So, we just got back from a family vacation to Florida. We started giving our kids “experience” gifts for Christmas last year (a trip to Florida) and we loved it so much we gave them the same gift this past Christmas.

Anyway, it was a beautiful week and we soaked up as much sun as possible to take back to frozen Iowa.

But, it was a vacation with five kids which equals a lot of unpredictable. This vacation included four of our five kids having fevers most of the week. Ugh.

So, we hunkered down in our beautiful vacation rental house, bought groceries, and gave the kids lots of screen time. I read books on the deck, we swam in the pool, and took well kids on walks.

We had planned on this being a low key vacation…it just ended up being more low key then planned.

The last couple days we were able to go to our favorite ice cream shop and see the sunset on the beach (two of our favorite things). We played pool together and swam together and watched movies together. Dustin and I were even able to sneak away a couple times for coffee and a walk on the beach. And those are the sweet moments I’m choosing to remember and focus on.

But those sweet moments were just that…moments.

Rotten attitudes, sibling squabbles, selfish behavior…those all came with us on vacation too. There were times when D and I would look at each other and wonder why on earth we did this.

I often have to do battle in my own heart and remember that all of these moments with those I love are valuable. The fun times of laughter….and the times of discipline. Those picture perfect moments (which are few and far between) and confronting sinful hearts.

I have to continually redirect my own thinking about what I want our time together to look like and see that each moment is a gift and an opportunity to not only try to point my kiddos to Christ…but to turn my own mind and heart too.

So, whether I’m on a beautiful beach or in my own living room, my intention should be the same…not for idyllic family moments…but for hearts to turn to God.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”.                        1 Corinthians 10:31