Vacations

 R and I just booked a trip to Cabo, just the two of us.

Since I've known R, we've had more 'family,' vacations with the kiddos than we have had to ourselves.  There's absolutely nothing wrong with it, and we very much love doing this with the kids because they are making memories that will last them a lifetime.  This is our goal for the kids, but we try to remember to do the same for ourselves too.

Our first vacation, just us, was a month before I moved in.  I didn't have the kids for that Christmas, so he invited me out of town.  He took me to a place he would go with his mom every year, before she passed away from cancer.  Everything was so bright, lit up and full of Christmas.  We had so much fun doing things at the spur of the moment, and the food was so delicious!

Our second vacation we wanted to go somewhere neither of us had been.  I was finally in a healthy financial spot where I could afford to do something I've never done.  R has traveled the world because of his job, and he was able to financially, so this was a treat for me. 

I will never forget the smells or the feeling after we got off the plane.  It was warm, not sticky, and the smell of the flowers will forever be embedded into my senses.  We tried foods from the side of the road and walked through the markets enjoying the sights of locals.  The people were so friendly, I couldn't get over it!  Our first excursion was immediately after we got off the plane and got into our car.  We visited Pearl Harbor, and there will never be words to describe the immediate feeling.  It was so sad and surreal, with every memorial I passed my heart broke.  You could barely hear a whisper in the area, and you could tell people were taking in every bit of information like a sponge.  

Our second, was snorkeling with the sea turtles.  I will admit we messed up the night before, by drinking more than we should have.  I was able to enjoy the first half of the adventure, but after I boarded the boat, I almost tossed my cookies.  R went into the water again, while I watched and took photos allowing my stomach to calm down.  I remember the water being so clear you could see 60 feet below us without issues.  A turtle swam right up to him and gave him a scare.  You're not allowed to touch, even on accident so being face to face for him was a big deal.  I was even able to get my first 'travel tattoo.'  It is a sea turtle, in memory of our vacation, as well it's one of his favorite animals.  

This vacation, we are hoping to do some scuba diving.  I'm nervous, simply because I have never done it before.  I think my biggest mental issue is, I'm not a mouth breather.  He said they let us take a class the day before and the next, once you're in the water you just forget the fear.  I think that's what we will do. I'm actually really excited.  We planned the days so we can relax, play, relax and play.  The night before we leave, he's adamant on a sunset cruise for us.  I've been on lake cruises before, but nothing like he's describing to me. 

If we can do an adult vacation once every 2 years, that will be something, and we fill in the gaps with family vacations for the kids.  I think it's healthy, especially if we have the financial ability to do so.  I think every adult couple should do that.  I find myself lucky we are able to do both.  Hawaii, I wanted to end it by taking him to once of the nicest restaurants around the resort, just to soak in what we were able to see.  It was worth it!

Our goal this year with the kiddos, is to take them during Christmas to our first vacation together.  We want them to see the light like you don't see in our area, and do things outside of the town we live in.  They deserve it just as much.