Spontaneous Cruising

Have you ever heard of "Spontaneous cruising"? Me either. Actually it is a term that I made up after an experience I had last week. Just over a week ago, my good friend Sabrina called me, told me that she was leaving for a cruise in a day or two, alone, (she is going through a divorce and needed to get away and clear her head) and would I like to go with her to fill the other spot she already paid for. Of course I laughed, said, "Oh, I wish", and just didn't really think about it again. Yet she kept bringing it up, telling me that I might as well come since it was already paid for, and did I have a passport. Yes...I have a passport, but I also have FOUR KIDS TO TAKE CARE OF EACH DAY, and she was leaving on this cruise in just 36 hours or so. It was just too sudden to even take serious. Well, I told John about it when he got home and he told me I was crazy to pass up this opportunity and that he would help me work things out for the kids for 5 days (oh how I love that boy of mine). I had some serious mommy guilt at first, but finally decided to go, with only one day to do some shopping, pack my stuff, and organize the house, the food, and babysitters. Amazingly...it all worked out. John (husband of the year) took some days off, and my amazing friend Sara totally helped with Cooper, and Kinsey helped a lot too. Before I knew it...I was on a cruise ship headed for the Western Caribbean. AMAZING TURN OF EVENTS! SPONTANEOUS CRUISING AT IT'S BEST! Me and Sabrina leaving Florida...I am still in disbelief at this point.
I love the night life on the cruise. Being able to get dressed up, eat a nice dinner (that I don't have to clean up), and see all the amazing shows. We made the most of every minute.

This is Sabrina and I...way up in the sky...looking over the clear blue waters of Grand Cayman. Parasailing was AMAZING! Something I will never forget.
Ready to hit the beach and the shops
We went snorkling in Cozumel Mexico at Chaukanaub park. Loved it!
We spent a lot of time lounging around the pool, enjoying the FOOD, the entertainment, and generally just relaxing. Gotta love a place where everything is at your fingertips. For two girls that have 9 kids between us, it was a lovely break. It was HEAVEN. We spent hours and hours and hours talking, laughing, and sharing. Some major therapy for sure. I am lucky to have a friend like Sabrina. We just had such a wonderful time together. I came home to the happiest, sweetest family ever. They were excited for the experience I had and everything had gone smoothly at home. I was so happy to see them...and now I want to plan a cruise with my sweetheart.

Kinsey's beautiful smile

Kinsey's braces have come off...and she has a beautiful smile. She got them off about a month ago (obviously I am a little behind in my posts), and she is loving it. She only got the braces on last summer, so she didn't have to wear them for long at all. She did have an expanding appliance in her mouth on the top and bottom for a year and a half before that, so it has been a long journey...with beautiful results.

Beach bum baby

Cooper loves the beach. He loves everything about it. I can barely keep up with this little beach bum. The minute we set him down, he heads straight for the water. I love watching him play in the sand and water...even though we end up bringing half the sand in Florida home with us.

Easter Sunday

Lopez children, Easter morning, ready to go to church. We had a really nice and quiet Easter. We had a fun Easter egg hunt and Easter bunny "stuff", on the Saturday before Easter, so that helped us to truly focus on the real meaning of Easter on Sunday. John and I were the speakers in church for the Easter program. We spoke on the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I truly felt the spirit strongly this Easter. I am so thankful for the atoning sacrifice of my Savior.
Daddy and all of his cute Easter Children.

Cute Brothers

Carver is such a good big brother to Cooper. He can make Cooper laugh harder than anyone, and he is constantly helping to take care of him, or make sure he is happy. I couldn't resist these cute shots of my boys on Easter Sunday.