Date: October 17 – 19, 2025 Location: Bear Creek Lake State Park Weather: Sunny, 50s in the evening, 70s during the day; the leaves were starting to show color Theme this year: We rented a shelter, Carrie designed our t-shirts, and we tried a Seafood Boil (we used mild sausage vs spicy) with Roasted Oysters…
Category: Family Time
Precious Memories
Finding Joy in Quiet Connections
I needed to take a moment. I’m finding a place to write about the longings and small, meaningful interactions that happen in your busy day. A Love That Lives in the Small Moments The melody drifts through the room, soft and familiar, Carol King’s “Home Again” playing from a speaker nearby. My memory stretches back,…
A Day Wrapped in Song and Story: Sharing Our Love for Music and Imagination
It’s incredible how certain songs or books can anchor us to vivid memories and emotions. Not long ago, I had one of these precious moments that not only took me down memory lane but also allowed me to share a piece of my heart with a new generation. The story begins with a dusty memory…
Southport, NC & Oak Island Vacation Travel Journal with Tips and Places to Visit
If you’ve been reading the day-by-day posts of the trip, thank you! This is for those who do a Google Search and would like all of the days in one spot! I hope this helps someone plan their trip to Southport and Oak Island. The posts have hyperlinks and suggestions. Enjoy! If you visit, share…
Family Vacation Day 8 “Adventure”
Our last day is a full one! I decided at the last minute to ask our rental place if we could stay an extra day due to the concert on Friday. We lucked out! They did not have a renter coming in on Saturday! We could leisurely sleep in and have breakfast with The Lambs…
Family Vacation Day 6 “Grace”
It’s July 4! Time to celebrate! The Lambs came for breakfast, and then we walked to the parade. Early that morning, Parish and I rode our bikes to check on our chairs and went to Burney’s to get some pastries. We purchased chocolate milk for Spender, Jr. -his favorite. The Haven outdid themselves with a…
Family Vacation Day 7 “Future”
It was another great day on the beach! We went to the Keziah Street lot and beach access. Today was very crowded, but we all found parking even amidst a main water line eruption! We got lunch at Ruby’s and enjoyed on the beach together. I loved seeing Parish swim the ocean like a little…
Family Vacation Day 5 “Community”
It’s July 3, and the anticipation of July 4th in Southport is building up! Our word today is “community” because we visited a great band called The Doorsmen. After setting up our chairs the day before the parade, we stopped by to listen at our favorite spot, The Haven, in Southport. This band played all…
Summer Vacation Day 4 “Rest”
Today’s word is “rest.” How can we slow down enough to let it go and put work aside to be present? I had to make a choice to do this. To not keep checking work emails and worrying about all the things undone. Our place has a porch and deck. We would sit outside and…
Summer 2024 Day 3 “Wonder”
Today is July 1, 2024! Oak Island Beach Day! Although we awoke with a storm, the rain cleared just in time for the festivities! I enjoyed an early morning walk to see my favorite flowers and homes. I especially love the church that has been converted into a dwelling place for a family. Beach day…
ARRESTED BY GRACE 