Vegas Baby!

John and I just got back from some serious fun and serious relaxation. Until I had kids, I don’t think it was possible to fully appreciate a day -or even a few hours -when the only schedule and person I had to think or worry about is MYSELF.

In fact I’m going to make a bold statement and say that I never truly appreciated a vacation until now. I mean, don't get me wrong, John and I have enjoyed some pretty nice vacas pre-kid days, but I really experienced the break it's meant to be:  it soothes and awakens and revitalizes the soul. 

Yes, you heard it right, John and I went on a little vaca, just the two of us, for two days and three nights. 

                                                                                                  

                      Vegas baby.

We had everything orchestrated, Amanda helped extra hours and John’s parents stayed in our house. Together, the three of them rocked it, and everything and everyone continued onward and thrived. 

We left Monday night, hopped a plane to Vegas at 9 pm, with nothing to pull along except our little carry on bags. I really haven't flown with just John in years. I usually have children and carseats and a bag full of distractions in tow. And it’s just plain stressful. Without any of those things, flying is a wonderful, magical event and I seriously could just fly back and forth from coast to coast for three days straight and be totally and completely content.

 We boarded our empty flight, sat down in our soft seats, reclined just a bit and closed our eyes, ready for this break from life. John casually mentioned to the flight attendant that we are escaping our 18 month old triplets and 3.5 year old for the first time on a real vaca, and she opened up a bottle of champagne for us! Toast to that..way to play the “triplet card” already John. 

But wait, just as we were getting ready to relax and begin this blissful event, the very familiar sounds of home suddenly pierced a small hole in my pink champagne bubbles;  my eyes abruptly opened because on this very empty plane it appeared that  the only two small beings had a seat right behind us. 
And the baby screamed almost the entire trip. 
And the obnoxious two year old spit at his dad and got slapped. 
And there were threats, and punishments and two very tired parents. 
And I felt something that I never felt before in this situation. 
Empathy. 

I closed my eyes and smiled because 1) I don’t have to deal with them now
                                                                             2) In less than two hours I don’t have to deal with them ever or hear them 
                                           3) I truly understand the stress and exhaustion of the poor parents that have to deal with them 
4) Haha, the jokes on us. 

Anyhow, we landed at 11:00 pm, grabbed our bags and found our way off the plane. The great thing about Vegas is that when you land, you’ve arrived at the fun. 

What should we do first in Vegas at this fine hour?

                                                                      We decided to have cake. 

Haha, yes! out of all the things we could do in Vegas, it was cake that first night, and it was delicious. And it didn’t matter that it was nearing midnight and I was still eating cake because I didn’t have to get up in the morning! 

We decided right then and there we weren’t going to talk about the kids the entire trip. No kid talk. No kid shows. No kids songs or  toddler food or agendas.

 However, as we passed by a fountain I said, “Caleb would totally jump into that right now.” Opps. Well, after we “broke our vow” the “kid talk” surfaced a lot during our two days. 

As we walked through the Bellagio the next day there was a magical display of mermaids and sea horses and I grabbed my camera and took pictures of it. 

Why? “Evie would just love this!” I said to John. 

Based on  my pictures, Evie thought we really did go on an enchanted “under the sea” adventure. 

We realized that much of our life does revolve around the kids. Like it or not, they really are the center of our lives right now, and their names came up a lot. 

(However I did rage one night when I came out of the shower and John had Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood on. "How dare you!" I yelled, lunging at the remote. 
"Sorry, sorry! I just turned on the TV and this is what was on and I'm trying to change it!!!")

We had a really good balance of relaxation and young fun. 

We had some time at the spa. 

We walked, hand in hand. 

We ate really really good food.

Yes, a food pic. (John told me to "take it fast...")

We enjoyed some beverages..........

We saw a show. 

                  We danced at a karaoke bar that had a live band. 

       We slept in, and had a brunch buffet. 

We swam around the lazy river. 

          

And I realized on this trip how much my life operates on a very tight schedule normally. 

I am up each day at a certain time. 

