Well, we’re back from New York and settling into real work in real life again. You see, this past weekend we spent wonderful time in West Point, New York for my life long friend’s wedding. It was an honor to be part of this celebration and an honor to be able to stay on campus. I’m still in shock of the beautiful scenery and all the history! I was able to sneak in 2 beautiful full runs while we were there and soaked up every minute of it!
![image[1]](https://www.cottercrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/image1.jpg)
Friday and Saturday were full of wedding events. Yes, the Cotter’s got fancy. I mean, I had 3 dresses for 3 functions. The most I’ve ever dressed up in a 24 hour period. Ha! Thanks to my mom, I had dresses to wear. She dressed me. I have three brothers and I hate shopping. Haha.
Anyway, the ceremony was perfect. The Cadet Chapel was breath taking. Pretty close to Kate Middleton’s wedding, don’t ya think? 
![image[2]](https://www.cottercrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/image2.jpg)
Sunday we traveled back into the city just in time for the marathon. We didn’t get to really see much of it but it was fun to be in the city with all the excitement.
We then met up with Michele and spent the rest of the day and night with her wonderful family. Did I mention I love her boys? Oh my, so cute! We are so thankful for Michele and Paul (her husband). Such amazing people and so glad we got to connect! I’m trying to convince them to move to Austin next. 😉
stole this pic from Michele
Before I wrap things up here, I just wanted to tell you a little bit of what happened before we left. The Kiwi and I were pretty overwhelmed with things. I wanted to stay home and try to get a lot of work done because I felt swamped! And the kiwi wanted to try and get in some key training before his last race. Little did I know that our time away would make us see the bigger picture.
We both realized we needed to GET AWAY and just BE “the Cotters.” No work, no training, no deadlines, no real schedule. We appreciated the time with family and friends and realized just how BLESSED we are. Talk about a slow down challenge REALITY check.
The kiwi did not get to train but that too was a good thing. He needed that rest. We found out that his fall from the last race was a little more serious than we thought. So his off season started a week early. No race this weekend. Instead, we’ll be resting and taking it easy. Right now the doctors say his injury is just a bone bruise but we’re getting xrays to double check.
So I guess you could say that New York brought us into a NEW season. One where we will be resting in God’s plans. Letting go of any expectations.
Well, that’s the update from the Cotter’s. The good, the bad, and everything in between. But let’s focus on the good. Cause let’s face it, worrying about the rest is gonna get us no where.
Cheers to a new season!
Crazy Cotter
p.s.
“Remember to verbally say thank you in every situation, the good and bad, because you will always grow from both.” –> THANK YOU! <3
Sounds like a perfect and much-needed getaway! What a beautiful location for a wedding. And fitting in a quick trip to NYC – you guys are good at maximizing your time!
i agree! quick trip but worth every minute! <3 what's next for you?
LOVE IT! Sometimes we have to weigh whether doing something is going to put us in a better or worse situation and that’s always hard. I was supposed to meet a friend for a drink yesterday, something I was really looking forward to it but I found myself nearly in an anxiety attack over the thought that I was going to lose HOURS of work time spent on a train getting to her. I knew it would be better if I rescheduled so I could allow myself to RELAX and have fun hanging out with her instead of feeling like I need to hurry back home right away.
I’m glad getting away for a few days helped, sometimes just stepping back can be the easiest and best thing for you. I was in NYC this past weekend cheering for the marathon and just being away for a few days on top of the awesome festivities…I came home much happier and less stressed.
I absolutely love the dress you wore to the wedding! Stunning!
1. You are gorgeous!
2. I am praying for quick healing.
3. God does put us in waiting times to grow us right? You are wise beyond your years and I am constantly encouraged by you faith! I love you!
I’m so happy that you got to run in the beautiful colours we have during this time of the year! 🙂 isn’t it quite wonderful!?
I love that reminder that you left at the bottom of your post…I needed to hear that reminder today!
i need to get away! that purple dress is great on you! what a lovely color! oh man…lovely fall in upstate new york—our colors in pittsburgh didn’t get quite as bright but i’ll take any kind of autumn anyways 🙂
you look so pretty in that fuchsia dress.
Aww what a great trip – love all these photos!! GORGEOUS scenery and that purple dress is so pretty on you!
i didn’t want to leave that scenery. Something about it was so calming. the colors and all!
