When all this corona stuff broke out my greatest fear that I would have to miss vacation with my family. Family vacation is so very deeply important to me. After God, there is nothing more important to me than my husband and daughter. Having a week or so away with them every year to create memories, experience new things and bond together is my most favorite thing we do. We switch it up a little every year but we always go to the beach as our little family.
I was very fearful that we would have no opportunity to create this special time this year with all the crazy going on. We wouldn't be able to go at another date because of Eric's insanely demanding schedule with work and school (less than a year left, praise God!!) In fact, even now he is taking a summer course but it is online. When fear and anxiety overcome me I turn to my Father God and lay it all on Him. "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." -1 Peter 5:7. I pleaded with God that He would allow us our vacation even if it meant things were still shutdown that we could be together and sit in peace together on the beach secluded. I knew it was even very possible God would strengthen my faith in His power and love for me by doing this at the last moment. And He did. Just before it was time to make a decision to cancel and get our money back or go, God lead the governor to open up the beaches! Then that turned to opening up parks and entertainment and all this happened while we had just arrived for our first day at the beach! This meant God allowed us to come to the beach, and go to ride rides at the pavilion, swim in the pool, go out for dinner, and walk around care-free. In essence, God not only allowed us to go on vacation, He opened up the ability to go out and do things too! An extra bonus He gave for just trusting in Him. And even if He hadn't allowed for this, God is still and always will be perfect and Good! I am just so thankful! I am sure there are those who don't agree with the corona situation but this blog is not about any of that and any opinions or to start debates or cause friction. This blog is about trusting in God , sharing my joy in His provision, and knowing He has it all in His hands. He truly cares for us, even for the little things that concern us. Again, I am thankful.
This year I am so in love with seeing how Ellie is even more involved with playing, swimming, adventure, and watching all the sights! She is just the best little friend and daughter and it is so fun to show her a full world of experiences! She got to float in a lazy river, go exploring for shells, seaweed, and fish at the beach, feed fish, chase ducks, play putt putt, go on a pirate's voyage for treasure aboard Blackbeard's ship, eat crab dip and shrimp, watch two movies: "The Little Mermaid" and "Moana," ride a golf cart, ride rides, build sandcastles, tunnels, dig holes, read lots and lots of new books, and get ice cream! She still napped on the beach in our arms this year. She got excited waking up for going to the beach and to me beach joy is better than even Christmas morning joy!
There was a time long ago and yet, not really so long ago, before I was married, but still with Eric where I used to think that my sister was missing out on so much with her four kids at the beach. At that time and age to me there was just no conceivable way it was fun to not get to relax, sleep, and read on the beach. Surely, it would be more enjoyable to not have to constantly play on the beach and be able to relax?! And having to cater to nap times? And who leaves the beach to go explore other wonderful things the beach offers such as sea turtles making their way to the water, or discovering untouched beaches, or going on adventures like pirate cruises? I have never liked sand all over me and I used to get so annoyed with her kids for putting it all over me. I used to joke with my sister that SHE could take my kid (if I ever had one) along with her kids to adventures and naps and I will stay on the beach. (This was a young, immature, childless, and selfish way of thinking. It was also before I even had a glimmer of desire of wanting a child.) Basically, years ago, I thought the only good beach life was one where you sit in a chair ALL day with music in your ears, and a book in your hand for hours on end. Eat, sleep, repeat. But then.....oh WOW but then! God! When God has a will for your life it is always the best thing...more than your limited human brain can even begin to imagine. The best fun and most wonderful fun I have ever had in 29 years of life at the beach has been the three summers I have had the pleasure and privilege of taking Ellie to the beach with us and playing with her. Exploring with her. Not resting. Playing. All day! Even at times napping with her. Leaving the beach early to take her to other wonderful adventures and experiences. It is so so so meaningful and fun.Her joy, her smile, her squeals of excitement, her laughs....they actually make me flutter all over inside and quiver with love and ecstasy. True and utter pure bliss. And....it is also a fleeting time. We technically get "18 summers" with our kids. Of these childhood summers, only a few...a mere fraction will they actually beg us and desire us to play with them. All too soon our kids too will be doing their own thing and that just breaks my heart. Now, I still go to the beach with my parents every year. God blessed me with two awesome parents who so graciously take both me and my sister's families to the beach with them every year. I plan to do this for Ellie too. I want to take her to the beach with me for as many years as God gives me. From a selfish young and immature girl who never could imagine happily enjoying life to the fullest with a kid in tow to a constantly growing and changing young woman, God has grown my heart in accordance with His will and there is NOTHING in the world that could ever be more desirable or fun than having a little darling named Ellie who I get to play with on the beach and give all my time and energy to. There is nothing I would rather do. Beach trips are truly so very special and important to me and I pray God would allow us this privilege every year for the rest of our lives. I want to pour in joy and memories into Ellie. These are thus far the best days of my life. I love being a mommy on the beach and I love watching Eric be a daddy on the beach. In fact, Eric arranged for Ellie to stay with my parent's and her cousins just less than a mile away at the beach after our week long vacation so that he and I may have some couple time. Ohhhh I love that idea deeply! And I am excited for it!! I am also heartbroken because I adore my Ellie time. Cuddling at night and playing all day. It's not just something mom's "do" ...being a mommy and pouring all that we are and have into our child....it really is giving them a piece...a very large piece of yourself and when its not around it hurts! But I know that she will love being with her cousins and Mimi and G-Daddy. She will have her first sleepover with her 5 year old cousin, Laurel as they will share a bedroom at the beach house! I cannot wait to hear about that! Should be interesting haha!
There really is nothing better than being with my family. I genuinely love and adore my family. I love my husband.He is my best friend. I truly love him and desire to be near him and play with him and talk with him. He makes me truly happy. Happier than anybody. And Ellie just is a spark of bright light to me! She brings more joy than can be counted. Time together with no responsibilities is just so amazing and so special. I am very thankful for this vacation to the beach with my two very most favorite people! Thank You, God!!
"Children are a GIFT from the Lord; they are a REWARD from Him!" - Psalm 127:3 I can't even begin to imagine how I deserved the reward of Ellie, but oh God! Thank You! My beach trips are the best they have ever been because of her!
