with a week without kids?
This week is Collin's Spring Break. Months ago my mom suggested that both boys spend the week with her in St Louis. What stay-at-home mom passes that kind of offer up?
So Monday morning I ventured about half-way to St Louis and met my parents at a truck-stop. I unloaded children and belongings, we ate trucker-food together (scary), and then parted ways.
I'll admit I sat in the parking lot a while after they'd already gotten on the freeway headed south. I said a prayer for my babies and, of course, for my parents. Then I put the van in reverse and turned around to see their two empty car seats. It isn't too often (never) I drive the van with two empty car seats. Did you know they rattle a little over bumps? Luckily, I had planned for the panic I'd surely experience at the sudden silence on my return trip by bringing along some books-on-CD. I think that the last time I listened to something of my own choosing on a road trip was when we moved to Peoria almost five years ago. No Baby Einstein. No Little People's Mr. Golden Sun. No Thomas the Train movie or Elmo's World theme song. Nope, just me and F. Scott Fitzgerald cruising with Gatsby.
So what else have I done this week? I went shopping - not for groceries but for myself - on Tuesday. That is like some crazy miracle. I'm not a shopper, and I'm even less of a buyer. But I bought some winter boots to wear to church. That's right, I've only been trying pairs on for two years now! I also read the rest of Great Gatsby yesterday afternoon. When's the last time I finished a book in two days? Definitely only in my pre-child days. Today I didn't do much of anything - laundry, cleaning, dishes - but in some kind of super-human time. Guess it must go a little faster without "helpers."
Friday morning I'll head back to the half-way point and pickup my monkeys. I plan to be rejuvenated, fresh and full of Mommy-love after a week off. Here's to Spring Break!
PS: My parents got their mission call on Monday afternoon! They are headed to the Quezon City Philippines Public Affairs Office - reporting in mid-August - for two years. Knowing they'd be gone for a long while was a major reason they wanted to have the time with the boys this week. We are all in for an abrupt life-change when they're on the other side of the world. I'm terrified.
