Vacation {Where I Have Been}

I am writing this from the screened in porch of a house that we are renting on the shores of Lake Michigan. I am rocking in a chair as I type, drinking a Coors Light and struck at how many things are going on in our life at the moment that make me dizzy in anticipation, sick with fear and crazy with "what ifs" yet how I keep focusing on right now as people trek past our house to catch the sunset on the beach and I watch as sun kissed kids burn those last bursts of energy in the street on bikes.  

We were fortunate that Glenn joined us with the intention of staying the week.  He needed it.  We needed him. And we have soaked up every minute with him.

Our days have consisted of early morning coffee, lazy breakfasts, rides on the golf cart to start and end the our adventures, naps, beer and the pool. We have spent every morning at the beach to this point and it is worth writing about.

{Edit: I am now home.}

I never finished writing this while we were on vacation because it just did not seem important. I don’t know why but when I am on vacation I find that I just am not inspired to write like I am at home. I have plenty of thoughts, reflections and things to tell you but I find myself overwhelmed internally but wanting to verbalize any of it because I am nothing but present.  

When we arrived we watched how people got to the beach. My dad called it a parade.  And it was.  All day long people coming and going from the beach in a disorganized parade full of inner tubes, coolers, chairs and towels.  The beach was up a hill from our rented house…people loaded wagons, strollers and kids with stuff trying to get there. They would hitch their wagons behind golf carts then park the golf cart in the designated lot and take the wagon to the beach. 

The first day we noticed a lot of wagons at the top of the beach/walkway that never went in the sand.  We didn’t think much of it and took ours down a long wooden walkway, down a steep and hill and out to the beach.  It was a bad idea and never done again the remainder of the week. Do you know how hard it is to pull or push depending on who you were a full wagon in the sand? Virtually impossible. See said hill below. 

We got smart after that, leaving it at the top and carrying our stuff and kids down. The sand got hot, really hot like and Brady outsmarted us all by asking to be carried which resulted in a mega thigh workout for me.  Burning sand, a 40 pound toddler on my shoulders resulted in me running and muttering the words “oh sh*t” which were instantly repeated.  I was actually okay with both of us muttering it because it was fitting for the moment we were in together daily.  

This picture can't describe the dumb game Todd and Brady played the first day at the beach.  It consisted of Todd throwing buckets of water up in the air the same direction that Brady would run and it showering him with droplets.  He would squeal in delight and beg for more.  They played for what seemed like eternity and he smiled the entire time. This is a moment, a memory that I will remember.

We learned our lesson about sand and swim diapers realizing that the easiest and the best option was to hose  him off naked upon returning from the beach.  That white tush and tan body screams that he has had a summer of fun. And while he will kill me years from now for this photo it is a small reminder that he is still a little boy.  

Cate is and will be my water bug. Content to be in a float or swim in the water with us she was fearless.  She played in the sand, rode in the stroller and even missed a nap or two.  She really showed me how flexible, portable and content she can be on a daily basis. She ate well, slept well, and got a little sun in her adorable suit. 

Rummikub was the game everyone was playing up there.  We tried it and decided to stick to what we know and like to play which were dominoes. 

We picked blueberries one morning.  Everyone eating some along the way.  

And making pancakes with them the next morning was a highlight. Brady would tell us they were "delicious".  It had us all wondering where he he learned that word.  

And on the final night as we were talking about next summer and packing our bags the food poisoning plague hit my mom and I in a span of two hours.  Instead rocking for a final time on the porch watching the sunlight be traded for moonlight we huddled in the bathroom.  A memory for sure but not one I hope to repeat.  

Since before Brady, summer has never felt calm, recharging and fun.  This summer, these moments have really felt like summer and it fuels my soul as the school year approaches quickly.   I feel good about the experiences we have had, the memories we have made and the time that we have spent purposefully being a a family.   And there are still a few weeks left with big changes on the horizon.  

Happy Wednesday!