The Final Countdown

The kids and I are in our final week here in Tampa. We have truly loved our time here! We have been very fortunate to be able to stay for as long as we have. Lots of fun activities and trips as a family. We came at the perfect time of year; not too hot, lots of area activities (hello... Gasparilla, SuperBowl, etc.) and plenty of holidays to spend together as a family.

I cannot believe how resistant I was to come out here at all. I was sure we (the kids and I) would not enjoy it as much as we have and that we would be far too homesick to stay as long as we have. Well, I have gladly been proven wrong. That being said, it will feel good to get home. However, it makes me wonder how many other experiences I have missed out on due to fear. What other decisions or actions did I make in a place resistant to change that prevented me from an event or challenge that would have left me in a better place than I was before? Who can say... I hope to remember this experience when facing changes and try to stay a little more positive about the possibilities.

Swimming class was a big highlight for Isabel. She loved her teacher "Miss Sasha" and discovered a real love of swimming. It is definitely something we will keep up in Cali!

We were here for Christmas, New Year's and Valentine's Day. Very fun. However, our biggest event had to have been our DisneyWorld trip. Very fun, very tiring, and very expensive! Yet, soooo worth the effort! Ava seemed to just be along for the ride, but Isabel really enjoyed her time with the characters and on the rides. She already wants to get on the big roller coasters, which makes mom and dad happy since we enjoy riding them as well. However, she was still pleased with the little ones and now tells me when she eats or does something that seems especially "older" that she is getting bigger to ride the roller coasters. We look forward to our next family trip and the adventure that will be.