It is my hope that we have
started a new family tradition… spending the month of July together as a family
in Florida. What started out as a month long getaway to rest and relax has
turned into one of the most meaningful bonding experiences our family of three
has ever had. I have come to realize that getting away from it all and focusing
on one another is nearly impossible in the busy world we all live in and I am
so thankful for this time. From the 90 consecutive meals we have eaten together
to the 21 (and counting) trips to the pool, it has been an experience J.
I have to admit that there have
been more than a few moments when I have felt guilty for being gone so long. You
get a strange look (or two) when you tell someone “I will be gone the month of
July” and at first I felt the need to apologize. But over the last 23 days I
have come to realize that no apology is needed. You don’t get a do-over when it
comes to raising your family and spending this time together is something I can
pray continues for at least the next 20 years.
With baby #2 set to arrive in
October, we have been able to spend some much needed time with Ford and it is
hard to believe that this will be our only summer excursion of this nature as a
family of three. Putting everything else aside isn’t always the easiest and I
can only imagine how big of a sell “Florida in July” will be when our children
are teenagers. But until then, I am
going to fight for this family tradition and keep my fingers crossed that we
can continue to make it happen.
Going home next week will be
tough, but we will be leaving excited about July 2014 and our family of four!
Fourth of July in Perdido Key
Ford the Fireman... hat compliments of the awesome Perdido Key Firemen
