Pete called me January 2nd on my way back from taking Peter to the foot doctor in Charlotte. I had been so sick the night before that I was not sure I could make the trip to take him, but it was too late to cancel. So my dad went with us in case I could not go in. On our way back, I felt a little better but was happy to almost be home. He was surprised when he told me he had been offered a free cruise at work and I did not act extremely excited! I was not excited about ANYTHING that day. But as I felt better, I was so excited. Until I realized that Andrew could not go...nor Peter. Then I began to feel pulled and very worried. I prayed about it, and friends and family encouraged us to go on. So I began to plan...
I left phone numbers with everyone I could think of who may need them - teachers, professors, friends, family, etc. I shared phone numbers with people who were probably wondering why I thought they may need them! But everyone was gracious and helpful and encouraging. My parents insisted on coming to stay the week at my house, so that helped a lot. Still, I was worried that no one here would be on high alert for Andrew as it seems I always am.
We took off last Saturday morning for Florida. We had planned to go Friday night and spend Saturday at Disney World with our other child I am always on high alert for. He has wanted to go back to "Mickey Mouse's House", and I think he should be able to go - with all he goes through. But after fighting over Andrew's seizure medicine with our insurance company for two days straight (again...), I was exhausted and behind in my packing and preparing. Sam said he was fine with stopping somewhere like Chuck E. Cheese because Chuck E. was fun too! Bless his little heart (which makes me want to take him to WDW even more before he gets much older!).
We stopped at Chuck E. Cheese in South Carolina at lunch time on a Saturday. This one was small and had about five birthday parties going on and did NOT have one single Pac Man game! Pete and Will blasted all of the records on basketball while Sam came to me for more coins to play more games. He had a great 1 1/2 hours. I wish I had brought a book, but I enjoyed watching the boys play basketball and Sam running around oblivious to the big crowds which usually overwhelm him.
We got to Jacksonville to find the "hot pool" was not working - or was working with cold water. Oh well. We got up Sunday morning to go to church and hear a pastor Pete works with quite a bit over the phone but had never met in person. Great service and great music. We sat upstairs at Sam's request and ended up sitting where someone signs the service. Everyone was very friendly and happy that we were there. We were invited to lunch but ended up going to Pete's favorite place - The Waffle House - right near our hotel. The hotel was beautiful and had a pool right in the lobby.
One thing I noticed at the hotel was a number of Mennonite couples. They were actually going on the cruise, so it was interesting to me to observe them the whole week. I don't know if any were Amish, but some were definitely dressed more conservatively than the others.
On Monday morning. we took off for the airport. Pete had gone before us to help, so we made a quick trip to Walgreens to kill some time and get a magazine and Sam a small toy (he gets so excited over anything). We also got some chocolate which came in handy later in the week! Then off to the port we went!
We found the port and parked and were greeted by someone to help with our luggage. I made sure we had the luggage tags on each piece and regretted leaving my matching bright ribbon at home. We had luggage tags, but I like to spot all of mine easily together with polka dotted or gingham ribbon. Black suitcases start to look alike when piled together! We got our carry on bags and made it into the port with our ID's, birth certificates, and other paperwork. We were fortunate to get seated at a great time and did not have to wait long to board. In the meantime, Sam turned gray; so I got a snack for him while Will got him some water. He perked back up quickly from a 51.
After boarding the ship, Will helped us get settled at a window table right near the pool but in the shade. I stayed with our bags as Will and Sam went to get something to eat. Tons of people were pouring in, so they were gone a little while. Sam came back with his lunch that Will had gotten him and started eating. Will finally came back, and I dreaded the long line. But Will had gotten TWO lunches and asked me which I wanted! What a great young man. So we sat and ate and people watched. Will took Sam off to explore the ship while we waited to check into our cabin. I read my book - and shared our extra chairs and eventually our table with some people still trying to figure out the process.
We got to our cabin and unpacked just what we thought we would need. By the time Pete got there in early afternoon, we were organized and had our luggage against one wall. We went to our emergency training session and found our muster station and got Sam his ship bracelet. We checked out the water park up on the deck, the putt putt, the walking track, the gym, etc.
