Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia 2013

At the end of April we got the sad news (I still contend that "devastating" wouldn't be too dramatic to say) that our friends and neighbors the Stathams would be moving. 

It didn't take us long to come up with a plan to have one last hurrah. Managing for all three couples on the lane to go to Sri Lanka last year was a bit of a miracle and we knew it couldn't happen again in such a short time. Instead we decided that the Chiles would go on a weekend getaway with the Stathams and I would hold down the lane and all 14 kids (I did have some help) and then Nathan and I would take a turn on a weekend getaway with the Stathams while Carrie held down the lane. 

My turn wasn't actually that difficult, our biggest challenge was on Mother's day getting 14 kids to church, through church and home again!

But pretty soon it was our turn to go and on a Friday morning after we got the kids on the bus we headed with our friends to the airport. 3 hours later we were in beautiful Kota Kinabalu Malaysia.

We stayed at the Shangri la and wow, it is the nicest place that Nathan and I have ever stayed. We felt spoiled! We were greeted our first evening with the most amazing sunset. I haven't changed any of the pictures at all, it was actually that vibrant and breathtaking, if you can believe it.

The next morning Nathan and Jeremiah hit the golf course bright and early. Brandie and I slept in a bit and then headed over to the spa. It was the best spa experience I've ever had. It was amazing. I felt so refreshed and relaxed after. 

 (Mt. Kota Kinabalu in the background)

 It was literally 72 hours of pure relaxation, cooling off in the pool, or reading a good book under an umbrella next to my favorite guy and our good friends. Each evening Nathan and I would go to our balcony and fill up the outdoor tub where we would read together while we watched the sun go down. It seemed like each sunset was trying to out do the last.

 The Shangri la has an Orang utan Preserve and Rehabilitation Center (I was surprised to discover Americans are some of the few who pronounce it "Ah rang a tang") on their land, so you can go and see them in their natural habitat during their feeding time. When two of them swung through the trees we could tell right away which one was 3 yrs old, it was totally Ander with fur! Right down to when he climbed over where we were all standing and decided it was a good time to pee.

 It was pretty fun to get to watch them for a while. They are fascinating creatures.

Nathan and I decided we were celebrating his finishing teaching early morning Seminary this year. I can't believe we did it! Well, mostly him, but it was definitely a team effort and balance. It's incredible what this man successfully juggled this year. I literally could not tell you how he pulled it all off.

We were so grateful to just have a few hours alone this trip. To have a conversation from start to finish uninterrupted by children. It was wonderful to reconnect. It was a blessing to be able to go. By now it's becoming clear to even me that I am in denial our friends are moving, as that was actually the whole reason for our trip! 

It was a wonderful weekend full of laughter and relaxing with great friends... and 3 unbelievable sunsets.