It's been another busy couple of months and time has gotten away from me once again. Since my last post, Brian and I have completed two unsuccessful IUI cycles. Our fertility specialist is not recommending we try another cycle and is recommending that we either go for InVitro Fertilization, or pursue adoption. We've spent the last month in prayer and thought about what God wants us to do next. I've never wanted to do IVF, but now that I know it is my only option, I've had to consider it. We have also been approached with a a foster-to-adopt program that mutual friends have done and successfully added to their families through. We are currently looking into that program and are seriously considering adding to our family through adoption.
It is a difficult scenario to consider never carrying my own child. My loved ones are concerned that I will regret not trying everything I can to have my own before considering adoption, because there will always be babies and children who need homes. I would love to have a child that is a combination of Brian and me and the thought of never experiencing that is sad. But lately I've felt more at peace with the idea that God is going to bless us with children, one way or the other. I still do not feel called to do IVF. Brian thinks that is interesting because he always thought we would end up doing IVF if IUI didn't work, just because he knew how much having my own child was important to me. But even facing the possibility that I won't ever get pregnant without IVF, I still do not feel like it is what I need to do.
I'm doing okay right now, though I am dealing with disappointment and confusion about what to do next. I do not want to let my family and friends down, and I do not want to be seen as weak for not doing everything I can to have my own child. I just want us to make the best decision possible for our family.
I guess we need prayers right now more than anything. We need to know what God is wanting us to do. And we need support from our family and friends as we make this decision and in the next few months. I know God's hand is in this, I just need to see which way he is pointing.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
How I'm Feeling...Really (Thanks Cami)
I know it's been a while...again. For those that care to still check and make sure I'm still here, I am. My surgery went well and I am almost 100%. The only thing that holds me down now is some problems with food, but that is to be expected. The recovery has gone well and I am so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful family and friends that took care of me, prayed with and for me and showered me with love.
The reason why I haven't written much really doesn't have much to do with the gallbladder situation at all. I just haven't felt like writing. In a much needed getaway to my parents' house, I shared with them that since I got sick 3 days before having IUI, I have tried pushing everything out of my head, not wanting to deal with anything until I actually had a reason to deal with it. Of course, my sweet father reminded me that as a therapist that probably wasn't the most healthy thing to do, but if taking a break from reality is what I needed then that's what I should do.
I'm actually nervous writing this blog. It's funny because I'm shaking as I'm typing as I'm watching everything I've kept close to my heart these last few months displayed on the screen. I joked with my sweet friend Cami the other night at Bunco that her post on her blog "How I'm feeling, really." inspired me to do this on my blog. She has such amazing strength that I daily thank God for her in my life. She has gone through more horrifying circumstances that my shallow, narrow perspective can wrap my mind around. But I feel kindred with her some ways because we both struggle with crosses that we've been asked to bear and we also sit and watch the world continue on while we wait to see how God's going to carry us.
The last few months have not been easy for me. I was literally in shock when I was rushed to the emergency room on vacation and was told I was to stay for a week before getting my gallbladder taken out. For months leading up to that moment, I knew I was feeling bad, I just attributed it to the laundry list of meds I was on preparing for IUI coming in three days. There are many things that I am grateful for in that experience and I do not want anyone to think that I do not feel innumerously blessed by the fact that I did NOT get sick in Europe and it was NOT something more serious than a gallbladder. BUT that does not take away the pain and disappointment that I am still struggling with in the holding pattern I've sat in the last several months, waiting as always for my moment to come.
