Taking Moments For Memories

Kyle spies something beautiful, wonderful and totally memory worthy! A family that hikes together, plays together and makes the most of their time together!

I have two newsletter articles to write, sleep to catch up on, laundry to sort, and studying to do...but I had to crank out one more blog, hoping that will clear my mind so I can complete my tasks.

I love the fact that we are trying to make it a priority around here to take some moments for making memories. We used to call it Sacred Saturday, when we could actually do something as a family on Saturday...now we take it when we can! It has been a struggle to get out of the house together as a family for a very long time. Mike's grandfather needs round the clock care and so it is virtually impossible, unless we take him with us, to go anywhere together. (Except for those times when someone watches Pop...and we have indeed been blessed from time to time with amazing people who will do just that!)

So on the days that Pop goes to Respite we are making an effort to enjoy one of those days out of the house! Side note here...let me just say how amazing the Council On Aging has been to our Pop and to us. They totally understand the needs of caretakers and how challenging it is. If you are in a situation where you are going to be caring for someone, look them up, they are wonderful!

Anyway, Tomoka State Park is where we chose to go on our first Moment for Memory Making Family Day! It was wonderful..chilly weather for us thinned blooded northerners, but wonderful all the same!

So we head out early in the morning...binocs on, bird book and tree book ready on hand!! It was absolutely beautiful! I think the park is noted for its live oak hammock with arching limbs covered with Spanish moss, resurrection fern and green-fly orchid were spotted as well. Love that as we walked there were rangers walking the trails too, so we could ask questions whenever we had one! We even saw some Florida holly! (So special because of it be so close to Christmas.) I have to say my favorite thing to see was the Florida Bobcat! YES!! Very cool! Couldn't get a picture though! Sorry! Next time..and there will be a next time...here is why:

Super interesting the way these live oaks twist and turn!

Timucuan Indians I'm sure once fished in this very spot!

As we passed through the ancient Timucuan village site of Nocoroco, a once thriving community along the banks of the Tomoka River. We asked our boys to imagine what it might have been like to live here a thousand years ago. We walked where they actually walked, were seeing some of the very same things. Wonderful, fun and educational!


As we were hiking along, really again, with no map or anything, we did come across this statue of Chief Tomokie! Interesting piece of art! You can learn more about The Legend of Chief Tomokie here.
Well, one of our big goals during these memory making moments is to see to it that our eyes begin to reflect our hearts! Psalm 103:4-5 says "He surrounds me with loving-kindness and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things!" That's what I'm talking about! Thank you Lord!

Kyle, Brendan and Shane can spy Mom and Dad...loving every single bit of this time together!!