Coming Home

Well the fact that we were coming home was inevitable, despite my best efforts to get at least one more day out of it. I tried, seriously until we were in the driveway. Oh well, I am hoping for another trip this fall. At least a weekend. Anything is better than nothing.

The trip home was relatively uneventful. We did a little shopping, first we had to cross the state line to get some lottery tickets. Hey you cannot win if you do not play. I seriously hope to win one day, preferably sooner than later. Of course everyone else who plays does too!

When we got to Jemison, we were met with some nice rain which continued until 280. It was seriously wild. It went from a light drizzle to a downpour that had us sitting still on 65. We also saw a great rainbow in Alabaster. Very pretty, not quite the one over the beach though. The traffic through the construction is bad enough without the added drama of the rain. I hope that one day they complete their work on 65 so that the people of Alabama and the people passing through can enjoy an easy time instead of a serious headache.

When we got home we decided to unload the suitcases and groceries, but leave the beach specific things in the van. We were all tired. Anyway, I was going through the mail and was greeted home by a sting from a black wasp. I want to go on record saying that it hurt like hell. I am glad it was me and not one of the boys, but still VERY painful.

I talked to my mom afer we got home and she said that my cousin who was still at the beach said that the Gulf State Park was on fire. We had just been there, I love that park. Where the bald eagles nest and so many cool flowers and birds can be seen. Anyway, when I was uploading my pictures I realized that I had a picture of the fire. This is taken on the bridge going over where LuLu's is.

Well, while coming home from the beach is something that breaks my heart a little, it also meant my own bed. Sorry I got behind on my blog, but the bed was definitely calling for me. I did remember all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

Family Picture Day ... and Rainbows!

Well, I have to admit my heart is slightly broken. Leaving the beach makes me so sad. With today being our last day here I was determined to make the best of it. This being said most of the day was spent sitting on the sand. Well, in my chair on the sand!

There were a lot of jellyfish today and the kids had a blast with their minnow nets catching them. Isabella and Danny ended up getting stung, but Windex seemed to do the trick. Windex with ammonia that is. Those kids ended up catching minnows, jelly fish, sea weed with some amazing little creatures in it, and sand! They had the best time. I was so glad to see them enjoying themselves and each other.

We decided to do our family pictures this afternoon. Well, anyone who has ever tried to take John Michael's picture knows that this is not an easy task. If he smiles he does not look at the camera and if he is looking at the camera there are no smiles on the face. It is never easy. I tried to explain to him that the quicker he does right the quicker that everyone gets done. No deal though.

We all gt ready and headed out to take pictures. My cousin Vicki was going to do our family pictures as soon as she was done with hers, and I was going to do the rest. I just cleverly forgot my tripod so there was noway to take my picture. Go figure. I started with the boys and noticed that the wind was picking up. There was a storm out over the ocean but the skies here were blue. Well we on and kept trying to get the boys to look and smile and the wind continued to get stronger. Within a few minutes it was wild. Tents from neighbors were flying, the sand was flying (and at a speed that it hurt), everything was coming off of the decks so we high tailed it in.

There ended up being a gorgeous rainbow over the Gulf. After a while there were two and we had a double rainbow, but it was so light it is hard to see in the pictures. Oh well, it was gorgeous and I am so glad that I was able to see it. This has been a crazy week for weather, but it did not interfere with our beach during the day so for that I am VERY thankful. We have had a tornado (water spout), lightening storm, actual storm, rainbows, wind storm, and most importantly gorgeous sun shine! An interesting combination.

Well, I am off to finish packing, and drinking my wine! Before I go to bed know that you will all be in my prayers! Please pray for a safe trip home for all of us who are here and heading back tomorrow. The funny thing is we will all leave at the same time headed to Birmingham, and we will all arrive at different times!