Monday, June 16, 2008

"We Need to Get Out More"

This weekend, I left my children overnight for the very first time. Evan has spent the night with my mom about three times (and I didn't let that happen until he was about three), and Ella Grace has never been away from me overnight. A "getaway" always sounded like a great idea to me until I thought about leaving the kids. I guess I just like them and would rather be with them than go somewhere without them.

Well, since Evan is now six, I thought (well, really Derek thought and insisted he would put me in the car himself if he had to) it was time for he and I to have a getaway weekend. My mom offered (she is the BEST about offering) to come and stay with Evan and EG (remember those two are quite the home bodies) so Derek and I could go on a getaway. I actually was very excited at this offer and Derek jumped on in right away. You will probably laugh when I confess to this, but our getaway was actually 20 minutes away. We were going to visit a nearby city known for spas and massages, but for my first time to leave the kids, I wanted to make sure I could get to them in a hurry if need be.

It actually worked out great because we ended up staying in the same hotel we spent our wedding night. They have remodeled most of the rooms but left some of the historic character intact. It was just a beautiful as I remembered.

The beautiful lobby

They gave us these when we checked in and out.


We were greeted by a group of folks opening my car door, grabbing our luggage, opening the door to the hotel, offering us ice cold water on a silver tray, and escorting us to our beautiful room. Our room was so nice. Here is Derek in our room. Doesn't he look happy?



I never go barefoot in a hotel (ewww), even a fancy shmancy one like we were staying in, so I was delighted to see they provided us each with a pair of slippers! Oh, I love this place!


We went downtown to eat at Sonny Williams Steakhouse, and it was delicious. It was the first time we had been there, and it did not disappoint. We had a delicious salad, and steak with a baked potato and scrumptious green beans. Here we are at the restaurant...


This tomato mozzarella salad was divine. The tomatoes were homegrown, so we didn't have to worry about the salmonella scare that is happening right now. I didn't get a picture of my steak, but I should have because it tasted as good as it looked. Yummy!


We walked from our hotel to the restaurant and back. It was a nice walk. However, there was a mime on the sidewalk. Mimes and clowns kind of creep me out. Would you believe right when we got up to him, he jumped out at me?! It scared me half to death and then I had a nightmare about him that night and it took me two hours to go back to sleep. Our main agenda was to sleep as much as we could, and I was so mad that dream interrupted my sleep. Plus, it was really storming and that woke me another time. Derek had no trouble sleeping. He told me he was going to sleep for 12 hours, and he did. At least one of us got a lot of rest. :)

The next morning, we ate at the hotel restaurant and had a delicious breakfast. It was appropriately called "The Razorback" and was gourmet biscuits and gravy with sausage links. After breakfast, we checked out of our room and did some shopping and then went to a movie. We returned home at about 4:00. We were gone almost an entire 24 hours and I was SO happy to see my Evan and Ella Grace. I think I missed them more than they missed me. They had a great time with "Granny" and my mom said they were "little angels."

I sure enjoyed my getaway. Thank you, Derek! As Derek said at dinner, "We need to get out more." Maybe next time I'll actually be able to stay the entire weekend! We'll see.

21 comments:

Kelly said...

I think it's so good to get away as a couple!!!! I'm so glad ya'll got to - it sounds like you had a wonderful time! I'm glad Derek made you do it!!!

Mommy to those Special Ks said...

What a fun getaway!!! All couples need to do that every once in awhile! I take it the kids survived?! LOL Thanks for sharing the pics!!

Megan L Hutchings said...

I am so glad that you & Derrick got to go away for a little while...you both deserved it!!!!

Meagan said...

Oh Leigh Ann! You so deserved this trip! I am so happy that the two of you got away for some quality time!!!! Good for you! ...now for that entire weekend trip... how does Tennessee sound! LOL!!!!

Amy said...

Eric's office is down there and I saw that CRAZY mime on Friday! What a weirdo! Looks like you guys had a great time! Love me some Sonny Williams!

Angela said...

