Our 15th anniversary was on December 20th but there was soooo much going on with the kids and school and Christmas celebrations so we decided to take a quick camping trip just the two of us.
I wish it could have been longer, but we have so much to do to get ready for the kids starting school tomorrow!
I have a long list of things to do… lots of cleaning, food prep, etc. Whatever I don’t get to today I will do tomorrow, but I like starting a new year with it all done so we’ll see. At the moment I’m just resting and having coffee.
In the meantime, I want to share about our trip!
We went to Big Bend Ranch State Park which is our favorite park in Texas. The national park is closed due to the government shut down, but we were able to drive through it since I’ve never seen it before (on our way home). They’re really similar. The state park is more rugged, which I prefer. The camp sites are dispersed so you barely see anyone else when you’re camping!
We had a lot of fun playing games, drinking lots of coffee, hiking a bit, sitting and talking in front of the camp fire, eating, and doing all the campy things. It was just what our marriage and my heart needed. I’m thankful that we can leave the kids with my parents and go almost whenever we can (working around school and work schedules of course).
We talked a lot about how it would be awesome if homeschooling would work for our family because we could travel more and we would have a flexible schedule. But. It just doesn’t work for us. We talked through options and it all comes back to the fact that the kids have grown SO much socially and emotionally since they have been in school, which in our opinion, is more important than academics. Sometimes I worry because there are some not great teachers, but after talking with my sis in law and niece, I’m finding that that is anywhere you are. They have had some bad teachers also. So, we just keep plugging and trusting God with their education! I know that they will be okay and God has a wonderful plan for their life with-in the circumstances that they are in. It’s pretty awesome to rest in that.
Sorry for that side note. Anyway, here are some pics of our trip!
So this park is in the Texas mountainous desert. I used to think desert was ugly but I have changed my mind. It’s even more beautiful when all of the cacti are blooming! I especially love the ocotillo cactus. It’s like something in a Dr. Seuss book.
The trip was shorter than we would have liked, but, life. I am now home while Robert picks up the kids and I’ve been cleaning and getting ready for them to go back to school!
What a great and busy Christmas break! Now back to routine! Whew!
Simply Courtney 