Ryan and I have been through a whirl wind of changes over the past two years, from having our first child, moving 3 weeks after her birth to Wisconsin, and then buying a home last February. Sometimes you get so wrapped up in things you forget the importance of one another as a couple. He has been focused on getting everything done for qualifications in the Coast Guard, and working toward advancing in his career. I have been busy being a full time mom, adjusting to the schedule of Station life, and keeping the house and finances in order. We get 2-3 days without seeing Ryan, so by the time he is back home our focus is on Novella getting to spend some quality time with her Papa, and vice versa. Ryan and I went on a lunch date April 13, 2015, we walked down to a little pub from our rental house and had lunch then headed back home to an upset baby. We haven’t really gotten to connect with A LOT of people, and I always feel like I am putting my mom friends out by asking them to watch Novella for us; and like I said… life just happens.

As of late Ryan and I have been feeling disconnected from one another, haven’t really been able to connect on a deeper level without the crazy toddler running around; and it can be exhausting, both mentally and physically. We knew we needed some US time. As you may have previously read in my last blog post, we got to take a trip to Oklahoma a couple of weeks ago to see some of my family. My mother was insistent that we have a couple of outings by ourselves and that she would cherish the opportunity to spend some special time with Novella. So we took her up on this offer!!

Our first outing was with my Dad; my mom and Grandmother stayed at the house and had a fun-filled day with her! My dad took us into one of the larger cities, where he took me maternity shopping. Yes, I went maternity shopping with my daddy and husband. HAHA, but we were very successful and my dad has a great eye for stylish clothing, Ryan sat and nodded yes or no, and entertained himself on his phone! 😉 He is not a huge fan of clothing shopping for himself, let alone for his wife, but he was supportive and complimentary and that was the most important thing. I had a lot of fun! Then after the three of us went to the movies to see The Finest Hours. I have not been to a movie in the theater since before Novella was born in 2014. Ryan and I used to go almost weekly to see something, so it was a very special treat to go and see a Coast Guard movie no less! It was spectacular and a much needed outing. Then we all went by target to return something and stopped by a Barnes and Noble and walked around for a bit. By the time we got home, we had been gone for about six and a half hours; this is THE LONGEST I have ever been apart from Novella, and she did great! She didn’t fight my mom for nap either, and slept 3 hours!! WHOA!!!

Our next little outing was while Novella was taking a nap, and it was a beautiful day, so after we played a game with my parents, Ryan and I went on a walk alone for the first time in a very long time. We were out for at least an hour going through the empty cow fields and just simply talked and enjoyed the company of one another. It was simple but quite pleasant.

Our third outing was a REAL date, we weren’t really sure what we could do in Oklahoma, at least not in small town Stratford, OK. So one night after Novella fell asleep I put together a plan, and ran it past Ryan, and he thought it sounded like a lot of fun. So the next morning we got up, said see ya later and headed out for a day of US! First we drove up to Paul’s Valley and went to the Action Figure Museum, yes, you read that right! It was so awesome, and we had a blast! I will add some photos! Then we walked around the little historic town and found a Guns and Ammo shop, where we perused the aisles, and dreamed of a larger gun collection! Then momma bear started to get hungry, so we went to a Mexican restaurant, the food was decent, but they only had one drink filter, that they used for the water…we did not know this and both ordered a Dr. Pepper… it tasted like the earth… dirt flavored Dr. Pepper… no thanks, we politely sent it back and just drank our water. Next on our agenda was a Casino; that may sound odd to many of you, but I have never been gambling and have always wanted to go just for fun! So we took $45 with us, and went for some fun… we most did slot machines, but the blackjack was the most fun. They weren’t busy and explained everything to us, and were helpful, I got 3 blackjacks back to back to back. I should have stopped then…. but I didn’t. We left the Casino with 9 cents. haha It was extremely fun, but I can honestly say I never have to do it again. It was mid afternoon at this point and we ran out of things to do so we headed back.

All of this to say, after our trip to Oklahoma, we both felt a deeper connection to one another. A connection that had been pushed to the side, ignored, and a little neglected over the last couple of years. We told ourselves that we would start with making an effort to go on a date at least once a month to feel reconnected to one another. So…who wants to watch the kiddo this month? Lol

Thanks mom, dad and Grandmother for spending time with Novella so that we could find out that we “still like one another” as my mom put it. Sometimes it’s hard as parents, but my little piece of advice, especially to new parents, take the time to get away from your little one, it might be challenging at first to leave them…but your marriage is worth it! In 18-20 years they will move out, and it will just be you and your spouse again. Take time to connect, build your relationship, grow with one another in Christ, laugh together without the kids, and get a break…you deserve it, your spouse deserves it, and so does your marriage!

Now, here are some photos of our outings! 🙂