This trip FAMILY VACATION. HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
One day will be our last day on earth.
For all of us. That’s the point of life… to LIVE IT WHILE YOU’RE HERE.
Your hearse won’t have a uhaul of your most valuable possessions behind you. They’re not going to bury you in your Maserati. At your eulogy they’re not going to pull up your social media accounts to show your perfect 9 squares and curated caption.
All those who love you and you have touched will have is the memories we have made. Those will be priceless and those will never die.
All we will have is the choices we made every day to be present. To take the leap. To focus on love and laughter. The legacy we leave that helped even one person. Made one person smile. Changed one persons life. The memories of your life is ALL that will remain. Are you living with that in mind? EVERY DAY.
LIVING. Your livelihood can give you an AMAZING life, there are far to many options now to not continue to expand. Make it matter… but don’t forget to LIVE IT!
In the moments. Make the memories. EXPERIENCE LIFE. That will be what you leave behind.
MAKE A PLAN TO LIVE MORE. Now. While you have the GIFT of life. Book this trip! You won’t regret it.
On Island Time
I always create itineraries for our vacations, but man have I learned the art of going with the flow more. This was a good reminder I sent the fam this week.
1. TAKE TIME TO RELAX
“There’s just something about getting on US1 and driving through the Florida Keys. Between the palm trees, sunshine, and ocean breeze, taking in a breath of fresh air is the epitome of relaxation. Chances are if you’re heading to the Keys, you want to check-in to “island time”. As exciting as it is to try new things, visit attractions, and be busy all day long, don’t forget to relax! Sit in a lounge chair, grab a drink and a good book, and chill. This is a little piece of paradise and it’d be a shame to not soak it all in. And if you’re like me, when you make a list of things to do, you’ll need to actually write down “relax” to make sure you do!” We flew into Miami and had a great experience renting an SUV on Turro. And off we went. It’s about an 1.5 hour drive to the village. We just took it in.
Ern had to try the favorite drink down here, it’s called “The Crazy Lady” Coincidence?!
Islamorada is famous for its tropical climate, laid-back atmosphere, and abundance of historical attractions. Also, the sport fishing capital of the world
For those who’d rather avoid the crowds often associated with the state’s more commercialized cities , it’s a great place to visit.
This resort also has adorable bright colored directly on the beach villas – (I would love to stay in one of those, but they didn’t fit our family.) Our accommodations were perfect! This resort also has LARGE Houses for families to vacation together.
We had a bedroom, living room, little table and kitchen area. From our balcony you could see the ocean and were STEPS from the beach. What I loved most is everything is right there included. Bikes, kayaks, paddle boards, ping pong, football, sand toys. Hammocks. Fire pits, tons of games for the kids- ladder ball, giant checkers boards, they had fishing, corn hole. There was a beach hut on the beach and you just got over and sign out whatever you need. The resort was not crowded AT ALL, so we had free reign.
We LOVEDDDD this resort. https://www.lasiestaresort.com/
It’s a small island so everything is right there! We never drove over about 7 minutes. The awesome part was we could see the beach and pool from our room and walk steps to the beach . Most of what we did was just right there.
The best part is that there are actually 4 sister resorts all close by, one literally a minute walk and the other two are 4 miles (and they have a shuttle too- but we rented a car so it was super easy). So you can do all the pools, events, restaurants, beaches, classes etc at each resort- all included. So we were able to hop around. It was great! We loved it! Each resort had a slightly different vibe/feature.
We preferred our resort most as it seemed more nature driven and quieter. It was kind of a little cove that was great for kayaking, bird watching etc. And Belle liked our pool best since it was a walk in slope vs regular stairs.
The larger resort Post Card Inn https://www.holidayisle.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=gmb&utm_campaign=listinghad the best beach area to swim out, so we went over there if we wanted to swim out a little more. That’s also where the best tiki bar and raw bar were so we went over for that too.
The resort closest to us had morning yoga and the best breakfast so we went there for that. https://www.amaracayresort.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=gmb&utm_campaign=listing
No better way to start the day than with yoga by the beautiful ocean with a breeze.
