How To Have The Best Summer Vacation!

I recently wrote about summer vacation on a budget...it was a joke, so I thought I should post a REAL article...for those of you who get stressed out trying to plan a perfect trip....

Summertime, signals a sense of freedom, a time to get outdoors, and away from the stress of work and household responsibilities. The problem then becomes, so much to do, so little time, pool parties, barbecues, camping, beach trips...oh how we all look forward to summer.

I used to think that planning a summer vacation was the way to make sure we had the most exciting summer. However, after a few stressful summers of making all the arrangements, only to have it not turn out the way I planned. I learned that we always had the best summer memories when we did spur of the moment trips. There were never any pre-conceived expectations.

I stopped trying to plan the fun we would have and I just let it happen. We would go on last minute camping trips to Mexico (I don't mean RV camping, I mean tent camping!) We would spend quality family time, visiting, playing sports together, card games, roasting marshmallows and lighting fireworks off of the cliffs over the ocean at night. This was a great experience, how often do you get to spend time just visiting with your kids, especially teenagers?

We would take bike rides and stop and have a picnic. When we got home we would invite our friends over and have a barbecue and pool party. We took drives down the coast and would find cozy little restaurants to eat at. The less we planned the more we seemed to do. Planning seemed to put time restrictions on our summer, which defeats the whole carefree, have fun, play and let go of your worries, feeling that summertime invokes.

This year try something new, just pick up and go. Leave the organizing behind and embrace the spontaneity of the warm, sunny days of summer. You will have more than just a summer vacation, you will have the vacation of your dreams!

NATURE

FAMILY


FUN


STIR THINGS UP

RELAX


REST

STOP PLANNING AND YOU'LL ENJOY EVERYDAY OF YOUR VACATION!

Do You See It?

The white capped waves crashed, splashing up over the rocks, spraying the boy. The stick, which served as a spear, was dropped into the crevice of the rocks. The sand was white, scrunching between my toes with each step. It was the setting I had hoped for when I left my house to unwind and relieve the tension of the day. Allie rushed with sudden force trying to free herself. The royal blue leash stretched to its capacity, holding her captive from the freedom of day. A few steps more...I reached to unhook her...FREE, she bolted across the sand, as though she were gliding over it. Chasing, jumping, pouncing and howling...it was a perfect day, even for a dog.

I reached inside my black bag, to try and capture a day that was like no other. The lens, somehow able to see the exact picture that mesmerized me...freezing the moment, making it possible to share. This was what I needed, a day to stop, look, and appreciate God's gift to each one of us. The day may seem, dull, sad, or overwhelming...stop and look around at God's beauty. It's there, slow down, stop running, take a deep breath, and look around you. Do you see it? Can you feel the peace overtaking you? Breathe again...it's real, it's amazing, just STOP and LOOK!




STOP AND LOOK!

DO YOU SEE IT?!?