We interrupt this program ...

Greetings !!

I know we are in the throws of "all things Fall," however, I just wanted to take a moment to share a little adventure that I went on this summer. 

Admittedly, I am be-YOND petrified when it comes to flying ... we're talking a paralyzing fear!  I've flown quite a few times in the past, but ever since 9/11 (I worked in Washington, DC at the time, just a few miles from the Pentagon), I've been scared to death at even the *thought* of stepping onto a plane.  Some of our fun friends decided it was time for an "adults only" trip (a/k/a no.kiddos.allowed!).  While I was praying it was to a place close where we could travel to by car, alas, it wasn't!  They decided that Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) was the destination!  I immediately said "you guys have fun" ... however, my husband and determined friends wouldn't accept no for an answer!  They wore me down, and wore me down and wore.me.down, until I relented and agreed to go (of course, not without a prescription for Xanax)!  Even though I felt sick and couldn't sleep for several days before we left (and also sad since I was leaving my son for the first time), I'm sooooo glad that I faced my fear of flying because I had the time of my life!

A few weeks before we left, my sweet husband asked if I'd renew our wedding vows on our trip since it was around the same time as our 15th wedding anniversary!  I cried ... and, of course, happily agreed to marry him all over again!

Off we went.  Punta Cana is a such a beautiful place!  We were greeted by an airport filled with tropical huts: (click on any picture to enlarge)

We immediately warned our shuttle escort, Eduardo, that we were a crazy bunch from South Carolina.  He and his co-workers were amused:

The resort where we stayed (Majestic Elegance Club) was beautiful !! 

Here we are, shortly after arriving at the resort .. one of the gals in our group embellished and *bedazzled* fun T-shirts for all the ladies to wear, saying "PC or Bust!" LOL

Our rooms were beautiful:

As was the view:

The food?  Well, let's just say it was "okay."  For example, this tiny, itty bitty thing is what they consider a chicken wing.  Ummmm ... needless to say, I pretty much stuck to bread our entire trip.

There were gorgeous pools everywhere! Of course, we usually found ourselves at the one with the swim up bar.  Here are the fellas with their "Bubba" mugs that kept their drinks nice and cold:

We loved getting dressed up to go out at night and often split up tables between guys and girls.  This way, the guys could talk all things sports *yawn,* while us gals could talk shopping and all things fun!

The day of our renewal was gorgeous !!  It took place at 5:00 p.m., on the beach at our resort.  Another couple in our gang also renewed their vows (and, ironically, their anniversary date is the same day as ours)!  What a special day it was. 

Our great friend and neighbor, Tony, "officiated" for us since it wasn't a legal ceremony.  (Look.at.that.ocean!)

My honey reading his sweet vows:

... placing a beautiful anniversary "bling" on my right hand:

... and sealing it with a smooch:

I love how John's shirt seems to match the ocean in this shot:

The palm trees were gorgeous:

Here is one of my faves ... the infamous jumping pic!  What fun!

 

After the ceremony, we all went to dinner to celebrate, but not before stopping by the beautiful gazebo to see if my husband could still get down on one knee.  Yay, he could:

Annnnd, of course, I simply *had* to convince the girls to take a funny "goddess-pose" picture:

The trip flew by too fast ... MUCH too fast!

Again, I'm so thankful to my family and friends for encouraging me to face my fear of flying.  If I hadn't, I wouldn't have been able to take such a beautiful walk with my honey after renewing our vows ... the beginning of our next chapter together:

Okay, back to your regularly scheduled programming ... so, as you're decorating your beautiful home for Fall, I'm curious to know what fear have you faced lately?
I'm linking up with Tuesday Morning's Chatting at the Sky

Thanks for stopping by,