When we left off, the mood in the car had taken a decided turn for the worse. Everyone was tired of being in the car. Fortunately, we had finally arrived at our destination. While the youngest and most vocal child was not soothed by the surroundings, her parents were - and that significantly improved the tone for all!
This is the view from our living room and master bedroom...ahhhhhh...
Katie settled right in - the girl knows how to appreciate nature!
However, the real mood changers arrived shortly!
The house we have rented sits on 4 acres at the end of an inlet off of Puget Sound. The tide differential is over 10 feet - but the bottom is mud, so it's not great for swimming or beach combing - but the view is pretty awesome!
The house comes complete with it's own rowboat - which the girls are making sure to take full advantage of! Fortunately, my husband once earned an eagle scout badge in rowing...or so he says!
There's also a lovely sunroom off the master suite...Becky and Cami have settled right into the whole "kicking back at the summer house" program!
We are extremely blessed by this man - he is an excellent husband to Ashlee, and an even better father to our grand baby. It has been especially nice to get to spend some time with him this week without all the distractions of being in southern California and the competing priorities there.
Over the weekend, we went to the Olympia Farmer's Market - it was pretty awesome, and the girls got their first shaved ice. (yeah - I know - I am a lame mom that this was their first shaved ice.....)
As awesome as the house is and the scenery and the fun stuff - the real reason for the vacation is the best reason...just being together as a family and enjoying our time.
There is something special about being away form the normal "stuff" at home that allows me to really let go and enjoy the small moments. I get reminded of the blessings of being a wife and mother - the joy that resides in the giggles and the smiles.
Being able to stop and see the beauty that is God's creation settles my soul. To look out the window and see the splendor that He created - and to watch His children enjoy it and grow it refreshes my heart and rejuvenates my spirit.
I still am doing the same amount of cooking and cleaning and laundry every day (actually more for we are a family of 8 this week and not 5!) but having the view changes shifts my perspective too and I am able to see the beauty in the work while seeing the handiwork of God.
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