thoughts and ponderings, which is always nice! (Thanks, David!)

I always love seeing family and this trip was a real treat for me!

Back from Vacation

We have returned! I cannot tell you when I have enjoyed a week more! (So much so I am still adjusting to being back!) We relaxed and saw some sites and simply enjoyed life! There is not enough time in what became barely 2 days to see everything one wants to see in D.C. - I doubt a week would be enough! Paul and I sat and talked and enjoyed the sun and watched movies and didn't finish a crossword and walked and walked and went to Target and walked. We took the train into D.C., we walked through historic downtown Fredericksburg, and we drove to NC to see my great aunt and uncle. It was a blessing to my soul to see them both. Our last day we stayed with friends of Paul's family and played pool and enjoyed good company. They are a wonderful family! I felt very honored by their hospitality. I am thankful for the rest and the fun I was able to have this week. I told you to look forward to pictures! So here are a few.

Go here to see more!

Day One - this was our first stop.

Paul and myself with some old friends.

The shirt says "No! We're not there yet!"

My mom bought it for our 8.5 hour drive :o)

Cheers!

Vacation

Vacation (noun) 1. a period of suspension of work, study, or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation, or travel; recess or holiday.

I am officially on vacation. Meaning I have no work to do until Monday, November 5th. I must confess I have felt the need for this week more and more as the date has come nearer.

I am going to Virginia. I am going to tour D.C. like never before. I am going to drive to North Carolina and back again - just to see my great aunt and uncle. I am going to see battlefields and museums, monuments and skylines. I am going to drive around D.C. and get lost, drive through VA wondering where the highway signs are, sit on my aunt's porch and breathe deeply.

But there is one thing that sets this vacation apart and that's the company.

So fare us well and look forward to pictures - I'm sure there will be a few :) - I'll "see" you all when I'm back from vacation.


"vacation." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 26 Oct. 2007. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/vacation>.