A Birthday Well Spent

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

James 1:17

 It seems like our family is living the old Dutch proverb these days ~ The hurrier I go, the behinder I get. : )

We are dreadfully late in wishing Ray a Happy Birthday, but it's better late than never!  His birthday was spent out in a little cabin situated within 100 yards of the Neuse River.  Beautiful!

Look what I caught for supper! : )

After lunch, most of us went out to Atlantic Beach.  Daddy and Sara continued to work on a project at Freedom Baptist Church.

The day was perfect.  Warm enough to be comfortable, but cold enough that the beach wasn't crowded.

Mom, Christina, and Allison took a couple crackers along so they could make friends with the seagulls.  After getting her finger bit, Christina decided to be a bit more cautious.

Atlantic Beach

The main purpose for our visit to the beach was so Ray could go surf fishing....a venture he had never undertaken.

Such vastness!

We soon figured out that we didn't have to have anything to feed the birds.  All we had to do was lift our hand as if to feed them, and they would flock around us.

The warm sun, the waves rolling up onto the shore, the sand beneath our feet, the breeze gently blowing on our faces....God's beautiful creation enveloped us with such peaceful serenity.

As Ray fished, the rest of us splashed around in the edge of the water.

Waiting for the big one....

Can you guess who is who?

Just as we finished the "feet" picture, a wave came rolling in catching a few off guard.  This is the true meaning of a "snap shot".

Just having fun....

Just because you're only ankle deep doesn't mean it's not going to get deeper....

Still waiting...

Hey, wait!...

I caught one!

Flounders are really neat to look at!

Both eyes on one side...

...and nothing on the other!

Weird! : )

A happy Ray and his catch of the day.

Sandy feet!  What fun!  Allison was ready for a raft and a chance to ride the waves, but better wait til next time.

"Just us Girls"

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."

Psalm 100:4-5

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That evening, some friends made a birthday cake for Ray.  We were going to have some fun with trick candles, but as everyone watched intently so as not to miss him huffing and puffing to blow the candles out, Ray calmly licked his fingers and pinched the flames out.  Oh, Ray!  Silly you! : )

For the record, they relit the candles, and he did blow them out that time.

 

 Happy Birthday, Ray!  We Love You!