florida

 

 

  We took a little trip to Destin, Florida a couple weeks ago.  Just thinking about those few days is sending a wave of relaxation through me all this time later.  We fell into an easy routine:

Eat breakfast.
Get dressed for the beach.

Spend the afternoon under our umbrella with "beach chairs" dug out of sand (convenient for my big pregnant belly.. allowing me to lay on my stomach!  So nice)

Finish late afternoon at the hotel pool

Showers and naps while winding down

Dinner.  Sometimes ice cream.

Bedtime.  

Our consistent and relaxing routine filled me with gratitude and sent me to reflection.  

Thank you continental breakfast.    Thank you fine white sand that was a dream to walk in barefoot.  Thank you beach sand that was the perfect texture to shape custom recliners out of.  Thank you turquoise water and the calm waves you provided our last day.  Thank you various fellow beach goers that embraced my sons' outgoing friendliness-- allowing him to play with their toys, digging holes with him and even allowing him to sit in their enormous unicorn float.  Thank you Joanna for "burying" mom-- your little hands dropping cool sand on my hot back was as good as a massage.  Thank you swim diapers and puddle jumpers!  Thank you to all the ancient animals that built the myriad of shells we came across, inspiring excitement and awe.  Thank you kind hotel staff that upgraded us to a room with a bunk-bed for free.  The view from that new balcony was rejuvenating.  Thank you heated hotel pool that kept us warm in the not-quite summer weather we were expecting as the evening approached.  Thank you road trip that always provides the right amount of time for Ian and I to properly catch up and enjoy each other.  Thank you Melissa & Doug for your water wow books, also Apple for the iPad.  You made our drive manageable for our kids as well. 

And thank you baby number three for inspiring this much needed trip.