Camp of the Woods

Camp of the Woods.  

A little piece of upstate New York that my family has visited since I was a kid.  It is a Christian family camp set on a lake outside a tiny town in the Adirondack Mountains and it is one of our absolute favorite places.  My parents took us and my sister's family and it was an amazing wekk as always.  The speakers were amazing, our week featuring a prominent pastor in Pennsylvania and Lysa Terkheurst, the national  best selling author and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries.  Most days we went to the beach to swim and kayak and drink milkshakes.  We built fires and ate smores.  We crafted, putt-putted, played sports, ran races, listened to music concerts, enjoyed the 50 degree morning temperatures, ate cinnamon rolls and coffee cake for snacks, heard Jesus speak to our hearts and relax with family.  Seriously.  Best place to be.  

(Lysa Terkheurst and I)

My parents and all the grandlittles. 

This is how we felt by the time we got home:

101

A couple of weeks ago, we hit 101 days of deployment done and we decided to celebrate!  

I had been trying to think of something fun to do with them and I decided to get the movie 101 Dalmations for them to watch.  And since of course we needed movie snacks, we made necklaces with 101 fruit loops on them to munch during the movie.  It was all a hit!  They liked the movie a lot (we fast forwarded a couple of parts) and especially loved seeing all the puppies.  

I really think that it is important to celebrate the big and little milestones with kids in life.  I sometimes forget to celebrate things and I later regret missing an opportunity to do something fun.  While it is not my goal to be a "fun" mom, I want to make as many memories, take advantage of as many opportunities as I can with my own kids that my parents did with me.  And when you are going through something hard?  Even more so.  You better believe we are going to do some extra fun activities while Brenner is gone.  And trust me, we have.  :)  

Florida Trip

A couple of weeks ago I had the chance to get away to Florida for a few days without the kids to meet up with a friend for some beach/girl time and also to go to a wedding of another dear friend.  

EJ and I met in Waco a decade ago and across multiple moves around the country between us, we are still dear friends and decided to take advantage of my East Coast summer location and meet up!!!  

The day that we arrived it was raining so we got pedicures, went to Starbucks and then picked up a movie, frozen pizza and a bottle of vino to enjoy back at the condo.  Day two brought sunshine, beach, outlet shopping and watching the sunset on the beach.  On day three we went to a waffle bar for breakfast, explored downtown St. Augustine and then went to the wedding of another dear friend Carly, whom I have known since high school.  It was so fun to see her get married and reconnect with some other high school friends.  It was a great trip!!!

Ej and I at St. Augustine beach

Downtown St. Augustine

Facetiming on the beach with my babies

Seashell-covered beach

Waffle bar goodness

The bride Carly, out friend Andy and I at the wedding reception.