I'm Not Too Young to be a Snowbird!!

I shared my rant about winter in my last post so I will spare everyone another, but I do have something to add...With each winter I experience, my desire to become a "snowbird" increases dramatically. This winter in Kentucky has been particularly trying so I've been particularly unpleasant about living where temperatures fluctuate at least 100 degrees between seasons! I, I am sure, was born to be near the sea....a warm sea, no doubt! Obviously, I am not alone as is evident by the philosophy displayed in this sign! My husband understands mostly because it isn't easy to live with me from October (when I start to dread the dead coldness of winter) until April (when the daffodils bloom and I get anxious for long, warm summer days). So recently, in celebration of our upcoming 23rd wedding anniversary; to bare an overly-crowded February work schedule; and to fulfill my migratory longings; he planned a week long trip to the Florida Keys and Sanibel Island....complete with a convertible so I could soak up as much sunshine as possible as we trekked across Florida. Ah...sunshine, blue skies, green trees and 70 degrees!!!! I don't care where we go or what we do...I am just happy to be!! Seven Mile Bridge Sandspur Beach in Bahia Honda State Park...just south of Seven Mile Bridge. Beautiful turquoise waters... Sunset in the Keys... After couple of days enjoying the scenery and too much Key Lime Pie, we traveled across the Everglades. Though the area has a reputation as barren and boring, we found it lovely in its own way and FAR FROM BORING! Birds... and GATORS! We literally saw hundreds of gators along Hwy. 41--no wonder it's called Alligator Alley! After a morning of start and stop driving in order to snap photos of gators, we ate lunch at a local dive with gatorcrows (scarecrows made from gator parts). Randy wasn't impressed with his gatortail sandwich..."tail" should have told that tale! We crossed the causeway to Sanibel just in time to get checked into our hotel, redressed and out the door to the Mad Hatter restaurant. Madison researched and surprised us with dinner reservations there. It was exquisite food and so very special of her to give us such a thoughtful and generous gift for our anniversary. I must say she provided a great venue for us to discuss how proud we are of her (and the other two). :-) The ecclectic little place...and our server's attempt to document our evening as the sun set behind us. (Madison had also requested a table from which we could view the sunset...how sweet). The rest of the week provided ample opportunity to witness sunrises, sunsets, shells, walks on the beach, wildlife, dinner dates and even a movie! Sunrise...why is it when I am at the beach, I don't mind being up, dressed and out by 6:30 a.m.? Sunrise, again! Sanibel Lighthouse Sunset on the beach at the end of Sanibel/Captiva Road. Self-timer :-) Sunrise over Ft. Myers....yes, we are up early AGAIN! Dawn breaking over the shells... Randy spotted this baby starfish one morning. After snapping its photo, we helped it back into the water. Birds of the beach.... Creatures of the sea.... Sunset at Blind Pass... Well, I've realized that snowdays are good for a few things....updating blog posts in a little more detail for one... I hope you enjoy sharing our adventures. I pray the memories of our trip will keep me warm until Spring gets here and make you feel a little warmer too! I never say goodbye to the beach...I only say "until next time"... Which reminds me of a recent discussion. Randy has read the One Year Bible for the past two or three years. You know, that is where the Bible is broken up into segments to read each day...anyway...at the beginning of this year, we were discussing the Biblical account of creation and how the Bible says God separated the waters and placed a great gulf between them called sky. Randy inquisitively said, "Wonder where the waters above the sky are? Have you ever wondered what that means?" To which I quickly replied, "You don't think God would create a heaven without a beach do you? The waters above the sky are Heaven's ocean complete with a beautiful beach, I just know it." :-) God bless you all. I pray for the caress of warm Spring winds and sunshine on our shoulders very, very soon. Kim

2011 Well Underway

2011...I have high hopes because it is a new year and a new decade...and January is OVER! January is my least favorite month. I associate January with several disturbing memories in my life, plus, I really do not like winter. I could probably qualify for treatment of seasonal depression from December - March...that's how much I dislike cold, gray, lifeless landscapes and nasty weather. I used to find fun in creating snowpeople and sledding....it's getting more difficult to enjoy those. As a matter of fact, I'd just as soon fly south with the birds! Now that my rant about winter is done....let me catch up on some more important things... Madison earned a 4.0 at UK during her first semester!! We are so proud of her. She likes UK and loves the challenge. While college break is substantial, we still did not spend alot of time with Maddie. She worked at the bank for a couple of weeks and then she went to Colorado skiing with Aleksey and his family. We appreciate the time she was home with us but it did seem too short. At the beginning of January, Randy and I chaperoned a group of teens to the Tennessee Christian Teen convention in Gatlinburg. It is always a wonderful, spiritually uplifting time for everyone involved. A few of the photos below show how very much McKenzie and McKayla are growing up. New Year's Eve had our house rockin'! Kind of last minute, McKenzie & McKayla decided they would like to ask a few friends over rather than attend our usual New Year's get together with church friends. Randy & I conceded and let them host their own sleepover. As you can see, they managed to have a little fun! McKayla's new hangout room provided the perfect rockin' spot. She chose a deep purple for the walls. Although this photo doesn't show, there are multi-colored lights outlining the ceiling! All the lights posters and colors were a great backdrop for a tween-age new year's celebration...no sleep included!!! I hope everyone is experiencing a blessed start to the new year. Everyday is a gift from God, Himself. I pray that we all use our time to the glory of our Father and cherish the moments we are given. Hope to see many of you during this coming year...either where you are, here in Kentucky or somewhere in between. Should the year bring an end to our earthly journey, I hope to see my friends in Heaven. If you need to learn more about how to live happily on Earth or die into Heaven, please let me know....I'll be glad to share my knowledge and/or direct you to others who might help you, as well. Love always, Kim