A "Strong Bond" to the Mountains!

This past weekend was just further proof that I belong near the mountains.  The Georgia Mountains to be specific, but the North Carolina ones will do. 

Danny had the wonderful opportunity to lead a Strong Bonds at Beech Mountain.  Strong Bonds is a marriage retreat and this one happened to be for families - meaning there was childcare and fun family activities.

Friday we drove up to paradise!  Imagine going from 95 degree weather to a high of 75!  It was wonderful!  We stayed in a two-bedroom condo.  They had a putt-putt course, playground, pool, and lots of green grass for the kiddos to run around in.  That night we met all the couples, and Danny taught a couple sessions.  The material was over the five love languages.  I was very surprised at how many people joined in discussion!  I was also surprised that Danny and I had been married the longest of all the people there!  Good thing I know 26 is not old or I might start thinking it.

Saturday morning we had a few more sessions and then we were off for an afternoon of family time.  We took the boys to Grandfather Mountain!  It was perfect for our family.  Here are a few of the things we did:

We saw BEARS!  This photo is not zoomed in - they were really that close!  Jonah was sooo excited.  He kept looking for a bear that would talk to him.  I tried to explain that real bears don't talk. . . he is still convinced there is a talking bear out there just waiting to be found.

I will admit I get VERY scared going around curves at a mile above sea level, so we pulled into a parking lot and hiked the rest of the way up. Jonah hiked the whole mile on his own two feet!  He was dirty, dirty, dirty when we finished but it was worth it.  Most of the trail was big rocks.  He climbed up them and said, "Bears do this!"  

Once we made it to the top we got to cross the swinging bridge.  I crossed with Jonah while Danny held Huxton and Eli.  Then Danny crossed with Jonah while I held them.  It was super windy, and the bridge was singing!

And here are all my boys back on the trail!

Saturday night childcare was provided for a free date night.  Since we hadn't had a date night since moving to North Carolina, we were beyond excited!  We dropped off the boys and went to dinner.  We had a whole room to ourselves!  It was so nice to sit and talk.  We spent the whole two hours discussing the answers to the Q &A session the next day, but we still really enjoyed it.  We found that we like to teach together and we like the time we get to talk while preparing.  We took dessert to go.  The childcare workers said we could stay out until 10 but no one deserves to watch three boys after their bedtime.  So, we picked them up a little after eight, tucked them in, prepared the devotional for the following morning, and ate dessert while watching the Olympics. 

Sunday was the last day of the retreat.  The Q&A session and devotional went so well.  I could already tell a difference in some of the couples.  Of course, I am sure they could tell a difference in me after three days in the mountains.  :D  But in all seriousness, God really put it on my heart to pray for these couples.  It is my prayer that Danny and I can be role models for the other couples here and that they will come to us for help before throwing away something as wonderful as marriage.

We were given the option of staying an additional night for free.  Can you say YES?!  The spent the rest of the day playing outside, napping, and swimming.  It was a much needed rest for our whole family.

Not even Jonah wanted to go home, but all good things must come to an end.

We decided to make a detour to UNC on our way back to Spring Lake.  We were hoping to see the basketball museum and the Dean Smith Center.  Unfortunately, both are closed on Mondays.  However, we still walked around the campus.  The one building that was open was the swimming pool!  This made Jonah's day!  He has been watching the Olympics with us and he is amazed at the swimmers.  He practices going "underwater" and splashing on the couch.  We took this pic just in case he is in the Olympics one day :D

So, we are home now - back to the scorching heat and long work days.  At least we were refreshed and have less than two weeks before we visit Georgia.  Woohoo!  Now, I just need to find a way for Danny to teach some more of these!  :)