Still, there was something magical about the break. I didn’t have to cook, clean, or do homeschooling. Instead, I got to simply be — basking in the sun, floating in the ocean, and enjoying dinners in the dining room filled with meals I probably would’ve never made at home. There’s something freeing about being cared for, even just for a week.
As much as I loved every part of traveling, I realized that in the middle of all the excitement, you start to miss the mundane — the simple beauty of being home. There’s comfort in returning to your own space, your own bubble of solace, where life slows down again.
Our family cruise was another one for the books — filled with lessons, laughter, and fewer photos than usual. This time, we decided not to buy an internet package, and honestly, it was the best decision we could’ve made. No texts. No scrolling. No distractions. Just us — fully present, disconnected from the noise and connected to each other. It was the first time in a long time that we were truly living in the moment.
One of the most beautiful parts of the trip was seeing it all through my son’s eyes. His joy was contagious — from spotting planes flying overhead in Miami to playing in the soft sand at Coco Cay, to the countless slides he braved with pure excitement. Even in moments of exhaustion, he pushed through with that endless curiosity only a child can hold. And when the excitement caught up to him, our family naps became our saving grace — little resets that made the moments in between even sweeter.
These are the memories I know will shape his childhood — the ones that become part of his core story. The family trips, the shared adventures, the way we experienced the world together.
And then there were the grandparents. Having them join us on this trip added another layer of meaning. Watching Liam bond with them — laughing, playing, and sharing moments that are too rare because we live far from “home” — opened my eyes to how important those connections are. I’ll forever hold onto that image of him running into their arms, his face lit with joy. It reminded me that family isn’t just where you live — it’s the love you carry, no matter the distance.
Coming home from this trip, I feel renewed — not just by the rest or the sun, but by the realization that both adventure and home have their place. You need the moments away to remember why you love coming back. You need the chaos of travel to appreciate the calm of routine.
And maybe, that’s what balance really is — finding joy both in the journey and in the return.
A few highlights from the cruise:
