an unforgettable fourth...

We set out for a day of fun and relaxation in the Gulf of Mexico. We went out in Doug's 19ft boat and headed out from Back Bay around Ocean Springs/Biloxi area. The seas were a bit rough so we decided to head out to a little local "island" to let the kiddos play a little in the water right across from the Hard Rock Casino.

Toby was loving the water and sand. He thought he would just walk right into the ocean and that is exactly what he did until he would fall face down in the water and come up spitting that nasty salt water out of his mouth and grabbing his tongue.

Carson (sporting his pink lifejacket - thanks Heaven for letting us borrow it) jumping off the boat to Doug...this must have been lots of fun because I swear he did it about 50 times!

Doug and I went to Wal-Mart at 11pm the night before and found the lifejacket for Gage...too cute it is a frog and Gage loved it so much he put it on right when he woke up and even ate breakfast in it...he loved jumping off the boat too!

Gage loved being on the boat and playing in the water. Not a complaint out of this one all day!

Bradley with Carson and Toby heading from our swimming spot to check out the waves and look at a cool house built by an Indian Doctor.

Toby and I sat right infront of where Doug was driving in a nice cushion seat...we had a great view! Toby loved the boat too and took some good naps in my lap while riding.

Well...this is where it turns to "unforgettable"...We looked at the Indian House and the seas were sort of rough. Doug asked if I wanted to see pretty water...I said sure but I want to stay safe. He said we are going then. We will get a little wet with the waves but we will be fine. So after securing my 2 cameras and 2 iPhones...we headed out. It took about and hour to go about the 6 mile distance to Horn Island due to the waves...but it was ok.

We got to play at Horn Island in the water for about 45 minutes and we did have a great time...everyone did.

THEN...the weather cloud that we had been watching started to form up more and more. Several boats started heading in...the guy we were sort of with said lets go too. So we all loaded up and Doug's boat started following Wilson's boat. Something was wrong with our boat...it would not "plane" out and pick up speed...we maxed out at 10mph. Wilson's boat headed on into the storm. We got under the DARK cloud and a very cold wind hit us and Bradley said..."turn around and head back to the island". Brad later told me he felt so helpless...he hates bad weather and more than that he was in a boat in the ocean with his wife and 3 small kids. We did beat the weather back to the island...just barely! Bradley helped us off the boat (me and 3 boys) and got us to shore by then the wind was blowing HARD and the sand was still dry so it was hitting us like little needles and it was hurting bad. Gage was freaking out at that point. I couldn't carry him b/c I already had Toby and Bradley had to go back and get some of our stuff. So I finally convinced Gage to follow me and me and the 3 boys got behind a small bush and hunkered down. Brad brought wet towels and put them behind us and we were ok for a while...we were praying, singing Jesus Loves Me, I've Been Working on the Railroad and any other fun song I could think of, and talking about Heaven and that Sherpa is now living Jesus...I mean we talked about everything! I was just trying to stay calm and keep them calm b/c I did not want them to get scared or see that I was worried. Bradley then showed up with a tarp we use for our canopy and put it over us like a tent to keep our body heat in b/c we were beginning to get more rain and with the wind blowing it makes your VERY cold. By the way...Toby FREAKED out when we put the tarp on us...but I kept praying and singing to them all and he finally calmed down and all 3 fell asleep...answered prayers! While I was doing all of this...Bradley and Doug never got the anchor set for the boat and the wind pushed the boat 5 feet onto the sand. They got behind the boat and road the storm out there. Afterwards about 3 other men helped them push the boat back in the water...then Bradley came and got us and we got in the back of the boat and put the tarp back on us b/c it was cold. It took us 3 1/2 hours to get back into shore and that is with us going to a closer dock and someone bringing us our truck/trailer. At one point we could not go more than 2 mph due to the motor issues...I kept praying that my kids were behave and stay calm...my prayers were once again answered...I could not have had a better 5, 3, and 1 yr old that day!

We got back into the Back Bay and this is the "present" God gave us for the evening...how beautiful is this sunset! We were very tired once Coach Mangum picked us up at the dock. I am just so glad that we were all back safe and sound on dry land.

Doug and Bradley - they are smiling because they can see the dock!