I woke up at 4:30am with a headache.  I knew it was raining before my ears woke up enough to decipher the soft pitter patter on the ceiling.  One has to make a choice on days that start at 4:30, awakened by a splitting sinus headache- be a miserable grump or find ways to cope.  I vote number two.  My miserable grump persona is not anyone's favorite and it leads to lots of guilt and apologies.  I laid awake and prayed and then when I got up I did what anyone would do, I came down to the kitchen took Sudaphed and tylenol and ate a Reese's Peanut Butter cup.  I mean really, even a bad headache cannot trump the delight of chocolate and peaut butter.  Then in tribute to my English friends who endure rain on a much more regular basis, I cuddled up with a very large mug of P&G tips; though I usually take my tea black, I even had it with milk this morning and had anyone else been awake to chat with me, I would have charmed them with my nonexistent British accent.  Here's to a rainy, dreery day and all the choices I will make today with my kids to keep Miss Grumpypants at bay.  Movie anyone?

Mexico with my Man

I must admit I had some preconceived judgements about Cancun.  We ended up escaping there because our SPG points were usable there and the flights to Cancun in August are much more reasonable than most US destinations.  I think of "spring break" when I hear Cancun and I think of "excruciating heat" when I hear "Mexico in August".  My judgements were incorrect.  First, I had no idea Cancun could be a family destination.  Our Westin Resort is a time share property so the rooms are apartments.  Many families were there.  They have a kids club and miniature golf and a kid pool.  The mall across the street had a couple restaurants with playgrounds in the middle of them or next to the eating area...making dining with children doable for families and many of the activities are SUPER kid friendly.  It didn't feel trashy at all where we were (and we didn't venture to the area with night clubs and such;)  Heat?  It was about the same weather as we've had in Sheboygan this summer...if not a little cooler.  High's were in the mid to high 80s.  It was very pleasant...especially in the shade where my pale behind hangs out;)

I was just excited to hang with my honey; the pleasant weather and atmosphere were icing on the cake:)

We had a GREAT time;)  We spent a day on the beach, a day having an adventure, and a day by the pool.  We had plenty of rest, plenty of time to read and to chat.  We deliberately avoid too much TV watching and spent the evening talking and playing cards.  We were gone long enough to rest and miss our children...but not too long to where the missing turned to guilt;)  Our kids did well in our absence, thanks to my in laws!

I am just so thankful to still enjoy spending time with my husband.  We have fun together and we can just be...he's a gift! 

I have long been aware that I have a fear of snakes, I have learned this week, that I also am not so comfortable around large lizards.  When I was absorbed in my book, Marc noticed a little friend who came to share my shade.  Instead of freaking me out (wise use of restraint on his part), he calmly said, "Kim, don't freak out- just look to your left."  Um...creeped out doesn't begin to describe my internal angst.

The favorite part of our trip was our "adventure day".  We wanted to take some time to do something we couldn't do if we had kids in tow.  It was really fun to laugh together and conquer fear.



Before the zipline the stop you for this photo opp...cool picture, but know what?  I don't like birds so much either.  This made me want to vomit;)

My Tarzan

(unfortunately there is no photographic proof but I did one zipline hanging upside down; I did it solely because I knew Marc would be impressed that I overcame fear and I didn't want to later regret fear stopping me from the full experience. I much preferred upright ziplining, but I was glad I did it...I felt impressed with myself;)

Next, was off-roading in these crazy vehicles...Marc made the mistake of driving first.  He thought it funny to get me a little muddy.  Later, he learned the joke was on him...I love a good dose of mud, but nothing better than terrifying your husband with your driving.  My antics made his seat belt pop open and I think he must have said, "Seriously, Kim, you are going to flip this thing." a dozen times.  Someone forgot that when we offr-oaded years ago in Alaska...my jeep was by far the muddiest at the end;)

  

Spa mud bath or off-roading?  off-roading any day for me;)

The final stop was a visit to swim in this Cenote.  It was BEAUTIFUL and so refreshing...not to mention a great was to wash off the mud;)

Cheers to an amazing get away...I am so thankful for time alone with my very best friend and the time we spent together with the One who holds our family together. 

Why do I blog?

My blog is unsearchable (supposedly anyway).  I have been told it's hard to find when someone forgets the web address.  I have been asked why I don't make it searchable.  I've been told I am a good writer, that I am funny, or that I have something to share with the world.  I have been encouraged to make it MORE.  I have been asked if I ever considered really investing in this and making some money off blogging.

First, I think we all have something to share with the world.  Second, I am only funny in certain moods; yes, I have many moods.  I have even been known to show up as a melancholy (GASP!) on personality profiles.  I love to write, but whether or not I am good at it depends on whose reading it and how quiet/peaceful it is when I am typing.

