The beach.

My parents always had a home at the beach when I was growing up, and so summers, weekends, and holidays were spent there.  Some of my happiest memories.

While I was raised and continue to live in the midst of farmland, I really relate more to a beachy way of life.  No shoes, a good book, a hot sun, a lot of water.

One of my strategies for making it through this very demanding season of my life is to get to the beach more often.  Today my husband bid me and the oldest six an early farewell, and he graciously and lovingly stayed home with the two little guys so the rest of us could go home to the beach.

It's a question oft posed in our house: why do we live here?  Doubtless God has put us here for countless many reasons, and our home is a funny contrast of beach house in the middle of almonds orchards and cows.  But we don't picture ourselves here forever.  The beach calls too loudly, and I just can't ignore the Pacific Ocean.

As per Stacy's long-ago request: In the kitchen... Creme brulee for dessert after a salmon dinner.  Baked artisan loaves, too. I am thankful for... - A husband who sacrificially and joyfully puts us above his other worldly obligations. - A Mighty Joe beating the odds. - Children who take care of the ones below them. I am wearing... a Land's End khaki skort and an aqua blue t-shirt.  Oh hey!  Just like in the photo at the right.  Maybe it's time to go shopping.  Starfish earrings. I am sewing... hems, hems, and more hems.  Short girls will have to hem the rest of their lives.  This I know. I am hearing... Nate on the guitar.  He gets better and better each week.  Girls giggling before bed.  Husband clacking the computer keys. I am reading... A Gift From the Sea. I just saw... a goose egg on Christian's little head.  Stroller crash. I am looking forward to... a weekend away with husband and best friends.  And Miss Pearl's. I am thinking... about the music I want to upload to my iPod for the day tomorrow.

I am remembering... that there are many, many other things I ought to be doing other than this post :)

I have written often about my best friend, Lisa.  We've been friends for 20 years as of last month; she was one of the first people I met the day I moved into my dorm at college.  She was already friends with my husband who was friends with her husband, and little did any of us know that 20 years later we would have 16 children between us, live 20 miles from each other, and worship together in the same church.  What a gift, and I am grateful every day for Lisa's faithful friendship. This has been a solid year of trials for Lisa's family.  Last fall she went into early labor and was on bedrest for 13 weeks.  She gave birth to Grace in January, and three weeks later Gracie was hospitalized for RSV. Last month, her nine-year-old son was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes.  Last Friday during a nature day field trip, her four-year-old broke his leg in three places.  Several ten pound babies have made reconstructive surgery absolutely necessary for Lisa, and that is scheduled for next Monday. Are you tired?  Me, too.  Please pray for Lisa's family, as their lives right now are defined by the trials they are weathering.  Pray that they run the race and do not grow weary.  Pray for strength, and peace, and mercy. Thanks.  Your prayers mean so very much to me.

Torch Runner, 2008 Backyard Olympics

Yes, I will post those new chore spreadsheets in a PDF file. I've converted one already but not the other yet because, well, I've been busy. You know- eight kids, plus six of our friends' kids here for the weekend, a nephew here at the beginning of the week, a doctor appointment for Mighty Joe, the new school year to plan... Ah, who am I kidding? The real reason? I'm an Olympics junkie. I have been happily planting my lazy body on a chair at my in-law's house every night for four hours. Until tonight of course- that .01 second win by Michael Phelps actually propelled me off the recliner :)