So Much Joy

Ah, Monday is here again.  This particular Monday brings about some mixed emotions.  Last week, the author visit I had worked on putting together for about eight months happened and it was more than I could have ever dreamed it to be.  Amazing doesn't even begin to sum it up.  Deep down inside, I believe bringing Michelle Nelson-Schmidt to speak to the children served by From Cover to Cover was near the top of my life experiences, outside of my wedding day and birth of my children.  The majority of the children she spoke to live in poverty and the gift of hope and encouragement she shared with them is bound to change lives.  Those sweet kids left with a smile on their face, a twinkle in their eye, and walked a little taller after they heard her speak.  The many hours of grant writing, public speaking, and planning were more than worth it.  I hope to be able to provide this gift to more children in my community in the future.

I ended the week on a high and had a wonderful weekend with friends and my sweet family.  Everyone is back to the grind today and I am feeling the let-down effect.  Months and months of my life went into putting together that author visit and I am left with the feeling of what now?  I know I should be savoring the quiet and resting, but this busy brain of mine has a hard time letting that happen.  In my heart I know my work has only just begun working with children in need in my community, but it is so hard to be patient and wait to see lies ahead.  I am confident more doors will open and He will put more on my heart, but I want a sneak peak now!

On the bright side, summer is right around the corner.  Traveling is one of my passions and soon we'll be hitting the road on our first big trip for the summer.  The excitement in my house is palpable and I am looking forward to our adventures as a family.  These vacations will leave us with lasting memories and I feel so blessed we are able to travel quite extensively this summer.

First up is a week at the beach.  A place where we can all sit back and relax.  The kids are already planning their sand creations and the other day my oldest son so sweetly said, "Mom.  The beach is going to be a nice break for you.  We can just run around all day and you won't even have to yell at us."

Well said, my boy.  We can all benefit from a week of no running, schedules, or plans.  I'll be packing up some good books, a journal, and my camera in my beach bag.  I can already hear the sound of the waves and feel the breeze.  I might be experiencing a bit of restlessness and wonder, but I am looking forward to spending some uninterrupted quality time with my family.  Perhaps I'll come back refreshed and full of ideas.  Only time will tell!

Our happy place

 

Through Our Children's Eyes

During dinner last night we went around the table and shared our blessings for the day.  After adding them to our gratitude journal, we began a fun conversation sparked by one of the children's blessings for the day:  our upcoming vacation to the beach.  Yes, it may still be four months away, but the kids' enthusiasm is hard to contain.

The conversation was focused on what they would like to do and see during this year's trip to the beach.  They couldn't share their ideas quick enough and there may have been a little fighting over whose turn it was, but once the conversation concluded my husband and I looked at each other and just knew this little tradition we have started will be one of their favorite childhood memories once our kids are grown.

7 years ago my mom planned a family trip to the beach to celebrate her birthday.  After a lot of research she decided on a sleepy little beach town in North Carolina:  Topsail Island.  At the time we only had our oldest son who was almost 18 months old.  We flew to North Carolina and met the rest of my family for a weeklong beach adventure.

We fell in love with the place.  This area is about as non-commercialized as you can get.  Sure, there are some beach stores selling the cheesy souvenirs, a few chain fast-food restaurants, and a recently added Wal-Mart, but for the most part this is a place filled with local businesses and beach houses rented out to vacationers like us.  

We had so much fun we went back the following year with a new baby in tow and our son.  Life happened and vacations were put on hold, but last year we decided to make the trip back to the beach we love. It was our first family road trip and it was a trip to remember.  The kids LOVED the place and the house we rented this time was perfect for our family and my parents.

Before we even left last summer, the kids asked if we could return.  We didn't make any promises, but hoped we could.  In January we reserved the same house and told the kids the beach was a go. They were so excited!  One of the first questions they asked:  "Are we going to the same house?!"

And so it begins.  We enjoy traveling and this is a big priority for our family.  While we want to vacation all over the country and hit all of those ballparks, there is something special about having "our place."  The conversation around the dinner table last night confirmed that.  The familiarity of it coupled with the special memories and places the kids already hold so dear to their hearts makes the trip almost magical.

When my husband and I exchanged glances last night it brought a smile to both of our faces.  The kids had left the table and all grabbed a piece of paper to create their list of things to do at the beach this year.  In the big life picture it is not the material items that matter.  It is the experiences we share as a family and the memories we create together that will leave a lasting impact on our children (and us!).  I will happily pass on new clothes and shoes, eating out, and getting my hair done every few months if it means the money I have saved allows us to afford that yearly trip to the beach.

We've found a place that brings our entire family such joy and happiness.  I consider myself very fortunate to have found this treasure when our children were so young.  We can look forward to many years of memories and relaxing on the beach together as a family.  Life doesn't get much better than that!