Beach Trip Part Two

Friday morning was beautiful.  I packed our towels, snacks, drinks and sunscreen and once again took the kids out to the beach.  They played and played. 

Then Cody began that thing that will drive any mother up the wall.  Whine, complain, whine and complain some more. 

I don't even remember why.  I don't think even HE knew why.  He sometimes just gets going and doesn't stop.  It's a very bad habit.

Finally I was fed up with it and I turned to him in my frustration and said, "Cody, YOU are complaining.  Do you know what the bible says about complaining?  It says to do all thing things without complaining.  That means you are sinning when you complain."

He sat there in the sand and looked out at the ocean and said quietly with a small shrug of the shoulders, "But I just can't help it!"

There in that moment it dawned on me that I now had his attention and it was quite possible that the Holy Spirit was doing His thing so I said, "I know buddy, you have a sinful flesh and God hasn't saved you yet."

In a short amount of time we talked about how we are all sinners and that we can't save ourselves. 

That's why Jesus came.

I told him that repentence means turning from your sins and all the while hoping he would understand what I was trying to say. 

"I'm sorry, God!" he said as the tears started to fall. 

Then I cried.

I knew that God knew his heart.

And I prayed with him.

And nothing else mattered the rest of that day because in my heart I felt that God met us out on the beach that Friday morning and showed Himself to a four-year old boy and I was just priveleged to be the one to share in it. 

So I'm sharing with you. 

:)

The rest of the week was just more beach time, a little more Southport time, a visit to the Maritime Museum and then back home on Wednesday afternoon.  We were all FINALLY ready to be home again.   

Here are a few more pictures from our trip.

We found a nice park to go to during the cooler evenings.  It made for a great pictures.  The hat was Emma's idea. :)

The only time I allowed my camera on the beach was the last night.  These 3 little people are always my favorite subjects. 

April 2012

April Beach Trip Part One

Several weeks ago I decided to take my three kids on an extended "field trip" to the beach.  Alone. 

"I'm looking at this as an adventure." I told my mom.  "I always knew you were adventurous." she answered. 

Monday morning Cory packed our "stuff" into the wagon with the OKI tag on the front and the Runner Girl and 13.1 stickers proudly stuck to the back window.  We prayed and waved and were then on our way. 

The trip went much better than expected and after one quick stop for lunch at Wendy's (which I discovered the kids weren't impressed with) we made it to the house in about 4 1/2 hours. 

We unpacked and headed to Southport for smoothies.

Next on the list, after our short trip to Southport,  was....going to the store.

Walmart to be exact. 

I hate Walmart.  I'm sorry but I do.  ACTUALLY, I despise grocery shopping but Walmart just makes it worse.  But seeing that I had a few other non-food items that I needed Walmart was the choice stop.  This was probably the least enjoyable of the entire trip but finally we were done and back home. 

The kids wanted to go to the beach that evening and even though the temps were dropping and the wind was cool I couldn't say no. 

The very next morning however was a beautiful day and we spent it on the beach. 

Then that afternoon we got a hermit crab.  Yes.  Make that two hermit crabs actually.  Cody and Emma wanted one so I gave in and did the cheesy "we went to the beach and came back with hermit crabs" thing. 

We ate dinner at the Fishy Fishy Cafe (Emma's choice) and we always like it there.  I didn't know that the older couple sitting across the room from us had been watching us.  They complimented the kids on being well-behaved and not at all disruptive.  I smiled and kindly thanked them.  Sometimes the unexpected compliments are the nicest. 

A few days before we left for the beach I had taken the kids to the library and checked out several  books about the ocean, the beach, sea creatures, and seashells.  Every night that we were gone we read one or two of them until they were finished.  Emma was especially interested in learning the different types of shells.  All of the kids liked searching for shells on the beach and also checking out Granny's collection of shells at the house. :)

Wednesday was one of the coldest days we had.  It was only in the 60s so we just hung out at a couple different playgrounds and I planned out our trip to Ft. Fisher for the next day.

Thursday morning we were up and out of the house by 8:30 so that we could pick up a breakfast treat and make the 9:15 Ferry to Ft. Fisher. 

Port City Java did not disappoint and we made the Ferry.  I was glad we got there early because the cars started lining up quickly.  Emma and Cody were so excited! 

It was chilly on the ride over so we pretty much stayed inside the entire way but it was still fun and they loved it!

The Ft. Fisher Aquarium was our destination.

We saw ocean creatures and river and lake creatures.  And check out this bad boy!  He (or she, not sure how you can tell) was cool, calm, and collect with jaws that could snap your head right off your neck! 

We had ourselves an educational good time.

The Ferry ride back was much warmer and this time we got out and went up onto the deck for a much better view.

Sometimes a little rain must fall, except it wasn't rain.

Fortunately it wiped off quite easily and he never knew what hit him. :)

Of our time spent at the house, some of it was spent on the screened porch.  The weather was right for it and I was thankful. 

I even spent some time out there alone while Beau napped and the other two watched a movie.  I brought with me the book by Ann Voskamp.  "One Thousand Gifts".  It belongs to my mom but she found out that I wanted to read it and brought it to me. 

So I read. 

And it was peaceful out there on the porch swing.

And I was thankful. 

"Life is not an emergency".  I was greatful for being able to be there and make those memories with my kids. 

What a gift! 

But this isn't all. 

I have more to tell and more pictures to share but part 2 will be for tomorrow. 

The best (in my opinion) is yet to come.

First there was Easter. 

Then I was at the beach.

For 9 days.

Alone with my 3 kids! 

That's why I haven't written a post for a couple of weeks.

I just got back home this evening and I want so bad to sit and blog about it because we had an AMAZING time.  It was really great. 

BUT, I have so much to catch up on and a husband who I haven't seen for 9 days.  So the blogging will have to wait until tomorrow. 

I have some pictures and some stories about why it was so much fun and one incredible story to share about our time at the beach.  :) 

Here is one picture until I can finish it up tomorrow. :)