Stephen and I drove up to Mentone for the long weekend all by our big boy and big girl selves. No kids!
Any time I make a plan, book a place, arrange childcare, I feel like a mature, full grown ADULT.
This trip was pure serenity.
The timing was perfect because I have been slightly broke down with the motherhood. Having a busy 15 month old is kicking my fanny. I had not forgotten what a handful they are at this age, but oh boy, living it day to day is a whole thing.
You can't get ANYTHING done ever. Ever ever ever ever.
To step away from my responsibilities for a few days did not hurt my feelings. The older 2 children were on a church trip, and grandparents stepped in to handle the younger 3. Whooo hoo! FREEEEEDOM.
We had the best time -- eating, walking, hiking, and talking.....uninterrupted.
the Wildflower Cafe,
...and enjoyed all the scenery, so sparse and wintry.
We went out to lunch both days but made really simple meals at the cabin for breakfast and dinner.
Not spending a bunch of money is one way this trip was extra relaxing.
We had no hard decisions to make.
I started a new book. We watched movies. Listened to music.
One thing we did, which we loved, was have some intentional planning, praying, and envisioning meetings. I teased Stephen, calling them "break out sessions." We had a total of three.
The 1st break out was about general things we needed to talk about....a brainstorm.
The 2nd, we went through each kid, discussed goals we had for them, parenting stuff, and practical issues to address.
The 3rd meeting, we mapped out a vision for where we want to be in 1, 5, and 10 years, Lord willing.
We chatted career, house projects, finances, health goals, teenagers, college, cars, preschool. AAHH! We covered it all.
We found this to be a real time of clarity and aligning our vision and goals as a couple. We agreed that this would be a great practice to revisit every year in January.
Also, 3 nights was the perfect amount of time away, plenty of time to settle in and relax, but not so long that it's hard to reenter reality.
And y'all missed the onslaught of such intense cold! So glad you got away. - Lynn
ReplyDeleteThe break out sessions sound brilliant. You are such a lovey and wise couple.
ReplyDeleteThe breakout sessions are brilliant! Without a vision, the people will perish. I say it to myself all the time. Husband and I need to be more intentional about these conversations. A weekend away is perfect for that!
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