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Monday, June 29, 2009

Slowing Down (and summer reads)

My Mom took the kids and I on a weekend get-away to the West coast beaches this weekend.

I love to watch the kids at the beach. It forces me to slow down. There is nothing to clean. I can't cook. There is no art on the beach. No television or ipods. Just the sea, the sand, and us.

Jax was listening for the ocean in a shell!;)

Ava likes to pour water in and out of various buckets. Add a shovel, a barbie doll, and some shells, and she's occupied for a good two hours!

We are beach people. My grandparents took us to the beach every single summer growing up.
My husband is an avid surfer and loves the water.
We have raised our kids to love the beach.

And still...
every year I make my first swim out to the ocean with a little fear and trepidation.
I don't know exactly what I'm afraid of. Sharks maybe? Or being pulled under...
But as soon as I get out there, I remember what my older brother taught me as a little girl.
When the waves are big, swim under them. As soon as I do that a couple of times, I'm okay.
I'm instantly filled with some peace. I'm a mermaid again.
We are blessed to be going to the beach for the whole month of July. We will be back and forth to home a few times for some dance classes and doctor's appointments, but I'm going to take this month to try to slow down a little. Don't worry, I still bring my sewing machine and paint with me. I usually work on things at night while my littles are sleeping, so I'll still be posting pretty regularly. I've got a couple of new tutorials to share with you as well. But there will also be lots of doing nothing.
Now, I need your help. Any summer reads you can recommend? I need some good books to bring with me...

Happy Tuesday (and it's my 34th!!) How in the world did that happen?:)
xo,
Chrissie

11 comments:

Trish said...

Happy Birthday!!! Kinda sneaks up on ya, huh! I am completely and utterly jealous! I too am a beach girl. I go as often as I can, but unfortunately it is to lakes and not the ocean. I long for the ocean... So, I hope you don't mind if I live just a little through you this month ;)

As for good reads, I go to the bookstore, find the paperbacks and look for the simplest covers. I want fun, light reads for the beach (also the reason for the paperback). Sorry I don't have any specifics for you, just starting to look myself!

sharon said...

Happy Birthday Chrissie.....sounds like you will be having a good one!!! And well deserved!!

mysteryhistorymom said...

Happy Birthday Chrissie! Enjoy every moment you have at the beach. It's my favorite place in the world besides home... Lori

ch said...

Happy Birthday!!
Have a wonderful time at the beach! I love the west coast beaches. We haven't been to the beach yet this summer. Hopefully soon.
Have a great day and relaxing summer getaway:)
Cindy

Wanda said...

Happy Birthday! You make 34 look SO young! Hope your day is great! I recommend "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. Some other good ones are: "Into the Deep" and "Same Kind of Different As Me". Any of these books are "can't-put-down" books! Happy Reading!

Jill said...

Happy, Happy Birthday!!!! Hope you have a lovely day!!!
Many Blessings!
Jill

Karin Schueller said...

Happy Happy Happy Birthday to a creative genius! ;) Hope you have an awesome day.

My kids love the beach as well. I live in MI... so I don't get nervous getting in the water. But the ocean scares the crap out of me, lol. Jellyfish FREAK me out, lol. I know, I'm weird. ;)

I totally agree about the beach slowing you down... you can't craft at the beach. ;) You can't get stuff done... you have to play with your kids. :) It's good for us. :)

Have fun!! I'm sure you'll figure some way to work those shells into a project though. ;)

Ruth said...

IT sounds like a fabulous time at the beach. The kids are seem to be having a great time. Going to the beach for a whole month seems like heaven. I hope you and your family enjoy it.

Looking forward to the tutorials.

Ruth

Joyeful said...

Happy Birthday!! I just found your blog and I am loving it! Your birds are just fabulous! Maybe they could fly on over here one day! : )

I'm happily following your little creative world!

Polka Dot Moon said...

Happy Birthday! What a lovely way to spend the day :)

sara said...

Happy late b-day!!!!! 34 will be awesome :)