Mommy Time!!

Last week was a time of leisure for my family. It was the first time hubby and I went on a trip alone, since having children (there will be a few pictures later - I need to download them from hubby's camera). It was the first time we did not bring the kiddo's along for the ride! Leading up to our departure I went from anxiety, not sleeping, planning mode to "I'm ready to get out of here"! Quite the roller coaster of emotions but in the end I left the house without a tear and the kids were pushing us out of the door. That was an answer to prayer because if I go to any sort of event for the evening the kids grab hold of me begging me not to leave. They are often crying - even though Daddy is home (and they both LOVE Daddy time!). So that was a miracle in and of itself!

So, we departed and finally arrived to our destination - Puerto Rico. My husband was on a business trip - the kind that was a reward and the meetings were over breakfast only. The rest of the time was fun fun fun!! I needed that more than I realized. When you first become a Mom and all your leisure time is filled with the needs of a little one - you wonder when you will have time to be you again, without interruptions. Soon you forget to wonder that. Being on that journey for 5 years and going strong (and then adding Home School to the agenda)- it was refreshing to do EVERYTHING with ease.

If I had to go to the bathroom - I went (without an audience) and I only had to make the potty run ONCE. Not again, 5 minutes later, due to a child that was determined they did not have to go the first time. One potty trip - business handled - task complete. If I was hungry - I ate. I ate without getting up or nudging a wee one to take a bite or telling them to sit down and that they had to eat OR ELSE.... When I wanted a nap - I didn't have to do acrobats to get both children down first. I simply laid down and slept. I ate dinner at the normal 8 PM instead of the crazy 5 PM.

When I wanted to get IN the water at the beach - I did. When I wanted to lay back and catch some rays - I did! When I wanted swim in the pool - I did! All of this without the "Mommy, look at me! Mommy it's MY turn to jump to you. Mommy, I am too hot/hungry/tired/happy" or God knows what other excuse!

It was strange to be in the immediate gratification mode again! FREEDOM!! To some who may happen upon my blog today - you may falsely judge that I do not love my babies or that I am pained by motherhood. (Although I do not know of a mother without a few battle scars!) I am neither! I ADORE my kids - I didn't think I would be able to step onto the plane and leave them in another place without me. But once I did - I was rushed back into a world I once knew of, but had long forgotten. The world of doing what I want, with ease.

I realize now that I am ready for this phase of motherhood - the one where I give myself regular breaks! Five years without a Mommy break was fine but I see how we all could benefit from this being an annual event. It was so refreshing! Way more than I expected! The only down side I can see was jumping right back into responsibility world. It was a little jarring at first - especially so when I realized (after 24 hours of straight whining and complaining by HC) that my sweet girl had a stomach bug. Having four days of no whining/arguing/complaining by my angels and being thrown into a full blown melt down was a bit cruel I thought! Now having the diagnose behind us - I see clearly that life is once again good!

My kids are playing and laughing - and I can hear them! My HC is singing as she plays, again, and I have the privilege of listening. Our personal entertainers are back on stage (in our living room) for another show! My family is all together again - there is nothing better than that! All is well - and I am refreshed! Who could ask for anything more?? (And HC seems to be feeling better today too!! WooHOO!!)