Spring Break is Upon Us

 

Emily left yesterday. By car, with her girlfriends, for her last SPRING BREAK, to Florida. Ironically, she is heading to Daytona Beach, Florida, home of her Mom & Dad's last Spring Breaks of youth. I got a text about an hour ago saying they are in Florida now. 

Annie left this morning at 5am. Hubby took her to the airport, where she and girlfriends are flying to South Padre Island, Texas. The ironic thing here, is I use to go to SP as a child, with my Grandparents. I had a Great-Aunt that owned condominiums in this little vacation town. Annie texted me a few minutes ago to let me know she is in Chicago, her stop & plane change, to head on down to Texas.

My sweet girls still text me, giving me piece of mind, when they are here or there. I got texts from Emily as she crossed into Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and finally Florida.

They both yearn for the ocean air. This they get from their Dad. He craves it as well. They will brown their skin, Emily's hair will poof, and they will soak in the sun. They have loved it since they were babies. They come alive on the beaches. 

Emily's first trip to the beach, she was just 16 months old.  I was pregnant with Annie. We have gone just about every year since then. When you live inland in the middle of nowhere, you crave the warmth and beauty of the sea.  {Personally, I could be happy anywhere, as long as I have loved ones!}

The tiny flip flops in the picture are the girls first pair {hand me down for Annie}. I discovered them recently while starting my baby clothes project. They are so tiny! And were worn so much!

I sit here anxiously waiting for Emily's text that they safely arrived in Daytona Beach, and Annie's text that she has safely arrived to South Padre Island {Annie will have to take an hour shuttle from the airport to SP, once she arrives}. I am grateful they have this opportunity. Worried, as any Momma, but my girls are smart, and they are good girls. But still I worry. They deserve the break, a week to put the school stress out of mind. To have some fun, and to make some memories.

But, I'm gonna worry till they are home safe and sound!

"Cross Check & Call Forward"

That is one of my Besties favorite sayings. Too her that means, 'vacation time has begun".

Today, my Husband got to hear those words.

He boarded a plane with one of his "Besties" and headed for a vacation. A well earned vacation. A first in many years. His last "fun time" trip was five years, and even that was a family trip. The last "guy trip" has to have been more than seven years ago for a ski trip. This will be an adventure that I hope will give him some wonderful memories and stories to tell.

He and this Bestie have traveled these parts together before... some 30 years ago, when they were about the same age as their children are today.

Sergio's Bestie, Brian, and he have truly been friends forever. They are brothers even though not by blood. They have been there for each other through thick and thin. Seen each other through good and bad. And enjoyed their friendship along the way.

Today, Sergio packed up his gear, and together with Brian, B's son & son's friend, and headed out West to Arizona. A "roughing it trip". Tents, backpacks and all.
{Ew.. so glad he has a buddy to do this with!}

I know they are tough guys. But where they are going... out in what we call virgin territory. No people, no communications (even with cells..I would freak!), they are really roughing it in my opinion.
Oh yeah, and lets not to forget, "The Mountain Lions, Black Bears, & Bobcats! Oh My!" The Scorpions and snakes are also plentiful. How lovely indeed.

On a positive note, his Bestie, Brian, is also his Doctor. That makes me feel tons better. Brian knows my husband even better than me. I trust him to not allow Sergio to push himself. They have two 21 year old's to help them out, carry the heavy stuff, and listen to a couple of old men talk about the good ole days!

One more thought: As you know, Arizona has been in the news much about the new Illegal Alien Law. The importance of having "proof of citizenship". It has been targeted at the Hispanics. As most of you know, Sergio is Mexican. Born in Monterrey, and came here at a few weeks. (His parents and siblings were already living in Detroit, however, his Mother traveled back to have her children born in Monterrey )how ironic that so many people travel to American just to HAVE their babies born here today). He has been a citizen since he was 18. ANYWAY~ He has been waiting for his Passport to be renewed. It should arrive any day... it did not arrive yet. He was slightly panicking looking for his citizenship papers the other evening. I don't believe they were found {I am ashamed to say, some things were not unpacked when we moved in September, and some things are misplaced}. I am hoping that in a few days, my tired ragged husband with his scruffy beard, dirty sunburned body and his equally tired rugged friend, don't look suspicious with a couple of young men out in the middle of nowhere! IT could be a different point of view for a different person! Let's hope I don't get a call that they have been "DETAINED". LOL

Handsome Hubby!

This is one of my favorite photos of Sergio. I love the look in his eyes and the smile on his face.

