Gatlinburg Mini-Vacation!

We have never vacationed this time of year, but I have to say that it may be my new favorite time to have a little getaway! We left for a fun-filled 5 days and 4 nights in the beautiful Great Smokey Mountains Friday and just returned last night. We also did something completely new to us and vacationed with 5 other families, 4 of which we had never met before! The trip is an annual event for a good friend of mine that I have made at the gym and they were down a family, so she invited us to go along with them and it was one of the best times that we have had vacationing with others!

The chalet we stayed in was amazing, nestled on top of a mountain and had all the amenities you can imagine, including hot tubs, expansive decks overlooking the woods with rockers and swings to enjoy the view, a huge 19 foot TV screen that dropped down from the trees and fireplaces all over the place.  It was also gigantic, a 6 bedroom/6.5 bath chalet, which made a perfect spot for 6 separate families. In all there were 12 adults and 16 kids that ranged from ages 16 down to Hayden at 13 months. A large group of kids, that would seem to be chaotic, but they actually all got along great and entertained each other.

The entire trip was basically about relaxation, which included two full days hibernating in the chalet. The kids ran around and played non-stop and the adults were able to eat tons of food, watch football and play cards. But we also made time to see some sights that are unique to Gatlinburg.  We visited the Titanic Exhibit, ate at the Apple Barn, spent a day at Ober Gatlinburg, browsed the shops of downtown Gatlinburg, and of course did some outlet shopping! It was the perfect amount of time to be away, coupled with great company and a good mix of activity and downtime.

Watching some college football on Saturday

The kitchen with all the grub!

Beautiful view from Mt. Harrison

Our family at the top of Mt. Harrison (Hayden is zonked out on me!)

We all enjoyed our mini-vacation and loved getting to spend time away from the hectic everyday life we can sometimes get overwhelmed with. It was also nice this time of year, where the holidays are upon us and with that comes even more craziness than usual. The kids enjoyed making new friends and being out of their daily routine and Steve and I had a great time getting to spend some time with other adults, but also getting family time with the kids. We hope that we will be able to make the trip again next year and have the opportunity to make more memories with a fun group of people in a beautiful setting!

Some things never get old

When it comes to your kids, any of the "firsts" never get dull. We have watched our older two children learn to walk and experienced all the excitement and elation watching them wobble and teeter and finally take those first steps, and now we are getting to go through the experience with Hayden and we are as giddy as when we first watched Abigail and Mitchell.

We have been anxiously awaiting Hayden's first steps, knowing that he was building up his confidence to step out and try it on his own. He has been cruising around furniture and walls for months now and lately has been a wild man with his walker, but had never ventured out without a safety net, until tonight.

Oh, those first steps are precious, whether it's your first or your last. The sweetness of seeing their faces light up, knowing they have done something new, is the best sight. Hayden was standing at the island in the kitchen and wanted to get to his walker that was a few steps away, instead of going into a crawl to get to it like he normally does, he reached out and 1...2...3 did it! He took his first independent steps! We all started clapping and praising him and he plopped down with a huge smile on his face and started clapping for himself. He had no idea what he had just done, but he sure was liking all the attention! And to make the moment even sweeter, was seeing his big sister and brother just as excited as we were, they love experiencing these firsts as much as we do!

Little Hands

I love little hands. I love how they fit so perfectly in my hand and it's one of those things of childhood that I never want to forget. I want to imprint the feeling and sight of holding hands with my kids in my memory forever. It is something that we probably all take for granted, but sometimes I am reminded on just how special this simple act is and I can savor it a little bit more.

When it's time for Abigail to get on the bus, Mitchell will go up with us because he loves to see the bus. We stand there and blow kisses to Abigail while the bus is pulling away and then on the way back down to the house, he always holds my hand. His little hand just reaches right up and grabs on to my hand and we just casually stroll down the street, usually with him rambling on about something that he saw or has recently done. I love that still-a-little-chubby hand holding on to mine while we walk and talk.

