Best week of my life

Ok, the title might be a little exaggeration but it was one of the best weeks in the last 7 years.

Steve and I got away kid free for almost a week!

Since having kids Steve and I have been diligent about getting away annually for a night or two, but there is something so different about being away longer. Due to me breastfeeding each of the kids so long, and then usually being due with another baby soon, we had not had many windows of opportunity to get away for longer. We did get away for an extended time after our miscarriage and my health scare 3.5 years ago, but I was recovering and didn't have energy for much adventure that trip. It was a great time to rest and rejuvenate, but I wouldn't classify it as fun. 

We fly a couple times a year and I had been waiting almost 7 years to fly without a child, to walk on the airplane with a hot drink, knowing I could enjoy it at my leisure and not have a baby or toddler crawling all over me.

Needless to say, I was a little giddy flying out with just my husband by my side.

We went out to Phoenix to spend 3 days with a counselor out there who specializes in working with pastors and their wives. So yes, the first few days were spent with a guy pointing out the areas of marriage and ministry we needed to work on (in regards to marriage I had a longer list than Steve) and it was still an amazing week! Steve and I value staying Fit (physically, emotionally, spiritually and relationally) so we welcome feedback from trusted sources on ways to improve in any of those areas. We really came away with some practical tools to implement in our marriage to grow more as "one."  I personally believe every marriage could use a tune-up every so often to stay on track and find ways to work together better. 

Top of Camelback Mountain in Phoenix

 This Florida girl had never seen the dessert before and those big cactus had me laughing. They looked like they belonged in a kids book. We hiked Camelback mountain (in Scottsdale) one morning which I was not at all prepared for. I wouldn't call it a hike, I would call it rock climbing, I felt like we were scaling boulders for the last half mile. We had a blast doing it and I felt a sense of accomplishment as we reached the top. Especially since one of the locals said he was impressed we were "tourist" because we had a such a quick pace up the mountain. There might just still be a bit of competitive spirit in this once-upon-a-time athlete, that I enjoyed hearing that comment. 

We then blitzed Sedona and the Grand Canyon in 24 hours. We did a sunset Jeep tour in Sedona.

 

It was fast and furious but being so close to the Grand Canyon I would have hated to miss it. Steve had been there before, but it was my first time. We did a short 3 mile hike at Grand Canyon that felt like a piece of cake compared to the hike at Camelback. 

My Mom flew in from Florida to watch the kiddos and we were so so grateful for her to allow us that time away. We had many other local friends helping her as we wanted her to have a great experience so she would come back and do it again! The counselor recommended we get away annually like this and we are all for that. It was so much fun being just husband and wife, without being dad and mom. One of the best things we can do for our kids is invest in our marriage, so even though one of our kids begged us to come home on day 2 of the trip, we let them know that is was super important for mommy and daddy to have time alone so we could kiss a lot. That made them cringe and not ask any more questions.

Here Turkey Turkey Turkey

Since this is Team Southards blog and the captain of this team happens to be a hunter, it is probably appropriate to share his hunting success stories for memory sake. 

One thing I love about my husband is his appreciation for making memories. Hunting is more than a hobby to him, it really is his time away from it all. Sitting in the woods is one place he feels closest to God. He might use that line on me so I can't argue about him going, but it really is refreshing for him. He is great about documenting each kill that he has, writing the story behind the hunt. I have failed to include any of these stories before, so now I am changing that.

Spring Turkey season is here and he scored early. Here is his story

Early Bird  4/11/14

After an exciting Friday morning sunrise, talking to 2 gobblers on the roost but resulting in nothing more then my heart racing and seeing 3 hens, I decided to slightly change my position and use a different call.  Immediately a bird responded 300 yards to the west.  Believing I had plenty of time to close the distance, I moved 75 yards, sitting up against a tree near the old home place of the original farm house on the property.  I settled in and called again and he quickly responded, this time he was much closer and it was clear he was committed and coming.  With the words of Papa Southards going through my mind reminding me “don’t over call him,”  I put the box call down and picked up the Browning 12 gauge.  It was less the 5 minutes later, the interested gobbler showed up, strutting down the lane I often use when I drive in.  After watching him looking intensely for the hen responsible for luring him in, I decided I better take the shot.  I did and he flopped.  As I ran to get him, I was in disbelief that it happened so quickly.  It was a perfect spring turkey hunt: green grass, birds chirping, jonquils in bloom near the old homeplace, and of course a gobbling turkey.  Life is good.  9 in beard, 1 in spurs.  The second picture is from a bird Jim (our family Dr who delivered Presley and will deliver Stetson) and I called in a couple days before.  Jim pulled the trigger and he was a real nice bird: 12 in beard, 1 ½ in spurs.