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Farin Doran

Our Florida Getaway

Filed Under: Homeschooling & Traveling // September 6, 2021

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We have decided to make lemonade out of lemons this year and we are finding new places to discover as a family. Right now that is the beauty of homeschooling, we can take our kids where we want, when we want. We decided to take a trip to Florida to soak in the warm weather and get to see some places we haven’t seen before.

At the beginning of the school year, we told our kids to pick out the top places they would want to see. If we were going to have this time to be with them, we are going to make the most of it. They chose some beautiful national parks and some amazing beaches…. and they also chose to see The Gator Boys. They have been watching The Gator Boys on TV and they heard from the show that they had an actual place in Florida. So, we decided to make their dreams come true and visit!

We mapped out some other Florida destinations to stop on the way there and the way back!

First up… Amelia Island

So many people recommended an expensive well-known hotel but we did our research and found the perfect spot, the Seaside Amelia Inn, on the beach that would not break the bank. You are just steps from the beach and you can see it from your hotel room. 

Tip: I recommend waking up early and heading to the beach to see the most beautiful sunset. Then you can grab your free breakfast and coffee from the hotel and sit on your room’s balcony. 

There is so much to see and do while in Amelia Island which is actually only four miles wide at its widest point. For the foodies and the mommas reading that can’t wait to get away, try new food, take a break from cooking and have a drink….. I have a plan for you!

After you check into your hotel, take your family downtown. It’s is a super quick drive to The Decantery which is a premier wine, craft beer, and cocktail lounge. Because let’s be real, momma just had a long drive, probably a long week, and she can use a cocktail! (But don’t worry, there are things for your children there too!)

There are actually couches and the cutest little setups that make it perfect for families. They have the absolute best charcuterie boards and homemade desserts that I am sure will make everyone happy. While the craft beer is a great choice, I also recommend asking the bartender for a signature cocktail. Not only are the cocktails amazing but they also are super Instagram-worthy. 

Now that the parents have treated themselves, you can surprise your children with some extra fun. Walk on over to Timoti’s Seafood Shak and if you get there before the sun goes down, there is a pirate ship playground in the back. There are picnic tables and it is very welcoming and relaxing. The food is also incredible! There is something for everyone there. 

Next, take a super quick walk over to Gregor MacGregor’s Mini Links & Drinks. Yes, you read that right…. A mini-golf spot that also has drinks for you. Your kids will be so excited to play a round of mini-golf (which was a great little course) and you can walk around with a beer in your hand. Mom is happy, dad is happy, and the kids are happy!

Before you leave, if you have some time to sit and relax, go to the top of Gregor MacGregor’s and there is an amazing overlook of the golf course. There are couches and televisions and you can take drinks and food up there to hang out. This was a highlight for us because everyone was happy, filled, and tired for a nice sleep at the hotel which was only minutes away. 

For other day plans, I suggest going to Fort Clinch State Park which is actually very close to the Seaside Amelia Inn. There is so much to do at the state park! You pay just $6 a vehicle to get in and you can go birding, fishing, geocaching, hiking on a ton of trails, picnicking on the beach and look for shark’s teeth, and swimming. Plus at the end of the road is the famous Fort Clinch.

We love taking our family to these historic places, reading all the signs, learning about American history, and experiencing new things. There are also amazing views from the top of the fort with the ocean behind you that you can take all sorts of family photos. 

The state park alone could have been almost an all-day adventure. When you leave, across the street is the Pirate Playground which you probably wouldn’t notice if you were driving by. It is a super cute playground and perfect for kids of all ages.

By this time you are probably famished and we highly recommend you going to Amelia Tavern. When in Amelia, right? The tavern is exactly what you would think it is and it is filled with beers. You can even take beers with you, and if you plan ahead and you are going to Amelia Island for something special, you can preorder a custom growler. You can pick the font, the words, everything! 

I was personally impressed with the flights. I loved the Madison Cherry Sour and the Creamsicle Hardcraft Seltzer. I also love that they make everything in-house. The food was amazing and beer matched it perfectly. Tell your spouse you are taking him to a brewpub after taking him to a historic fort and he will be a happy man. 

