So Thankful!!

I've just been so overcome with gratitude over how much the Lord loves and cares for us. This past Thursday Brian and I celebrated 15 years of marriage and went away for a few days while the grandparents came down to stay with the kids. The weeks that led up to our trip were very trying for both Brian and I.

I know I had posted how some of the kids winter activities had a couple more weeks to finish up and their spring activites had started up -- so that had us hopping from one thing to another, finishing up school, testing, starting a mammoth painting project that is still "in progress". Eating supper in the van.....on and on the story goes.

For Brian he hit May with a buddy wanting him to pretty much make a musical happen in a few short weeks by arranging/composing the songs, rehearsing, editing parts, and playing for the musical. He also met with a couple who are marrying this coming weekend. They didn't know what they wanted at all -- just nothing traditional. That has led to some extra planning meetings, reheasals and even a surprise ending as they walk back down the isle as husband and wife. So....on top of his work in doing his full time job, these extra jobs had him at the office til midnight so many nights leading up to our trip.

I think it all culminated the morning before our trip when I had hoped to go for a run, did my warm up, and knew within 5 feet of running that I was in too much pain. (injured the top of my right foot in Tae Kwon Do and had heel pain in my left heel from running.) I called Brian crying and walking home just so frustrated. He is my calming partner that talked me back home to just let it go for the day. And then I e-mailed a running friend who gently encouraged me to take that week off and just enjoy our vacation. She was right. I now have no pain and took my first 4 mile run last night, in the rain, and it was wonderful.

I knew stress was building up in both of us. God knew it too and He provided us with a sweet time of getting away and resting and just being together.

I have a few "May posts" to catch up on with the sweet ceremonies that the kids were a part of, but I just wanted to reflect back on this past week and how much the Lord has us in His hands and how much He cares for us.

On our trip we didn't take too many pictures (didn't even crack open my computer -- a true sign of how "away and relaxed" I was), but here is a picture of something I don't think I have ever done. Even though I've become quite the beach bum the past 4 years I've never left a "dress-up" occasion to run down to the beach, at sunset, slip off my high heels and run in the waves. Well... I can now say I have done that and it was wonderful. May I never lose the awe I have over how incredible the ocean is and how incredible my Lord is!