Just thought I’d pop in for a minute! Our escape has been so wonderful and I am so thankful for the time that we’ve had together as a family. I took this picture a couple hours ago from the deck of the house that we will live in this summer. We are staying here this weekend and I am so excited about the memories we will make this summer and I’m hopeful that they won’t involve children falling off the dock or sting rays! I don’t know if you can see Justin, Morgan and Rover on the dock… it dwarfs them, doesn’t it? I can’t be for sure, but the dock may be bigger than the house. They were setting a crab trap and maybe, just maybe, tomorrow morning I can report on a successful trapping a few tasty little blue crabs. The kids are all tucked in to what will be their bedrooms this summer and they are absolutely on cloud nine. I look forward to bringing y’all with us this summer and I also look forward to a high-speed internet connection so I can upload the rest of my pictures from this past week to share with y’all!
I also wanted to say ‘thank you’ for your support of Big House and the swimsuit drive for Alabama’s foster children. If you are interested in helping but haven’t yet… Old Navy is having a flash sale for 4 hours tomorrow (Saturday) from 7am to 11am! All swimsuits will be 60% off! This would be a perfect opportunity to support these precious foster children!
And… thank you, also for all the book recommendations! My goodness you all sure had a lot of books for me, we must be kindred spirits because a lot of what you recommended I’ve already read… and loved! I ended up loading the first of the Hunger Games books… and I must say, it’s a page turner but not like anything I’ve ever read before! Earlier this week, I was sitting outside on the deck reading, the wind was blowing when all of the sudden a door slammed behind me and I nearly jumped out of my chair… Katniss was high in a tree, and I thought for sure the slamming door was her falling out! I’m not sure I won’t have to be on blood pressure medication before I finish this first book!
Goodnight!
Kate
April 15, 2011 at 10:03 pmWhat a lovely view. Good luck with the crabs!
cat moore
April 15, 2011 at 10:10 pmbeautiful picture! I want you to give me photography lessons this summer. 🙂 have a great weekend and still haven’t figured out the name of the book about raising boys. but, you may have read it. I think it’s called “bringing up boys”….maybe…..
Abbie {bright eyes + blue eyes}
April 15, 2011 at 10:21 pmGlad you found a house! Hope it’s a great summer for your family. Sounds like a fun adventure.
sherene
April 15, 2011 at 10:54 pmEnjoy your summer vacation, kids are having a great time, what a perfect get away. :))
Jessica
April 15, 2011 at 11:37 pmWhat a beautiful picture! Glad to hear you are enjoying your ‘new’ place. Can’t wait to see pictures!
Amy
April 16, 2011 at 5:12 amWhat a beautiful photo. I am so glad you punted your crew out on the dock. I would have missed them since I was so intrigued by the beautiful lights you captured around the dock. I am glad y’all had a great spring beak andI look forward to hearing about your summer at this place. 🙂
Amy
April 16, 2011 at 5:13 amWhat a beautiful photo. I am so glad you pointed your crew out on the dock. I would have missed them since I was so intrigued by the beautiful lights you captured around the dock. I am glad y’all had a great spring beak andI look forward to hearing about your summer at this place. 🙂
Melissab74
April 16, 2011 at 7:10 amWhat a GORGEOUS view! I know y’all are going to have a great time this summer!
Kaela
April 16, 2011 at 7:44 amYou are right about the book causing high blood pressure. I was really caught up in, but had to go to work – so what’s a girl to do? I peeked at the ending! Between crabs and reading, I couldn’t imagine a better summer, enjoy your deck time!
Whitney
April 16, 2011 at 7:48 amI bet the house is darling. You’re sure to make sweet memories this summer! The photo is beautiful!
Melanie
April 16, 2011 at 8:13 amOH MY GOODNESS! What a gorgeous shot! I cannot wait to live vicariously through you as I will be landlocked in GA all summer:)
LeighAnn Alexander
April 16, 2011 at 9:33 amI am so excited for you that you discovered The Hunger Games! One of the best reads in a long time for me! Now you can have them all read before the movie comes out :)! ENJOY!!!
Lindsey
April 16, 2011 at 9:58 ami am really happy that the house is such a good fit for you guys but am a little sad that you’ll be there more than here:(. maybe we can sleep on the dock:). miss you guys. come home soon!
Chandra
April 16, 2011 at 2:43 pmBeautiful picture!!!!!!!!!!! Eat lots of crab for me!!
Lauren
April 16, 2011 at 3:22 pmYou will love The Hunger Games–I read all 3 in 5 days. Totally addicting and very suspenseful!
Lien from Woodbridge, VA
April 16, 2011 at 3:43 pmDarby,
Your photos are absolutely amazing. Can you tell me what type of lens you used to take the pic of your three kids on the beach? I have never seen colors so vibrant and clear. Also, what type of setting? I have a NIKON D40X and wish I had gotten a camera like your’s.
I just love reading your blogs….so inspiring to me.
Lien
The Monogrammed Mrs.
April 16, 2011 at 5:28 pmLooks like a great escape for the summer. Maybe I could come stay for a week. I cook and clean and am great with children. Ha ha.
Amanda thrasher
April 16, 2011 at 5:50 pmRead the whole hunger games trilogy in a week–nothing like I”d ever read either. Great report from rental.
JulieJ
April 16, 2011 at 7:46 pmI’m absolutely STEWING in jealousy over that view! The beautiful Gulf is one of my favorite places on the planet. I can’t wait to follow along with your adventures this summer 😀
*Julie
Chris
April 16, 2011 at 10:00 pmLooking forward to following you this summer. The Hunger Games is a good series. I read the first book while I was on a mission trip in Kenya last summer. What a back drop for reading that particular book – with all the hungry people around me….
Cheryl
April 16, 2011 at 11:42 pmI’m so excited that you’re reading The Hunger Games!!! 🙂
Erin
April 17, 2011 at 12:33 amBeautiful picture. I will be living vicariously through you this summer. 🙂 Thanks for all the wonderful content.
~Erin~
melissadale
April 17, 2011 at 8:05 amDarby, when you get a minute would you please post some of the book recommendations you received from readers?
Chrissy
April 17, 2011 at 8:24 amWho is Katniss? Scary that you thought someone fell out of a tree!
cousin
April 17, 2011 at 9:15 amGorgeous!! I’m so excited we decided to come there for our getaway! The view is amazing! I bet the crew is so excited to get to spend there summer there! Can’t wait to see you all! XOXO
cousin
April 17, 2011 at 9:16 amthat would be their:)
michele
April 17, 2011 at 2:41 pmOur 15 year old son says the best trilogy he has ever read. Got us on them!
Regan
April 17, 2011 at 6:23 pmYou are in for a very good trilogy read with The Hunger Games. Enjoy!
Bobi Bobbitt
April 17, 2011 at 7:21 pmHow exciting, Darby!! What a fun summer adventure for you and your cute family!! I will also be living vicariously through you this summer as I follow your blog from here in NC! Looks like y’all chose a great spot, just beautiful!!
Carol
April 17, 2011 at 8:54 pmI had the craziest dreams in the world about the Hunger Games, made even more vivid by the fact that I was at the end of pregnancy when I read them. I tried to read something else just before bed, because I was so wound up by the whole thing. Enjoy – it is an intense ride.
melody
April 17, 2011 at 10:47 pmThe Hunger Games series are SUCH a great read!! Looks like an amazing place to spend the summer!
Terrie
April 25, 2011 at 6:52 amHi! I love reading your blog! I am eager to see what you think about The Hunger Games. It was recommended to me by several people and the reviews were great. I am about 60% through and I am totally disgusted and appalled. I will finish it because I am hoping it ends well. I cannot imagine kids – it is geared toward young adults – reading and loving this. I know I am in the minority here. Just curious what you thought about it.
Lisa
April 26, 2011 at 11:40 pmAlthough I am a regular reader, I have never commented on your blog before, but as soon as I read this sentence I knew I had to jump in:
“This would be a perfect opportunity to support these precious foster children!”
I have spent many years representing foster children in their legal proceedings in my home state (in Maryland foster children are entitled to an attorney during their entire stay in the foster care system). Rarely, and I am so sad to say this, are foster children described as “precious” – instead they are often called challenging, difficult, un-attached, needy, disrespectful and more. It is heartbreaking. To me they are children, just children, most of who have been through trauma that most of us will never experience in our lifetimes let alone during childhood. So, I just needed to stop in and say “thank you” for seeing foster children for what they are – “precious”. Bless you, Darby.