I happen to be basking in the sun right now while enjoying the gorgeous view and the sound of waves crashing. I feel like I am in paradise...
A quote comes to mind, "I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library." I like this quote because I am one of those book junkies who feels like a kid in a candy store when I walk into a library; to me, it
is paradise. Or am I in paradise right now?
How does one really describe paradise? How can one really do justice in describing a place that is thought by many to be the supreme, the ultimate, the mecca of happiness? Maybe I should refer to Webster on this one...
Albeit a different meaning depending on who you ask, I believe "paradise" is wherever you can truly find peace...whether it be under a palapa on the beach, from your pew in a crowded congregation, fishing early morning in the middle of a deserted lake, admist the frenzy of a much needed shopping spree, reveling in the accomplishment of having reached the peek of a mountain, or buried deep between the pages of a good book..."paradise", like art, is very subjective, but enjoyed the same by all who need, seek, and find it!
Anyway, the point is I am enjoying a gorgeous view and the sound of waves crashing, while lamenting that today is my last day in paradise. Is that an oxymoron or is it irony? Maybe both!Either way, I am in paradise for the moment.
Unfortuantely, I wrote the earlier portion of this post while in Cancun, but now I am home and my first official day of school is tomorrow. Nonetheless, I can not close without making mention of the "big move" because it was certainly a monumental and bittersweet moment I will never forget.
Jeremy and I sold our "labor of love" and gorgeous lake house on Logan Martin in May. After much worry, stress, and financial despair we decided it was in our best interest to move on to a more affordable abode. The move, however, was bittersweet.
Bitter because we worked so hard to make that house a home, financially and emotionally. So much work and so little reward, actually zero financial reward. More of a loss actually.
Like I said though, it's bittersweet, but more sweet than bitter...
For starters, she had a gorgeous view! One I'll never forget, and one which afforded us a gorgeous backdrop for our 2009 Christmas card. Also, we hope this will be a move in the right direction for our financial future. More than anything, it's not just about the bank notes and credit card debt attached to that home, but the beautiful memories we created there - first and foremost being Jackson and Preston. Harmon Drive will always be dear to our hearts for those two reasons alone, it was our boys' first home. What else can I say, but thank you for the memories!
In the mean time, we have moved on to a new chapter in our lives, although it feels like we're in limbo and not really coming or going. God knows we're ready to go though; we just have to figure out how to make it happen, but that's another post.
More note worthy memories from this summer include our family trip to the beach, trips to the Birmingham Zoo, and splishing and splashing in our new pool.
We traveled to Pensacola in June to visit with my family, and to Destin in the same weekend for Wes and Danielle's wedding (Jeremy's cousin). It was a very busy but unforgettable trip. It started with a very long drive to P'cola. What should have taken 4-5 hours, took 9 hours!!! Not to mention, the airconditioner went out 2 hrs outside Birmingham and we rode in the sweltering summer heat for most of the trip.
Then, we stopped at Shoneys to eat and made an epic mess!!! Our booth looked like somebody had thrown up bits of macaronni, mashed taters, and chicken tenders and smushed some leftover bananas in for good measure - thank you Jackson and Preston! I am certain the waitress was very happy to see us go, but not so happy to clean up our mess. In all seriousness though, Jeremy and I really got a kick out of taking the boys to Shoneys. It's kind of like Stuckeys or Cracker Barrell; they're all family road trip classics! ! All in all, it was a messy but beautiful moment to treasure!
Of course, we made even more beautiful memories while at the beach...there was
the time spent watching Preston eat sand while Jackson shoveled it into his huge dump truck, there were the moments spent floating in the ocean and swimming in the pool, and, of course, the precious time spent with family and friends! Many beautiful moments were made during that trip, and I wouldn't trade one airconditionless moment of travel for them!
Another beautiful moment to treasure would have to be our trips to the Zoo this summer. Being a teacher and having summers off afforded me the best gift ever, spending time with my boys! Jackson and Preston both love the Zoo, and I loved seeing their cute little faces light up everytime we saw a new animal.
Jackson would squeal, "I see it, I see it! Look mama, I see it!," and
Preston's little feet would start running and kicking in place and he'd throw his arms up with a crazy look on his face. He wanted so badly to tell me, "I see it, I see it! Look mama, I see it!" I'm sure next summer, when Preston's talking too, they will both be squealing together!
They were too cute! Even others noticed how super cute they were, and I even overheard one mother tell her kids, "He'd be fun to take to the zoo," as she pointed to Jackson.
Then there was that other beautiful moment when I was holding both Jackson and Preston up to look at the gorillas through the window. Jackson pressed his hands to the glass and screamed, "Rilla, Rilla!"
He was so excited!
Those days at the zoo were good times! Time flies when you're having fun!
Last but not least, I can not forget to pay tribute to the swimming pool!
Our rental home came with all kinds of kid pleasers: cows, lots of yard to run around and get dirty in, and the most coveted backyard crowd pleaser of all - a swimming pool! Although, Jeremy and I quickly realized having a pool was not all it's cracked up to be and requires a lot of work and money.
Nonetheless, Jackson thouroughly enjoyed splishing and splashing, rocketing down the slide, and jumping off the diving board with daddy. Preston wasn't as keen on the pool, but he warmed up to it eventually.
Even though it was a lot of work (thank you Jeremy for being my pool boy and keeping it clean and running), we did enjoy the beautiful memories it afforded us!
I'm looking forward to more beach trips, zoo safaris, splishing and splashing for summers to come!
So, that was my pathetic attempt to sum up my summer of 2010, just another short chapter in my life come and gone.
But, as sad as endings are, beginnings are just as exciting!
So, on to the next chapter, and may it be even more "beautiful" than the last!
These are the days of the endless summer
These are the days, the time is now
There is no past, there’s only future
There’s only here, there’s only now
-Van Morrison
