Beach Bound!

And it's beach time! So excited to kick off the summer season (and work on my sun tan!). Each year it is the Mathes Family Tradition to have the whole gang to North Topsail for a few days of fun in the sun. We came down yesterday and will spend a few days here. Looking forward to some sun, some relaxation, getting some reading in (I bought 2 new books yesterday so I would be prepared!) and some sand and waves.

Memorial Weekend 2009

Memorial Weekend 2008

As a side note... How good was the American Idol finale last night?!? I loved it! It was such a blast from the past having Janet Jackson perform, having the Wonder Year's song (we were only missing Kevin and Winnie!), Carrie Underwood (who by the way is absolutely gorgeous), among others. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was thrilled Lee won! I have a feeling with Simon's departure the show may take a turn for the worse, so I am glad they went out with a bang last night!

The Power of Friendship

"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." -Proverbs 18:24


Friendships are so powerful. They are so important. They give us breath and they give us life. Friends have a way of picking us up when needed the most. A smile. A laugh. A tear. A hug. Whatever is needed. The Lord places people in our lives at different times to meet us right where we are. Some friends are old friends. Some friends are new friends. Some friends are a part of our lives just for a season. But all of these friends share the same value... they are the ones who make our souls blossom. 

I was reminded of the power of friendship this week and am so thankful to have such dear friends in my life. As my husband and I move our family to Columbia, SC, I will miss those people I grew up with being right down the street! I am sure we will form new friendships, however, nothing replaces the power of old friends. 


I have been blessed to have friends scattered far and wide... from right in my hometown, to my dear friends I met at Appalachian State, to those who walked the summer journey with me on Young Life Staff in Minnesota, to those who filled my days with laughter while living in DC and everyone in between. I am thankful for the gift of precious friends. I see no greater gifts than those of friendship, love and laughter. 


I pray that as we move to a new city, I remain close to the people who made me who I am... the people who took me under their wing when I needed it, those who offered a hug or a laugh, a simple nod and tear with understanding. Those precious moments between friends are irreplaceable. Thank you, sweet friends, for you are a gift from above.

Ah!

Finally... a blissful night of sleep! I woke this morning feeling refreshed and excited for a week of things around the house then heading to the beach on Wednesday. Maybe it was due to the headache meds that are finally helping, or maybe it was due to my sweet husband taking care of everything at the house yesterday and letting me lay around, read, relax and have nothing to worry about. Either way, I felt so much better today, and if I had to place my bet on why,  I'm going to go with choice #2. Thank you extra sweet hubs!


We had a general contractor at our house this morning tieing up loose ends to make sure we close on time, so Chloe and I got ready, headed to my mom's house then went to the strawberry patch. Bummer on the strawberry patch front... after all the rain and hot weather, the strawberries are dieing out early this season. We each picked up a basket that had been pre-picked and I grabbed 2 tomatoes for tomato sandwiches. Not a total bust since we walked away with some strawberries then headed off to the park!


On to other exciting news... the Bachelorette premiers tonight and I am so excited to see Ali! I loved her on the Bachelor and am sure I will be sucked into this season because she is just precious! Can't wait to see what's in store! Happy Monday!