Monday, March 15, 2010

wow

I cannot believe it is the 15th of March! We've just gotten back from an amazing family vacation to Florida, and I am exhausted! Kurt's grandparents live in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and we've been meaning to take the kids down there to see them. These last couple of years have been less than ideal for taking on a venture of this magnitude, but they have taught us some things.  Time is not a thing to be taken for granted. I think intense suffering of any kind brings about a shift in perspective. Things that seemed important lose their value and memories, moments, and relationships become paramount.  There are a lot of things we could have spent money on this spring... but taking time to reconnect as a family, enjoy one another (for the most part), and capitalize on this very unique snapshot of time in the lives of each one of us was so very important.  And I'm out of my mind grateful. I'm sure as soon as the haze lifts off my mind, I'll only become even more so. hehe


I was working on my 365 Project, and it was interesting to me what points on our vacation stood out. We got to do some amazing things including Disney World, the beach, warm weather after a ridiculously frigid winter... but we also got to see friends and family, and I got to peek into the hearts of each one of my little ones. As a mommy, it's utterly priceless to see my kids unguarded and unhindered and free to be completely themselves. There's something very raw about a family vacation. Everyone's true colors rise to the top after 30 hours in the car and 10 days in mixed company.


For my part, God has done a miracle in me. There is no way I could have ever handled a trip like this in my past. And yes, I got cranky and tired and irritable at times. My blood sugar dropped, the sleep depravation caught up with me, and the weariness of living under someone else's roof began to weigh me down. But overall, there was so much grace for each and every moment. There was always a long night and a new morning. I had no trouble sleeping at all, which 1.) for me is amazing, and 2.) for being out of town in a MIRACLE. We hit the Disney crowd with three kids in tow, and I had no anxiety whatsoever. None.  (I don't typically do crowds... understatement of the century)
Someone told me a couple of weeks ago that it sometimes takes a trial to show the change that God has made. And while I wouldn't necessarily categorize a family vacation as a "trial", I do know that it could have been a catastrophe! God deserves so much credit for the work He has done in my life. We not only survived, but we had a wonderful time.

And I'm super glad to be home. :)

Isaiah 43:19
"See, I am doing a new thing!
  Now it springs up, do you not perceive it?
  I am making a way in the desert  
  and streams in the wasteland."

3 comments:

Lindsay said...

Hi friend!
I'm glad you all had such a wonderful time! It's great to hear you all are doing so well and enjoying this "new life" together [in all aspects]! You are such a mighty woman of God and you and Kurt together make such an amazing team and uplifting example of what God has done, will do, and will continually do in your lives as a couple, but also in the lives of your precious children! I love seeing pictures of your kiddos and by witnessing the smiles on their faces I know they're happy to be in the unconditional arms of a [godly] strong mommy and daddy.
Love you all,
L

Corinne Doughan said...

How exciting!! I'm so glad you could create such precious memories on your vacation. I can relate to how relationships become paramount in the face of trial and in my case loss. I'm glad you're back home safe and sound dear friend!! ♥ Corinne

Aaron, Angie, Hailey, Lexi, and Jacob said...

I am so happy you had a wonderful family vacation! It is certainly amazing the grace we are given when stuck in close quarters with family and other people. Glad you made it there and back safely with only a little werewolf incident! :)

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