Charleston South Carolina ... the first part of our end of the summer trip.

We decided to road trip to the Jersey Shore (more on the road tripping part later).  On the way up we planned to stop in Charleston for an evening and the following full day.  Charleston is simply beautiful and loved the historical aspect of it.  We had great pizza, shopped the outdoor market, enjoyed fountain play on the river, took a horse and carriage ride, ate amazing food and DESSERTS at Jestine's and plain and simple had a fun and jam packed day and a half.  We got up the following morning and continued our trek to the Jersey Shore.

The first day (approximately 8 hours) of driving to Charleston was a little difficult for the kids.  It took about 4-5 hours for them to adjust to driving in the car.  We made stops, we stopped for lunch, but they just wanted to get there.  Needless to say, the second day of our driving (after Charleston) we decided that we would turn in the rent a car in Jersey and booked flights to get home.  Something tells me that just made our vacation that much better in Jersey knowing we didn't have to drive home.

A day at the Miami Seaquarium

Wow, was it hot there today! We tried to push through it, but it wasn't easy.  We watched the shows,  walked around a bit, had some lunch and then an ice cream. We couldn't handle more than the 3 hours that we were there.  Regardless of the unbearable heat, we had a great day with great friends!

Celebrating 11 years of marriage ...

"True love never dies, it only gets stronger with time".

(I write this with the intention of my children reading this at a point in life where it means something to them)

What is important in a marriage? Is it the love that you have for each other, is it the respect that you have for each other, is it the give and the take, is it the simple beauty in just enjoying the everyday ... whatever that everyday may bring.

As I celebrate 11 years of marriage today, I reflect.  I reflect in the middle of getting meals and snacks, of wiping a little 3 year old bottom, drying a few tears, breaking up a few arguments, claiming a few hugs, and fixing a few boo boo's.  I reflect in a sea of the needs of 3 young children.

What is marriage or at least my marriage.  It's a marriage full of joy, full of adventures and lots of love.  It's a marriage of disagreements and negotiations.  It's a marriage of strength and growth at the same time.  It's also a marriage that experiences setbacks and milestones.  It's a marriage that may not be perfect but more than perfect for me.  It's a marriage of inspiring moments that make it all worthwhile.

I've learned after 11 years that you define your marriage! Your marriage is what the TWO of you put into it.  The TWO of you, not the one of you.  It's taking and being given what you need, it's accepting the more than you need, it's giving back the way more than you ever thought you could.  It's the balance of making your children your priority and still making your spouse a priority as well.
It's the not changing of  yourself but evolving as your life changes, as your marriage changes, grows and transitions through different stages.

Speak up, express your feelings, communicate well, love like there is no tomorrow and watch your marriage grow.

A beach play date ...

While the big sisters were at tennis camp, we hit the beach club with the little siblings.  We had a great morning of fun and sun.  The boys and Angelina ... poor Angelina is so tough around these boys.  They built sand castles, threw a little sand at each other, and ran from the waves.  After a few hours of beach and pool play and some lunch we made it out just in time before the rain hit.

Oh no, this could get interesting!

So I walked into the playroom and look what I saw! Carli has agreed to face paint Gavin's face.  He requested Batman.  Not sure how this one is going to turn out.