Coupeville and Fort Ebey

So much to be thankful for! 

The visit with my folks was so sweet, and it is such a joy

to look at pictures of our time together and think about their trip. 

After stopping at Deception Pass, we headed down Widbey Island to the small,

quaint town of Coupeville.... we walked out on the pier and had

some coffee and hot chocolate, as the day was pretty cool and rainy. 

We then had fun just window shopping and enjoying the beautiful

waterfront, darling atmosphere, and gorgeous hanging baskets

that are so common in the northwest!! 

And by the time we arrived at Fort Ebey, the skies were beginning to clear! 

This was such a lovely setting, and so much fun

to get out and run through the fields of grass. 

Ellie and I felt like we were on Prince Edward's Island, 

and over the hill was Anne's Green Gables :)

As you can see from the picture below, the boys especially loved

imagining what it would have looked like as a military base. 

Evidently the fort was never needed, which I guess we can be thankful for! 

There was quite the drop-off here.... a tad bit nerve wracking!! 

I'm learning to roll with the punches when it comes to group pictures....

Who wants to just look at smiling statues all the time?!

Isn't a picture like this much more interesting?! 

Kids are gonna be kids, and I desperately want to remember and ENJOY

their care-free, trusting spirits.... and Abby sure has spirit :)

My mom expressed while she was here, how fleeting these days are.

The kids are going to all be grown soon, and so often we wish time would stop. 

We both fight the emotion of sadness and in a way, loss.

My mom and dad don't have the privilege of seeing their grandchildren each day...

or even each week.... or even each month.

I don't have the privilege of dropping my kids off at their house,

or feeling the comfort of my mom's kitchen.

We have to be very intentional about relationship-building.

Lots of letters, e-mails, and phone calls across the miles! 

I never would have dreamed, in a thousand years, that the Lord would

have us raise our children a plane ride away from my folks.  

But He did.

And my heart aches.

His ways are not our ways. 

But they are good. 

They are for His glory.

And we trust Him. 

However, I can say with confidence, that neither me or my parents,

would want to be ANYWHERE outside of our Heavenly Father's perfect plan for our lives. 

We are growing and benefiting from blessings that we never

would have experienced, had we lived in the same town.

(Not to mention, we LOVE the northwest!!)

And for that I am so thankful.

Blogging is a way for me to remember and enjoy.....

and help my family to remember and enjoy.....

and stay connected!!