I am so excited.
No, really! Never mind the lack of proper punctuation to truly convey the level of exitement I feel. Let's just say that I am so excited, I'm almost zen about it.
On Sunday, Sprite turns five, but that's not what I'm SOOOO excited about. Oh, sure, I'm proud of her for making it to the fifth birthday, the last few months were a bit sketchy since the attitude got a promotion and the gratitude got a demotion if we're being honest, so yes, let's color me partially excited over that.
On Wednesday, John and I will have completed ten years of Marriage 101. (Now we get to take our graduate courses!) And that lifts my skirts too, but still not enough to hit that "OHM" level of tranquility I feel when thinking about this upcoming week.
To mark our five year old daughter/ ten year old marriage, we are doing this:
And this:
And maybe even some of this:
(images courtesy of Google)
Now can you see why I'm so excited?
I have never been a guest on a cruise ship before. I've sailed almost a hundred cruises, but always as a little worker bee, seeing to it that the guests were happy, that the Karaoke machine was well stocked with ABBA songs, always making it look like I was having a blast and loving what I did, but honestly? Long work days (Cruise staff had it easy at 12 hours on, 12 hours off. You may want to thank your waiters and cabin attendants a little more profusely next time you cruise for 18 hour schedules are considered a cake walk to them.) and little room for the crew to blow off steam except in designated areas (Sure, the bow of the ship lends for some amazing star gazing since it's so dark, but when you can't see the deck below your feet, you do tend to worry that the water will soon be replacing the planks.) made for a lot of time re-reading the few books I brought, thinking I'd have no time to just be and every day would be full of swimming and sunning.
They weren't.
But I did get to meet thousands of guests, a whole roster of forgettable faces with the same unforgettable look of enjoyment on every one. They were having a great time.
I wanted that.
Now, thanks to the stars aligning, major money saving, and a wonderful dual anniversary to be shared between the three of us, we are going to enjoy complete and reckless abandonment of time. That's right. No watch, no cell phone, no BLOG, no cares for four whole nights as the kid, who has already threatened to spend all her time in the Kid's Club, we've negotiated down to afternoons, yes, I've had to pull her back a little so we could have SOME family time together, I mean, who else is going to watch over our deck chairs while John and I take our tenth turn on the AquaDuck?, gets to celebrate her birthday sailing the high seas and we get to celebrate our anniversary dining in complete opulence at Palo, thanks to some babysitting perks the Disney geniuses thought of beforehand, (Some of those Imagineers must be parents.), and even an anniversary couple's massage, gauranteed to get the kinks out or at least relax you to the point of no longer caring that you had kinks to begin with.
My Nook is full of new reading material. My sunscreen is waiting to be packed. I have fully memorized Mamma Mia and am ready to hit that Karaoke room. John and Sprite are jumping at the bit, as I am. In my own mellow way.
We're going to have a fabulous time. And why shouldn't we? We're a happy family. We genuinely love each other, even when we don't like each other.
Damn straight we're going to celebrate this:
Have an absolutely wonderful time!!!
Posted by: Michele | November 10, 2011 at 06:28 AM
You are going to LOVE being a guest instead of a worker bee. :) And to share the ultra-special moments with the ones you love? Priceless. Happy Anniversary to you and John, and Happy Early Birthday to Sprite - what a way to celebrate! Have fun - and be sure to take LOTS of pictures so we can enjoy your celebrations and the cruise vicariously through you. ;)
Posted by: Stacy Uncorked | November 10, 2011 at 08:43 AM
Beautiful picture! And have an amazing time...happy anniversary, and happy birthday, Sprite!
Posted by: Alaina | November 10, 2011 at 09:43 AM
*sigh* I want to go on a cruise, but Beloved thinks they're dumb. Honestly, though, have a wonderful, wonderful time! Happy 5th Birthday, Miss Sprite, and Happy 10th Anniversary to one of my favorite couples!
Posted by: Jan | November 10, 2011 at 10:09 AM
WOW 10 years! Thats great you and John are great together. Sprite will have a great time! Happy B-Day my Love> I will miss you on your birthday. Next year we have a party so Baba and Nana can have fun with the Birthday Girl!!!
Have fun and stay safe! Love ya all!
Posted by: Baba | November 10, 2011 at 10:21 AM
Yay! Congratulations on 10 years! And I'm so jealous. The hubby is a no-go on cruises for fear of death by water. You will have so much fun. Enjoy!
Posted by: Kendra | November 10, 2011 at 10:23 AM
Congrats on ten years! And congrats to Sprite on making to five. Have a blast and we are looking forward to pictures when you get back.
Posted by: VandyJ | November 10, 2011 at 03:25 PM
Congrats!!!!! That is a big landmark anniversary! We will be 18 this year, I'm saving up for our 20th. I'm thinking it may require a trip without what will be a surly teen and a full on tween by then. Have fun!
Posted by: The Stiletto Mom | November 10, 2011 at 07:47 PM
I am NOT going to tell you that tears gathered in my eyes as I read this because that would make me a total sap.
Congratulations and Congratulations!!
I hope Sprite is feeling MUCH better before you depart, that would be the worst! You certainly deserve this and my hatred of you has lessened to a manageable envy as I'm so happy for you guys!
And the picture of the family-so sweet!! Again, there were no tears on my desk.
You worked on a cruise ship? Oh, I bet you have stories to spare!! Enjoy every moment of it because you all deserve it and I hope it's even more wonderful than you can ever imagine.
What am I going to do without you writing here and on FB? I'm going to be SO BORED!! Maybe just consider posting a funny status or 2 while soaking in the awesome of Disney...just think about it. I won't even hold it against you if you don't (promise)!
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Posted by: tebsaiuqij | November 12, 2011 at 04:05 AM
What a wonderful bunch of moments to celebrate with another wonderful bunch of moments. Have a wonderful trip afloat. Happy Anniversary, Happy Birthday, and Happy Karaoke-ing. I can totally make that a verb, right?
Posted by: Mrsbear | November 12, 2011 at 03:27 PM
Congrats on the 10/5 celebrations!!!!!
I've never been on a cruise ship either as a guest or a worker bee, but I've wanted to do both at some point in life.
It sounds like you have all kinds of good fun coming your way - can't wait to see your pics afterwards. Have FUN!!!!
Posted by: Kaylen | November 12, 2011 at 09:58 PM
Congrats! Enjoy your vacation. (I'm so jealous...)
Posted by: Kim | November 13, 2011 at 04:19 PM
Hooray! Have loads of fun and take loads of pics!
Posted by: bex | November 15, 2011 at 10:34 PM
Yea!! Woo Hoo!!! Those are big ones and so happy you are celebrating them with style.
Posted by: Pseudo | November 19, 2011 at 05:15 PM
Okay, I'm a little late to the party here, but I hope you had a WONDERFUL time! Are you back? I can't wait to hear all about it. I so desperately need a real vacation. Man. And I have to say, I'm really impressed that you actually SAVED money. We don't seem to be able to manage that.
Posted by: Gretchen | November 20, 2011 at 12:27 AM
Love the picture. You all are such a gorgeous family!
I think that the thought of working on a cruise ship must SOUND a lot more glamorous than it really is but I always thought that and being a flight attendant always seemed like such cool jobs.
Posted by: Peg | November 21, 2011 at 01:58 PM