Christmas in Cozumel 2013 Part I

When I made the “30 Before 30” list, I said that I wanted to plan a trip all on my own. Well, this summer I did exactly that. I worked this summer at “Summer School” which was nothing like summer school, it was an absolute blast. Plus, one of my BFFs worked with me, so it was simply FUN work that added some extra cash to our bank account. Since Coach works half a day 4 days a week all summer with football, plus he would work most evenings with baseball, me being gone from 8-3 was not that big of a deal. We had weekends, and still had the afternoons together. So, at the end of the summer, I was ready for us to book a trip somewhere warm for Christmas break. With us coaching 5 sports ( yeah, you read that right) I knew that come December, we would both need a break and a chance to slow down. Our school also gets out of school an entire week earlier than the rest of our family, so we really just thought it would work out perfectly to take a trip the week before Christmas.

I called a travel agency. I did some research, and doing everything myself just made me nervous. Now that I know that EVERYONE books their own trips, and we talked to some other people, I will just start booking on my own. However, for my first experience with booking an out of the country trip, I am happy I had some guidance aka…. She did everything for us. I called her, told her the days we wanted to go, and about how much we wanted to spend. She sent me several different locations and resorts to check out. Cozumel won. Our resort was called Secrets. It was absolutely amazing.

So, I booked the trip July 3^rd, and did nothing but work hard and count down the days until December 15^th. She sent our airline information, as well as everything we needed to check in at our resort. She even booked someone to pick us up from the airport once we arrived. So, everything was taken care of for us. Did this keep me from worrying? Absolutely not. I could somewhat tell that since Coach did NOTHING to plan this trip that he had some doubt. He was a little concerned that I may have made a mistake somewhere along the way. However, he never let me know. (That helped.)

We finished up school on December 13^th. I started getting really excited because it was just starting to get cold here, and I was really ready for some sand and sun. The 14^th Coach had a wrestling tournament all day. I spent the day packing, and cleaning. This was the best idea! I bleached everything, washed all the sheets and laundry, as well as mopped and cleaned the baseboards. When we came home after our trip everything was clean… ahhhh. That was pretty amazing! That afternoon, when Coach FINALLY got home we packed the car and drove to Atlanta. Coach’s aunt lives about 30 minutes from the airport, and with our flight being early Sunday morning, it just made sense to spend the night with her. Plus, I was able to see her crazy-amazing-beautifully decorated house for Christmas. It was a win-win. I did NOT sleep a single BIT Saturday night. I was just ready to check-in at Secrets in Cozumel, Mexico.

We got up at 6am, got dressed, and set out for the new International airport in Atlanta. We walked right in, checked in, received our boarding passes WITH SEAT ASSIGNMENTS, and checked our luggage. We went right through security, and arrived at our gate about 2 hours early. We loaded up on some $4 Naked Juice for breakfast (seriously, airport food is $$$) and then sat and waited for them to let us load the plane.

Could Coach seriously look any more like a coach? He even had a GA Football coach’s bag that he used as his carry-on. He was reading a coaching book, and may or may not have been caught hi-lighting a few quotes he liked. You just gotta love him!!

I let time pass by downloading about 5 books on my Nook, and worried. I was seriously ready for everything to go smoothly, and us be in Mexico. About an hour before our flight was due to board, I went to the restroom. When I got back and sat down Coach told me that they made an announcement that our flight was over booked, and they were looking for volunteers with flexible travel plans to change flights. He said, “I figured we didn't have flexible plans. So I didn't go up there.” Ahhhhhhhhh. Here comes the reasons for my worry.

I went to the gate desk and asked if there was anything else I needed. The sweet lady checked my boarding pass, and reassured me that we were already assigned our seats and were ready to go. I sat back down, and picked up my book.

Five minutes before our flight was going to board, they called Mr. and Mrs. Cain to the desk. They told us that they over sold the flight, and needed us to be rerouted. AHHHHHHHHH……. So, I started crying. Why? Who knows. Maybe no sleep. Maybe the fact that I had worried about this trip for about 5 months??

