one fight, one date & the science museum {venture 2}

since this blog is about our family-
and my only grand effort to record our memories for our children-

i feel compelled to include all our memories of endless vacationing..the good and the not so.

mostly because i want our kids to have a realistic view of our own marriage-
and know how hard their parents work at learning to fight well.

because having a fight is inevitable {on our vacations- at least.}
it happens when there is too much fun.
too much sugar.

too much...too-getherness.

so, for mr. m. and i- we chose the lincoln park zoo as the location for our annual vacation fight.

and there was good communication.
and there was not so.

and we needed space.
and then we needed to talk more.

and we had family around us.
and we had space to talk alone.

and it lingered.
and then it was over.

the next night was our trade off night for date night!

we always budget for a special date on our vacations-
where we splurge on it all...appetizer + drinks + dinner....& even dessert.

it's a big deal to us- we look forward to that entire meal treat!
this date we got to go here.

and so, there we were- eating delicious food,
drinking something other than water,
enjoying a glorious city light view....

and conversing about our vacation fight- the previous day.



since we were over it.
we didn't talk about that part...but rather the whole dance of the fight.

and, we were proud.
proud of the way we have improved in our fighting.

and, we were challenged by our shortcomings when measured against our "how to fight well" standards:
Ephesians 4:31-32
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.



for- to be kind- even when you're frustrated.
to be patient- when you're exhausted.
to be understanding- when you're annoyed.....
{those are my shortcomings- btw...i'll save mr.m. to post his own.}

dear m. kids-
your parents don't have it all together.
and, we would treat each other even more selfishly if it were not for Jesus. {especially on our vacations.}
we highly recommend you never try to do life without Him. the end.

and that really is the end- of that fight at least.
{whew. checked off the list!}
1 annual vacation fight = done.

the next morning-
we museum'ed happily at science and industry.





and, the museum highlight- for mr.m. & nboy-
this world war 2 german submarine.



and thus ends another brilliant humbling chapter on this particular vacation.

can you believe there is still a little more to come?
{i know. we packed it in!}