2nd annual family camping trip

and it was twice as good as the first one!

We love Carpinteria State Beach, and it did not disappoint this year again.

In fact, our kids were 8 and 5 this year, and what a difference in their maturity and growth. I spent the entire trip marveling at how much they were learning, how quickly they were growing up right in front of my eyes, how independent they were about everything, and how much their personalities were developing. Plus, with this added maturity, mama got some quiet time to sit back and read a book, sip some coffee and take in my kids doing their own thing. Ya know, cause they still wanted to be around me.

So, to capture the weekend, I have pictures. Lots of them. So, if you don't want to see them all, scroll real fast or click away. You've been warned. But this is my memory tracking space, and I need it to recall things years from now. Can you relate?

The first set is from my big camera. I love that I was able bring it and use it, and lock the camera in the truck and not worry about it getting stolen, because I would be sad if I wasn't able to bring something so nice to a camping trip with dirt and sleeping in tents. Ya know? I left home the white t-shirts but was happy to have my camera.

ready to play

they wouldn't smile for the camera, they would only shove food in their mouth. 

she at least smiled. Still mouth full o' food.

our views were amazing!

typical shot to attempt, right?

Well, Rick kept trying to get his clever shot to work, and I kept telling him to go lower. He was trying to fart out the sun, and I thought he wanted the weight of the sun on his back. Typical!

waking up. 

even less awake. 

Loudoun's comical version of a fire pyramid

She spent 1/2 the trip in the trees with her friend. Not even exaggerating. 

This next set is from my phone, which was with me at all times and captured more pics. I was too lazy to intertwine the 2 sets to put them in chronological order. I'm not too upset about it. 

{2012} this is a repeat of last year's pic, which she asked to do, because it hangs in our living room.

{2011}

new friends

new friends

morning coffee

2 air mattresses, booyah.

sticky marshmallows. 

inseparable

relaxing, enjoying our kids. 

watching the astronomy show at the outdoor amphitheater. They were more thrilled than they look. 

alternative s'mores. Not because we were out of the regular supplies, but just because we I wanted to take advantage of toasted marshmallows! Chips ahoy cookies. I highly recommend. 

saturday afternoon drama at the campsite next to ours. It turned out to be nothing.
But the peace officer sure was attentive!

Loudoun wearing his spy gear at the campfire. 

my favorite capture of the whole trip. 

my companion at the outdoor church service on Sunday morning. 

I hope we can get a good spot next year, and make it a family tradition, three years in a row!

talking openly about the One you love

For weeks now I have felt called to be more bold in sharing the Lord in our home. Especially with our kids. I don't know how to do that. I know how to pursue the Lord in my own heart. Worship, reading the Word, sermons, Bible study, etc. See, my husband doesn't share in the same faith as me, and that's alright. But sometimes it makes it tough to just start talking about Jesus to Loudoun and Avalon, not knowing what Rick is thinking as he hears sentences he doesn't agree with. It makes it a bit awkward.

But I am strong in my faith, and I want our kids to learn what I believe. They don't have to end up believing what I believe, of course it will be their own choice. But as a parent, I am instructed to provide guidance and boundaries for our children, and faith is a big part of that. And since Rick has given me permission to share with them, I really have felt called to show them what a life following Jesus looks like. Not only by example, but also talking openly and praying with them directly.

It's hard.

This balance of pleasing your husband and not offending...and talking openly about the One you love to the ones you love. 

Kids' hearts are so open to hear what you have to share, and it will never be any easier than it is right now to share the story of Grace with them.

So, I've been praying. Praying for courage, wisdom, and the words to come. At what point in my day am I alone with the kids the most, where I can be free to share? Why, it's in the car. And yesterday God opened up the communication line in a supernatural way.

As soon as I picked up Avalon, she got in the car and said, Mama, I miss grandad. He's in Heaven, right? And I felt the Holy Spirit tap me on the shoulder and whisper, here's your chance. Talk to her. 

After consoling about missing a great man from our life, we starting talking about going to Heaven, and what it takes to be able to go there. How everybody sins...do you know what a sin is? And she knew. A sin is kicking someone on the play yard. Or saying something mean to a friend. Or bragging. And we talked about none of us can be free from sin, no matter how hard we try. And anyone who sins cannot go to Heaven, unless they believe and love Jesus, because He died on the cross for our sins and rose again. He is perfect and never sinned, but loves us so much that he would die for our sins. He just wants us to follow Him and love Him with all our hearts, like He first loved us.

And Avalon said, I love Him. I believe in Him. I am so mad at those bad men who put Him on the cross and killed Him. And we talked about how lucky we are that He did that for us. She said she never wanted to do anything bad because she wanted Jesus to know how much she tries to be good. And I shared with her that none of us can ever be free from making mistakes. It's not about the effort, it's about trusting Jesus and the grace He gives us. And then we prayed. And she told Jesus that she loves Him, and she told God she loves Him, too. And she prayed she hopes He never dies again, because she thinks He is the greatest.

Me too, baby. Me too.

{Contributing today to}

scavenger hunt sunday

Patriotic

View from above

Mosaic

Something tiny

Vibrant

This post brought to you as a contribution to two fun photo challenges:

birthday celebration

We took a family trip to San Diego this weekend to visit Sea World for Avalon's 5th birthday. She came down with some sort of sickness on Friday morning, but since everything was already paid for, we made the decision to go anyway and if anything, we could just hang out in the hotel room and order take out food. She seemed to feel decent if she had Tylenol in her, so we jumped in the car and made our way down south.

We started with dinner at one of her favorite local restaurants in town, trying to let Friday evening traffic die down. She wasn't hungry at all, and was pretty lethargic, but she was a trooper and hung out with her family with a smile.

this picture cracks me up. My "big baby"

Avalon, through most of dinner

She perked up when dessert came with a candle

After dinner we drove down to our hotel, got in late, and pretty much hung out watching the gymnastics Olympic Trials until bedtime. Avalon and I couldn't complain. :-) She was up quite a bit during the middle of the night, complaining of a sore throat and she was burning up, but after some more medicine and some rest, she was ready to give Sea World a try.

We all had a great time at the park, as you can see by the photos. Of course, Avalon was not quite herself and we promised we would bring her back another time when she felt better. But we made the most of the afternoon, and Daddy and I took turns disappearing with Loudoun, taking him on the faster/super soaker rides.

Sky Tower

we haven't used a stroller in years, but renting one this weekend was a must (and genius)

This is how she waited in line for rides

Avalon is always up for "paint face"

Waiting for Shamu show

She did NOT want to get soaked (looking ahead for Shamu)

Loudoun and I waiting in line for Journey to Atlantis

Wheeee!

We spent Saturday evening in our hotel room, ordered take-out food, watched tv, giggled, and Avalon passed out early.

Daddy took the kids to breakfast on Sunday and let me sleep in (since I was up with Avalon in the middle of both nights) and we drove home shortly after.

It wasn't the most ideal weekend, because my baby was sick!! But considering the circumstances, we had a great time. :-) Happy fifth birthday, Avalon!

(I linked this post to Dwellable.com, sharing my experiences about Point Loma/San Diego)

Point Loma on Dwellable