A little weekend getaway

This summer has been full of readjustments for our family. The first part of the summer was all about welcoming Rory to our family and ensuring that Everett, Haven and Rory have all been well adjusted to the changes. This involved a lot of time indoors hiding away from the heat.  Quickly and simultaneously as we were doing this we began preparing mentally and physically for the move to Midland. We have all been a little drained and disconnected this summer and needed an opportunity to pause for a minute to regroup with one another.






We decided to take a long weekend trip to Oklahoma City because it was a somewhat quick drive with our one not very tolerable rider (Haven) and it offered an array of fun activities that Amarillo doesn't supply. Our number one priority while in OKC was visiting the Zoo. Animals are Everett's absolute favorite thing right now, he loves every single one. Haven's favorite thing is anything that Everett loves so naturally she is very into animals as well. We lathered all three kids up with sunscreen and hats and set out for a fun day. Quickly after walking past the first habitat Rory decided a stroller was not for her and I wound up wearing her in a Moby wrap around me the rest of the day. Everett and I read over all the animals that were on exhibit at the zoo before we left to amp up excitement for our weekend. He and Haven were very excited to see the tigers and bears but when we finally got to them they were more interested in moving on to the next animal than lingering on watching them. Everett's most favorite while we were there was a massive Orangutan that he watched climb up to a perch high in his exhibit. Everett immediately began calling him "King Louie" from the Jungle Book and loved all his orange hair. Haven's favorite of all wound up to be a carousel that she rode with her Dad. They both also loved the tank of stingrays where they could pet them although neither of them managed to do so, they both enjoyed being so close and putting their hands in the water with them.







We were all exhausted after a long hot few hours at the zoo. After a quick bite and check in at the hotel the kids and Drew headed to the pool where there was a large kids splash area for them to enjoy! While there Drew and I both wanted to go to the Memorial of the Oklahoma City Bombing. I had been once before when I was in college but it took on a completely different meaning to me being there with my precious children on the grounds where others lost their lives. As we walked around the serene beautiful monument and I got on to Everett and Haven for pestering one another I couldn't help but be so incredibly grateful for the gift of being their Mom. The rest of our trip was soaking up time just being together whether out shopping, eating good food or playing in the pool it was all about being a family of five.








This trip was greatly needed for each one of us! I have realized how important it is to take time to just refocus on being a family now more than ever.