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Original: 7/23/2012 3:31 PM
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Monday, July 23, 2012

 {summer love}

yesterday, i spent the afternoon at the beach, ALONE!
the last time that happened was ... never!!

and.it.was.glorious.

june breeze 782 edit

after a busy 2 weeks of daycamp for the kids.
late nights. early mornings.
we decided to skip church and go to the beach together instead.
because sometimes, the best kind of worship is reconnecting as a family.
if you know what i mean.

so. we packed up, headed out.
stopping for a box of doughnuts on our way.
cause there's nothing like breakfast on the beach!
and cause, breakfast or not, we just like doughnuts!

a few hours after getting there, shayne got a text that had him having to head home...
and kate was needing to be at church by four for daycamp parents night...
and the little girls were starting to get cranky, getting close to nap time.
so, though earlier than planned, we thought it best to go on back.

i was folding up all the towels when shayne said..
"why don't you just stay."

i stopped for a minute. "really?"
then quickly. "oh, no...
it'll be less chaotic if i just come."

"no. it's fine."

"but you'll have to come all the way back out to get me."

he smiled. "i know."

at that moment i think the wind blew and the sun hit just so against my face..
that wonderful mixture of warmth and coolness at the same time that seems to happen only at the beach.
and i caved. "okay then. i'll stay."

once he and the kids were gone i admit i felt a little giddy/ stupid.
not sure what to do first.
so i did it all. one after the other. and then again. full circle...

read a magazine from cover to cover. {the 2nd time i just looked at pics}
drank my glass of sweet tea, before all the ice melted.
ate chocolate covered raisins.{and shared with no one!!}
laid on my blue {not a speck of sand on it} blanket and read.
and finally, after about the 5th or 6th time, stopped looking up when i heard someone call, "mommy?" ;)
then, dosed off. then went for a swim.

i swam alone. and floated in the waves.
watching people. and the paddle boarders. and sailboats in the distance.
i laid back into the water, looking up at the smears of clouds across the perfect blue sky.
thanking God for that kind of beauty.
and the beauty of aloneness like that.
and the beauty of a husband that notices when i need that.
who offers, without me having to ask.

honeymoon1
honeymoon- first beach trip together

and then my mind went to him..
as the waves washed over me.
thinking of all the waves we've faced together.
nearly drowning by some.
but.. feeling lately, and finally {and only by His grace},
that we're coming to a place of rhythm again.
you have to do that riding the waves.
you can't fight them. you must lean back and surrender.

when i shut my eyes just now. i can still feel the motion of water all around me.
that feeling of gratitude and rejuvenation.

you live long on an afternoon like that!

july summer 670x

how do you refuel~  alone or with people?

i read a survey recently that said if you refuel by being with people, you're an extrovert.
and if you refuel by being alone, you're an introvert.

i felt i was a bit of both-
kinda depends on what kind of refueling i need.

i wonder if there's a category for the intro/extro-vert mixes?
yeah. wack jobs!! ;) ha.


haPpy monday everyone!!

 

 Posted 7/23/2012 3:31 PM - 922 Views - 66 eProps - 35 comments

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Wow! That was so sweet of him to let you stay! And, I'm glad things are coming together for you. I hope it's all downhill from here!
Posted 7/23/2012 3:49 PM by Becki (site) - recommend - reply

Visit jesusmotherof4's Xanga Site!
I'm a whack job with ya!
Posted 7/23/2012 3:51 PM by jesusmotherof4 - recommend - reply

Visit redladybug18's Xanga Site!
Love the sunset on the waves. just beautiful.
I'm in the mixed category too when it come to intro/extro stuff. I've even taken tests and been right in the middle. I feel I'd probably be a extrovert except for the fact I've gotten used to being an "only child" at home now and don't mind the quiet for a little bit. It seems like when I've been around lots of people for ages I need a break though and vise versa.
God does all things well.
Posted 7/23/2012 4:29 PM by redladybug18 Xanga True Member - recommend - reply

