Vacation Recap

We've been back from vacation for a week and a half. Its always good to be home. Going on vacation and coming home is a lot of work. We had perfect weather- it never rained during waking hours. The heat was a little oppresive. Mid 90's and heat index over 100. All 17 of us seemed to have a blast playing in the pool and digging in the sand. Most stayed healthy. All stayed happy. Our meeting times in the morning were full of great discussion, biblical teaching, fellowship, and personal development. Paul and I were able to have great discussions on where our little family is headed: our relationship, us as parents, Izzy as a woman of God, our baby girl (we're so close to naming her!), Paul's business, housing, etc. Here are some pictures from our week away.

If you are looking for a kid friendly all inclusive resort in the Riviera Maya part of Mexico. You have to check out the Barcelo Maya Colonial. It is where we stayed. The staff and rooms were very accomodating to kids of all ages. They had a great kids club area for activities. Also, there was a large lagoon with about 10 waterslides and fountains and waterfalls. It was only about a foot and half deep so it was the perfect playground for most of the kids. We found a great deal through our travel agent. Round trip flight, transportation from airport, 7 days, 7 nights, food, drinks, activities for $800 an adult. Kids were cheaper, but I don't remember by how much.

If you need me...

If you need me in the next week, I will be here....
Enjoying a non-alcoholic one of these....

While home prepares for the first signs of this...

Have a happy week y'all!

The coming week...

This past week has brought some changes and the coming week has a lot to look forward to. I'm gosh darn tired that I can hardly think straight, but here it goes.

-Grandpa Morgan was back in the hospital with an arterial bleed in the back of his throat. He has now been taken off the blood thinners that were for his heart stints. His condition has downgraded quite a bit in the past week and the family is now looking into some hospice or around the clock nursing care. Cancer is a roller coaster ride- and we are unsure if there will be a climb back up at this point or if we will continue in a descent.

-Bible Study at church is officially underway and I love my group so far! We are large (14 women) but very diverse which brings great discussion. We are studying the book of Matthew.

-Riah (my nephew) had his 5th birthday. So much to celebrate there.

-We are finally flea free!!! No bites for over a week!

-We are still house hunting and it is taking its toll. We are not in a hugely motivated position, so it allows us to be 'picky' about what we want, but I'm beginning to wonder if we'll find it. People are stupid and have their homes so way over priced its not even funny. I know our area has had one of the lowest declines in home values in the state- but that doesn't mean it has appreciated 10 grand in 2 years! Yikes!

-Naptime is back! Izzy only misses 1-2 naps a week now. I'm glad it was a phase. I have needed the extra rest the past week or so.

-God has sent us at least 2 if not 3 purchase agreements in the past week! Go God!

Now what we have in the coming week-

-Hopefully we will be leaving on Saturday morning for a much needed vacation. We are planning on travelling with Paul's immediate family plus another family (like 15 people in all) to Mexico to an all inclusive resort. Plans are still ok, but may change at the last moment with the whole Grandpa factor. Selfishly, I will simply cry if we do not get to go simply because we need this vacation so bad and our window of opportunity is small with baby coming soon. Paul and I need this. Izzy needs her daddy away from work just to play.

-A week from today I will be in my 3rd trimester- where did the first two go? Yikes! 28 weeks- means meeting our yet to be named daughter in 11 weeks. Whoa. Talk about a reality check!

I think that's all. I'm pooped. Izzy's (hopefully) down for a nap. I think I either hear my floors calling for a mop or my pillow. We'll see who cries louder.

Dune Babe

Mini Vacation

It has been a long time since we were able to get away (January I believe). So, we headed up to the cottage Thursday and stayed up through the big Morgan side reunion/birthday party on Sunday. We had great weather and a wonderful time. Izzy had a great time at the beach- the girl loves her sand and water! She cried when it was time to leave this morning. I didn't get my camera out much (I was having too much fun or I was just resting a lot!). But here are a few fun pics.

This is the glazed over look we'd see every night...she nearly fell asleep in this chair! Enjoying the Sand

Love this shot! Such a genuine smile


Who knew it would be fun to try and slide down with the swim ring

what a beach bum!

Vacation

Paul and I had a wonderful vacation. It was a belated honeymoon if you will. We spent 7 days at the all inclusive resort Catalonia Royal Tulum in the Riviera Maya of Mexico, about an hour south of Cancun.We enjoyed all of the alone time, conversation, reading, relaxing, and caring only for each other. It was kind of crappy weather- rain, clouds, wind. We rarely saw the sun, but we made the best of it.