Last Friday was also harder than I expected. It was the one-year anniversary of my miscarriage. I could feel it coming all week and was unsure of how I was going to respond. I cried most of the morning and spent the entire time in prayer and grief for the loss and the fear that I will never hold a child of my own in my arms, that that sweet baby is the closest I will ever be to being a mommy. But after a few hours, I picked myself up and got out of the house. Partly to distract me, partly to not wallow anymore. I had grieved and as I am still completely out of control of this situation, despair would not help me. So I then spent lunch with my hubby, shipped him off to a wet weekend dove hunting and went straight to my friend Sarah's house, where I literally spent the rest of the weekend, surrounded by my precious Granbury girls and their sweet kids that have become such a comfort to me. You girls will never know how much it meant to spend the weekend with you. I was not looking for distraction and I was not looking for pity, sadness or grief. I merely just wanted to be surrounded by you and enjoy you. And you gave me exactly what I needed: laughter, entertainment, and you let me love on and be loved on by your kids.
Also, Rachel and Joe just finished their first trimester with their sweet baby that God blessed them with in their last round of invitro. For those that are wondering, I AM HAPPY FOR THEM! I have prayed diligently for these sweet people for the last two years for a child and am so glad that God has chosen this couple to shower His sweet grace upon. No, it is not easy for me. This is a blog for honesty, so if you don't like it, you don't have to read it. It isn't easy. I am joyful for them and try to be the best support for them as I can and save my sorrow for myself for later. Luckily I have a husband who does not judge me when I cry, only holds me and prays fervent prayers that one day that will be us sharing our blessed news with our loved ones.
We are now at the place where we will, Lord willing, begin treatment again starting this week and hopefully will have IUI done in a couple of weeks. I'm not excited about it, though I am grateful that modern technology has made this a possibility for us. I guess I'm not excited about it because the most I've learned from the last 3 years and the last 3 months specifically, is that I am NOT in control of this situation AT ALL. I am resigned to the fact that God could choose to give us a child, and he could also choose to not. I do feel that having IUI done is in accordance with His will. This I've sought after since July, wondering if that was His reason for holding me back. I do not have hope that I will get pregnant with IUI. I DO have hope that whatever happens, God will continue to carry me, just as he has. If we don't get pregnant, I will be sad. I will be disappointed. But I take comfort that someday it will all make sense, when I can stand back and look at the completed puzzle and not just my one piece that is struggling to find it's fit. I feel that after a couple of unsuccessful rounds of IUI, Brian and I will have some decisions to make regarding what our next step is. Hopefully, we won't have to have those discussions, but whatever happens, I feel at peace that God is working in this, though it does cause me pain sometimes that I really don't have any idea what is next for me.
So for those who are wondering, I am doing OK. There have been many things that I've been blessed with throughout this whole ordeal and I am not closed to receiving or identifying those blessings. Yes, I am still very sad sometimes. I would be lying if I said I wasn't. But I am also not always sad. There is so much to be joyful about and everyday I am seeking that joy out like darkness seeks out a candle. I will never be as I was before this journey began. I feel older, weary. Weaker, yet stronger. I have resigned myself to God's will, though I still take comfort and strength from Him. I continue to recite my favorite verse in the Bible: Nehemiah 8:10 "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
I've added a new song to my playlist that I've played over and over again in the last few months. It's from one of my favorite groups, Shane & Shane, from their Psalms album, it's their rendition of Psalm 13, describing exactly how I'm feeling now...really.
The reason why I haven't written much really doesn't have much to do with the gallbladder situation at all. I just haven't felt like writing. In a much needed getaway to my parents' house, I shared with them that since I got sick 3 days before having IUI, I have tried pushing everything out of my head, not wanting to deal with anything until I actually had a reason to deal with it. Of course, my sweet father reminded me that as a therapist that probably wasn't the most healthy thing to do, but if taking a break from reality is what I needed then that's what I should do.
I'm actually nervous writing this blog. It's funny because I'm shaking as I'm typing as I'm watching everything I've kept close to my heart these last few months displayed on the screen. I joked with my sweet friend Cami the other night at Bunco that her post on her blog "How I'm feeling, really." inspired me to do this on my blog. She has such amazing strength that I daily thank God for her in my life. She has gone through more horrifying circumstances that my shallow, narrow perspective can wrap my mind around. But I feel kindred with her some ways because we both struggle with crosses that we've been asked to bear and we also sit and watch the world continue on while we wait to see how God's going to carry us.