It was taken a few of years ago at South Beach, Florida. Sergio & I took a weekend trip, just the two of us.

It was wonderful.

We haven't had an opportunity to get away since, and we could use a little R & R trip like this. It was the most stress-free vacation ever. Currently, we are both about as stressed out as one can get. We have alot on our plates.

Soon, all of this will pass. We will survive. We will have opportunities to take such trips again.

I anxiously look forward to those "ahhh" days.

ps... isn't he handsome (-8

Spring Break '09 ...part 2

The baby just landed in Fort Myers Florida for "Seniors Spring Break 2009".
This photo was taken one of their last mornings from last years "Junior trip". (Annie's in the navy blue top in the center). Some of these kids will be together again this year, while others choose to go to Panama City, and Cancun. Although, Annie's group has a small group of parents going to the same place, this year our little eighteen year olds are on their own. Annie is sharing a room with three other friends, in one of the only hotels that allow under 25 year olds. Her sister stayed here her senior year. Trust me, not family friendly. LOUD, several wildies, oh and it is LOUD! Several of Annie's friends will be here. In fact it is strange how they all want to be together. Get away from a small town to join all those small town friends in another city. hmmm.

Anyway, I just got the text that they landed the plane safely. These four kids are good kids, They all need this break. Two are top athletics that will most likely get promising scholarships to play in college. Annie is a promising journalist with scholarships on the line. And all four of them are honor roll students. They have good heads on their shoulders and should be able to stay out of trouble. We have drilled the rules into them and worry more about someone coming to their room with trouble than them getting into some. The parentla chaperone has a key and told them she is not afraid to use it.

I said that they are eighteen, We have had our opportunity to raise them the best we could and install good sound morals and common sense. Now it is up to them to prove to us what I already believe. I am not worried about Annie making a bad decision. I worry about the regular stuff. The freak that may run across them or something of that nature.

I just hope that Annie has a wonderful fun filled memory packed week. Beautiful weather every day. And belly laughs that make you snort!

Spring Break '09 (part 1)

Well, my oldest Baby Girl (Ms Emily), has safely arrived at her destination in CrazyLand. She, and five friends loaded up the Tahoe and left this morning around 2:30am bound for Panama City Beach, Florida.

Emily, her two roommates Elle & Dana, her Little Sister (Chi-O) Taylor, AND Tony (a lifer from way back Junior high), and Taylor (guy Taylor, not to be mistaken for gal Taylor mentioned above) another cutie patuie college buddy.

Emily has been very fortunate to go to "Spring Break" alot over the years. Junior high, High School and now a second year in College. She has had a lot of fun... and a lot of drama over these trips. This year, she pretty much hand selected these friends to go with, stay with, and make memories with.

Last night when I got home from work at midnight, these six 20-21 year olds were hanging around the living room watching ET and playing...The Barbie board game! Patiently waiting for time to pass so they could get on the road. Cracked me up. I made a comment about the choice of movie and a board game, Taylor (the guy) said, "Yeah, we have gone back to 1994" Personal, I love that they were gathered around laughing and giddy. ET, Barbie, that is okay, anything that makes them have fun.

The kids are excited for some well deserved sun and fun. I reminded the two guys to take care of these four girls and to protect them. Then I added, maybe the girls could protect the guys. They are great friends. They will make great memories this week.

I pray for their safety. After all, they are at Crazyland (have you ever been there during Spring Break? Seriously!) I reminded them to stick together and don't forget the BUDDY SYSTEM at all times!

Lost Tribe in Brazil

This story was in the news a few weeks back. Proof of tribes that have had no communication with civilization, and that there existence was in danger because of farming of the rain forest. There were about five photos to this story. They scared me and freaked me out for several days. It was straight out of a movie.

Turns out part of the story was fabricated. They are real Tribal people, but they have been known about and we have had somewhat contact. The reported wanted to take these pictures and try to help protect them, as well as other Tribes.

Still freaks me out. It is creepy knowing that people live like that today. I am such a chicken, this is why I have no desire to go travel to beautiful countries and "explore". Give me a nice little Hotel, with lots of people. Preferably in the good ole' USA. Plenty of gorgeous places I have yet to go right here.

Sergio & I saw a movie earlier this year. It was of a weird tribal type people and had no English, few words at all. It was about a tribe that was attacked and the journey of the men that tried to survive. I can't remember the name, something weird and hard to pronounce. Really scary, I hated it. I still have nightmares.