God decorated the beach!

We just got back inside (sadly) from our first Atlantic Ocean beach adventure. My poor memory recall skills are troubled already to remember all of the cute things Addie said while on the beach this morning.  She was literally overcome with awe. She was excited to find shells (west coast beaches lack in that respect).. but i don't think she was expecting so many shells!! She couldn't put them in her bucket fast enough.
"Momma I found another beautiful one!"
  "This is so so wonderful! "
"This is just beautiful."
  "I love the beach. I love the soft sand! I love the beautiful shells!"

It didn't take long for spinning and twirling to begin..
A song about the biggest sea shell was the happy tue for the dance.

Then.. the cutest:
"Momma, God decorated the beach with shells!!"  "That's right, Addie!" (Thinking, wow.. i really like that.)  "And He left them here for me to decorate my new room!!"
How cute is that?!

Micah wasn't too sure about the experience, he stayed in my arms.. which was nice in its own rite.

Garrett, who started the beach morning walking alone finding shells, had a million questions about why shells are here and not in San Diego, about how they are shaped, and the tide. (Oh my!) Finally he couldn't resist the waves and was beckoned in!!

Gosh I enjoyed watching them this morning!

We made it to Florida

So happy to finally say we have arrived in Florida.. our final destination.   The place we will now call home, for a few years anyway.  Thought the "place" has been attained.. our home is still to come.. and i can't wait! We will see it for the first time tomorrow.  More to come...

The kids traveled so well.  I could not have asked for more.  We crossed 8 states. Stayed in hotels, saw friends, and visited family. Then we crossed 5 more states on our final south bound journey.  It has been exactly a month since our belongings were packed up.. it's gone fast and slow at the same time.

We are ready to make Jacksonville our home.

Christmas in July Birthday!

July 30, 2012 ....  Addison Lynn is 5 years old!!

look out kindergarten.. here she comes!

Addie had been planning her "Ohio birthday" for a while.. which consisted of us all being mermaids and having cake with pink icing and strawberries ... Under Water!  So I had not figured out a way to make that happen and I was feeling some major guilt because none of her little friends would be her to celebrate.  ..... Addison however, was not experiencing any of these anxiety filled emotions.  She was ready to turn 5 and to party!!  She changed her mind and decided she wanted to have a Christmas Birthday Party.  I have no clue where she came up with that .. but .. it worked! 

Christmas Birthday in July!

let me just say that this was actually a really great idea.  It was a theme where we had everything already .. so it was so inexpensive.  Everybody got into it.  My sister was visiting and she and my mom drug out a lot of Christmas decor and out did themselves putting it about the outside of the house.  The Christmas flag was hung, garland and a wreath on the front door.. Festive!  The back porch and deck had a few trees, lights, carols... and a birthday banner above a tree waiting for presents! & yes, the presents appeared with Christmas paper.

Addie was very very happy.

"A Christmas Birthday party is the most beautiful party ever." -addison

The guilt I was feeling about her not having friends was erased when we went to pick out some goodies for the party.  It was clear she was having fun and that was all that mattered.  We picked out some red plates and napkins.. and a butterfly pinata (she said that was ok since there were no Christmas ones. lol.)  We got her a big chocolate chip cookie cake, carrots, grapes, and pizza... what a menu she planned! 

Addie and I had a date at Panera together for lunch.  What a sweet time with my girl. 

 It was hard to sit across the table and see a 5 year old girl... and not a little babe any more.  She's growing up.  I pray that she's fed with things to make her grow into a beautiful woman someday.. physically, mentally, and spiritually.   I pray for wisdom to be an example for her to follow and look up to.  I pray for grace for the times I am way less than what I desire for her.  I pray for her energetic spirit and her enthusiastic smile to touch many others.  I am proud of her.  and I love my little princess with all that I am.