the beach is my happy place.

The older I get, the more I crave the beach. Not the actual ocean, but the whole package - the air, the slow pace, the views, and the fact that I leave any sort of agenda behind at the state line. We took the kids twice this summer, which I would say is pretty good considering we had a 4 week old and then a 10 week old both times. We didn't get so much sleep the first time, but we did have Nanny around which helped me make up some of that. Thanks Nanny! It's also a rule that since Brad is up with the sun on days that he doesn't work, I get to sleep as late as I want at the beach. Hence the basis for the happy place status in the title of this blog... 

One great thing was that Beckham moved up to the big king bed with JB, which makes him much more portable. We have a baby crib in our closet at the condo, so Brooke took that spot. 

Here are a few moments I loved in the mid-July beach trip:

First of all, if you know my dad, then you know that he is Mr. Fix-it. Well, at the beach he commented that Beckham's hair was really wild one morning, and he thought he would try to calm it down. So he sat Beckham on the counter next to the sink and slicked back his hair.. Beckham, of course, thought this was hilarious.

Dad was super proud of his work, and Beckham looked like a red-headed Danny Zuko. For about 10 seconds. Then it curled back into the normal wild and crazy curls that we all love. And then we laughed at dad for trying...

And then we laughed at Beckham just because he's Beckham. 

We saw people parasailing outside our balcony this trip. I took a picture of it because it reminded me of something on my bucket list.

Don't ask me why, but I REALLY want to be in a hot-air balloon in the sky with a whole bunch of other balloons...Like this... I think it would be awesome (If you ever hear of a way for me to make that happen, you let me know!)

Photo of the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race

 Most of the trip was spent at the beach. Then at the pool. Then back to the beach. Over and over again. And the biggest kid on that beach was Brad. 

 He still plays in the ocean and in the sand like he's 10 years old... so fun!

Beckham caught up with a little baking also while on the beach...

In case you didn't know this is his "grill/oven." I love a little 2-year-old creativity!

Last, I just had to post this... On the left is Brad and JB (4wks). Right is Brad and Brooke (4 wks). Isn't this so cute?

To Bogota, With Love

Warning: This post may cause your mascara to run. Just so you know. 

In the last several months I have been witnessing things that before I had only read about in books. Or in the Bible. Or at Church conferences. I saw a my sister and her family whittle down their possessions to everything that will fit in a few small bags and follow that Voice that called her to be His Hands and Feet. The Lord has called Nikki and Nate to minister to very specific people who do not know them yet, but He knows exactly who they are. And he's called the rest of us not only to let them go but to send them. This day has been looming out in the future for months, and it's finally here. The Lord never said it would be painless, but it will be worth it. And now we wait eagerly and excitedly to see what His plan holds. 

Over the last hours, our family held on so tight. We soaked up every last second we could of the geographic closeness. It was so sweet. Here's the story...

The boys played so hard... It's a wonder that the house is still standing. They actually caged themselves temporarily, which was not a bad idea! If you ever wonder what fun looks like, stick these three in a room for a minute.

Nate's mother and stepdad, Kathy and John, were in town for the event. John and Brooke got to know each other.

Nik-Nik spent some extra time during the day with her namesake, Brooke Nicole... 

While the boys played games under Nanny's fancy table.

We came back after nap time to have dinner, and my grandparents and Nikki's best friend, Kelly, joined us. Tutu (my grandmother) had some time chatting with her newest great-grandbaby. They have some big laughs when they see each other.

This is one is special. 

Towards the end of the night, time seemed to fly through the hourglass at warp speed. Before we knew it, it was time. We played a little bit more....

And scooped up babies...

And Brad added some comic relief...

We soaked it up.

Brooke was there to lend a hug for whoever needed her...

And we hugged so hard. Some were prodded.

Others didn't need prodding.

And...

Now we go forward and count the days until we can hop on a flight to visit!  We continue to pray for them here, and watch with open eyes and anticipation of the news of more people coming to know the Lord. We focus on what is really important, and we ask ourselves, "What is my Bogota?"