We took a last minute trip with some friends to stay in a cabin at Red River Gorge this weekend. To say it was wonderful would be an understatement. Being able to spend some time with my family uninterrupted by media of any sort was a breath of fresh air. It’s incredible what a few days without plans can do.
Some of my highlight reel would include:
* Cooking a huge Saturday morning breakfast
* Long conversations about nothing
* Not feeling like taking care of the kids was a job
* Smoking good cigars with good men
* No schedule
* Just me and Ava in the hot tub for a solid hour
* Taking little kids on hikes and them wanting to hold your hand
* Walking up to kiss my wife whenever I wanted to
* Eating way too many Red Vines and Busken cookies
* Making people laugh
* Reading mindless fact books
* Hiking the trail up to Natural Bridge with Finn on my back
Oh my gosh, the sleeping-baby-on-your-back photos are beyond precious!!! Good for you and your family–your getaway sounds perfect!
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Those last three pictures are so sweet. (Well, they are are.) I can see how much you love your son in that smile.
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Wonderful photos – so warm and family centered. I’m glad I checked back to see how you are doing . I found your blog through PW a long time ago and have always enjoyed your comments and insight. I’m 60ish and you have helped me understand some of the young men and women in my world! Praying you find the balance and can focus on the things that have the most eternal value Ryan! You are a remarkably gifted man.
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The last picture may be the most adorable thing I’ve seen. He’s getting so big! I actually try to get away (even if it’s just going to my hometown) every couple of months. I turn off all communication and just spend time with my family. Never take it granted. Things change so easily. I just wanted to say that I find your blog so inspiring.
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The last three pictures are worth it all!
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Sigh…
Beautiful.
Be blessed, brother!
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those are some great pictures Ryan – hope you were able to recharge a bit…
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A little slice of God’s country.
Love the ones of Finn sleeping, you did all the walking and he is tired. LOL too precious
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Glad you are getting some much needed R&R.
P.S. Love the last picture of Finn asleep in the carrier!
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Cool. Glad you had a good time.
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What a perfect outing! I love the pictures!
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Great pics! Thanks for sharing and letting us know about the place. Did you rent cabin or camped? Im interested for more info because we are looking for interesting places to visit with kids. This is about 4 hours south from us so it is doable trip! Im glad you guys had a great time. Thanks!
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Amen!
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Adorable Pictures.
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I’m coming out of my lurking shadows to say that these pics really made me smile. Not only am I happy for your sake, that you had a lovely, relaxing trip, but they remind me of my childhood. I grew up in Lexington and we went to Natural Bridge every fall…and sometimes more often. My favorite spot was Lover’s Leap, looking back towards the bridge. Thanks for the memories. It’s beautiful there.
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Great pictures! Little Ryan clone is so cute! Tell Ava her sneaks are awesome!
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Nothing quite like being ‘unplugged’ for a while.
“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” Ephesians 1:16
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well done – appears to have been a most excellent time of re-creation -
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Isn’t it grand to just be! Glad you resurfaced with great pics…favorite, hmmm. Looks beautiful up there, cool and green. My boys were at scout camp for a week and hubby just couldn’t let go of the phone and his was one of only a few that worked.
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I don’t believe life gets much better, or blessed, than that. Beautiful pictures and almost felt like what it must have been to be there. Glad you decided to take some real time to connect with life.
)
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Hi,
I’ve been following your blog for awhile now, found you through P Dub. Your family is beautiful and I am so happy you have had a chance to get some rest, which it sounds like was much needed. I hope nothing but the best for you. Love reading your blog and looking at your amazing pictures.
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What beautiful pictures, especially the family ones. You look so happy and relaxed! I’m so happy you had a wonderful weekend and are enjoying your time off. It’s great to get away from technology sometimes, isn’t it? Thanks for sharing and I hope you continue to enjoy your break.
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Finn is really cute when he yawns and sleeps, haha
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Ahhh, you all look so happy, relaxed and peaceful!
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No doubt that THIS is exactly what God intended for you! God bless!
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this post makes my heart sing!!!
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There you go-getting your mojo back! the pictures are beautiful and expressive.
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YEAH…Pastor Ryan!!! Beautiful…just beautiful!!
Have been checking in on you. Now you see why I don’t even have a cell phone. Life is so simple without all the TECH EXTRA JUNK that is so distracting.
A book I just read…called “Lost Boy” by Greg Laurie
AMAZING!!!! Get your hand on a copy.
Love your sweet family….
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Congratulations on some well deserved r&r. It’s great to get unplugged with the family! Praying for you.
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My Gosh! Such a wonderful weekend getaway! And Finn’s pic and you are so cute! I love your family really! Nice family pic also. Hope to have something like this someday.
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looks like a gorgeous place!
finn is getting SO BIG!! and cuter by the minute, judging by those photos.
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Sweet sweet baby boy sleeping photos at the end! I have a similar picture of my now 6 year old after a long hike! I love that they can sleep anywhere!
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“We have within ourselves enough to fill the present day with joy and overspread the future years with hope” – William Wordsworth
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It looks like this was exactly what you needed.
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Oh gee, how cool for all of you. It looks like you’re having the best time, ever! I love, love, love the sleepy baby shots. He’s a cutie-pie!
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Always easiest to plug into God when u aren’t plugged in to anything else.
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Good for you. Its what a body needs.
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Beautiful! It’s amazing what a trip like this can do for you. This is up near my neck of the woods – I live in northwestern NC. I love that area of Virginia.
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Thanks for sharing your trip, and once again…BEAUTIFUL pictures. I am glad you were able to take the time to just enjoy your friends and family. It doesn’t get any better than that.
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I have to say that I love the hand holding picture. Our daughters are very close in age (mine just turned 4 on the 21st) and I’ve been noticing lately the little changes that have been happening as she gets older. One thing that struck me on her birthday this year was how on her actual day of birth 4 years ago, her fingers were able to circle one of my fingers and this year she is able to hold my hand palm to palm just like you and Ava are in that picture. It made me want to cry.
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LOVE Red River Gorge! Beautiful place! Congrats for getting away from it all for a few days.
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This makes me want to go somewhere beautiful.
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Love really does win. Those photos say it all. All that matters, anyway.
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There is no balm for the soul like nature.
The picture where Finn is yawning made me laugh till i cried.
thanks for sharing.
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This really hit home. Thank you for the honesty.
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So very breathtaking. Thank you for sharing!
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So glad you got this time away together!! Sounds like something we all could stand to do from time to time.
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Wow, GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!
I have been there it’s AMAZING>.
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Your blog makes me smile.
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