The airline lady took us to the counter and explained to us, and 6 others, that they were extremely sorry, this happens form time to time, they always over sell some flights, and that they would be compensating us for our troubles. Ummmmm… what?! Yeah, Delta made it up to us, took GREAT care of us, and instead of sending us to Cozumel by 2pm, they sent us to Dallas ANNNDDDD then to Cozumel. I always wanted to see Texas.

Looking back, Coach and I just laugh. I mean, seriously, could this have happened to anyone BUT us?? (Well, it happened to 6 others. Who we quickly became friends with and spent the rest of our day with.) I sent a text to my friend, and she couldn't believe it either. She really couldn't believe the $$$ that they gave us for their mistake. It was kinda silly that I cried. I just don’t travel enough to be ok with things working out differently than what I plan. I was trying to explain to Coach why I was so worried. I told him that when we go to away UGA games, he knows EXACTLY what to do. We can easily go with the flow because we know EXACTLY what to expect. This was NOTHING like that. (Is it bad that the only thing I have to talk about when traveling is traveling to football games?!? Yes, it is HORRIBLE Mr. CAIN!)

So, $35 on airport food later ($30 of that on ONE meal) and about 5 hours later than expected, we made it to Cozumel. When we pulled up to the resort, some other passengers said, “Oh this is SUPER NICE! I’m jealous!” It was VERY VERY nice. I’m ready to be back….

The next post will be about the trip and what all we DIDN’T do while on our dream vacation.

Love love,

C^2 

Five on Friday!

I just realized that the last post I made was on July 29^th. Then I realized that this is truly a clear representation of my life since July 29^th. Non-stop, keep running, never a moment to sit. When I am on the computer, I am making literacy centers, lesson plans, notebooks, or reading blogs. This is NOT me complaining, in fact: I am loving the life we are living right now. It is actually perfect. Coach is a happy man, Dub is loving his life of kids visiting him for pancake suppers, and I am loving my first graders, and cross country kids.

 

With that being said, there are about 50 blog drafts sitting in the box. There really is so much that can be said from the Cain family. However, with this being MY day off for Fall Break… I am going to link up for a little random fun.

Here we go:

One. Did I mention that this is our day off?! Well, it is. Although we have a long weekend each month… last long weekend I was deathly sick. So, I plan to make up for it today. I have no plans that require me to get out of my pjs. NONE. Oh… because the genius (don’t tell him I called him that, Amanda) that worked out our football schedule also made this our off week. This means NOTHING to do tonight. Coach will be gone to a game.. so I am really off duty... I may read a book. GASP! Until then, it is kinda amazing sitting in the chair, blogging, and catching up on our weekday shows that we are missing because we are old and sleeping at 9pm. (Hey... up at 5am... give us some credit!) 

Two. Coffee. You know I am a Spark girl. However, when the mornings are chilly, once a week I feel I deserve the love that comes in my beautiful Butler’s Pantry mugs. Well, last week when shopping I found my absolute favorite coffee… in a bag! What?!?! I may be having two cups this morning. No worries… no cream here. Just black blueberry amazingness.

Three.  Baby fever. What?!?! Yes. From time to time I have the slight fever that rushes over me that triggers my brain and says… “Little baby Cain in a UGA onesie?!” No worries, Coach is quick with the cool rag to chill the fever with the reminder of our schedules, schedules, and schedules. Oh, and did I mention our schedules?! Ok, I am over with that rant… you can breathe now, Coach.

 

a little baby coach?! :) i die. 

Four. This weekend my sweet sweet friend is getting married. I cannot wait to see her say, “I do.” Not to mention it is on the stage of my favorite place on Earth... The Church at Southside. She will be beautiful, it will be beautiful, and her marriage will be beautiful. We can't wait to dance the night away with you! 

