Guys, our trip to St. Thomas was pretty magical. Joe and I love to travel and it feels like we're coming out of that that natural hiatus that sometimes occurs after you have kids, buy a house (or two), and experience a worldwide pandemic. It happens. But with the kids being older, restrictions being limited, and living debt free (I  need to share more on that journey!), we're coming into what I hope is a season of more travel. Anyway, the purpose of this trip was to celebrate my mom's 65th birthday- she chose the location- and it was such a special celebration.  Sharing my review, pictures, tips, and a harrowing story of survival below so keep reading!

For Joe's parents 50th anniversary we gifted them a trip to Disney world...with all of us! Party of 16, please. I was nervous about going to Disney with a group but in the end, it was a GREAT time. That said, here's how we planned it and what I'd do differently next time! Keep reading for my tips on going to Disney world with a large group!

Last weekend Joe and I took the kids to meet his parents at Mariott's Oceanwatch Villas at Grande Dunes in Myrtle Beach, SC. They'd booked a vacation there and since it's only a few hours away it was the perfect opportunity to cure a little bit of homesickness. I'm not sure what I expected but it certainly exceeded my expectations.  It  really was the perfect place to take the kiddos. Oh and I should say that though this sounds sponsored, it's not. I wish it was. Like I really wish it was because then I could justify going back soon. Ha. I'm always curious about what people do with their kids plus it's been a bit quiet here on the blog so I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone and share. So what made it so great?

Joe and I finally made it on our little getaway!  This year we celebrated 10 years married and had loosely planned on a tropical vacation alone.  Then the diagnosis happened and that turned into a still wonderful getaway to a beautiful house on the beach in Charleston, SC.  Then the infection happened and that turned into a 3 night getaway to local Maine.  I'm not gonna lie- initially I was heartbroken.  I couldn't even bring myself to update you here on Taste{Full} because I was so discouraged over yet another setback.  Since it was exactly around the time Joe's last chemo was supposed to happen I think I'd let my guard down and emotionally had moved on to our next phase in life.  But at the end of the day I knew that the important thin was that Joe was ok.  And if there's one thing I've learned this year it's that we can plan all we want but at the end of the day it's not totally up to us.  And I have faith that everything happens for a reason and that God will take what the enemy intended for evil and use it for good.  Quite honestly there are some people who aren't fortunate enough to get away ever.  to anywhere.  And going away is going away.  I still got to spend uninterrupted time with my boo.  And I still got a chance to miss my kids.  Cause we mamas need those opportunities every once in a while.  At least this mama does! And it made me thankful that we live near so many great coastal towns.  Because it truly was a wonderful vacation.  Speaking of coastal towns...