Then when it is time for Abigail to come home, I usually go meet her about halfway up the street by myself and as soon as she sees me, she instinctively reaches for my hand. And then I get the wonderful experience of holding my girl's hand while we walk back home and she tells me all about her day at school. Another special moment in my day, which may seem small and trivial, but very important and fulfilling for me. I love that my big girl still wants to hold my hand!

And of course Hayden, he is still very much in the hand-holding stage and I love it now that he is trying to walk. He wants to hold on to your hand or your fingers to practice his new found skill. He is still very wobbly, so he is holding on out of necessity, but I still cherish it! I love looking down and watching his very round, chubby feet as he balances and shuffles around, holding on to my hand for all the support that he needs.

No, it's not my hand, but I love watching them hold their Daddy's hand too!

I guess I am a little sentimental today and I can see the metaphor in this very simple, everyday act. I am going to enjoy every minute I have with my kids right now, while they are still little and love walking and holding my hand. And then one day when they are bigger and they don't want to hold my hand, I hope they know that I am always here for them and that I will always love to walk and talk with them and that I support them in every aspect of their life. I am their Mommy and my job of holding their hand, whether actually doing that or just figuratively, will never end and will always be something that I hold near and dear to my heart!

A Decade

A decade. 10 years. 3,648 days. This is what I am celebrating today- 10 years ago was my first date with Steve and it was a date that changed both our lives forever! It is so hard to believe that it has been 10 years already, but on the other hand it doesn't feel like it has been that long at all!

When we met I was just a 21 year old college kid and he was a recent college graduate, trying to get his new career up and running. He took one look at me, with my tattoos and short shorts, and said no way will I date her, she is a party girl! Now true, I was still partying quite a bit, but isn't that what you are suppose to do at that age? We hung out in several group settings over the next few months and finally turned up the flirtatious chat during several bonfires with our friends in the month of October. At the prodding of our close friends' Manny & Cassie, who were newly engaged, we had a dinner with just the four of us and that is when the official date was made! Steve approached me on the way to my car and asked if I would like to try this on our own, the whole date thing. We made plans for the next night and I was beyond excited!

We had an amazing first date, the best I had ever experienced. Steve was very prepared for the evening and had our date all planned out, however, he had wanted to go to PF Chang's, which at that time was brand new and did not accept reservations. When we arrived there was a 3 hour wait and we both said no way. After several different stops we settled on the revolving restaurant at the top of the Ramada Inn and enjoyed a wonderful dinner overlooking the lights of downtown Cincinnati. The conversation never had an awkward lull and hours had passed before we were ready to leave. We then followed our dinner up with a stroll through Sawyer Point, and even though it was chilly, it was a perfect end to an already incredible night!

By our second date we knew that we had met our soulmate, the one that God had made for each of us. The love that we share is one with God at the foundation and built on trust and honesty. Steve is truly the other half of my heart and soul, as well as my best friend and I am blessed to have shared the past 10 years with him. 10 years ago today I had no idea how much that one date would change the course of my life and from it my dreams came true. I married a wonderful man that loves me deeply and unconditionally, and he made me a mother to 3 beautiful children and he works hard so that I get the privilege of staying at home with them to watch them grow. I can only look forward to another amazing 10 years!

Halloween Fun!

What a fun Halloween weekend! As the kids get older, it seems like the holidays just get better & better! We were able to take the kids out on Saturday night to the annual Jack-O-Lantern Walk at Central Park with some friends & their 3 kiddos. We bundled the kids all up and enjoyed an evening of walking through the park admiring all the carved jack-o-lanterns. Although it was crowded and a bit of a walk, the kids loved the sights & sounds around them and especially the popcorn at the end!

