Lake Life

I love the water! I love being in the water! I love boats! I love beaches! I love sunshine!

Can you tell I just got back from camping at the lake where I spent all day every day out either on the water or at the beach? Yes, sleeping beside a one year old in a tent is not ideal but it progressively got better throughout the week. That was really the only downside. Caleb did great on the boat with his lifejacket, which was more like a straightjacket. At the start of the week I was a little concerned because he did not seem to like the water at all. The only thing he liked less than the water was the sand on the beach. What are you suppose to do with a one year old who doesn't like the water or the beach when you are camping at the lake? Seriously! The good news is that by the last day he was walking around on the sand and right in to the water! Hurray! Progress! The other bonus about the week at the lake... this girl got to try her hand at wake boarding! I have never had a water sport come so naturally! I was up on my first try; moving over the wake by my third try; and landing jumps by my fourth try! Looks like '15 years' of snowboarding comes  with transferable skills! Who knew? I can't wait for next summer to work on my tricks!

One thing you should note though is that this love of the water has been quite a journey. I took swimming lessons when I was little and went to the pool to play around but I didn't grow up on the water like a lot of people did. Yes, I live within an hour of the ocean and many lakes but we didn't really go. My dad grew up waterskiing every weekend but for whatever reason they stopped once us kiddos came along (sad day I know). I learned to waterski when I was 22. I was in Hawaii on a Habitat for Humanity trip through university when I got an email with a picture of the boat my dad bought. I knew that my dad use to waterski but I never really gave it much thought until he bought the boat and I came to realize how much he really loved it. Then I married my husband who is one of those people I just mentioned. He literally grew up on the water. His childhood home was on lake front property. He had a beach in his backyard. He was a lifeguard too. Matt is comfortable everywhere but a dance floor; however, I think he is the most at home in the water. Seriously, he does not stop smiling when he's being pulled behind a boat. Then again, he smiles most of the time he's out playing but still his smile is noticeably bigger when it involves water! My love of the water has really developed over the last five years. Wait, let me clarify. I have always loved boats and being ON the water. My love for being IN the water has developed over the last five years. After taking an aquatics class in university, I honed my swimming skills and actually began to enjoy swimming. I took a lot of activities classes for my degree and aquatics was the only class that when I left, I was worn out. Three hours in the water including a 20-40 minute fitness swim every class would do that to a person. It was great because I learned everything one needs to know to become a lifeguard without taking the certification tests (the instructor I had wasn't certified to certify us). Needless to say, my confidence in the water skyrocketed. Even though I could swim okay, I was still afraid of what else was in the water. It doesn't help that I love sharks and watch every documentary show about them. I respect them and understand their power. I have a healthy fear of them and would love to see one in the wild. There are just so many other things that could harm me in the ocean. Needless to say I am still working through my fear of open water but with more experience snorkelling, I think I'll have it mastered soon enough or at least manageable. I enjoy snorkelling close to shore and in water where I can see what's around me. An ex-boyfriend took me snorkelling in cold, murky water on a rough day, right after I watched shark week and I freaked out! I may have had more water inside my snorkel mask than outside. As a bridal shower gift, my in-laws bought us snorkel gear to take with us when we went on our honeymoon to Turks and Caicos. I was a little better then and got much better by the time we joined them for Christmas in the Bahamas. All I need is a few more trips to tropical locations so I can practice and I think I'll be set. (subtle hint I know)

Well I'm off to work on a project for Caleb's room. I'm really unhappy with it right now so hopefully it will all turn around and I will actually post pictures of the gorgeous finished product.

With Joy!