Southern Girl

The first year we lived in Kentucky I asked myself how I had spent so many years in the south without the complete change of seasons and the snow of winter.  However as we headed south for spring break this year it all came back to me- being warm before the end of April- sitting in the sunshine and watching your children play without jackets and hats- it was wonderful.  We went to my parents farm for spring break and then on to the beach as our one last trip before the twins make their arrival.  As we crossed into Tennessee Samuel exclaimed "i forgot what trees looked like with leaves on them".  And this was the beginning of a crazy spring break trip. We became victim on this trip to losing shoes at the reststop- not sure how that happens- but it caused Samuel to spend the rest of the trip in camo flip flops.  A similar thing happened at Christmas with Samuel's shoes and i think my father is beginning to think that Samuel has no "real" shoes.  We had an amazing time at my parents getting to enjoy the kids playing together and checking out the assortment of animals on the farm.  After a large family get together for Easter we headed for the beach.  My brother was very gracious and let us use his beach house.  We spent the next three days enjoying all the blessings of being out in God's creation and not being distracted by the noise and rush of life.  The kids got to play for endless hours on the beach, flying kites and trying to catch a shark. (thankfully the shark did not like our bait!) I must say i came home wanting to hide my family away and just enjoy them all by myself.  This is the first year that we have taken a family vacation- usually they consist of running from relative to relative to old friends and back home- this was the first time we enjoyed each other as a family- and i highly recommend it!!  As we headed home we glanced over the seat and realized what our vehicle would look like the next time we took a family trip- two more little people added to the adventure.  It is amazing how God stretched you and changes you and you continue to grow.  If you had told me 5 years ago I would be a mother of 5 i would have laughed and said oh no not me- two is my limit- it is funny how things change- and the things we find so important don't compare to the joy children can bring.