Wrapping Up April

Clarke's parents have been here this weekend and we've enjoyed having them. Friday night they watched Chloe so we could serve at a spring carnival for a local elementary school. Our church has made this an annual event, and the kids absolutely love it. It's a school where 100% are on free breakfast and lunch, so they normally wouldn't get a spring carnival with bouncy houses, snow cones, hotdogs and fun games.

Saturday night we got to go on a date. We tried out Hutch and Harris and we really liked it. This is the best selfie we could get that night, ha!

I didn't get any good pictures of Chloe, I think that's a first, but she loved having her grandparents here. So despite the rainy cold weather we had this weekend, we enjoyed time with family, and hopefully some nicer weather will come with May!

On Embracing Change

I came across this article the other day about c-section mamas and it made me think (okay maybe get a little teary eyed too), especially this part...

Some c-section mamas have weeks to mentally prepare for a change in their plans, but many only have days, hours, or minutes. Suddenly, everything she envisioned when meeting her child has changed. Her birth plan has been thrown out the window. Surgery lies before her. She doesn’t know how long she’ll have to wait after birth before she holds her baby in her arms.

My plans did change that day I gave birth to Chloe. A c-section was the last thing I had in mind. And ever since then life has not been what I expected. I never thought I would move to a different state with a 7 month old. But, what an adventure it's been. I've stepped out of my comfort zone, met so many new people and grown so much as a person and mother. I never thought I would be a person who would one day embrace change, yet from that day in the operating room I've been doing it. 

I've written a few posts about how Chloe's birth has changed me, and I since our 2 year anniversary of moving to Winston-Salem is coming up I guess it makes me sentimental. I've still got a long way to go, but I love seeing how God has prepared me for greater things. This girl who was once such a planner is giving up so many preconceived notions about what life has to be, and timetables and comfortable things. 

I'm not sure if my ramblings all make sense, but one day they will. A c-section wasn't my plan, moving to North Carolina wasn't either, yet I'm really at a place where I can say I'm thankful for both.   So here's to whatever God has for the future, trusting in his timing and plans, and willingly letting go of mine. 

RVA

After celebrating Easter and our anniversary Clarke headed back to Winston and me and Chloe stayed in Richmond at my mom's house. It was so nice to see lots of family and friends. Lots of running dates, dinners and lunches in my favorite spots. 

The only day I really took pictures was Friday when we went to the Children's Museum with Lori and Ellie. Chloe had the best time.

Saturday we went to the Race to Parenthood 5k. It was such a wonderful morning, supporting people who really want to be parents. They raised over $7,000 for their embryo adoption. I was so honored to apart of such a special event. 

Later that day we checked out a park near my mom's. Chloe loved seeing the boats on the water.

The next day we headed back to Winston. I'm always thankful that we can spend time with family and friends in Richmond. 

Boston Anniversary Trip

It's always been our tradition to go away just the two of us each year for our anniversary, and this year was no different. We picked Boston this year since I found cheap tickets using vouchers we had from a previous trip to Florida. Both of us had never been so we were pretty excited. 

The plane ride up was great. I normally wouldn't say that about a plane ride but the last 3 we've taken have been with a busy baby or toddler, so this was a nice break. I could just listen to my music (Bethel songs on repeat) and enjoy. 

 The first thing we did was take the T to get some lunch at Anna's Taqueria. Afterwards we took a cab to our hotel and spent the rest of the day just relaxing. Another thing that pre-baby we wouldn't have thought was a big deal, but hot tub and dinner by ourselves was pretty fun, even if it just was Panera. We didn't feel like going back into the city since our hotel was a little further out than we expected, so we just watched a movie in the hotel room. 

 That next morning we ventured out into the city. It was really windy, and kinda cold but at least the sun was shinning. 

 We spent most of the day just walking around exploring and sightseeing. We walked most of the Freedom Trail, which was really neat. Lots of history about our country's beginnings. 

Across from Quincy Market we found a little Boston Marathon museum. I told Clarke this is the closest I'll get to ever running Boston, ha! 

 Then we headed to the north end for dinner. We had dinner at Nico, and it was fabulous. We got pastries at Modern Pastry to take back to our hotel. 

I wish we could have made it to Harvard, maybe next time. The next morning we flew out to celebrate Easter with our families. 

I'm always thankful for time just the two of us, regardless where we are. Thankful my mom could watch Chloe for us.

Easter in Virginia

We just got back from 11 days away! I have lots of catching up to do on the blog, but thought I would start with Easter. 

I take Chloe's picture in these bunny ears every year. This is the first year that she has actually wanted to wear them, hope that trend continues. 

We spent Easter at my mom's in Richmond. It was nice to have so much family there. It was the first year she was into her Easter basket as well. All the Hello Kitty and Frozen things were fun to find for her basket. It was also her first time trying jelly beans, which she loved. 

Of course my mom made the most delicious Easter dinner. My favorite this year was the lemon blueberry cake, Chloe helped her make it.

Best family picture we could get that day. 

I'll end with this picture. Chloe really wanted to help wash all the dishes, and wear the rubber gloves too. It was pretty cute. We had such a great time celebrating Easter, and the start of Spring. 

Weekend Mountain Getaway

This past weekend we got to get away to the mountains near Asheville with our community group from church. A kid free weekend, it was great.

We stayed in this cabin tucked away in Black Mountain. I stayed up till 2am both nights! That hasn't happened in a looooooong time.

 Saturday night we went into Asheville and ate at this cute place, Sunny Point Cafe. The food was fabulous, my favorite was the fried green tomatoes with goat cheese.

Afterwards we went to the French Broad Chocolate Lounge, oh my gosh was it delicious. We had to wait outside in the cold but it was worth it. Their hot chocolate was like drinking a chocolate bar, yum.

But the best part was spending time with our friends and just getting to know everyone better. Oh yeah, and trying to find Billy Graham's house which was supposedly near ours. We had such a great time in the mountains, thankful my mom could watch Chloe so we could go!