Some observations made on our trip...

Blogging has been on the back-burner lately as both Parker and Joel have experienced a terrible flu. One of the things that irritates me the most is when you tell someone you are sick and they immediately ask if is contagious. I always think that is so rude. However, I became that person this week as I was spraying Lysol all over and keeping my distance from my husband. After experience way too many weeks of morning sickness, I wasn't about to start puking again. There was really no way to stay away from Parker because I was the only one who could take care of him. And little kids have no concept of trying not to breathe in other's faces. So far, so good, though...we'll see.

I do have some things to write about regarding our trip. I have a few thoughts; some worth writing and some...maybe not:)

*Why do American women tend to wear bathing suits that are a few sizes too small for them? Just wondering. It seems as though a good 60-70% of women on our cruise decided that smaller was better when it came to their suit and I felt so bad for them. I really wanted to go and have a talk with them about how a well-fitting suit is so much more attractive. Of course, I didn't, and so I'm writing it here. Maybe it is on my mind because I am in a state of growth and very aware of the need to change sizes when needed.

*I don't like flying anymore. Well, it isn't exactly flying that I don't like--I'm not afraid and I used to like the rush of the airport that flying brings. I really just don't like being that close to people for an extended amount of time. We flew a red-eye flight and I was very sensitive to body odors and some extreme cases of bad breath. I also, for the first time, felt very nauseated with each take-off and landing...and we had many.

*My lips were not designed for the Bahamas. For those that know me, you know that I am well-endowed in the lip area:) While I didn't enjoy this feature when I was younger, I appreciate my lips now. But when I'm in sun for a good amount of time, my lips become so sun-burned (even with SPF 40)! And it isn't just a little sunburn. My lips were so fried on our cruise that they swelled up so big overnight that I had a hard time speaking the next morning. Then they went through a few day of intense peeling--very attractive! I guess my Norwegian heritage should have warned me that we fair ones are not meant to endure such strong sun!

*This trip was good for me. I don't think that I realized this, but I was a little burnt out before we left on our trip. I think I was just so tired of trying to keep everything together that I was beginning to be less of a mother, less of a wife, less of me. I had whole days where I didn't think about what I had to fix or what I had to do better. I realized for the first time in a long time what it was to be still and know that God is God and that I am not. How truly refreshing.

Joel and I also needed this extended time of being just us without Parker. I'm not sure if we had forgotten what it was like because it felt totally normal, but very special. We reconnected and reflected on the past few years and how we're so glad they're over! It was fun to be silly and without responsibilities. We went on dates, slept in, stayed up late...things that we don't do as often now. We want to do trips without kids much more often and certainly not take this long to take a trip without the next baby.

I also really needed this time away from Parker. I missed him but I also had fun doing things that I wanted to do instead of "mama" type of things. I came back refreshed with more patience, more of a sense of humor, more love for Parker, and more love of my role as his mama. I need to take more time for myself, by myself, in order to better appreciate my time with my child(ren). This is one of those things that I read and thought I understood prior to becoming a parent, but I haven't put it into action as much as needed. Parker has, all of the sudden, become cuter, funnier, smarter, and more amazing than ever--all since coming back and even with the flu!

There you have it; my deep thoughts from our cruising adventure! We highly recommend a cruise if you're in need of a no-stress, no-responsibilities, beautiful vacation--which we were!