a belated tribute

I recently asked someone if everyone writes in their heads.
As you're walking and sitting, and going about your day
do phrases and thoughts form into sentences and paragraphs
just flowing through your mind.

Because they do for me.

Back when I worked as a documentary producer and then reporter
if I was working on a bigger project that was more in depth I would wake
to realize scripts were forming in my sleep.
The perfect chain of words painting a picture of thoughts.
And I'd have to grab a paper to jot them down.

This friend said, "No, that doesn't happen to everyone."

So I guess it isn't a common every day occurrence.

Because I think I'm in my mind a lot.
Thinking, and praying, and writing these scripts meant for no one
else but me.  Is this weird?  Please tell me you do this too?
But if you don't that's ok too.

Because as I think and silently write, things are working their
way through me, and I believe God is using it to strengthen
me and grow me, and teach me.

And more is making sense.

Epiphanies and realizations and dots connecting.
And out of all of this I find a boldness is building in me.
And a freedom I personally hadn't known before.
I know much of this is probably confusing.
But just know that it is good.

It is just good.

I could go down a whole rabbit trail now.
But back to Memorial Day!!!

For now I want to pay a delayed tribute to our country's heroes.
To the service men and women who sacrifice so much,
their very lives for us to have freedom.

My dad was a navy fighter pilot in Vietnam.  And 45 years ago
this week, knowing the risk that he may not come home he
called my mom during a break (it's called something more formal
than that, but I'll call it a small break) and asked if she'd meet
him in Japan so that they could be married.  My mom being a
flight attendant hopped on a plane and before my dad's squadron
they became man and wife.

Some of his friends weren't able to return to begin their families.

And I don't take it for granted that there is a huge sacrifice 

military families make in serving our country.  

And for that I want to say a very indebted thank you.

To celebrate our freedom and what feels like the official kick off to summer we

battled the crowds to play on the beach.  

It was a beautiful day to breathe deeply the sea air,

to uncover treasures,

to chase the waves, 

and listen to the laughter of childhood innocence, 

but most importantly to honor the brave

and give thanks for our freedom.

family camping

We had one last hurrah for the summer.

A road trip, not too far away.

To the city of Carpinteria for some beach camping.

It was my girl's first time ever camping besides the backyard,

our first time camping as a family,

and my first time camping right across from the beach.

They were all pretty excited, Piper included.

Our adventures took us a short walk/bike ride away to the dog friendly beach.

And guess what, it was Piper's first time seeing the ocean.

It was pretty cool for everyone.

Relaxing and downright beautiful.

And then my adventurous boy doing what boys do

started jumping from those rocks, running around

and doing it again.  I just said, "You probably shouldn't

be doing that, because you don't know what's under the

water there."  He assured me it was fine.

And a moment later was screaming "crab, giant crab!"

 with blood gushing from his ankle.

And I suspected he probably stepped on a sting ray.

This child has one of the highest pain thresholds.

He broke his arm clear through both bones without crying.

But he was writhing in pain and barely able to walk from this.

Fortunately we got him to the lifeguard headquarters

where they got the hot water ready and confirmed it was a sting ray wound.

We all learned a little science lesson that day.

The lifeguards informed us that the poison in the sting,

(which is really more of a deep puncture wound by the way)

is a protein and putting it in hot water cooks it like an egg,

it coagulates and is drawn out.

Pretty trippy. 

And so for two hours they kept him there.

They let him shower and eat some cake.

Because his bravery called for some kind of treat, poor kid.

They said a fifteen year old girl earlier that day

was going into shock and throwing up from the pain.

And described it as being similar or worse than childbirth.

So he now knows about 

the stingray shuffle.

And I think he also learned a hard lesson

that when Mom cautions about something, 

she just might have good reason.

The pulling out of the poison took until

sunset, so we got to enjoy it from

the lifeguard station.

And then the view from our camp.

After dinner, the night called for s'mores.

And what they called the roasting wars to find the perfect 'golden delicious.'

The next day, my husband so graciously made a 

starbucks run to go with breakfast.

It kind of helps that everything is walking distance away.

Despite not sleeping so super well

due to the family of five racoons climbing up and down the

tree above our heads and the nearby train causing our dog to howl

her head off, we still had a fabulous time.

The kids loved the park just a few steps away.

And I loved the walk through town.

Especially the fun antique shops!

A used book store was calling all of our names.

Each kid got to pick a book, at the price

of a dollar an inch.  

I almost forgot to mention,

Piper's favorite part,

Squirrel hunting.  

There were plenty just waiting to torment her.

Then we ventured for another trip to the ocean.

My son said he would not go in.

But eventually he did.

And all was well.

And last, but not least the day rounded out perfectly with a gorgeous sunset.

God did not disappoint.

All in all, it was a really beautiful

first time family camping experience

and a wonderful way to say goodbye to summer.

a perfect day

The sand and sea, the playful giggles, the breeze, the chance to just sit and breathe.  It's where I like to be.  A place of peace to me.  So it was a given the beach would be on my birthday list.

But where we went next was a complete surprise.  

A friend hinted to my husband a few weeks ago that I would love this place.  And I did!  

It was dreamy, and magical, and rustic natural, and elegant all mixed together.  

A big thank you to my husband for organizing this perfect birthday adventure.  

Now I'm going to post way too many pictures because again 

I just must take you on visual tour of the Malibu cafe.

It was the perfect ending to a perfect day.  

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, 

coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, 

who does not change like shifting shadows."

James 1:17