(Photo taken by my husband from the helicopter)

Our whole marriage retreat was a much needed, rest and relaxation, just slow down and enjoy each other's company, time.

We hung out with other married couples and laughed a lot! In Seaside, we fed the harbor seals that reside in the aquarium. What fun! Watch out for the splashers! They do tricks for a treat and splashing is their favorite way to get your attention! My friend got soaked all down her back and up the back of her head! In spite of the dampness, we had a fabulous time!

The weather at the coast was beautiful! Clear skies, NO RAIN AT ALL, and very light winds. It was perfect Pacific Coast weather in February. It was a bit chilly but not overly frigid.

Of course we ate seafood! We enjoyed battered cod and chips, salmon, and clam chowder for my hubby. Salt air makes me hungrier so we ate a lot!

I love the slower pace at the coast. It is as if the whole town hums in cadence with the motion of the waves. Leisurely, unhurried and peaceful. Down at the beach they close up shop at 5 pm!

We learned so many good things at the retreat sessions. I am still digesting the messages! I think I might share some of the more pertinent points in some future posts.

It was so nice to just be able to enjoy the beauty around us as a couple. To walk on the beach at 10pm and see the brilliant stars sparkling against the ebony sky. Mr. Querido and I realized that we love to enjoy God's creation and we haven't done that as a couple in a very long time.

The main thing that we took away from this whole experience was to make our marriage a higher priority. We realized that we had let our relationship slide as we struggled to survive in those early years. But we are no longer in survival-mode so now we can focus on thriving!

We Did It!

We left our beloved children with trusted friends and sneaked away to here...


Well, we didn't actually sneak it was planned and it was part of our church's marriage retreat. Three awesome days being infused with great teaching, lots of fun and gorgeous weather! We had so much fun reconnecting as a couple and we are taking what we learned there back home with us.

Tomorrow, if Blogger is uploading photos more rapidly, I'll share snippets of our helicopter ride!

It's good to be home :)

You've Got Mail!

He wrote!

My father wrote me back!

I am still in shock.

When I wrote him the letter I didn't really expect a response. But a certain part of me did expect a response. I hoped for a response. And then time passed and I figured he either didn't care or wasn't ready to respond.

But this morning I opened up my email and there was an email with the subject titled "Reconciliation."

In his email he said that he had read and re-read my letter many times. He said that he is determined to reconcile with me and my sister.

I feel like a completely different person, other than the father I knew, wrote me back. He didn't even sound the same. I detected humility in his words. Something I have never seen or experienced in my father before. He sounded truly repentant. Another first for him.

I think my father rediscovered Jesus while we were estranged. I can't wait to see if I am right!

Please pray for wisdom, strength, grace and love. For both of us.

Random Shots of My Life :)

Mr. Dramatic captured the very essence of his little sister in this photo!

Just having fun...

Wonder

Very wet

The artists at work

My boys somehow always end up with their mouths open when I take their picture!

Again, Mr. Dramatic has a great eye for shots that evoke emotion...

Delight and adoration

Best friends

Carpet buddies

Doesn't she look like her older brother?

Oh wait she looks like Mr. Independent too!

Brotherly love

Curiosity Times Three

Family full of joy!

School time!

Imitation

Hmmmmmmmmmm...

That is the sound of my stress melting away.

That is me exhaling as I think about my weekend getaway.

That is the sound of renewal beginning.

That is the sound I am going to make as my head hits the pillow and I fall asleep listening to the waves crash against the shore.

Oh wait, I would be making this sound then : zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....

Only a few more days to go!

Less Than A Week!

The countdown has been going for over a month and finally we are on the home stretch! Mr. Querido and I are going to attend a marriage conference at the beach in less than a week! Two nights and three days ---KID FREE! We haven't done that since before Mr. Dramatic was born (almost seven years ago). So as much as I love my kiddos, I am so looking forward to getting some couple time with just my hubby. I don't have to share him for three whole days :)

Also, because it is a marriage retreat, we are believing that we are going to come back with some great tools to make our marriage even better!

Just the thought of listening to the soothing rhythm of the ocean makes me breathe deeper. Ahhhhhhh......

Stay At Home Burnout

Currently, I am suffering from SAH Burnout. Symptoms include but are not limited to: An inexplicable desire to run screaming from your house any time someone says "Mom!", daydreams of living in a soft white room with padded walls, visible twitching at the sight (and smell) of another pile of clothes to launder, an irrepressible urge to stay in bed and pull the covers over your head...all.. day.... long, breaking out in hives if you have to sweep up one more pile of crumbs left on the floor after breakfast, and a rash developing at the thought of having to vacuum up crushed Cheerios in your carpet for the umpteenth time.

SAH Burnout patients should be medicated with plenty of chocolate, put on bedrest for at least three days (more may be needed depending on the severity of the symptoms), given a maid service for at least a month, sent to Starbucks for some Chai Tea, and quarantined from all forms of laundry for three months.

I wish...