Day 1060 Fourth of July

 

My usual Fourth of July cookout at home and walk to the local fireworks was replaced this year by a day at the beach and a night filled with fireworks over the water. With a house full of family, rolling with the flow and shifting to Plan B has become a daily necessity.

The weather was perfect for a beach day, and after packing up enough snacks to last a week at sea, we had no reason to leave. It turned into a solid ten-hour day on the sand. Once the sky darkened, fireworks surrounded us. We could see them in the distance from every direction and right up close on the beach—some so near they definitely pushed us into the danger zone a few times.

Normally, we cook at home and walk to the local field, joining hundreds, if not thousands, of people for the show. But at the beach, we were among no more than fifty others, spoiled by access to a private beach club. I even managed to sneak in a quick nap, though I was still exhausted by the end of the night.

Endless meals, dishes, and laundry keep me on my toes with a house full of guests. Tim and I have grown so used to our quiet life—just the two of us—that the full house we once called normal now feels a bit overwhelming at times. Still, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I love having as much family visit as often as possible. I just wish that when the whole crew is here, the house was a little bigger—maybe a great room for entertaining and an extra-large dining table to fit everyone.

All in all, it was a Fourth of July to remember. The change of pace, the laughter, the chaos—it reminded me how lucky we are to have a family that makes even Plan B feel like the best possible plan.