Thankful for Life 224/365

It has been a long day and I am tired, but I couldn't resist posting this picture of the Pips.  This dog is seriously a beach bum.  She loves everything about it.  She knew it was time to head in, so she planted herself if the sand and wouldn't budge.  Her love of the beach really amazes me.  I never expected her to enjoy it like she does.  I also never expected it to be so good for her.  She acts like a puppy when we are here, not like the 10+ dog that she is.  I am so thankful for her little life.

Oh Happy Day! 223/365

We have had a great day.  Lots of beach time, pool time, and even a bonfire.  But I was able to sneak away with Noelle for one of my favorite things.

 There just isn't much that is better than riding horses on the beach.

 Even the dolphins came out to spend some time and swim along side us as we rode.

 Noelle rode this sweetie named Pork Chop.  He had a pep in his step.

I rode Harley.  Obviously he is the difficult one, because they decided to give him to the most experienced rider.  Turns out he is just a big bully.

 Noelle was all smiles because this is after all one of her favorite things too.

 I am always in awe of the majesty of horses.  I miss them so much.

So, tonight I go to bed happy! I hope I dream about horses!

Where Did the Time Go? 222/365

Today is marks our 15th wedding anniversary.  It is hard for me to grasp that it really was 15 years ago that we said "I do!"  Somehow, in my mind it seems like it's only been about five years.  However since we have four kids who are all older than five, I know that my mind only wants to stay young.

Fifteen years....that really is a long time.  We have had our ups and downs, our good times and our bad, but one thing is for sure, I have loved this man with all my heart for all fifteen of those years.  I remember when we were dating, the country sound Keeper of the Stars came out, and I felt like that song reflected our relationship perfectly.  We both know who the keeper of the stars is, and I think because of that we have been able to maintain the beautiful family that we have.  God gave me the hardest worker with the biggest heart when he gave me Paul.  After all, how many men do you know that would allow their wife to keep bringing home animals and kids for that matter?  He loves the kids of course, but he actually pretends to like the animals....even Pippa who hates him.  He tolerates her just because he loves me.

I am a blessed woman.  I hope that we celebrate many more anniversaries in the years to come.

Thanks Paul for all you do for me and for our family!  You truly are our rock!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails 1Corinthians 13:4-8

Turn the Whole Thing Upside Down 221/365

I've been watching LeeLee this week, and I have determined that she spends half of her life upside down.  Whether on land.......

 or in water, she just likes being upside down.  She always has.  One of her favorite songs is Jack Johnson's Upside Down.  The song kept ringing through my head today as I watched her.

Hunter has been my big helper this week, and I so appreciate him.  He is tough and he will brain storm and figure out solutions to any problem, except for how to get us back into the house after he locked us out today.  No worries, it only took me about 30 minutes to break in.  Good thing I have a conscience, because I can get into just about any house if you give me a little time.

I try to be so diligent with Noelle's sunscreen.  I try hard to stay out of the sun, as I just don't really think wrinkled is attractive.  Today, she spent some good time with Pippa and I under the umbrella.

Paul surprised everyone when he showed up to the pool in the afternoon.  They were even more excited when he jumped directly into the pool and became an instant jungle gym.  He made yesterday's stunt seem so easy.

 Maybe tomorrow he can stack three kids on his shoulders.  It sure is nice to have him here!

Hope has really come a long way with her swimming this summer.  I think it helps that one of the baby sitters they had while I was in China was a swimmer for the University of Kentucky.  I am so proud of her being able to swim all over the deep end with no problems.  I don't think I'll ever truly relax when the kids are swimming, but it helps tons to know she can swim across the pool now.

Simple Fun 220/365

So, there they are, my four kiddos.  We stopped off at the pool after a fun filled day on the beach.  Glad we did, because they kept me laughing.

I wonder how many more times she will fall for, "Hey Hope, hold this up to your face."  At first she always seems surprised, but then she always laughs, so she may never learn.

Then there was LeeLee who says, "Mom get your camera ready, because this is gonna be great." Oh yes LeeLee this is great.....

but to me, this is greater!

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17

Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful Day 219/365

 Hunter and I headed out first thing for our favorite spot on the Cape, the bay.  We both love nature, and nature abounds in the bay.  We were excited to see that we were going to be all alone on our adventure.

However, it didn't take us long to realize that you are never really quite alone here.  Four beautiful deer came down to the waters edge.  We were surprised to see that all four of them were bucks.

Then it didn't take long for us to realize that we were again surrounded by sting rays.  This has become a theme on our outings.  We found tons of sand dollars, but most of them were alive, so we only walked away with two beautiful ones that were already dead.

As soon as we got back, the girls were ready to hit the beach.  The waves were great today, so there was lots of fun to be had by all.

 When they wanted a rest from the waves, they covered themselves with sand.  I truly can't imagine anything any worse!

 This little one wants to do everything that this big girl does.  After some encouragement.....

she decided to sand surf on her own.  In fact, she made it look so fun that the others joined her.  Way to go Hope for coming up with something fun to do on your own.  I'm proud of you!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Much Needed 218/365

In an attempt to get caught up, I am going to go ahead and get back on schedule of doing the current day.  I will still be making up the missed days, so if you want to read, then you will just have to back up past this post to see what I have added.  The flu was an unexpected misery that consumed my life.  Today is the first day I haven't fallen asleep before 5 p.m. only to wake up and be miserable later.  Thanks for all the prayers and the sweet calls and messages of encouragement while I was sick.  I haven't fully recovered, but today I am counting my sweet blessings!

After hearing Noelle say, "Mom, it's like your home, but your really not,"  I got determined to try and make up my absent weeks from their lives.  Generally when I get home from China, I am refreshed, but not this time.  I was wiped out from the flu. I kept trying hard to make it just one day without needing an extra three to four hours sleep in the middle of the day.  I had to think, what would make all of this better...well of course the beach.  After all, I could rest, Pippa could get refreshed, and the kids could have fun.  I was nervous about driving down here with the kids and dogs considering how tired I have been, but I made it.  Pippa has already been surfing in the ocean and catching the breeze that so desperately helps her old bones.

The kids have been catching the waves and swimming in the pool.  They are thrilled to be back!  On the way down here Hope asked, "Mommy, where is your favorite place?"  I answered her with China of course, and she replied, "Hopey's favorite place is the beach!"  I'm glad it's her favorite place because we are here to stay for a while.

A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.  Proverbs 7:22