Beach Buds

Last week, was our final beach week of the year, at least until Hurricane Irene made her threat. We left 1 day early. Far better than the previous summer. We go every summer with college friends.

The four of us, (from left to right) me, Leah, Peyton and Courtney have been vacationing together for all of my motherhood years. 

The Grangers could not be with us this year as they will be adding twins to our clan any day now. (We missed you Cheri and family). Since our yearly tradition began when Owen was 1.5 yrs old, 11 children have been born and 2 adopted.

These ladies are such a blessing to me. Our week at the beach with this group is something we look forward to all year long and then mourn when it comes to an end. It takes a lot of coordinating, but the moms manage to sit at the pool for almost 2 hours in the afternoon without children. We read and chat and soak up rays. I actually read an entire book. Something I wasn't sure would be accomplished.

We joke about the future, when our children go to bed after we do and actually sleep later than we do and when we will actually sit uninterrupted on the beach. We joke, but I know we will all miss this. These 3 mothers ENJOY their children. Yes, we get tired and cranky and sometimes bitter when our peace is not so peaceful. But overall these friends of mine believe as I do, that God is gifting us this time. We try and make the most of it. Together, we talk about all kinds of things. We encourage one another and we share with one another our burdens.

I would entrust my children with any of these families. We look out for each others children as if they are our own.

We may only see each other a handful of times during the year, but living with someone for a week creates an amazing bond. We are able to pick up right where we left off. Our children are just as close.

 

My heart and arms (some good hugs) were very blessed by Lincoln (above) and Levi(below). This time last year we were praying they would be home to join us for our 2011 beach trip. God is good. It was a treat to spend so much time with them. Now each of my boys has a Cassada their exact age!!

We also went out for girl's night. Stacy, on the far left was in Duck the same week and joined us for a night out.