A lot of pictures instead of a thousand words...

We are back, we had a great time.  We relaxed, ate a lot, laughed a lot, missed the kids a lot, and saw gorgeous islands that some day if I win the lottery I would consider purchasing.  Other than that, I think it's just better to start the slide show, because that is what really tells the story of our vacation.
Oh yes, and a waiter asked if we were on our honeymoon.  Which, obviously, made my year.  If you think we are that young and you can't tell by looking that I have four kids somewhere across the ocean, even if you just want a massive tip... well yes, I am that shallow, and I would tip for a compliment.  Seven day Date: a Success!

Day 1: Crisis averted, I found my sunglasses

Kevin claimed he was just really excited about endless coffee. 

Interesting towel displays every night

View from back of ship during lunch.  I could get used to that

Oh yes we are that fun

Ahoy!  Land!

Waving to the Land.  After 2 sea days, it was exciting

San Juan Port

Really... land!

Old San Juan

Wall along Old San Juan Port

My, "hey there's a cat in there!" face

Cristo Chapel, San Juan

San Juan Cathedral: Second oldest Cathedral in America.  Of course, really cool for us.  You've read my other blogs, correct?

This place was filled with cats!

San Juan Cathedral and my new Coach purse.  Oh how I love Vacation Kevin

If the economy gets bad.....

After considering being a Barrista, we found the court house

Look, it was bankruptcy court! Kevin could move right in.  Then, we smiled our way into a tour of the court house.  Kevin said it was very "Jan Johnson" of me.  (That's a go getter attitude, mom.  It's a compliment!)

Entering St. Marteen Port

Where's the Ship?

Gorgeous Beach. 

St. Marteen

El Presidente es delish!

No beach is complete without a man selling fresh coconuts out of a wheelbarrow.  And his machete

Trying my first sip of real coconut water.  Not super impressed.  But totally worth the $5 to try

We continued our Catholic Tour of the St. Islands, at St Martin 

Statue of St. Martin of Tours, Bishop, 371 - 397 (who Island was thought to be named after by Christopher Columbus)

Dinner on the Ship

Interesting "world tour" restaurant

St. Kitts... On the Left, Atlantic Ocean.  On the Right, Carribbean

This place was unbelievable

Because when you are on a boat, why wouldn't you think about buying a 1,000 watch that comes with it's own bullet proof case? Then again, who tries to shoot a watch? 

Oh yes he did

Safety first

For my Dad.  Always open Dad, Always available

When a chair looks like this, it just makes you pose

In the "nest" .. a level on the ship for reading nooks

Night Lawyer. And of course we act like this in public.  It's only fitting when our kids are gone

Mid ship. 

Weird art all across ship makes for Mitchell's acting weird

 

The Triple B

Zumba.  The Latin inspired dance workout designed to melt off the pounds by shaking ones hips like Shakira in a music video.   I'm sure it works.  I would never do it because I wasn't born with the gyrating gene.  And before you tell the computer screen that I don't have to be a pro to attempt it, because heck, everyone looks foolish,..  Save it.  I'm not going to argue with Shakira. She did say her hips won't lie. But her's were Latin, mine are Irish.    

My beef is not with an honest workout class held in a gym on a cold Midwestern day, filled with middle aged women wearing socks and tennis shoes.  My write up is about Cruise Ship Zumba.  Or as Kevin and I nicknamed... the Triple B's.  Granted, this was all thought up as my face was planted into a lounge chair for 7 days, only looking up for a good laugh at the participants, or because my drink was empty.  But I was subjected it to it twice a day, for seven days, so now, my material feels never ending. 

The "Triple B's," consist of three items that if present while working out, may constitute a true calorie busting activity.  Have one, missing two, your workout still counts.  Include two, and skip the one, it still will trim that waist.  But, if you strapped on your sweat band expecting to relieve your booty of the chocolate brownie downed at breakfast, and you find yourself in a "Triple B" situation.... sorry my friend, this workout is not going to make those jeans any less, Skinny.

As amature cruisers, Kevin and I feel solid in our defining of each "B."  We couldn't tell you about the engine of the ship, or who the lead captain was, but we can definetly let you know if your workout is about to be a collosal failure.  So, if you find yourself with a:
Bikini, Beer, and Barefoot, you have entered into Triple B disaster.  

