Pismo Pacifies

For the first time ever, we rented a beach house.  It was probably my second favorite family trip of ALL time!  I'm not sure if anything could ever beat this.  After being rained out last November, and then Ernie's accident, this trip was long overdue!

Since the boys have taken to riding, Pismo seemed like the ideal place to vacation.  The beach was in our backyard which meant the quads were easily accessible for all day riding adventure!  We partnered up with one of our favorite families. . .to hang out, relax, feast and for fellowship.

 I was a little nervous on the way up, towing the trailer with all the motorcycles is not something I am used to. We had our walkie-talkies to communicate with Little and my brother who followed behind in our truck.  The trek was made easier as we neared Santa Maria and the conversation from the backseat just melted our hearts.  "God's nature is just so beautiful, can you believe He made this just for us to enjoy?  Those kind of moments I linger on and tuck away in my heart for the times when ugly moments bombard me. These are the things I want to remember.

The mom we shared the home with is one who God has placed in my life for a reason.  Our littles keep us on our toes and I look up to her for her intentionality and fun-nature that exudes from her.  She has this calmness about her and I loved having time to talk and just be. She is also a great problem solver.  When you forget your keys, you figure out a way.

 I also love one of the little nuggets of wisdom she imparted with me: eat first.  My morning looked so different today when I had worked out and eaten before the onslaught of the kids in the kitchen.  Who knew?

Praying before meals, sharing motorcycles, chatting it up and enjoying God's gift of such beauty surrounding us filled me up!   Sunday the girls went on a a little horse riding adventure.  C planned it because I'm not the adventure type usually.  However in my attempt to be fearless this year, I though, why not?  Lene, my horse lover, made me laugh as she told me before the ride began, "Mom, they can sense your fear.  Don't be nervous."  So, I really tried not to be and I did all right except when Salce wanted to trot.  Trotting was not in my comfort zone, as opposed to my daughter who was in the back with a guide who was teaching her how to stop and then trot to catch up.  The laughter and gasps in glee were kind of contagious--in between my nervousness, that is. . .

And I would have had more pictures like the teenagers we rode with IF I wasn't using both hands to hold on for dear life!  But even I must admit there is something about the view from upon the horse's back--through water and sand, through the forest and by the Clam pile that the Chumash left behind--(the only evidence there is that they did indeed travel the coast). I loved Lene Bean calling out to me the connection between the clams and her Rancho Days that week.  I loved the stream we crossed as she called out, "Mom, it's just like Bridge to Terabithia!"  I love that I was able to take the time to be fully present and aware of her, what she loves, what makes her happy, how she relates to the world she is living in.  I worried in the beginning that she would feel left out by the teenage girls, as she is at such an in between place.  But none of that mattered.  Her heart was full and she was so grateful to be there with me that day, and so happy to spend a weekend away with all of us.

Life continues to roll by at an extremely fast pace.  It is March.  Easter will follow, then school will soon be out for Summer.  I am filled with gratitude for Ernie's new job which affords us the time to do these types of things.  His accident was a blessing in disguise.  God knew what we needed to slow down, to be still and to reconnect together.  Having the boys: Little and Alan there--an extension of who we are.  Such a blessing that they want to be a part of us, still as the young men they are becoming. I'm choosing to believe they were motivated by our love for us and NOT the motorcycles.  A girl can dream, right? And as for the quads?  I gave it a shot--never got out of second gear, nor rode it alone--but I tried.  I'm good with that. That's all that matters, really.

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Matthew 6:8