Why the beach is AWESOME!

I love the beach. The beach and I have had a roller coaster type relationship. I go through phases where I love the beach and others when I wonder why anyone ever goes there. As a kid I loved the beach. My family went often and I have so many wonderful memories from it. Then, as teenager, I was not so thrilled about myself so I didn't so much like the idea of me in a bathing suit in front of hundreds of people. Then as lost some weight in my senior year and college and I loved the beach again. I went all of the time - it was so relaxing to just lay there and sleep or hang out with my friends.

Then, I became a mom. With that came extra weight and my love for the beach went away. (see the pattern of self consciousness and my feeling towards the beach) I began to use my children as the excuse though because it just wasn't safe for them there. All of the cars and weird people, and not to mention all of the creepy sea life that posed a terrible threat to their safety! How silly was I that I would use my kids to hide my real excuse for not going to the beach.

I finally gave in and figured - I better let them experience it once or twice in their life or they will be missing out so one afternoon we went - and I was sold. I put aside how awful I look in a bathing suit and it was so amazing.

We went to the beach again today and I was laying there watching the 3 boys that have stressed me out to the max this week, be able to do all of the things I have been telling them to stop doing . They were finally able to run and scream and roll all over - without worrying about getting in trouble. I figured - what a freeing feeling that must be. I wondered if they even realized that was happening. The only thing that changed was the setting and that changed everything for their little worlds.

How cool will it be when we get to heaven. I wonder if our Father will sit back and just laugh seeing us be able to do everything that we always wanted to do in complete innocence and joy. Not that we will be doing things that we get in trouble for anywhere else, but just to finally be ourselves and live life forever with out all of the restrictions and limitations that our sin and this earth place on us. To live and know that we make our Father smile just being with Him.

Oh Lord, thank you that you do not hold back anything good for us. Thank you for preparing a place for us to one day just run and be in your presence and finally experience real freedom!

Fouth of July & Camping - Warning: Lots of Pics

We went camping for the 4th of July this year. It was a blast - but we did miss the fireworks! So it didn't feel quite like the 4th...but fun none the less. Here is a snap shot of our week-end. It was hot, but an extension cord and a fan make everything nice and cool!

Men at Work

Dad & Darren trying to fix the spot lights!

Dylan showing off in the golf cart. There was an awesome parade of golf carts, bikes, and wagons to celebrate the Fourth of July. That was really cool. We had a really cool family in front of us with a CD player - I think that made the walk for us.

This is our parrot friend - fun to look at but annoying to ride with. It hits the passenger in the head while riding in the golf cart. lol

What is camping with out a canoe ride...I was up front and my niece had the camera. Darren & I were the only thing pictures...besides lots of random tree shots. lol

The boys outside of the stables just after their pony ride. They found a pile of poo that grossed them out! I need to get them around stable more often!

The campfire sing along with Chip & Dale. Fun times - I forced them all to stay after the smores. Chip made poor Riley get in the picture - she tried to refuse but he wasn't having it. My guess...Chip is played by an 18-20 year old guy!

Smores!!!!

I forced them into a family photo. Once the smores where gone they were kind of over this activity! Oh -well.

I think fishing was my favorite activity - too bad we didn't catch anything and the boys broke every pole. It provided opportunity for really great pics!

I think this is my favorite picture of Dylan.

Ty & his worm. He really enjoyed the worms - I was really surprised!

Well, that is our trip in a nut shell. I would do it again in a heart beat. I hope that our family camps a lot. I think that is it good for the boys and would provide them with awesome memories as they grow up. Enough talking about growing up though...I am starting to shop for school clothes for Dylan as he starts Kindergarten in the fall....aaaaahhhhh. I ope everyone had a wonderful July 4th - I have enjoyed looking at all of your pics.

Goodnight everyone!

Neighbors

Bug Spray - $5
Camping Chairs - $20
Friends & Neighbors - Priceless


When I got married and moved away from home the one thing I missed was neighbors. My family only lives 3 miles away and I can visit them whenever I want, but there is nothing like a quick bike ride(not that I have a bike - i actually walk or drive) or a walk across the yard! Until the last 2 years, our closest friend so our closes


About a year or so ago, our closest friends lived in Daytona off of 92. It was great and we love them but it was hard on both of us to hang out. Over the years our friendships kinda became distant as we were all so busy and found new groups of friends at our different churches.


I hated living in oak hill and felt like we had no friends. We were stuck next to neighbors that we didn't really know or have much in common with. I was miserable. Then...we discovered that many of our new friends from church lived right down the road! HOW AWESOME IS THAT. We were able to just go a hop skip and a jump to hang out with some awesome friends. I love how the Lord answers prayers and provides the means for close friendships.



And you know when He supplies, He does so in abundance! Next thing we know, a couple we know buys the house next door and they have 2 young kids! That is just so much fun just walking accross the yard or meeting in the middle to play in mud puddle or burn yard debris.




I love how the Lord knows us so well. He knows how some of us are cool to just chill at home, while others love being on the go. He knows how some crave companionship while others appreciate time alone in thought. He just knows every little part of all of us and I think that is awesome. Even the things that I wish people would just get about me - He does. So, don't forget to thank our Closest Friend for knowing us and loving us inspite of everything and for always being right there for us!