Next up… Ft. Lauderdale

Our next stop was Ft. Lauderdale where we stayed two nights and saw a ton of gators. We went on an airboat ride and went to Everglades Holiday Park where we saw the people from the show and made my kid’s day. It was a highlight of their trip!

And the finale…. St. Augustine

On our way home we had to incorporate some learning along the way so we stopped in St. Augustine, which lays claim that it is the oldest city in the US. While we were there we made sure to take in all of the sights, sounds and scares that we could with Old Town Trolley Tours. It started on our first night there as we cruised the streets on the Ghosts & Gravestones Frightseeing Tour which gave us some great history of the city and the people who made it what it had become. I highly recommend the Trolley Tour and jumping on and off of it. Not only does the trolley take you around the city to all of the fun stops, but you learn history along the way.

The next morning we set off on another adventure with some of more of the state reptile of Florida, you guessed it! More gators! We made our way to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park via the free shuttle from Old Town Trolley Tours, make sure you snag the multiple day package, right outside of our hotel. Once home to the legend of Gomek, the legendary giant saltwater crocodile, the park has alligators from all over the world on display for people to see and read about them along a path that covers the entire park. There were plenty more to see and do than just alligators, they have a theater where they put on different shows throughout the day as well as a full zip line and ropes course that carries you through the treetops of the park below.

As we made our way across the Bridge of Lions to downtown, we started to look for a place to grab a bite to eat. We passed so many cute restaurants along the water with fancy outdoor tables in front of brightly panting houses until we rode past one that had a porch off of their upstairs level flying Ireland and Guinness flags, needless to say my husband was sold! Meehan’s Irish Pub & Seafood House is the perfect place to eat for everyone in the family. Great food, great atmosphere, great service, inside, outside, and backyard seating. We had one of our best meals there!

Tip: Make sure you try their homemade Irish cream, it is delicious and the perfect way to end the night.

After dinner, you can walk down to Mayday Ice Cream for the best ice cream. Make sure you read the story behind the name, and always ask for sprinkles because they are FREE! You can grab your ice cream and walk around the old streets, stop in some of the shops and get to know the little town.

Being that we are homeschooling, we took ever opportunity to learn, stop and read the different plaques, to stop at all of the historic sites and go into the buildings. We went to the Old Jail, the Oldest Store Museum, and Whetstone Chocolates… everything we could do, we did it.

This was by far one of my favorite cities. The second we left, I told my husband that we need to come back. There is so much to see and do in this super cute town.

Off to the next adventure…. but before you go, check out our video recap!

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So no matter where you are in your parent/child/student journey…. You can still research into your child’s school curriculum and make sure it aligns with your values, change things if you need to, stick up for what you believe, and instill the extras at home that they aren’t teaching. 

You were given your child to shepherd over. Its ok to want more. 💕

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I meant it. 
Like really really meant it.

I said “I can’t never not live this life.”

My husband and I worked separately in the morning both doing the things we love…. 💻 

Then met up to pick up our babies from their one day a week school that we LOVE… 🥰

Then together, took our son to soccer practice and played on the sidelines with our daughter.⚽️ 

Then I had a grand idea to walk the bridge (for the first time ever), and surprise the kids with bowling on the other side, took an uber back to our car and ended an incredible day. 💕🙌🏼

I’m blessed.
I love my life.
A life that I created. 

I have been working on having these exact days since I knew what was possible with being a coach and being my own boss.

I wanted exactly this. 
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You will hear me talk about it a million times and it’s seriously because it has changed my life. 

I love what I do. 
I wake up excited every single day. 

To impact other women’s lives. 

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I’m grateful for the job that allows me to do this.

I’m grateful for my husband for supporting everything that led us here.

I’m grateful for beach days, where we live, this amazing life…. 
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Do what’s best for your family.
Believe in yourself.
Go for it 💕

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I remember exactly where I was when I decided I wa I remember exactly where I was when I decided I wanted to be a coach. 

I was sitting on the couch, tv running in the background, a shirt with baby spit up on it, old high school gym shorts that had a stretched out waist band...

And I was scrolling Facebook - as usual... 🙄 

A picture of girls jumping into a pool with matching shirts, smiling, looking so happy popped up....

The caption talked about living their best lives... making an income while making an impact... 

