We’re staying outside of Orlando, Florida currently. It seems like this place is the theme park central of the country. There’s so many places to go, and we haven’t done even a quarter of them. We’re here three months, but I bet even if we were here three years we wouldn’t do it all. We haven’t even been to Disney World yet! We’re a very relaxed family and enjoy simply enjoying ourselves. We don’t need a ton of frills; so most of our time has been spent mulling around the pool or other such simple pleasures. To date, our favorite thing we’ve done was visiting a state park about ten minutes from our cabin, but today even that trip was trumped.
Today we visited another natural park that was recommended by a coworker. Kelly Park/Rock Springs is a free-flowing, natural spring. It’s like they found God’s handiwork in nature, cut out the foliage just a bit to make room for parking and a concession stand, but then allowed the true beauty of the place to remain. With lifeguards and park rangers making certain the area was safe for swimming from local wildlife (just as my coworker had promised) we were able to enjoy ourselves a bit more without too much fear of a gator attack. Lol. This made my Aunt Paula feel better.
On the drive there (which was a nice, traffic-free, and close one) we noticed a few neighborhoods. They sported rows upon rows of massive, cookie-cutter homes in lines as far as the eye could see. I wondered to myself if the owners had the time to enjoy them, or if they worked most days until it was dark to afford the mortgage. There was no judgement in my thoughts, and certainly no feelings of covetous for the property. There would have been once upon a time if I’m being totally honest, but that was before I began to change my way of thinking.
The best things in life are free. And though we did pay $5 (total) to enjoy our day at Kelly Park, the parts that made it most worthwhile were absolutely free. As I watched my children play in the sand, and my husband eyeing a crane fishing, I thanked the Lord for them. I thanked him for the crystal blue sky, without a cloud in it, for the way the breeze blew the palm fronds, and how my toes felt as I buried them in the sand. Some things mattered in life, and other things didn’t matter so much. It felt good to enjoy another day focusing and savoring the things that really counted the most, yet didn’t cost a dime.
Sabrina Louise newland says
And your husband cut his hair! It looks nice both ways. So in love with how you are allowing God to work on your lives!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!
Dave says
You’re bringing back so many memories Brie from our lives there! I’m sure it has changed but Rock Springs was a favorite of ours after we moved to Florida! Our girls were like 7 & 9 & picnics happened there with them! There were very few developments back then! We didn’t hit the amusement parks too much! Disney at times since we had free access! We did do Sea World once! The only time I did Universal was twice with a Disney “spy” team to see how our competition was entertaining guests! I went as a spy to see how they were doing maintenance since I managed a team of trades people at what was then Disney MGM Studios! Universal had Lucy & Desi as characters portraying the same from the old I Love Lucy show! They wandered the park entertaining! I was taking some pictures of some buildings when Lucy came over, put her arm around me & said “what are you doing”? I said, “well, I love architecture”! She said “no, you’re a Disney spy”! I said, “now what gave you that idea”? She said, “because I see Mickey Mouse on your pager”! Busted! But she said, “don’t worry, I won’t tell since I work often as an entertainer in the Magic Kingdom too”! Good memories! Have fun! There’s lots to enjoy in the sunshine state!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
That’s such a funny story! Thanks for the laugh!
We’re enjoying ourselves so much. Still gonna check out Disney soon!
Dave says
Great! You have a beautiful family! The kids pictures are really precious! I’m enjoying y’all’s journey so much!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!
wayofthebrokenwarrior says
I’d love to visit this place. Looks so peaceful. If I were up on my feet and able to work again, I’d be a travel nurse. But not sure I can do it!
Nancy Obrigewitsch says
That looks like a fantastic place to visit! Your pictures make that water look so inviting, you and your husband look very cute too!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.
Lisa Pierce says
Those pictures look so much more inviting than crowds of people in the so called more popular places. Love the haircuts! I am so happy for you and your family. Thanks for sharing your life. I am enjoying the adventure too!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!
Elsa F Wagner says
Brie you’re an inspiration, may the good Lord continue to bless you and family and enlarge your territory from day to day…
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much!