The last few months have not been easy for me. I was literally in shock when I was rushed to the emergency room on vacation and was told I was to stay for a week before getting my gallbladder taken out. For months leading up to that moment, I knew I was feeling bad, I just attributed it to the laundry list of meds I was on preparing for IUI coming in three days. There are many things that I am grateful for in that experience and I do not want anyone to think that I do not feel innumerously blessed by the fact that I did NOT get sick in Europe and it was NOT something more serious than a gallbladder. BUT that does not take away the pain and disappointment that I am still struggling with in the holding pattern I've sat in the last several months, waiting as always for my moment to come.
Last Friday was also harder than I expected. It was the one-year anniversary of my miscarriage. I could feel it coming all week and was unsure of how I was going to respond. I cried most of the morning and spent the entire time in prayer and grief for the loss and the fear that I will never hold a child of my own in my arms, that that sweet baby is the closest I will ever be to being a mommy. But after a few hours, I picked myself up and got out of the house. Partly to distract me, partly to not wallow anymore. I had grieved and as I am still completely out of control of this situation, despair would not help me. So I then spent lunch with my hubby, shipped him off to a wet weekend dove hunting and went straight to my friend Sarah's house, where I literally spent the rest of the weekend, surrounded by my precious Granbury girls and their sweet kids that have become such a comfort to me. You girls will never know how much it meant to spend the weekend with you. I was not looking for distraction and I was not looking for pity, sadness or grief. I merely just wanted to be surrounded by you and enjoy you. And you gave me exactly what I needed: laughter, entertainment, and you let me love on and be loved on by your kids.
Also, Rachel and Joe just finished their first trimester with their sweet baby that God blessed them with in their last round of invitro. For those that are wondering, I AM HAPPY FOR THEM! I have prayed diligently for these sweet people for the last two years for a child and am so glad that God has chosen this couple to shower His sweet grace upon. No, it is not easy for me. This is a blog for honesty, so if you don't like it, you don't have to read it. It isn't easy. I am joyful for them and try to be the best support for them as I can and save my sorrow for myself for later. Luckily I have a husband who does not judge me when I cry, only holds me and prays fervent prayers that one day that will be us sharing our blessed news with our loved ones.
We are now at the place where we will, Lord willing, begin treatment again starting this week and hopefully will have IUI done in a couple of weeks. I'm not excited about it, though I am grateful that modern technology has made this a possibility for us. I guess I'm not excited about it because the most I've learned from the last 3 years and the last 3 months specifically, is that I am NOT in control of this situation AT ALL. I am resigned to the fact that God could choose to give us a child, and he could also choose to not. I do feel that having IUI done is in accordance with His will. This I've sought after since July, wondering if that was His reason for holding me back. I do not have hope that I will get pregnant with IUI. I DO have hope that whatever happens, God will continue to carry me, just as he has. If we don't get pregnant, I will be sad. I will be disappointed. But I take comfort that someday it will all make sense, when I can stand back and look at the completed puzzle and not just my one piece that is struggling to find it's fit. I feel that after a couple of unsuccessful rounds of IUI, Brian and I will have some decisions to make regarding what our next step is. Hopefully, we won't have to have those discussions, but whatever happens, I feel at peace that God is working in this, though it does cause me pain sometimes that I really don't have any idea what is next for me.