They said that they were living their best and helping people do the same...

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On another retreat...

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But if you are motivated, inspired, want to live your best life and impact others...

This is your gig 😉
And I would love to have you at the next retreat! 🎉🎊⭐️

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Any other needy wives out there????🙌🏼

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This is your reminder that all you need is whatever you have already, some motivation and  a little area where you can get it done! 🙌🏼

No expensive clothes required 😉

Current outfit:
High school sweatpants
An old t shirt
A $5 sports bra from Walmart 
A sweatshirt from who knows where 😆

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Real life in the Doran house for the ladies… I Real life in the Doran house for the ladies… 

If you e have matching clothes…
There will be a video of us documenting it 😆

Not sure how many times she will let me do this and after our first time matching it’s rare our clothes are both clean at the same time 🫣

Sooo here we are….
Doing our thing..

She’s my bestie 🥰

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But I wasn’t always motivated. 😭

I had postpartum depression, I was overweight, I had anxiety and I cried about my body…

But I have two little people looking up to me and so what I do absolutely matters!! 

So I showed up for them. 
I did whatever it took to combat my anxiety and depression…
I lost the weight because I want to be healthy for myself and for them.

Im not always motivated… nor was I…
But I was DETERMINED and I had a WHY and that made all the difference. 

And if you are seeing this and having that gut feeling… YOU CAN TOO. 

#beforeandafter #beforeafterweightloss #postpartumdepression #ppdawareness #ppd #postbabybody #postbabyweightloss #anxietyawareness #momoftwo #csectionmama
This is my job. Empowering other women. And also b This is my job.
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And also being empowered from them.

For the 1,683rd time… this is the best job on earth 🥰

#slumberparty #girlsnight #girlsnightin #womeninspiringwomen #momsnightout #girlsweekend #girlsretreat #wahmlife #mompreneur #matchingpajamas
When the business you started doing because you we When the business you started doing because you were depressed and overweight led to Top Golf with some incredible women and a day full of fun! ⛳️🙌🏼

#youcansitwithus 

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This was my dream. To be able to be with my kids This was my dream. 

To be able to be with my kids when I want and how I want. 

When I signed up as a coach 7 years ago… I had no idea it would lead to this….

When I saw the opportunity it started to make for my family 6 months in, I knew I had to keep going…

I put my head and my heart all in and eventually it became the thing that brought this dream into a reality. 

Because of this…

I could be the mom that I wanted to be…
I could be more present with my family…
I could have more freedom…
I could have more moments…

I could tell the kids to jump in the car and race down to see military planes fly over and then have an impromptu lunch together…. (Today) 🥰

Time is the ONE thing that we don’t realize it’s value until it’s gone… 😢

This business… coaching… which led to Live Inspired which led to podcasting… which led to this…. FREEDOM. 

It was the best decision I have made.

And I would be a jerk if I didn’t tell every woman I know that she is capabale too 🥰😉

#mountpleasantsc #momsofinstagram #mompreneur #homeschoollife #homeschoolmama #momoftwokids #ppdawareness #wahmlife #fieldtripday #arthurravenelbridge
My husband told me he had a big goal this year for My husband told me he had a big goal this year for his real estate business… 🏡 

He said the number over and over again…

This guy has always believed in me, supported me and pushed me to go for any goal I have had.

So when he told me his goal, his plan for getting there and his WHY….
I wanted to show him I was all in with him and I believed in him 🥰

So my little girl and I went and bought a bottle of champagne for each house he wanted to help a family get into this year. 🍾 

And then we wrote on each bottle, which house it was for and something encouraging… 🤗

Then we framed him a picture of our family for his new desk to focus on his why… and to be reminded that we have his back and we BELIEVE in his goals, his hustle and his passion for getting there. 

So we will be drinking a lot of champagne this year 😉

And will be celebrating as a family as he reaches each level of his goals!!!🙌🏼

Cheers to this guy!!! 

And cheers to anyone who wants to buy or sell their home with this guy…. 😉 

#lovewhereyoulive #mountpleasantsc #charlestonsc #mountpleasant #screaltor #chsrealestate #chsrealtor #mountpleasantrealestate #marriagegoals💍 #champagnelife
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