You see, we thought about it, and any of those B's by themselves could be good for the body.  I've seen tri atheletes in competition, riding bikes or running, in a bikini.  In my days as a one time marathoner, I've been known to throw back a shot of beer offered at the fueling stations.  I've seen beach volleyball players in the Olympics competing in bare feet, and bikini's. 

However.  If you find yourself on a cruise ship, in a strapless bikini, bare footed, with a beer as your source of hydration, then we are sorry to disappoint, but you are not working out, however warm you might become in that Carribbean sun.  You may be giving the fat man in the lounge chair behind you the best thrill of his day; but you are not working out.  You might even be moderately good at imitating the world class (may I add professional) Zumba leader with your skinny pre-child bearing hips, and white girl moves; but still, you are not working out. And if, by some miracle, with all of your intense jumping your strapless bikini top is still hanging on, then you are lucky, but, still not working out.  You are doing something else, but it is not exercise, it is called, clubbing.   

But, the ladies on this boat continue to flock around the leader, and the buffet.  So there's a chance my findings could be incorrect.  All I know is that Zumba, on a cruise ship, or a gym, is just not for me.  There is something that screams high school horror story when I think about dancing in public.  And I would much rather be running in my basement than clubbing mid day.  But it's all the rage.  So maybe some day, if I find myself cruising again, I might just lift my face off of my chair long enough to see someone actually sweating from all of that hip action.  Then I will have to admit, Shakira and her hips, were right all along. 

morning Zumba class

Afternoon Zumba.. bad picture, but so many more bikinis, and beer

Bon Voyage

We are leaving for our first no kid vacation in a very long time in t minus 10 or so days.  To say I am beyond excited is an under-exaggeration.   I am beyond, beyond, excited.  Nothing like getting out of Dodge when Dodge is full of cold and wind and sporadic snow flurries.  Don't get me wrong, I am  sure at some point in my seven day- long date that I will have a crying fest because I miss the kids.  It's a dilemma that all mom's probably face.  You can't live with the noise, but then you can't live without it either.  I might need to find a random kid during vacation and offer to wipe the mouth, hands, and butt, just to feel normal. 

In preparation for the break, I have been gathering up what I call, "Sparkle, sparkle" dresses, perusing multiple websites on the best bathing suits, and even braved a spray tan.  Yes, I have stooped low.  We have also been working on getting the kids manners up to speed, since Grandma Jan is taking a heroic step and staying with the kids, all week long, by herself, at our house, just so Callie can got to school and I'm not put on the Bad Mom's list at school.    Emphasizing simple etiquette, like refraining from touching your brothers face while he eats, using the word Please for any request, and not mentioning poop at any time during dinner, are just the start of training.  

Since our trip consists of a cruise, I am really hoping that I have better luck than the recent cruisers upon the fire damaged Carnival line.  Nothing says, "Are you excited for your vacation?".. than a bunch of news media personalities asking why anyone in the WORLD would EVER consider a cruise in this day and age.  But since we all can't afford to fly ourselves to a private island like they apparently can, we will aim to get the most luxury for our buck, and just pray that an electrical fire doesn't make it all literally, blow up in smoke. 

I will try to take pictures, since my Grams requested them.  But I have a thing about making friends on vacation.  I don't.  So  I will see if I can get Kevin to be brave and ask a stranger to take a picture without having to meet them at the pool later that day.  Call me a vacation introvert, but if your not offering to bring me a towel or a drink, I'd rather not bother.  I prefer to save up my energy so that when I return home, I can once again be all things to every person under the age of 6, including a chef, a maid, a teacher, a doctor, a nurse, a night nurse, a butler, an encourager, and a huge shoulder.  Yep. It's high time for a bit of a break... and because my spray tan is starting to fade, it can't come soon enough. 

Open for Business

I closed the blog because I needed a break.  A break from people looking at my previous entry and making judgements, a break from thinking about what those judgments were, and a break from coming back to the blog with a witty post that would seem as if the previous entry was a blip in the life of an otherwise busy mom who cares about house decor and the latest Gap sale than she does religion.

