We've had a wonderful time in Tampa, Florida this past week. The 7 hour drive here from Destin almost made us all rip our hair out (because that would have been more fun than the fighting in the backseat and the grumpiness in the front seat..just being real y'all!). But once we got here and got settled, we discovered that the park we are staying at is gorgeous, with sprawling live oaks dripping in Spanish moss covering the whole place. If you know me, you know that trees, especially huge old oak trees with hanging moss, are my favorite thing ever - that or a good sunset; the combination of the two every night here at this park has been amazing. Unfortunately 10 jillion mosquitos also wanted to enjoy the view of the sun setting behind the trees, so I had to do nightly battle with them from my folding chair on the porch.
My parents were able to drive to Tampa this week to spend some time with us, and we've had a great time. My mom surprised the kids with a mini Christmas in July the first day she arrived and has continued to surprise them with goodies while she's been here: shoes, bikes, toys, and field trips to all the best places in Tampa! We've had a lot of fun exploring the area with my parents and will be sad to see them go. It's been nice to see familiar faces! And so SO nice to get a few date nights alone with my husband while my parents kept the kids! You don't realize how wonderful quiet, alone time is until it's not an option.
Today - in just a few minutes - my mom and I will head to Sanibel Island with the kids while Jonathan stays here in Tampa to finish up some work. There are supposedly really amazing shelling beaches where we're going, so the kids are really excited to go explore them. We'll miss Jonathan, but I'm sure he'll appreciate a couple of quiet, uninterrupted days to get some work done.
The last few days have been a little tough, homesickness-wise. I think knowing once my mom leaves this week it will be another few weeks before I get to see any of our family and friends again has made it a little harder. We are having such a good time, and I'm really enjoying just spending the one-on-one time with my kids, but I do find myself lately missing our home church each Sunday and Wednesday, and missing my family and in-laws more than I have so far on this trip. I thought it would take longer for homesickness to set in, but it looks like it's found me and the kids on week four. They have all asked to stop by their aunt Amber's house, to please go to their Sunday school class, or to just "go to our regular old Target" this week, clearly not understanding the distance factor at play here. I will be beyond ready to head back home once this trip is over. It's been an amazing adventure, and I know we're having the experience of a lifetime, but at the same time, it would be wonderful to sit down to dinner with friends and laugh at all the same nonsense we've laughed at a thousand times, in the same restaurants we've been to over and over, where the waitress knows my kids and knows exactly what we want to order. Or to walk into "my" Target, and have the lady at the counter say "Hi Mrs. Ensey! Where are the kids today?!" (Yes, I know that means I go WAY too often! : ) Haha) In all seriousness though, there's really no place like home. And cue the theme song to Cheers....
Keep us in your prayers!
- M
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