Camping

We did it. We took a toddler camping. We decided to stay close to home (you know, in case our kid decided to cry all night), so we went about 20 minutes away to Jordan Lake. It was a great trip!

Hudson loved camping. Such a Corbett at heart! 

We picked a great day/night to go. It was in the low 70s during the day, and at night it dropped to the mid-50s, so it wasn't too bad. We just put on a bunch of layers, took an air mattress and sleeping bags, and had a few extra blankets. It was a successful camping trip, thank goodness! We only did one night, but we definitely want to do it again - now that we know how well Hudson did with it all. 

Hudson loved being outside - in case you couldn't tell from his expression. 

He loved running around, finding rocks, and eating all the yummy snacks. 

Here's Logan starting the fire for our tinfoil dinner. He lives for this kind of stuff.

 Glow sticks were definitely a big hit. 

Here we are in the morning, we survived through the night! 

H only got up once for milk, and then cuddled up to us on the air mattress. 

 Before we left, we walked down to the lake. Isn't this view just gorgeous?

The water wasn't too cold, so we let H get his hands wet.

This would be the perfect camping site for the summer. 

Can't wait to go back! 

October Conference

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we get to listen to our inspired church leaders twice a year. I always feel peace and a renewed sense of faith after I listen. My favorite talk? Hands down, Elder Holland's talk. I was on the edge of my seat during his entire address.

"We have neighbors to bless, children to protect, the poor to lift up, and the truth to defend. We have wrongs to make right, truths to share, and good to do. We have a life of devoted discipleship to give, in demonstrating our love of the Lord. We can’t quit. We can’t go back." - Elder Holland

What a powerful, inspiring message. After hearing those words, I was reminded of all I needed to do to be a true disciple of Christ.

We really enjoyed being home all day Sunday and tuning into the conference addresses. I invite all of you to click on the link to go and listen for yourself. You will be uplifted after hearing them. I promise.

This picture will give you an idea of what our Sunday looked like watching General Conference. In our pajamas. Staying cozy (because Raleigh decided to get cold all of a sudden). Snuggled under blankets. Being cuddle bugs.

Not only did we get to watch/listen to conference this weekend, we managed to drive up to Roanoke, VA and attend a wedding of a dear friend on Saturday. It was a beautiful ceremony and reception. And, I happened to have not one but TWO very handsome dates..... 

 I'm so glad this beautiful girl is in my life. Hanh is full of energy and love to everyone she meets. She is such a special person, and reminds me of myself in a lot of ways. We like to call ourselves twins. I am so glad that we got to celebrate the special day with her and her new husband, Matthew. 

What a perfect weekend! 

Solo Trip

I did another bold thing this past week. I drove myself and a one year old from Raleigh to Northern Virginia and back again. Logan had to work, so he couldn't come with.

I've never driven more than 2 hours by myself - let alone with a one year old in the backseat - so I was more than nervous. I kept picturing us getting a flat tire on the highway and not knowing what to do. I pictured Hudson crying the whole way up. I pictured us running out of gas in the middle of nowhere.

Luckily, none of those things happened on the way there and back.

It helped that I drove during Hudson's nap time because he slept most of the way there and back. I also had plenty of snacks handy. I didn't stop on the way up, but on the drive home I stopped once - about 30 minutes before home. It's about a 4 hour drive. Impressive, huh? I think yes!

While in VA, Hudson and I spent some time with both sides of the family. I love that our families live 10 minutes from each other. It was nice not planning anything, and just going with the flow. We played at the park, ate at Cafe Rio, shopped at Ikea, attended my brother's soccer game, and just hung out with family. It was so low-key and perfect. Now that I know I can do the drive by myself, I might have to do it again! :)

And now, the best part, pictures --

One night, we went through storage at my parents' house and found this little gem...

 Grandma Lynn bought Hudson some super cool sunglasses. 

 We went to a playground one night with the Corbetts and my mom. 

Hudson loved running around, going down the slides, swinging, and getting dirty.

I spy a monkey...and a Grandpa Corbett...

H went to bed early one night, so mom and I snuck out to get some fro-yo. 

Don't mind that I look tired, please. 

I introduced mom to Cafe Rio and she approved!

Btw, there is one in my hometown now. Of all places!

After lunch, we headed to this place.....LOVE!

Hudson and his Grandpa Sam replaced the brake pads on our car one night. 

What a good little helper H was. Until he threw a wrench down the sewer. 

This has got to be my favorite picture of Hudson and his Grandma Lynn.

The lighting is perfect and I just love the weeping willow right outside my parents' house. 

We spent a lot of time outside while we were there. The weather was beautiful. 

Oh, and I joined the colored jeans bandwagon finally - love them.

On our last night, we traveled to Fredericksburg to watch my brother play college soccer. 

It was quite the game to be at! UMW came back to win 3-2. 

Golden goal made by my brother in OT. Plus he had two assists as well. 

I'm such a proud big sister! 

Love this picture. Just missing Logan and my sister, Amanda. 

Being Bold

I've never been much of a risk-taker. I get that from my parents, I think. They are pretty cautious people. I grew up never running out the house without shoes on. Never cliff jumping. Never swimming in super deep water. Never touching an animal besides a dog, cat, or horse. Never drinking water from the tap. Never buying things unless it was name-brand.  

Then, I married Logan. A bold choice, some may say. :)

And, things inevitably changed.

He taught me that it is okay to do things a little out of my comfort zone. So, little by little I started to. I've been barefoot a couple times (not my favorite). I've been cliff jumping and LOVE it. I've swam in deep water. I've touched a snake, lizard, hamster, frog, and other gross animals. I started drinking water from the tap. And, I buy generic brand items - saves so much more money, and just about the same difference.

You may think those are easy things to do, especially if you are a Corbett. But for me, those things were a little hard to do looking back. I look at myself now and I am amazed at all the "hard-ish" things I've done.

I don't want that feeling to go away. I want to be someone who can do those hard things. So, I made a goal/wish for year #25 - to take leaps of faith, to be bold, and a little braver. Because sometimes there might be a huge surprise at the end. A greater reward. And maybe a greater understanding of what I am capable of. At least that is my hope.

So, to initiate my new goal. I got a hair cut with bangs. I've never had bangs, besides the side swept ones which always got pulled back.

But it's a new season for boldness and I decided to take a leap. And this is what I got....

On another note, I invited (yes, me!!) the girl who gave me this so-called bold new hair cut and her husband to a picnic tonight with some other families. Apparently, my conversation with her about faith, family, work, and life paid off. Because they are coming. This is a huge deal, friends. Because I don't have conversations with strangers. I don't even like talking to anyone while they do my hair (don't want them to mess up). I don't ask for phone numbers. I just don't go beyond the casual weather conversations because anything deeper just gets me all nervous.

But a spark ignited in me. I want to be the person who will be bold. Who doesn't ask the shallow water questions. I want to connect and invite. Because I believe people are genuinely wanting to be heard and cared about. Someone once did that for me, and it was something I won't ever forget. And I've been grateful ever since.

Here's my challenge to all my blog friends - do something bold this week, no matter how small. You'll be surprised at how good it feels.