Sun-kissed, sandy, salty and sweet!

I'm aware that our city is not the only city sizzling in this summer heat right now. But, oh my stars!!! The heat indexes and humidity may be the end of me!
We took all of our boys on a walk up to our church playground this morning--only a couple of miles away--but I knew it would be tough for them in the heat. We brought water and even a Frisbee to hold water so Glory (who came too) could drink. Everyone was doing fine on the way there. We had lots of fun practicing for American Ninja Warrior (our boys are pumped to be American Ninja Warriors, but they have to wait until age 21, yikes) at the playground!

But then, on the way home, obviously hotter than when we started, people struggled a little. One of them just couldn't keep scootering and had to walk (though that just made him hotter). And then there was me. My fair skin and born-winter-girl body was about to collapse. I decided to run while pushing Way, because the faster I get home, the faster I get cool--if I make it home!!

And yes, I made it home, but as I was running down our street, the heat kept rising and I could feel my desperation to get inside. Get out of my way, don't talk to me and get me inside or take me to the ER! Whew!!!! 107 degrees is nothing to mess with! ;)

So what do I do when it's sizzlin' at home? I reminisce about our lovely beach trip!!

It was just last month, when we were at the beach, and the sun was out, but it was glorious! Not too hot and the ocean water was so very inviting! Way loved watching the waves, sitting in the water, calling out "Go, Go GO!" as the waves came up to him and trickled back down. He was hardly phased when one of the waves knocked us over! And the bigger boys took to their body boards and Daddy, who made it safe for them to enter the waves with the red flags!

We love the beach. We are good at the beach. Ya know? This family "wings" things. We are on our own time table at the beach. Nowhere we have to go. Only places we want to go and when we want to go there. It sounds extravagant, luxurious even, to me. And it is. Some people want schedules, routines, a plan. We can handle them, but we do every other week of the year. So our week in Florida is always a welcome change!

We splurge on seafood dining too. Not much better than Smoked Tuna Dip! Mmmmmmm!!! And we discovered snow balls at one of our fave restaurants this year! A treat indeed!!

On the days we do leave our beach, we sometimes head over to Seaside and enjoy a meal, a book stop, some treats and maybe even a game of Frisbee! Or we head over to Baytowne for ziplining and trampoline bouncing and more seafood! Aahhhh, the beach life!!

But still . . . being down on the beach, playing in the waves, going for walks, reading, building sand castles, burying brothers or sons or Daddy--it's all a good Jackson family time!

So thankful for our family beach trips to Destin! #J6Destin2015 in the books!

Summer is . . .

Summer is . . .

the juice of a peach (picked by you) so ripe, that it overflows out of your mouth!

Summer is . . .

the biggest waves of the ocean knocking you down, but enticing you to get back up again!

Summer is . . .

hanging loose and wild and free!

Summer is . . .

date nights on a patio outside!

Summer is . . .

enjoying the view!

Summer is . . .

throwin' it back on the beach.

Summer is . . .

finding a spot with the perfect book! Or two! Or five hundred!

Summer is . . .

searching for treasure!

Summer is . . .

riding the waves!

Summer is . . .

scanning the horizon for what's to come!

Summer is . . .

swingin' til our hearts content!

Summer is . . .

letting things go and just divin' in!

Summer is . . .

busy and relaxing and time to soak everyone up! We're still around, just enjoying our time together!

When it's easy to go, but hard to leave. . .

It has now been 3 weeks since my return from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, which means it has been over 5 weeks since I left to go. There hasn't been a day since my return that I haven't thought about or talked about my trip. The trip changed me. Maybe that shouldn't be all that shocking, but it has been for me. Hubby was thrilled for me to go. He knew I would be changed and learn and grow. I kinda kept thinking, "Eeesh! Lots of pressure, here. Don't be disappointed if that doesn't happen!" I also didn't want to have expectations of me or surrounding me, in case I was let down. That isn't a typical "me" reaction. I usually do have and set expectations of most everything in life--not really caring about the fact that I could be disappointed or let down. Sometimes I am, sometimes not. For this trip, however, I was a little guarded from the out-set.

But leave it to my wise Hubby to know exactly the way to send me off! He nailed it when he told me that he was excited for me to go for all the things I would learn, but especially because . . .and here's the kicker. . ."You cling too tightly to the boys and me. You need to be clinging to the Lord even more." HELLO! Wow. It was so true and a little painful, but so true! I am incredibly thankful for the wisdom my wise hubby shared with me and for all the prayers that surrounded me on my trip--especially for those who were praying for my peace as I left my family behind for 2+ weeks!

Back at the end of May, we had a family trip to the beach. What a place for our souls to rest and our family to connect!

I missed these little buddies and my hubby too, but I am thankful for what the Lord taught me while I was away from them. They were okay without me, and that's a good thing. They were also happy to see me when I returned! Sweet little Miles said 15 times the first night, "I'm so happy to see you! I love you!" And that's a good thing too! A couple of days after I returned a friend was asking about my trip and if I would return. Luke or Charlie chimed in with,"I hope not. I don't want you to go again." I get that, understand it, and melt a little too. But I also pray in time that they will grasp, as the Lord leads, we follow.

 

As I'm coming away from this trip, I'm learning about abiding. What does it mean for me to rest in Him? What does it look like to rely solely on Him and cling to Him? John 15 is the perfect place for me right now. I'm thankful for my trip to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan and the friends I was with, new and old, who joined me as I started this journey (just for you, Honey, wink, wink) and especially the Lord as He has taught me what clinging to Him can bring!

If you're lucky enough to be at the beach, you're lucky enough!

A month has come and gone since we've been to the beach and I'm just now posting! I must say that it was cold almost everyday we were there. Like cold! We had one day that made it to 66 and was sunny and we soaked it up!! But, like they say, "If you're lucky enough to be at the beach, you're lucky enough!" Indeed!!

Because of the aforementioned cold weather, most mornings were not conducive to braving the beach. The mornings were in the 40's and with the sea air, it felt colder. So, we bundled up and ventured out from the condo! We went to Baytowne and Seaside and had a blast! In Baytowne, we let the boys choose an activity they wanted to do. No surprise that Charlie chose the ginormous trampoline, as did Miles, while Luke chose to brave the zipline!

Don't worry, Baby Way's not ready for that just yet! Our morning at Seaside was fun too! We took in the view and ate some YUMM-O shrimp at the Shrimp Shack--a little dive, high prices, yummy food and great views!

 

But though that was fun, it wasn't why we went to Destin! We wanted to be together, as a family, and hang out on the beach!! So, we did--bundled up on most days, we played our little hearts out! Frisbee, tag (lots of tag), paddle ball, hole digging, exploring, walks, seashell finding, wave chasing, very little book reading and more playing tag!

 

 

Baby Way stay mainly bundled up and protected, but he ventured out some, especially on the warmest day. He didn't like the paparazzi at first, but he came around. . .

It was his first time on the beach, so we made sure it was documented. Umm, like that wouldn't have happened!

We truly had a wonderful time and we all want to go back. Now. Right now!

 Happy Spring Break 2013! We love you, Destin! Until next time!