Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Paradise found

The stars aligned. And the sun. And the moon. And we'll throw in a few meteors for good measure. This was our first saturday with good weather, happy kids and not a single sensible or responsible errand to run. The beach was calling our name. We beckoned the call and, at the risk of sounding cliche, I'm saying it...today was perfect. We're talking perfect weather, sandy beaches for miles, sandcastles, lots of digging and collecting, long conversations while watching the kids play, a back up change of clothes to avoid any chaffing, ice cream on the board walk, a seaside playground, a scenic drive, a park over looking the ocean, iconinc NZ rolling green hills dotted with sheep, a husband who pulls over so I can snap a picture without me even asking and a pizza picnic at sunset to end the day. It was that good. And then some. Of course perfect also includes wrestling down a toddler in a parking lot to change a dirty diaper while onlookers give me the wonk eye, and scraped elbows at the playground, and arguing over who has to sit in the back, because that's all part of a family, and that's perfect in its own way too. I knew if we could somehow claw our way out of the Belle Bonne motel we would eventually unleash the true beauty and the picture perfect moments would come gushing out like an unstoppable tidal wave. Or more like a tsunami. Did I or did I not warn you? We've had our fair share of hard days while trying to adjust here, and I know there are more to come, so when days like this happen I'm going swaddle them up like a baby and embrace every moment.








Ryder is deathly afraid of the water, he makes me hold him tight if we go by it, but usually he makes me stay a safe distance back with him and rarely ventures off my lap.  Today he found comfort in the safe confines of the rocks.  He sat there for a good hour refusing to come any closer in fear that a shark would eat him.

















5 comments:

Just me said...

Oh I loved this! I'm only wishing I were a betting girl and had put down money a few weeks when I bet you'd fall in love with NZ!!!...

Happy to see your happiness!
Ali

Chelsea said...

Perfect! Sounds like a dream come true. And hooray for no chaffing. And you had me at boardwalk & ice cream. For some reason I've never pictured their beaches with either. I knew big things awaited you beyond the Chapstick motel. Swaddle away.

Jodee said...

oh the beach! the beach will do it every time. enjoy all these perfect days!

Janessa said...

The beach makes everything perfect. And after all the craziness you've been through, it was a well deserved perfect day. I love all your pictures! That's so cute that Jason stopped for pictures without you even asking. Serious hubby points for that! I love living in NZ through you:)

Janette said...

Beautiful!