You looks seriously stunning in all these pictures. Of course, I could say the same thing when you are in workout gear after teaching a class, but the pink dress (I am obsessed with that dress, by the way, your mom knows how to pick em) is always a nice touch. 😉 Sometimes everything else can wait for a weekend, and it sounds like getting away was a sign that the race season needed to ended a little early this year. Oh, and I love that you got to stay with Michele, that shot with the boys…I die.
why thank you friend. Wish i could have worn workout clothes. tee hee. Or at least yoga pants! LOL!
YOU AND I are TOOOOOOO ALIKE! I HATE HATE HATE shopping, and I hate clothing. And I haven’t dressed up for more than like… 5 hours before, HA HA HA!!! I don’t know how to dress at all! The nice thing is that, most people ACCEPT ME FOR IT!! Ah crap! I just realized I have to wear something “cute” tomorrow, yet I have no clue what this entails!! BAHH! lol!!
PS: You and Mr. Cotter – SEXIEST COUPLE In the BLOGGING WORLD 😀
oh good! let’s boycott dressing up all together!
Yay! Another girl who hates shopping!! I’m headed to my nephew’s wedding this weekend and am also looking forward to a total break from work and the triathlon world! You look beautiful and happy!
enjoy it cort! and enjoy a little off season if you are taking one.
I had to do a double take while reading your blog when you mentioned West Point cadet chapel! My son is a cadet there and we have been up many times so it holds a special place in our hearts. Hope you had a good experience there! I guess my son can get married there if he wants to! Was the groom a graduate of West Point?
he sure was! and your son must get married there, it’s unreal!!!
You two are seriously the best looking couple! I probably say that far too often, but seriously you’re gorgeous together! You look amazing in that dress, for a girl who doesn’t like to shop you choose well! Enjoy your season of rest and being the “Cotters”! You’re wonderful people to be! 🙂
thank you friend. You are so kind! We will enjoy the season, for sure! is it warming up in Australia yet?
Love this! I did not go to West Point myself but have many friends who have and that chapel its beautiful! So glad that you and hubby just decided to be just you and enjoy your time in NY.
You looked absolutely GORGEOUS! And that wedding venue looks stunning! Again, your positive words are always wonderful to hear and I wish the Kiwi a speedy recovery 🙂 If y’all lived closer I’d invite you over and our husband’s could be gimpy together becuase Ryan may have to have surgery on his ankle again…
oh i wish we could do that! then we could go do yoga and feel better ourselves. haha
Look at you in a dress! I cannot remember the last time I wore a dress 3 days in a row. That’s a record. So glad that you had a beautiful weekend away…West Point is beautiful. XOXO
I am SO happy y’all just went and …
wait, what is the past tense of “Be”? I want to say beed…lol.
Let me just say I am glad you went and were.
Awkward. But I know you get me.
PS- ALL those photos look like postcards or magazine layouts (including the shot of you and your Kiwi). Gorgeous.
i’m gonna beed me! <3
What a stunning setting for a well-earned break. You two certainly needed a rest. Love you!
Looks like it was a beautiful weekend! LOVE the dress your mom selected (I hate shopping too) is your mom a stylist for hire? and wow, what a smile it brought to my face to see you and Michelle together!!! Love both of you like sisters! xo
I had a mentor tell me one time that God spends the most time refining those whom He has the greatest works for and who He knows have the faith to withstand the fire. “Consider it pure joy my brothers…..”
Cheers to new seasons. We’re right there with ya!
love you and can’t wait to meet up again soon. xoxo
you have no idea how much i needed to hear that today friend. Love you!!! thank YOU
Your posts are so much more eloquent than mine, yet they say everything I think (or at least how it applies to me). Sometimes the change is everything we need, good or bad, and helps us appreciate the here and now. Glad you were able to have a great weekend as the Cotters and you look amazing in that dress!
That place (and wedding venue!) looks absolutely beautiful! You both look fabulous! 🙂 Oh what I would give to get out of London for a while! I’m so over running, biking and walking the dog dizzles on traffic filled roads! :/ Sorry to hear about the race but it’s better to be safe that sorry! Sending positive thoughts that it is just a bone bruise! (as painful as that sounds!)
