Tag along business trip....parents retreat

My husband went to a conference for his work in Wilmington, NC this year. He doesn't travel often at all, so I decided to tag along so we could have some time without our kids! Thanks to one of my besties for totally rocking her babysitting gig and my mom for taking care of all three kids and my dog for half the week!

This was a place neither of us have been to, so I'll share some highlights of our trip together!

We stayed on the riverwalk which provided such a fun experience due to us being able to walk to great restaurants, local shops, ice cream venues, and historic sites. We enjoyed these outings in the late afternoon together after my husband's classes. I enjoyed our sunbathing at our hotel pool, reading a good book, and naps during his work hours....while also meeting him for lunch during his break. This restaurant, Taco Baby, was adorable, yummy, and the staff were so friendly. We also ate dinner at Ruth Chris Steakhouse (first timers), Mellow Mushroom, and a local brewery/restaurant. Later afternoon beach trips also prompted Chick-fil-a drive thru and Jersey Mike's subs.....I'm not much of a foodie.

We also visited several nearby beaches, but our favorite was Wrightsville Beach. This beach had the clearest water in the area and was home to a local surf shop, restaurants, and a pier. This beach town was absolutely adorable! There were homes and duplexes to rent, but no high rise hotels in the area we were at all. It was quaint, but a hangout to vacationers and locals alike. We rode the waves together, took several beach walks, and sat with our toes in the sand listening to our favorite tunes. My favorite moment of the trip was one of our beach walks where we really dug into our goals as a couple and for our family (we don't often talk about these things on the regular). I expressed my innermost desires of short term and long term goals to my husband. I have grown exponentially in my faith the past couple of years, but often times doubt what God can do. These seemed like lofty goals and some might say they were crazy, but at the exact moment we were finishing this conversation we literally walked up to this crafted on the beach.....I'm a stubborn one....so God sends elaborate, "in my face" signs to show me I am not in control, but HE is! The beach literally "posted"..."He is able, Jesus" for us and others to see! Never doubt what God can do!

After one of our last afternoons at the beach, our final venture was to drive around to sight see and we ended up visiting UNCW to see their campus.....it was enormous! On our way out.....we stumbled upon a Trader Joe's....so we had to stop. It is my favorite place and it was at this location where I found the famous gluten free strawberry muffins.....so yummy!

Overall we had a great trip together! It was refreshing to get to spend some quiet time alone while my husband attended the conference. I listened to podcasts, read, studied my devotions and spent time alone with God, napped, and reflected on myself and my goals. My husband and I got to connect and talk to one another about various topics without interruption. I felt rejuvenated and refreshed once we returned home....and ready to tackle the summer fun with our kiddos!