Burns Beach Blast

Hello from South Cackalacky!

Well it turns out since my last post that Mike, Sarah, and kids were all feeling better sans stomach bug and decided to join me at the beach. Yay! I had accepted that I was going to spend a quiet vacay alone but the change in plans made for a happy Mom and Mimi! Life went from serene to chaotic but so much fun. Myrtle cooperated by giving us really nice weather. I think the twins, Reid and Drew, enjoyed their first foray into the sand and water. Liza definitely enjoyed herself; she takes to sun, sand, and water like a beach bum.

Looking longingly at the beach on her first sunrise at Myrtle

Liza is ecstatic!

Making sandcastles. This girl loves undivided attention from her daddy.

Flying Liza!

Liza is supervising as the boys touch the ocean for the very first time.

Burns family of five

Liza helped Sarah make drippy castles...

while the boys just hang out together!

Wrapped up briefly when she got cold but she is already plotting her next move...

chasing the seagulls was one of her favorite activities.

 We walked down the boardwalk for food and fun. We took a ride on the SkyWheel. Liza, Mike and I loved it, the boys were indifferent, and Sarah, well not so much...

Reid and Drew really didn't seem to notice that we were 187 feet up in the air.

Liza thought it was really cool and couldn't contain her excitement.

 

Ta dah!!! We did the SkyWheel! Sarah is glad to be on the ground again.

Catharsis

Wow. I just noticed that it has been over a year since I wrote on here. My Liza is now 3 years old and has 2 brothers, twins Drew and Reid. Time is spinning at a dizzying pace. These 3 GRAND children are the stars in my life. I love them dearly and they bring me great joy.

Since Ralph passed away I try to take a short vacation in the fall to Myrtle Beach. This year was no different but roadblocks seemed to keep coming up to taking the annual trip. I usually take one or more of my kids with me. Heath had to bow out because he had to go to Louisville with seminary related activities. Candice bowed out because her best friend is getting married. Then, Mike and Sarah came down with a dreadful stomach virus the day before we were supposed to leave. I almost canceled my reservations. I've never gone on vacation alone and was a little scared to try it. Throwing caution to the wind, I decided to go anyway whether or not I had company. My drive, thankfully, was uneventful. I arrived in the afternoon, checked in, unloaded the car, grocery shopped, and then headed to the beach for a walk. Glorious! I didn't feel strange to be alone and I was enjoying the ocean and sand so much. It probably seems a small thing to most people but it was a big step for me. I have always gone with someone, been with someone, or shared with someone. This was just another step in the journey...

I know many people say it, but I really do wish I could live at the ocean. If I had the writing skills like Mickey Spillane and a house in Murrells Inlet, how awesome would that be! While I was walking this morning on the beach (I love to take a long walk in the mornings and evenings while there) I felt such a calmness, a centered-ness come over me. I feel I could be more creative in this environment. At home the cares of life overwhelm me. I get easily depressed. I'm sure if I lived here they would follow me, too. But I like to imagine the idyllic version where I could keep my toes in the sand and let that giant Atlantic Ocean wash away my cares, lull me with her voice, and inspire me with her mystery.