Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Glowing Resort Review

Celebrating in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

WOW! What a blessing it was to be celebrated as a top Sandals agency in the Midwest at the 2024 Sandals STAR Awards held at Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. 

This is the newest Sandals on the block and is certainly the most impressive. 

Where is St. Vincent? Far Southern Caribbean - about similar to Saint Lucia (and it looks similar in many ways, just smaller). I describe it as Hawaii meets Costa Rica. The locals are warm and welcoming, the island is lush and beautiful, the scenery is unique with black sand, white sand, waterfalls, and you may even visit the film set of Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean!

The resort is certainly Sandals 2.0 - it is THE most beautiful, innovative, spacious, modern and elegant resort set on a pretty beach with gorgeous sunsets! Book a butler room and trade the 40-minute bus ride from the airport for a short 15-minute boat ride directly to the resort dock!

My 5 favorite things about this resort include:

• Innovative food and beverage concepts including a fantastic salad spot for lunch and the family style dinner where the Chef and their staff share local history, culture and cuisine with tables of 8-10 guests. 
• Bicycles to hop on/off around the resort! 
• Spacious rooms - check out my tranquility soaking tub on the patio! 
• The access to nearby islands via a catamaran to Bequia and Mustique 

Back at it...

Four years of wild change since I've last blogged. Is "blogged" even the correct word for this? Do blogs still exist? I think so! Just like everyone asks "Do travel agents still exist?" (spoiler alert: they do!)

Strolling the streets
of Athens, Greece
2023

COVID19 certainly changed our worlds forever and I certainly do have COVID-brain, just like most of the rest of the world. 

The C-days were perhaps extra challenging for our household because we both work in travel and travel halted faster than any other industry. It was scary, stressful and perhaps filled with some resent as neighbors were "taking long leisurely walks and playing outside, dabbling in new recipes and binge-watching Tiger King" while we were working 12-hour days while homeschooling and worrying about if our paychecks were going to be still in the mail and did not even have a Netflix account. As a travel agent, I get paid AFTER clients travel...so you can imagine my check was NOT in the mail in 2020 and most of 2021.

But...we can do hard things. 

And flexing that muscle of hope, flexibility and hard work makes us stronger, grow closer and persevere!

Since 2020:

• We switched schools for our girls to be at a smaller, private and religious school.
• "Travel Revenge" became a real thing and our Indy travel agency has thrived with double-digit growth year over year.
• We finished our basement with our personal design and lots of labor of love!
• Celebrated 40 for both of us since then - eeek!
• J became a VP with his company
• 🏌Golf leagues for both J and myself!
• We bought a boat with lots of fun memories...which we are now selling because...
• ...We put in a pool in our backyard!
• Our cat of 16 years passed away in his old age
• We adopted a mini goldendoodle, Rory (McIlroy)
• We have taken countless vacations (#obvs) but J and I have especially loved our trips to Italy, Spain and Greece. 

I've said it before - writing is therapeutic for me. So...I'm here and hoping to be here more often. Mostly for me and my memories.

Coronavirus Crisis - early days

Our family's 2020 started off in a rushed and chaotic manner - looking back now - I would take that "chaos" over the current state of chaos any day. 

After we became to feel healthy again {the flu took it out of me for over a week and even then...I had a terrible cough and was really fatigued}...we realized we had a bigger dilemma ahead of us...

Coronavirus-19

Everyone has a story surrounding the COVID-19 crisis of 2020. I started jotting down daily notes in a notebook and realized, I should just add it to the blog. I haven't been as active on here as I would like...writing is really therapeutic...and I might as well publish it to remember/review years down the road.

Thursday, March 12 - We received notice from our school superintendent...tomorrow will be the last day of school for the next four {4} weeks in abundance of caution. We will have two weeks of e-learning, followed by a NOW two week spring break.

