Vacation...gratitude...and rest.

[Steve Paulson]

Some thoughts have been running through my mind...gifts from God, I think. As I tap this into my phone which is holding onto a 3G signal by a half a thread, I'm lying next to my wife who is contentedly absorbed into a good book. My children are ensconced in their bunks, drifting off to dream land where God only knows what adventures await them. We're camped out in our simple bunkhouse travel trailer at a deserted KOA in Astoria, OR, and it has rained on us for the last three days. I had been convinced that this last little fact was going to ruin this trip for sure, but I'm finding that I was wrong about that...very wrong indeed. Just as an example... This evening, having eaten a delicious dinner of home made chicken & black bean chili, we headed to the pool and spa, which we had all to ourselves. We played Marco Polo together. When mommy headed for the hot tub my children were clinging to me in the pool, smothering me with kisses, splashing, diving, waiting for me to cook up the next game. For the next 45 minutes my wedding ring was the center of attention as it was tossed, hidden and repeatedly retrieved, all the while daddy the killer whale prowled the deep, looking for tender morsels to devour.

At closing time we headed back to our little trailer, snacked on apples & peanut butter while the kids arranged their "sea collection" of shells and sand dollars they had plundered from the beach earlier in the day (good Lord it was nasty out there...coldest 52 degrees you could possibly imagine). Dishes done and put away, children prayed with, kissed and tucked in, and I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude for our low-budget, rained out camping trip in the last place anyone should want to be in the middle of February.

We don't have the cash for the kinds of trips I'd might like, but through this little trailer God has given us what is perhaps the rarest, most valuable commodity known to man in the modern age.... Rest.

Stop and smell...you'll find a rose in the most unlikely places. :wink:

[Steve Paulson]

And come the weekend, we get to train with Dave, Brent, Ted and some brave tribe members in Olympia. 0-5 Gunfighting. Booyah!

[Texican_gal]

Great post! Thank you, SP, for sharing the fun and the perspective ....

[Barker]

Simple things bring great joy where love abounds. My guess will be that this will be one of your best remembered vacations by the children.

[CaptRJO]

Thanks, Steve. It's good to be reminded now and then that these are the reasons why we do what we do.

[Dave Sauer]

Made me smile. Looking forward to the weekend training as well!

[Brent Yamamoto]

Enjoyed reading that Steve, as someone already said this will be one your family will always remember.

Happy you're rested up. You'll need it this weekend. ;)

[AlwaysVigilant]

I lived half my life in Europe, prior to setting out on my own after High School. I have seen and experienced beautiful places, amazing food, and culture and history far older than anything you can imagine in the USA.

The trips and vacations that come to me in my daydreams? Road trips and camping with mom, dad, and sis. Getting rained out, playing scrabble in the tent, fishing and riding bikes, cooking breakfast on the fire, my dad being attacked by a swan! Its making me smile now, as a matter of fact...have to call my dad this morning and tell him I love him.

Steve, to me what you described is PERFECT...damn, I love my parents...friggin allergies.

[michael]

Priceless! Sounds like some excellent memories made, and that's what it is all about.

[temposhot]

That's a beautiful thing, Steve. Thank you for sharing. For the record, I envy you your opportunity to go camping. My lovely lady doesn't enjoy that kind of thing much.

Scott

[JHawk]

Good for you! They grow up quick...

[OB-1]

Some thoughts have been running through my mind...gifts from God, I think. As I tap this into my phone which is holding onto a 3G signal by a half a thread, I'm lying next to my wife who is contentedly absorbed into a good book. My children are ensconced in their bunks, drifting off to dream land where God only knows what adventures await them. We're camped out in our simple bunkhouse travel trailer at a deserted KOA in Astoria, OR, and it has rained on us for the last three days. I had been convinced that this last little fact was going to ruin this trip for sure, but I'm finding that I was wrong about that...very wrong indeed. Just as an example... This evening, having eaten a delicious dinner of home made chicken & black bean chili, we headed to the pool and spa, which we had all to ourselves. We played Marco Polo together. When mommy headed for the hot tub my children were clinging to me in the pool, smothering me with kisses, splashing, diving, waiting for me to cook up the next game. For the next 45 minutes my wedding ring was the center of attention as it was tossed, hidden and repeatedly retrieved, all the while daddy the killer whale prowled the deep, looking for tender morsels to devour.

At closing time we headed back to our little trailer, snacked on apples & peanut butter while the kids arranged their "sea collection" of shells and sand dollars they had plundered from the beach earlier in the day (good Lord it was nasty out there...coldest 52 degrees you could possibly imagine). Dishes done and put away, children prayed with, kissed and tucked in, and I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude for our low-budget, rained out camping trip in the last place anyone should want to be in the middle of February.

We don't have the cash for the kinds of trips I'd might like, but through this little trailer God has given us what is perhaps the rarest, most valuable commodity known to man in the modern age.... Rest.

Stop and smell...you'll find a rose in the most unlikely places. :wink:

Your kids will remember this vacation for a long time. especially since their idea of love is time spent with them, not things bought for them.

[Steve Paulson]

Today was the last day of this trip, and it was awesome. God smiled and kissed our faces with a bit of sunshine, and we roasted marshmallows over a roaring fire after a full day of play (and a plate full of baby back ribs), ending the night with some dice games together. I took a couple pics, and I'll try to get them posted. Tomorrow we say, "until next time."

Good livin'. :grin:

[Steve Paulson]

Dinner!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y135/sjp2452/20130213_175310_zpsf925b3dc.jpg

She's a little dirty but she gets the job done. :wink:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y135/sjp2452/20130213_160556_zpscc39e54c.jpg

[TrojanSkyCop1]

Awesome sauce, Steve!