Each year is a gift.

Each year is another chance to live and love and dream.

Each year is another chance to give. To explore and try new things. To laugh and sing and dance and act-a-fool. To live simply. To stand in awe of the Creator and His creations.

Each year, I hope to be better than the last.

This year, I spent my birthday weekend with my absolute favorite of His creations, amidst even more of His beauty. Camping in the woods with a couple of crazies and one bearded mountain man isn’t exactly glamorous. But, it’s my life. And it’s my birthday. And I DO WHAT I WANT, OK.

Also, we didn’t go very far from home. So, don’t get any ideas. We’re not super hardcore wilderness folk. Between Helen and Hiawassee is a little nugget in the Chattahoochee National Forest, known as Andrews Cove. That’s where we pitched our tent. And built our fires. And roasted our marshmallows. You get it.

There are around 10-ish campsites available. Each unique and very well shaded. No showers, only toilets. But, that wasn’t a big deal for us because we arrived Friday afternoon and left on Sunday morning. And we’re a happy mixture of rednecks, city folks, and dirty hippies. So, it’s whatever.

See what I mean?

The weather last weekend was crazy perfect for fire building and coffee sippin’! So, Friday night as soon as we arrived, Brian got to work.

And Saturday morning, this was my view. I certainly didn’t hate it.

Morning Brooke.

Morning Jet.

Morning pyros.

Fun to note…The little road around all the campsites is paved, which is so great for bike riding. This kid was non-stop.

This little gem was literally right at our campsite. Yep, kids in the water in North Georgia. In September. In longsleeves. We’re those parents.

What would a camping trip be without a little guitar strumming? It wouldn’t be a camping trip with the Buffs, that’s for sure.

When you’re trying to be all creative and impress the squirrels with your mad guitar skills and the kids won’t keep sticks out of the fire or they keep accidentally on purpose sitting in the cold water in the creek, sometimes you have to take action. And when those (obviously rare) instances happen to occur, I typically resort to challenging the kids to build “bug houses.” It keeps them busy for a while, and sometimes brings about some knock-down-drag-out friendly competition. Of course they were each kind enough to photograph their houses on their own. Elle actually left you a couple of little clues in her photos, so you’ll know whose is whose and what’s what.

A big part of the camping experience that we’ve come to appreciate is the break it provides from technology. We had absolutely no phone service at our campsite. And I didn’t hate it. Neither did the kids.

I’m not supermom, so I didn’t pack any board games or a bunch of toys. These guys championed on. They made up their own board game with a few art supplies from their backpacks. Now, I don’t know that Jet’s going to get a contract with Mattel anytime soon, but it was certainly entertaining. We laughed and answered crazy questions and just made up stuff when we didn’t know the real answers (don’t tell the kids).

And we took iPhone selfies. Because I didn’t bring my camera. On purpose. Again, it’s my birthday. I do what I want.

We’re not exactly hunters, but we did discover that Elle is quite the gatherer. She gathered SO MANY fallen sticks with so much gusto. A hard worker, this one. The entire weekend.

Also, this guy started a fire on his own. So, there’s that.

I AM MAN. HEAR ME ROAR.

And just like that, a weekend is gone. Do what you can with what you have (Roosevelt). And what we have is time. What I choose to do with it can change me. It can change you. It can change the world.

But, seriously, guys! Do you even know how much I love to talk and share about our trips and adventures? ALL THE THINGS. Good and bad. If you have questions or want some tips about heading out and doing some exploring of your own, buy me a cup of coffee and I’ll TELL YOU. Just kidding, I’ll buy my own coffee. But, coffee must be involved or I’m not coming. Kidding again. But, seriously.

xo | Brooke