Before Robert and I had kids we sure did live our life differently. We stayed up late, we ate the food we wanted to eat, we came and went as pleased and we certainly took some extravagant vacations.
After Robert and I got married we went on a cruise that took us to Egypt, the islands of Greece, London, Turkey and Bulgaria. The trip that 
totaled 22 days out of the country. I knew after that vacation I needed to see the rest of the world. If you have never left the State of Oklahoma or the United States of America then you really are missing out.
Before I met Robert I was scared to death to travel. I grew up in Oklahoma and our family vacations consisted of visiting Texas. I 
knew nothing other than that so that was perfectly fine with me. Robert grew up as a child of an Air Force Pilot and lived in many different countries and had seen the world.
When we took our first trip I had anxiety, but Robert had nothing but pure excitement. Robert had booked our flight to London in business class. I didn’t know what the different classes meant LOL. Well, we got on the plane and were served champagne and made to feel like we 
were some fancy people in a five star hotel…I could get use to this! Our vacation was just as extravagant as that flight. We had no cares in the world.
A few years later my sweet Robbie was born. Our life started to change and so did the things that we once thought were important. We took little trips to the Texas beaches but that was really it.
When Robbie was 3 and I was pregnant with Benjamin we decided we needed to take a big vacation. Everyone told us that adding your second child was pure hell and there is no greater life change. Scared us straight so we booked a trip to the CoCo Beach and Disney world.
We dreamed of one of those Disney vacations you see on TV. You know the ones where the kids are so happy, the parents are so happy, it looks like paradise and they tell you how easy they make your life at Disney? W
e were sold! So we were headed to Disney World!
We arrived at the Beach and to see Robbie’s face light up with a little excitement and a whole lotta fear was priceless. We played in the sand ate at fun little beach restaurants and started our vacation off just like the people we had seen on TV.
We finally made it to Disney World! We checked in and got to our room and there was the cutest Toy Story gift basket waiting for Robbie. He loved it. He opened it up and started to play with all of 
the toys. Before bed we went down to get some ice cream. I mean you have to eat a Mickey Mouse Popsicle when at Disney right? We finished up our popsicles and headed to our room for bed. Once in our room Robbie began to cry and just wanted to go home.
Why in the world did he want to home? We are Disney World for crying out loud! We are at the happiest place on Earth and my child just wants to go home? I did not drag my big pregnant self across the country for my child to cry at Disney World.
We finally got Robbie to sleep. Over the next few days we visited all of the parks. We ate at fun restaurants, 
bought a hundred toys we didn’t need, and ate our weight in Mickey Mouse Popsicles. Robbie cried every single night that he wanted to go home.
I just didn’t understand because I thought we were having so much fun. On the last night he was sitting in bed watching a movie and I decided to soak my aching pregnant body in the bath tub. My feet were so huge you could not see my ankles and my back felt like it was going to break in half. Rob went down stairs to get us a snack and we were going to enjoy this last night.
About 5 minutes after Robert left the room I realized how quiet it was. I got out of the bath tub and my hotel door was open and Robbie was gone. I wrapped a towel around myself and stepped out
into the hall. Robbie was no where to be found. I quickly fond myself locked out of my room and wandering through the halls of the hotel panicked and looking for my child.
I finally found him trying to get in the elevator! A man passed us and asked if we were ok. I explained the situation and he just smiled. We headed back to the room and we just had to stand there until Robert made it back. Yes, I was pretty much naked with my crying 3 year old standing outside of our hotel room. Where was this situation in those commercials? Robert finally made it back with some of those cute Mickey Mouse Popsicles! Thank goodness for those Popsicles.
It was then that Robert and I realized that our life really has changed. Life with kids so much different. Those big fancy vacations aren’t right for every one. Some families yes…our family no. At least not at this time.
After Benjamin was born I lost my Aunt in a tragic car accident. This broke my heart and changed my life forever. Robert and I adopted her 2 girls and we were determined to show these girls there is life after death. We planned a trip to Destin. We needed to get away
and bond as a new family.
We rented a beach house with Robert’s family and we had to buy a new car because we did not fit in my Camry. Robert bought us Ford 
Expedition and it was going to be perfect for our adventures. On the way to the beach we stopped in New Orleans. The kids loved New Orleans. We took a city bus tour, we ate fabulous food, we walked aroun
d (yes we took them to Bourbon street), and we laughed and enjoyed each other.
We made it to the beach house and our view was beautiful. We had a week full of building sandcastles, crab hunting, shopping and falling in love with our new family of 6.
On our way home from Destin we stopped in McKinney, Texas for the night. With little ones breaking up the trip just seemed to work 
best for us. Robert pulled into the hotel and helped us get into the lobby. We didn’t need to take in anything but our overnight bags since we were getting up and heading home the next morning.
Robert was parking the car and the kids and I were getting settled in our room for the night. The kids asked if someone was playing with fireworks outside. Robert said, “oh I don’t know” and looked out the window. It was not fireworks…it was our car. Just moments of stepping out of our car it went up in flames.
Robert ran downstairs to the parking lot. The parking lot was full of people watching and lets not even talk about how many first responders there were. We stood there as a family and watched our car burn and explode. We watched all of our souvenirs, clothing, strollers, and car seats burn right before our eyes. You can watch the video HERE!
The kids were terrified and I was just sad. Here we are as a new family trying to turn a tragic situation into a happy ending and this is how it turns out? The next morning we bought new carseats and headed back home.
Of course insurance took care of car but why did this happen to us. Why can’t we catch a break and just have a fun and memorable vacation? I think the Devil knew that our family was growing so strong despite the tragic way we all came together.
That vacation ended poorly for sure. That vacation changed our lives forever. Every single one of realized that we can get through any storm. 
We realized we were indeed protected by the man above. That vacation showed us that God has his hand in everything and that we will always be ok if we can just trust and believe.
We have taken several vacations since then but let me tell you the amount of anxiety I have now is like no other. I know we will always be ok but I am also on the look out for a disaster to avoid along the way.
We are preparing for our first every ski trip. I have skied and so has Robert but we have never taken the kids. My best friend and I have planned and planned…probably over planned to some extent LOL.
While on vacation my youngest daughter will be turning 18. I am determined to make this vacation sometime to remember. I am not going let my anxiety or and fear get the best of me. My family deserves to have a picture perfect vacation like the ones you see on TV or in a magazine. SO, here we go! In just a couple of weeks we will be off on an adventure of a lifetime.
I know Jesus will protect us, I know my oils will help with my anxiety and keeping us well, and I know my husband and his fearless heart will make sure we have the adventure of a life time. And if all else fails Marijuana is legal in Colorado right? LOL Relax…I am not a pothead! I was just being funny!!
Life and vacations sure are different with kids. Those without kids may think we are missing out on all of the adult fun. I am sorry to say they are missing out on all of the kid fun. Kids are such a joy and bring such a different experience. Even though we have has some rough times I will always cherish every adventure I have had with my kids. Pray for us please! Pray for fun and safety!
