Everybody Needs A Little Time Away

Being a parent is stressful.  Being a parent of a special needs child can be down right crippling.   Fueled by depression, anger, isolation, regret, and blame, not only can it break you as an individual, it can take a huge toll on a marriage.  


With everything Jesse and I had been experiencing, it was suggested that we see a counselor.  We went.  We went every two weeks, then monthly until our counselor told us how amazing we were actually doing and she didn't need to see us anymore....   

We still have our moments of weakness, but I think the reason Jesse and I have been so successful since having met with a counselor, is because we have such an INCREDIBLE support system!  

During our sessions, our counselor told us the importance of getting away, just the two of us.  From dinner and a movie, to one night away, to a weekend excursion.  We just needed to be alone with eachother without any distractions. 


Vacation #1 ~ June, we met our dear Seattle friends, Daryl and Tina, in Portland, Oregon.  


Popularly known as “The Grotto”(http://www.thegrotto.org/), our first stop was The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, a 62-acre Catholic shrine and botanical garden. 

Portland has some delightful farmers markets and it is there where we found the most delicious breakfast item ever created! Pine State Biscuits (http://www.pinestatebiscuits.com/): Fried chicken breast topped with apple butter, smoked bacon, and cheddar cheese all housed in the fluffiest, moistest, buttermilk biscuit!

Our next destination was Huber's Cafe (http://www.hubers.com/) for a Spanish Coffee (70% alcohol, 25% coffee, and 5% cream).  It's quite spectacular just to watch the bartender concoct this drink (you can find it YouTube)!  Oh and we couldn't pass on the infamous hot turkey sandwich!   

    

We booked a brewery tour to consume some of Portland's finest ales and then we stopped by The Grilled Cheese Grill (http://www.grilledcheesegrill.com/) for some of the best grilled cheese sandwiches known to man!  And finally we finished the night off with dessert from VooDoo Doughnuts (http://www.voodoodoughnut.com/).

 

Rounding out our mini vacation, we visited the tallest waterfall in the state of Oregon, Multnomah Falls.

Thank you Daryl and Tina for a wonderful stress free weekend!

Vacation #2 ~ August Family Vacation.

Just because our daughter is disabled, doesn't mean she should be deprived of all of the wonderful things this world has to offer!
Along with some helping hands (Grandma and Grandpa McDonald, Uncle Cody and Aunt Diana), we drove out to La Jolla, California and rented a condo for the weekend.  


We made it a point to spend as much time at the beach as possible.  We know Gwen loves water, but we were a little nervous that the ocean water would be a little too chilly!  I took Gwen down to the shoreline and I held her close as we waited in anticipation for the waves to come crashing in.  Once the waves hit and pulled the sand back through Gwen's toes, she let out the biggest laugh we had ever heard!   It's those little things that can be so gratifying: ).


For the rest of the weekend, we soaked up the sun, did a little boogie boarding and kayaking, walked along the beach, and watched perfect sunsets.

   
Vacation #3 ~ Family and Football (September).

Jesse and I hopped on a red-eye to South Bend, Indiana for the........

Notre Dame v. Michigan State Game!

We toured the most beautiful campus, the Basilica, the stadium, and the grotto. Oh and I can't forget to mention Jesse shook hands with great Dickie V (sports commentator Dick Vitale)!

Game day we tailgated with the pro's (seriously, they know how to do it out there) and then headed into the stadium to witness a Notre Dame VICTORY!

After the game, we drove four hours north to visit my grandma and extended family in Michigan!

Thank you "Weekend Warriors" for watching Gwen and allowing us the opportunities to get away!