August 5th marked our 4th annual Adventure Group Mom’s Weekend at the Beach.   I escaped with 4 amazing women {names have been changed to protect the guilty innocent} ☺…..

Pep, who is so full of energy, she pulsates; the Princess, who is reinventing herself and her life; Pollyanna, who believes the best of everything and everyone; a Practical Planner, who is the queen of details; and me.

Rain drops drizzled on the windshield as we pulled in and noticed the welcome sign.
Sigh.   {Good sigh.} Pollyanna thinks of everything!

Although we hoped for good weather, no one really minded.  We had made it; arranged child care, transportation, and actually left our homes (a feat in and of itself).  Left for a time to relax, refresh, rejuvenate, and unwind.  No one to clean up or cook for except each other.  It is like being purposely unplugged.

Coming here stops the electricity of our lives; phones  (well, all but one of us 🙂, computers, laundry, etc.. for a spell.  It is like a hiccup once a year.  Catching a breath in the craziness of who we are, homeschooling, and life.   The timing made perfect as school is about to start.

The rain allowed time for thrift store shopping.  You really get to know about your girlfriends when you do that.  The thrill of the hunt made for an entertaining morning.  It deepens relationships the more we spend time together without interruptions from kids.  We laughed ourselves to tears.
Over the years, we have prayed for and encouraged each other.    I value these women.  We sharpen each other.

And then the sun came out…
I can’t remember the last time I read a novel cover to cover, uninterrupted.  Lounging on the beach and listening to the surf was calming…….  Harmonizing my breath to its coming in and going out.

Inhale.  Exhale.

Not having to watch ever so closely to little ones near the waters edge was freeing.   I could just close my eyes….

We played in the waves and heard the whitecaps and foam utter, “SSSSShhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh”.  It’s like the sea was in on it too, this rhythm of slowing down.

We walked and talked, the pier the prize.

And then, just as quickly as it came, the weekend was over.

Saying goodbye to the sand, surf, and sisters was hard!  We were tired (a good tired) and made the 4 hour trek back to our families, responsibilities, and things to do lists.

Absence made my heart grow fonder.
I departed for home with renewed strength, a fresh perspective and an improved attitude of, “Bring it on!”