FAMILY BEACH TRIP

Our family had the wonderful opportunity to take a family vacation to Hilton Head, SC. This was quite a feat since we have two adult daughters with lives of their own and two grandchildren, but we all made it happen! We were also able to celebrate our oldest daughters birthday during the trip.

I used VRBO and secured a Beach Villa on South Forest Beach to accommodate all of our family. It was a townhome style and had multiple levels so everyone had plenty of room for privacy and bathrooms too!! With five girls on this trip “bathrooms” were important.

The weather was fabulous and we had a short walk to the beach. Robby set up our chairs/umbrella each morning and all the gals had to do was show up. My granddaughters are 6 and 2 and they absolutely loved the freedom that the beach gave them. They ran back and forth from the chairs to the waters edge too many times to count. They covered themselves with sand, washed it off and did it all over again. The joy on their faces was priceless.

Robby and I loved hearing their laughter and watching them play. Learning new things like flying a kite and art lessons from Aunt Tata were major highlights. Being able to slow down and connect with our daughters and grandchildren was good for our soul. Don’t get me wrong, we were TIRED at the end of each day, but it was time and energy well spent.

Already looking forward to next year’s adventure!

COMMUNITY

One thing COVID19 has proven, is just how important relationships are in our lives. We were created to be in relationship not isolation. Having a community of friendships is so important to our mental and emotional well being. It is the one thing I missed the most during “stay at home” orders.

Since restrictions have lifted in my state, I was finally able to reunite with two different friend groups over the past week. Boy did it do my soul some good. One group consisted of just ladies in various seasons of life and we just enjoyed catching up and looking forward to the new normal. It was an opportunity to “exhale”.

Another friend group is connected by volunteering. We all volunteer with an organization that helps our community and we also get together once a month for dinner. I was able to host a “potluck” dinner at my home and the food and fellowship were delightful. It was sooooo good to see these friends again and feel like things will be okay.

I hope that all of my friends feel as refreshed as I do. I also plan to value and sow into these relationships with greater purpose in the future. Good and healthy relationships are vital to a good and healthy you!

How To Spot Deception — Dr. Eric Perry

Written by Dr. Eric Perry “He who has eyes to see and ears to hear may convince himself that no mortal can keep a secret. If his lips are silent, he chatters with his fingertips; betrayal oozes out of him at every pore.” ~Sigmund Freud In my profession, it is important to know if someone […]

How To Spot Deception — Dr. Eric Perry

QUIETING THE SOUL

One of my favorite things to do is “back porch sitting”. Looking out at nature around me, hearing the songs of the birds, frogs and bugs, and watching the clouds float by are soothing to my soul. Of course the fact that the porch is screened in makes it more pleasant!!

My parents had a lovely front porch and we spent a great deal of time there. It was a place of conversation, connection and a good spot for “thinking”. So, I have always had a fondness for the “power of the porch”.

Sometimes I read, sometimes I meditate, sometimes I pray, sometimes I think deeply and sometimes…..I just exist – in the moment – relaxing and enjoying the beauty before me.

We live in world that is fast paced and often full of noise. I know for myself that it is important to be able to refresh and recharge and the “porch” is perfect for doing just that. I hope that everyone has a “quiet place” to stop and refresh. It is one the best investments you can make in yourself.