"Life is GRAND"....

A week ago, we were finally able to get away and reconnect as a family. Since my beloved sister's diagnosis of stage 4 ovarian cancer just 6 months ago, to the birth of our daughter, our hearts have truly been pulled and tugged in every direction imaginable. Ellison was born in the middle of a "storm" in our family, but God has answered my prayer for her - that she would be our "calm in the midst of the storm" - and she truly is. Honestly, it's been pretty hard to breathe since Elliot's diagnosis back in late September. But, GOD is our HEALER - HE is HER healer, and I believe in the depths of my heart that she is going to be healed in God's most perfect time and way.

In ministry, there is rarely time to just "slip away", but we managed to do just that this time. We needed it desperately - physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I needed to reconnect with my God and my family. I needed to breathe deeply, and "drink and taste" the promises of my Jesus, whom I worship.  "O taste and see that the LORD is GOOD" (Psalm 34:8).

Our family has been enjoying vacationing at the Grand Hotel Spa and Resort in Point Clear, AL for many years. We have been going there since I was in college with my Dad's work every other summer...., and we LOVE it. Elijah Brooks has come to love it just as much as we do - maybe even more!  He plays every kind of game imaginable at home with his trucks/tractors and we always have to pretend to be "at the Grand". He knows every square inch of the hotel and grounds, and even some of the workers names and calls them by name. We were supposed to go this past July for a business trip, but my grandmother passed away and we never made it. We rescheduled our trip for the fall, but when my sister got sick suddenly, we canceled our trip again.  So, we decided to reschedule it again for the week after Elijah Brooks got his cast off. We thought it would be a great time because it would still be in the "off season", it would be a great way to celebrate his endurance through his own trial, we needed some uninterrupted family time, and momma needed a break!!

So, we loaded up the car (how is it that 1 more tiny child can add that much more stuff to our vehicle?), and headed South. Our kids did A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. I couldn't have asked for anything more from them. Elijah Brooks was as happy as I have ever seen him, limping around the resort. He didn't care that he still wasn't able to run yet, he was just so happy to be there. And sweet little Ellison, acted as if she was a world class traveler. This was her 1st trip and far exceeded our expectations.

As soon as we pulled into the gate, I could feel my stress lifting off of my shoulders. And, it stayed off of me for 3 days!

God knows just what we need, and is so good to provide that for His children. May we always find rest in His embrace, and may we cling to His fingers just as my daughter clings to mine. 

These gorgeous trees are everywhere

Sunset on the Bay

We went kayaking one morning

He loved sitting on this jet ski.  It was anchored in the water and was used for rescue purposes.

Sweet baby girl playing

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She has discovered her tongue!

Walking in the sand proved to be tricky since his balance is still alittle off, but I thought of it as "good physical therapy" for him! He looked like a little sand crab walking sideways.

I am pretty sure he rode his bike at least 5 hours a day. This was all he wanted to do, and was thrilled he could get back up on a bike since the cast came off. He loved renting a bike and changing bikes each hour so he could ride a different color each time.

I was fascinated by this blue heron. He was posing for pictures on the pier.

This just makes me happy.

Waiting patiently for a cookie at the 4:00 tea time. One of the traditions that I love at the Grand is that each afternoon at 4:00, men in Civil War uniforms march around the hotel grounds. They end their march at a canon where someone gives the history of the hotel during the Civil War and the canon is fired. Following the firing of the canon, each guest is invited into the hotel lobby for hot tea, coffee, and cookies. I love a good tradition!

And this is how Ellison enjoyed "tea time"! 

Jay is eating this up - his baby girl up on his shoulder.  She truly is a snuggler.

Family of 4!  We all LOVE the outdoors.

Playing croquet

You can really tell in this picture he was not wanting to put much pressure on his right leg.