When life gives you a leak, sometimes it also gives you the ocean.
In the chaos of being displaced from our home, we found ourselves gifted with a perspective we didn’t know we needed. Five rentals, countless walks, and an oceanfront backdrop turned our misfortune into an unforgettable experience.
Nature’s Showstopper: Sea Life and Sunsets
Our time by the beach was nothing short of magical. We’ve lived over 45 years (we even celebrated 45 and 46 while in the rentals) on this planet, but I swear we saw more dolphins in these four months than in our entire lives. There was even a seal—Sam, as we affectionately named him—who bobbed by a few times as if checking in on us.
Then came the day. Dolphins everywhere! So many, so active, we joked that SeaWorld must be jealous. It was like being at a marine life parade, complete with leaps, splashes, and our delighted gasps. And sunsets? We witnessed ones so spectacular they felt like paintings, with Skott even catching the elusive “green flash” twice. (I’m still waiting for my turn, but it’s now on my bucket list.)
Discovering Local Gems
One of the biggest perks of living by the beach was exploring Oceanside in a way we never had before. We discovered:
Tanner’s Prime Burgers: The burger joint of our dreams. Seriously, they might have ruined us for all other smash burgers. If you're a fan of smash burgers these are awesome, one of the founders is a three-star Michelin Chef so you better believe they are pretty darn good.
Parlor Doughnuts: The best donuts ever. Don’t argue until you’ve tried them!
The Seabird Hotel Veranda: A perfect Saturday spot for cocktails and views and where we found some inspo for our new flooring!
The Sunset Market: Just one street down from one of our rentals, it became a Thursday tradition.
Being able to walk almost everywhere added to the charm. It felt freeing to simply grab the pups and go, whether it was to the market, the beach, or just down the street to grab a coffee.
Embracing Minimalism (Kind of)
Living in rentals made us reexamine how much “stuff” we actually need. Spoiler alert: not much. It turns out I can survive without seasonal pillow covers, a billion throws, and that drawer full of scraps I insist I’ll “use someday.” The chaos of packing and unpacking taught me that simpler is better.
Skott and I agree—there’s a lot we won’t be rushing to replace when we’re back home. Well, except towels, you can never have enough towels when your house has a leak.
Bentley and Zoey: Beach Dogs in Training
Our Bernedoodles, Bentley and Zoey, thrived during this time. It was their first experience with the ocean, and let me tell you—they’re hooked! They learned to navigate off-leash beach adventures like pros and grew more social with every walk. They’ve come to love this life of freedom, and honestly, so have we.
Finding Gratitude Amid Chaos
Every night, as I fell asleep to the sound of crashing waves, I couldn’t help but feel thankful. The ocean breeze, the sunsets, the simple joys of walking more, and the constant reminder of God’s provision kept us grounded. This planet is His masterpiece, and even in the chaos, there’s beauty to be found.
Living beachside wasn’t the plan, but it became the unexpected blessing we didn’t know we needed. The waves taught us to flow with life’s uncertainties, the sunsets reminded us to savor fleeting moments, and our time here reminded us that we are always provided for.
Take a moment today to look around—what silver linings can you find in your own unexpected situations? Share your stories with us in the comments, or tag us on Instagram at @NestfulLife and or @TheHumbleHearthstone. We’d love to hear how you’re finding blessings in the chaos.
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