It all started back in January over our dinner table. We always try to ask the kids where they would like to go on vacation that year. We are indeed a blessed family as we usually get to travel and be away more then once a year but that's getting off topic!
We have taken vacations to the Southeast so many times (hey, it's cheaper then most places to go and near home and there is plenty to see and do) So we had that coverd. Literally MD to FL. check, been there done that.
North East? Pricier but we had fit in a few trips up that way too. PA to Bar Harbor, MN check.
We have vacationed in the midwest. totally awesome 2 week road trip. I think we can still hear "On the Raod again" in our brains as we moved from hotel to hotel for 14 nights. Big shiney arches? check. Those big guys carved in the rocks? check. Mountain goats? check Painted rocks and Red Rocks, and things that looked like rocks? check.. Mountains that define splendor? check. Miles and miles of nothingness to get from place to place? check. The biggest Visa bill we had ever seen? check! The memories? check check and double check.
How about TX and the deep south and TN mountains? check check check.
We finally realized there are just a few areas we had missed. New Mexico/Arizona, the whole of California (well, Mark and I spent a week in CA sans kids and had a blast flying in and out of Las Vegas and driving across that part of the dessert) OR Washington State and parts of the North West ? All very interseting options!
So I set off to research such a trip for our family of 6. I quickly realized it would be a duanting task. For one, transporting a family of 6 all the way across our lovely continental US of A is both , very time consuming and very expensive. Not much of either left once you arrive! huh.
We could fly, we could drive, we could cut some stops out, we could pair down our goals, we could go to just one place. . . seriously it was such a discouraging prospect. And the numbers where down right scary, like 5 digit scary or very near to it!! UGH!
We actually have a go-to plan when we want to make everyone happy, stay a little closer to home, and be fairly budget minded. No one believes us but Walt Disney World is one of the cheapest vacations we can find! We have been to WDW close to 20x in the past 25 years. However, my current two teenagers? Actually asked for something different this year. Did I really burn them out? Oh heaven help me if I did, Disney is my happy place. Maybe 3x in one year was a bit much. . . not for my youngest two, they would go back at the drop of a hat! They love it. HA!
BUT Disney was out for this year. The other part of that dinner conversation we had? Someone (not mentioning any names here) mentioned cruising. Mark and I have long wanted to try that out. The teens agreed it might be fun and different. Maybe I could look into that.
After I became discouraged with my land based vacation, I turned to researching cruising. Can I just stop for a minute and say? I love the Internet? And search engines and forum boards and and and all the readily available information at your finger tips? I dream of being a travel agent or a real estate agent or okay, well, I like pretty fun things!
So. yes, moving on! So many lines to choose from, so many prices, so many places to go. So many decisions. We settled on a Western Carribbean Itinerary as Mark has had opportunity to visit Grand Cayman for work (yeah, I know, poor banker just doin' his job) but I was not able to go along and was bummed about it! He was excited to show us what he had loved so much!
Lots of WCarrb. Itin's also include Mexico. How fun! We have never been out of the country except Canada when they almost didn't let Kiley come home with us . . .oh , sorry 'nother story!
so okay then! I was finding repeatedly which cruise lines were kid friendly and which ones where not so much. Can you guess? Do I even have to say? Disney is cruising the Western Carribbean this year! Let me request a quote for this cruise right away! The best of both worlds. The big kids get a cruise. The littles get a touch of Disney and the Mouse! I waited patiently for my quote to come back. Then not so patiently. Finally, I get the email! I open it up and what do I see? $10,878.40. What? That price does not get us to the Port in FL, it does not include any of the tips and extras you have to pay. . . I was heartbroken. No way we can come close to affording that. I left it alone for a few days, then I thought, I am a great bargain hunter, I can do this. I just need more facts. The next time I requested a quote? I had more information, best times to sail, which cabin to select, etc. This time my number came back at $7,432.40 . UGH! We obviously just can't afford this. Or maybe I just needed more information. Enough already, I will just say this: $5,266.40 (what's with the 40 cents anyway??) $4.211.40, and it just kept coming down! It was the end of season blowout spectacular! Who cares if we have to cruise during hurricane season? Who cares if we need to drive to FL and not fly? Who cares if we can't have a window in our cabin?
WE ARE GOING ON A DISNEY CRUISE FOR A WHOLE WEEK!
No 2 or 3 or 4 day weekend cruises for us. No party cruise lines for us. No gambling and unacceptable stage shows, no sirree! We are going on the top rated cruise line sailing for families and even couples without children prefer it over most other lines!
