Beauty of the Land

We’re nearly there! I had thought as we pulled onto the non-paved “bumpy road”.  I rolled down my window and marveled at the cooler temp. 2 hours from home and it was a good 15 degrees cooler…Both kids perfect angels in the back seats, Aurora had slept almost the whole way and was now content, cuddling her “Buppy,” an over-sized (at least compared to her little body) build-a-bear-puppy that she had adopted. And Noah, happily looking out the window singing along to a “Be Happy” kids CD. I glance over to the drivers seat, where Eugen was on a business call. Is he missing this?!

“Hello? Hello, can you hear me?” Eugen put his phone down and looked over my way. He shrugged and said “No signal.”

“Oh..darn..that’s too bad”…  (hehe) 😉

I refocused my attention out the window. Every minute that passed while driving, the scenery became more and more beautiful..more untouched by the modern world. Patches of thick pine wood and stretches of gorgeous flower speckled fields, also spotted with pine. Did I mention the sky? Big, fluffy, cumulus, marshmallow clouds accompanied by the most striking blue sky. Of course, right? What else? I smiled to myself. Thank you Father God for this day. It was going to be a great one!

“Oh, there they are!” We pull off the road into the woods, the trees weren’t so dense in that area and we were able to drive the car through with ease. Almost the whole summer had passed and we hadn’t gotten together with these precious souls. I love my family. Just their presence was sure to make the day even more special.

Opening my door, I swung my legs over and my feet touch the thick, damp carpet of the forest. A chattering creature who was too fast to track darted through the foliage. “Mommy, Mommy..” Shifting my attention back to the children I reached over, unbuckled, unloaded and headed towards the sound of my families laughter… 

There was never a moment that any of the children said “I’m bored” … The whole day was a type of adventure for them, and watching that was, well, so rewarding. They spent the day running through the beautiful fields.  Digging for treasure (and were COVERED in dirt. Loved it!) They caught lizards, played with sticks and joined us around an abundantly filled table of food..

the sound of a crackling camp fire was softly heard in-between all the talk and laughter that was shared. Oh. And who can forget the sound of the guys chopping wood or messing around with the chainsaw (Michael).

“I’m sorry, what was that? I couldn’t hear you…”  Nooooisy… lol … j/k …we loved every part of it!

I did mention lizards, right? 🙂

 

This random day trip was about to end. It. Was. Wonderful. More than anything, the time that we got to spend with one another was the biggest blessing! You know, in all the busyness that life brings us (or that we create for ourselves), the importance and impact that relationships bring us is beyond what we imagine. The the only tough part about relationships is the time you need to put into them. Time to invest, grow and nurture… Who has time for that? No one. The point is, we need to make the time. It is welllll worth any effort….

I close my eyes and take a one last deep breath before we leave.. there is no other smell like it. Fresh, oxygen loaded, earthy, the smell of pine and camp fire mingling …. Back home. That’s where it takes me 🙂

I grew up in a small town in Indiana. Lots of corn, wooded land, golden fields and fresh crisp air. Throughout the years, many my age dubbed it as “boring.” I knew better. It wasn’t about the “boredom” of living in a small town but about the “beauty” of living in a small town. I have always been a bit of an old soul. But the older I get the more I realize how special it was to have the opportunity to be raised in such a lovely area. I sometimes wonder why we left it behind. I suppose this is why I love this place so much. We have been to the beach plenty this year and I love that too. But here, among the beauty of the “land” is where I feel most at home….

Be blessed Lovelies <3

PS. Thank you Christian Garba at “Tell the Tale Photography” For the Beautiful Pictures! (Just a quick heads up, Christian is now booking photo-shoots up for the Holidays…Catch him while you can! Messages me for contact info 🙂

PSS. Oh, a little update on Sushi (the baby lizard). Somehow, the little guy escaped and we ended up leaving him behind..I wondered how that happened… 😉