I’m exhausted, crawling into bed before my big Marathon Life 15 mile training run tomorrow morning. And although I’m tired from spending the past two days at the beach with the kids on our little mini vacation, I am also so grateful. It brought back all the memories of when I used to pack the kids up those first two years after my husband left, back when the kids and I were still trying to adjust to our new like with just me at the helm. I’d pack bottles, lunches, clothes, toys and in like thirty minutes I’d just throw it in the car before the girls nap time. I’d hop in the car and drive the two hours to the Oregon Coast while they everyone passed out and I got some much needed quiet time (read my post from then about our fist solo beach trip Saturday). It was so much work back then, oh man! I’d only have enough money for gas to get out there and back, so we never had the luxury of getting a hotel to relax and spend the night. Or the luxury of eating out when we were there, it was good enough for us that we got to go.
Our first night at the beach
This was our first little trip in a while, about a year I guess and it was one of those moments where I really took in how fast the kids are growing up. Kanen was big enough to help pack and unpack the car, take his sisters downstairs in the morning for the continental breakfast, and even walk back the block to our hotel from the beach. And the girls could last all day without getting cranky like they used to when they were smaller. They all pitched in, pulled their weight and for the first time I got to kinda kick back… but yes I’m still exhausted! But it felt good, to be able to take them to the beach and get a hotel and be able to do the fun tourist things we never could do before, and eat out and all of that. It was a great reminder of how far we’ve come, and a reminder to never lose sight of were we started. That’s always been my Hustle; my kids, and to be able to provide this kinda life for them. But sometimes when you’re in the middle of living life, and hustelin’ you forget to stop and appreciate how far you’ve come.
I never want to lose sight of where we started and what brought about my Hustle, but I also want to learn to find a new Hustle and be ok with letting that survival one go. It sounds crazy but that’s been a struggle for me. I’ve always known struggle my entire life. It’s what I’m comfortable with, it’s made me scrappy and a survivor, but now I want to keep thriving and let that survival instant begin to fade because I think as long as I cling to it I’ll always create an environment where I will need to survive, and I don’t want that. This is the reason I refer to our Life Plan as a life long journey. It’s not a destination, it’s about always being present enough in our lives that we recognize when it’s time to move to the next level, and expand our Plan.
Sometimes it’s good to take a moment like I did these past few days and let it all sink in. I was reading some of my older posts from when the kids were small like my first Life’s a Beach post and man all I can say is… time flies. And no mater where you are in your journey or even your struggle, take the time to enjoy your life. Take time to spend with your kids and create memories with them, even if it is exhausting. It’s so worth it. And that attitude brings more things to be grateful for and more moments to enjoy. It goes by so fast, let me tell you, and I’ll never regret the time I took to spend with my kids even if it’s a struggle to make it happen. Cheers to all you moms and dads out there makin’ the effort to spend time with your kids and cherish the moments.
Read Life’s a Beach! from a few years ago.
Author | Life Coach | Motivational Speaker and single mama. I'm a chick on a mission to prove anything is possible for ANYONE. My story featured in the New York Times, Steve Harvey Show and NBC.
Great post Sarsh love watching your kids grow.
I wish someone would take me to the beach! You all looked as if you were having such a good time riding around on that vehicle. I remember the time I rode one when I was eight years old and we lived in Miami. Miss being a kid especially during summer.