A Weekend Away

Just like last deployment, one of my goals is to have one fun thing to look forward to each month.  It doesn't matter how small (like a pedicure), or how big (a week long trip to Cali)- I am going to stay busy!

Even though the boy is only away training, I still wanted to do my best to keep busy while he was away.  Lucky for me, one of my closest and oldest friends is pregnant with twins- so  I got to head home this past weekend for her baby shower.  

Now, for those that know me- bridal showers and baby showers don't necessarily rank very high on my list of favorite things.  But when it means that I get to see some of my favorite ladies... I am all about it.

 It was so wonderful to be able to spend even a little bit of time with my "sisters".  We don't get to see each other as often as I would like, and I miss them terribly.  I was reminded again though what an amazing support system I have- each of these ladies has a LOT on their plate- but they were quick to ask how I was doing, and how the boy was doing.  I can't tell you how much that meant to me.


I also got to show off my crafty side... I made some diaper cakes for the shower.  (I'm really quite proud of how these turned out- I surprised myself!)

 My favorite part of the weekend though was getting to spend time with my sister and my sweet little niece.  Emma is 8 weeks old now, and she's already changed so much since I saw her at Christmas.  I was happy (for selfish reasons) that my sister and niece were at home all weekend.  It's rare that I get to spend that much time with my sister- and when we were getting ready for the shower, I felt like I was in high school again, as she was bugging me to borrow my makeup and some random hair products I brought with me. It was actually pretty fun!

I got to snuggle a lot with this little lady:

 
And I loved every second of it.  Having Emma around now definitely makes it harder to leave PA.... I wish I was much much closer to home so I could see her every day.  (I'm secretly still hoping for orders close to home once this deployment is behind us.)

So, Mission Stay Busy was a success for the month of training.  Stay tuned for more deployment adventures.... anybody want to come visit?? I make a GREAT tour guide!! :)

Everything's better when you're cruising!

For as long as I can remember, my family and I have ALWAYS gone on a summer vacation. 

I'm a lucky, lucky girl to be able to say that.  We went to Myrtle Beach, Boston, Washington DC, Florida.... turns out, many of those trips were planned around our curriculum at school.  I guess that's what happens when your mom is a teacher... you are tricked into learning. (Again, I'm not complaining!)

Last summer, we went to visit Mickey.  Let me tell you, I'm pretty sure I had more fun there as an adult than I ever did when I was a kid.

Here we are with Mickey!

                                                                  


So last year, while we were still on our Disney family vacation, we decided that we absolutely HAD to go on a cruise together next year- just the six of us.  My parents, my sister Liz, her boyfriend Brian, Randy, and myself.  My parents had cruised 2 other times before, and my sister and I had always been incredibly jealous.  So, a Carnival cruise it was!!  

Now we Sedlaks are some planners. Or control freaks, either one.  I think planners sounds better though.  ;)

Practically as soon as we got home from Disney, we began our research.  (This mostly involves my dad doing the legwork, and the rest of us approving his plans.  He pretty much rocks.)  Every time the six of us were together, ALL we talked about was cruising.  I'm pretty sure we were unbearable to be around- I apologize to those who had to hear about our cruise far too much.....

On August 7th, our cruising adventure began.  We made stops in Half Moon Cay, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, and my all time favorite, Grand Turk.

Does it get any better than this?

  Nope, it really doesn't.  My dad found out about this amazing little bar called Jack's Shack.  There was food, drinks, chairs, music, and the bluest water I have ever seen in my life.  And to spend an afternoon on the beach with truly the most important people in my life was just priceless.

(And to do a shot of rum on the beach with your parents-also priceless!)

If you've never been cruising, I highly recommend it.  There's just nothing else like it.  We rode Segways, we had our own private beach cabana, we had the craziest, most out of control tour of St. Thomas- and that was just in port!  We played Bingo, went clubbing, listened to comedians, danced through the dining room at dinnertime, and I read a book surrounded by nothing but ocean.  We were so excited about our cruise that we actually put our deposit down for the next one while we were still on ship. 

Which brings me to my next, most important point.  

Exactly ONE year from tomorrow, we will be cruising again, and I just cannot wait! 

This time, it will be a post-deployment celebration cruise.  My family will all be there, as well as our closest friends.  I just can't wait to share this amazing experience with everyone.  Grand Turk won't know what hit them! ;)

And so the countdown begins- 366 days until we are cruising on the Carnival Miracle!