Monday, March 23, 2009

Warning: This post will make you want to eat ice cream & cupcakes... and play Hungry Hungry Hippo.

We love going to the beach. We went to the same place for years and then last year decided to buy a condo. We were offered a deal we couldn't refuse. We have not once regretted it as this little get-away has already become a place of peace, serenity and sweet family memories.
There are no rules when we go except to be together. We eat ice cream, pizza, Popsicles, cupcakes.... watch movies, swim, build sandcastles, search for seashells for hours, play Connect 4, Hungry Hungry Hippo, Go Fish, Old Maid, read books, have pillow fights, praise God for His stunning creation, and play the days away. It is seriously one of the most beautiful places in the world. The beaches are white, ocean is like bath water and the sunsets make me think God painted them each for me to show me His majesty.
This isn't a plug for the condo, although I hope you all can go at some point. It is almost completely booked for the summer. There are only a few weeks still available. It is CRAZY romantic there with incredible restaurants where you eat outside under the moonlight, sidewalks with gas lanterns, beautiful architecture, walks on the beach, bike rides, etc. You can even ride your bike to a coffee shop, ice cream shop, or to your romantic dinner. Tim was only there 2 out of 9 nights, so at night, I would just watch all the people on dates and miss him terribly. I missed him terribly during the day too! I don't know how single moms do it!! I even had my mom to help and I was totally frazzled trying to meet the needs of my 3 hungry hippos.

Don't be too jealous though because a lot of this trip was spent cleaning and getting the condo ready for rental season. Mom cleaned the windows while I bleached, scrubbed, organized. It was a lot of work! I am so thankful mom was there to help.

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This is kind of fun....
The ice cream shop where we took our Christmas Card picture was featured in the Rosemary Beach Paper and they used our picture as an advertisement. It was such a fun surprise when I was looking through the paper and saw this....




































So, I guess this will be our new tradition. Every year, I will take this same picture and watch the boys grow. How fun!?!



































































Mom suggested I teach the boys a new verse for Easter so I started teaching them Matthew 28. It is a perfect passage for boys because it has an earthquake, lightning, angels, a VERY scared guy and a tomb. I hope I can teach it to them by Easter. This is us acting it out. Reece is an angel (with a Frisbee halo) and the really scared guy while Bubba is the angel sitting on the rolled away tomb.
"After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay."
What GOOD NEWS this verse contains. "HE IS NOT HERE! HE HAS RISEN JUST AS HE SAID!". He conquered death and took our place on that cross.
We will never know that depths of His love for us. May we be reminded of Him conquering death and giving us new life as we see all the dead trees bursting forth with life this Spring!
Be blessed!
and eat some ice cream. ;)

5 comments:

Angela said...

Great verses.

Sorry I didn't call in last night. It is crazy here trying to get ready for Andrew's big third bday parties tomorrow. Yes, parties. A small friends one at lunchtime and a bigger family one after nap. I'm crazy, I know.

Those pics are fantastic. I am so wanting some ice cream. Is that birthday cake ice cream? YUMMMMMM

Erica Brandon said...

Oh man looks like fun!! Enjoyed the verses!

Anonymous said...

How beautiful, and how Fun!!
Thank you so much for giving us a glimpse of how beautiful that place is...can't get enough.
Your boys acting out scripture is so great...I know Jesus is smiling every time!
I so wish we lived closer!
Kelly

Erin Southwell said...

My gosh!! That advertisement is fantastic! So cool, you guys are famous and deservedly so! Is it weird that I am now craving blue moon ice cream for the first time since I was 7? I absolutely have to see this place in person.

Joanna said...

AWESOME!!! Love the pics with the beautiful trees...ice cream pictures year after year is precious. I am going to talk to Jim about renting your place sometime in the future!!!! You inspire me to learn and teach my children more scripture!!!!! Hope you are feeling better :)