“Remember to verbally say thank you in every situation, the good and bad, because you will always grow from both.” –> This is perfect and such a good reminder. I’m sorry that James’ season is being cut a little short, I know that’s got to be tough. I am very happy that knowing that, he didn’t get that chance to train and you got to spend more time together. These are the times you see that God knew it already. 🙂
Let’s get the bad overwith first–so sorry to hear he is hurt worse than expected. I think it kind of puts a punctuation point on this season, doesn’t it? Next year will be spectacular.
The pictures you took were amazing and you two looked just as amazing (loving that purple dress). And how much fun that you got to hang with Michele and Co. all day!
Hate to hear about James being out of the last race but glad that you guys has the opportunity to get away from work and just be a couple! Dan and I find that the hardest part about working together, sometimes we forget that we need to just chill out!
You looked beautiful!!
Sometimes all it takes is a little getaway to remind us of the real things of importance. So glad you were able to enjoy and not worry 🙂 and you two clean up pretty nicely if I do say so myself!
Gorgeous pictures. I’m glad you got away and had a great time. Sometimes it takes being away for a bit to gain some perspective. We were blessed to be in New York this weekend too. My hubby ran the marathon and it was so beautiful spending time in Central Park. We don’t get to see Fall colors like that in Albuquerque!
First, SO glad that James’ hip isn’t fractured, though I hope he recovers quickly and stronger than ever. Second, I am so glad that this time gave you the chance to slow down, something I know you SO wanted before you left for this trip. sometimes that time to slow down comes in the most unexpected ways, and as much as traveling is super draining sometimes, it actually ended up refreshing you and allowing you to JUST BE YOU. You both looked stunning and I hope you are feeling better. XO
Wow…what a huge lesson, and isn’t it neat that you were able to learn that and experience God in that weekend without intending to? I love when he just speaks to us and makes things happen (like forced rest or forced time to just be) when we’re not anticipating it. 🙂
Sorry to hear about James’ fall being worse than originally thought! Here’s to a speedy recover and to whatever God has coming for you two around the corner…
How ironic that New York is the place that made you slow down and rest 🙂
Gorgeous pictures, Lindsay. That scenery is amazing – and you look beautiful in that dress!
my thoughts exactly. Ironic, yes? But true!
Oh I love New York! I want to go back. Looks like a pretty weekend. Your m dressed you well 🙂 haha! I love shopping so I’ll help you out next time!
Getting away always allows you to see the bigger picture because you’re taking a step back. It’s hard to see things when you stay consistently “in the moment”. I hope everything for Kiwi goes okay and it’s only a bone bruise! <3
I love reading your outlook on tough situations. It’s so inspiring to keep the positivity despite setbacks! Keeping the Cotters in my prayers and hoping for a speedy recovery for the kiwi!
Your photos from NY look GORGEOUS! It looks like it was a great weekend getaway!
Absolutely beautiful picture of you and the husband – and love your purple dress! The wedding (totally Kate Middleton style 😉 ), seeing some of the marathon, and spending time with a fellow blogger all sounds very fun and a great way to spend your trip 🙂 I am happy that you guys, the Cotter’s had this trip away. It sounds like it was needed and I love how aware and accepting you are. Always need to focus on the good, true that.
What a beautiful weekend!! So jealous of your NYC meet-up! Looked perfect!
look at the hotties!!! im so glad you two decided to get away and enjoy your time together and with family and friends.
me too! but dressing up is overrated. LOL!
CUTEST couple ever. Seriously, when are y’all going to procreate? Because those kiddos will be gorgeous! 🙂
In all seriousness though I’m really glad you were able to get away like that in such a beautiful place. God has a way of getting our attention big time, and that reliance on him won’t go unnoticed!
XOXO
oh HE sure does! Thank you sweet friend for all the encouragement. P.S gotta email you soon. I need an update on your life! <3 prayers and all.
I so easily get overwhelmed and think about bailing on things like that, but I have never ever regretted “blowing off” my day to day responsibilities for taking a mini-vacation. Science says that these are good for productivity too, and science is never wrong! 😉
sometimes you really just need to get away to recharge and reset and help yourself see the bigger picture. I am glad you Cotters went and had a great time!
First of all, those pictures are breathtakingly beautiful of the scenery and of the wedding! You’re beautiful as well! I wish I hated to shop (and my credit cards probably wish that as well!) Can you please teach me how to slow down and see the bigger picture? I am struggling with that right now. And wow, Michele’s boys are such cuties! So glad you had a great time!!!
