September Date

My turn to plan!  Well, September 3rd came and was SO BUSY that by the time I got done with a fun but exhausting JustServe booth and errands, my energy was spent.  I got home around 8pm and it was getting dark.  Steve looked tired, like he just woke up from a nap, which was actually the case.  Anyway, I told him, "I am so exhausted, can we just go out to a nice restaurant tomorrow?"  He was game, maybe even relieved.  It was the best option.

So, Friday September 4th we had a lunch date.  I got all ready and Steve came home with a surprise for me... awww... a FLOWER!  And not just any flower, a Gerber Daisy.  Those are special to me because Steve was the first and only boy to give me that flower.  I had received roses, lots of different kinds and colors, but Steve actually perused around and chose a daisy which I loved for it's uniqueness. Plus daisies were my favorite! I love the way they look.

Our nice restaurant of choice is possibly our favorite- La Plaza Mexicana.  I've never had anything there that I didn't like.

Steve ordered his favorite- 2 crispy rellenos with rice and beans.  I got something new to try- Plaza Enchiladas: 3 enchiladas one with creamy sauce and one with mole, and one with pork chile verde.  I hadn't had breakfast and so my appetite was ready to tackle it and I packed every bit away.  I was STUFFED going home.  Kinda wish I split it into 2 meals so I didn't have to deal with the effects of overeating.  Maybe I'll remember that for next time.

On the drive home, I proposed that we take the road less traveled, which is a little longer but also serene.  I snapped pics of the clouds which were so pretty against the blue sky.

We also got to drive home under our favorite tree.  This one has been photographed by us a few times.  We love how it reaches over the road.  It also makes us a little nervous to drive under it.  So adventurous!

I'm glad we waited until we were both more awake and could enjoy our date unrushed.  Great food, the best company, pretty views.  Loved it so much.

July and August Dates

 JULY: Pizza, Park, Puzzle! 
(Lani's turn to plan)

Felt like a good time to have pizza!  High Country has a special for a personal 2 topping pizza and a drink for something like 8 bucks.  Add on a couple of the best Reeses peanut butter cookies ever and OH BABY! Winner dinner!

After dinner we were off to a quiet park to put together a puzzle Steve got for Father's Day.  It's made of wood and has lots of cool, interesting pieces.  And it is HARD, not your generic put-the-edges-together-first puzzle, which would be impossible with the way this was cut. With around 250 pieces, it took us a little under 2 hours to get it done.  We had the place to ourselves, it was near 100 degrees, but the shade was better.  About the last half hour, our quiet park became every truck-owning teen's hangout as they were revving in the parking lot and doing their thing. I'm sure it was their way of cheering us on and celebrating that we finished this tricky but really cool puzzle!  Yay!  Go us!

AUGUST: Homemade Dinner, a Walk, & Spiderman
(Steve's turn to plan)

My sweet husband came home from work and made me dinner!  It was so wonderful of him! I loved every bit of it.  We had our favorite chicken nuggets, apple slaw salad, and dates.  And in case you're wondering where our kids were and what they ate, they were away on a folk dance tour to Serbia and Bulgaria, so probably sausage, chicken, cabbage, and tomato-cucumber salads.  They informed me that's pretty much what every place served them. ;)

After dinner he asked me if I'd like to go on a walk down the street before heading off to our movie.  You bet your bottom dollar I'd like to! Walking with my husband has always been a favorite pastime of mine. And Pippin really enjoyed it too.

We haven't been to a movie together, just the two of us, for a really long time! There was a new Spiderman movie out, so we went to it. What a wonderful way to end a lovely weekday date with my hubby!  

A Promotion for Dating your Spouse

You know, it's not very easy prioritizing a date night when it falls mid-week after a tiring day, but I'm glad we have been doing it.  Having FUN together is rejuvenating for a relationship. It's strengthening! Highly recommend to every couple to prioritize a monthly anniversary date night on the day of their anniversary, taking turns planning, doing something just the two of you.

Dates for April, May, and June

 

April Date

It was a Friday and Steve's turn to plan.  He took me to High Country Pizza. We both got personal pizzas. Mine was pineapple and chicken.  Steve was ham and pineapple (surprise! he doesn't usually go for ham on a pizza).  Then we also got Reeses peanut butter cookies... OH!   SO!  GOOD!  Best I've ever had.  In fact, we had to go back and buy a second one because they were too good. 

Lily's Mission Land Family Trip

NHMM... That would be the acronym for the New Hampshire Manchester Mission... The beautiful land which holds a special place in my heart.  That's where Lily was called to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and where I know God walked with my daughter. 

So, our family knew we wanted to do this trip even before Lily left on her mission.  We started planning on it while Lily was still serving her mission.  She was saving a list of places to take us after she came home and when we would come back to visit her mission land.  Eventually, we planned to go in late spring after she returned, which would be before the summer rush of tourists from cruise ships, but after the bitter cold winters, and hopefully when things would be in bloom.

Here's a smattering of where we went..

Portland, Maine

She's standing in front of a study booth at the local library.  She spent lots of time in those booths when she'd do companionship study or teaching lessons to people.

This is in the lobby, a really cool art installation of birds flying

Our pizzas by the slice at a place Lily and her companion used to frequent.  They have way more than your basic pepperoni or cheese. And under $5 a slice.

Amara walking to Pizzaiolo, our lunch stop.

To be honest, walking from our car to Pizzaiolo was only a couple blocks, but it sorta had me creeped out. The big city had some sketchy spaces and sketchy people.  I was just glad we all were together.  Then I realized that Lily used to walk these streets all the time. I asked her if it was creepy to her or if she ever felt unsafe, and she said it didn't feel that way to her and the Lord would guide them to know which streets to take or avoid.

Our family at the Portland Headlight

It was chilly and began to rain on us here. I suppose that was God's way of making sure we had the place to ourselves, which we pretty much did. The Portland Headlight is the most photographed lighthouse in the USA. Just look at it! No wonder! It's not just photogenic, it carries a feeling with it.  It feels so charming, New-England-y, historical, magical.

A Google search let me know that it was commissioned by George Washington in 1787 and first lit in 1791, it is an iconic symbol of the rugged New England coast.

Maybe, just maybe, I sat on the same rock Henry Wadsworth Longfellow sat on when writing his poem, The Lighthouse. 

Don't prick your finger on a pointy lighthouse.  It hurts.