36 Monthly Challenge: Unplugged!

Did it feel like I was MIA in July?  I tried to blog through the chaos but I have to say, I was barely home for a minute.  July is historically the busiest month of the year for us, but this month topped the charts as the all time craziest month in Jones history.  Here are some of the things that went down:

Baseball!  Preston was in a traveling league this year.  Seriously, most fun we have had with sports yet, but let me just say, it was crazy.

From practices to games to tournaments on the weekends, we were there.  Would I take it back?  Never.  We met great families, the kids made friends and played at countless parks and Preston had the experience of a lifetime!

Birthdays!  Peyton, our tender hearted, giggling snuggle bug turned 7!

And Preston, our quiet yet athletic super helper turned 10!

And my dearest sweet pea gram turned 90!

She is the most amazing woman I have ever known.  I am so inspired by her!  Of course, her birthday was absolutely a great celebration!

Anniversary!  My main man Bryan and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary this year.  Yes, if you do the math and are quick to catch onto things, we got married the same month Preston was born.  In fact, it was only week prior.  It's amazing the way life changes over ten years, as does a relationship.  So this year we decided to renew our vows and celebrate the amazing life we have built together!  {more on that in additional upcoming posts}

So, with all the commotion, we decided that we needed to get away, and FAST!  And that's just what we did.

First, we stopped at some state baseball tournaments so the boys could help shag balls and clean dugouts {or just eat lots of treats and watch lots of baseball}

Then, we headed up north to our favorite place....  ahhh, sigh.  It's a very dear friend's cabin, and we are always so grateful to getaway for a visit!

Here is where the greatness came in.  While we were out in the morning doing some of this...

A storm decided to rush in.  So did we!  And then power. was. gone.

Now most might say boooooooo!  Not us.  Nope, I WAS SO HAPPY!  Why?  Because, even on vacations, we can easily and quickly get sucked into phones, wifi, ipads, tv, video games, etc....  I get beyond frustrated with myself that I let power be the determining factor in turning off all those devises.

Once the storm blew over, power didn't come back.  So we played played played!

The kids were fish.  Even Parker, broken leg and all, that didn't slow him down!

And when they weren't acting like fish, they were trying to catch some!

And when it started getting too dark to play by the water, we played games in the cabin!

And grilled out some incredible dinner!

And I took boatloads of walks snapping away at the beautiful surroundings...

The power was out for most of our stay.  Would we have had a GREAT time with or without power?  Absolutely.  And does it help to be away up north?  Probably.  But it really was an instant relief once it was out.  A weight lifted.  I felt a weird sense of freedom.  And the kids were doing what kids should always be doing.  And we all enjoyed the company of one another, and talked and read and shared stories.  

It was the most perfect way to end the busiest month of the year.  

The moral of this long story is this.  Unplug.  I challenge you, one day this month to dedicate one day or night to "no technology".  Get creative with your time together.  Understand that the world will keep spinning, even if you don't check your emails, answer the phone, watch your favorite sitcom or check your daily blogs {only for a day, come back the next please!}.  You personally, along with your family, will be amazed at how great slowing down is.  It is relaxing, and the time you spend together will always be a cherished memory.

So who's in?  Are you writing it in your planner with me right now?  Anyone already doing this and loving it?