Expanding Our Borders: A Trip to the Ocean

Monday, July 21, 2014

A Trip to the Ocean

I didn't have a large list on my bucket list for the summer (and remodeling was NOT on the list btw!!) but one thing I really hoped to make happen was a family trip to the ocean for many of reasons. The first reason is just to be together as a family and away from our home of chores and busyness to a place that is relaxing for me. We rented a house that had just been remodeled, although it is not done that had an ocean view from the house! That was one of my top priorities, besides finding something in our budget range.

I was very happy with our place, albeit, if it was mine there were many things I would have different. The main thing, is, it met our family's needs and had plenty of room for all of us to sleep and eat!! I had planned this particular trip in thinking of meeting Eden's needs as well. We were pretty much to ourselves besides the occasional strangers on the beach here and there.... The days leading up to our trip were hard like always.... the days that we were there were pretty hard for Eden too. Not enough structure, too much unknown, but as a parent you do your best ahead of time in preparation and then just try to keep her from going in to her spinning cycle.... It means always being on guard, on watch.....

The younger five kids and I went over to the coast (it is about 2 hours from our place to the coast... not bad at all!!) on Thursday and had a couple of days before Cade could get away and him and Cyrus arrived there on Friday evening! I had planned special meals, most of it seafood to get the whole experience (even though it was bought from Costco!!) and thankfully packed plenty of warm clothes because it was a bit chilly!! Such a change from here, though, and it was refreshing!!

We came back home Yesterday afternoon to the sunny and hot weather here but were still happy to be back home!