We also visited the Mayan Ruins in Tulum. It was a great experience. We took public transportation called a collectivo (you basically stand on the side of the highway and wait for one that has room to pick you up. big vans with locals on their way to work and such). The views off the cliffs were incredible. Tulum was a port city built on a cliff by the ocean. It was also interesting to see the similarities between their culture/religion and those of other world cultures/religions. Their temple had a temple within the temple- inner and outer- just like the Jewish temple with the Holy of Holies.

Isabelle did wonderfully at Paul's parent's house. We were thankful they kept her busy for the week!It is nice to be home, and Isabelle is loving her own room and toys, but I do miss my palapa with my virgin Miami Vice.

Tulum Ruins and the Ocean

Paul's antics in the Mayan "porta potty" as he named it

One of the views off tulum

Yet another storm cloud rolling in- but you can see the beautiful stretch of beach. It went an equal distance in the other direction.

Our pool and palapa heaven

I'm gonna miss her.....

Parade, Grease Stains, and Pina Colada's

How's that for a random title post?

Parade of Homes is over for the fall. Fall parade was much slower than the spring, but we kind of expected that. We still had a little over 200 people through the spec model. Hey- if each person told one person, just think of the word of mouth publicity! Haha. Yesterday I most certaintly did not forget to set my alarm for church, therefore we all slept in past the first service and past the point of being able to get out the door before the second service. I would never do that! Ha! Because that series of unfortunate events, we were blessed with a little extra time to tear down all the decor and furniture in the parade model and move it back to Paul's office/sales model and other furnished condos currently for sale. The tear down went great, Izzy watched Elmo on a 56 inch plasma tv screen while we loaded our pacifica with all the goods. 4 trips later, it was done, or at least half way done.

We took a short break to have lunch with family who just came home from their vacation in Mexico, and then for Izzy to come back and have an afternoon nap. After only an hour, she awoke, much to my dismay, but again, it blessed us with more time to finish setting up the sales model again.

Much to our horror, when we arrived back at the sales model, we realized that a black, greasy substance had been tracked all over the carpet. (alas, it was from the bottom of my shoe, but we still do not know the source!) Enter state of panic and frazzle as we figure out how to solve the grease stain dillema. Mom Spica came to our rescue and took Izzy off our hands as we got on our hands and knees using my Mom's miracle product Greased Lightning. It took the spots right up! (I also use this stuff when normal stain removers don't work and it gets spots right out!). A few hours later, the sales model is furnished and cleaned, and we're off to drop our Pacifica off to the car doctor. Its getting new brakes while we're away.

Now, we hit the waiting game before I get to sip my first Pina colada of my vacation. Bags are packed, house is cleaned, list of things to buy before we leave is made, and we wait! Sometime around noon Paul and I will drop off Izzy (already choking up!) and then make our way to Detroit to fly out really early Wednesday morning. And get this (I do have the greatest husband in the world!), PAUL suggested we stop at the outlet mall in Howell on our way!!!! Whoot!!!! Bargain shopping will help hurry the wait for that first glorious sip of pineapple coconut goodness.

So, if I fail to find internet or find other things to do :) Have a great week, and hopefully I'll be back tanner and not too much heavier than when I left.

xoxoxoxoxox
Peace out yo!

Busy Two Weeks

Not this is that exciting to any of you out there...

The parade home is staged and ready to open today. I'm glad its almost over with. The place turned out really well. There are some really neat features. Minus the square cabinet knobs. Those are really cool looking, but man are they sharp!!! I have three huge bruises from being punctured as I decorated the kitchen last night. Note to self: Don't have sharp cabinet knobs, danger to self and kiddos.

So as the hubby gets busy with the parade hours, I'm off to the north to spend some time with the parentals and the lil sis. If I don't go now, it would be early november before I see them!

I've got Bible study, Discovery Village, a lot of birthdays and more in the next couple of weeks.

But, the most exciting thing is that two weeks from right now, "I'm leavin' on a Jet plane!!!!" to the warm, sunny, relaxing venue of Mexico!!! Two weeks from now Paul and I are headed on our "honeymoon". We are super excited and can't wait for the next two weeks to fly by.