Treats, for sure!

1000 Gifts: Myrtle Beach

#1200: A beautiful end to a wonderful (all-be-it wild & crazy) summer~

 Thank you, Gramoggie & Poppa, for loving us so well!!!

and the list continues....

1000 Gifts: North Myrtle Beach

For the past then years, we've been wrapping up our summer with a trip down south.

The big red bow on many summers full of gifts.

A gift-- from Gramoggie's heart, poured out on us.

... summer's grand finale.

(1055-1082)

Her love of the ocean

and her desire~ that her grandkids may bask in its warmth... every single year

beach houses and over-the-dune wanderings

early morning expeditions

pockets

outdoor showers

sandy carpets, sandy sheets, sand under foot... sand, sand, sand

Hurricane Irene's distant pass... this special beach spared from disaster

big cousin-for-little cousin manicures

an afternoon game of kickball... family style

Poppa's safe arrival

I {heart} you

wide open spaces.. as far as the eye can see

broken bits of shells, itty-bitty shark's teeth, & hunts along the beach for treasures!

a dining room table, big enough for all of us

full bellies and happy hearts

The Clean Plate Club

"Aunt Heather, can I hold your hand?"

a new guitar and starter lessons with Poppa

their grandfather's generosity!

seventeen pelicans, hovering in a row

feathery white clouds, painted across the sky

the song of the seagull... urgent, persistent, & strong

tiny ocean crabs and sand dollars scooped up whole

boy eyes of wonder

life!

His grace... lavished so richly

and His fingerprints over it all... fingerprints marked with LOVE

"I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart;

I will tell of all your wonderful deeds."

Psalm 9:1

and the list goes on...

1000 Gifts: Cape May

Cape May, New Jersey... my mama's old stompin' grounds... a very favorite beach...

and five days together.

Adding to my journal, I count His gifts...

and give thanks for the many, many extravagances He offers... every single day.

Thank you, Lord...

For your beautiful creation.

For special times and special people.

For treasures untold,

And the gift of your love.

(#1030-1054)

The sunken ship

Photos in front of it and many, many guesses... when will it sink out of sight?

A climb on the rocks

A jump in the sea

Together

Early morning walks

The quiet surf

Dolphin-play

And the cry of the gulls

Sunrise

Waves for splashing

Sand for digging

Toes for burying

Shells for collecting

Buckets for filling

Shovels for scooping

Kites for flying

Hands for holding

Cousins

Grandparents

Siblings

And dad

Family traditions

Heritage

Abundance

"Now, our God, we give you thanks,

and praise your glorious name."

1 Chronicles 29:13

and the list goes on...