​St. Augustine, Florida...oh how we love this old city. John and I went there on a mini vacation before we ever had children and we have been going ever since. During my homeschooling years, John and the kids would pick me up from the Florida State FPEA Homeschooled Convention and we would go straight to St. Augustine for a mini vacation. Every year. 

We walk George Street, eat great food, visit the old fort, the lighthouse Museum, the old schoolhouse and jail and more. We swim in the hotel pool, stay up late, and sightsee til our hearts content. 

About four years ago we decided to camp in St. Augustine. We spent about four or five years camping every spring break with church friends. We would all grab sites next to each other, cookout, hang at our campfires, and let the kids play til they dropped. No electronics or TV's or distractions...just fellowship with friends and nature.

Well about four years ago, we inadvertently packed an extra entity that  turned our camping trip sour and tainted our last memories of one of our favorite places on earth. Puberty. Dear sweet baby Jesus, I think even the raccoons were scared to come near our campsite. Our friends were all sympathetic and tried compassionately to help us with Jeremiah, but there was no taming the ball of hormones that brought out the beast within. Seriously. I am not exaggerating. It was that bad. Unlike previous trips to the old city, we could not wait for this one to end. We all just wanted it to be over so we could escape the stares and embarrassing attempts to regain control of all we had obviously lost control of. In the end, I just cried.

Well, John just started a new job in December and he already had two personal days he had to take or forfeit by the end of the year. So we decided to take a long weekend and go to St. Augustine. Redemption! God's grace abounded and we had the best weekend. Ben said it was one of the best mini family vacations we have ever been on. Even the drizzly weather did not spoil our fun. We crammed so much sightseeing and adventure into three days! 

We walked for miles, went on tours we had never done before, like the Whetstone chocolate factory and the San Sebastian Winery. We toured the Flagler College campus, visited several art galleries, ate great food, and Jeremiah even got to enjoy the hot tub a few times. Jonathan's fiancee Kaitlyn even went with us and it was just awesome. We were sad to see it end and are even talking about going back again next year during the same time, just after Christmas. The lights and decorations were just breathtaking. 

Best of all, Jeremiah did fantastic! God is good. He is merciful and gracious and a God who restores the years the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25). Here are some pictures from or whirlwind weekend.

Just a fun and unique way to give you a glimpse into our 2017 as we "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus."