As you can well imagine, Mexico was incredible. We had a great time just being together! It was the first time we've been able to hang out exclusively for an extended period of time since before Jordan and Danis joined the family. We had lots of adventures and lots of time reading by the pool or beach. My most favorite adventure was discovering "White Clam Beach". We were driving to a town North of Loreto and happened upon this little cove tucked around one of the road bends. We decided to forget the Northern town and followed this little dirt road to our "postcard" beach with white sand, shells galore, crystal clear shallow water. The girls laid out and the boys hit the water. Not too long after our arrival the boys started hollering...clams! We all raced to the water to see what all the fuss was because clams aren't usually anything to shout about especially to us Alaskans. What we found was a jackpot. They were everywhere. All you had to do was grab a handful of sand and voila you had 3 clams. In about 5 minutes we had WAY more than we could ever eat. We spent the rest of the day snorkeling, reading, sunbathing, playing frisbee, etc. Once home we had a clam bake and with lots of leftovers we made clam chowder the next day. It was quite the memorable experience. When Riley Smithwick joined us in Mexico we hoped to take him there, but cloudy days deterred our plans. Instead we toured a beautiful Mission and explored a dry river bed. Not the same, but still fun.
Anyway, now we are home and back to reality. The first week is always the hardest when your tan fades and sleep in days become a distant memory, but we survived and are now back into the routine. BethAnne came home with me, which helped with the transition. It was wonderful getting that extra time with her. Since we've been home the boys have worked extra hard on Jordan and I's room (we had to move out for the spray foam job and didn't want to move back in until the sheet-rock was up). Yesterday I was thrilled to move our things back into our room. There is still ALOT of work to do, but we have our own space again and that is delightful. It is amazing how the "normal" things in life become such a privilege after taking them for granted for so many years.....closets, dishwasher, a decent bed, shelves, rooms, etc. We still don't have all these and are getting them back slowly, but I've decided that its okay. The only way my organized brain and controlling heart have survived living in this beautiful mess for so long is because of my Jesus and He will carry me through until its over. A potentially miserable few months has become a blessing filled with great memories. I think I'll be a little sad when its all over....maybe.
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
