Windy Beach

Thursday we got to spend the day with Jer at the beach and we tried our luck walking down to the sand to attempt flying kites, there was plenty of wind so one would assume that meant it would be great to fly some kites. Turns out, there is such thing as too much wind, those poor kites almost got destroyed. And Hailey Taylor and I had to stay up at the turnaround because the gusts were whipping the sand around and it blasted the little girls in the eyes, Payden and Lincoln figured out how to handle it the short time we were out. Then Hailey decided to try and make her way to daddy...poor thing was determined! She had her hood pulled down in front of her face and made it nearly half way then lost her bearings and had to retreat.

Then we gave up and headed to the carousel. As soon as we started walking from the sand the rain started DUMPING on us...luckily there was some construction going on and we had a cover to walk under then we darted into the arcade to wait out the worst of it.
The kids enjoyed the ride-on cars except for Taylor we quickly found out she has a fear of the cars once they start moving...she wanted nothing to do with the ridiculous things. Her facial expressions kill me, she has this insta-pout that clearly communicates how offended she is when we tell her no about something, or she isn't enjoying whatever activity is taking place.
The carousel got ridden and then we went back to the hotel for some promised swimming. Based on how much they enjoyed themselves I am already excited about the swimming that will take place this summer! Taylor and I went back to the room so she could nap and then the big kids and daddy swam until we had to pack up and check out. We went up to Gearhart and drove out on the beach, the kids thought that was quite crazy and adventurous of us...meanwhile I was having an anxiety attack...who knew. I love stuff like that but with all of our precious children in the car I was sure a sneaker wave was going to come up and sweep us all away. We had dinner with a friend that we hadn't seen in a really long time and then headed home.

It was a strange feeling the next day after we heard about the earthquake in Japan and the Tsunami warning on the Oregon coast knowing we were driving on the very beach that was being evacuated not 12 hours later. My anxiety might not have been all that unwarranted after all! That being said, the images from Japan, the catastrophe, destruction and devastation are heartbreaking and we pray for the grieving families, and the wounded. I was glued to the TV watching all morning just completely burdened and blown away. I feel inadequate because I don't know what to do, but I know the One who does and only He can truly comfort in times like this.