This Trip

This afternoon while sitting on the beach I observed a woman reading a book and sipping an iced tea.  I was momentarily jealous of her as I sat, sand covered poking a straw in a juice box.  Then it occurred to me that when I was that woman and had time to sit on the beach and read or relax, the only thing I dreamed of was having kids of my own to bring to the beach. 

This week in Ocean City with just Earl and I and the three kids has been as wonderful as it has been trying.  The highs are high and the lows can be definitely stressful.  I have had to remove Kinley from two restaurants in the span of 3 days because of her behavior, something I thankfully never have worried about at home.   I have washed more sand off of kids and lugged more toys to the beach than I ever have in my life.  I have walked the boardwalk at 6:15am with all three kids in tow in search of coffee while I let Earl get a little more sleep.  One of us should be coherent I suppose.  My body hurts from the force of waves pounding against it all day and walking the boardwalk at night.   But someday soon I won't remember those things.  What I will remember is the time I spent here with my family 

I have shared time jumping waves with Cooper, getting knocked down and coming up giggling.  I have watched the sunrise with McKenna, built sandcastles and  hung out floating on the boogie boards.   

I have loved watching Kinley, sand covering every part of her tiny body, as she diligently digs in the sand and drops shell after shell in her bucket.  

Admittedly, I have missed time with Earl this week.  I had visions of sitting out on the deck watching the waves with him after the kids have gone to sleep.  In reality, when that time finally comes we are both completely exhausted and the option of sleep seems much more appealing.   

So tonight I sit out on the deck by myself, determined to enjoy the cool evening air and the crashing of the waves at least one night.   It wasn't how I pictured it.  Not much in life really is.  But I am thankful for this trip.  Thankful for being too busy with my three beautiful healthy kids to read a book or enjoy a meal for that matter.   I'm here to make memories for them.  So that someday they can say, "Remember that time we went to the beach..."    My books and iced tea will have to wait a few more years and that's okay with me.