The Amazing Jenny

I got to go to Spokane to see Jenny!  Hooray!

The day after Easter I left with the two boys in the van at bedtime... 7:30 pm or so.

I drove for five and a half hours, alone, while the boys slept most of the time in their seats.

It wasn't perfect, but it worked. 

Parker was awake on and off on the way there, and had a hard time sleeping in the pack and play for bed and naps for the first 24 or so, but after that he was a gem.

Ok, yea, the first day was totally rocky, Parker cried a lot, and neither of us got much sleep.  On a positive note, Cohen was fantastic!

I'm so thankful that my friend Ashlee set up a nap for me the day I left (she let Cohen play at her house while Parker and I napped.)  What a great friend. 

Jenny was so sweet to have me there! 

She also was all about me napping and catching up on sleep.

So what did we do for 4 days in Spokane?  Well, a lot of just hanging out.

Some of our best moments were eating Tillamook Mudslide ice cream, watching a chick flick, shopping at a thrift store, sharing recipes, working out, looking up how in the world to decorate a home (Jenny just bought one in Idaho!) and talking, talking, talking.

What did the kids do?  Well, it's a good thing Jenny suggested I bring Cohen's bike.  That's almost all Cohen wanted to do.  He also just played outside a lot with toys and neighborhood kids.

He and Isaac (who's in kindergarten) raced their bikes a LOT. It was so fun to be able to see Cohen enjoy the outdoors so much, and enjoy a great friend.  He and Isaac were seriously great pals.

We also did things for the kids every day.

Going to parks, kids museums, soccer practices, etc. kept us busy.

I loved that Jenny's family lived on a dead end.  There was hardly any car traffic.

Grace is just two months younger than Cohen. 

They had the same bike, just girl and boy version differences.

They liked to do a lot of the same things too.  Cohen was just a little too fast for Grace to enjoy riding bikes with him.

Here are the little ones.  Miles was almost one, and Parker 16 months.  Parker's on the left, and they are about the same height!  They were watching their older siblings play outside.  Cute.

Down time watching TV with Grace. 

I tried to snap the picture when they were almost cuddling, but I was a little too late.

I seriously love this girl.

I knew that visiting Jenny would be rewarding for me, and that I would have a blast. 

Here are some of the actual changes that have occurred since I visited.

None of this was planned or discussed for my future while I was there, the visit just changed me for the better.  :)

1. Started working out every day.

2. Working on simplifying my home; decorations, clutter, things I just don't use.

3. I have a better daily routine.

4. I started a chart to help Cohen be motivated and do some things he just needs to do.

5. I consider having the kids help me with chores a normal and daily routine now.

6. I started using my bread machine.

7. I simply feel more on top of things.

It's just such a blessing to have such a wonderful friend.