We used to do it all the time. We used to go on adventures, spur of the moment…it was a blast! But somewhere along the way we lost sight of those magical moments of family fun. Did it cost us anything? Outside of gas money and 24 hours no, not really! Did we benefit…Yes abundantly!
We rediscovered this fun this past weekend.
We had the week “off”. Though not really! We had a lot of around the house outdoor stuff to accomplish, and hubby did just that, then one of our friends got married at our church, though hubby didn’t do the service, I found myself in a role I rather enjoyed…helping!
Then Sunday! Sunday was a dream come true! A year ago a dear friend and local pastor retired to Florida. A few weeks ago he placed an open offer on facebook to fill the pulpit for anyone needing a break. We jumped at the chance. A few weeks later some church members approached hubby about doing a baby dedication. Coincidentally it was the same weekend this pastor friend would be here. EEEKK! We have always wanted to dedicate our children but we are rarely around when someone is filling the pulpit for hubby. We COULD STAY! We could ask this dear pastor friend if he would be willing to do the dedications! He said yes. I wish I had pictures! But I don’t! *sigh* but we finally got to dedicate mostly ourselves to raising godly kids! It was special!
Weasel did great! We made it through dedication, got little bean to the nursery, and the older three to junior church. I sat in my seat with my dear hubby’s arm around me (A super rare treat for a Pastor’s wife!) and I listened attentively. Even now it brings tears to my eyes. That dear pastor friend took the baby/children dedication and used that as a reference to challenge us as parents and the church as a whole to raise godly children. And as he addressed the church on how to love and encourage these children he added “even the little boy who marches to a different drum.” That was it. He was referring to our 5 year old autistic son. How true that is. Not everyone is gracious or understanding or patient with him. I tried to keep my face from doing that ugly scrunch up thing right before you burst into tears! I quickly brushed away the tears. My heart shouted AMEN at the top of it’s lungs (it is good my hearts lungs are buried deep inside my body). After church we had those dear friends for lunch we don’t get to see them very often now that they have moved so far away! What a joy! What laughter i enjoy spending time with this lovely couple!
We could have talked with them longer but they left and hubby and I were left standing in the kitchen wondering what to do next. We had no plans, but we had the evening off! I desperately needed to get out of the house. It was all clean top to bottom, what to do, what to do? Then hubby asks, “you wanna go to my parents house?” Sure! We hadn’t seen their new house and we hadn’t seen them since Christmas…..so off we went, lightly packed on a spur of the moment2 1/2 hour trip!
We got there before pappy and grandma got home from church ( pappy is a pastor too!). hubby got to help his dad with a couple of projects. The kids painted and played, both inside and out. Most of all we relaxed and enjoyed ourselves
It was a great reminder of how sometimes we just need to get away…..escape……do something new…..have fun.
It was a great reminder of the fun we once had on adventures to all sorts of neat places! I think we may just try to be spontaneous more often!
