As a mother there are few things better than watching my kids frolic and play and enjoy life. They had a blast playing with their cousins and having slumber parties at night in a room full of bunk beds. I just let them go. I eased up on the rules for the week. They consumed numerous cans of coke, stayed up late, they even ate Klondike bars for breakfast one day. My heart swelled watching them enjoy the vacation so much. Ben and I spent time talking in the hot tub after the kids went to bed and reconnecting. And no we did not reenact hot tub scenes from The Bachelor so get your mind out of the gutter! We enjoyed our night to cook. We all took turns fixing dinner for the family. Ben and I had fun shopping for and preparing fish tacos together.
Every night all four girls fell in to bed totally exhausted from the activities of the day. I loved standing there staring at their rosy, sun kissed cheeks and bleach blonde hair as they slept. I fell asleep myself feeling blessed and thankful and even more certain that one of the most important things in life is family. Family forever, for always, no matter what.
One of the greatest gifts my parents and Ben's parents have given us and our children is that through the years they have paid for the lodging on family vacations. That has enabled us to go places and make memories that otherwise would have not occurred because we wouldn't have been able to afford to go each year. I am one lucky chick. I plan on paying it forward to my girls one day and pay for them to come on vacation with us. It truly is one of the best things our parents have done for us. Who am I kidding?...we have four daughters. By the time we pay for college for all four and for weddings we will probably be broke and living with them anyways. He he.
We had perfect weather. Baby blue skies, sunny and breezy. I was happy as a clam sitting on the beach, toes in the sand watching my girls catch hermit crabs, fly a kite with grandpa, and dig holes and build sand castles. Anna and Brynn were quite the surfers. The waves were larger than we have here in Jacksonville. They would crash over the girls heads and I would sit, literally holding my breath waiting for their heads to pop back up. Caroline stood on her boogie board barely in the water and grinned from ear to ear when I would whistle and call her Bethany...as in Bethany Hamilton. Aubrey wasn't so enamored with the beach and kept asking if we could go home. She's my little diva. She much preferred the hot tub!
It was a great week. It was nice to go somewhere that was literally out in the middle of nowhere. 20 minutes to the grocery store, limited cell phone service, a few small shops and a handful of local restaurants. It forced us to play games, read, and spend quality time together. We were off the grid if you will and it was totally refreshing. I didn't return home feeling like I needed a vacation from my vacation.
Before leaving to come home, our entire family gathered and recalled favorite memories and shared experiences from the week. We prayed together, giving God all the glory, we asked for travel mercies and rejoiced for being able to enjoy His wondrous creations.
Always look to nature to remember the awesome power of God. All you have to do is go outside and look around you. The beach is my favorite places to realize the awesome power of God. I love the way the tide, ebbs and flows much like life and family.
My cup runneth over. Completing this post with much gratitude.
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