So for those who are wondering, I am doing OK. There have been many things that I've been blessed with throughout this whole ordeal and I am not closed to receiving or identifying those blessings. Yes, I am still very sad sometimes. I would be lying if I said I wasn't. But I am also not always sad. There is so much to be joyful about and everyday I am seeking that joy out like darkness seeks out a candle. I will never be as I was before this journey began. I feel older, weary. Weaker, yet stronger. I have resigned myself to God's will, though I still take comfort and strength from Him. I continue to recite my favorite verse in the Bible: Nehemiah 8:10 "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
I've added a new song to my playlist that I've played over and over again in the last few months. It's from one of my favorite groups, Shane & Shane, from their Psalms album, it's their rendition of Psalm 13, describing exactly how I'm feeling now...really.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Gallbladder-A-Go-Go
After an awesome weekend with my BFFs, and a trip to the coast with my family, I got an unpleasant surprise. Around 2:30 AM Wednesday morning I woke up with stomach pains that felt like I was having a heart attack. My aunt and uncles started the drive to the hospital in Corpus Christi, but ended up calling an ambulance to take me the rest of the way because I was feeling so bad. After a sleepless night of blown veins, IVs, blood draws, CT scans, ultrasounds, etc, they determined I had pancreatitis and needed my gallbladder taken out. They wanted to keep me in the hospital up to a week to get the infection out of my pancreas and then take out the gallbladder. I couldn't imagine staying in a town where I knew no one, so I persuaded them to let me go if I wasn't on my deathbed, my aunt Jo got me a flight out that afternoon and I checked into Harris Southwest Medical Center in Ft. Worth Wednesday night. The pancreatitis was actually a very mild case as my blood levels were all back to normal within a few days, but my gallbladder still needs to come out. So now I'm at home, waiting for the surgeon to get back in town so I can meet with him and schedule this little outpatient procedure.
I'm actually doing much better. I feel okay, just tired and a little sore. Brian and I are still amazed at the outpouring of love that we felt while in the hospital. For the less than 48 hours I was there, we had a full room almost the entire time, all the way up until I was discharged. And my phone was always blowing up with texts, calls, emails, voicemails. I felt so blessed to feel the love of our friends and family that came to check on me.
I'm ready to get this little procedure out and over with. From what I understand of the surgery, I will be feeling like a million bucks once I get it out. What I think I'm struggling with most right now is why this is happening to me now. Not many of you know, but I was supposed to have IUI this past weekend. For some reason, God did not want me to have this done this month, and what Brian and I can only guess is He is asking us for more patience since we will not be able to even start trying again for a couple of months. Please pray for me and for us as we are trying to stay positive and hopeful, are trying to keep from getting discouraged, and will be hopefully having my gallbladder out in the coming weeks.
I'm actually doing much better. I feel okay, just tired and a little sore. Brian and I are still amazed at the outpouring of love that we felt while in the hospital. For the less than 48 hours I was there, we had a full room almost the entire time, all the way up until I was discharged. And my phone was always blowing up with texts, calls, emails, voicemails. I felt so blessed to feel the love of our friends and family that came to check on me.
I'm ready to get this little procedure out and over with. From what I understand of the surgery, I will be feeling like a million bucks once I get it out. What I think I'm struggling with most right now is why this is happening to me now. Not many of you know, but I was supposed to have IUI this past weekend. For some reason, God did not want me to have this done this month, and what Brian and I can only guess is He is asking us for more patience since we will not be able to even start trying again for a couple of months. Please pray for me and for us as we are trying to stay positive and hopeful, are trying to keep from getting discouraged, and will be hopefully having my gallbladder out in the coming weeks.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Time with Friends
We've been very busy for the last couple of weeks! I've been working on getting put on Medicaid to start getting more clients in my private practice. I've also gotten the chance to spend time with several of my sweet friends. We also got to go to Austin for the Kennedy girls' dance recital and Dylan's basketball game. We had such a great time, we love spending time with them and can't wait to go back!
Dylan's game, he was the only one playing defense!
Mackenzie and me at the game
Mindy and me, this is my favorite picture of us!
Brian at Compass Trading with the girls, he was Mr. Fashion! He picked out new earrings for me, a necklace for Mindy, headbands for the girls & basically entertained them the whole time!
The girls (& Mindy!) performing the routine before we left, so stinking cute!
Aren't they beautiful?
Us with Madison and Mackenzie
Before the dance recital
Just beautiful!
Brian and Dylan trying to entertain themselves before the recital
Performing their dance number to Shoo Fly Fly & Apple Pan Dandy
Madison licking her armpit, talent...
