A Vacation Show and Tell

Welcome to Show and Tell Friday!" Do you have a something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, an antique find. Your show and tell can be old or new. Use your imagination and dig through those old boxes in your closet if you have to! Feel free to share pictures and if there's a story behind your special something, that's even better! Visit my friend Kelli to participate.

I grew up in a family of six. There was never extra money for vacation. Most years, my mother would take us to an amusement park for one day. I never stayed in a hotel until I was married.

My husband and I will be married for eighteen years in August. We have four children, one income, and not much money for extras. Throughout our children's lives, we have tried to do things that were fun, but inexpensive.

A weekend camping trip.

Trips to Lake Erie when we lived in Pennsylvania.

We bought a family pass to a local children's museum when we lived in Ohio, and visited other museums that offered free reciprocal benefits. (If you have not looked in to this, you really should!)

One time, we spent the weekend in Ft Wayne, Indiana using a free night in a hotel room that my husband had accumulated while traveling on business. We visited a science center for free because of the pass that we had with our local museum. We also took a free tour of Gene Stratton Porter's home on that trip. (She authored Girl of the Limberlost.)

We travelled from Ohio to Florida and spent the week with friends. We enjoyed their pool. We helped with groceries, brought a wonderful hostess gift, stayed in one hotel on the way down, and one on the way back. Most of the trip was free.

We've taken our children to an amusement park several times over the years. When living in Ohio, we asked my in-laws for season passes to King's Island. We enjoyed an entire summer of fun.

Last Sunday, we enjoyed a free open house at a local cave.

Every one of these times were enjoyable. We've made lasting memories. Not spending a lot does not mean that we have suffered.

I have NO desire to go to Disney World. I think that each person has their own idea of relaxation. That is not mine.

All of that being said, I have dreamed of taking a week long vacation where our family isn't staying in a house with another family. I've dreamed of being able to relax and enjoy a week, instead of a weekend. I've dreamed of spreading out in a house instead of crowding six people into a hotel room. This year my dream is coming true.

Tomorrow morning we are leaving for a twelve hour drive to the east coast. We'll spend the night with my aunt and uncle who live about half way. After we worship on Sunday, we'll drive the rest of the trip to arrive here:

This will be our home for the next seven days. We'll be a few blocks from the Atlantic Ocean, but we have a private pool at the house. There's an air hockey table in case it rains or we've had too much sun.

I'd rather be away from the beach for several reasons. First, you can rent a much nicer home for much less money. Second, beach attire isn't always modest. We can visit the beach, but if we feel uncomfortable, we can return to the house with our own private pool.

I can't wait! I don't think that I am the most excited though. Our children are all smiles. My husband is counting the hours. I'm so happy for him. He works so hard to provide for us, and I'm thrilled that he will be able to relax and enjoy this time.

So, I'll not be blogging much starting tomorrow. My hubby IS taking his laptop, and if I can I'll post about our trip. If not, I'll give you lots of details when we return home again.