Fantastic weather...see the blue sky in the background of this picture?
It was that same beautiful blue pretty much the whole twelve days we were in Florida. I think we got about three minutes of rain one morning (which allowed us to put on a pretty amazing puppet show featuring several vegetables, a crab, and a curly gray-haired teacher named Mrs. Underwater in the children's section of the DeLand public library), but that was about it for bad weather. The forecast was pretty much high 80's and LOTS of sun!
Lazy days by the water...our "Florida House" was conveniently located two minutes from the pool and half-an-hour from the beach and two fantastic state parks. The community pool was incredibly kid-friendly. Check out the fun palm tree waterfalls behind Emma in this picture.
Because we were staying in a residential neighborhood and not a resort, the pool was usually empty or almost empty. We loved having it to ourselves.
Emma got to play in the ocean for the first time. She was a little hesitant at first, but Daddy quickly convinced her that splashing in the waves is the best.
The beach was a huge hit. Emma could have played in her gigantic sandbox all day.
We loved packing our lunch and enjoying a picnic by the water.
We visited two state parks that we developed around a pair of Florida's gorgeous springs. (Both are 72 degrees year round!) DeLeon Springs State Park is home to the legendary Fountain of Youth. We met a sixty-something lady there who celebrates her birthday every year with a dive into the fountain wearing a birthday hat. (Yup, one of those cone-shaped paper hats we wore to birthday parties in the eighties.) She said her birthday dips have kept her young.
Here are Jeremy and Emma eating lunch next to the Fountain of Youth. (See the pesky blackbirds in the background? After this picture was taken, they stole Emma's sandwich!)
Our whole family in the Fountain of Youth. (I think my gray hairs are disappearing already!)
While swimming in the spring was refreshing, the best part about our visit to DeLeon Springs was their all-you-can-eat-pancakes. We got to cook them right in the middle of our table. So fun!
Overwhelming hospitality...a wonderful organization called Pastors' R&R blessed us with twelve days in our "Florida home". Pastors' R&R matches donated weeks in vacation homes with applicants who are in full-time ministry. (You can check out their webpage here.) The man who owns our "Florida home" allows it to be used pretty much year-round. The home was beautiful with everything we needed (and wanted): a grill, pool toys, a washer and dryer, cable TV in every bedroom, everything!
Here's a picture of Emma with our "Florida car" in front of our "Florida home".
Reading time...Jeremy and I both LOVE to read. When I'm at home, it's hard to squeeze reading in between all the things on my to-do list. Being away from home, the internet, and my to-do list allowed me lots of time to just lay around with a book. I finished five books on vacation; the highlight was definitely Radical by David Platt. Very challenging, thought-provoking, and convicting. I'd love to hear what you think if you've read it.
Ice cream...in the backyard...on a walk...by the beach...all over Emma's face...
Daddy time...Emma and I loved having Daddy around. Every day. All day. It was the best!
Daddy time at the pool...
...just lounging...
...in the waves...
...sharing a popsicle...
...in the park...
...just hanging around. (Totally my favorite picture. Did I marry a handsome guy or what?)
Emma loves her daddy...
...and Mommy does too!
Association garage sale...yes, admitting this in my blog totally makes me a nerd, but I was super excited that the addition we were staying in had their association garage sale the one weekend we were there. Maps. Snacks. Seventy-five garage sales. It was AMAZING. I found Emma a pink carry-on suitcase for 25 cents, a Children's Place coat with matching snow bibs (that had probably been worn twice for a "trip up north") for $6, and a Leapster with new batteries and NINE games for $11.
Thanks for keeping us in your prayers and thinking about us while we were gone. (Special thanks to the awesome guys who mowed our jungle just before we got home.) Our time was relaxing and refreshing - just what we needed!
Here are a couple more pictures I couldn't resist squeezing in somewhere.
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