On Tuesday I got to hang out with both of my best friends and their children I love so much! I met Rebecca and Mindy at Rebecca's mom's house and we took the kids to the water park in Hurst. You have to go there if you live in the Metroplex, it was totally worth the $4 ticket if you're not a Hurst resident! The three of us even put on our big girl shorts and went down the big water slide, something neither of us had done in about 10 years! I didn't take my camera, so I don't have any pics, but as soon as I get some I will post them, Mindy's mom got some really great ones.
Me and some of my favorite people
After the water park we cleaned up and the moms were nice enough to let us girls go out on a girls' night. We spent half of the time eating, Mexican and Chessecake Factory, and the other half of the time talking and catching up. I didn't get home until 2 am, but it was totally worth it. I love these girls so much, I don't know what I'd do without them in my life and I can't wait to have girls' weekend in just a couple of weeks! :)
Dylan's game, he was the only one playing defense!
Mackenzie and me at the game
Mindy and me, this is my favorite picture of us!
Brian at Compass Trading with the girls, he was Mr. Fashion! He picked out new earrings for me, a necklace for Mindy, headbands for the girls & basically entertained them the whole time!
The girls (& Mindy!) performing the routine before we left, so stinking cute!
Aren't they beautiful?
Us with Madison and Mackenzie
Before the dance recital
Just beautiful!
Brian and Dylan trying to entertain themselves before the recital
Performing their dance number to Shoo Fly Fly & Apple Pan Dandy
Madison licking her armpit, talent...On Tuesday I got to hang out with both of my best friends and their children I love so much! I met Rebecca and Mindy at Rebecca's mom's house and we took the kids to the water park in Hurst. You have to go there if you live in the Metroplex, it was totally worth the $4 ticket if you're not a Hurst resident! The three of us even put on our big girl shorts and went down the big water slide, something neither of us had done in about 10 years! I didn't take my camera, so I don't have any pics, but as soon as I get some I will post them, Mindy's mom got some really great ones.
Me and some of my favorite peopleAfter the water park we cleaned up and the moms were nice enough to let us girls go out on a girls' night. We spent half of the time eating, Mexican and Chessecake Factory, and the other half of the time talking and catching up. I didn't get home until 2 am, but it was totally worth it. I love these girls so much, I don't know what I'd do without them in my life and I can't wait to have girls' weekend in just a couple of weeks! :)
Monday, June 22, 2009
Spain!!
We really loved Spain, it is our favorite place in the entire world. The culture is amazing, the food is incredible, the scenery is beautiful, the people are super-friendly. When we went two years ago, we went to Sevilla, the previous capital of Spain and is located in the part of Spain called, Andalusia. Andalusia, is the southern part of Spain and really has its own dialect and culture. Granada, where we went this time, is another town in Andalusia nearer to the coast. And again, we had an amazing time, here's the last of our pics:
Granada
About a 1000 years ago, Spain was occupied by the Muslims. That is when they built the Alhambra, the most well preserved castle/fortress in Spain. In 1492, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella gave Columbus the go ahead to explore for the New World, in the Alhambra. In the 1900s, Washington Irving was staying at the Alhambra. At the time, it was abandoned and inhabited by homeless people (gypsies) and donkeys. But the book that he wrote about The Alhambra became world renowned and convinced the Spanish government to reclaim this ancient structure and make it into a national monument.
The Alhambra
The Alhambra looking out over Granada
You can see the snow covered tops of the Sierra Nevada mountains
The Alhambra Summer Palace
One of the typical Andalusian foods, almost every restaurant/cafe has these legs of ham that have been cured years ago. They take a leg, slice the meat very thin and serve it with different chesses and bread. It is our absolute favorite tapa (appetizer), though it was a little unsettling to see pig legs hanging out everywhere.
Me & my favorite Spanish food, churros. They are like funnel cakes made out of potatoes and dipped in hot chocolate. So incredibly good!!
