Punta Cana

Hola!!!

Just thought I'd blog about our vacation so everyone could read about our adventures in Punta Cana, Domincan Republic. We had a blast!!!

We decided to take a trip out of the country because we haven't gone on a big vacation since our honeymoon 7 years ago in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We loved Mexico but with everything happening there we wanted to go somewhere a bit safer. We booked our trip through Expedia and got a great deal! We ended up choosing the Excellence Punta Cana and it was so worth the money. It was an All Inclusive resort at the far end of the island. We (the resort) basically had a private beach which was super nice!

I won't go into all the details but Garrett went deep sea fishing twice! He won quite a bit of money at the casino and apparently thought he needed to spend it all while still in the DR. haha. Oh well - that's what vacation is for. He reeled in a 50 lb mahi mahi and it jumped off the line about 30 feet from the boat. Here is the video if you care to see. The only "action" happens about 3:45 in. I love hearing the exciting boat captain in the background! He was disappointed so he went again the next day with a nice guy he met from Maine. He caught two fish that day which was better than nothing.

While Garrett was on his fishing trip I went to the spa and had a LONG massage... it was soooo great. I'm laying there relaxing and all of a sudden I realized I left my ring in the room. I am a pretty trusting person but we had already been warned to use the room safe because DR is a third world country and people steal whatever they can. So I had to leave in the middle of my massage to go to my room and get my ring! And I was so glad for my 2 years of Spanish in high school - I was able to communicate with the Spanish speaking masseuse that I would be back in 5 minutes.

We didn't spend as much time at the ocean and the resort pools as we would have liked but we still had a blast! We went on a snorkeling excursion which was so much fun! I have never been snorkeling before and it was way worth it. We also went swimming with stingrays and nurse sharks!!! I was a little scared but they cut the stinger off the stingray (made out of same type of material as our fingernails so it doesn't hurt them) and the nurse sharks don't have teeth - some comfort right? We got in the water with the stingrays and the guy had us line up (execution style I might add) and said, "Now he give you massage..." what?!?! So he did and it was the slimiest massage I've ever had - made me wish I was wearing a wet suit. Ugh! It was pretty cool though! The guys on the boat on the way back put on a show doing some native dances and it was really fun! They got us all involved and made us dance with them - just glad the open bar was there to loosen us up a little first! haha.

There is a local drink in Domincan Republic called manauana! It is POTENT!!! The joke is that it makes you have babies. They kept telling Garrett if he drank it I would be pregnant with twins the next day... needless to say he stopped drinking it after they told him that! HA!

Garrett cracked me up because he kept speaking in broken sentences to the people there since a lot of them don't speak much English. He was seriously entertaining to watch. You know what I mean... like if he wanted to ask the cab driver if there were a lot of accidents he would say "There lot of crash here???" HAHAHA! But the best part was when he started talking to ME like that cuz he was so used to it. "Me no want to go there." I would just look at him and say, "Really, Garrett?!" I loved going to the casino though because it gave me a chance to talk to the dealers and learn some more Spanish. Everyone was super friendly!

Oh and I got attached by a parrot. We just walked by them and were not touching them or anything. One of the parrots slid down the rail and we were saying, "Oh how cute, did you see that?" and then next thing I know he was waddling over to me and straight up attacked my foot. Not even kidding. I was trying to shake him off and he was on there glue! The guy that worked there was kind of just standing there. Garrett was trying to pull me away and while I'm not usually scared I was pretty much screaming for my life. Then AFTER the damn bird gets off the guy said, "Ohhhh he no like senoritas!" Thanks for telling me that now amigo! Geez... Oh well... nothing like a battle wound to prove you had a fun vacation, right?

I am SO excited to see my Garrison today. We pick him and my mother in law up from the airport at 4:30. They went to Utah to see my brother in law, his wife, my nephew, and Garrett's grandma. I'm sure they had a great time and I CANNOT wait to see him!!!!!

Leaving you all with some pictures... wish I would have taken more... doesn't everyone say that after vacation? You can see the rest on Facebook...


The ocean from our breakfast table every morning... sigh...
Garrett at dinner

Me at dinner
Hasta Luego!
Jewels*

Dominican Republic, Boys will be Boys, Girl Time

A couple of weeks ago Garrett randomly said we should go on a cruise. I thought about not wanting to be tight on money... for about 2 seconds. He loves vacation once we go but hates and I mean HATES planning. This includes anything from a date night to a big vacation. So I was stoked when he suggested it. We looked into cruises and realized that the "all inclusive" price does not include alcohol. Not that we are a couple of alchies but when you go on vaca without the kiddo drinking is definitely a fun part. So... we started looking into All Inclusive vacation packages. Someone he works with suggested the Excellence Resort in Punta Cana. By the way did you know Punta Cana literally translates to mean Bitch Let Your Hair Down? Wow! So we looked into it and found a great deal on Expedia and booked it! So excited! So off we go May 2nd to a 6 day vacation on the beach.

Speaking of vacation...and beach... HELLO MOTIVATION!!! I will need to start busting some serious ass like today. I was going to wait until next week but we all know how that goes. I think I'll do my dvd at home today which I have dubbed "I hate you Jillian Michaels" and then head to the gym for a second workout.

So my boys are gone this weekend. Off on a camping/jeeping trip. I am so excited for them to have some boy bonding time but Garrison's first jeeping trip really freaks me out. So I decided not to be there. I was excited to have some girl time this weekend and be able to sleep in. My phone rings at 7:45 this morning though. It was Garrett telling me I forgot to pack Garrison's underwear. Really?!?! I don't think he quite understands that I never get to sleep in and this is bliss to me. So then he says, "Yeah, I guess I'll drive into town and get him some today." Good idea there Garrett... let's please not make our son wear dirty underwear for three days, thanks!