I began bloggin because I found that with children afoot my journal was getting neglected.  I love to ponder things in my heart and tuck little memories away.  The problem is that life with young children (at least the vivacious, high energy kind we tend to produce) means living in a constant state of controlled chaos.  There is very little quiet and often when quiet hits, I am usually too tired to pick up a pen and process.  For some reason (I am convinced it uses a different part of my brain), I am able to type in the chaos.  I cannot journal when it is noisy or busy.  I need stillness; I need coziness and perhaps a cup of tea to curl up with my trusted journal and pour out my heart.  I try to make time for my old friend every now and then, but I felt like I was missing moments.  I want to remember good times AND bad.  I want to look back and laugh, cry, smile at what our life is today.  I want to look back with gratefulness for what God has brought us through and blessed us with.  I began to blog, because I wanted a record of this time.  This crazy, fleeting period of life that those who've gone before me say to cherish.  Blogging is one way I am attempting to cherish the NOW.

There are various reasons I am unsearchable.  First, I am no conspiracy theorist, but I do think there are far too many Creepers in the world.  I don't want them looking at my kids.   Second, I am a people pleaser.  I have been fighting it for years and definitely have periods of successes and failures, but I know the temptation to blog for others is too great.  I LOVE when people tell me nice things.  But I don't want to find myself in a place where I am trying to be funny or write eloquantly to feed the people pleasing beast that is always tempted to rise within me.  Authenticity is too valuable.   I am weak and I know it, so I'd rather avoid it, unless God showed me something different. 

I also juggle enough in life without adding one more thing that feels like a commitment;)  Could I make money on my blog?  I am really skeptical.  I love my life, but it doesn't seem that extraordinary or interesting.  Still, even the prospect of having to "perform" feels a bit much.  I've recently revamped our menu plan and in the process of looking for pretty templates I could use, I found a ton of blog planning templates.  My first thought was, "Wow!  People PLAN their blogs;)"  No, Thank you!  Don't misunderstand me, I don't think it is wrong AT ALL.  I just can barely keep up with life as I currently know it.  I don't even know where I'd get the mental energy to plan blogs for a week.  I prefer my random ramblings that only those who know me love.  I type fast and in the midst of playing children, most of the time, spelling or grammatical erros often slip through only to be found in a reread three days later or when a friend sends me an email that say, "You crack me up!  You just wrote...."

Maybe someday I'll get on the more official blogging band wagon, but right now, I know this is about all this mama can handle;)  But SINCERE thanks to those of you who are so complementary!!  Those of you who are reading this thinking, "You suck at blogging, who told you differently?"- LOL, thanks for loving me enough to read anyway;)

Bon Voyage!

In a couple days Marc and I are leaving on a jet plane.  I haven't been this excited about something in a long time.  I feel pretty giddy, if I am honest.  It's been a long time since we've had extended time together like this.  We get away for a weekend here and there, but usually it's for a specific reason like a conference or someone's birthday; truth is even when we just plan a night or two away at a nearby hotel, we usually head home on Sunday just about the time we actually are relaxed and rested.  It takes us two days just to realize the kids really aren't around and then it's time to go home;)

We cashed in points and are going to Cancun.  It ended up being the cheapest option cuz I don't think August is a popular time for traveling to Mexico...it is beyond popular to me!  We're going to do some adventuring together and go ziplining, off roading, and swim in a cenote.  We are going to sleep in and read books by the pool.  We are going to sometimes to absolutely nothing but be together.    After the Lord, our marriage is the glue that holds this family together and before we bring home child #4, we thought it would be a good time to take a babymoon of sorts.  Time to just focus on us and on connecting with one another.  I love my husband and CANNOT wait for 5 days with him all to myself.  YIPPEE!!!!

Espesyal Dine Ayisyen

Tonight was a silly supper that was not so silly, but oh so special.  It was our Special Haitian Dinner or in Kreyol, "Espesyal dine Ayisyen".

I picked a few Haitian Recipes to try that I thought might be kid friendly and bought each member of the family a special gift to wear while we are waiting to bring our precious boy home.

Our Menu

Riz National
-Haitian Style Rice and Beans are AMAZING!  (The recipe has bacon in it- how could it possible be bad?;)

Bannann Peze

-Twice fried Green Plantains...like thick potato chips...they are quite nice.

Gateau au Beurre
-Traditional butter cake (contains two cups of butter and 7 eggs...again, guaranteed goodness)

Our center peice was the Haitian Flag and Each placemat was a Haitian Coloring Page.  Each Place had a special gift for the kids and us to wear as a symbol that Christian is with us in our hearts even though the miles between us are long.

Each of the kids got a pendant that is a map of Haiti with a line with Port au Prince (where Christian lives currently) highlighted

I got Marc a funky cuff that says, "Haiti"..but I failed to get a great picture;P

I got a very, very special necklace...I am crazy about it.

That is the silhouette of Haiti with Christians name, the silhouette of the USA with Ava Phin and Chloe and as you can see the center says, "Love has no boundaries."  I love it, love it, love it and can't wait to move from three pieces to two when we bring Christian home and I have his name added to the USA pendant;)

 

Three special kiddos anxiously waiting for their special little brother to take his seat at our Silly Suppers.