Friday, March 13  - a busy day - S and I spent time working at a wine shop promoting travel...I called to get a new script for L's super expensive ADHD medication filled so we can survive the next month...I missed my annual check-up at the OBGYN b/c of the chaos and Dr leaving early {or rather, I was a tad late} - a sobering day - I cried at the afternoon bus stop gifting our bus driver a little gift card + a jar of homemade strawberry jam with a note...and expressed that we are going to miss seeing him for a month. Knowing the bus drivers aren't receiving a paycheck during this time, many of us along his bus route dropped him cash, gift cards or other tokens of our appreciation. He is amazing!
Apres dinner family happy hour with friends in the neighborhood - light-hearted jokes about social distancing and stocking up supplies/food.

Saturday, March 14 - cancelled babysitters due to cancelled bar plans and created an epic family-oriented Saint Patrick's Day Party - green everywhere + delicious everything + soo much fun had by all. Small talk about COVID...and talk about school being closed for MUCH longer than planned. A few of us searched VRBO for 8-bedroom FL homes complete with private pools, hot tubs and resort amenities for a 2-3 week staycation. J shopped at Kroger - it was semi-stocked.

Sunday, March 15 - we woke up researching VRBO rentals but then came to our senses. We realized maybe it's not the smartest idea to leave the state or the comforts of home during this chaos. We enjoyed the distraction of a puzzle as a family...

Monday, March 16 - Aruba closes its border to everyone...e-learning begins.
E-learning is something we have used since L has been in school here...any time there is a snow day, our students use e-learning at home with practices from all of their subjects. This e-learning feels different, much more comprehensive...and labor-intensive. This poses a challenge as we continue to work...I spend TEN hours on the phone on hold/calls striving to cancel client travels.

We did make green play dough for one of L's "math assignment":


Tuesday, March 17 - Happy Saint Patrick's Day - we tried but didn't catch the Leprechaun.
6,100 cases in the US...95 deaths

Sight words with our "bunchems" 

Wednesday, March 18 - 7,500 cases, 125 deaths

Daily art lesson with the art teacher from school on FB Live
The leprechaun decorated our house!! 

Global studies - we counted in Spanish while playing ping pong

Fresh air, when we can! 

2k20 - WOW!

Despite starting 2020 with the most amazing experience of fireworks + music on a gorgeous beach in Aruba...we came home in the following days/weeks and I gathered January 2020 started off a bit nutty...it was crazy with work, family life {L getting off of her ADHD meds due to a  HUGE increased expense in the monthly rate of her prescription}, Jeremy's extensive work travels and just a feeling opposite of the zen - balanced type of life I usually craft.

So...I declared February 1st the new "new year" and gathered some dear friends (some whom also had a crummy January) and we spent a beautiful morning enjoying foot massages together, followed by a visit to Starbucks together.

The highlight of February was mid-month, cashing in on my Christmas gift from Jeremy with an AMAZING concert by The Lumineers...alongside some dear friends. It was a beautiful, fun + memorable night. One of the best nights so far in 2020.

Quickly February became tarnished after S had the stomach flu on Monday {nothing worse than seeing your child vomit and unable to help them}, followed by Mommy getting it on Friday (while Jeremy was away for nearly 8 days straight)...and then L came home from school the day prior with stomach pains. As I waited {impatiently} for the stomach flu to run it's course through L...it actually turned out to be a severe urinary tract infection which her Dr was concerned was a severe kidney infection and giving strict orders for a check within 48 hours, or else we were heading to the hospital to be admitted.

Let me just pause to recite our TWO hour visit to the pediatrician that Monday: I'm mid-way through a long solo-parent journey, S is acting out and quite needy climbing all over me...L is off her ADHD meds and stubbornly refusing to give a urine sample while experiencing a 103 temp and a laundry list of symptoms. We try and try...over and over...in the bathroom. Dr is extremely concerned and will be using a catheter to get a sample if L won't pee in the "hat" in the toilet, or a cup or anything! First, we swab for the flu - negative, then we rule out strep. Next up is a cath... and I literally didn't think I was strong enough to hold her down - either emotionally or physically. Thank heavens...I offered her $100 CASH and daddy offered her a pass code to a special technology {over the phone}...and it did the trick, just 10 minutes shy of the office closing. Turns out the urine was "horrific" according to the Dr...and two different antibiotics later and about 48 hours on the dot - she was doing MUCH better! 