Five. My husband. He deserves a major shout out. He really should be number one in this Friday Five. He is giving up kickoff in Athens tomorrow to attend a cross country meet. Yeah. No words can explain. So, I’ll give it my best shot. I love you, and you’re the absolute BEST administrative assistant and husband! Now, go ahead and purchase those Ga/ Fl tickets. :) 

Small Prayer Request

I wanted to take a quick moment to ask for a prayer. Today our county went back to school, and with an 8-4 workday... comes late football practices here in the south due to the insane heat. Our team takes the field this evening from 6 til...

This means some families will eat dinner without dear old dad for a few nights. (Usually about a month.) Coach and I don't have children yet, so my household isn't as bad. BUT... it is kinda hard knowing your husband is pulling some 13+ hour days. I got home five minutes after Coach left for practice (after running home to let Dub out.) It's hot, they are all tired, and Dub and I can only have so many conversations.... So this is why I ask for prayers.

We need to pray for our team. Pray for the boys and their safety. Pray for the kids driving home. Pray for the families that are missing a Coach while they fulfill their dreams of a winning season. I ask that you don't just pray for the Trojans,(although all prayers are loved!) pray for your local team. Pray for the cross country kids that will start running in a few days. Pray for the softball teams that are also finding ways to practice safely in the heat. Pray for the teachers that are preparing for another successful year. Pray for the bus drivers as they load the bus to get children from home to school, and back home safely. Pray for the administrators as they begin the stressful journey of another year. Pray.

Please do not take my post as a negative one... Please don't think that for one second I am "negative" about the season.... I LOVE football! More than football, I love how my husband is living his dream of being a coach and in the lives of many young people. This is God's plan, and we NEVER want to live a life without coaching! We both love it... and live for it! I know that no mater how long the days, how much time is spent on Saturdays breaking down film, how many times I hear, "Carley! Come watch this block!"  or how many nights without him (I am often in bed when he gets home.) I am 100% positive we are living God's plan for us. 

The Plan is His Plan. 

give me some photo credit here... Pretty pleased with this one! 

I was listening to the radio this morning and they made a clear and valid point... our teachers, staff, students, and athletes should ALWAYS be in our prayers... makes sense to me!

So I thank you in advance... and wish your local team lots of luck this season! (Unless they are playing the Trojans ;) Just kidding.

Is this life with children? Waiting at the window for his dad! 

Love love,

C^2

Five on Friday

I think I love reading these little brain dump posts the most as of lately! Plus, writing them is pretty fun as well. I strongly believe that this is the BEST way to spend my last Friday of summer... ahhh yes! Back to school on Monday!

Here we go....

ONE. A New Running Shirt. 

I will admit, it is hard to beat a new purse, a new outfit, or some new shoes... but goooooodnesssss... A new running shirt is pretty amazing! I picked this little beauty up from Wal-Mart! $6 for a cool, light, running shirt. I may or may not be planning on going back for about 5 more. Love love love them!

shameless in the bathroom, no makeup selfie. Yay!

TWO. A New Can of Spark. 

Hello, Fruit Punch! You are just the punch I need! What did I do without Spark? Watermelon, you are pretty fabulous, but FP you are my fave! Nothing says back to school better than 52 servings of energy. Healthy energy.

THREE. Dog Named Dub. && #weimaraner

Stop being so precious. Seriously. Best dog ever. Also, I could spend hours looking at #weimaraner pics on Instagram. The sweet pictures of the sweetest dogs ever are currently filling my desire for a sweet sista for Dub. Oh, so, sweet!

FOUR. Rain. 

I am thankful for the rain, and all the water that God is blessing us with... but oh my goodenss at the humidity. Plus, the rain has created quite the marsh in my back yard, meaning the grass cannot be cut. Ahhhh..... grass! I hate tall grass and really want it cut weekly. It's been three weeks. No good.

FIVE. Weights. 

