Saturday, December 22, 2012

Va-Cay

Ah, vacation. A much needed vacation. Let me first backtrack to a few months ago. When we moved out to Virginia last year we were in complete shock of the cost of living increase it took us a while to find a home that would work for us. So we thought it would be brilliant settled for a condo. Needless to say that we were miserable not so happy in our condo. No yard, no back door, just not the lifestyle we were looking for. We thought we could settle in the condo for a few years but we quickly realized that was not going to work. So last August we thought, "we should put our home on the market, what could it hurt?" So we laid it in God's hands and listed the condo, after living in it for only 8 months. In this market what would be the chances of selling right? In God's hands anything is possible, and on the second day it was listed we had two offers, accepted one, and sold...breaking even. We didn't gain, didn't lose. Just back where we were just a year before. So now, our next quest...finding a home...again. The kids and I packed up and moved in with Brent's parents while Brent moved in with a friend. And in between we looked, and looked, and looked at homes. We even looked at land debating building our home. We knew that God would show us a home with just some patience. We were looking to be a bit further from the DC metro area and finding some land. Then a home was finally shown to us and we closed on the exact same day as we closed on the condo the year before. It truly felt like we were given the reset button to the last year. We are finally feeling like we are in a home, and one hoping to be in for a while as well. Since Brent and I have been married the longest we've been in a home was 3 years, only 3 years. Yes, he was in the military but we are feeling like we want some roots to sit in. So since we have been in this whirlwind (really since before we left New Mexico) we knew we needed a vacation. Our plan was to head to the mountains to do some tubing in the snow and possibly have Keely try out some skiing, but the unusual warm winter had some other plans for us.

So we spent our first day out doing some family bowling. Look at Keely's form, not so bad. (And notice Dad needing to help Brayden out).
And who spends their winter vacation going to the waterpark?!?!? Well, an indoor waterpark. The kids had a blast going down the slides over and over a few times.
Then we spent a day at the local Children's Museum/Discovery Center. This place was full of fun around each corner. From the trains, to the actual stage, practicing milking a cow, and even doing some work on the car this place had about everything you could think of. So much fun!
And finally, we spent our last day getting a little winter experience doing some ice skating. Brayden was such a trooper insisting "look at me, I'm skating!" Keely took to it pretty quick wanting to be on her own, she had a few falls but kept getting right back up to keep practicing. I love her persistent heart and good attitude to try to conquer anything. I pray that trait stays with her always. 
We had a wonderful time enjoying some much needed family time now that we're back together as a family and looking forward to more family time with Nana and Pop Pop spending Christmas with us in our new home!