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there is a category....ambi-verts!!! I can relate! glad you had such a lovely day. blessings to you and yours.
Posted 7/23/2012 5:01 PM by broken_in_violin - recommend - reply

Visit Cluesy's Xanga Site!
Sounds like such a perfect afternoon! What a thoughtful man you have to think of that!
I'm a total introvert unless it comes to hanging with my siblings :)
Posted 7/23/2012 5:43 PM by Cluesy Xanga Premium Member - recommend - reply

Visit Jabber_wock's Xanga Site!
Ahhh...I can feel my soul sigh with relief just reading this! Wow, that's a sweet and perceptive husband you have. ;) So glad for you that you got this refreshing day.
Posted 7/23/2012 5:54 PM by Jabber_wock - recommend - reply

Visit fruitloops115's Xanga Site!
what a lovely thing for your husband to do! about the intro/extro question...I'm not sure I've figured that out about myself yet. Maybe I am also a wack job, but I do know that I live in a house w/ two intro's, who get a little snarly if they're going and doing too much.
Posted 7/23/2012 6:32 PM by fruitloops115 - recommend - reply

Visit bamsniko22407's Xanga Site!
What a nice Sunday together!!! And I totally understand exactly what you mean by sometimes needing together time and at others alone time.


I love that last photo...gorgeous!!!
Posted 7/23/2012 7:19 PM by bamsniko22407 Xanga True Member - recommend - reply

Visit MartinTreehouse's Xanga Site!
I felt refreshed JUST READING about your afternoon... "you live long on an afternoon like that!". Truth! I guess I'm a whack job, hehe. I think I get most of my refueling alone though... especially surrounded by so much beauty.
Posted 7/23/2012 7:32 PM by MartinTreehouse Xanga True Member - recommend - reply

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When I read that Shayne asked if you wanted to stay, tears came to my eyes.  Such a thoughtful thing to do for you.  Your day, both before and after the family left, sounds lovely.  I love the thought of being at the beach alone-ish, but I'd probably like it even better alone with Bill!! I like minutes by myself, but not hours and hours.  I don't necessarily need lots of people around, but I love having my hubby around any and all the time!!  I have a feeling he likes a little more time alone than I do!
Posted 7/23/2012 7:49 PM by pettybunch Xanga True Member - recommend - reply

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Yay for recharging!  :)  Hope your weeks is abundantly blessed!

Posted 7/23/2012 8:19 PM by TrentTribe Xanga Premium Member - recommend - reply

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How wonderful! to have a day at the beach all alone.
What a sweet man Shayne is. =)

Happy Monday. xoxo
Posted 7/23/2012 10:05 PM by Elizabethmarie_1 Xanga Premium Member - recommend - reply

Visit Missionfieldof5's Xanga Site!
Oh, I so related to being able to drink your tea before the ice was melted....ah the blanket with no sand.....not sharing.....so wonderful to enjoy at that time and at the same time, so wonderful to be able to share and to be blessed because there is sand because of the little feet that put it there and for the interruptions that come throughout the day.....I recharge by myself more than with others....I don't recharge that often, not much of a chance to get to do anything by myself...but that's where long morning showers fill the void sometimes....recharging with others happens when I get adult conversation with like-minded ladies...not very often on that end either...but when it does it sure is a blessing.