Setting the intention for our day and a powerful message to remember:
Movement is the catalyst. Stillness is the implementation. We need both. Movement and Stillness.
Our littlest (4) didn’t make it through the full session, she started with us but it was a little too much stillness for her so she escaped to the beach with the boys.
But Brooklyn did so good, she’s even a little sore. Proud of my big girl
The Pelican resort had all the fishing, and also had a giant chessboard vs ours had giant checkers.
The resort had weekly calendar of events so you knew what was going on, and you can book snorkeling, exploring, sand bar excursions directly through the hotel with Wild Dolphin Tours. Each resort had its own little poolside bar.
If we go again we would still choose our resort to stay at. It had the best vibe for us. With all the options to go for other amenities! We love venturing out on the island and found some great spots.
Islamorado is a particularly kid-friendly destination, so you can easily bring along the family. The best time to visit is between March and May. Avoid hurricane season, which peaks in August and September.
I promise you it is as beautiful as it seems!
Water temp in both the Ocean and the pool was 80 or over so that helped.
It didn’t rain one drop while we were there, it was sunny and 80 OR hotter (feels like 90- some days) every day. The last few days it got a little cooler (low 70s in the morning) and that felt nice, but warmed right up. The last few days were SUPER BREEZY, which affects what you can do on the waters a bit, but still beautiful.
At home Momma is cutting up grapefruit, roasting brussel sprouts, playing classical music while we paint, making lesson plans, and cutting cheese into animal shapes.
Vacation Momma is pounding NERDS with them in the ocean, hard seltzer in hand, swimming out to jump off the Lily Pads. I forgot how good grape NERDS are
Belle has never had Nerds before, she felt like she won the lottery. She couldn’t stop talking about them.
Core memories going in.
The pelicans are SO aggressive trying to get the bait the entire time they will attack you for it. There are signs and warnings everywhere. None of the kids want to hold the bait.
Meanwhile Erns trying to convince them to feed the Tarpon “look let me show you, it’s fun.” And the HUGE tarpon jumps up and draws BLOOD in the process of devouring his hand while grabbing the bait.
The kids are pretty much traumatized at Erns bleeding, but alll is well. We did eat right on the water and the food and drinks were great. Never a dull moment.
Another day (Mom planned) We took a private boat out to the coral reefs for some awesome snorkeling. Once another boat left the area we were the only ones out there and it was perfect. This is who we booked through and loved them! https://www.wilddolphintours.com/
We saw endless amounts of tropical fish including angelfish, damselfish, blue tang, parrot fish, snapper, grunts, grouper, and many more that I don’t know the name of. It was so beautiful.
So proud of brave Brooklyn (age 7), she jumped right in mask on zero hesitation and snorkeled like a champ. Boys stayed out snorkeling for HOURS, and loved it so much. Mom and Dad switched off as Belle (age 4) wasn’t quite ready to jump in yet, but she loved the boat ride, watching her siblings, and boat snuggles and snacks.
After almost 40 years on this planet I can honestly say I’ve learned to RELAX. Truly relax. It hits different An older gentleman at breakfast one morning asked me if the kids and I were all siblings He said I had a relaxed demeanor about me that he didn’t see on many Moms. Really made me think. I also heard him say to his friends “I don’t think I’ve ever had lazy mode like I have down here, it’s really nice.”
I thought of how we as hard workers, goal oriented, work ethic driven associate relaxing with “lazy”. It’s so far from lazy.
This was a space to expand from the space to not do.
Tone day all slept in. We went to a late brunch. We had passed BOBS BUNZ so many times and made so many inappropriate jokes , we couldn’t leave without trying them. They were AMAZING. Warm, gooey, delicious!
The girls made a great little friend on the beach. Her name was Madison. They played for hours and hours and hours. I had to remind them to drink and eat and reapply sunscreen, but other than that they never came over to me. AT ALL.
All the boys were SUNNNNED OUT! They hung under the palm trees in the shade as much as they could only escaping to play some games here and there.
I read my book (listened with my AirPods), relaxed (fully), and even settled in for one of my favorite 10 minute quantum leap meditations. IYKYK. If that’s not your thing, totally ok, but the environment and visualization was too perfect to pass up.
