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.

MO trip

 Last weekend we made a quick trip to Missouri to celebrate our niece's High School Graduation. We spent one night at the Southards' farm and visited Papa Southards in the nursing home. We know Papa will be going home to heaven soon, so we cherish every time we get to see him. 

We then went to Poplar Bluff to join the rest of the family and celebrate Maddy. Maddy is Tim (Steve's older brother) and Shari's oldest daughter. She is headed to Cornerstone College (in Michigan) next year. She is an absolutely beautiful girl inside and out and we are so excited to see how she grows over these next 4 years. My sister-in-law Shari enjoyed having all of her and Tim's family together for the first time since their wedding over 10 years ago. The cousins loved playing together as usual.

It was a fast and furious trip but we are so thankful that even moving to Ohio, we are close enough to make those trips for special occasions.

Going "Home"

This past weekend Steve and I went different ways across the country to our own "old" homes. Steve sent me to Florida with only Stetson to give me a little down time without all the kids and he took the older 3 to Missouri to go turkey hunting.

He spent some time in St. Louis at his parents and then headed down to one of the family farms to hunt. He got to visit with all four of his grandparents while home. Granny Coats has not been doing well and has lost her eye sight, so he was thankful to spend time with her. Unfortunately Papa Southards is not doing well either and was in the hospital while Steve was at the farm. He was so so thankful to really have some great conversations and time with his Papa as we do not know how much longer Papa has. Oh and he did kill a turkey himself and call one in for his little brother. The kids got to run and play outside and shoot their new BB gun.

This dog just showed up at the farm while they were there, no one had seen it before. It was the sweetest thing and Payton kept asking to take it home to Ohio.

Papa (Steve's dad) treated Colton to "his" steakhouse

While in Florida I had no agenda, mostly relax, enjoy family and the warm sunshine. I got to spend some precious time with my 93-year-old grandma. My older brother and his kids came over one day but otherwise I went on a lot of walks, shopped and ate yummy food. It was just what I needed. Stetson got more attention that a #4 kid usually gets.

Christmas Time

Looking at my blog I just realized it has been almost 2 months since I have written a post. We have now lived in Ohio about 6 weeks. I am going to catch-up going backwards, starting with Christmas.

I was super excited this year that we got to go to FLORIDA for Christmas. The last time we were with my family for Christmas was 7 years ago right before we moved to Kansas. Our kids had never experienced Christmas in Florida. Our realist Payton did make sure she let us know it did not feel like Christmas since Florida is so warm.

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at Salem, then had Christmas morning as a family, before heading on a plane mid-day to fly to Orlando. We got to spend a whole week with family, enjoying the warm weather.

Christmas Morning in Ohio

Elsa and Anna were in Dayton Airport

Arriving in Orlando

Swimming on Christmas break

Christmas with The Wiens Family

 

This picture cracks me up, reality of taking pictures with little ones.

Cousins 3 weeks apart in age, checking out each other's booboo's

We had some good down time and got to visit Jordan and Jaime on the East Coast one day then headed to Bradenton to visit friends on the West Coast the next day. We loved being outside!

Mr. Southards insists on stopping at a family favorite on our way across Florida, Parksdale Farms for world famous Strawberry Shortcakes (and milkshakes)

Don't mind #3, she will get her share of the whip cream.

Daddy managed some naps himself during nap time

Enjoying walks outside

Nothing like a playdate with my sweet friend Lindsay and her 6 kids (one is hiding behind her). Just a quiet afternoon with 10 kids 6-years-old and under!

Had some precious time with my sweet Grandma who is 93 years-young. She is now living in a home (my Dad refers to as a resort). Buster got to visit for her New Year's party.

 

 

 

 

We flew home New Year's Day in time to have our dear friends from KS the Zimmers spend the night with us. We were so thankful for our trip, but were also glad to come "home" to Ohio.
 

Friends like family

I believe I wrote another post with the same title, but we so grateful for our friends like family, especially since we don't have family here. Steve and I had meetings out of town a few weekends ago and it wasn't going to work to bring all the kids. So we split them up with a few of our favorite families and I don't think they missed us at all. 

Presley has worked her way into Mr. Paul's heart

Notice the face due to the chair, not cool Zimmers, not cool

Even got a detailed washing of our van.

Thank you Brantons and Zimmers