HOW CUTE are you two?! Glad you had a lovely NYC trip!
I SO GET THIS! 🙂
And um… “The good, the bad, and everything in between.” We are totally thinking the same today as I wrote “the good, not-so-good and everything in betwenn” LOL
We must meet one day! xoxox
Great pictures! Glad you all took a break and enjoyed it. Sorry to hear about the injury 🙁
Katie
thanks friend. hugs and hugs!! xxoo
Sorry that the fall did more damage than y’all first thought. I’m glad that you are having it completely checked out to make sure it isn’t any worse than what you know now.
Sounds like your weekend trip was exactly what y’all needed.
And those pictures are incredibly beautiful!!!
WHAT BEAUTIFUL PICS OF YOU & THE WEDDING & SCENERY!!! So sorry about the kiwi but looks like you really needed that slow down & glad you went & enjoyed & just was present!!! Sometimes things happen for a reason – the answer reveals itself! 🙂
I’m so sorry to hear about the injury being worse than you thought. Sending positive energy and thoughts to you guys right now!
Also glad to hear you guys had the time to get away, I think it’s so important.
Sometimes getting away is just the perfect way to rejuvenate once in a while. Looks like you had a great time and the pics are so gorgeous. Love your dress by the way!
So glad that you all go to get away and rest from it all for a bit! My husband is a HUGE marathon runner and he is always running even when on vacation! Sometimes it is nice to just step away and not worry about any of it! Glad you enjoyed your weekend!
So glad you took the time to getaway and just be you two without all the busyness of the day-to-day!
Looks like a gorgeous wedding, and you’re one fine looking couple!
Love those faces! And so glad you guys had this getaway. Sometimes we forget to just “be.” I hate to hear that Jame’s fall did more damage than originally though. Wishing him a speedy recovery!
I am so happy to hear that you had such a great and relaxing time in New York despite the overwhelming feelings beforehand. Sometimes a getaway can show us things from a distance which is good – it puts us in a different role, without duties and as a guest.
I wish a speedy recovery to your husband and cheers to the new season!!
Wow, West Point looks gorgeous, and that church is incredible! I am SO glad to hear that it was a good slow down weekend for you, with so many important realizations. How disappointing about the injury. I hope he bounces back quickly… you two are being refined in the fire, huh? Some important plans out there for you- and many people you are inspiring along the way. Stay strong and positive!
gorgeous photos!! and uhhh i always raid my sister’s and my mom’s closet for clothes!!
I’m so glad that you and James had a chance to get away and the area around West Point is gorgeous. I love that you got a chance to just be the cotters because frankly we all need that, to step away from all the stress and expectations and demands that we put on ourselves and just be. I hope that James heals up quickly. PS I love love love your dress by the way. And Michele’s boys totally look smitten with you 🙂
I could ramble about how I love the pictures (I DO) and how I love love how you look FANCY but still like you (YOU DO) but more than that I love your brain and how wise you are so so young (to me young :-)).
“just being the cotters” really resonated with me this morning.
Great lessons. Last weekend I ignored all my pressing work deadlines to play outside (on a long bike ride). I don’t regret it!
You all are so cute!! 🙂 And I LOVE that pink dress you wore! Sometimes it’s nice to get a reminder (however it comes) that we have to slow down every now and then!
It can be so hard to step away and deal with feeling unproductive sometimes, but I’ve found that those times where we feel unproductive actually lend to our productivity in the long run. We’re not doing anyone any favours by working ourselves into the ground and only operating at a smidgen of our potential as a result… The more rested we are, the better shape we’re in to kick life’s butt. Glad you two had a great weekend 🙂
Hope he is healed soon! Glad you guys had some time away to relax and take a step back from the go, go, go 🙂
thanks friend!
Sometimes getting away is the best thing for you. I know when Joshua and I visited the States back in September it was wonderful to relax & not give a care about anything but US. No technology, no plans, just living day to day. It was incredible & just what we both needed.
I’m so sorry to hear about Kiwi’s injury being a bit worse than y’all thought. Ill be praying for a speedy recovery & that the new xray only shows a bruised bone as well.
btw… you look gorgeous in the purple dress. Such a great color on you 🙂
as always, thank you for your words. <3