A Brief Respite

In the middle of winter, Chris and I knew we were ready for vacation.  We spent one entire Saturday talking about what we needed for a vacation and where we wanted to go.  Disney World?  It wouldn't fit in with Claire's nap schedule and was more than we wanted to spend.  Mexico?  I wanted to avoid carting two girls, car seats, and carry-ons through an airport.  A cruise?  It sounded fun, and it seemed my parents would certainly be able to watch the kids, but something didn't feel right about it. 

In the end, Chris and I discussed our vacation wishes and found we wanted:

• water-- a river, a lake, a pond-- anything with that soothing natural element
• gorgeous scenery
• a pool for Hallie to splash in that I could read books next to
• shopping
• restaurants
• a kitchen to cook in when we were sick of eating out
• a separate room for the girls
• lots of places to hike and walk
• no plane rides
• not too long of a car ride

We chose a condominium on the shores of Lake Dillon, CO (minutes from Vail).  I can't tell you how inspired our destination was.  Little did we know when we paid our deposit that in between our first and final payments for vacation Chris' brother Mike would pass away, I would get a tooth extracted and a bridge in place (more painful than it sounds), and that my dad would be diagnosed with an unknown and belligerent form of cancer. 

We needed this time away.  We needed this respite from the turmoil of recent months.  Please don't mistake me, the Lord has carried our burdens and we have felt uplifted throughout it all.  Chris and I have described that sometimes we literally feel like we are in a protective bubble as everything crashes and crumbles around us.  But physically, we needed a change of pace.  This was it.

I ordered onion rings three times in one week.  I feel simultaneously gluttonous and glorious.  We found a little cafe that was perfect to walk to and from.  Don't get me started on their food . . . Chris and I have never been so satisfied throwing down our hard-earned money for a meal.  The kitchen was perfect for the times when we couldn't eat out another bite (trust me, eating out got old).  Pictures of our view won't even do adequate justice.  It was even more majestic in person.  Hallie loved the pool and told me eighteen times "This is great!" when she swam in her yellow-tutu swimsuit.  The shopping was exquisite.  We were close to an outlet mall with high-quality stores, I tell you.  Except for one night, Claire slept like a champion.  Even though I spent significant time on the phone with hospital updates and on the floor with tears, all the in between time was peaceful and downright fun.

Just like all the other help we have been blessed with, this vacation home was yet another tender mercy to buoy us up.