Miami, Baby.

We hit the ground running when we got home from Miami a couple of days ago and I already feel ready for another vacation!  As part of our 10th anniversary celebration, we took a 9-day vacation BY OURSELVES to Miami Beach!  It was wonderful!  We had such a great, relaxing getaway at an ocean-front hotel.  Our 12th floor room literally looked onto the beach.  I am so thankful to my sis-in-law for looking after my boys the entire time (and Murielle part of the time) and to my friend, Tina, for looking after Murielle during the school-week.  The kids were fine without us and we were fine without them, although I did have a couple moments where my heart ached to see them and hold them again.
There are lots of little details I want to share about my trip, so I thought I'd compile a "nice" and "not-so-nice" list for you.  Some of you will find this funny because you can imagine it, and some will find it funny because you've been there.  Here we go...


nice > not-so-nice


friendly strangers > strange people in weird costumes, like the half-man, half-goat                                                     


finding seashells on the beach > finding bags of mystery liquid on the beach                               


the beautiful drive through scenic Virginia and West Virginia > the long, boring drive through dry Florida     


the random "hello" > random comments like “gimme somma dat”, “you see someting fonny? I don’t see nuting fonny!”, and “heeeeyyyyy beautiful!”  


beautiful ocean waves crashing on my feet > waves of sewer smell while walking down the street


beautiful hotels with brand new everything > construction and renovation zones everywhere


driving into warm weather > driving out of warm weather

chatting with my favorite person for the 48 hour drive > listening to his favorite music (country) for some of the 48 hour drive 


having to bike and walk everywhere > having to bike and walk everywhere


breakfast at Cracker Barrel > breakfast at the Waffle House (gag)


shopping at Target > shopping at the TA


(and now just the nice, because there was way more nice than not-so-nice)


fresh coffee every morning


finding a little black dress on sale


finding my favorite online store in person for the first time


getting a mani/pedi in a soft lilac color


laying by the pool for half the day and on the beach for the other half



Overall, it was a much-needed time away.  I got lots of rest as well as some focused time to work on some upcoming projects you're gonna love!  I'm super excited about the future and I'm thankful to God that He is working in my life.  I am incredibly blessed and I don't even know how it's all possible, but it is.

I love you guys..thanks so much for coming back and reading my online journal.  ♥

Ah, yes...and for those of you who are wondering, there will be pictures to follow.  I'll do an entire post with just pictures, how's that sound?