Final Grains of Sand

Final scenes from OBX

Kite-flyers at Jockey's Ridge dunes

Bert got crabs

Conner and mean Korynn

Jack didn't want to be left out

The Gang

Mike catching a wave - I didn't get the shot of him wiping out

Korynn and Conner

The Conner gang: Jack, Bert, Kelly and Mike

some small dolphins and tile fish from Oregon Inlet. 

Rumor had it that some guys caught a 1,220 lbs 

blue marlin over at a neighboring cove. 

There's more photos over at my mac gallery

Night of Dancing and Bowling

Shannon spinning Conner

Conner doing her granny-bowl

Conner didn't like the loud music, 

but she'd unplug her ears long enough to bowl

Jack, a bowler in the making

Look at his graceful form - incredibly, Chris beat us all

 with a rousing score of 112.

Rainy days in OBX

What better way to spend a rainy day than chilling in a true coffee house - the kind where strangers gather around common tables, people actually talk to each other and everything is roasted/created in house? On our first day in OBX we got a frequent coffee card for The Front Porch Cafe. We'll get a free drink after purchasing 10; in the last 4 days we've consumed 6. Yay us!

Cutie Nephew

Jack is one of the most well-behaved toddlers I've ever met. He kept himself entertained and content on the beach, so much so that I forgot he was there. Every morning I wake up to his gurgling chuckles and squeals. He definitely has a cheerful disposition.

Fun in the Sun

Here are a few shots from our week at Kill Devil Hills, NC. 

Bunny playing catch with Conner and Tyler

Jack chilling from the sun

Mike kicking back

eating good ice cream

Seen by God

Years ago, Mike and I went to a church where a prophet was visiting. If you're anything like me, you may have viewed such a person with skepticism or maybe even fear. I had certainly never met someone who claimed to hear directly from God.

The prophet, Joan, was a middle-aged, average-looking lady who would have blended in at any craft store. She proceeded to pray over each person and offer words of encouragement from God. Often, her words offered peace but seemed to lack any specifics that would have made her pronouncement unique to the individual. Several people heard about how God loved them, God delighted in them, and God was going to help them. And then came my turn.

After a few moments of quietly praying over me, Joan revealed a secret that not even my husband knew about. She said that God saw me when I danced and he delighted in it. See, I took ballet when I was 7 years old and always had a desire to continue dancing. When no one else was home, I'd turn on some music and bust a move, usually worshipping God.

Joan's statement amazed me for 2 reasons: the obvious reason is because she was able to talk about something I thought no one else knew about. The second reason was because until that moment, I hadn't ever considered that God even paid attention to me - let alone delighted in something that seemed so insignificant. It's kind of comforting, spooky, amazing to think that we are seen by God.