Tuesday, July 27, 2010

.....it was all worth it.....

.....after I'd been in Florida for 24 hours, I finally relaxed.....


......after I think back to our most difficult travel day with kids thus far, I can now say it was all worth it....actually, it was all worth it when we walked into my Momma's house after 14 hours of travel with two sleeping babes......babes so spent that we were miraculously able to transfer them from the car straight to the bed....an event that never occurs....

......and once settled, I was able to take in my Momma's hospitality......the house smelled of lingering cooking, the lights were dimmed just right and the music was playing ever so subtly to allow our stresses to melt away......the wine poured freely, the chicken picatta and pasta with stuffed zucchini was delicious and satisfying, even at a dinner hour of 10pm.....and we were able to settle into relaxation mode at least for the night.....

.....until the next morning when I was told our bags would not be arriving for a while......Stefan and I had planned on leaving for a two night jaunt our first morning in FL to take advantage of leaving the girls with Bambi and Poohpop.....but after my phone call with Delta, it was clear we certainly wouldn't be leaving first thing that morning, as I only had the dress I wore for our travel day...the dress stained with snacks, soured milk, tears from two littles exasperated and painfully exhausted and remains of the heat flash that came over me after we had settled in our first plane only to be asked to exit back into the terminal to be rebooked on another flight......

......so it was just 20 minutes after both girls had been awake our first morning in Florida that Elsie accidentally broke a Venetian glass heirloom of Coleman's, only helping herself to Bambi's make up while we cleaned the broken glass.....and as I fretted my apologies, taking my eyes of Callie for just a moment, it was Stefan who found her standing on top of the kitchen table with Coleman's reading glasses in hand....deep breathes.....deep breathes....

....needless to say, the house was toddler proofed very quickly that morning....

.....however, the girls moved on from the start of the day chaos and breezed right into breakfast at the new table bought especially for them and their cousin Chase, who joins the party in just a few short days.....



.....and it wasn't too long before Elsie realized that Florida = poolside fun......

.....so off we went.....



......and Stefan and I did make it to Marco Island in time for sunset.....granted, our luggage did not arrive before we finally decided to leave without it, but it was at sunset that we truly relaxed....knowing the girls were in the best care possible, the two of us alone to reconnect and focus on our coupleness......and to enjoy the beauty of my beloved home state....



.....thank you, Mom, for sending me on with your fabulous dress......

.....and Stefan and I had lazy afternoons, lounging on the sand with our blackened grouper filled bellies....


.....exploring places we have never been.....enchanted paradises like Marco Island, Naples and Isle of Capri.....







.....we ate seafood at each meal, ran beaches, drank coconut infused rum drinks, listened to live beach music and simply goofed around with laughter filled moments....



.....but most importantly, took time to be reminded of all the reasons we love each other.....

....and the list is long.....

.....and our two day escapade zipped by.....


.....then it was off to get back to my Momma, Coleman and the girls....and then our drive couldn't go by quick enough....

.....however, this is only the beginning of a long, joyous time with those we love so much.....

.....so here's to a trip all ready well worth it....