Family Weekend!

This past weekend, I had the chance to spend some quality time with my family!! If you know me, family is EVERYTHING! My brother and sister-in-law were suppose to arrive on Friday (from New Jersey) with their brand new golden-doodle puppy, however things ended up not working out and they were unable to come in, sad face. So that meant we would not see them again until Easter, which seems like millions of days away.  BUT it was still nice because we had super fun things planned out with my dad, sister, soon-to-be brother-in-law, dad and hubby!

Friday night we ate dinner at The Sharp Edge in town. Matt and I never head into town that often, because we are sooo tired by the end of the week (from work and workouts) that we usually grab something close to home, then rent a movie and head to bed (I know so exciting!), so that was a nice treat!

Saturday I had to get up super duper early, 3:45am to get my long bike ride in before I had to leave for work (just half day). Then it was more family time spent around the dinning room table (that evening), enjoying food, fun and fellowship over our annual Valentine’s dinner. My mom and dad started the tradition when we were little tikes and I guess we continued to carry it out forever. It’s nice; we usually have a yummy meal that consists of brie cheese and crackers, flank steak, homemade sweet potatoes, veggies, and chocolate cake or WHOPPIE PIES!! My absolute favorite! Speaking of traditions, another one of our traditions we carry out is on birthday’s, we go around the table and say why we are thankful for that person. This typically lasts anywhere from 1-3 hours, depending on the conversations. It is so encouraging and uplifting to hear the words spoken. I highly recommend! On Christmas, we do the same, we talk about the highlights of the year along with what we are expecting and looking forward to in the new year. I am blessed to have such a Godly family who loves one another and invests in each other’s lives.

After dinner, we watched the movie, “Courageous.” One word: INCREDIBLE!!! I believe every man should see this movie! It will change your lives! I could see this movie over and over again. It's a great movie about what a family and father can be with Christ in their lives! It will encourage and inspire you to want to live a life on purpose! Courageous is also about mustering courage, not to die or face danger, but to live. It is about taking stock and being responsible as an act of courage. It also makes the point that children need fathers to balance their lives and it is a natural God designed way of giving them confidence and becoming complete and productive human beings.                                           Even those who have a good family life will be touched by the message because after all Christ did say, “And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” (Matt 23: 9) GO SEE IT!!! You will not be disappointed!                                                                        Sunday was a full morning of swim, bike and run, followed by “catch up day” of cleaning, laundry, running errands, grocery shopping, quick bite to eat at Panera Bread and then home to get things ready for the week, phew! Wouldn’t it be so nice to have Monday’s off (permanently)??

Overall, it was a great weekend of family time well spent!!