We eat at a certain time. 

We can only stay out until a certain time because of lunch and nap needs. 

I also realized that I am so ridiculously hooked on caffeine. On vacation we ate and drank and slept at different times, which was a nice change of pace.  But I didn’t know why I suddenly felt so horrible the first day!

 John pointed out it was approximently the time at home when the espresso machine is turned on and he makes us a shot. Man, serious caffeine with drawl. 
Like an addict, I needed my regimented fixes at certain times during the day or I felt tired and irritable. :( 

It is what it is right now in my life, so I just embrace it. 

Where is the nearest Starbucks!!??! 

It was so nice to not be regimented. I think it took a day to loosen the bind. By day two though, John and I were fully laying by the pool in a “half nap, half awake, deep relaxation, almost dreaming mode” at 3:00 pm, which is the end of nap time at home when the house is suddenly filled with noise and chaos again. 

I think people sensed our genuine elation and renewed spirit. We got hooked up randomly a lot. For example,  before the show we had happy hour at a really nice restaurant. Although we just ordered happy hour, the server gave us a lot of little extras, like free bread and dessert. 

And then, when we got to the show, they moved our seats up to the front, which were worth double what we paid. 

Thank you Vegas. 

And thank you Mom and Dad Patton, and Amanda, for making this trip a reality. Truly I am grateful to have people in my life who are willing to jump in so that John and I could have a break. And I feel grateful that I could relax because I  can fully trust my most cherished people with them. 

John and I came home really recharged and ready. When we walked in the door, all four kids ran towards us and gave us big, welcoming hugs. I loved seeing them.

The fun, pleasures, food and party is a nice break, but I'm finding more and more just how meaningless it all is too. 

 Don't get me wrong, it was SOOO wonderful, but as I embraced my kids I knew that THIS right here is what it is all about. 

I'm recognizing more and more that my children, my family and the people in my life are the treasure. I love them so very much.

And then, right on cue, the next day James got the flu, our garbage disposal stopped working (and smelled like a port- a -potty) and our washing machine burned out. 

But you know what, we were recharged and John and I handled it like a champ. BACK TO REALITY. :) 

Climbing

People told me that having boys is a whole new game. 

Evie is all girl.
She's emotional.
         She cares about what she wears.
She wants her nails painted.
         She loves her friends.
She wants to be a princess.

However, we have now  have three 18 month old boys to add to this crazy household.  

Their energy is increasing while mine is decreasing. 

My three sons seem to have a magnetic pull towards:

 1) anything away from me

 2) anything that can be climbed and conquered. 

 I truly realized this when I saw Caleb standing (in nothing but a diaper) on top of the patio table on our deck the other day, proudly flexing his muscles.  When removed, he promptly got on his little feet and ran right over to the chair to again try his mountain climbing skills.

 All three boys love not being on the ground. Their nightly ritual now is climbing up on the couch and  jumping all over it. If they do tumble off, they bounce right back up like a little rubber ball, unfazed.  

They climb boxes, chairs, tables, stairs, railings to stairs…anything and everything. Evelyn and I will watch them after dinner as we sit at the table. We just shake our heads; boys! 

SO MANY BOYS!

They wrestle and attack each other. They love to throw dirt  and food and any and all objects off  the deck. They tackle the cats. If let loose, they run away from me, (especially James and Caleb).

They are a nightmare if the three of them charge the front door and sneak out. 

They are unstoppable. 

They seem to be indestructible. 

They are three mighty, death defying, rambunctious boys... and I'm exhausted. 

Each day I wake up and I lay in bed trying to figure out how and what I’m going to do to make it to nap time. 

Sometimes I bring Evie to Freddy’s play land at Fred Meyer. Hey, free childcare for an hour and Evie seems to like it!  Last time I dropped her off, I kindly asked the nice lady behind Freddy’s if she’d also accept an 18 month old who’s mature. (you have to be two to be amitted) 

She shook her head no.  Couldn't she sense my desperation?

Some days seem so so long. 

 I find myself salivating  at “help wanted” signs displayed on coffee shops and cashier stations. 