After the Jack-O-Lantern Walk

Sunday evening was the big trick-or-treat night and Abigail & Mitchell could not wait to get their costumes on and hit the sidewalks through our neighborhood. This year we walked the streets with Sleeping Beauty, Woody from Toy Story and the Pokey Little Puppy! And I think they were the cutest trick-or-treaters out there! Abigail & Mitchell were very eager to say their practiced line and they also wanted to do it all on their own. They marched right up the sidewalk to each house & not only said their line, but also used such good manners! I was so proud of the "please" & "thank you's" that I heard come from my 2 big kids'! And Hayden, he was content to ride in his wagon, pulled by Nana, and just take in all the sights around him, and every once in a while we even got a "woof" out of him, his 1 practiced line!

Woody, Pokey Puppy, & Sleeping Beauty

Hayden's 1st Trick-Or-Treat!

I love experiencing the holidays with my kids and seeing it brand new through their eyes! One of the best parts about being a parent is this experience and getting to be a kid all over again through them!

What a day, What an accomplishment!

Amazing! Steve & I accomplished something today that not many people take on...we ran & completed our first every half marathon! We both participated in the 1st Annual Cincinnati Half Marathon in downtown Cincinnati this morning and it was quite the experience!

We both began training in the spring, Steve on his own & with a friend & myself with a running group & a friend. I have to admit, I didn't train near as much as I should have, but with my 3-4 weekly workouts at the YMCA & the running I was able to do, I feel I did fairly well. Up until this point, I had only run as a form of training for upcoming basketball seasons, when I played, so I had never run for the purpose of only running. It was such an adjustment, but one that Steve & I both felt we wanted to take on, if for nothing else to say that we did it!

The experience of the actual race was something I will never forget. The crowd of runners & spectators, the closed off streets through the city, and having my husband right there beside me, were all memories that I will remember for years to come. I have to say, I could not have made it without Steve and his encouragement. This was by far one of the most challenging goals I have ever taken on, but with Steve at my side, it was something that we were both able to conquer and something that we can say we did together!

And a camping we did go!

So, this weekend we did something very unlike us and on a whim decided to load the kids up & go camping! We had been toying with the idea for months, but due to the extreme heat this summer had never gotten a chance to actually go. We bought a pop-camper from my uncle last August, but had yet to be able to take it out & hit a campground. This weekend was our time!

We tried calling to reserve a campsite on Friday, but found out that you have to give at least 48 hours notice, if not then it is first come, first serve. We made a few calls on Saturday morning and found that our best bet would be to head back to my hometown, about 50 miles south of us, to good ole' General Butler State Resort Park. I was not very keen on the idea, having lived 18 years just miles from that park, but I had actually never camped there, so I was up for it. We very quickly and crazily loaded up our gear, some food, the kids and took off. Abigail & Mitchell were so excited, plus we were all riding in Daddy's new SUV for the first time, so that just added to their happiness.

When we arrived at the park, Steve started getting the camper set up, while I tried to unload our supplies & occupy 3 kids. The spot we were in was perfect, just a stone's throw to the playground and a very short walk to the bath house. Abigail & Mitchell scurried off to the playground & Hayden was content to sit in his cozy coupe car & play with leaves he was finding all around him. In no time, Steve had our home away from home all set up & ready for our adventure. We took off with the kids for a walk that led us to a cute train that we could all ride on and then some more playground fun for everyone. When we returned from our walk, Steve set to work on building our fire so that we could start preparing our dinner. Abigail & Mitchell were very anxious to help, so their job was to collect the kinlin to help Daddy in building a super fire!

The evening ended with everyone filling their bellies with campfire hotdogs & beans and then after a very interesting bathtime for Hayden & bed, the four of us made wonderful s'mores before we retreated for the night. Although I wouldn't say that Steve & I got the best sleep that night, we all woke up in good spirits and sat around the fire again, eating our pancakes and just enjoying God's beauty all around.

Steve & I both grew up camping with our families and I remember very early in our relationship we both shared that those were some of our favorite & best memories as kids. When the opportunity came for us to purchase the camper, we jumped on it because we knew that we wanted to create those same memories with our own children. There was something very special & magical this weekend, as I watched my husband & children around the campfire, that I knew right then & there we were building memories that our children would cherish as we have. And to know that trip was just the first of many was just icing on the cake!