we did something new-to-us this year, and over steven’s birthday weekend we took our second ever friendship friendtrip, as i like to say… to the smokey mountains in gatlinburg tennessee! well, technically, i think it was sevierville. but it was beautiful. and restorative… for me, at least! just a weekend on the no-plan plan. also the no makeup plan. just comfy clothes and mountain views and coffee!
i would be a faker if i didn’t admit that i had a personally very **rough** month prior to this, with the finger smashing and all [sorry for using those words, ew]… and naturally, luca came down with a fever the two days before leaving! that sure made travel-prep interesting. every time i feel like i’m pushed to my limit, i swear, God allows me to see that i can stretch a liiiiittle more without completely cracking. or maybe i have cracked already and it just doesn’t matter anymore. haha. either way, i chalk it up to mental strength training, but i was straight. up. exhausted. as we headed to the mountains!
also, we did probably the smartest thing ever and divided cars/parents/kids for the journey. the menfolk left around lunch time with the two middle littles and got there lickity split, while maggie and i took the biggests and the littlests, leaving just after school… hitting major traffic, and stopping for a potty break before we even left nashville. haha!
anyway! i have to note also how amaaaaazing it was to be able to let all the kids have free reign over a safe house with very little worry, and generally keep themselves occupied for a full two days. oh my gosh. that is a gift in itself! there’s literally nowhere i’ve been able to do that with lu-bunny. i am constantly having a heart attack over what he’s climbing or pulling on or what tiny items he may be gathering… but the house was pretty darn secure, and all the babes were generally so good and content playing together for the weekend. GLORY.
woke up to views and breakfast!!
happy bunnies played their hearts out.
parents played, too! i literally laughed harder than i’ve laughed in this decade whilst attempting husbs vs. wives pool with a bad finger, and then dedicating the kids’ nap/movie time to what do you meme. if you haven’t played that game… warning!! do not play with your children or parents! just don’t. hahaha. but do play with your friends that you celebrated a smidge too hard with on halloween ’08 and somehow still love you! oh, you do also have to have a solid grasp the meme concept. haha. one of our funniest friendship moments was probably 7 years ago as memes were becoming more of a thing, and matt and i tried to explain to steven and maggie what a meme was. i think maaaaybe they get it now! 😉
luca made besties with this concrete duck! and then climbed him… so, steven had to temporarily relocate the duck. we don’t call him luey danger for nothin!
HBD, SRB!!! we love you and are grateful for you!!!!
[also, ummm… i’m both ashamed and grateful that these other three humans dragged me into a love for lululemon… because these leggings… they are like butter! like wearing nothing! by far my fav i’ve ever put on my body. and i was super dedicated to never wearing lulu because of their cost! but… alas. i have succumbed. and now we shall pay the price. literally.]
kiddo sleepovers in matching jams!! honestly, i’m just glad to know we can still find footie pajamas big enough for our firstborns!! keeping them little for just a little longer is so sweet.
coffee + porch views + favorite humans forever. honestly! honestly. that’s basically all i need in life. change out coffee for wine every now and then. 😉
xoxoxox thanks for the memories, peeps!
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