A little Tybee Time never hurt anyone...

Matthew & I on Tybee Island

Yesterday we had the our first opportunity to spend the day at Tybee Island as a family.  I know Chris has been really stressed at work with a million and one things going on.  The audits all seem to be over but he's still trying to hire an Operations Manager and a few operators.  Until he gets a new Ops Manager in place, he's unfortunetly stuck working 12+ hour days and trying to be a one man show.  On top of which, he has to  head to South Carolina every so often for manager trainings, quarterly meetings, etc.  Knowing all this, and all the pressure and stress he's felt over the last several weeks, I decided to take matters into my own hands and tell him what we were doing for the weekend.  To my excitement, he accepted my idea without a moments hesitation.  I've been with Chris since 2000 and if there is one thing I know about my husband and best friend, it's that he gets rejuvenated by sitting on the beach.  When he is on the beach with the sun in his eyes, the waves crashing in front of him and the smell of salt in the air, his engines are able to reboot.  He's able to regain focus and reappreciate all that he has.  Knowing a day at the beach was exactly what he needed, we set off Saturday morning down US-80 towards the shore.

It didn't take long once we got settled and had our umbrella up and chairs out that I saw Chris' shoulders relax.  Matthew was down by the water and I decided to take a moment with Chris.  I sat down in the chair next to him, looked at him over my sunglasses and said, "We are truly blessed, no?".  Chris looked back at me and agreed.  For a few moments we looked around at our surroundings and both of us knew without saying a word that this was our reward from God.  Our perserverance, our patience, our constant faith in both each other and in God had paid off and God was finally showing us his splendor.

We've gone through a lot in the last few years.  Being unemployed, moving across country, then moving again.  Looking back, I can see God's handiwork.  I know I've stated this before in previous blog posts but I just can't express my gratitude to the Heavenly Father enough.  He's taken care of us, he's protected us, comforted us, and ultimately rewarded us for our hard work.

Sitting on the beach yesterday was exactly what our family needed to regroup and get recharged.  Yes, a few of us got a little more sunburned than we would have liked but it was well worth it.  To be able to take the time to sit back and watch Matthew exploring his new environment and loving the ocean, building castles in the sand, just seeing him completely happy, that, that is totally worth everything we've gone through. 

Matthew buidling sand castles

Matthew used to tell me that he missed Fort Wayne and yesterday was the first day he told Chris and I that he LOVES it in Savannah.  I'm so glad that he's happy and has become adjusted to his new surroundings.  I think we've all come around, including me.  Just being able to take a day to go as a family and enjoy the beauty of God's creation together, these are my favorite ways to spend my days.  There weren't any worries about money, reports due, employees to hire, grocery shopping, bills to pay, housework, nothing.  We had nothing to worry about but rather everything to be thankful for.

I just can't say it enough, God is Good, All the Time.  With every trial there is trumiph.  God has guided us to Savannah through Chris' promotion, what a glorious opportunity for our family.  How lucky are we?  How blessed are we from the Father above?  How fortunate is Chris to be able to be back working at a landfill, where he is happy (well, most days, ha ha).

It made me smile when we left that we were already discussing when we could go back to Tybee for another wonderful day.  That's the great thing about living here, we can do just that...go to Tybee anytime we want.

Chris & Matthew enjoying some Tybee Time

 God is so Good.  Tybee Time anyone???