Have a blessed week!
Posted 7/23/2012 10:31 PM by Missionfieldof5 Xanga True Member - recommend - reply

Visit lwstutz's Xanga Site!
Wow! That was a very special thing for Shayne to do. I'm a mixture too. I think becoming a Mom can change so many things about a person. Every year before school starts, I take a day for me. Just me. Shop, eat, all at my leisure. I love it. I don't want it to end. It totally rejuvinates me. But I get lonely sometimes, esp. when I'm a fulltime Mom, and being with my friends can totally refresh me. Whatever that means.;)
Posted 7/23/2012 10:48 PM by lwstutz - recommend - reply

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Oh my...lucky you! I'm glad you got this wonderful alone time! :)
Posted 7/23/2012 11:33 PM by jennieanne84 - recommend - reply

You paint beautiful images with your words alone! Reading this made me happy because I can hear the happiness in you.
Posted 7/24/2012 1:31 AM by Emily - recommend - reply

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that category for the intro~extravertives = mothers


What a wonderful gift from your husband and kids: see how they love you to be comfortable and relaxed and happy. You so deserve it , sweet Amber.


I had this entire week-end for me in my lovely home and finally the summer came in ...How holistically we rest when the mind and the senses rest....What a sweet post.


Lieve groeten


Godeliva

Posted 7/24/2012 3:37 AM by Ariadone - recommend - reply

Visit DanishDoll's Xanga Site!
I agree that there is no "formula" that fits me, either. Sometimes I feel rejuvenated by being with people, and sometimes I need to be alone. I do appreciate my alone time. Well, my alone time with God -- so I guess I am not really alone, but you know what I mean!
Posted 7/24/2012 4:23 AM by DanishDoll Xanga True Member Xanga Lifetime Member - recommend - reply

Visit wweaveman's Xanga Site!
Being alone in the wonderful outdoors, always makes me feel closer to Heaven. I am not much of a Beach person...but take me to the mountains....by a cool stream! Oh my it is wonderful! So glad you were able to have some quiet 'you' time. Have a refreshed, fun week!
Posted 7/24/2012 7:55 AM by wweaveman - recommend - reply

Visit fwren's Xanga Site!
What a wonderful day!  I'm with you ~ sometimes, I need to be with people ~ other times, just want to be alone ~
Posted 7/24/2012 8:30 AM by fwren Xanga True Member Xanga Lifetime Member - recommend - reply

Visit appalolly's Xanga Site!

Before I had kids...I ALWAYS wanted to be with people.  But now, even though I am definitely still an extrovert, there are times where I need to re-charge alone. So I get what you mean about being a mix of both sometimes.


That is SO awesome that Shayne gave you that gift of a few hours to yourself. I know what you mean about feeling giddy about that.  Sounds awesome. Wish I could have been there.  But then, that would have spoiled your alone time!

Posted 7/24/2012 8:40 AM by appalolly Xanga Premium Member - recommend - reply

Visit foreveranoatneygirl_n2Hisown's Xanga Site!
what a wonderful gift Shayne gave you in this! so very sweet of him!
introvert? oh yes. definitely the category i fall into. and, i'm probably redundant in mentioning this, but this book i'm reading, "Introverts In The Church" is soo very good. it has taken me a long, long time to be okay with my introversion, but, i am realizing more and more that it is Not a right vs. wrong thing to be introverted or extroverted...both are very capable of being used in beautiful ways to Glorify Him.
saying a prayer for you today...
hugs, my friend!
Posted 7/24/2012 10:04 AM by foreveranoatneygirl_n2Hisown - recommend - reply

Visit jewelofthelord's Xanga Site!
what a special and refreshing time for you!
Posted 7/24/2012 10:18 AM by jewelofthelord Xanga True Member Xanga Premium Member - recommend - reply

Visit Bumblypick's Xanga Site!
What a gift your husband gave you! Loved your post and so glad you had some "time". The Lord knows what we need exactly when we need it. I definitely refuel alone....and I think I'm in need of that right now and have put my request in to the Lord! :) Thanks for sharing! Beautiful pictures, once again, especially the sun over the water.....love, love. have a great day!
Posted 7/24/2012 12:20 PM by Bumblypick Xanga True Member - recommend - reply

Visit mrs_ande's Xanga Site!
Ah what a great blessing you experienced. Rest is good for the soul, truely!
Posted 7/24/2012 9:57 PM by mrs_ande - recommend - reply

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