How cute! I love that you got away with out really "getting away". I think you had a stay-cation...I've heard talk about this. It is where you stay around your town instead of driving far distances for a vacation :). Whatever you had...it looks great!

Oh, yes, wanted to say...mimes freak me out, too!

Laura said...

I am SOOOO jealous!! No, really, I am so glad you got to get away with your man! Sounds like a wonderful time! The hotel looked great! You'll have to let me know where it's at! Maybe this is just the beginning to even more "get-aways."

The Garners said...

This is wonderful that you got to do this!!! Lane kinda has to make me get away because I worry about the kids and worry about something happening to us, etc. etc., but I ALWAYS have a wonderful time when we do go somewhere--it's so refreshing. I'm guilty of focusing all my attention on the kids and not listening to Lane . It's a really nice break to just be a couple again for a short time and not be busy parenting. I'm also always SO glad to see the kids though!!! Good for y'all--start planning your next trip! :)

Becky said...

I'm so glad you guys got away for awhile. Alone time is so important for a marriage to survive. I love the picture of the two of you, you look soooo happy!! And the tomato salad doesn't look too shabby either. HA!

Anonymous said...

Yeah Leigh Ann!
Want to hear something funny? We did the EXACT same overnight (hotel and restaurant) for the first time without the kids - for the same reasons! Grandma stayed and we were close by.
Was that not THE BEST treatment?
So glad you all had such a great time! Yes, Derek looked sooo happy! HA!
Suzanna

Jen said...

Wow, it looks like you had a great time. It is so important just to spend time together as a couple. I always have a hard time getting out the door but it is worth it! Thanks so much for sharing the pictures!

Katie said...

That sounds like such a wonderful getaway! We have yet to leave our baby for a getaway... I'm so like you in that I like to be around her and I would just rather be with her and my husband as opposed to being without her! But maybe oneday, we will get an offer like this. The hotel looks beautiful and so does that salad. Yum! I HATE to walk around in hotel rooms with barefeet...eww! And don't even get me started on sleeping with the blankets....I just can't handle the thought of...nope, not gonna happen! I'm glad y'all had a nice night!

Michele said...

Good for you!! I'm glad you had a good time :) It looks like an awesome place!

Julie said...

Derek is the best!! Way to Go!! I think it is so neat you guys got to have a get away with the 2 of you. It sounded wonderful.

I have to admit, the tomato mozzarella salad scared me when I scrolled down the page! It looked a little funny :)

Faith said...

Awww!! I'm so glad that the two of you took this time to get away! It sounds like it was much needed and enjoyed! Good for y'all!

Betsy said...

Girrllll!!!! That sounds like so much fun! I know what you mean about leaving the kids, though. I always had a hard time with that. And half the time Steve and I were out alone together, we ended up talking about the kids!!

That tomato and mozerella salad looks absolutely amazing!!

I know you had a wonderful time, but it's always good to get back home again, too, and see your sweeties!

Heather said...

So fun! I am so happy you guys did this- a great idea!! And I LOVE the pic of the two of you! Darling!

mer@lifeat7000feet said...

Oh, so FUN! It sounds like a perfect weekend.

I never go barefoot in hotels either...it just grosses me out. How cool to have slippers just for you!

Lauren said...

I think I said "awww" about 20 times reading this. The hotel is beautiful...love the slippers!! The picture of you and Derek is great. I'm glad you were able to escape. AND...I'm telling you...somewhere, somehow...we have the same genes. Not. Kidding. I, too, am terrified of clowns and mimes. They totally ick me out. Moo and Meag will have a funny story to tell you about me and a clown on our girlz trip last year when we finally see you!

Sarah said...

That sounds like a wonderful weekend! You've got me thinking about anniversary ideas now. :)

His Doorkeeper said...

You all look like newlyweds! You do your children the biggest favor by getting alone with your hubby from time to time, trust me! And the grandparents get a blessing too by getting the kids all to themselves! The hotel and all the specialties look divine! Glad you had a great time!