Don't get me wrong, I really like the Gap. My Banana Luxe card is obvious proof of that.  Yet this change in our lives has been so huge, that it's hard to write about anything else.  With that said, and with full knowledge that anyone who reads this little blog of mine doesn't always approve of, or want to hear about all things "Catholic".. I have decided that I am going to give myself a break and make a compromise.  I wouldn't be the same writer if I had to hide a huge part of my life, but I don't want that huge part to overshadow all of the other great things that I think about, or participate in, with the family.

So my compromise is that once a month I will do a specific post dedicated to what we have been learning spiritually, whether it be about the Catholic faith or personally what God is teaching us at the moment, even if it isn't specifically "Catholic."  If someone doesn't want to read those posts, great.  No harm done.  I will be sure to label the title so that it is clear what the post is about.

As I have said before, I'm not an apologist, so curb your judgements accordingly.  But I have been moved and am being changed to the core by what I have learned.  And because I have been instructed to "always give a reason for the hope that is within me".... I am going to do, just that.

So I am re-opening the blog, for that small dedicated handful of readers.  And I must say, it feels nice to write publicly, again.  Even if eyes are rolling and "there they go again" comments are being said.  But before you can say, "you're an idiot," I will have better posts up about our upcoming cruise and ice skating adventures.  Family time doesn't stop just because I started going to Mass.  And that, is something that I can definitely, continue to write home about.

The Fullness

In my case, neglect of the blog has been purposeful.  We have not been void of fun family time, wonderful extended family Christmases, or daily craziness of snowmen building, sledding, ice skating, cookie making, Lego building, or American Girl hair brushing.  We have been doing it all, I assure you.  Our kids are wonderful, happy kids that although at times need to be "redirected" in some of their actions, they are our greatest joy, hands down.

In my case, the long hiatus from writing has been a direct effect of an increase in my reading.  I have been devouring books of a certain subject matter with a vengeance.  Listening to podcasts, searching the internet, and holding onto my Nook like it is a piece of priceless treasure.  So frankly, I haven't had time. But even more frankly, Kevin and I have been in the midst of a life changing season that we have felt was not appropriate to talk about until we knew what our path would be.

Even now, our decision is not entirely official.  It can't be, for practical reasons, for another year or so.  But I have come to a place where I am confident enough in what I have read and learned, barring a "Saul of Tarsus moment,"  that I feel compelled to write about it here, on a personal blog. 

So here it is.  Kevin and I have looked into, searched, attended, and finally, fallen in love with the Catholic Church and the Catholic Faith.  Over the course of the last several years, we believe that the Lord, through many avenues, has gently led us to the doors of the Church.  And once we braved up and went in, (which took a while), we were confronted and encouraged that the Truth the Catholic Church calls the "Fullness of the Faith," not only existed in the books we were studying, but was alive and powerful within the Church, as well. Basically, in layman's terms, we have read our way into the Catholic church.  Pure and simple.

I won't go through all of the reasons of why we have decided to become Catholic.  If people are truly interested, I would like nothing more than to have a conversation.  But I am not an apologist, and don't pretend to be one.  In fact, it has been such a process that although I am confident, it would be difficult for me to pinpoint exactly what was the final trigger.  It was built upon by many authors, many questions, and many different reasons.  It started with books, and has landed in the beauty of Sunday morning Mass.

To those, like family and close friends who may at the least be surprised, and at worst, angered, I felt like we needed to to address it now rather than later when we enter into full communion, officially.   So I will say this to those that we love, and we care so much for.  We thank you with all that we have for introducing us to Jesus, to the Bible, and a love for Him.  Our childhoods were filled with nothing but the greatest examples of parents, Grandparents, and siblings of the Love of Christ and his Gospel.  And we are not rejecting that.  Our lives have been enriched by what we have found, our marriage has been strengthened, our prayer lives have deepened, and our love for Christianity has multiplied, profoundly.

If not for the peace that I have in Catholicism, I wouldn't wish a conversion on my worst enemy.  Conversions are difficult, incredibly lonely at times, and faith shaking to the core.  Becoming Catholic was definitely not one of my life goals.  In fact, not even on the "maybe, possibility" list.  It just wasn't an option.  Or a thought.   Which is why I am as shocked as anyone else that I am even writing this post.  But then, I believe that if we let Him, God will lead us where He wants, not where we intended to go.