While we were there, they were having a week long celebration of Korpus Kristi (body of Christ). And how they celebrate is festivals, carnivals, fireworks, parades all day and all night. This carnival started at midnite and lasted until 6 am and everyone was there dressed in flamenco dresses, riding rides, eating, dancing and partying. It was a total blast!
Flamenco
Us walking down one of the streets in Granada, at about 3:30 in the morning! Look how crowded it is!! :)
Us looking out over the Alhambra at sunset
Our hotel receptionist told us about Salobrena, a beach town that is known as a "White Town". Southern Spain is known for it's towns with all white buildings with terra cotta roofs. It was a beautiful town set on a hill, looking out over the Sea.
On top of the castle in Salobrena.
Brian posing out of a window in the castle
The best meal we had in Europe: Tapas (the ham & cheese) and fried fresh fish, and Sangria (my absolute favorite!)
The beach, it was gravel and rock, ouch! The water was super cold, so we baked on the rocks but couldn't cool off in the water...And our hotel lady neglected to tell us that it was a "clothes optional" beach! We just walked head down till we reached an empty part of the "beach". Oh well! It's Europe!
Us on the beach in Salobrena
A parade when we got back from Salobrena at midnite. The guys at the parade were dressed in traditional Spanish attire, vaqueros and flamencos on horseback.
All in all, we really did have an amazing time. We've been glad to be back this week, and have enjoyed seeing friends and family and sleeping in our bed with our puppies. But we are so grateful to God for blessing us with the opportunity to visit Albania and the beautiful people there as well as play for two weeks, just the two of us!
GranadaAbout a 1000 years ago, Spain was occupied by the Muslims. That is when they built the Alhambra, the most well preserved castle/fortress in Spain. In 1492, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella gave Columbus the go ahead to explore for the New World, in the Alhambra. In the 1900s, Washington Irving was staying at the Alhambra. At the time, it was abandoned and inhabited by homeless people (gypsies) and donkeys. But the book that he wrote about The Alhambra became world renowned and convinced the Spanish government to reclaim this ancient structure and make it into a national monument.
The Alhambra
The Alhambra looking out over Granada
You can see the snow covered tops of the Sierra Nevada mountains
The Alhambra Summer Palace
One of the typical Andalusian foods, almost every restaurant/cafe has these legs of ham that have been cured years ago. They take a leg, slice the meat very thin and serve it with different chesses and bread. It is our absolute favorite tapa (appetizer), though it was a little unsettling to see pig legs hanging out everywhere.
Me & my favorite Spanish food, churros. They are like funnel cakes made out of potatoes and dipped in hot chocolate. So incredibly good!!
While we were there, they were having a week long celebration of Korpus Kristi (body of Christ). And how they celebrate is festivals, carnivals, fireworks, parades all day and all night. This carnival started at midnite and lasted until 6 am and everyone was there dressed in flamenco dresses, riding rides, eating, dancing and partying. It was a total blast!
Flamenco
Us walking down one of the streets in Granada, at about 3:30 in the morning! Look how crowded it is!! :)
Us looking out over the Alhambra at sunset
Our hotel receptionist told us about Salobrena, a beach town that is known as a "White Town". Southern Spain is known for it's towns with all white buildings with terra cotta roofs. It was a beautiful town set on a hill, looking out over the Sea.
On top of the castle in Salobrena.
Brian posing out of a window in the castle
The best meal we had in Europe: Tapas (the ham & cheese) and fried fresh fish, and Sangria (my absolute favorite!)
The beach, it was gravel and rock, ouch! The water was super cold, so we baked on the rocks but couldn't cool off in the water...And our hotel lady neglected to tell us that it was a "clothes optional" beach! We just walked head down till we reached an empty part of the "beach". Oh well! It's Europe!
