crafting memories

Pack bags. Check. Road-trip. Check. Leave it all behind. Check. 

Splash in the waves. Chase seagulls. Boogy-board. Triple Check.

Build sandcastles. Collect seashells. Catch crabs. Picnics on the beach. Spot dolphins. Try to swim with them.

Visit loved ones. Ron Jon's. Tijuana Flats. Barnes & Noble. Lotsa coconut popsicles. Backyard soccer games. Hunt for geckos, catch them, set them free, repeat. Puzzles and breakfast. Nerf gun wars. Farmer's Market oranges. Blockus tourneys... 

(above: my new skirt that used to be a turtleneck! 
but that's a different type-of-crafting post :)

how is it we almost have the same size feet? when did he grow up so fast?!

I just kept wondering...What will these boys recall years from now? 

How will these moments shape their idea of what is fun and relaxing? 

What souvenirs are locked away in their minds to remember these days?

When we look back on our lives, what we will remember are the 

crazy things we did, the times we worked harder to make a day stand out.

~ Donald Miller, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years

On the last day, we stayed at the beach as late as we could, pulling our blanket further and further back as the tide continued to move in. After we were as far back as we could go, we packed up our things. Sat on a bench overlooking the ocean, eating our snack, watching the waves and the surfers, reminiscing over favorite memories...Miles' was chasing the birds, Jack's was catching lizards, Jude's was catching crabs, Andy's was staring off into the horizon. Mine was all of it {with boogy-boarding in a close second place}.

I was struggling to leave, singing in my head with Boys2Men it's so hard to say goodbye... Then, I had flashbacks of being at that very spot nearly 9 years ago with 4 month old Miles, pregnant with Jack. SO much has happened since then! So much good and unexpected, and good coming from the unexpected. 
I love vacay-mode, but I value the ways real life has shaped us, who it is making us. It's so important to take time to retreat and rest {and, we were so blessed by these dear people who offer pastors a free place to stay to do just that}. I hope to someday sit back down on that same bench and reminisce over all of life that is yet to come and the many ways He has been faithful. Until then, we're gonna continue to seek what it means to 

take hold of the life that is truly life! 
~1 Timothy 6.19

Just beyond this computer screen, there is life yet to be lived! 

People to look into their eyes and smile, to love and pursue. 
Moments to craft. Memories to be made. 
A day that could stand out...

a thousand words

Laughter is an instant vacation.

~ Milton Berle

There's a couple thousand words from the past week for you.  

Ok, maybe just a few more things...

I adore my husband.  He is amazing like that.

I love those girls.  They sure know how to have a good time, and to make a friend laugh...for 5 days straight.  We lived it to the hilt!  

But, oh how good it was to come home and hug my fam.  I love my life.  I love my boys.  After letting the heart do its absence-growing-fonder-thing, I feel even more blessed to be their mama.  

(A "proof of life" pic Andy sent me while I was gone.  

Doesn't look like they missed me too bad :)

stay-cation 2011

This is not very Roy of us at all.  We're adventure, travel, road-trip-type people to the core.  But life has been hectic, and my love will be boarding a plane to Mexico soon...so we opted to vacation at home, to look for beauty right outside our front door, with 50 bucks in our pocket.
Our first {of many} bike rides, I was remarking how special it is to have this time together, to ride down a hill and spot the lake, to get coffee and a cookie at the local bakery.  They were taking it in, and Jack exclaims "I can't believe we live here!"
We do live in a pretty phenomenal town, but the itch to explore nags me: large cities, third-world countries, Paris, beach, mountains...you name it, I'll go!  But what I value more than trying out a new cafe or riding a moto down a dusty road is a new perspective.  I love seeing the world in a new light.  Getting away does that.  So, part of my prayer for this week was that God would renew my mind, even here.  And would you know, He has!  He whispers to me to "take the gentle path." Shows me how meaningful putting together a Star Wars puzzle can be.  And what a refreshment a drive studying the clouds is.  And the faith of a child to climb up a 100 ft. fire tower with their dad, no hesitation.  Or, to go down their first waterslide in the lap of their mom.  And what a gem of a husband I have.  And how completely rewarding are spontaneous hugs.  And pure, lasting joy is not found in what we have or don't have, where we are or where we aren't.  Our God hears!  And He answers prayer.  And there is so much beauty that awaits, right beyond our front door.

Stay-cation 2011

Silver Beach. Parking: $5

Pike Lake. Bike Ride, Coffee and Cookies: $8

Ouabasche State Park.  Entry to Park: $5, Pool/Waterslide: $10, 5 Frosties: $5

Fort Wayne. Art Museum: Free (on Thursdays), Picnic Downtown, Starbucks: $4.50 (doubleshot on ice for mom and dad)

Our “backyard”. River-stomp, Bike Ride to Dairy Queen: $10

Family of 5 + 1 week + 1 tank of gas + $50 = a priceless amount of enjoyment