Last weekend was The Power of Moms Retreat in Dana Point, CA (about 45 minutes up the coast from San Diego) that I mentioned on my blog a while ago. My friend Ann and I went and had such a great time! Seriously. This moms retreat was so much fun. If you ever have the opportunity to go to one of these I definitely recommend it! Two days of staying in a beautiful hotel, eating delicious food, and the best part – making new friends with other moms and learning SO MUCH about how to be a better mom.
Here’s the inside of our hotel room –
and here’s my cute roomie –
and here’s a picture of the outside of the hotel. It was right on the beach and the whole setting was just breathtaking. I’m so annoyed at myself that I didn’t take more pictures, but we spent a lot of the time in the conference room taking notes like crazy! I have pages and pages of ideas that I’m so excited to implement and try out with my kids. BUT – this week has been crazy getting back in the swing of things and I have been recovering from a cold that just doesn’t want to go away. As soon as I feel better and have time to try out everything I learned at the retreat with my family I will share what is working with all of you!
Some of us at dinner. Every time we ate we sat in mini groups and discussed “table topics.” Topics on things like “being enough and finding joy in motherhood,” “meaningful family traditions,” “tips for keeping up with your home (and involving your kids),” etc. Moms are a smart bunch and it’s amazing how much we can all learn from each other!
The whole group! It was so much fun getting to know all of these fabulous girls! We’ve set up a Google group to keep in touch and are already planning a reunion for next year. Ann and I voted that the next retreat should also include some spa time! :)
After this weekend I came home feeling so incredibly grateful to be a mom. There is nothing like motherhood. Nothing as exhausting. Nothing as rewarding. Nothing as wonderful. Being a mom is the best and it was so nice to spend time with other moms who feel the same. It was also so nice to have some time to share and learn great ways to be an even better mom. And of course, it was also so nice taking a break from being a mom!
I was a little nervous leaving Kenny with all three kids (first time I’ve done this since I had Kole) but I have to admit, he was pretty impressive! He sent me a text after his first night and said that all three kids had slept through the night and everything was under control so I shouldn’t worry and should have a great time. He had the house (for the most part) clean when I came home and the girls were talking non-stop about how much they missed me and the fun weekend they had with daddy. Then when Kenny and I went to tuck Addison into bed that night, Kenny put his hands in his pocket and pretended to pull something out. He explained that Addison was having a hard time the night before because I wasn’t there to give her hugs and kisses at bedtime. Kenny had thought quickly and pulled from his pocket what he told her were “hugs and kisses” from mommy. Addison felt much better and asked him to hold onto them so she wouldn’t lose them. After Kenny explained all of this to me, Addison threw her arms around me and told me that she was so glad I was home. We hugged for a long time and I totally started to cry! I had just come from a weekend where all we talked about was motherhood and how amazing it really is and then to come home to a reunion like that just felt overwhelming. I promised myself to hold onto that moment and remember it the next day while taking my fourth Tylenol because of my sweet, little Addison.
And speaking of the next day and needing Tylenol, Ellie proudly came walking down the stairs in this ensemble…
(Yikes!)
Me: “Wow Ellie! That’s quite an outfit you came up with!”
Ellie: “I know mom! I picked it out myself and daddy let me wear it all weekend while you were gone! I wore it to the grocery store and to the gym and to….”
Nice.
What was I saying about Kenny being impressive??? Good thing mom’s back in town.
xoxo, Erin
oh, i think ellie looks adorable! and that is the sweetest story about addison and the kisses. i am so jealous that you got to go to that retreat! it sounds like such a breath of fresh air- you HAVE to let us in on everything you learned!
Love the outfit…stylish like her Mama :) The retreat looks fab, what a great tribute to Moms…all stuff we need to hear!
oh that is so sweet – ALL of it! Glad you had such a great time. Sounds awesome and so energizing. Gosh, lots of points for Kenny, too.
That outfit is awesome, and I think it is great Kenny let her wear it around out in town. You know it probably gave some mom out there that was having a bad day a good chuckle, thinking “Looks like Daddy let her dress all by herself!” :o) Awesome!!