Us on the beach in Salobrena
A parade when we got back from Salobrena at midnite. The guys at the parade were dressed in traditional Spanish attire, vaqueros and flamencos on horseback.All in all, we really did have an amazing time. We've been glad to be back this week, and have enjoyed seeing friends and family and sleeping in our bed with our puppies. But we are so grateful to God for blessing us with the opportunity to visit Albania and the beautiful people there as well as play for two weeks, just the two of us!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
ITALY!! :)
After Albania we spent a week in Italy. We had gone backpacking in Europe for two weeks together in 2007 and when we were planning on where we wanted to go, we wanted to hit some places we'd never been and go back to some places we wanted to spend more time in. We got a hard time from some that we were going to be gone for a whole month, and it really was a long time to be gone. But I feel so incredibly blessed to have been able to go away with my husband, not for work (though I thank the federal govt. for sending us to lots of great places), for an entire month. It made our marriage stronger and I enjoyed every second of it.
Straight from Albania we went to Venice. We really enjoyed Albania, but there was so much traffic and pollution. It was so incredible to go to Venice straight away. Venice is like no other place, it is eerily quiet because there is no street traffic except for walkers. And the only transportation is by foot or boat. And we love the food and drink and culture of Italy so much, it was just relaxing to be there.
In St. Mark's Square, the cafes on all sides of the square that have been there for hundreds of years, have dueling orchestras. So we got a coffee and listened to fabulous music echoing around the ancient walls of the square.
One of the Venetian islands, Murano, is famous for it's hand-blown glass. This is a haybale (for you Mom:)) made out of little pieces of glass.
YUMMM GELATO! We got at least one gelato a day, how can you be sad when you have gelato every day?
We totally don't have $120 Euro to hire a gondola for an hour, but couldn't miss riding one. So we got on a traghetto ($2 Euro), which is basically a gondola that takes you across the Grand Canal. We met a gondolier that was an Italian that met his American wife while she was on holiday in Venice, they are now married, living in Venice and just had a baby. Now that's Amore!
Aaaahhh Venice...
Rialto Bridge
After Venice we trained to the Cinque Terra (Five Lands), which is just north of Florence on the Meditteranean. The Cinque Terra is made up of five towns on five different cliffs hanging over the Sea. Up until about 50 years ago, there was no road that connected the five towns. But now they are connected by a road, but more famously a trail that is cut into the cliffs on the sea. It is unequivocally the most beautiful place I've ever seen in my entire life. One of the days we were there we took a boat to the furthest town and hiked to each town. At every turn, we gasped because the views were amazing. And there were low spots on the trail all day that we just dropped our shorts (we had bathing suits on underneath...) and went for a swim in the Sea. It was perfect temperature, super deep, super clear (you could see to the bottom) and so salty you could float with almost no effort. It was the most romantic place we'd ever been to and a perfect way to celebrate 6 years of wedded bliss. :)
My hair was super poofy while we were there, pardon the frizz...
On the trail between towns
In between 2 of the towns, the trail was not for the faint of heart. Though it was doable for 2 late 20 year olds in moderate shape, there were parts that were super high and the only thing keeping you from cliff diving into the sea was a rail...
The trail from two of the towns is called Via Dell Amore (Lovers Walk), named for the relationships discovered and committed on this trail between towns. Finally people had a way of meeting and interacting with the townspeople from next door. So tradition started that at the place where you meet, you graffiti your love on the walls and symbolize your everlasting love with attaching a lock to plants, nets, whatever you can find.
Locks on the Via Dell Amore
One of our stops for a swim
Brian eating squid on the trail, a delicacy there on the coast of Italy, though I'm not a fish eater, even I ate some squid, though it was frita (fried)!
View of Vernazza on our way home on the hike. We stayed in Vernazza and if you look closely towards the water, the tower sticking up out of the cliff is right above where our hotel was, built into the cliff/city wall.
This is the view from our balcony off our room. It was literally cut out of the cliff and looking down, you can just see the moon reflecting off the crashing waves and water. So amazing.
Us looking out over Vernazza from the church and cemetary
Out for a swim in Vernazza, there was a beach and sunning rocks, we chose a rock and had a great view of all of the young families and old men in speedos. In truth though, it was still not nearly as crowded as other places we'd been. So it was still relaxing and peaceful.
