VACATION: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

After  a week in Florida you can accumulate quite a list of gifts.
Here are some highlights.

119.  sidewalk chalk
120. seersucker dresses
121.  places with palm trees

122. bubble lips
123. bright plastic sand pails
124.  the simplicity of playing in the sand

125.  freckle faces
126.  bottles of spray-on 70 SPF sunscreen

127.  holding hands
128.  crisp shadows
129.  perfect weather - not too hot, not too cold, warm breeze and sunshine
130.  poolside reading
131.  evening kite flying
132.  perfectly mowed grass

133.  help from daddy
134.  father and son holding hands

135.  more seersucker dresses
136.  first time french braids
137.  the perfect golden light for photos
138.  in laws who are loving and supportive 
139.  family who say "Sure, I can do that for you."  without hesitation.
140.  help with laundry
141.  hours in the pool...
142.  ....even in the rain

143.  the silliness involved in building a shelter in the pool so you don't get wet from the rain
144.  really good strawberries this time of year

145.  sunsets


It was a lovely time.


Then comes the drive home.
Yesterday was rough.  On the second day of a two day drive I drop my husband in Baltimore and continue the drive to New Hampshire.  Through New York City, over the George Washington Bridge, the Tappen Zee Bridge, through a long tunnel, 2 different views of the Manhattan skyline, with a new navigation system that only accomplishes to confuse me, several wrong turns, fatigue, a child who threw up this morning, and several requests for potty stops that I cannot grant because we are who knows where,  in this kind of traffic...

...and did I mention that my car is telling me it has low fuel.


It was one of those days that you cannot do anything except power though it.  I was not listing gifts in my head.  I was trying to calm the urge to yell at my children, honk my horn, smash the GPS system and burst in tears.
So even though it is not as pretty I can, this morning, add to my list...
146.  the "FUEL STOP  1/4 MILE AHEAD" sign that I found at the top of that hill
147.  long conversations on my cell phone to keep me awake
148.  an endless stream of DVDs for the kids to watch in the car
149.  knowing that at the end of the day we would be in our own beds 
150.  waking up this morning and feeling better

Thank you Lord for vacations and thank you

that it always feels good to come home.

WALKING THE BIBLE - BOOK REVIEW

The name of this book is Walking the Bible: An Illustrated Journey for Kids by Bruce Feiler.  The funny thing is, we listened to the audio book, so we missed the illustrated part - which I'm sure is fascinating.

It was listed in the childrens section on the Simply Audiobooks website.  It is a simply told story but not at all juvenile.  We really enjoyed it as a family.

The author describes a journey he took to discover the locations of well known Old Testament stories.  It is a fascinating mix of scripture, geography, history, culture, and science.  There is also a little adventure thrown in as he travels through some dangerous areas.

I don't know anything about the author's theology.  He does not attempt to prove or disprove such stories as Moses on Mt. Siani, the Garden of Eden, or the Israelites fleeing from Egypt.  What he does do, beautifully, is bring the settings of these stories to life for children and adults alike.   

I was not familiar with the author but I see that he has written several books along these lines and I am interested to see the print version.  If you are interested, I noticed that the above version is on Amazon for only $6.80.  

Happy Reading!

SIXTY SECONDS AT THE BEACH

We are visiting family in Florida this week so here is one from the archives for my Sixty Seconds on Tuesday post.


This is one of those moments you can't get back - those first visits to the ocean with little ones.  The wonder in their faces.
I love this photo and remember the minute well.