Three days later...Mommy became sick, again {my guess is it was from the 2 hours spent in the public bathroom of a Dr office in the aforementioned story}... and on Saturday evening at a med-check I was confirmed with influenza A. I cannot recall a time that I had been that sick and I spent days in bed through early March.

So...the first 60 days of 2020 were unique to say the least...

#13 - 21

#13 - What abilities are you grateful for?

The ability to gather people. I am blessed to be a people-gatherer and I strive to find more ways in 2020 to do just this.

#14 - What sight are you grateful for today?

Sunrises from my bedroom window

#15 - What season are you grateful for?

Fall, of course. 

#16 - What about your body are you grateful for?

My shoulders.

#17 - What knowledge are you grateful for?

Business knowledge.

#18 - What piece of art are you grateful for?

Pictures of my family.

#19 - What touch are you grateful for?

The feel of my girls small, soft hands.

#20 - Who in your life are you grateful for?

Tough to chose just one person but ultimately, the full gratitude to our Lord.

#21 - What song are you most grateful for?

Pitbull songs - they pump me up!

#9 - #12 Days of Gratitude

#9 - What place are you grateful for?

Turks + Caicos

I wrote this on the flight on my first trip to this beautiful island and have kept it on my phone ever since...

11/30/2016

The extreme joy I am feeling as I overlook the deep blues of the Atlantic Ocean,
comfortably seated in first class with the love of my life.
We are about to embark on a bucket list item...visiting Turks and Caicos for the first time.
I am ready!
I am ready to see this beautiful gift from God.
I am ready for the start of something great.

I miss my girlies like crazy but I know they are in safe, loving hands...I know that our hugs will be embraced extra strong when we get back home.

I truly feel like this profession was my calling and feel blessed beyond belief.

#10 - What taste are you grateful for today?

Vino!


#11 - What holiday are you grateful for today?

Christmas is most definitely my favorite holiday.


#12 - What texture are you grateful for?

My children's locks of hair.

# 8 - What book are you most grateful for?

This book is sooo good and I loved it! But I especially loved how it came to me in such a special way. My younger sister and not yet a mother herself, sent this book to me based on suggestions she had read with different blogs she followed, combined with knowing I was in the thick of motherhood challenges. It hit me right where I needed and I will forever be grateful.

#7 - What memory are you grateful for?

This is difficult...soo many to chose from. I think I am most grateful for the memories with Jeremy's dad, Pa. So many fond memories but the way he made everyone smile and laugh is the most memorable. XO

30 days of gratitude

I recently came across a chart of 30 topics to consider gratitude for each day of November. I'll kick-start #1 - 6 tonight and hope to keep up with the remaining days in a more timely fashion ;)

#1 - What smell are you grateful for today?

Burnt leaves. I have always loved the smell of burning leaves. I just learned recently that my grandmother does the same thing as me in the late fall, that is, rolls down the windows while driving down the road when I see/smell burning leaves. The ultimate fall smell.

#2 - What technology are you grateful for?

Marco Polo - a video chat app on my phone that keeps me connected and has reconnected me with friends and family across the country. It's a simple and free way to actually see and hear them and I often MP while on the go or at my desk.

#3 - What color are you grateful for?

Pink. I used to love purple but pink has brought me joy and excitement towards my passion and my life as a mom of girls.

#4 - What food are you most grateful for?

Pineapple. {Surprise} It's a great detox-get-things-moving food...it's tasty in a smoothie with vanilla protein, banana and pro-biotic orange juice and was great in my Evol bowl with Hawaiian Chicken and Rice today!

#5 - What sound are you grateful for today?

My girls giggling and laughing when their daddy chases them around our home.

#6 - What in nature are you grateful for?

The symphony of colors of fall in Indiana. Having lived in MI, IN, IL, MN and CO...I can honestly say, Indiana has some of the best fall foliage. I am constantly in awe of the gorgeous maples as I drive down the street.

20 Nineteen

We are on Day 236 of 2019...where has the time gone?!!

