excuses, excuses

So today is week 3 check-in of the reading the Bible in 90 days and I am behind- WAY behind, but I have some good excuses:
-I have had quite a few work projects
-I started a week late since I realized my Bible that I took on vacation was missing most of Genesis
-I have been trying to get back on track after being on vacation
-my kids have been getting up early, not allowing me to have quiet reading time
-they have not  been napping, not giving me any reading time during the day
-I have been preparing for my graduate class that starts tomorrow- got a BIG book to read for a 6 day class- do I really have to know all that stuff?? I digress
 - I didn't have a complete Bible and had to buy a new one since an almost 2 year old decided to make my Bible holy, like in the tear out pages kind of holy, I digress again!
-I have been shipping like 30 things that I sold on e-bay, another long story for another day
-I have been trying to finish the book that I need to finish for book club in a couple weeks that is now officially overdue at the library, it is really good thought taking forever since I have no free time
-I have just been a slacker and not making it a priority which is the worst excuse of all
-I have been busy trying to just keep it all together
-I have been using free time to connect with my mentorees and encourage them to complete the readings
On a positive note: I have finished Genesis, I have started- and despite reading it tons of times and reading the whole Bible in 90 days at the beginning of the year, I am finding things that are new, things I never noticed before and that is what makes reading so amazing.  So my goal is be caught up by next week- it is a long shot, but I really want to take part in the Monday night discussions and it will help me to encourage my mentorees and have more to discuss with them so I am not defeated and plugging along as best I can.   So I started, better late then never, right?

the beach

the kids waiting for "GiGee" to come so we could pack up the van, we told her we would be ready at 8 am and we were, ready and waiting

lily taking it all in when we first got there

lance yelling at the ocean, he was so excited to be there and playing at the beach

on the 4th we went down to Wilmington to see the fireworks from the battleship, it was the best fireworks display and the crowd and their reaction made it even more fun, this is the 2nd year that we were downtown for the 4th and hope we can do it again

i love it, the scenery is beautiful, the crowd is fun, and the fireworks are amazing

one day we headed down to the aquarium because we needed a day out of the sun, this picture captures what life is like most of the time, lance torturing his sister in some fashion

the jellyfish, one of the many of sea creatures we saw at the aquarium

my favorite beach picture, the picture that you take by a fluke, the kids weren't posing, it wasn't planned it was just plan luck and I love it, once again it really capture my children

the beach from Lily's perspective, another neat photo that happened by chance

the older Lily gets the more her girlie she becomes and it is so much fun, I love the way she can play with trains and then grab her sunglasses and a purse and be a little diva

the only cloudy day the whole week, Jeff and I got up a little before 6 to see the sunrise unfortunately it was the one cloudy day and we missed it, maybe next year

with two young children it was a relaxing, restful vacation, but we had a lot of fun together and I can't wait to go back again soon, I would love to live closer to the ocean, but I wonder would I still appreciate and enjoy the beach or would life get in the way?  so after a week at the beach I am having a tough time trying to get back into the swing of things with housework, bills, bible in 90 days, work, studying, and just life and with the longest to-do list that keeps growing it makes me want to go back to the beach even more.

life's a beach

Tomorrow we leave for a week at the beach, for  our yearly beach vacation that I have been looking forward to since July 5th of last year when our week was up.  One day I would like to live closer to the coast, or at least have a beach house we can visit regularly.  I hope and pray that everyone will stay healthy and safe and despite having two wild and crazy kids, that Jeff and I can find time to relax, because we so desperately need time to spend together and let go of all the stress of life right now.  The kids and I need to relax so we can get ready for the crazy month ahead when we get back home.  Earlier this week I looked at our July calendar and there is hardly time to breathe, or well in the mornings/daytime!  The week we get back is set with playgroup, storytime, and a playdate, then the week after that is vacation bible school for both kids while I am taking a graduate class during the day (I'll be gone 3 days from 8am to 6pm, a very long day!), then Lance has preschool summer camp the following week while I finish my second week of a graduate class, then the first week of august I am in a new class every day all day (9am to 5pm) and someone different will be watching the kids and they will have storytime at the library and playgroups.  So as much as I can't wait for tomorrow and going to the beach and getting away for a week, I can't wait for the second week of August when I can really relax after  3 weeks of graduate school and 4 weeks of busy, busy, busy.  I thought the summer was a time to slow down and relax?  Maybe next year!

Bible in 90 days

July 5, Monday starts another online community with Mom's Toolbox beginning to read through the entire Bible in 90 days. I decided a week before the readings began to try it and I did it, I read through the entire Bible in 90 days.  I honestly didn't think it was possible, but I completed it and if I can do it anyone can.  So another group is beginning and once again I am going to try, this time with a difference version of the Bible.  Also what makes this experience different is I have the opportunity to encourage other readers to keep up the reading and really make the most of this opportunity.  I learned so much the first time and I hope I can learn even more this time especially since I will be exploring God's story with others and helping someone else to reach there goal and get to see the bigger picture of God's love for us and how He used flawed, people of little faith to do great things.  I can't wait for the adventure to begin!