Beach Music...

Heard from Matthew this morning as he woke up to his first full day of a week's vacation with family at a condo in Gulf Shores, AL. He's been to beaches before, but was too little to really remember them. This time he's living la vida loca - or at least the life of a totally relaxed beach bum! He and his Aunt Phyllis and Uncle Jim arrived about 10PM last night and before heading to the condo stopped to make a nearby Wal-mart run (of course!) They walked on the beach at midnight, and since his room has a balcony facing the water and is literally a stone's throw away from it he left his sliding glass door open just a bit and fell asleep to the soothing cadence of the waves - ahh!!! During our phone conversation he held his cell phone up so I could hear the ocean and I kid you not, if I could have figured out some way to transport myself there immediately I would have! It is absolute torture counting down the days until Hubby and I join Matthew and others for our week in paradise.

Different family members will be coming and going from the condo over the next four weeks. It is a 3-story structure and should accommodate all of us with plenty of space and privacy, though no doubt a lot of time will be also be spent hanging out together on the patio or the beach. Daughter-in-law Lynne has gone back to work after her maternity leave but I am really hoping Christopher will be able take some time away from his business to join us with our darling baby grandson Liam during the week we are there. Matthew will get to enjoy some time with our great-nephew Deacon this week - at 15 months D-Man is going to have a ton of fun!

Until it is time to head that direction, I'll just have to start packing the shorts, capris, and swimsuit. And to get in the mood I shall surround myself with "all things beachy" - surf-scented candles and bath products, delicate decorative shells, beach-themed books, and of course...a little beach music...