I'm not going to turn my blog into a Catholic apologetics site.  I will quickly get back to the business of kid pictures, fun adventures, and hopefully a vacation sooner, rather than later.  But before that, I wanted to share the greatest joy that I have found in my life of faith.

We love you all, and hope that this can in some way be encouraging. 

"Down Like the Economy"....

Watching election returns with my cell phone and cat pants.  Yes, I have cat pants.

Disappointment is an understatement this morning.  For a political junky like myself, waking up the day after an election that did not go the way I wished, there is no picking up and getting on with life within the first 24 hours.  So today, I will drown myself in like minded viewpoints, rant to Kevin about the craziness of it all, and probably go to bed jealous of those people who care more about bunnies and puppies than politics.  If only for one day I could be blissful and only care about puppies.  That would be nice.

Since that's not possible (and I'm not really a dog lover), I will have to stick to what I know.  And what I know is that last night made me sad.  It made me sad not because I hate women (being one myself), not because I want to see the rich man prosper and the poor man fall, not because I'm a cold hearted Republican who cares nothing for the least of those among us.

Precisely, just the opposite.  I was saddened because, in my opinion, women chose a caricature of themselves over God's given design for them.  They chose to believe a marketing machine who told them their sexual role in society trumps their intellect and unique life giving abilities.  This machine told Americans that wealth is better gained through a central Government, and poverty is solved through handouts rather than missions.   And most of all, I am beyond depressed because the successful campaign who promoted the "little guy," is also the campaign that has, and will, continue to stomp on Life itself.  A President who wouldn't want his daughters "Punished with a baby" is not standing up for the least of these.

But the votes have been tallied, the players have gone home, and thank goodness, I may have cats on my pants, but I still don't have puppies in my house.  Instead, I will put Faith in my God and train up my kids.  Because if I'm going to have any influence to combating the wave of change that is America at the moment, my best shot is my current bus load of kids.   Nothing says, Take America Back, like eight Republican Mitchell eyes staring you in the face.

So move Forward, Republicans.  Just go slowly, and don't forget to take along a friend.  We are definitely going to need more votes next time around.  

Pictures and Presidents

I have been so busy watching stump speeches and counting down the days until the election that the blog has been neglected, but not forgotten.  And so, to assure my Mom and Grams that the kids are, in fact, still enjoying life, and not wondering who the crazy lady yelling at the T.V. is all day... here is a photo smorgasbord of our Fall so far. 
Unfortunately, we don't have any exciting October surprises to report on, but I'm hoping that there will be one huge Surprise come November 7th that MSNBC just didn't see coming.  We are hoping that if things go our way, Kevin may have a side job in the impersonation business.  And we aren't talking Joe Biden, Folks. 

The boys had their pumpkin patch field trip, and Grandma Jan came along to help

Clearly, he enjoyed the tractor ride

Later that weekend... they also turned 4, and we celebrated in style in Grandma De's garage

I made them take our annual "Twin Birthday" shot.  And after a thousand out takes, this is as best as we could do.  Sadly, they weren't the problem... my face wasn't cooperating in most of them.  And after the first 100, we had to add chairs for my arms.  Apparently, Insanity workouts don't keep your arms buff after you stop the program.

The entire family pitched in and helped us get the boys some big boy toys for their presents...

And they have been driving them ever since. 

Unfortunately, putting them away when they are done is not their strong suit. 

So, I channel my inner clown every night at 10pm, and drive them in the garage while Kevin stands by and laughs.  (and takes pictures of my rediculousness)

Making Trains has become huge, again, in our house

Harry is becoming full fledged boy, going after every truck, car, train or motor he can steal away from his brothers

We (Kevin) carved pumpkins with the kids...

And a few days later some teenage smucks smashed them over night.  We spent the next day teaching the kids how to use "stupid" in the correct context, and the second half of the day learning about forgiveness.

He's just into everything he can get to

Trick or Treating night.  We had Jake and Izzy (From Jake and the Neverland Pirates), and for the third year in a row... Tigger.  Because when a kid is comfortable going as a huge bouncing bundle of happiness, you just go with it.

My candy hander outer helper.  And when I wasn't looking, a little side treat for himself.  

 

 And that is our October... from start to end.  I'll be back soon with a post election post.  Because besides looking at pictures of my kids, there's nothing that gets me more excited than a little thing I like to call, the Presidential Election.  Do you know where your polling location is?