Although Coach has 4 day a week sessions in the gym... I join him for 2 and run the rest. Monday and Thursdays we have sessions together. They are probably my favorite days. Three weeks ago we started doing the exact same workouts. I LOVE IT! I mean... the couple that workout together... stay together. :) Plus, I am loving the fact that I can lift weights now... I am no longer just the weak runner struggling with carrying the groceries.

That is all I have for you today.... 

Happy Friday! 

Love love, 

C^2

Monday!

On this beautiful Monday morning I actually have a bit of time to sit with the computer in my lap. I think I am slowly falling in love with having 2 extra hours in the morning to do whatever my heart desires. Which of course is Pinterest, emails, blog, reading blogs, and searching through old pictures. Why do I have 2 extra hours? Since Coach still has morning practice, we decided to continue our 6am workout. I don't have to be in my classroom until 9. My flowers are watered, Dub is resting from a good morning walk, and my blog gets some love. Again, can I ALWAYS start my Mondays like this?!

This weekend was full of nothing but cleaning, reading, DVR cleaning, runs with Dub, and playing catch up. I loved it! I also love the fact that Dub hair no longer lives on my baseboards! Now I just need some visitors this week before my house is messy again!

I thought I would leave you with some of my favorite quotes and pictures that have been saved on my computer. Happy Monday!

We were so young!(I think it was about 5 years ago!) This was at one of the MANY concerts we attended while dating.

My little brother. :)

The sweetest little baby sister!

Cousins! :) (Taylor, Bentley is your twin. This is proof!)

Love love,
C^2

A Weekend Trip to Charleston 2013

At the end of June one of my sweetest friends from college became a Mrs. The thing about EDU folks... you are under a ton of stress, you are all perfectionist, and you have a TON to do while earning your degree at ASU. So, with this being said, we all became GREAT friends. Mrs. Alexander was married at the most beautiful plantation in Charleston, Sc. Coach and I knew we were going to make it a weekend trip and could not wait to reunite with all of my sweet, sweet friends!

After school Friday we loaded the car up and drove straight to SC. It was an amazing drive and it did not take us long AT ALL! (Those are the best road trips!)

It has been a year since I have seen my dear friend, Amy. I almost cried when we saw her and her husband at the hotel. (I probably did cry from laughing so hard at the texts leading up to our reunion!)

We checked in, and unloaded our bags then did what we do best... set out to find the perfect seafood location for dinner.

I love there were so many moments spent laughing! I love my friends!

After dinner we walked around the beautiful town and just enjoyed being able to see the city without 90,000+ people that were there when we last visited for the CRBR. Coach and I both agreed that we love the city even more when we can enjoy it without roads being closed and the city at its max capacity.

One fact about me is that I love going places, but I am the WORST hotel sleeper ever. I actually fell asleep pretty easily (I did have to work that day!) But, I woke up at 6:30am ready to go. I made the vow that I was going to leave my running gear at home and just enjoy a weekend. Well, of course I was up 2 hours before everyone and could have actually LOVED going out for a run while the others got up and moving.

memories! (this is to remind me that Amy takes HOURS to get ready...)

I wasted time that morning walking around in Target as soon as they opened. Time well spent to me! Then once our crew was ready, we decided to go to the city and walk the market and streets. I love the feel that Charleston gives. I could seriously walked around all day! Not to mention many of my favorite places all on one street... JCrew, Kate Spade, Southern Tide. (While typing, I am noticing that I am proving Coach's theory of double names....)

Aren't they so cute?!

At lunch we found a great little BBQ place that was featured in Southern Living. Then we hit up a sweet shop and decided that since this was a mini vacation, we were going to treat it like a vacation and have some fudge. (Or several.) Since there were so many of us, we knew we needed to get back and start getting ready for the evening's festivities.

