Kathryn

To celebrate her birthday, my sister Haili rented a house in Florida and asked if we’d come to celebrate with her!

Um…YEAH!

In June, I was in Florida for my cousin’s wedding. It was the first time I’d been back there in TWELVE years – George was in my tummy! As I was sitting on the beach in June, I imagined how much fun my boys would have if they could visit this beautiful place. I could see them splashing in the waves, laughing, playing, and making forever memories. I said a little prayer that we’d somehow, sometime soon, have an opportunity to bring them back here.

And three months later….my prayer was answered!

We arrived at the Panama City airport Tuesday night, but my checked bag was not so lucky. American Airlines said it wouldn’t be delivered until the next night. The bag contained ALL of our swim stuff. For our FIRST EVER family beach day, my boys didn’t have their swim trunks and I didn’t have a swimsuit. We also didn’t have sunblock, our beach towels, or life jackets.

Thankfully, boys were able to swim in their regular shorts, and Haili let me borrow a swimsuit and her beach supplies. (Thank you Haili!)

I had never been to the northwest part of Florida, and was surprised how beautiful it was – especially Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, and the entire 30A area.

As we walked out to the beach on our first morning in Florida, my boys could not believe how BIG the ocean was. They’d never seen a body of water that went as far as the eye could see. They ran immediately to splash in the waves – and were surprised that it was SALTWATER. (I forgot to mention that).

What a JOY it was to watch my dream and prayer come true – the kids were laughing, playing, splashing and having SO MUCH fun. I got to catch up with my sister, and step-mom…the boys had so much fun playing with their cousins…it was perfect.

I love how the 11 of us could spend hours at the beach and never get bored.

Each afternoon, we’d come in for lunch. The little kids would rest, and a few of us would take a walk. We loved discovering the unique wildlife and plant life in Florida.

Each evening, we’d all go back to the beach to play and watch the sunset.

We ate most meals at home, but one night we went out and had a fabulous dinner at a placed called “George’s” to celebrate Haili’s 40th birthday.

As we were going to bed on our last night, I received a text that our flight the next morning had been canceled. We called American Airlines and were on hold for TWO solid hours, then on with an agent for another hour as she figured out how to get us home – the only option was staying another 24 hours.

My sister and step-mom’s Delta flight was NOT canceled, and they flew home. So, Ted and I, and our boys, found a great price at a Hampton Inn, directly on Panama City Beach, and spent our last day there. It was a sweet way to end the trip — bonding with my boys on the beach!

I asked everyone what they loved and will remember most about this trip. Here are their answers:

George said, “Seeing the ocean for the first time. Also, cousins and big waves!”

Clark LOVED playing on the skimboard and pushing/pulling his brothers and cousins on it. Clark said his favorite parts of the trip were, “Cousins and water!”

Paul spent nearly the entire time looking for creatures – he found fish, lizards, crabs and jellyfish. Paul told me his favorite part of Florida was “catching stuff!”

Luke enjoyed building sand castles and playing in the waves. Luke told me his favorite part of Florida was playing with his cousins and being in the water.

Ted loved being with family, playing with the kids on the beach, and crab hunting.

I loved being with family – eating meals together, taking walks, playing in the ocean together, and the gorgeous sunsets every night made the perfect end to each day.

I’m fascinated at how God creates a beautifully unique sky every. single. night. The gifts He gives in nature are phenomenal. They are SO un-necessary, and often un-appreciated, but breathtaking and spectacular. I’d be sitting on the beach watching the sunset and wondering why every person in Florida wasn’t sitting with me. It’s one of the most magnificent sights I’ve ever seen.

I’m SOOOO incredibly grateful for Haili renting the house and inviting us to come. I’m grateful that Ted took time off work so that we could take this trip together. I’m grateful for answered prayer. I’m grateful for the beauty in Florida and for time with family!

Visit my instagram page and click “Florida 2019” to see additional pictures and videos from our vacation!