the beach

we went to the beach. the beach, friends. the real, salty, windy, amazing beach.

we were that excited.

jason was at a conference in Pawley's Island last week and was staying with 4 other guys in a 2-level condo. he asked the owner. and yup- he extended the reservation 2 days past the end of the conference. got an absolute steal on the price.

i got a call wednesday night telling me the news. i had a couple of hours to pack up. woke the kids to tell them our destination. and we piled in- drove nearly 5 hours on our own.

and we made it.

almost 2 days with just me and my peeps.

our extended family is fairly spread out. Minnesota, Michigan, Texas. so, if we ever have time and money, we're going to see one of our loved ones. we have not yet gone on a vacation with just the 4 of us.

this was our first.

so very fantastic. good to just be us. without our lives/duties/responsibilities tacked on as well. no stress.

these kiddos of mine. they are my favorite. and they had a complete role-reversal at the beach. my timid, cautious boy was bounding toward the waves, racing them back to shore.

the girl? wouldn't come within 15 feet.

the ocean is one of my favorite things. i love the mystery. the constancy. the smell, the air. i feel at home and simultaneously long for my forever home. i feel closer to Him Who made it all.

it is always hard to leave. oh but what a surprise to be able catch a glimpse, friends. what a gift.

so thankful for all i can take away from the short time we had. the rest, breathing room, the beauty and reminder of so much of His hand in my now. today. here. sitting at this computer.

cookies

we made cookies yesterday. for two reasons, really. 1-- because my mom gave samuel a package of fall-themed sugars and sprinkles. 2-- because i wanted to eat some.

and before we even had the cookies on the table, someone spilled a whole container of sprinkles. of course. i come outside to find them furiously eating tiny balls of colored sugar.

but this is why we do this outside.

good times. good cookies.

we are about to head north to see some family and friends. won't be back for a week or so. will be back with a full report, as usual.

blessings on your weeks, friends.

hello again

forgive the absence, friends. it's been a week over here. containing much, but most importantly a trip away with my one true love.

in honor of our ten, we asked dear fabulous friends to have our children and left for two days. did some walking/hiking together. it was wonderful.

Congaree National Park (yes. this will resemble me showing you my vacation slides. but it was so beautiful!! i have to do it.)

this forest was incredible. a hard wood swamp forest. i felt like i was in madagascar or something. trees 150 feet tall. birds i'd never heard before.

i loved this branch. stuck within the boardwalk. so many colors. there is some fabulous decor-sceme in that little branch.

and day 2 had us at the Craggy Gardens on the Blue Ridge Parkway. it was insanely beautiful. the kind of beauty where you look around and don't really believe what you're seeing is real. couldn't be.

so that was our vacation. thanks for watching. big-sister briana is coming today. (yay!!!) sure to post more on that soon. happy week, gang. may we each rest in the reality of His love and provision (not remembering that one very well lately...).

contentment attempts

we got to visit autumn. a little vacation through the seasons.





up to minnesota to see so much lovely family. this is where i grew up, where jason and i fell in love, married and started out together. and it is strange coming home to a place so familiar with little ones on your arms that you hadn't dreamed of when you left.





just strange.

we did the airport thing, several times:



got a layover in detroit so we got to see Bri and the boys! it was just the coolest thing.




i know it's blurry- but i can't stand the cuteness of the pose back there.

and then we arrived. we threw leaves around, walked, talked, gained about 15 pounds, and passed out at the end of each day.




the best and coolest grandma EVER.





these longings are so hard to place. i want so many things and get confused about which are things to fight for and which will only be satisfied in heaven. and i'm wondering today what to strive to change. there are so many relationships that i want MORE of. but so many live so far. i suppose i once again need to content myself with the reality of His reign and wisdom. He is in control of my hours and days. and i will strive to make myself available in the midst of each moment-- in the middle of my longings for things He has not given. He will comfort and provide. He said He would. and He has so many times.





glad to be home and digging in again where He has planted us. so many good things here. so many in other places. we are richly blessed.

the capital and my little smarty

we were in DC for the weekend. i had to be there for work and i dragged everyone with.





kate spent the day at a friend's house playing with a little girl her age (thank you felicity and isabelle!). so while i was at meetings, jason and samuel had a little day out at the capitol.



i got to meet up with them in the afternoon for a bit. and it was just such fun.





we went to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. and oh my. for those of you who don't know my son-- this is his heaven. he watches planet earth like it's a cartoon. loves learning about food chains and 'habitaps' (that would be habitats). a little 4 year old scientist.

he just freaked out everywhere he turned.







and then we were at the Braves/Nationals game. open air stadium with friends and ballpark food.







just the happiest of days for this little guy. and he just spreads the love. as he smiles and points, exclaims and teaches ("the T-Rex has big teeth Daddy because he eats other dinasours") you can't help but smile along.

so the next morning, we were getting ready to go.





stopped by the Jefferson on our way out of town.







we were exhausted as we took off. we definitely got our walking in. well... jason and i did.

it is such a good thing, to step out of your home and life, and just be you outside of your daily constraints. we were just us. and it felt nice. i love my little family. God is so good.



and it's good to be home. and as the rain falls today we are still settling back into our little home-space. good to be back. so good to rest together.

may your week start out with some rest as well, friends. may we all be continually resting in His provision and care.