Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Our first "vacation" since the honeymoon....

Matt and I truly have a blessed life. It sure gets chaotic at times and it's hard being on opposite schedules, and now picking up a couple extra shifts at the Surf, but my sweetheart never fails to surprise me and make the best of the time that we do have together. This week is my Spring Break from teaching. It's still strange to be out of college and have a "Spring Break". To celebrate the time off, Matt found a "timeshare promotion" with Hilton Grande Vacations down in Orlando. So here we are, on our third day of a relaxing--do whatever we want--vacation in Orlando in a nice resort all for $99 and a 2 hour tour. We did the tour yesterday and it wasn't bad, and now we just get to enjoy our time.
Sometimes I'm still getting used to the idea that we are truly married and traveling together as a "family of two" as the tour guides call it. I never understood before now why everyone said small getaways together or vacations are vital to a marriage, but it's true. The weeks get so busy and we don't get the time to do the simple things in life..like drink coffee on the porch and read the morning paper. Don't get me wrong... I'm not complaining about our life, I'm just saying it's SO nice to be able to have the three or four days to relax with my husband and do nothing but what comes to mind.
The vacation has been amazing so far! Matt spoiled me on the way down here and let me stop at the coach outlet. I found a small signature purse on super clearance for $65 (which is still expensive for a purse) that I loved and Matt bought it and a wristlet for me! What an amazing start to a vacation and total surprise. Then we drove down to Orlando and found a cheesecake factory for lunch (yummy!). Afterwards we checked into our resort. It's a nice resort right by SeaWorld. So Monday night we went over to SeaWorld and saw Shamu Rocks show and walked around. The landscaping is so pretty there! It was nice to just stop in. There are some advantages to having a SeaWorld pass! :) Afterwards we drove around trying to decide what to have for dinner and ended up just doing a small meal at Moe's! Who can complain about a good burrito!
Yesterday was the best day ever! We woke up late and sat on the balcony and couch drinking coffee and just catching up on life. Then we made some lunch here in the room and went over to get our tour out of the way. It took a little longer than it was suppose to, but we did score a $50 gift card to Longhorn! Afterward we came back to the resort and just walked around talking. I love good conversations with Matt... and having the time to just relax! At 6:00 the FUN started! We got all dressed up and went down to CityWalk. We ate at Bubba Gumps and had my favorite Hush Puppies and Shrimp Feast. Then we went over to Blue Man Group! What a performance! Our seats were 7 rows from the front and it was SO COOL! I'll remember that forever. I think it was Matt and I's first stage performance together!
Afterward we went to Karaoke Star, where you get to sing with a live band behind you. I got up and sang Man! I feel like a Woman! SO much fun. It really felt like a live performance! haha... I think that'll be my finale of Karaoke though!

This morning we've done virtually nothing, which is fabulous. I can't wait for just more time with Matt. Vacations really are important, and they don't have to be anything grand....but just time off with the people you love, away from the daily grind is so vital to building and maintaining a good relationship!