I am estatic and dig in to real planning and learning the ins and outs of booking, paying, lingo, oh it just goes on and on forever and what an education I am getting.
Opps, forgot one thing. Need to have a discussion with the hubs. Might want to let him know what I've found. And ummm, yeah, maybe what I have booked. . .
Valentines Night seems like a good time don't you think? yes, well true love wins out over his shock that I had actually booked this and as he hears all about it, he is thinking it sounds good too. I still can not believe he is "onboard" with my plan! So we discuss what about if this job comes through? Well, we have time to worry about that before the cancel without penalty date.
Woo-Hoo! Up next? The plans take shape! And so does the new job!
Monday, September 14, 2009
So yes, it is true, I am the worst blogger ever and am over feeling guilty about it! I just commented on a blog I normally only breeze by occasionally and realized it linked her to mine (opps! Hi Joy if you hop over) . How embarrassing as I only blog for my personal need to recap my days sometimes! hehe.
So maybe I will recap tonight as I seem to be to tired to move from this stool! When did I give up my lovely big office to my 2 teenagers and become relagated to the kitchen counter with this old laptop?
Anywho, I really have absolutely no time to be on here but I am one tired girl tonight and doubt if I bother to move much more would get done anyway kwim? The drama, the stress, the general chaos of our lives right now is overwhleming to put if mildly.
A huge "season of life" is about to come to a close. Mark drives to VA (south of Wash DC) tomorrow to get his final clearance and begin (finally~ more on that in a minute)what is to be his new job. Although his last day at "The Bank" is not until this Thursday's exit interview.
Mark has worked for Wilmington Trust Company for 25 years. I like to say the Bank had him before I did! Ha! We celebrate 25 years next fall! He has completed this season of his life. Is he sorry to be going? Not really. He is ready for a change. It has been a good ride, from college graduate in an uncertain economy (much like todays) snagging a decent job with a big name bank after looking and looking and looking . . .to Senior Vice President with way to many perks and benefits to list over the years, the bank (and my hubby)have been an excellent provider and Mark has enjoyed his job and the people he has worked with. He is ending well. He will be missed. It makes me proud to be able to say those things. He is a faithful man in all he does. I am a blessed women to have him.
So many have asked, then why leave? Why not just coast on into retirement from here? It is difficult to explain; when you know God is affirming something and no matter how you want to run from whatever it is, He keeps opening some doors and closing others? Well, let's just say, it was clear, the time to go, to move on was now.
As of tomorrow my husband becomes a Government employee. The Federal Government that is. Specifically? He will be working for ODNI. (Office of Director of National Intelligence) He will be working with IARPA. Gotta love the Gov't and all their initials and abbreviations. He is very excited to take on this new challenge! I have watched his whole demeanor change. He is excited to be going. He is looking forward to new opportunities. He is beginning this job as he did his first with a passion to learn and grow and make things happen. Again, I am so proud of him. I am also terrified for him! HA! What good wife would not be?! He faces a HUGE commute. We are not planning to move. This was a decision we made as a couple/family before he ever even applied for this job. He faces a much different working environment. Top secret security clearance anyone? He is a much more experienced, more seasoned employee but he is still going to be the new guy on the block. Never the easiest. I will be praying for him as he goes.
And as I am left. There. I said it. This is just as huge for me as for him in many ways. When Mark and I married I had no idea what to expect. We made it through. We faced lots of changes, lots of kids, lots of successes, lots of failures. We did it all and we carved a path for our family. And yes, I know we will continue to do so and this is just the next big thing. BUT but but, it is dang hard for me! The comforts of familiarity are gone for now. The certainty of what to expect is gone for now. The man who worked 15 minutes from home, (worked being a relative term as some would say "bankers hours" are hardly work. . .hehe) will no longer be able to drop everything when a child falls and meet us in the ER or when a robber breaks into our home, he will no longer arrive before the police (yes! this really happened!) . He will no longer be able to make every 6pm dinner or 7pm concert or meeting at church. We have talked about these changes and have together agreed to them. I have tried to mentally prepare myself to go it alone when I need to do so. I am trying to let go and let God figure it all out and know He is sufficient for and in ALL. Mark and I have a strong relationship but I know it will be tested. New demands on both of us from completely different directions will need to be met and accomplished. Our children still need both of us. That has never been a difficult thing. It will now need to become more intentional and planned.
So yeah, changes are a no longer coming, they are here!
What does one do to transition from one career path into another? What does one do with unused vacation time that must be used up or lost in transition? What does a family do that is looking into a future of changes and less time together then they are used to having? What indeed.
