Over 35 Years of Miramar Beach

Miramar Beach

This year our family’s over thirty years of vacationing at the grandparents’ condo in Miramar Beach comes to an end. When I got engaged to my husband Alan in 2002, I took my very first trip to Miramar Beach. Alan’s mom, who we call Nonna now, took me to her parents’ condo. We walked on the beach, ate out, went shopping, and had a great time. Nonna’s dad was a contractor. He built these condos in the 1970s. How cool […]

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Weekend Retreat: Dealing with Military Wife PTSD. Is that a thing?

Weekend Retreat: Dealing with Military Wife PTSD. Is that a thing?

This retreat was 100% necessary. It is hard for me to even sit here and describe how desperate I was to get away two weeks ago because I returned fully restored, better than before. I am on the other side of that mental wall of misery now. Life is good and happy again, and I fully mean that. When I packed my bags and left Alan with the boys, I did not even fully grasp why I need this so […]

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The Thrifty and Sunburn Free Trip to Miramar Beach

The Thrifty and Sunburn Free Trip to Miramar Beach

The beach is my favorite place to go in the summer, but it can be expensive and dangerous for a family full of pale skinned people. This year we actually managed to take a thrifty trip to Miramar Beach without getting sun-burned! Alan and I are always dreaming up fun things to do together as a family, and our efforts are often met with …….resistence. One of our fellas actually lamented, “I don’t want to go to the beach. I […]

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Day 2: Partying with Mickey Mouse and Pals at Epcot

DAY 2: EPCOT CENTER JD was a little disappointed when he met Bay Max. He had it in his head that he was going to get to “put Baymax’s stuff on him.” Translation: JD wanted to dress Bay Max in his red armor, but they told him to please not touch anything. Ha! For most people, Epcot is all about touring the different countries, but for us it was all about 2 things. #1. Hanging out with our friends and […]

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Disney World’s Animal Kingdom with Toddlers

Day 2, January 2009 Animal Kingdom was the most important park of all to Joshua, who was still in his obsessed-with-animals phase. Our trip was a lot about the ducks and the water. You just can’t pick your kids’ interests. Some boys are fascinated with trains or tractors. Joshua LOVES animals and the water. We think he may be a Navy captain one day. Day 2: The Animal Kingdom The Animal kingdom was obviously highly anticipated by Joshua. This boy […]

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10 Reasons to Go to Destin this Summer

I have talked to many of you, over the years, of the many reasons for my love for Destin, Florida. And I got to go there this year for the first time since 2012. Wahoo!!! In fact, I went twice! So without further ado, allow me to explain: 10 Reasons why I love Destin, Florida so much: #1. There is SO MUCH to do! Even if you just go from pool to beach, pool to beach, with outings for food, […]

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Summer Updates: Sunburn, Confessions, & Pictures. This is the rest of the story.

Sometimes I mention things on my blog, and then I never come back and tell you the rest of the story, so today I’m going to just do that. Here’s a little update on things I’ve mentioned, with lots of cute photos thrown in. I told you that we packed up and headed South, but did I mention that Daniel is my #1 packing assistant? He is a hard worker! He’d pack one suitcase with me, and I would want […]

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“No, really I’m from here!” One perfect trip South

I’m so happy to tell you that our flight was a smashing success. JD is now a veteran flyer. He took his very first turn on an ipad on this trip. It kept him occupied for all of like ten minutes. Yes, he insisted on riding the airplane barefoot. He is a boy after my own heart. I will never fully understand you shoe people. 😉 But that’s okay. You can wear your shoes, and we can wiggle our toes […]

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