in review: beach weeks

Good Morning and Happy Monday to you!  First, a note on our weekly schedule:  I'll be writing on Monday's, Dana on Tuesday's, Carrie on Wednesday's, rotating between the three of us on Thursday's (I'll be writing this week), and all three of us on Friday's.  Hope you'll read along!

This summer, our family has been fortunate enough to spend two weeks at one of my favorite places: the beach. The first week was spent at the Outer Banks in North Carolina with my family and the second was at Sandbridge Beach in Virginia with Will's family. Both weeks were all about spending some quality time with family members who live near and far, lots of great food, and soaking up as much saltwater and sun as possible. Here are some postcards from our weeks...

"Give Brother some love"

 Annabel and Will jumping over the waves.

 Tommy ducking under a wave.  It was so fun to watch him become more and more comfortable with going under.  By the end of our second week, he was out in the waves with us telling us to go under every one.

 Buried!

 Tommy and Will riding the waves in a tube.

 Having fun splashing in the water.

A rare quiet moment for my always-active boy.

 The awesome view from our third floor suite in Sandbridge.

 Such a great tub.

Although we live in a sprawling suburb hours away from either one, my two favorite places are the mountains and the beach. Sitting by the water looking out at the horizon always makes me a little introspective.  I love swimming in the waves, feeling the pull of the water moving me one way or another, realizing that I'm a small speck in this great big world.  I'm happy to be here, happy to have my little family, happy to get to spend time with extended family, happy to try and live my small speck of a life to the fullest each and every day. 

Perhaps these things have been on my mind more lately since I have a big birthday coming up this week.  Turning 30 doesn't bother me like it does some people.  I'm actually excited to start a new decade of living.  But as the day approaches, I find myself thinking more and more about my goals for the future, looking back on what I accomplished (and really screwed up) during my 20's, and considering how I spend my time. 

Am I where I wanted to be at 30?  Pretty close.  Ten years ago at this time, I was working at a summer camp in a tiny town in southwest Virginia in between my sophomore and junior years at Virginia Tech.  That summer was life-changing for me in more ways than one, but during that time, I remember thinking that by the time I was 30, I hoped to be married, living in a nice little house somewhere in the mountains, have a baby or two, and be taking time off from a fantastic job to stay home with my kids.  With the exception of the mountains and the job, things have pretty much been spot on.  That's not to say that there won't be some changes made in the coming years.  I'm setting some pretty big goals for myself and will hopefully be able to follow through.  Life is not something that can be planned though - I've seen that firsthand.  So I'll just keep swimming, keep feeling the pull of life move me one way or another, keep listening to that still small voice that reminds me to take time to look toward heaven, and keep enjoying the ordinary and extrordinary moments in my small speck of a life.  Things are good here.  Hope they are where you are, too.

What about you?  Are you where you thought you'd be at this point in your life?  I'd love to hear. 

-chelsey

P.s. Also celebrating 8 years this week!  One of the best days of my life.