Girlfriends Getaway

Last Sunday after church, two of my dearest girlfriends and I headed to a Disney hotel for two nights of pure relaxation.  With the crazy schedule we had all been keeping the past few months, the last busy few weeks of school looming ahead, and our friend Heather's pregnancy complications, it was the perfect time for a quick break from routine with no agenda but rest.  Our terrific husbands let us go without worrying about anything at home, and we had the best time we could have asked for!

The weather was beautiful and this quiet pool was close to our room.  Sunday afternoon and evening we alternated between lounge chairs in the sun, and the water which was beyond refreshing at a perfect temperature.  Like we always do when we are together, we talked, talked, talked!  After several hours, we finally headed back to the room to freshen up for a late dinner.

We enjoyed a leisurely dinner at Red Lobster, talking and laughing and taking our time. After dinner we headed into a little 24 grocery store which ended up making us so slap happy that it will go down as the funniest grocery run of my life.  We were laughing so hard Heather's baby must have been wondering what was going on!

We went to bed happy and relaxed.  The next morning we were all up early, and enjoyed breakfast and coffee at the food court in the hotel.  After a good night's sleep and an omelette doused in hot sauce, I was feeling great!  It was another fantastic day outside, so we headed straight for the lounge chairs and our little piece of paradise.  We spent the entire day talking poolside, cooling off in the refreshing water.  It was the most relaxed any of us have felt in months!  Amazing what a day or two with no agenda does for busy moms.

I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures of Baby Adilyn...we can't wait to meet her!  It's been awhile since there has been a newborn around!

The resort was stunning.  At lunch we enjoyed walking the grounds and eating once in again in the food court.  So convenient.

After hours of sunshine, we headed in to get ready for dinner.  We had a reservation at the Magic Kingdom and after a full day water and sun, we were hungry and eager for a great meal!

Such a beautiful property...

We were making unforgettable memories!!

These are the kind of friends where we can be having deep conversations baring our souls one minute, then laughing so hard our stomachs ache the next!  Cindy's daughter snapped a few photos that caught us mid-laughter.  Love these moments!

We had to get our photo by Cinderella's Castle, of course.

Then we ate a fabulous spaghetti dinner at Tony's Restaurant.  This restaurant is based on the movie Lady and the Tramp.  That spaghetti hit the spot.  It was delicious!

When we stepped out of the restaurant after our meal, the electric parade was going by which was neat.  We were tired, but made a quick stop to see Mickey and Minnie. I'm glad we did - this photo makes me smile!

We would have liked to lay by the pool the next morning, but there was so much to do waiting for us that we we packed up, ate breakfast, and went home.  We did sleep in a bit that morning and slept great - I think we were completely relaxed.  We came home to the whirlwind of events I shared with you here.  But I was so happy to see Jimmy, Madi, and Trev.  I was thankful for Jimmy who sent me off willingly for a little break and took care of things at home, and my parents who helped him out when he had a few things he had to tend to.  And I was incredibly grateful for our getaway, and for the friendship of these two women.  

It is interesting because our friendship is so obviously from the Lord.  God's hand has been in it all the way.  At a time of deep hurt and confusion in my life when I was tempted to retreat emotionally, God prompted me to ask these girls and another friend (who sadly for us has since moved to Tennessee) to meet weekly for prayer and encouragement as we all sent little ones to kindergarten.  We prayed our way through that major transition, and those weekly dates knitted our hearts together in an incredibly special way.  We have gotten to know each other so well over the past two years, and have hardly missed a week where we don't either have a morning meeting or some sort of social gathering or outing, sometimes with other sweet friends and whole families involved, sometimes date nights with our husbands, and sometimes just us girls.  I cannot even begin to describe the blessing they have been in my life.  I have a few good friends here and a few good friends faraway, and I hold them close in my heart and praise God for them.  I know what it feels like to be lonely and rejected.  I know the pain of betrayal and loss.  But I also know the gift of friendships where God is at the center, where we strive to encourage each other on the journey, where we share life together.  The kind of friendships that make me a better wife, mom, Christian. The kind that uplift not tear down.  The kind where jealousy and comparison are not welcome.  The kind where we have found a safe place.  The kind where laughter heals.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.