Soul Recharged

I'm sitting in Starbucks savoring the last few sips of my white mocha and also my weekend. I know, it's Monday. But to us, that's weekend. Andrew works Saturday mornings so our "days off" are Sunday and Monday. This "weekend"? We dropped Levi off with some dear friends and the dog also was displaced with some church friends and then we headed West. Literally. To another state. Well, like 2 miles into it. But hey, over 100 miles from home definitely counts. We had booked our stay at the best hotel available. Our friends' home. Seriously. MUCH BETTER than paying $70+ a night and WAY more relaxing. I was overwhelmed by their hospitality. Seriously. A drawer in the bathroom labeled "if you forgot" (Ha, I think I stole your 2 bobby pins Nicole, my bangs thank you.) Cookies and snacks and water bottles in our room, and not cooking all weekend? Yep, delightful. I definitely wouldn't have been so relaxed nor laughed as much at a "real" hotel.

This weekend was our thrifty getaway plan for some time away as a couple before this baby comes or bedrest or whatever may happen. We've been feeling the strain lately of just being busy and frankly, lonely for each other. I get so focused on being Mommy so many days that my poor husband loses a wife. Or loses a patient, loving, serving wife. It's so good to take a break and remind ourselves that we are still best friends and still LOVE spending time with each other. And to spend some time with dear friends and just laugh together. And eat yummy food, and cuddle. Lots of cuddles. To remember we're US. Not just you and me. And to set some goals for the future and some plans for daily life to make reconnecting a daily or weekly thing.

Life will probably only get a little more chaotic as we get closer to and do have this baby. So we're determined to set some plans and goals in place and to make some choices to allow us to keep the intimacy between us alive. Not just the "Honey can you get the diaper?" Kind of stuff.

And I was so reminded and convicted of my heart toward my husband. I can't imagine life without him, ever, but sometimes I sure live like he's here to make my life easier. My helpmeet role needed some refreshing.

My soul needed some recharging as well. God's been beckoning me to be refreshed in Him alone, and as usual, I've been pushing that calling aside for all the busy stuff of life and daily needs of my family.

Short term goal? Get Levi to bed at the right time so that I go to bed at least a half hour earlier and therefore get up a little bit before him to start my day with the LORD. I need that. I crave that. More than my sleep. Choices. Other short term goal? Read 1 book a week. I used to read MULTIPLE books a week. So it made a book a week seem silly. But since my current path is not reading AT ALL, I needed a small goal. I'm on day 8, still have a few chapters left in this current book. But I'm conscious of the goal. And working towards it. Progress.

It's time to hit the road to pick up the dog and toddler. I'm ready. My soul is refreshed and ready to face the days ahead. With a daily conversation with the Lord and my husband in mind. ;)

A Wife Again...

A week ago today was June 10th, 2011. I was married 5 years ago on that date. It's a little surreal really. That's half a decade.

After being a mother for 18 months, I think I had forgotten how to be a good wife. Or just stopped doing it. So we escaped for the weekend. An amazing friend took Levi for the "weekend" and we had over 48 hours to ourselves. It was fantastic. I actually don't have the words. Really. Well, I'll try.

We just moved slow and enjoyed each other's company. I laughed at his jokes again. He appreciated my sense of irony. We even cuddled. :) We did some kayaking, giving our kayak it's maiden voyage (to us). We enjoyed some amazing BBQ at our favorite little out of the way place, but worthy of the awards it has won. We relaxed, did some good walking, and saw some areas of the state. Basically, we just enjoyed each other without any demands on our time. We were husband and wife again, not Momma & Daddy.

And I had a much needed reminder. Yes, of how I need to work harder at our marriage and put Andrew first and be kind and all that. All very important, but the big thing, is way better. I remembered how much I like my husband. Not just love because I have to, but genuinely enjoy him and think he's pretty neat. And that reminds me how much I am IN LOVE with him.

A little sappy I know, and obvious, but oh how I enjoyed being reminded of it. When I get caught up on some sleep here I'll add some photos of the adventures. For now, I'm off to bed with my husband who's even more handsome, funny, and FUN than he was 5 years ago. Another thought, it's probably BECAUSE of the 5 years that I love him more. He's my best friend, and we've walked through the fire together. And I love him even more because of it.

God is good, and my husband, well, he's the most gracious and loving man I've ever met. I love you Andrew! Here's to 60+ more years laughing together!