A Surprise Date

 

I've always said [well, maybe about 5 times in my life], if you want to be a doctor you have to learn  how to be. To be a teacher you must learn how to be, an electrician, you get the point. Many professions in life you have to learn how do accomplish them.

Shouldn't it be the same in your marriage? Your most important relationship. 

I like to study and continuously learn and I believe most couples reach out for help in crisis mode, but why wait until crisis mode to learn healthy marriage habits. So, I found a Christian marriage retreat. It would serve as a fun weekend away, learn something new, and always strengthen our marriage.

When we both finally figured our schedules out, the marriage retreat was SOLD OUT. In fact, another won't be local for five months. With my heart set on an out of town trip and my excitement to learn something new pulled out from underneath my feet, I deferred to another mantra I've said a few times in life, "Out smart, out think, out last!" 

So, I created our own marriage retreat. 

Searching for a marriage book to read together, I discovered something far greater. Audible!! A lot of the books on Amazon come in a version where the book you want is read to you. Audible is FREE for the first 30 days. And, I managed to get 2 free credits, which bought me two FREE books. 

With an out of town road trip needed, I made reservations, created clues for David, and had our day trip agenda firmed:

           7:30 a.m.        Depart our home, off to a delicious breakfast I had two FREE passes to use. 

           8:45 a.m.        Stop at Starbucks for an autumn beverage for our road trip. FREE using gift cards

           9:00 a.m.        Autumn beverages in hand, address put into navigation, we were off on a 2.5 hour road trip. This is where our Audible Christian marriage book played for 1.5 hours and we had another hour to discuss many topics, come up with an action plans to practice healthy tools to apply to our marriage. 

         12:00 p.m.        Arrive in Hocking Hills State Park, we were off on the "X" Tour 3-hour Zip Line Tour!!!! He was THRILLED! We zipped at one point 80 feet high through trees, up to 45 miles per hour, and our favorite was riding the zip line down the middle of a river!

           3:30 p.m.       Cold drinks (we always split a Diet Coke) and snacks in the car, we preferred to go home to eat dinner versus eating out. We had homemade Tortilla soup and made chicken quesadillas. 

           8:00 p.m.       We met Brookie at the park and listened to a Journey tribute band as the last summer concert in the park (FREE). 

We may not have made the retreat, but we had our road trip, we listened to a fabulous Christian marriage audio tape and had a great conversation about us and our marriage, went on an adventure, and enjoyed the day together. And, saved a lot of money it would of cost on hotel stays and eating out if we had attended the retreat. I TOTALLY recommend Audible through Amazon Prime!! I totally recommend studying and constantly learning new best practices for your marriage. I totally recommend going on an adventure together.

Autumn day, how I love thee! 

I'm glad it was colder outside today, cloudy, and rainy off and on. What a perfect excuse to stay home and relax. He made the pie he had been looking forward to making. I made homemade chicken noodle soup, we snuggled on the couch, I fell asleep in his arms, it feels amazing to just be home.

What a wonderful weekend. 

 

"pErNoMaL!"

A FaceTime call and I learned little brother wasn't feeling well, so I picked up a fun project to take over to build with the kids and snuggle Rowan. The cardboard ice cream truck was a huge hit! Two packs of crayons (I should have bought three), me and my babies put it together.

Snuggle time with Rowan and when both Rowan and Claire took a nap, Sofia came home with me for the day. 

There are moments with my granddaughter that are so precious, I laugh and want time to slow down. 

I had Sofia for the day and we had endless conversations when she said the sweetest word. She asked me if I like fish and told me she likes to eat fish and her daddy made fish chips when she said, "tHeY wErE pErNoMaL!" I love her use of what she meant to say, phenomenal, which became pernomal. I'm smiling listening to her share and I love her mind at only 5 years old.

Later in the afternoon we were snuggled watching Stuart Little together when she contemplated and asked me, "wHo dO yOu lOvE?" I prattled off a list starting with her. She listened intently and at the end said, "tHaT's a lOt oF pEoPlE." Then, I asked her who she loved. She was very honest, gave it some thought, and I was relieved I was at the top of the list. Some made the list, some didn't. 

She is beautiful, smart, sweet, thoughtful, funny, and kind. My time with her is always treasured. I love to listen to her heart, I love when she snuggles up to me to relax and watch a movie, I love watching her laugh in delight. What joy she is!