Oh my, I know many of you have been holding your breath waiting for me to post highlights and pictures from our trip to the Grand Canyon. I really intended to early this morning but instead I got called into work at 6:30 am and have been playing catch up all day. The sun has set, my granddaughter just fell asleep and I have come back to my computer with hopes of completing my promise before the end of this day.Let me remind you that you still have a chance to win in my 50 on my 50th birthday post. Just scroll down to that post and leave a comment. I will do a random drawing on Monday and post the winner(s) with my Tuesday 'Behind Those Eyes' post. Of course, I know you ALL want to win so don't be shy, just leave a comment.
I am incorporating this post with 'My One Month' hosted by Genny at MyCup2Yours. She has challenged us to live as though we only have one month to live (based on the book One Month To Live). I have not done alot of posting in this regard yet I have really focused on what is important in my life and have made changes to my priority list. One of the things I realize I need to do more of is spend time with my family ~ not just in physical proximity ~ but really spending time WITH them.
My husband, boys and I have not taken a family vacation in 18 years or so with the exception of going to visit family. I decided that one of the things I wanted to do before my 50th birthday was to spend an entire weekend with them away from home. So, I planned a weekend trip to the Grand Canyon. Here are a few highlights.
Words escape my thoughts as I attempt to write the emotions and joy I experienced last weekend. I thought I would finally cry but instead I couldn't get the smile off my face. I had such peace and was filled with a sense of gratefulness as I scanned the vastness and creativeness of God.
Spending 2 days with my guys, no phones, computers, TV or radio allowed us to focus on each other. We visited our lives and memories of days gone by. At one point we found a quiet, secluded cliff and nestled together just talking and loving on each other. It was such a special moment. Still, a week later I am basking in the afterglow of time well spent.
We went to Bedrock City (yes, it is a Flinstone town), Planes of Fame Museum, Tusayan Ruins, an IMAX movie about the Grand Canyon and every single view point from the South entrance of the park to the East entrance. We ate way too much food but walked alot.
I have lived with a fear of being pushed from high places so standing on the edge of a cliff was not easy for me but I did it and it felt great. My guys were so good to me that they were 'willing' to get up in the dark of the night so we could be on the edge of the canyon before the sun rose Sunday morning. It was glorious! I could continue to ramble on but words really do escape me just now so I will just share a 'few' of the nearly 100 pictures I took.
Great pics! So glad you had a wonderful time. I'm going to email you a picture I took of Cliff and our middle son, Logan at the GC back in May, 2007. You'll love it.
ReplyDeleteWow...looks great! Love the pictures! I've always wanted to see the Grand Canyon.
ReplyDeleteWOW - amazing pictures! Proud of you for not allowing fear to win!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day,
Joy
These are wonderful pictures. I am sure you'll never forget those precious moments you had with your guys! The pictures are great, but I've seen the Grand Canyon, and pictures could NEVER show the real beauty of God's creation. We have to experience it for ourselves. I think that's how it will be in Heaven. We can read and hear how wonderful it is, but we will have to see it for ourselves to get the real picture! I'm so happy you did something so huge and meaningful for your 50th birthday!! What will you do next year? 51 is huge, too... right? :) Just kidding!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to share your amazing time with your sisters in blog land!
Love,
Angie xoxo
Hey, Cndy! These pics are awesome! God just had a wonderful time creating the Grand Canyon! I'm glad that y'all had a great time. Enjoy this beautiful Sunday!
ReplyDeleteLove ya,
Susan
How wonderful, Cindy! I love how you said you couldn't get the smile off your face. What a great time, and what beautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteCindy, The pictures were beautiful. I am so glad you had a good time. I want to see the Grand Canyon one day. Maybe one of these days we will make the trek from Georgia...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing,
Julie
I love the Grand Canyon. So majestic. I'm glad you were able to focus on your family. Cells and computers can be such a distraction.
ReplyDeleteOh my! This is gorgeous. What a special thing to do for a special time in your life. Looking fear in the face and conquering it is a result of you considering it all joy! Thanks for sharing your journey. It was a treat. Talk to you soon.
ReplyDeleteI live in Avondale to be exact. Are you in the west valley too?
ReplyDeleteCindy...Happy Birthday! I remember going to the Grand Canyon when I was little. Your pictures brought back good memories. I am doing the same thing for my 50th....I want my kids and their families to join my hubby and I at the beach in Laguna for a family picture and to spend the day together ending with a birthday dinner looking out at the ocean. I love the beach so thought this is what I want...not some crazy party. So glad your time was great amd memorable. I like your 30 day challenge. Enjoy that grandbaby! Connie
ReplyDeleteThat takes my breath away! The wonderous works of God are more than words can say.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you had time with your family. The pictures tell it all!
Those of you next to the edge made my knees weak:)
Thanks for sharing!