Something about the beach sun on your skin is way different than NY sun on your skin. The sun at home is often full of warmth and comfort. But, here at the beach, the sun is full of.... magic. I mean, I really don't believe in magic, but the only word to describe the sun currently is magic.

It's so relaxing and calming and beautiful.

We've worked hard over the past 4 months. People said we deserved this vacation. But, in reality, we didn't. I know what those people meant, and it felt good to hear them say it. But, I find myself wondering whether I would be content if we never came to this ocean, this beach, this place.

I can say, "yes." If there's one thing I've learned in my life, it's that God owes me nothing. Not my husband or my house or even my sometimes snotty kitten. Not my family, not my car, and certainly not this beach house or this vacation. He owes me nothing... and I owe Him everything. So, I look back to the morning we left to come to the beach and remember the tugging in the back of my mind that kind of wanted to stay in our new home for just one more day.

It feels good to appreciate something that we've worked so hard for. And, it feels even better to appreciate everything that I don't deserve. If all I did was want to gather up more or receive more from God, I would be choosing to make this life miserable.

I only have one. I might as well make it worth it!

Life's too short to worry about the little things like clothes and eating too many oreos and yout toe nail polish chipping off. Choose to be thankful for it all. Choose to love the things you have. It makes life reflect Jesus!

The boys have been trying to catch something.... ANYTHING.... out in the ocean. So far... they've caught....well, sand. But they're awful cute trying:

He would run backwards after he cast.... his explaination: "so the hook doesn't get my feet if the wave bring it in."

 beauty.

 doesn't it look like he caught Patrick?

 i love this...

  blurry, but cute.... it was getting darker every second.

 he lost his hook and bait every time... haha!

night time shot of the beach and pier...

okay, I'm off to run in the sand and soak up this undeserved vacation. Thank you, Lord, for giving things You do not owe me.