Treasure Island

We've been on our little gulf island paradise for 19 days now and we are really starting to settle in. Lily and I are just getting over being sick (somehow Dan managed to escape!) and we are starting to enjoy the crisp air and the quiet days. It's the perfect time to recharge as a family for the busy year that lay ahead of us. With Dan being in school and me working a couple of days a week we never really have large amounts of quality time to spend as a family so this has really turned out to be quite a blessing. Renovations on our house are moving along, we are trying not to think about it too much and just enjoy every day, every moment of quiet uncomplicated life that we are living right now. Well not entirely uncomplicated, a family of three living in one room within our family's house can have it's challenges but it can also have it's perks. Dan and I sat down as our day was winding down to reflect on the day's events and both came to the conclusion that it was the perfect day. We woke in the morning with lots of hustle and bustle in the house, we had company and we all sat down to a big breakfast together, soon the house emptied as guests went home and my parents went off to work. We spent the rest of the day making Christmas treats, reading, drinking tea, going for a walk to the beach and then making a chicken pot pie from scratch for dinner. The weather outside was crisp but there was just the right amount of sun and no wind. Ideal for the perfect family beach walk, we brought our camera to document the amazing things you are sure to encounter on a walk on this amazing island and tried to slow down and take in the breathtaking scenery all around. These walks into nature create such a quiet, calm and peaceful mood within our family and it is amazing to see how much Lily is affected by the crisp air and the magic of outdoor life. She normally spends her days running around the house picking up everything she sees and exclaiming "wassat?" or "wassis?" and busily exploring. On these walks into nature she is quiet and reflective, she doesn't say much, just looks and takes in the treasures all around. We feel blessed not only to be surrounded by these treasures that nature has left us, but also the treasure of our family that surrounds us. Don't you ever feel like you are the luckiest people on earth?