Not one of these:
(Although I've always, always wanted one!)
But one of these:
You are looking at the Occidental Grand Papagayo Resort in Costa Rica. My awesome hunk of burning love is taking me to this resort in Costa Rica for 7 days. Last month at his company's annual sales dinner, they awarded this trip to the sales people that had met their goal for the year. And then, just to be really, really nice, they awarded the trip to 3 "non" sales people in appreciation of their hard work and contributions to the company. We were SHOCKED! We went expecting a yummy dinner and walked away with a belly full of yummy dinner AND visions of crashing surf dancing in our heads. The best part was the big hug we gave each other after he had accepted the award and came back to the table and we were giddy and happy and then asked each other, "So...just where is Costa Rica?" We had just won an all-expense paid trip...didn't matter one bit where we were going...although turns out Costa Rica is in Central America. (Thanks heavens for Goggle!)
We leave one week from yesterday...we are flying into Liberia and then taking a "shuttle" down 4 hours to the rainforest and live volcano. We are staying in a fabulous looking bed and breakfast called Erupciones Inn, a real Costa Rican farm. The reviews look great and you can actually see the volcano spewing hot lava. Don't get much of that in these here parts!
This is a picture of the place we will be staying with a fabulous view of the volcano. I hope we don't regret this...staying near a live volcano seems exciting but a little dangerous. I bet the people living in Pompeii thought the volcano was beautiful and exciting... didn't end up so pretty there.
Here is a picture of the little cabins. Apparently they serve you homemade bread and eggs from the farm. Sigh.
We are hoping to do a canopy tour with the ziplines and "cloud" bridges and see the amazing rainforest before heading back up to the resort for the remainder of the time. I've never been to a resort...I usually love staying in the local bed and breakfasts or local hot spots but I have to admit I'm excited to try resort living! It has made my January a little more fun...although shopping for sandals, shorts and a swim suit have been a little rough. (Not to mention my poor pale, pasty, soft body.)
Chris immediately started a regiment of push-ups and sit-ups in preparation for the trip. The first morning he rolled out of bed and onto the floor to do push-ups, I woke up to grunts and panting and thought he had fallen out of bed and had a heart attack. He looks sleek and trim and ready to go. I just bought a black swim suit that I hope will hide the 5 new pounds of hot chocolate sitting around my middle. But I am planning red, sparkling toes.
My husband also won a second award that night for his service to the company. It is called "the spirit of Imagine Learning" and it is the first time this award has been given. He received a standing ovation and the CEO read a very sweet letter about him and the contributions he has made to the company. While I am excited about the trip, on a more serious note, I am thrilled for my husband. From the beginning, I have been impressed by his work ethic and the dedication and effort he has given to every job and company he has worked for. He takes providing for his family very seriously. He also takes the effort he gives to his work very seriously. Every time I have come in contact with someone from his office, they have spoken so highly of Chris and the work he does. I am so proud of him. He is loyal and dedicated and hard-working and very talented at what he does. I honor and respect him for the labor he performs, the immense talents he possesses, and the blessing it is to be married to man that not only cares for his family and their physical needs, but is equally devoted to caring for our spiritual and emotional needs as well. I don't know what I have done to be so blessed but I am truly, humbly, and deeply grateful.
I plan on telling him that every day as we stand on the beach and rub sunscreen on each other's shoulders! Let the adventure begin!
