Mountain date

Last Saturday, I had the wonderful opportunity to go on a date with my best friend to the mountains. Shaun loves a good hike, and I was up for it. I got my own cool Camelback backpack, and I think the water tube is the greatest thing ever. I just love that whenever I want a drink, I just have the tube right there to suck on. It’s so awesome!! I still can’t get over how cool the water tube is.

Shaun packed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, granola bars, and apples the night before, and put our water packs in the fridge. We were so lucky to get a someone from church to come babysit from 8-1pm. Last week, we took the kids up here, and they had a great time running around and finding sticks. Yet, we really wanted to do a hike together without kids. Just the thought of uninterrupted adult conversation, smelling the trees and being far away from the city was heaven to me.

We hiked the Mary Jane falls hike. I should have known from the start of the trail it was going to be tough, as it immediately started to incline. It consisted of many switchbacks that steeply went up, up and up to a neat waterfall/grassy area.

Shaun is so stinking robust and has the endurance of an energizer battery. I am a wuss, and had to stop no less than 20 times the way up to rest. More motivation to be more consistent on the treadmill, as in, more than one day a week:) Shaun was so kind, being my personal trainer, and waiting with me while people passed us up. I just kept laughing at myself at how out of breath I was.

We trekked on and on, up and up, until at last, we made it!

One of my many breaks, me loving the water tube.

 

Again, ready to die, ha ha!

Mr. Mountain man

Love, love, love this picture of us. Need to do better and take more pics of us.

Me again looking like I’m ready to collapse. Legs were burning, but man, it was a great hike!

Is this not the most beautiful view ever??

Loving the little waterfall. You all know I can’t pass up an opportunity to get wet. Whenever I take the kids to a park with a water area, I’m always the only parent that’s getting wet. It’s so funny.

It was just so wonderful to struggle on the hike, laugh and talk along the way, (well, Shaun could keep up a conversation great. I could only breathe and listen.) sit on that log overlooking the view, and eat our lunch together. I loved it so much. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to get away together for more than 5 hours. It’s not fathomable, which made this hike so treasured. I highly recommend planning a little getaway with your sweetie, for a good recharge.

This week, I feel like I’m starting all over again at being a parent. Isn’t that what parenting is, starting over again and again? It is the most humbling experience ever. Sometimes, when it’s super challenging, and you feel like you’re a total failure and so alone, something good happens.

Well, a few good things, such as making it to bed to get rest, and to start over the next day. A quiet reminder in your head to stop and pray, and ask for strength, especially during the chaos hours of the day, when it feels like the ship is sinking. Going to a friend’s house, and being fed with kindness and home made french bread. Finding a good, uplifting book on amazon for .02 cents. Trying again and again on filling your cup, and taking time outs for you, which mostly happen in the bathroom around here:)

I had these thoughts in my head this week consisting of ‘ These wonderful kids were sent to our family for a reason. Each have their own personalities, strengths, and challenges, but Heavenly Father knew that I needed to be their Mom.’ Thinking that helps me on hard days.

Today, at my friend’s house, Ethan was having a blast playing with a small Nerf gun. He was so happy. I think maybe we’ll get some for his birthday next month. I’ll just remember to move the Willow Tree statue before he plays, maybe:)