If I could only have seen the handwriting on the wall. God knew I believe and with quite a bit of effort on this Mamas part (funny but true) He has allowed a long dreamed for vacation to come to fruition.
Here is the time line!
Last day at WTCo. Thursday, Sept 17th. Exit interview complete? 3pm.
Leave for family vacation Thursday, September 17th On the road 4pm.
Return from family vacation Sunday, September 27th
Begin new job Monday, September 28th.
Stay tuned! Family vacation details coming up!
So maybe I will recap tonight as I seem to be to tired to move from this stool! When did I give up my lovely big office to my 2 teenagers and become relagated to the kitchen counter with this old laptop?
Anywho, I really have absolutely no time to be on here but I am one tired girl tonight and doubt if I bother to move much more would get done anyway kwim? The drama, the stress, the general chaos of our lives right now is overwhleming to put if mildly.
A huge "season of life" is about to come to a close. Mark drives to VA (south of Wash DC) tomorrow to get his final clearance and begin (finally~ more on that in a minute)what is to be his new job. Although his last day at "The Bank" is not until this Thursday's exit interview.
Mark has worked for Wilmington Trust Company for 25 years. I like to say the Bank had him before I did! Ha! We celebrate 25 years next fall! He has completed this season of his life. Is he sorry to be going? Not really. He is ready for a change. It has been a good ride, from college graduate in an uncertain economy (much like todays) snagging a decent job with a big name bank after looking and looking and looking . . .to Senior Vice President with way to many perks and benefits to list over the years, the bank (and my hubby)have been an excellent provider and Mark has enjoyed his job and the people he has worked with. He is ending well. He will be missed. It makes me proud to be able to say those things. He is a faithful man in all he does. I am a blessed women to have him.
So many have asked, then why leave? Why not just coast on into retirement from here? It is difficult to explain; when you know God is affirming something and no matter how you want to run from whatever it is, He keeps opening some doors and closing others? Well, let's just say, it was clear, the time to go, to move on was now.
As of tomorrow my husband becomes a Government employee. The Federal Government that is. Specifically? He will be working for ODNI. (Office of Director of National Intelligence) He will be working with IARPA. Gotta love the Gov't and all their initials and abbreviations. He is very excited to take on this new challenge! I have watched his whole demeanor change. He is excited to be going. He is looking forward to new opportunities. He is beginning this job as he did his first with a passion to learn and grow and make things happen. Again, I am so proud of him. I am also terrified for him! HA! What good wife would not be?! He faces a HUGE commute. We are not planning to move. This was a decision we made as a couple/family before he ever even applied for this job. He faces a much different working environment. Top secret security clearance anyone? He is a much more experienced, more seasoned employee but he is still going to be the new guy on the block. Never the easiest. I will be praying for him as he goes.
And as I am left. There. I said it. This is just as huge for me as for him in many ways. When Mark and I married I had no idea what to expect. We made it through. We faced lots of changes, lots of kids, lots of successes, lots of failures. We did it all and we carved a path for our family. And yes, I know we will continue to do so and this is just the next big thing. BUT but but, it is dang hard for me! The comforts of familiarity are gone for now. The certainty of what to expect is gone for now. The man who worked 15 minutes from home, (worked being a relative term as some would say "bankers hours" are hardly work. . .hehe) will no longer be able to drop everything when a child falls and meet us in the ER or when a robber breaks into our home, he will no longer arrive before the police (yes! this really happened!) . He will no longer be able to make every 6pm dinner or 7pm concert or meeting at church. We have talked about these changes and have together agreed to them. I have tried to mentally prepare myself to go it alone when I need to do so. I am trying to let go and let God figure it all out and know He is sufficient for and in ALL. Mark and I have a strong relationship but I know it will be tested. New demands on both of us from completely different directions will need to be met and accomplished. Our children still need both of us. That has never been a difficult thing. It will now need to become more intentional and planned.
So yeah, changes are a no longer coming, they are here!
What does one do to transition from one career path into another? What does one do with unused vacation time that must be used up or lost in transition? What does a family do that is looking into a future of changes and less time together then they are used to having? What indeed.
If I could only have seen the handwriting on the wall. God knew I believe and with quite a bit of effort on this Mamas part (funny but true) He has allowed a long dreamed for vacation to come to fruition.
Here is the time line!
Last day at WTCo. Thursday, Sept 17th. Exit interview complete? 3pm.
Leave for family vacation Thursday, September 17th On the road 4pm.
Return from family vacation Sunday, September 27th
Begin new job Monday, September 28th.
Stay tuned! Family vacation details coming up!
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