Dancing Bear

  Chris is in a CLC (Christian Leadership Concepts) Bible Study for men that meets once per week.  Two Saturday's ago we found ourselves at the Dancing Bear Lodge with all of the men and their wives for a little overnight marriage retreat.

It was a rainy Saturday.  One of those where you wish you found yourself wrapped up in a blanket at home.

However, with a room like this:

I quickly decided this could be my new home (at least for the night!).



My husband right beside me in a down bed with a down comforter??

Yes, please!

We dined with everyone that evening in the lodge restaurant.  [Side note:  It was good, but for the money I would drive 20 minutes down the road to eat at our new favorite place.] 

Later, we reconvened in a large meeting room around a great big fireplace, talked a while, and then played the three rounds of the Newlywed game.  For each round, four guys were relocated outside while their coordinating girl was asked around 6 questions.  Once the guys came in, they would be asked the same question and everyone listened to see if the answer would be the same as what the girl said.  It was such a fun game!

Chris and I won our round!  6 out of 7 questions answered correctly!  Probably the luck of the draw, but you know we like to win games around here.

As fun as the night was, the next morning was even better.  More special-er, if you will.

This weekend meant specifically for women.  To stay in a beautiful location, away from the to-do lists and children (if you have them), to be together. 

Sunday morning the men had prepared something very special.  They all wrote or thought about the things they love about their wives.  Then, in front of the entire crowd, they told us, one by one.  My heart was pounding as Chris looked at me and said such beautiful things.  He did say I was "the best thing that has ever happened to him" which I plan to hold close to my heart to for a very long, long time.

After that, we had our own church service of 22 and Chris led the music.

Some of the couples:

Brandy, Baby Asa, and Kayvon (one of Yegi's cousins)     Brad and Heather (our neighbors)

                Mike and Jenn                             Beth and John (baby boy makes three!)

Frank and Laura                                            Katy and Hal    

The whole gang (minus Bumble and Mindy):

There was this guy:

He is an avid reader of said blog and asked to have his picture taken with Mr. Connell.

It is nice though that Chris and John get to be apart of this group together.  College BFFs.

PS for anyone on the lookout for a baby bump (IE: our sisters):  Even though my shirt appears that I'm trying to hide something, I am not pregnant.

Just wanted to clear that up.

But I sure am in love with that Mr. Connell there!

The lodge and the stragglers.

So grateful for that little getaway with the Mister!

and for the CLC group of men he's apart of...

PS:  Check this fun recipe out if you want to know what I'm making for dinner tonight. 
PPS:  This list of ways to simplify your life is also pretty great.

xoxo!