It was over a year ago now, we were exploring and hiking in Iceland with our best friends. We had planned and saved and made our way there, excited to be experiencing a new place together. We had heard about this “hidden” hot pool in the middle of the mountains and were ready for our first little expedition to find it. Our online research said it would be an easy 15-minute walk there, a simple trail for all levels of hikers.
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This last week has been really hard. We’ve been home sick with what feels like the plague (AKA hand foot & mouth disease). Eveleigh got it first, and even though adults don’t typically catch it — I am one of the lucky few who did. And then it spread to Cora as well, and well, it’s not been fun, to say the least. And since it’s super contagious we haven’t really left the house at all, and I am going stir crazy. It’s started triggering my wanderlust and making me crave a trip when we’re all feeling better.
But in the meantime, I thought I’d share some photos from our road trip this summer… these are all from our time in Big Sur, which is the most beautiful stretch of coastline I have ever seen. I love living in this beautiful state because there are so many amazing places to visit, most within driving distance (especially if you’re a road trip lover like myself!).
We drove up to Monterey first and spent two nights there, exploring the town and heading north up to Santa Cruz for a short visit. Then we started making our way South to Big Sur, driving through Carmel and stopping at several scenic overlooks to take in the view. We stopped for lunch at the River Inn and then stopped later for coffee at Big Sur Bakery. If we were sans kids I would’ve definitely stayed there a while longer enjoying coffee & dessert and taking it all in. Very charming & definitely worth a stop! Then we stopped off at McWay Falls and hiked the little trail there. Such amazing views & a great short walk with kiddos. We were also planning on stopping off at Pfieffer beach but we couldn’t find the path and the girls were sleeping, so we kept on going and just stopped off at a few more turnouts. We continued to make our way south towards San Simeon, and visited the Elephant Seal Rookery. Eveleigh loved seeing the Elephant Seals & the super friendly squirrels that were there too!
Big Sur was definitely the highlight of our summer road trip! Hoping to post & share some more photos from the rest of our trip soon. :)
Have you ever been to Big Sur? Would love to hear your favorite spots & places to stay, as we hope to visit again soon (I’m thinking like once every two years at minimum ;))
With love,
Monika
What a fun week we had with Aunt Bessie & her boyfriend, Brad, in town! Eveleigh was in heaven, as you can imagine! We went whale watching, kayaking, went to the beach, and soaked up time together! I was a little sleep deprived, as Cora has decided to wake 2-3 times per night (four month sleep regression? I don’t know), but we loved having them here!
As hard as it is living far from our families – I do feel like the time we do have, we make the most out of. Sometimes when you live close to family, I think it’s easy to take them for granted, or not be intentional about your time together. But when we’re all together, we get to squeeze in a years worth of hangouts into one memorable week!
I’m so proud of Bethany and the beautiful woman she is becoming. She was only 7 when Ryan and I started dated, and it has been so sweet watching her grow up. She is so full of joy & laughter and of God’s love. Can’t wait to see all that God has in store for her <3
(^When both kids nap at the same time and it feels like you’re sorta kinda on a date! ?)
Lately we’ve been loving heading south to San Clemente after church. Last Sunday was a particularly beautiful day, and we wanted to soak it up! We had lunch at HH Cottons, which was yummy and surprisingly pretty kid-friendly. Afterwards we walked down to the pier and got some coffee from Bear Coast Coffee. Their lavender infused caramel latte is ridiculously delicious (just writing about it is making me crave one) – I definitely recommend going if you live in Orange County. Then we strolled along the pier and took in the view. I still pinch myself that we get to live here in Southern California. It is just so beautiful!
Hoping for more sunny days soon (we’re in the midst of what we call the “May Gray”) and looking forward to many summer beach days!
Hope you have a beautiful week <3
This season of life is so hectic. Trying to find balance amidst caring for our family, working, and ministry. This month, in particular, has been so busy – our days & nights completely filled up. But amidst the busyness we must find time for rest. My soul needs it. And we need time with one another, to connect and just be. So one night last week we had our friend stay with the girls while we rode our bikes to the beach. We found two palm trees and set up our little travel hammock and watched the sun set together. It was the stuff my dreams are made of. It was so peaceful & relaxing and just what we needed. My idea of a perfect date.
I love this verse in Matthew “...Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me- watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” [Matthew 11:28-30 MSG]
The words that stand out to me are freely & lightly. What a beautiful way to live. I find that I sometimes get overwhelmed by the sheer number of things I am trying to get done each day. But then I will hear The Spirit whisper to me “give to me the first fruits of your time, and you will have plenty.” So I’ve been striving lately to honor that and ease into my day with reading & praying. It’s funny we often view our time with a scarcity mindset (just as with our finances), but I’ve found that if we operate instead out of a place of abundance, there is more than enough. And then I am able to check off my to-do list with a happy, calm spirit instead of an anxious one. This is so freeing for me as I am someone who used to stress out easily, but now, in faith, I can truly live freely & lightly.
Hoping you someone’s somewhere find beautiful, restorative moments of rest throughout your week.
With love,
Monika