Sounds like a refreshing and refueling time! There’s nothing like motherhood, you are very right about that. You’ll have to give us tips along the way. How sweet of Kenny to tell you to relax and enjoy.
What a precious “Mommy Moment” to remember:) That was a great idea Kenny had. I love the outfit. We have similar ones here at our house!
I hope to go on one of those sometime! It looks like a great time. Great job Kenny on holding down the fort and taking care of all 3! Love her outfit–we know all about those! ;)
I’m so glad you got away for a recharge! Good for you! Can’t wait to get all your tips for keeping the house up with the kids help. I’m in need of that right now.
Rob always allows the kids in the funkiest outfits possible. He could care less what clothes they are wearing to go places and could care less what their hair looks like too.
That bedtime moment is so precious!
Glad you had a fun getaway!
Erin that looks like so much fun!! That’s very similar to when I go to Women’s Conference every year with my sister. It’s sooo rejuvenating.
So glad you got to go. You deserved that break. :)
Erin! These pictures brought back so many happy memories! Thank you for inviting me to go with you. I am on a roll. I went to Staples last night and started buying my new tools for organization. I also cleaned out all 400 emails in my inbox and “unsubscribed” to every retail store out there. I LOVE IT! My email box is empty at all times. Amazing how good it feels!
I also have a chore system/reward system in the works. And…have spent an hour each day doing “you know what” (April’s example). This weekend was just what I needed. Seriously. It got my mom motor going in full speed again.
I also had the best time with you! :) I will never forget you walking me through my class Halloween parties! That was so funny!
Soo, we need to keep comparing notes and passing back and forth tips! I hope you are back to full health today! And I need the pix with the camera away from your face! :)
Great photos Erin! Thanks for making the weekend so wonderful. Do you mind if I borrow a couple of your group photos?
Sounds like a fun getaway but also very rewarding. Glad you and Ann had a wonderful time! You are a fabulous mom and I love Ellie’s outfit. So cute :)
The part about hugs and kisses from mommy in his pocket made me cry. So very sweet. You’re right, its moments like that we need to hang on to. They are worth so much to us when we find we’re in the day-to-day grind.
You just crack me up Erin! I need to start getting on your blog at the BEGINNING of my day (instead of 12:00 a.m.!!) I just laugh out loud at some of the stuff you post (and especially how you “tell” it!) It just makes my whole day!
I absolutely LOVE Ellie’s outfit, it SO reminded me of something my little Raylee would wear. And that her DAD would let her wear too!!
Thanks for the laughs :0) Your blogs the best :0)
What a fun thing to go and do. And sounds like it was with a really wonderful group of ladies too. How inspiring. You look so cute and I love your sweater, and I love your friend’s red sweater too! And the outfit that your daughter wore around town with Dad is pretty cute too. :)
Sounds like an awesome weekend. I can’t wait to hear about all the fun things you learned.
I can’t wait to hear what all you learned at the retreat!! Btw, I would love to know where you buy your clothes. Your outfits are always so cute and pulled together!
I love that top picture of you, Erin. I’m so glad you got to get away for a weekend. Next time you do something like this, let me know, I’d love to join you!
I actually considered doing that when I first read about it. Had we not just gone to Cali, and me up North just a couple of days ago, I would’ve in a heart beat. It looks wonderful!
6mos. after I had my third, Matt had them for 4 days straight when I flew to Idaho for a friend weekend. The only room clean was the front room. He told me it was the staging area to field any potential frustration for the condition of the entire house. Honestly, I was just happy that everyone was fed and alive:)
Well I have to hand it to Kenny. I am really impressed that he not only let you go, but that he did a great job with the kids while you were gone! BABY included! WOW Kenny!!! I think Erin actually owes you for that one!
Can’t wait for my retreat in Oct. after reading your post!
Great post! I had so much fun at the retreat and how great it was to meet you! I love that you also included a picture of what went on while you were gone! Your daughter looks adorbale, even if her outfit is on the creative side.