CB (Day 2)

I'm all about fun in the sun, but now try to do so more wisely, hence the wide brim hat Shiloh modeled before heading out our first full day at the beach. 

Not my favorite....the sunscreen applications but the littles were patient with the process. 

Such a beautiful day and the cousins loved begin together! 

Sister's and I had a great time as well!  Unfortunately the worst part of the day was that Mom was sick in bed (and Dad graciously attended to her)...but thankfully we knew that she would be feeling better the next day. 

Zoe was thrilled to be wearing the "mermaid" bathing suit that she bought with her own money... 

And all the girls enjoyed imagining being mermaids together!

My boys!

Uncle Aaron is the master shark tooth finder and gave Zoe some pointers.

More Selfie fun!

The littles worked together for some castle building.

While I'm not a huge fan of swimming in the ocean, I would wade in, especially with a little buddy.  Beach was a good sport, though, and would take the girls out deeper.

Walking it out!

After some quiet time at the house, I enjoyed a little cold brew on the front porch with some cuties!  

It was enough to motivate me to go on a run with Lauren.  Ezra begged to go as well.  However, he didn't last long!  I think not having something directly ahead to run to was an issue.  So Lauren and I would take turns walking with him while the other sprinted ahead and back.  He really wanted to go to the pier, so we decided to go for it.  Getting there was fun...coming back with the whinnying, when he no longer wanted me to run at all...not so much.   

We did really enjoy checking out the peer.

When we finally got back, Shiloh was in relax mode... 

Which quickly turned into her wanting to do silly faces with me... 

Pure Shiloh!

After dinner and getting the kids in bed, we ended the night with some silly games...

and lots of laughter! 

Carolina Beach (CB 1)

A year out we planned a beach vaca with my family. We decided to try Carolina Beach, as it was not to far away, we had never been and found a great AirB&B across from the beach that would work for all of us.  On the way there we stopped at Wilmington to get a quick view of what the city had to offer.

 

Right next to the visitor center was a train museum, while we didn't take the time to explore all of such, we did take a few quick photos. 

Then we hunted down an adorable local coffee house, Bespoke, one of our favorite things to do in a new city. 

The kids were a bit stir crazy from being in the car a few hours...  

and they had fun checking out the interesting details around the place.

Attempt for a daddy/kid photo but Ezra was not happy at the moment....

but Shiloh was willing!

Especially if it meant getting a sip of momma's coffee.

Thankfully, Ezra is usually pretty quick to turn around his attitude. 

We then set off to explore a little of the city... 

Quick pause when my love wanted to take a photo of me with this cool brick.

Ezra still wants to be carried if he can get away with it  ;-)

We enjoyed our quick stop and thought it would be nice to come back and explore more...but for now the beach was calling!

We ran by the grocery store, unloaded the car, and I took the littles to check out the sand and waves.

Everyday there was a new sand sculpture.

Thankfully, Danielle was with me, as all the kids seemed to want to scatter shortly after getting there.

My little buddy, though, often would just walk and hold my hand.  

So thankful to be here with family!

Ezra did have the most usual reaction, if we stopped at all, he would immediately start digging wherever he was at.  His favorite was getting to a hole that had previously been dug out!

The treasure collectors!

Sweet girls, I thought it would be fun to attempt to get a jumping picture with them...

Instead I got a series of funny/interesting ones...

(Zoe's face, who did not like the idea.)

So excited to be here and for the fun fabulous week ahead!

The In Between

I try to dwell on the joyous moments; the ones that make my heart soar and that I want to remember.  Thus, my monthly highlight posts.  In looking over them recently, I realized that there is so much in-between that cannot be seen, that in someways I don't want to forget them either.  It certainly is not all puppy dogs and unicorns over here (or at all).

My health has been steadily improving.  Previously, I used to have to sleep 12 plus hours, with 2 or 3 naps to make it through the day.  In between that it was as if I was walking in a fog, pining for when I could get another nap.  I had to be mindful in planing anything, for I needed to rest extra before and after (sometimes for days).  Then, I needed to be flexible if my body just wouldn't cooperate come "planned activity" (this was not easy on my emotions). 

Now I have more good days then bad, or at least it is moving in that direction.  Honestly, in someways it can be more discouraging when I think things are going well and I wake up and it is hard to move for the day or few.  I question and try to run though everything that could possibly have caused it; and I usually end up with just more questions and many hypotheses.  

The flip side to it all, though, is that it makes the sweet all that more sweeter.  I know I'm more thankful and treasure all the things that I get to do now.  The process has been refining me, in huge ways. Exposing and tearing down idols and running to the Lord over and over again for my manna. I don't like to be needy.  But I find that is right where I am all too often and apparently right where I need to be!