I wrote this a couple of months back when we were on vacation in Florida. As I look out my window to the snow and ice…it is a wonderful memory, and a reminder to start saving for our next get-away!

Whenever we go away as a family, I am amazed at how the “stuck togetheredness” amplifies personalities, likes, dislikes, etc. by a million-bazillion.  At home, we get in our routines; hide behind doors, and vices we have created.  Out here on vacation it’s no-man’s land. Nowhere to hide.  Always together.  I’ve discovered little tidbits about my kids that I haven’t fully noticed until now.

· Maddie, our oldest, is wandering into this pre-pre-teen phase that I really can’t get my head around.  She is such a smart, mature kid for her age.  She has always been that way, but I think she is really starting to feel the pull away from being a little kid into a more mature, serious kid that doesn’t like to get dirty or wet, but cares very much about hair and clothes.  She cares deeply for people and has an unbelievable perception of God and his character and love.

· Whitney is full of life and passion.  I see her compassion for her little sister and it warms my heart and gives me amazing joy.  She is first to stand up for justice.  She is outraged beyond words when one is left out or behind.  I am surprised again to see how much she really does care for the lost and hurting.

· Isabelle is always making us laugh.  Tonight at supper, she pointed to her cake and said, “Thanks Mom for making these wonderful sausages.”  Anything for a laugh.  I am amazed at her strength despite the odds that have been against her.  She has one of the strongest, most determined wills of anyone I have known.  This plays to her favor more than not, believe it or  not.

I am a huge vacation advocate.  I’d rather cut out spending on fancy clothes for myself, or expensive meals out so we can afford to do this every once in a while.  It’s worth the sacrifice on the other end to have this time as a family here and now.  Experience is everything when it means drawing back from our vices and routines to walk hand in hand with my daughter down the beach and just talk. More than that, to see our girls playing and laughing together is worth every penny for the time here and now.

Michelle is a full-time, stay at home Mom in Indiana. She thinks that the good thing about living in Indiana, is that everywhere else you go it’s always better! Follow her family’s adventures in that wild and crazy state at her self-titled blog, Michelle Wegner