Wednesday, December 26, 2012

The Reflection and a Reflection


I feel like it has been forever since my last post. As you might know, my husband and I took a cruise last week to the Caribbean. It was a trip that had been planned and booked for a year and a half. I was so excited (I even counted down the days when the trip was 80 days away). With a little boy in preschool (and a germ magnet) I even pulled him out of school the week before our trip so that he wouldn't bring any kind of illness home to us. I was so paranoid about being sick for my trip.

I think things happen for a reason. I started feeling ill the Wednesday before we left. I was so mad that I was getting sick despite my every attempt to stay healthy. By Friday (the day we left) I felt horrible. I sat in the airport in Atlanta feeling quite sorry for myself. As I sat at the gate bound for Miami (pouting) I noticed a commotion on the airport TVs. I couldn't really tell what was happening because it was so loud in the terminal so I texted my mom to find out. I learned about the massacre in Connecticut and was completely humbled. I couldn't believe that I had been sitting there, feeling sorry for myself, when so many families were suffering.

I think the shooting put a lot of things in perspective for me, and probably for a lot of people. As a mother to two little boys, I know how frustrating it can be sometimes. I told myself that I would stop being so hard on my sons. Of course I will continue to discipline them, but I won't freak out so much when I see one jump on the couch, or when the 15-month-old unloads every cabinet in the kitchen. I am so lucky to have them. Unfortunately we don't know how long we have on this earth and I plan on taking every moment to cherish my sweet boys.

I did manage to start feeling better mid-way into our trip. I actually spent quite a bit of time reading and relaxing (read 2 whole books!). Here are a few pictures from our trip onboard the beautiful Celebrity Reflection.

Our stateroom
Spent many hours out on the balcony reading
A live tree suspended between two elevators

A little cabana out on the lawn of the ship

Pulling into port next to a few cruise ships

The area where we swam in St. Thomas

Sailboats in St. Thomas

I'm so glad that we had a chance to get away but nothing beats coming home to my two excited little boys. I hope you guys have a fabulous day!





14 comments:

  1. I'm glad you started feeling better and were able to enjoy your trip!

    I think the shooting taught everyone the lesson that life can be so short and we should cherish every moment.

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart

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  2. I'm so sorry you were sick, but glad you started to feel better and enjoyed the trip! My heart breaks for the CT shooting victims.

    xx Amy

    Leopard and Lillies

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  3. Oh no! I'm glad you started to feel better during the trip and could enjoy it! That elevator looks awesome! I'm still so sad about the CT shooting- it's hard to just forget about it.

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  4. Wow, Amy.. that looks like a great vacay! I've never been to the Caribbean before. I heard anyway that St Thomas is absolutely gorgeous!

    Kisses and hugs from :
    MRS JACK OF ALL TRADES DAILY
    http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.com/

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  5. glad you started feeling better and wow, what beautiful scenery
    brett

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  6. Gorgeous photos. Looks like you had a good time!

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  7. Thank you for your comment on my blog, Amy! your pictures are amazing and you must have spend a lovely trip on this cruise.Kisses:)

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  8. Wow that place looks like heaven!

    Win a L'Oreal Mascara: >> GIVEAWAY <<
    milna89.blogspot.com

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  9. What gorgeous pictures! Looks like a great trip! I'm glad that you didn't stay sick the whole time!

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  10. It looks like a beautiful group, and I'm glad you ended up feeling better. It's amazing how humbling it can be when we compare out "tragedies" to others, who are far more real. Great reminder today.
    Ginny
    mynewfavoriteoutfit.blogspot.com

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  11. Girl, I hear ya. We sometimes get caught up in the little things and forget how blessed we are. I am so glad you ended up feeling better. The cruise looked amazing...I need some water and sun in my life. Is it too early to be wishing for warm weather again?? Hope you guys had Merry Christmas!!

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  12. Much love and prayers for what happened in Connecticut, though far apart, the world feels in unison. A lesson to count our blessings delicately, take each day joyfully, keep giving generously & stay strong...,stronger together for one another. Have a wonderful year ahead Amy :)

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  13. oh no!!! so sorry you got sick for your trip. i did the SAME thing before xmas...took EVERY precaution so my toddler wouldn't get sick. so of course, days before our 12 hr road trip...he got sick. =( but it ended up being a great time anyway. your cruise ship looks like it was amazing...i've only gone on a carnival cruise to mexico...this one looks so much nicer! i would be out at that cabana all.the.time. =)and how amazing is ziplining, right??? =)

    xoxo, jenn
    the stylish housewife

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