When the Children Are Away...

The parents will play.

*First I want to take a pause here and thank all of you who read this blog, who come and check it only to see that I have not, in fact, put up a new post, and you still come back. Um, thanks for that.*

Actually, the parents worked really hard first and then played :) We took the kids last week to begin their little excursion with family for a little bit. Friday we headed out to the Woodlands for a retreat with our leadership team. The hotel was super nice and in this really cool little community that had a little miniature riverwalk and tons of restaurants and stuff. It felt like we were far from Houston. We treated everyone to dinner and just hung out that night, and it was so much fun. I must say that these guys know how to have a good time!

I mean, look at us- don't we just look like fun people?? This is actually minus three of our leaders, just so you know.

Such a pretty cake, just had to photograph it! It was his actual b-day on Friday.

The sparklers were a nice touch added by the restaurant!

Then all day Saturday we had a conference room rented out where we planned, strategized, dreamed, prayed, and got pumped up about the future of CLC. We really are blessed with such quality people to build with. They are all so gifted and love the Lord. Despite everything they've all been through, they are moving forward and looking forward to the future with excitement and expectation. I could go on and on about them like a doting mom. And it's about time for CLC to be unleashed on Houston- look out H-town!

I wish I could say that after that (and a very tiring but good Sunday service) that we've just been frolicking all around Houston, floating on our every whim, enjoying our time alone sans children and exploring our cool city. Um, no. Unfortunately, although the kids are on vacation we are not. Too much to do! City Life Church has many plans of awesomeness to be revealed, and there's some people that are going to have to work their little tails off to get it done!! (that would be us) But having said that...

We did have quite a lovely Monday. We slept in- whaaa? (that was said in my minion voice from Despicable Me). That would have been lovely enough. We felt like we had a hangover from the weekend. Or at least we think that's what a hangover would be like. So we did in fact sleep in and then had a late snack lunch, went to our movie theater (we like to pretend we have some type of ownership in it since we have church there) to see Inception- hello- awesome movie, had some brazillian food for dinner, went to The Chocolate Bar for a mind-blowing experience (more about that in a moment), and then walked around the awesome Rice Village for a bit for a little browsing (insert wish-it-was-shopping). And found some awesome letters for the kids' room at Urban Outfitters that I didn't even know were on sale until I got to the check out, perfectly capping off a great day! *pausing for a sigh of happiness just recounting all of that*

Picture of said awesome letters. Yay for room projects!

So, The Chocolate Bar...where every hour is happy hour...it is to be experienced. Alas, I can only relay a few pictures to give you an idea. I feel sorry for you. So you should come to Houston and I'll take you there :) But enjoy the pictures anyway.

Oh, the chocolate covered everything that stretched on and on and on....

Is that chocolate covered cereal? Why, yes it is.

The one we couldn't resist- the chocolate covered pringle.

And not pictured is the extensive collection of chocolate cakes, cheesecakes, drinks, make your own chocolate pizza, rows and rows of chocolate gifts including dog treats, and every flavor of chocolate ice cream imaginable (which of course we got-well, not every flavor). Yeah. I think our kids might just flip out when we take them here!

And speaking of kids, while the break is nice, we do miss those guys. They're currently living it up where the wind comes sweeping down the plain and we'll see them this weekend. And I'm sure they're bringing their entertainment, charm, and big loving hearts everywhere they are.

So if we sneak away for another adventure I'll be sure to give you a peek. But mostly just more working. Not even swimming, because our pool is a broken down green mess at the moment. I know- yikes. It will be fixed, but we're a little upset at the moment because we cannot enjoy it in this 100 degree weather. It's kind of a touchy subject, which is why I've not spoken of it yet. But I guess the good news is there's something legitimately wrong so it's getting fixed- and we don't have to pay for it. So yes, this is good news.

Annnnd it's now too late to be awake. Peace out from the Pate house.