Vacation mini golf game

The vacation is never complete without a competitive mini golf game.  The stakes were discussed and set as always and the game began with anticipation.  Some of us played around, some were looking at the boys on the next green, and then there were the ones who took the game seriously.  I won't share who the most competitive were!  lol  But the game was fun, enjoyable, and for some reason I found out that the winner bought Dairy Queen after.  What was up with that?  lol

Jacksonville Beach

 

 

While making plans 2 days before we left for vacation, I changed the beach we were going to visit.  I found this place called Jacksonville beach which I had never visited before.  Some here had reservations about going to a place unknown to us, but I am always one for seeing new adventures.  Thus, being the plan maker, that's where we were going.  It ended up that we loved this place with the beautiful beach and the laid back atmosphere that was much needed after fighting the crowds of Disney.  We went to some seafood restaurants that had mouth watering fresh seafood.     We spent the day on the beach and much of it for me was swimming in the water and playing in the waves.  It was so refreshing that I didn't want to leave.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 I walked the beach, listened to the roar of the waves and dreamed of having a place on the water so I could be out in a boat anytime I wanted.  I  buried my feet in the hot sand and it felt good to play.  I sat at the edge of the water with my eyes closed and just listened to my surroundings and felt at peace.  This was just what I needed.  :)

 

 

After we left Orlando, we spent some time touring St. Augustine.  This is the nation's oldest city first sighted by Don Juan Ponce De Leon who claimed the land for Spain.  It was founded 42 years before the first colony in Jamestown, Virginia which makes this the oldest permanent European settlement in North America.  We  saw the old narrow streets of long ago and the buildings of that time and took the trolley guided tour to get the most out of seeing this city. 

 

We visited and did the wine tasting tour of  San Sebastian Winery and brought back a selection of wine that appealed to us.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument stood out for me during this tour.  I spent time inside and out learning the rich history of this oldest masonry fort in the US.  It is a great view from on top looking out onto the land and water.  We also fell upon the reenactment taking place at that time of firing a canon out into the water.  From there we wrapped up the day visiting St. Augustine's lighthouse, but I couldn't persuade the crew to climbed the 219 stairs to the top!  At that point exhaustion had crept in and climbing into bed was the only thing on their mind!!

Universal Studios - Island of Adventure

 

 

 

Universal's Island of Adventure was a lot of fun.  From the Hulk coaster to the  water rides which had us soaking wet, this park kept us busy all day long. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, the lines were long.  About a 90 minute wait for the rides, but it was well worth it in my book.  I love going to the parks and seeing everything that can be seen.  I think my favorite was the 3D Spiderman! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We stayed at a hotel right there at Universal.  It was nice after a long day of walking to just be able to crash as soon as we were done.   Can't wait to go back!!

Vacation

"You can discover more about a person in an hour of play,
than in a year of conversation." - Plato

Our first day of vacation was spent at Blizzard Beach in Disney World.  We stayed from morning till night and had a blast going on all the water slides. My favorite was the last ride where I was in a covered tube the whole way down. I screamed from when I entered it until I was plopped in the water at the bottom.  It had taken me by surprise because I didn't expect it to be so dark.  Needless to say, I loved it.  Kid at heart?  Definitely!   :)

Trip

 

Another trip tomorrow!!    Sometimes it feels as though I need to get away and often think of this place in Key West that I visited last year, where looking out across the water I felt a sense of adventure that I long for.
So,  I will look forward to a  week of enjoyment, relaxation, wonder and most of all quality time spent with my kids.  I will return with lots of pictures!  Bon voyage!!  

PLAIN TRUTH

 

"If your afraid of everyone leaving you, what do you do?" 
"Make them stay"
"And if you can't do that, or don't know how to?"
You leave first, so you don't have to watch them walk away."  

"Just because you love someone doesn't mean the Lord has it in His plan for you to be together."  
PLAIN TRUTH  by Jodi Picoult  

This was the latest book that I read and a good one I would say. The passages that I have here in my entry were ones that stood out to me .  It kept my interest from beginning to end.  I found myself engrossed in the characters and understanding each one and their reason for acting the way they did. The setting was the all familiar Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in Amish country.  This story tells of the complex choices that the heart has to make.  Choices that sometimes seem unlikely, but are heartfelt. 

Notre Dame University

 

Below is Kelly's speech that she wrote after spending a week at Notre Dame University for a leadership program.  This is only a small part of what she wanted to share.  She was sent from our church to represent the teens from our parish.  I continue learning from my children every day.   
"True courage is not the absence of fear, but the absence of self."  My name is Kelly and this past week I learned what true courage really is.  Along with 3 other teens from this church and 500 nationally, I had the privilege of attending the Life Teen Youth Leadership Conference at Notre Dame University.  We spent a week on the beautiful campus learning more about what it really means to be catholic.  By the end of the week I had so much more knowledge about our catholic faith and the desire to share it with anyone and everyone.  But most importantly,  I realized that the youth of the church is responsible for the future of the church.  With this responsibility, I encourage everyone to learn a little more about their faith.  But most of all,  embrace all of the wonderful teens of this parish because we are the future.

Sky blue

 

 

"Promptly prepare a provision of taffeta and ropes, and you will see one of the most incredible things in the world"
Joseph Montgolfier of the Montgolfier Brothers - Hot Air balloon inventors

The sky has been beautiful as of late.  Big puffy clouds have been set against the summer blue sky in what makes for a spectacular dream.  It is days like this that catches my eye as I do my morning walks.  They are as splendid as flying above the clouds and looking down to what seems like puffs of cotton laying in the sky.  How lucky I am to see and notice such beauty. 

Swim Team

Here's Daniel holding his trophy from this season's swim team. They did great this summer and were league champs.  Daniel enjoyed the swim meets and also receiving the placement ribbons that went along with it.  He had lots of fun swimming with his friends and is thinking of joining another team that swims year round.  Way to go Daniel!!

 

 

Sometimes tenderness comes from pain
when love has shown it's way to others
While forgiving those who sent you that way  

That love is kindness... without boundaries,
and always a welcome blessing
that gets you through
while struggling
And never leaving your side