It’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted on here. I’ve been a titch occupied with beautiful opportunities and projects. In the past few months, my book Never Alone and my Bible study, Never Alone launched out into the wild. Both the book and study have received a warm welcome and I couldn’t be happier with their message of hope and redemption to the woman who won’t be left to fight the hardest battles of her life. If you haven’t checked it out, you can find more information here. In fact, it would make a great book for summer book club our your next women’s Bible study.
During the Easter holiday, the fam and I crossed the pond to visit England and France. I had the honor of preaching at Canterbury Vineyard on Ressurection Sunday. After four days in Canterbury, we made our way to my favorite city in the world, London. I hadn’t been back since 2012. It was such a treat to show off my old stomping grounds to my husband and babies. It was surreal to push Kingston in a stroller and hold Jericho’s hand on the street I used to live on. On the street where I once pondered my dreams of becoming a wife and mama. There I was with my dreamy babies in a place I love. It was a whirlwind of catching up with old friends, showing off Londontown and eating all the desserts placed in front of me like it was my full-time job.
Dominique Ansel Bakery was DIVINE. Voted Best Pastry Chef in the World last year.
Those smiles though.
Canterbury Cathedral
We arrived to Buckingham Palace just in time to witness the changing of the guard.
Kensington Palace was a dream. Breathtaking gardens and um, our fave royals live here. Much love to Harry and Meghan!
The sweetest boy attempted to lift wooden armor at Dover Castle. He opted to pose behind it instead. Wise choice.
Visiting Canterbury Cathedral feels like stepping into a fairytale cathedral. It’s stunning and so very intricate.
Prettiest little cake shop.
Had to. You can’t go all that way and not take a pic with a telephone booth that is completely out of commission.
I met Lucy was I was 18. We spent weekends roaming around London and we loved every minute. Today, we have four, almost five, kids between us, and delightful husbands. I loved spending sweet time with her. It was pure joy.
Reunited and it feels so good.
My favorite place in all of Selfridges.
Tower Bridge
Taking in the sights with old friends. Please note Jericho’s coat is on backward. He is always living his best life.
There is a reason the Brits have a baking show, guys.
We made our way to the tippy top of Dover Castle. Collectively, we took 100,000 steps that day. Yep, we did that.
He insisted.
Lucy’s genes are as strong as they come. Her little men are handsome as can be. These three (and Kingston) were inseparable. They played hard from sun up until sun down.
Waiting for ice cream in Covent Garden was not a bad way to spend the afternoon.
Kensington Gardens
Princess Diana Memorial Playground and my children with their light-up Easter rabbits. The perfect combo.
Our day at Dover Castle was complete with waiting in lines (as the Brits often do) and freezing our fingers off. My own fingers turned all kinds of purple. This was my best attempt to keep Kingston warm.
Traveling with kids is not for the faint of heart but I recommend it. It’s an adventure, one I wouldn’t trade for the world. While in London, I posted, “I’ve heard it said that traveling with those you love is home in motion. I couldn’t agree more. It’s a wonderful thing when your child loves traveling as much as you do. Together, we took took in Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, and the Natural History Museum like champs. The busy streets and chilly weather didn’t stop my kids from loving every minute.” I’m so grateful we had the opportunity to go
After a week in England, we took the Eurostar to Paris. Before I carry on with all things Paris, please know I’m the girl who reads all the Parisian interior design books, savors French food over any other cuisine, and reads all the books about a Parisian way of life. I am enamored with all things French. So, you can imagine I was stoked to be back in such a magical city. I last visited when I was 19, and I’ll tell you now, traveling to Paris with a three and seven-year-old is much different than traveling with your girlfriends. Obvs, right? It was just as much as of a delight as I remember. We kept to a slow pace of cappuccinos, parks, and historic sites. I refused to be in any sort of mood, because, umm, Paris.
The gorgeous dome at the shopping destination, Galleries Lafayette.
My team with their overpriced and oversized lollipops.
The enchanting view from our hotel balcony.
Big man sipping on his babyccino and mama sipping her cappuccino. Also, sporting my new favorite lipstick: equal parts orange and red.
The Louvre
Our first stop in Paris, after pastries of course.
Palais Royal. The kids LOVED every minute here.
The fortune cookie on my pillow knows what’s up.
Para-para-paradise.
My babies.
He was itching to get outside and get his day started. I, however, was happy to wait for our uber to get across town.
Americans in Paris.
Brothers.
Such a treat to stay at Hotel Panache.
The most magical city.
Arc De Triomphe looking gorgeous on a spring day.
Notre Dame at high noon. The church bells were MAGICAL.
All the feels at Hotel Panache. The hospitality was incredible.
The best salad I’ve ever had in my existence. Gosh, Paris. Always winning.
Checked this one off my bucket list.
While we were in Paris, I wrote, “The last time I was at the Louvre I was 19. I spent nearly a day here falling in love with sculptures, gazing at Mona Lisa, and living my best 19 year-old life. This time, I’m here with my husband and kids. Not quite as leisurely a trip to Paris but certainly a delight. I gave myself a good pep talk on the train over here to enjoy this time with my kids and work with some healthy expectations. It paid off. They’ve savored bread and butter at a street side cafe while I’ve sipped on a latte, they’ve sat as still as they could during a three course meal, picked out their favorite sculptures, helped mama find the perfect pieces at a Parisian flea market, and they have LOVED the French playgrounds. Oh, and it’s the most adorable thing to see what excites them. So far… it’s pigeons. Running around iconic French landmarks chasing pigeons with an espresso in hand is considerably more fun than I thought.”
Oh, how I loved every minute. Our only expectation was to be together. It didn’t matter if it rained, if a certain monument was covered in scaffolding (I’m lookin’ at you, Big Ben), or if we froze our rumps off at Dover Castle. We were on an adventure, together.
On our last morning in Paris, I sat outside on our balcony in a fluffy white robe with hot tea and journaled. I could smell the boulangeries baking the most delectable breads and buns. I could hear the sound of shoes hitting the pavement as Parisians made their way to work. The smells and sounds of the morning were a gift, one I treasured as I offered my prayers of gratitude and appeals to the Lord who is near. With a minute, or twenty, to myself, I scribbled down all I had learned on our little family adventure. I realized how badly my son needed a break from the pressure of school, how much I needed a break from the pressures of home, and how much my husband needed a break from the pressures of work. Our hearts had a chance to dance, dream, and connect with those so precious to us. I am forever grateful.
As wild adventures to beloved places comes to a close, I’m reminded how sacred everyday life is. Who we spend our lives with and what we spend them on matter. It serves us well to take a break and examine what’s working and what isn’t, what sparks joy and what depletes our energy. Our days are precious. May we spend them on what matters most. May we be intentional with those around us. After all, we only get one life to live.
PS. So many have asked me how I managed a 9-hour flight with a three-year-old. It’s simple. Expect the worst, bring a lot of snacks, stickers, and headphones. Boom. Done. If I can do it then so can you.