Speaking of Garrison he got in trouble the other day for farting on a girl at school. Oy vey... I grew up in a family 7 uncles and there is no way to avoid adopting male humor when you're in that environment all the time. So I will admit it - farts are funny! But I promise I did not teach him to do it on people. I can only assume he learned this from his father. Geez... and of course I had to be the one that his teacher told that to. What am I going to do with him?

So I was able to get dinner/drinks with one of my best friends last night. Forgot my camera though. I swear we have been great friends for over 4 years now and I don't think we have one picture together. Oh well - just another excuse to get together again soon. I am so glad to have friends who understand what it's like to have to wake up at 5 AM for work and therefore be tired by 9 PM. We had a 3 hour dinner and left 20 minutes before the live music started. Haha... what can I say? I'm an old lady and was so excited to just get home and go to bed.

Tonight another one of my best girl friends is coming over and we're just gonna' order pizza and chill at the house with some wine. Love my girl time!

Hope y'all have a great weekend! I'm off to face the wrath of Jillian Michaels...

Jewels*

Rejuvination and Bliss

Monday I woke up and did not want to get out of bed. I was dragging all day at work and definitely wasn't in a good mood. I kept asking myself why. There really was no reason. Being tired and having no energy just put me in a bad mood and made me want to stay that way. So, I decided to start working out again... what a concept! Oh and it doesn't hurt that I will be in my cousin's wedding as a bridesmaid at the end of March... in a bridesmaid dress... strapless... Hello! Where has my motivation been for the last month? Probably in the trash along with my fast food bags and candy wrappers. Ugh... anyhoo, I've only been at my 4:30 am workout for two days now but I can already tell a huge increase in energy. I've said it a million times - why is it that I know how good working out makes me feel yet I never stay consistent? Not this time... at least not for the next 12 weeks. My hope is to continue popping right out of bed at the ass crack of dawn eager to see Jillian Michaels' face on my tv screen! BRING IT!!!

Do you ever have those ordinary moments where you realize how blessed you are? Last night Garrett said he was going to grill (for the second night in a row I might add... can you say miracle?!). We marinated some Ribeyes in red wine and garlic (try it... trust me!) and he cranked up Hank Williams Jr. while I read to Garrison in the bathtub. As I sat back on the - important to mention closed - toilet (which by the way when you become a mom is like a recliner for 10 minutes while your kiddo takes a bath) drinking my glass of wine it hit me... my life is awesome! Pure bliss! I know that might sound silly to those who think a perfect night is hitting the bars or going to a fancy restaurant. Don't get me wrong - I love going out with my friends on occasion and I love it when Garrett and I get a chance to go out... but it's nights like last night that make me realize that my sometimes chaotic, imperfect, crazy life is truly incredible!


Well I'm off to watch Molly and Jason's wedding (Bachelor) - I know, I know... but I need something mindless every once in a while. It keeps me sane! Because I know that is a word all of my friends would use to describe me - sane!

Jewels*

I'm still here...

Hello! I'm still here... wow it has been forever since I posted.

So, here are the updates in short:

• I started a new job in December
• Garrett and I just celebrated 7 years together. Had a great weekend in Grapevine to celebrate!
• I signed my not so baby anymore boy up for T-ball a couple of weeks ago - starts in March

Now to expand just a bit...

My new job is... let's just say... interesting. I am grateful that I'm making more money now which this sugar mama needs to get my hubby through school. BUT putting it nicely this company makes me appreciate the last company I worked for SO much! This is the most unorganized company I have ever worked for, and those of you who know me know I have worked for a LOT of companies. :) The people are great and the money is good so I'll deal. I just wish there was a perfect job out there... some day!

I am so blessed to have been married to Garrett for 7 years. Those of you who have read any of my blogs or have had relationship conversations with me know that our marriage (like all marriages) is definitely not perfect. Marriage is hard but you have to wake up every morning and want to make it work and be the best partner you can be! And I feel so blessed to be comfortable enough with him to talk it out when we have problems. I've said it before and I'll say it again - Communication is NUMERO UNO in a marriage! Off my soap box... We went to Grapevine and had lots of wine and listened to a jazz band. We stayed out there at the Hilton and it was just a great time for the two of us. I'm so grateful for mini get a ways like that.


Yes, I signed Garrison up for T Ball. Sigh... I know he's getting older and I really don't want to be one of those moms who wishes he was still a baby and stopped growing... but it's so hard. Especially when we have to wait to have another one. Sometimes I want another one RIGHT NOW and sometimes I know it would be best to wait until Garrett is finished with school. Why does life have to get in the way of my plans all the time? :)

So... just thought I would share this thought. Garrison asked me to sing him songs tonight before bed and I always sing praise and worship songs to him. For those of you who sing praise and worship music (by yourself, at church, wherever) do you ever just get lost in it? I mean, I am super passionate about all kinds of music and I can really connect with a lot of songs. But there is just SOMETHING about those songs. It doesn't matter where I am, who I'm with, what the situation is, what mood I'm in... it's always my way of connecting with God. Love it! Anyways, I love that Garrison loves it too and sings along now. And his off key voice with the wrong words half the time is the most beautiful sound I think I have ever heard!!!


Well, I'm off to watch American Idol. I'll really try and blog more often.

Jewels*