Re-entry sure is hard

I mentioned that Jason and I went to a marriage conference last weekend. We drove down to Florida and had two nights in a beautiful St. Augustine resort while attending the conference. Saturday night is the scheduled date night. We drove into St. Augustine and walked around in the shops, had dinner at one of those really cool hole-in-the-wall but yummy restaurants, and just enjoyed being together.



The conference itself was wonderful. It was a Family Life Weekend to Remember event. We attended one about 8 years ago. Both times were good but this one was more intense for us. I won't share details here, but I'll just say it was needed and very valuable for us. I highly recommend it for ANY married couple, no matter how long you have been married and no matter the condition of your marriage. I have wanted to blog about it, but I have decided that it was just too personal and I want to keep it between my beloved and myself. Anything I would feel comfortable sharing can be found on the Family Life website...great speakers, names of sessions, etc.



We got home around 9:00PM on Sunday night. We came home to our sweet, sweet girls and were so happy to see them. But the older two had sunburns and Rachel was running a fever. She continued to be sick until Tuesday night. Betsie was clingy and whiney and needed a day or so to re-attach to us. Mary Evelyn was so sweet and gave us a welcome home picture she had made and some applejacks (she said she knew the drive would make us hungry...LOL!), but by Monday morning we were battling a bit. Mary Evelyn was not remembering what it means to honor us as her parents and I confess it was pretty hard to keep my cool a few times. By Tuesday night I decided she and I needed to do something fun together. So I took her to a movie and things have been a lot better since. (not perfect, but better) By the way, I loved Kung Fu Panda...and I am not always a kid movie fan!



Rachel is better but now I am sick. Jason was sweet enough to make sure everyone had breakfast and was settled before he went to work this morning. Plus he made me some hot tea to soothe my raw throat before he left. I do love that man! I think I just have a cold, but colds seem to feel worse the older I get so I am resting a lot...at least until we have to be at swimming lessons this afternoon.



So we are back in the trenches but trying to apply the lessons learned and the old reminders we were given this weekend. I am thankful for the time we had together, for a husband who initiated the whole trip because he is committed to our oneness, and for parents who are willing babysitters. And I am thankful that God is with us in real life.

Birthday Pictures

Getting ready to celebrate

Opening gifts (This one is a friendship bracelet kit and how to book.)
At the Japanese steakhouse on her birthday with Jason's parents. The restaurant gave Rachel a chef's hat, a candle in her rice, and a nice set of chopsticks.
Betsie would be fine if she never steps foot in that scary Japanese steakhouse ever again...no matter whose birthday it is!!!

Enjoying her birthday dinner

Mary Evelyn skating on Saturday, with a little help from her Daddy

Rachel, skating like a pro (almost!)

Rachel and her two buddies

After skating, we were hungry and went out to a more kid friendly restaurant (At least Betsie thought so!). All the girls got balloons.

Betsie and her booooooon!

I've Been At This For a Decade

Being a mom, that is. Rachel turned ten a few days ago, but I am a little late in writing about it here. I've had a hard time thinking of what I would want to say about her. She is so special to me and I am truly thankful that I was chosen by God to be her mother. We have been celebrating for a few days already!

Wednesday night, the older two girls spent the night with my mom. She took them to a movie and then brought them home on Thursday before art lessons. Rachel came home to roses from Jason, a cake, and a few gifts. Her biggest gift was the whole earring thing a week earlier. Thursday evening we also went out to dinner with Jason's parents and brother and sister-in-law.

Friday we went outlet shopping with my mom. Then today my dad came by to take her to lunch since he missed seeing her when she spent the night with mom (he was out of town) and two of her friends came over this afternoon to go skating and out to supper with us for Rachel's birthday. How did she manage to have a three day birthday celebration?

I am glad we have been able to prolong the celebration though because Rachel is such a gift to us. She had a few difficult days earlier in the week and I was so thankful that she has enjoyed the last few days. When you consider the fact that she is our oldest and therefore has the least experienced parents of our three children, she is a great kid! Absolutely none of the credit goes to us...we couldn't even believe they let us take her home from the hospital ten years ago!

So Happy Belated Birthday to my lovely, sweet Rachel! You are a treasure and I thank God for you!

Pictures to follow later...gotta get everyone ready for Easter tomorrow.