On the way I noticed that there was a Tanger Outlet. I did a quick google search and learned that they had a Michal Kors outlet. For about a year I have been obsessed with wanting a nice, beautiful watch. I have convinced myself that I would never pay that much for a watch, and I have even bought several cheap watches. Of course, they all break, or die. We even went shopping on my birthday for the one I had my heart set on and I chickened out. I seriously just could not do it. After working the entire summer... I decided it was time that I bought the beauty.

I honestly have not had a single regret. I am in love!

Then it was time to get back, get ready, and get to the wedding!

It was a beautiful wedding for a beautiful couple! It was so amazing to see everyone and dance the night away... Seriously danced the night away! Not a single detail was left out! The scenery was absolutely breath taking. After planning my own wedding, I have some major respect for Paige! She did an amazing job! We had a blast!

The next morning I was up again at 6am without a pair of running shoes... Coach and I decided to drive to Tybee Island on the way home to visit some friends that were on vacation. It was amazing to catch up with them and spend time with their family at the beach. Coach's heart was full from visiting his very first boss that lead us to where we are now. Plus, I am always down for visiting some of the sweetest ladies that walk the Earth!

This weekend was probably the best weekend of the summer! I love looking at the pictures and just smiling at where we all are now... and how thankful I am that we never have to write an ISL again!

Love love,
C^2

Five on Friday

Well, well, well! I am officially back in the blogging world! I had to take a (too) long break while we had our computer repaired. It arrived today and is better than ever! I am so happy I have amazing friends that are smart. (A friend from Augusta fixed our computer for us when Best Buy was going to charge more to fix ours than just get a new one.) Thanks, Aaron! You da bomb! 

I love that friends have messaged me asking if I was going to blog again... it makes me feel loved and assures me that someone other than Coach is reading. (Even though he thinks he's the only reader...)

Since is it Friday, and I am loving my <like> new computer I thought I would participate in a little fun Friday blog that I have seen floating around the blog world. Here goes...

FIVE: 

I love my Weimaraner. No words can explain my love for this little puppy. He is the perfect before children child. I mean, even though he sounds like he is tap dancing on our hardwood floors, and sometimes needs to go outside at 3am... he is just so precious. I love him.

this is seriously happening right now as I type.... 

FOUR: 

When a new friend asked me what my husband coached, and I answered, "Football, wrestling, and baseball." It hit me that I may never see my husband this year outside of the field/gym. Then it hit me that I suppose I will see him when he is driving my bus for XC and basketball. (Again, he is the best!) I am going to go ahead and ask for prayers for the man I love. He will be busy busy busy which means not much time for afternoon naps on the couch that he seems to love so much. We seriously would not change it for anything... we know it is what we were made for!

and baseball, cross country, basketball, wrestling.... :) 

THREE: 

Where has Advocare been my entire life? I just don't know how I ever managed without a morning (and sometimes afternoon) Spark. What did I eat for breakfast before I was introduced to the goodness that comes in the Meal Replacement Shake? How did I have the extra boost that my workouts need before I found these little vitamins? Advocare... I love you.

TWO: 

Treehouse Masters, my husband loves you. In fact, he may or may not be flipping from the Braves to the season finale. I mean, what's not for him to love?! People hiring other people to build crazy dream houses in the trees... sounds like Coach to me. Well, the part of people hiring people to build things... we for sure don't build things here. As for the trees.... The only trees we like are the hedges in Athens. (Are those trees?!)

ONE: 

I WILL live on the beach before I die. Living a short drive away is only a tease. I am all about a day trip... but I want to run DAILY on the sand. I'd say I'd move tomorrow... but I am going to need a few years to mature before I make a permanent residence on the shores. I am currently not nearly mature enough to go to work each day if I lived on the beach. One day.

However, for now I'm truly loving our day trips to the ocean, or sitting by the pool, or me sitting in our back yard next to the hose with a good book. As long as there is sunshine... I'll be fine.

Cain Pool. (My fave) 

Sauls' Lake (My fave) 

Day trip to Tybee... (My fave) 

My backyard. My fave. 

Day trip to St. Simmons. My fave.

Love love, 

C^2