Project 365 {2013} - Day 279

We are all missing our families, but are also sad to leave this view and time behind. We sat out on the patio this morning and ate a delicious breakfast Jackie made us. Let me just tell you, that woman can make a feast out of anything! She took all our random leftovers in the fridge and worked some serious magic! I wish I could just have her live at my house!

 We were mostly quiet as we ate, taking it in as we watched a dolphin swim it's way up the coast near the shoreline and watching a little family play in the sand near the waters edge. This weekend has been absolutely rejuvenating. I feel like I will be a better wife and mother when I go home because I took this time for myself. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to be here this weekend with such a wonderful group of women!

Project 365 {2013} - Day 278

Sarah, Jaime & Laura

Vacation doesn't just mean sitting around eating bonbons! (Although, I have eaten my share of Laura's caramel crack!) I was itching to get a morning beach WOD (workout of the day) in with my sweat sistahs too!! I just love these ladies and am so grateful for their friendship!!

Project 365 {2013} - Day 277

Sara, Jackie, Jaime, Laura & Sarah at Panama City Beach, FL

I love, love, love these ladies!! We have been having so much fun just hanging out, being carefree, talking, eating, relaxing and not worrying about a dang thing! It has been divine!!

Project 365 {2013} - Day 276

Late last night my friends Jackie, Sara, Laura, Jaime and I all arrived in Panama City Beach, Florida for a long Girl's Weekend. Jackie has a family friend with a condo right on the beach and so we all, thanks to our families for covering our behinds while we were gone, sneaked away for some relaxation! My life is so crazy and busy. I rarely feel like I have the chance to slow down. So being here, being still, taking life in, taking care of myself and enjoying views like this are breathing life back in to my weary soul! So grateful!!

Project 365 {2013} - Day 259

The girls with their buddies the Vickery's!

The girls are on Fall Break this week from school. Instead of heading out of town, we decided it would be best to stick around. The girls had a blast today having a much wanted lemonade stand though. I made Rice Krispie Treats for them to sell and they made Rainbow Loom bracelets. They ended up earning about 20 bucks and more importantly had a blast just being outside, hanging out with friends! I decided that kids don't need big fancy vacations. They just need a chance to unplug and be kids!

Project 365 {2013} - Day 230

The girls and I went over to my friend Heidi's house this afternoon to check out the fun, new playscape her husband, Kevin, had been working on. A big storm smashed their other one and so they decided to go even better than ever on the rebuild! Heidi even had Kevin install a slide right off the deck to slide down to it! So fun! It was muddy outside and the skeeters were biting, but the girls had a ball!

Project 365 {2013} - Day 210

What I love about my friends is that I can roll up completely unannounced, just to drop off some cucumbers, and end up staying for well over an hour, chatting and taking part in an impromptu s'mores roast. Where everyone's kids are sticky with marshmallow and covered in freshly cut grass clippings and no one is bothered by it. Nothing a good bath can't wash away when the fun is over.

 

I love that my kids practically spring out of the van, almost before the tires have even stopped rolling, at the suggestion we stay to hang out; like a flash of lightning off to play and be free. I love that I can say "We weren't planning on staying and the kids don't even have shoes on!" and the response is "Who cares?! Mine don't either! It's summer, let them run barefoot!"

 

I love that there is always an extra camp chair hanging around to park my derriere in. I love that my kids can get dirty, be sweaty, breathe fresh air and be in good company. I love that we can be having a holes in your jeans, ponytail or still sweaty from a workout kinda day and there is not a moment of embarrassment or hesitation to be seen.

 

It is just completely natural and relaxed.

 

And I love it.

Project 365 {2013} - Day 208

After a long week of working and single parenting for me and a grinding schedule and drive home from Orlando for Justin, we had the opportunity to close the day out together and with some good friends at their lake house. From our perch on the front of the boat, Justin and I watched the sun recede behind the hills surrounding Lake Arrowhead. The pink light rippling towards us on the water, as if the sun was blowing us one last kiss. 

I took my hair out of its ponytail, enjoying the feeling of the wind blowing through it, tossing it about. As I breathed clean air into my lungs, I looked over and saw the view breathing life back into Justin's tired body. I even loved the evening chill as it made the fine, blonde hairs on my arm stand on end and the spray of water as the boat circled for a downed skiier.

I couldn't help but think that this is the way life was meant to be lived. Aware and grateful for all the details that make it beautiful.