I love girls trips. I have been going on girls trips with my high school friends, the Peacocks, once or twice a year for 20 years now. My college roommates and I get together for a weekend once a year as well. When Beth, my sister in love, asked me to join her for a few days at the beach this past week I couldn’t say yes fast enough.
It was going to be hard to get away during the week. I don’t have any family in town, so my husband would have to get the kids off to school, take them to the book fair, get Lilly to dance, get Wes to football, do the homework, make the breakfasts, lunches and dinners, take care of our dog child Dixie May, all while working. When I started to think of all that I was going to pile on him, I almost said no, I can’t, its to hard to get away. But when I mentioned to Weston that Beth asked me to go on this trip, he said go. Go and have fun. He gets it. He goes on his share of golf trips with the guys, and trips to see the Vols play. It is just something that we have done for each other throughout our marriage, given each other permission to go, have fun, rest, and recharge.
Listening to the ocean drinking hot coffee, long praying walks on the beach, early bedtimes, books and magazines, reading all day, belly laughs, talking and sharing for hours, eating brownies and frozen pizza, watching brain numbing t.v., being quiet, shark sightings, counting my blessings, soaking up the sun, spending time with one of my most favorite people in the world.
I went on a walk early Thursday morning. I was deep in prayer when I almost tripped over this!!!! Yes that is a shark! No I didn’t get back in the water the rest of the trip.
When you get away from the noise, the constant demands, the busy schedules, when you unplug from the rest of the world, you’re able to think. You’re reminded what is important, what matters most.
- I realized how much I appreciate my husband and all he does for me and our family.
- I realized how blessed that I am to have a husband that supports me and my crazy dreams.
- I realized how much I realllllllly love and cherish my kids.
- I realized my relationship with God has to be first, before anything and everything.
- I realized how special and giving and loving my parents are.
- I realized how good it feels to laugh hard and have good ole girl talk. Sometimes at home I get to “busy” to have fun.
- I realized I need to focus more on my friends and work at those relationships.
- I realized how blessed I am to have a brother that cracks me up and a sister in law who is one of my best friends.
- I realized that I love peace and I will do everything in my power not to overbook, over plan, or over commit.
- I realized I need to chill out and stop being so serious all the time.
- I realized that I like to wear the same thing for three days straight and not wash my hair.
- I realized how hard it is for me to sit still at home, there is always something to do, something to make, or something to clean.
- I realized just how much my body and mind needed to sit, to be still, and to rest.
- I realized when I rest I am a much happier, more creative person.
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I realized God gives many gifts throughout the day. It’s when I’m quiet that I truly see them.
On my way out of Charleston, I just happened to see a woman putting up a sign for a Friday yard sale. I was the first one there and racked up. Yes I believe that God not only blesses me with sunrises, but also blesses me with out of no where Friday yard sales.
My family also realized a few things while I was gone. Good ole mom was really missed. They realized how much they love me. They realized how much they appreciated me and all that I do to keep our family running.
I feel fresh, recharged and ready to take on the world. Amazing what a little time away, a little quiet, a dear friend, and rest will do for you.
Do you take time to get away. What’s holding you back?
My name is Angela Statzer and I love to incorporate just about anything into my artwork. Ranging from recycled materials, vintage items, wood, jewelry, other people’s junk, buttons and fabric, my style is fun and diverse. You can find me smiling at any yard sale, thrift store or flea market. I am a momma to two amazing kids and wife to one hot husband. 
Sounds like a perfect get away to recharge and be able to count your blessings. It is difficult to get away and leave our husbands home to cover for us but I am glad you were able to do it! What a great yard sale score to top it off! Have a great week.
Hi Colleen
Yes I felt like that yard sale was a great end to the perfect weekend.
Hope you have a great week too!
lots of love
Angela
I’m so glad you were able to get away and that your hubby realized the importance of your being able to do that! Yay for the beach and girlfriends and downtime!
It looks like you had an awesome time and I love your pile of magazines. That looks like my kind of reading! 
I’m dying to get away on a girl trip, but with two little ones . . . well, you know how it goes. Maybe when they’re a tad bit older…. 
Hi Audra!
Yes it is sooooooooo hard to get away with little ones. My kids are 10 and 7 so it is much easier. However I went away when they were little too and it did so much for me.
lots of love
Angela
I know exactly what you mean about those trips. I am ready for one in the near future, and the beach is the best place to go, I love it this time of year. There’s nothing more relaxing than a fall day at the beach. Looks like a great yard sale that you stumbled upon. Have a blessed week.
Hi Jackie!
Happy Monday to you! Yes I totally agree, nothing like a fall day at the beach. We sat outside alllllll day and never really got hot or cold, it was perfect! I think my company made it perfect though!
lots of love
Angela
Girlie I have so been missing your blog! Glad I looked you up, for some reason the posts haven’t been coming up in my Google Reader. You are so inspirational and creative. Glad you took some time to get away and recharge with your girlfriend. We all need it admist the everyday chaos.
Helllllllllo there Anitra!!!
I have always called you Leelucreations! It that your name, Anitra!?!?! So so pretty!!! I haven’t seen you around and have missed you! Maybe when I switched over to wordpress I lost you!?!? Oh well so glad you are back now!
lots of love
Angela
Yep, it’s me! I’ve got you back in my blog list.
Yeahhhhh!!!
hope you have a great weekend!
lots of love
Angela
Charleston is the perfect retreat! Sometimes living here you aren’t able to appreciate the beauty. Glad you were able to recharge. Good for the soul……..
Katie!!!
Now I have someone to visit! Whatcha doing this weekend!?!?!
xoxoxo
Angela
angela –
would love to meet you! would love to take you around town (to my favorite thrift stores), relax on the beach, eat at the fine and dives, or whatever. you name it! my home and city are always open to you! totally jealous of the friday yard sale….where was that????
Katie:)
It’s crazy that you posted this because lately I have been thinking of all the reasons why I can’t get away…but I need to soooo bad. Thank you for the reminder. Glad you are recharged.
Go Wendi go!!!!! It is sooooooooo hard to get away but worth every bit of it!!!!
xoxoxo
Angela
Ahh….I don’t know how’d I’d make it without our Peacock trips. Sometimes, knowing we’ve got one coming up is the only thing that gets me through a rough week! Glad you and Beth had a wonderful time! I love you and miss you!! xoxoxo -stef
p.s. Did you touch the shark? Please say you did?
noooooooooooooo I did not touch the shark!!!! I wanted to get some of it’s teeth so I could show everyone that I had found shark’s teeth!!! Beth actually did find a biggggg tooth! People fishing from the beach caught two sharks! 4-5 feet long. I will NEVERRRRRRRRRRRR get in the water again!
love and miss you
Angela
This resonated deeply with me. For my birthday, in several weeks, my husband is sending me to a B&B for the weekend. To do exactly all of what you mentioned…recharge, refresh, be quiet, soak up some reading/prayer/journaling time.
Thanks for the inspiration and for saying you did it with little ones too. I have two little ones and feel a little desperate for this time yet a little unsure of doing it too. =)
Hi Breanne!
So glad that your husband is doing something so nice for you! I went away all the time when my kids were little. When I came back I was a better momma because I had taken care of myself. You are doing something wonderful for you and your and your kids will benefit from it!
Enjoy!
Angela