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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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. :)
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