After a little nap/regroup we ventured out and found the most adorable beer garden on the island. Lights, pathways, and live music The girls hula hooped and danced and we had TACO TRUCK deliciousness and local brews on tap
https://floridakeysbrewingco.com/
We couldn’t call it a night until we had one more stop of creamy ice cream.
For me to have days “unplanned” is huge. For me to truly enjoy them is even bigger. I have chosen a calm that has made a difference in QUALITY. Today I had the time to reflect and sit in that space. Life is easy is a perception. A perception we can CHOOSE. I choose ease. I choose peace.
“Give yourself time to meditate… to disconnect, because when you invest in yourself, you invest in your future. And when you believe in yourself, you believe in possibilities. And when you believe in possibilities, you believe in yourself.”
I am forever a look at the sky girl
Sunsets in the keys did not disappoint. Private charter out, cooler stocked with goodies.
Brody was so patient and got the time lapse of the sunset. It was breathtaking. Belle was so in love she looked like she was in a trance.
Brooklyn was FULL of questions. How far away was the actual sun? What was the distance of the horizon? When did it curve? She wished we could follow it to the “end”.
Our captain was so good in explaining it to her. If your eyes are 8 inches above the water, the distance of the horizon is about 1 mile away. He gave us a rough formula for calculating the distance to the horizon. The formula to calculate the distance from you to the horizon is 1.17 times the square root of the height from the ground to your eyes. Brooklyn wanted so badly to “get to the sun”, it really looked like you could.
We watched it disappear and saw some fun critters in the mangroves, even a lobster . Bryce was absolutely NOT a fan of deck spiders.
The boys helped clear out some fishing lures that got caught up to help keep the ocean clean. It was for sure a magical Sunday evening.
This vacations POV: You just got back from a bike ride on the island with your teens. It’s a little too windy to take the paddle boards out.
The girls are swimming in the pool. The boys are playing ping pong and your husband is bringing you drinks from the poolside bar while you lay in the chaise lounge chair and relax before dinner at the beach side roof top restaurant.
Midway Cafe. https://www.midwaycafecoffeebar.com/
We could walk there from our resort and we are there EVERY SINGLE DAY, with the exception of the one day we had the hotel brunch at the other resort and the one day we had Bob’s bunz. This café started our teams love affair with iced coffee. The food was delicious, The staff is amazing, they start to remember your face and coffee within two days, and of course the walk and eating outside was spectacular.
Wahoos!
https://www.wahoosbarandgrill.com/ It’s over looking the water and beautiful yachts. We kind of went for the views and outdoor upper level eating vice and the food was more delicious than we expected.
One day we needed a day off the beach and out of the direct sun the whole day. I so badly wanted the kids to swim with the dolphins but they just weren’t super interested/sold yet. So we went to the Theatre of the Sea and saw the dolphin shows and that sparked a big interest. They spent the next two days pretending to be dolphin trainers. So maybe next time we swim WITH THEM.
Theater of the Sea lagoons and lush, tropical gardens are home to dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, fish, sharks, stingrays, alligators, and birds. Their mission is to provide a wonderful home for our animals while sharing them with visitors in up close and personal shows and interaction programs. Loving and caring since 1946, they are family owned. (https://theaterofthesea.com/)
As you walk the path about every half hour there is an educator presenting for each animal exhibit. You can time it pretty perfectly and walk through in about 3 hours. It was the perfect little spot for us.
This trip left us feeling renewed and refreshed. We did a lot, but it wasn’t rushed. Lots of sun, nature, good food, fun and very relaxing. The vibes were impeccable.
Some beautiful affirmations for us all I took away from this trip.
I am and always will be enough.
I am successful and confident in my abilities.
My self talk is loving and supportive.
I am attracting financial abundance and have peace of mind.
I am deserving of respect.
I manifest my full potential.
I can complete any challenge that comes my way.
I am unstoppable and I always overcome any struggle.
I am courageous, I am willing to act and face my fears.
I will not compare myself to others.
I will not set myself on fire to make others warm.
