Doing the Unexpected while Expecting

When we woke up Friday morning to constant rain, our plans for the weekend looked unsure. After all, we had plans for a weekend of camping ahead of us. And not just spending the night in a cabin, or a pop-up trailer...I mean, pitch a tent, sleep under the stars, cook our own meals over a campfire type of camping weekend ahead of us. Did I mention we were camping with our friends, where collectively we had two two-year olds, two helpful Daddies, and two pregnant Mommas (myself included).

We pitched our tents Friday night as the dark closed in on us. The girls helped as best they could assembling tent poles, laying out tarps and entertaining themselves. By the time we all sat down by the campfire for a little relaxation, we realized it was 10:00 at night and we were exhausted! Luckily, the rain had stopped but with the rain earlier that day had come some mighty cold temperatures into the 40's. But, we camped overnight in our tents anyway. Just layered up and cuddled. And we survived. And we woke up happy.

In the morning, the girls played happily together as we made breakfast and prepared for the day.

And, after many requests from Elliana, we went hiking. The noises we heard hiking weren't normal hiking noises...instead we heard laughter, skipping, jumping, and the occasional scolding of a toddler to be quiet ("Ssshhhh...we are looking for bugs!" - Ella) or to not throw sticks ("Daddy, if I see that one more time, you will go to Time Out in the woods." - Elliana).

By night time, we all enjoyed some more campfire fun as we ate around the campfire. The girls went to bed earlier than the night before allowing the adults to actually talk a little before crashing ourselves. It was a wonderful evening.

And the morning was just as great with pancakes over the campfire, dry weather and good friends. It was truly a weekend to remember!! And so, by doing something unexpected...braving the rainy and cold weather, and just following our hearts, we were truly blessed with a joyous weekend.