Every morning I got up and walked. I walked on the outside track unless the wind was too bad. Then I walked at the gym at the front of the ship on a treadmill with a window looking out onto the ocean with its own TV! Walking goes a lot faster when I am watching a favorite show or on the deck of a moving ship!
We went into Freeport when the ship stopped, but it was not the same as Nassau. We only stayed about 30 minutes and boarded again. On Wednesday, we boarded a boat being tossed around by waves to get to the private island of Half Moon Cay. Someone had told Pete to splurge and get a cabana which helped us be on the first boat over with very little waiting AND have a quiet little place out of the sun but right near the water. We also had the bath house right up behind us! We swam in the clearest, bluest water I have ever seen and saw the whitest, softest sand. We had hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch and stayed all day. It was beautiful. I got to swim and read and watch the parasailing. We also had a group of people right near us who got into the water with all of their clothes on - shoes included- and stayed for long periods of time. They seemed to be having the time of their lives, and I think they may have been Mennonites too. Sam spent his whole day building a ship out of sand and digging the biggest hole he could. My children love to dig holes in the sand! It was a great day, and we returned to the ship with a good tired and a little bit of sunburn!
On Thursday, Valentine's Day, we got off at Nassau. I went "purse shopping" with the best and ended up having a great hour watching how the sellers and buyers interact. I like to keep a pocket book until it wears out. I don't have a closet full of them. And if I pick up one at TJ Maxx that I like, it is always one of the $89.99 ones or more! I was very happy with the one I found and am excited to change from my Vera Bradley that desperately needs a break! I met Pete and the boys at an ice cream store - they had gone to the Straw Market. Pete was happy I finally found my Valentine's Day gift. We headed back to the ship and did not do any other excursions though we heard the aquarium in Atlantis was wonderful.
On Friday, we were to be at sea the whole day returning to Jacksonville sometime during the night or early morning. It was chilly and rainy which does not bother me a bit, but the ship was rocking a little which had really started to get to me. Then we heard an announcement that there was a medical emergency and we would need to port at Port Canaveral. Sam and I went up to the walking track and watched as they took a couple of people off the boat. We had already prayed for them. We stayed out until the ship got going again - it was chilly out there!
We ate breakfast Friday morning in the dining room. We had only gone to the formal dining room a few times, but our waiter knew Sam's name and had picked up on the fact that he is diabetic. He went the extra mile to offer him things not on the menu. He sought us out and said bye to Sam. Sam was excited to tell Peter that "that man knew my name!"
We loaded our car and were happy to see it still the same as we left it. We saw other people excitedly getting out of their cars to begin their cruise! We stopped to get gas and a quick bite to eat, and I drove way into South Carolina before we stopped again. It was hard not to stop at a couple of places that had outlets right off the interstate for my convenience! But I was anxious to get home to Andrew and Peter. We stopped and took another quick break and went on. In Charlotte we hit rain then snow, fog, and ice! Fortunately, 85 South kept moving, and we got off in Gastonia to hit 321. That is when I turned over the keys and decided that Richard Petty was tired. Pete drove us into Hickory where the snow disappeared. We did not see any more until later in the evening!
We got home to some very excited people to see us - mostly Sam, but that is totally okay! While Pete went to clean one of his places (yes, he is crazy sometimes!), I got my stuff all unpacked and started a load of laundry. It began to snow more and more.
I noticed my house was a little brighter than I had left it! The windows are shining. Andrew evidently had his own personal transportation to and from school most days - my dad. I have not figured out all they did yet, but they stocked our fridge. And my mom made my favorite chocolate cake from scratch! We are so thankful they stayed with the boys and did so much with them and for us!
I will write more later on some of the preaching I heard on the ship. Two totally different preachers with two totally different styles gave basically the same message one day on not worrying - that God goes before us and makes a way. The music I listened to was great, but the preaching and teaching really hit home. I came back reminded of things that I needed reminders of! I also wrote down some quotes from one preacher I cannot wait to share with our preacher, but I am pretty sure since they are not his style he cannot use them!
We are very thankful for this mid-winter trip and for the memories we made. And we are so thankful to be home and back together as a family. Thanks for all of the prayers!
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