Vacation

We haven't been on a family vacation since 2006, when i was pregnant with Sarah and Samantha. We thought this would be a good summer to go and we chose the Outer Banks. We rented a house, just a sand dune away from the beach and with a much required private pool. No, we aren't filthy rich, like my oldest daughter seems to think, however, when you have two 2 1/2 year old children, who nap for at least 2 to 2 1/2 hours each day, the private pool was essential in giving us something to do while they napped. When you spend 9 full days with your family, you learn some things about them that you don't seem to see in the hustle and bustle of life. My 8 year old is a great organizer and was very helpful in setting the tables, cleaning up after dinner, helping with Sarah and Samantha AND she even took showers WITHOUT me telling her repeatedly it was time for one! My 6 year old truly is the middle child. Trying so hard to be like her big sister, but then turning around a second later and on the floor playing with her 2 1/2 year old sisters. She goes from being so grown up, to being her age of 6. Her hardest time was night - for the 1st few nights, she wanted to go home because she wanted her own bed. Then there are Sarah and Samantha. Sarah, the girl who just wants to be independent..i can't even count the number of times that she said, "i do it myself!" She loved the ocean and just could sit in the sand and let the water come up on her legs for as long as i would let her sit there. Samantha, my youngest by a whole minute, was definitely more reserved about the ocean... "hold me, momma" "hold me, daddy". She wanted to be in the water, but didn't quite like how it kept coming and going - "it scares me" She was content to just play in the sand. What a great vacation...can't wait for next year!

July 4th and some random pictures

Old Friends

I feel so lucky. So lucky to have re-connected with so many friends from my high school days, my church camp days and just the friends that have come and gone through the past years. I feel so lucky to have such a great family. I am blessed. Blessed beyond words. I do believe in fate, I do believe in karma and I do believe in God.