This year for our thirty-seventh wedding anniversary, my amazing hubby booked a trip for us to go to Naples, Florida!
This was our sixth time to Naples together, and it definitely feels like a home away from home.
We had a direct flight out of Madison on a Wednesday morning, but thankfully did not have to leave too early, even with the two hour drive.
Obviously someone thought that she should be going along, ha, ha – but usually when she sees our suitcases out, she actually is going along!
Jazzy loves to travel!!
Somehow I got really old lately and like to do crossword puzzles of all things!
I tell my mother-in-law it is her fault for getting me hooked on them – but she got Eliza hooked on them too!!
It sure passed the time on the airplane.
We arrived in Fort Myers with no issues, waited for over an hour in line for a rental car, and then headed to Naples and to the grocery store.
Blake reserved a suite for us with a little kitchen space because we like to cook all of our meals ourselves!
One of my favorite things about this trip was being outside each day from sun up to sun down – including cooking and eating dinner!
Our meals were simple, but delicious.
I am an early bird, and always start with first things first.
We traveled very light with just a carry on – but my Bible and some other books went into my suitcase first!!
I did photocopy the pages from my devotional so that I could leave that book at home.
Taking walks first thing in the morning FILLS me up.
I love to be outside and I love to walk – and we had the MOST beautiful lake right next to the place we stayed!
This first photo is my current screen saver on my phone!
I took the next photo from the sidewalk – do you see our buddy there?
The alligators are sneaky!!
You would have to look very carefully to spot them!
The neighborhood right around this lake was BEAUTIFUL!
It was a very nice place to walk and it felt very safe.
The first morning I walked without Blake because he needed to rest.
We spent SO much time outside!!
It was very relaxing, very warm, mostly sunny, and just what we needed.
We had quite a bit of rain in the evenings, but thankfully for the most part the days were beautiful!
We would even eat all our meals around the pool.
We went out to our favorite spot for smoothies late one afternoon.
Food For Thought is such a nice place!
I wish we would have visited in the evening, because they usually have live music there!
But the smoothies were fantastic, as usual!
On Saturday morning we headed out to walk around the farmer’s market.
It was a good choice!!
It was a beautiful cool morning.
There were so many people there and everyone was friendly, kind, and talkative.
We really enjoyed our time there but must have said a dozen times how much the children would have enjoyed being there too!!
Sunday morning we headed to church – the same one we attend each time we are in Naples!
We enjoy this church so much!!
We sometimes listen to the sermons on line throughout the year, so we really enjoy seeing the people and pastor in person.
Sunday was our last full day there, and we had yet to see the sunset on the beach!!
It kept raining every evening – much to our disappointment!
There is nothing better than walking the beach together and watching the sun go down.
Late Sunday afternoon we decided to get one more smoothie, and so we headed back to Food for Thought and got there right before it closed.
And it was pouring rain.
Our smoothies were delicious though!!
There was to be a break in the rain, so we decided to head to the beach.
I had promised our grandson, Clyde, that we would bring him back some ocean water!
This was serious stuff!!
I got out of the car at the beach first and made a mad dash for it while Blake paid for the parking place.
A storm was about to let loose!!
I quickily took some photos, went and got the water out of the ocean in my TSA approved liquid container, and turned around to see Blake headed my way.
I took a few more photos, put Blake’s raincoat on, and then we started running!!
The rain came FAST and FURIOUS and we were soaked by the time we got back to the car!
We laughed so much and it is probably the best memory of the whole trip, ha, ha!!
Monday morning came EARLY.
We had an early flight to get back home.
I was excited to get home but did not want our special time away to end either!
My love language is TIME – and that was what our trip was all about!!
We literally pulled into the garage at home and jumped back into life, needing to get our youngest children to their activities!
I still cannot believe that we get to do things like fly to Florida and spend time together in the sunshine!!
That is something I never imagined we would do someday – yet here we are!!
I am so thankful for my hubby – he is one in a BILLION.
I do not deserve him!!!
Thank you, Mr. Blake Moschel, for making my dreams come true.
For cherishing me everyday.
For pushing me to do things that you know I will enjoy so much.
For loving me so well even when we are living such a big life and need prayers for capacity just to do so.
You truly are the best part of me.
I LOVE YOU MOST!!
Can’t wait to see what we do for number 38!!!
