I'm On Vacation!!

We stepped on the plane in 40-something degree temps . Granted it was like 6:00 in the morning, but still. We had to say goodbye to the boys the night before since we were leaving before they would wake up. I admit that was pretty emotional for me. I am not a morbid person, but the thought of leaving the country and all that could happen did kinda freak me out. So this mama cried as I kissed them and tucked them in but also quickly reminded myself that they were in the best of hands (God’s and my parents) and that I was about to have one of the best vacations of my life.

The 4 ½ hour plane ride was actually pretty nice. A little sleeping, a little reading. But mostly it was the not having to be responsible to feed or entertain anyone. Flying sans-kiddos is surprisingly cathartic. I had forgotten about that.

Once in Costa Rica, we had a 35-40min bus ride from the airport to our hotel. Even though it is their dry season, the landscape is still so, so beautiful. On the drive, I was especially struck by this big beautiful beachside resort we were traveling to contrasted with these modest and even poverty-line homes we drove past on the way. But once we got to the hotel, it was pretty hard not to be in awe. This place is A.MA.ZING!!! It truly does feel like paradise. The pool is killer, the beach is unbelievable, the weather is perfect. Mid 90’s with a breeze. Does it get much better than that? The sand on the beach is soft but very dark. But I can let that slide. I won’t be a beach snob (even though my white sand FL Gulf beaches top any other beaches I’ve seen in the world-ahem…). It is all still pretty fabulous, and this is only day one.

I miss my two little men back home so much. And I admit that I want to talk to them and squeeze them very, very badly. But, I am already having an awesome time. This is my idea of the perfect vacation: warmth, beach, pool, unlimited margaritas. And eating GF is going to be easier than I thought here. For lunch I had some amazing fresh fish with rice and beans and this delish balsamic corn and greens salad. Oh, and some fried plantain for desert. Are you drooling yet?

We are headed out to a reception-of-sorts with Hubby’s co-workers. Did I mention we are here with his radio station, WIND AM 560? (Ha! A quick shout-out to the folks that made this all possible for me!) After some drinks with people I don’t know well, on to dinner and I think there is some sort of evening entertainment. If not, then I am perfectly content to sit out on my balcony that overlooks the pool and the ocean and read my book or enjoy the silence. And say a prayer for my parents and boys back home, that God would keep us all safe and happy until I get to hug them again in a week.

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Weary Travelers

My boys and I are in Florida!! Hooray!! It is nice to be here with my parents and my sister and have a little respite from the brutal Chicago winter weather. And while I am super glad to be here, the getting here was a bit rough. Maybe it was the delayed flights or missed connections or the lost bags that made the day so long and exhausting. Or it was the MAJOR poop blowout at 30,000ft and turbulent flight with a frightened toddler (and Mama) and sitting in the bulkhead seats so we couldn't have our bags with snacks and entertainment and diapers/change of clothes to deal with the poop now covering EVERYTHING!! It could have been trying to get my bag out of the overhead to deal with said poop with Caden in the sling and Lucas crying that it is too loud and he just wants to land and dropping my bag on the head of the unfortunate man sitting next to us. Maybe the exhausting part was running with boys and stroller and bags through Dallas airport to try and make our connection and Lucas almost getting left on the train to the next terminal because he was not holding onto the stroller like I asked him and the doors closed crazy-fast! (Had a kind lady not held the door open with her foot and gently shoved Lucas out the door, he would have been well on his was to Terminal D without me.) Oh, well.... put it all together and you have one exhausted mama and two exhausted boys. Lucas even fell asleep watching a DVD on our second flight (which was turbulance and poop-free, thank heavens!!) . That is just how tired we all were.

But now we are here... and ready to soak in the sun!! This mama needs a little beach therapy.


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