camping...my favorite weekend trips

This morning, my daughter and I were talking about simplicity in life,  She is a stay-at-home mom. I wish that I had been.

Choosing that life means a  great deal of sacrifice, battling with inner conflict and a willingness to see the bigger picture...embracing a lifestyle that allows us to feel content with what we have, and  sacrifice the "things" that the world says we need so that we can enjoy and reap rewards of spending time investing in something bigger than ourselves.

And I know plenty of working moms that have to do the same thing. And that's okay, too.

For me, I've had to learn the hard way that it's not always the best to have the best. Many years ago, I began to cultivate a lifestyle of finding, repurposing, making and doing...mostly out of necessity, but now, it's a life that I believe in. I have to make it work for my whole life..my wardrobe, cooking, decorating and vacations.

I don't need a fancy hotel and I don't need to budget a month's salary for a get away . For me? Camping is the way to go (not that I don't mind a vacation at Disney World or wouldn't love a romantic island get-away, of course!) Growing up camping meant the best memories. I regret that I didn't take my kids while they were young.  I am thrilled that they all love to do a camping getaway now, as adults.

We plan three trips a year and look forward to each one....planning meals, hikes, games and books to read.

I can't imagine a better way for JR and I to have focused time together...problem solving (without him strangling me over where the tent should go and how I can never seem to figure out the pop up canopy. ever) , cooking together, staring for endless hours into a campfire and enjoying creation. 

Sometimes we don't have to have long conversations that mean anything....we just are.

And that time spent away from the business of our every day means something. We are investing in each other. And there are no regrets in that.