 I’ve been dragging so much lately that even Amanda has been bringing me home donuts.

Proud mom moment: Dyeing wildflowers

Yiikes! Boys! 

Three crazy, rough, rowdy, lovable, kissable, squeezable boys...who have smiles that light up a room and laughs that pierce through any dark day. 

Yes, I may be going insane sometimes. But someday I'll have three handsome men towering over me, and perhaps and I'll say, without a doubt, all this was all worth it. 

Free in the doctor's office at their 18 month appointment

Just plain hard

                             I’m not ashamed to admit that this season of life is just plain hard. 

We hit the18 month mark. 

                     1 and a half years of all this!

 We are right in the middle of the walking without knowing where to go; 

wanting without talking; 

and independence without common sense...times three.  

        

Plus, a 3.5 year old who definitely has really great moments, but still has the power to control the entire mood of the house if she decides she's frustrated, angry or just plain grumpy. 

So much fun...but so much grump too.

 We are in the thick of dealing with three independent minds, with agendas, ideas and curiosities.

YES, TODDLER leashes...I'm not ashamed.

And John's traveling...

And the house is always a mess.... 

And there are friends I want to keep in touch with but can't, ......

            and books left unfinished.....

 and piles and piles of unwashed clothes.... 

And I just want to use the bathroom by myself! 

Whew. 

Well, two things keep me going. 
1.  knowing that they are growing up. (When I look back and remember last summer, I know for certain we are headed in the right direction. )

A picture from last summer...

2.  KNOWing (without a single doubt) that God gave me this situation and these children and HE didn't abandon me. He never does. 

 There are moments when I get a special glimpse of the future and I'm reminded what a blessing my family is.

A few nights ago I was dragging in every sense of the word...

Washing bottles, changing diapers, feeding hungry kids endless amounts of food, mediating sibling arguments... my every movement was weighed down and life was drudgery. 

Suddenly I looked behind me and the three boys all had smiles of their faces. They were naked except their white diapers; their pudgy little baby legs were running around the kitchen island, beckoning me to play with them.

So, I decided to put down the dishes I was scrubbing and answered their request, chasing, pinching and tickling their soft baby chub. 

 Evie even got excited that boring, tired mom was suddenly full of life again.

 And then suddenly there was a house FULL of laughter, running and giggling.

Someone once told me that if you force yourself to act a certain way, the emotion soon follows, and sure enough,  I was loving every single second of the craziness. I was full of real joy and energy. 

Ha! And that was my glimpse once again, that everything is going to be ok.

*********************************************************************************

The summer is certainly flying by. It’s been a hot one here, hotter than any summer I remember since living here the last 10 years. 

Speaking of 10 years, I can’t believe that I’ve been an Oregonian now for a decade! The only thing I dislike about Oregon is that my Chicago family is so far away. Besides that, everything else is pretty much awesome. 

Speaking of family, my mom flew out again for 10 days while Amanda was gone to Young Life camp. John was gone too, so it was quite a long week. During that week we had diarrhea explosions, extreme heat and my mom was sick during her entire stay. My mom doesn’t have a very strong immune system, and our house is certainly no place to recuperate or work on your health. However, like usual, she powered through and I couldn't have done it without her. We actually had some fun too :) 

We've been getting out somewhat and enjoying the sunshine as much as we can. 

The boys had their first lunch at McDonalds...

Storytime on the farm

Fountains with one of my favorite friends and her three adorable kids

Evie is pretty much obsessed with these friends

Last weekend we took Evie downtown to the "Hello Kitty Friendship Festival." Yes, it's as amazing and cute as it sounds, but also kinda strange. 

 I expected to see the place packed with little girls, but there was a mixture of different types of people. 

Overall, we won an award for being awesome parents :) 

I'm learning that sometimes moments are what you make them. Even in the difficult moments you can choose to turn it around and smile and laugh and make the best of it.

Because one day I won't have three irresistible baby boys and one stinkin cute little girl to chase around the kitchen. ;)