Taking a break

I took a break from life.

... from my laptop. {I used my husband's once briefly to link to this post on my blog. Did you read it? If not, you should ... and there is a giveaway!}

... from my "real" camera. {I did post some photos to Instagram, thanks to my phone.}

... from my freelance writing job.

... from my lake house vacation rentals {mostly}.

... from my house.

... from my weariness.

... from my kids.

... from a big event I help organize that is just beginning its major preparation stage.

... from my calendar. {I did try to make plans with a friend via text while standing in line for a roller coaster, but I had to correct that this morning when I glanced at my calendar and realized I had lost track of June!}

Instead I spent two days at a conference put on my the association for classical, Christian schools to which my kids' school belongs. I was invited to go because I'm on the school's board, but it ended up being a time of mental refreshment as I ears speakers who shared about classical, Christian education {obviously ...}, but also spoke to parenting and life-long learning. I have pages of notes I hope to process as I dive back into real life.

I talked about all sorts of things with my husband of {almost} 11 years. We spend much time together, but it's usually as a family of four in the evenings or in weekends. We liked the chance to be together as two.

We ate many delicious meals. The conference center is conveniently located near several restaurants. And we made the rounds: Maggiano's. Ted's Montana Grill. P.F. Chang's. Chick-fil-A. {Add Five Guys and Blackhorse Brewery on the way down and back.}

But my favorite was Big Chow Grill. You choose ingredients for your own stir fry. Yes, the food was good, but the company was even better. We got to spent a couple hours with my cousin Mary who has become a dear friend. We've bonded over adoption and share our lives from a distance, so it was especially sweet to be sitting at the same table.

We went to watch "The Internship" in a theater. {My short review: So funny and all the laughing was good for me.} We rented "Chasing Mavericks" in our hotel room. {We have an unexplained soft spot for surfing movies. And this one was another good.} And we spent a day at Six Flags riding roller coasters.

{Our favorites were Goliath, on right, and Dare Devil Dive.}

I woke up this morning thankful for the getaway and ready to reunite our family of four. Four nights was the longest I had ever been away from my kids since I became a mom six years, one month, and 17 days ago. This break, getting away from most everything, was all just what I needed, yet I was so glad to walk through the door to my real life. 

Apparently my kids want to go with us next time we take a road trip.

What did you do this weekend?
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