Spring Vacation 2023

 

Spring Vacation 2023 was everything we hoped it to be with the sun feeling hotter, and the food tasting even better. Our first stop was in The Villages to see mom and dad. Eighty square miles, four quadrants, 71K homes, everything in pristine condition and everyone riding golf carts. It's like a Jetson's playground for seniors with money! 

A couple nights at mom and dads where we perused the quaint shops of Lake Sumter and eating alligator for the first time, we stopped by the magical location where David proposed and I said, "YES!!" 

We rented a romantic little cottage on Anna Marie Island with a private beach and fell in love with this relaxed island that exists truly on "island time." Our skin sun-kissed, we walked hand in hand on the beach for days, going to several beaches, and lingering in the cutest beach shops. 

We couldn't wait to get to the ocean for fresh seafood and we dined well. From several seafood shacks (our favorites!!) on the ocean with phenomenal seafood, to a darling Parisian cafe, Le Creperie, we sampled and tasted everything fresh seafood. 

After a couple days at Anna Marie Island, we drove down the coast to our beloved Siesta Key Beach for sun, sand, and that fabulous Mango Tango. The very inspiration of one of our wedding day signature cocktails! My favorite seafood meal being Shrimp & Grits at Captain Curt's, a giant tiki hut restaurant with outdoor dining. 

Our skin thoroughly cooked, hours in the sun, we went back to mom and dad's before heading home. 

Thank you mom and dad for allowing us to stay with you, the fun playing cards every night, the use of your golf cart, and delicious meals!! We had the best time, and we love you!

Easter Dinner

 

We hosted Easter dinner in our home with an Easter basket for Amelia and an outdoor Easter egg hunt that led to Easter presents for Sofia, Rowan, and Claire. 

The kids were excited walking in the house shouting they saw Easter eggs outside!!! I had three empty baskets for them to choose a color to grab and run around collecting eggs. On the back porch was their presents with frilly bows. A sit-and-spin (one of my favorite toys when I was young), a seat on wheels they can ride around the house, Seek & Find cards for outdoor scavenger hunts, and a giant bottle of bubbles from Great Grammy (Gigi). 

Having my grandbabies together was wonderful to watch. Amelia sitting in her bouncy seat with the kids gathered around her quiet as to not startle or scare her. They would gentle touch her hair and watch her. Me, it's as if I've blinked in life and I have four grandbabies. 

The sun was shining, the food delicious, and yummy desserts. Lots of conversations going at once and little ones eating their special ice cream in their new ice cream cups and playing with their toys. 

Most visits end WWE with Papa David. David is swift and quick, and the kids love full on wrestle mania with him until they are flushed and overheated. 

Claire-bear is the quiet one. She likes to get into the pantry into napkins and cups, changes the channels on the television, and at the end of the day, I had to delete over 70 videos and photos she took with my phone. For the most part, I had no idea she even had it. She's quiet, smiles sweetly, and is unapologetically her. I love their unique personalities. 

It was a beautiful day for an Easter celebration. 

Rage and Prayer

 

My husband walked out the door this morning with a bullet proof vest on. 

Emotions are raging war in love, fear, understanding him, and zero acceptance of the cause. 

My husband made to protect what we don't believe in and I cannot even speak about it without becoming "F-bombing" furious. I go from fury to tears, from prayer to admiring the man he is. He's so loving and allows me to rage truth verbally, to him speaking into me that he is law enforcement in the gentlest and most loving way. Assuring me that all is well. 

Until... he walked in the door last night with an arsenal of "protection" and the seriousness of what he is taking and why quickly has me at the reality of the situation all over again. Pinning his uniform, loading magazines, filling duffle bags with weapons and a trauma bag, I laid across the bed and watched him. 

My husband is gentle, affectionate, patient, over the top loving, kind, and always super funny. He is my love and he is my Boaz. He is everything a husband is supposed to be, sprinkled in magnificence! 

My husband, going in with his team of close friends, those who train law enforcement. My husband, years on SWAT, trains SWAT, he is highly trained in defensive tactics, weapons of all kinds, armed, equipped, and lethal with crazy-skilled talent.

He is at the 11th hour on the verge of retirement. To be put in a situation we do not believe in, to protect those who choose to put themselves in a place of threat of violence, threatening my husband's safety, puts me in a significant heart condition of extreme conflict between rage and prayer. 

All it takes is one person for hell to break loose and today is April Fool's Day. 

My husband is maintaining order among fools. 

UPDATE:  All went well, thankfully. Ended up being an unnecessary expense for taxpayers.