Dinner our last night at sunset
After we sadly left the Cinque Terra, we headed to Florence for shopping. FYI the best shopping is in Florence, the markets are great and you can haggle with most everyone because the booths mostly carry the same merchandise!
Us in front of the Duomo in Florence
Straight from Albania we went to Venice. We really enjoyed Albania, but there was so much traffic and pollution. It was so incredible to go to Venice straight away. Venice is like no other place, it is eerily quiet because there is no street traffic except for walkers. And the only transportation is by foot or boat. And we love the food and drink and culture of Italy so much, it was just relaxing to be there.
In St. Mark's Square, the cafes on all sides of the square that have been there for hundreds of years, have dueling orchestras. So we got a coffee and listened to fabulous music echoing around the ancient walls of the square.
One of the Venetian islands, Murano, is famous for it's hand-blown glass. This is a haybale (for you Mom:)) made out of little pieces of glass.
YUMMM GELATO! We got at least one gelato a day, how can you be sad when you have gelato every day?
We totally don't have $120 Euro to hire a gondola for an hour, but couldn't miss riding one. So we got on a traghetto ($2 Euro), which is basically a gondola that takes you across the Grand Canal. We met a gondolier that was an Italian that met his American wife while she was on holiday in Venice, they are now married, living in Venice and just had a baby. Now that's Amore!
Aaaahhh Venice...
Rialto BridgeAfter Venice we trained to the Cinque Terra (Five Lands), which is just north of Florence on the Meditteranean. The Cinque Terra is made up of five towns on five different cliffs hanging over the Sea. Up until about 50 years ago, there was no road that connected the five towns. But now they are connected by a road, but more famously a trail that is cut into the cliffs on the sea. It is unequivocally the most beautiful place I've ever seen in my entire life. One of the days we were there we took a boat to the furthest town and hiked to each town. At every turn, we gasped because the views were amazing. And there were low spots on the trail all day that we just dropped our shorts (we had bathing suits on underneath...) and went for a swim in the Sea. It was perfect temperature, super deep, super clear (you could see to the bottom) and so salty you could float with almost no effort. It was the most romantic place we'd ever been to and a perfect way to celebrate 6 years of wedded bliss. :)
My hair was super poofy while we were there, pardon the frizz...
On the trail between towns
In between 2 of the towns, the trail was not for the faint of heart. Though it was doable for 2 late 20 year olds in moderate shape, there were parts that were super high and the only thing keeping you from cliff diving into the sea was a rail...
The trail from two of the towns is called Via Dell Amore (Lovers Walk), named for the relationships discovered and committed on this trail between towns. Finally people had a way of meeting and interacting with the townspeople from next door. So tradition started that at the place where you meet, you graffiti your love on the walls and symbolize your everlasting love with attaching a lock to plants, nets, whatever you can find.
Locks on the Via Dell Amore
One of our stops for a swim
Brian eating squid on the trail, a delicacy there on the coast of Italy, though I'm not a fish eater, even I ate some squid, though it was frita (fried)!
View of Vernazza on our way home on the hike. We stayed in Vernazza and if you look closely towards the water, the tower sticking up out of the cliff is right above where our hotel was, built into the cliff/city wall.
This is the view from our balcony off our room. It was literally cut out of the cliff and looking down, you can just see the moon reflecting off the crashing waves and water. So amazing.
Us looking out over Vernazza from the church and cemetary
Out for a swim in Vernazza, there was a beach and sunning rocks, we chose a rock and had a great view of all of the young families and old men in speedos. In truth though, it was still not nearly as crowded as other places we'd been. So it was still relaxing and peaceful.
Dinner our last night at sunsetAfter we sadly left the Cinque Terra, we headed to Florence for shopping. FYI the best shopping is in Florence, the markets are great and you can haggle with most everyone because the booths mostly carry the same merchandise!
Us in front of the Duomo in Florence
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