Happy New Year!!!

Grandparents are visiting, and we have had a wonderful time. We've been riding bikes, stuffing our faces full of seafood, and watching football (big shout for Bobby Bowden---80 years old and just now retiring as Florida State's head coach---is 80 the new 60??? Possibly.). We took a few days and escaped to Florida, and the weather has been fabulous.....cool temperatures (50s and low 60s) and lots of sunshine. There is something about sunshine that lifts my spirit and puts spring in my step, how about you?

Last night, for New Year's Eve, we went to Seaside Beach for a "Family Style" New Year's Eve Party. A tent was set up for kids to make party hats, noise makers, get faces painted, etc. Our girls LOVED it! In addition, a live Zydeco (Cajun) band entertained for hours. They were a very fun group, and little Hopey danced her feet off. Chappy even took her on the stage and let her dance for a few minutes. Needless to say, she was a total hit with her pony tail, gigantic glasses, and boogy-woogy bootie.

My dad decided to stay back with sleepy-head Charlie, so he missed the party. I think he and Charlie slept together on the couch the entire time we were away. Unfortunately, as a result of Dad's absence, my mom seemed to have appeared single and available (at least to one guy who was every bit 25+ years her junior---my mom does not look her age at all). This tall skinny guy with a beret hat approached mom and offered her a Happy New Year tiara. Not knowing "strings were attached", mom said thanks and accepted it. Next thing she knew, he started doing some groovy dancing around her and asking her to dance with him----she quickly said: "No thanks", turned her head, and blushed more shades of red than I knew existed. We laughed and laughed, full belly laughs. I guess mom's still got it. She is appalled, totally, but she's still got it. Ha! Ha!

If I were to confess one of my weaknesses, I would have to say that I am excellent at "WORK", but not so great at relaxing. I tend to be a type A personality; admittedly, when I have a goal in mind (big or small), I can be quite driven. The last several days at the beach have been therapeutic for me. I feel rejuvenated and relaxed.

What a way to spend the first day of 2010.....laughing, celebrating, and creating memories. I'd like to preach to myself first and suggest we all need to be intentional about taking time to drink in life on occasion.....to be thrilled because the sun is shining....to look for reasons to laugh out loud.....to appreciate the taste and smell of good food.....to breathe in fresh air deeply......to dance like a crazy person to zydeco music....and sing from the top of our lungs even though we don't know the words....to admire the Artist who created the vastness of the ocean and more grains of sand than could ever be counted.....but also created delicate dandelions that bend with the wind and fluffy white clouds of different shape and size. God's creation, all of it, is something to get excited about!

"Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in they name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips."
Psalm 63:3-5