soaking up some sun

Saturday found our family out to our favorite place.  We cooked lunch over an open fire, we built things, we ate popcorn, we had races, we drew pictures, we all learned how to properly build a fire, we shot the gun and soaked up the sun.  

It was a gorgeous day.  Graham played with his cars in the warm sand making the cutest car sounds with his little mouth.  I love that boy!  Hunter found some old rusted metal pipes and was building things with them.  He is so creative and can entertain himself with whatever is around him.  The girls drew pictures and had races up the steep hill.  Fisher tried to eat all the popcorn he could and insisted on walking around with no shoes.  He has the toughest feet.

Later that afternoon we took them down to the water.  I don't know how they could stand it, but they all put there feet in and said it wasn't cold. That is how bad they wanted to play in it.  After a while they all got out and decided to build sand castles with the one cup we brought.  It was a perfectly peaceful day.  Every time we go out there it is like the time stops.  You are surrounded by beautiful rocky mountains with no view out.    It is lovely there.  A place to stop and really be at peace with yourself and family.

Jeremy and I talked and laughed, played and teased.  I have always felt like when you get away from all the cares of the world and get out into nature you are closer to your Heavenly Father and you can let down your guard and be who you really are inside.  This little bit of Heaven of earth for me is freeing to my soul on days when everything else seems to be caving in.

I don't know if it is me getting older or what but in the past few months I have had my eyes opened to many things in my life.  The biggest is with my children.  I can't get enough of them.  I feel like they are growing faster then I can blink.  I am savoring each day with them and each little moment we have together.  Our ages span from 11 years-20 months.  All six of them is so unique in their personality and they each bring something special to our family.  Things that used to stress me no longer do.  My heart is open to them in a way never before.  How I wish I could have understood what I do now 11 years ago.  I am go grateful for the new view.