OBX: 5/30

Monday was our first full day at the beach.  We split our time between the pool and the ocean.  It was heavenly.

  With a foggy camera, Steve documented Mi Na's first time in a pool.  She loved the water.  She smiled and splashed her arms.  What a happy memory.

Mei Li and Stephen demonstrated that they can indeed swim.  They stayed close to the shallow end because they lack stamina, but I'm so proud of the progress they have made in the last few months.

 Mi Na made her first appearance on the sand.  She didn't like her hat, which was too bad.  We applied sunscreen to each of our children about three times each day, and it got pretty old.  At least there were no bad burns.

 Sarah and Scott fed the army that night, and then we had Family Home Evening.  Stephen gave the opening prayer.  When he prays, he always expresses gratitude for each person present.  So he started with Jane, then Ruby, and then he opened his eyes. He realized that there were a whole lot of people to be grateful for and then said, "I don't want to do this anymore," but Grandpa helped him finish.

Mi Na played an important part in the lesson.  She was carried in on a towel by her older boy cousins.  Steve was there to spot, just in case.  At the end, we knelt in prayer as a family.  And, like every beach week Family Home Evening, I was near tears because of the love and unity felt in the room.  There are twenty-five of us now with one scheduled to arrive in October.  It's a beautiful thing.

That night, Steve and I went out for a walk on the beach.  We no doubt were stepping on or near ghost crabs, but it was pitch black.  It was so nice to just be alone for a little bit after putting kids to bed.  I'm still so in love with this man.