I listen to A LOT of podcasts these days...I mean A LOT...perhaps more podcasts than music on most days...which is kind of huge in my space. I just can't get enough of information. I listen to podcasts about business, travel agent life, motherhood, Christian devotions, and healthy living. I recently heard on one podcast that "writing" 20 minutes per day has significant improvements to one's mind and soul. I remembered how much I enjoyed blogging and using this blog as a means to document our life in the years filled with crazy chaos, so that I could one day go back to read and reminisce. I've always "wrote" for me and plan to strive to do this more.

I think 2019 so far has treated our family well. We continue to improve our stride with child-rearing, with balancing work - travel - home life. We are peeling back the layers of our first born to help her develop and be the best version of L through surgery to remove her tonsils and adenoids to correct her sleep apnea...to behavior therapy and now occupational therapy to address her sensory processing needs. We continue to grow in this space and must work hard to be patient with the process.

J and I have enjoyed the turquoise waters of Exuma, Bahamas...the warm hospitality of Mexico...and our family enjoyed weekends at our best friend's lake home, a family cabin in Northern Michigan and a week long escape to paradise...Hawaii this summer!

These girls fight often but manage to love a lot, too!

Sophia's comments lately have included:
S: "I just love our house" {as she was walking down our stairs}
Me: "Why do you love our house?"
S: "Because it's just so beautiful!"
Me::smile::

or the other day she told me "Daddy's in love with you!" And I said, yes, yes, he is and I love him, too!

She still says "gah" instead of "the" and we question when we start correcting her but it's soo damn cute right now...neither of us want it to end.

First born children help you realize how fleeting each season is and to just soak up the goodness of each moment as they come! 

I'll try to be back soon!

Twenty 18

Seriously...not one single blog post for this calendar year? #Slacker

Haha! I kid. I know I am not slacking because I know we are accomplishing big bites out of life this year. Here is the roller coaster thus far...

Winter 2018 was long...long and cold. Not enough snow for any enjoyment, and it lasted forever. In fact, while trying to convince J to move {back} to the Midwest in 2016/2017, I told him "oh, you'll be golfing by St. Patrick's Day" ... well, not in 2018! Eeek! #eggonmyface

We managed to getaway for a few nights to an amazing adult-only, all-inclusive resort, UNICO 2087. It just so happened we were there for the resort's first anniversary which made it extra special. This resort is located just south of Playa del Carmen, Mexico and just knocked our socks off. We might even find a way to go back again in 2019.

April brought a few trips to Michigan for celebrations of life and love. We said our goodbyes to Jeremy's Grandpa, and took comfort in him being reunited with Grandma. We enjoyed celebrating the wedding shower of my sister and Jeremy's sister-in-law.

May was a whirlwind, also! I celebrated #CincoDeMarried with my sister's bachelorette bash in MI and J heading south to boat with the boys for his brothers bachelor party. We danced the night away and enjoyed a festive, fun weekend celebrating my sister's wedding in Grand Rapids, MI.

Immediately after, we dashed away to kick-start our summer at Beaches Turks and Caicos - the most gorgeous beach this side of the Caribbean. We visited Iguana Island and spent 7 glorious nights in paradise. We truly think this should be on every family's bucket list.

Summer was fun-filled with time spent at our dear friend's new lakehouse, at the lake near our home, VBS, recreation camps and lots of time spent at our neighborhood pool! We made the most of every drop of sunshine, as evident by these Coppertone girls.

We celebrated another family wedding in Michigan in August, followed by Jeremy's brother Joel's wedding in September - on a chilly but beautiful evening!

The fun didn't end there...we welcomed not one, but TWO new babies to the L family as J's sister and sister-in-law both gave birth to little baby boys...in the month of September.

Then...there is October... the 10+ month anticipation of the family Christmas gift last December...of a Disney Cruise! The girls have waited so soo patiently and it finally came to fruition over our fall break. While we were paying for flights to Orlando, we opted to start our trip with a surprise to Disney World for 4 nights.

And as we catch our breath in crisp, fall Indiana air...we have absolutely loved driving around our neck of the woods and pointing out our favorite coral colored maple leaves. It may be our my favorite past time.

 


We are finding ways to show our gratitude this month and counting our blessings. I will save that for another post...hopefully yet in 2018!