It's SPRING
It's SPRING!
We've already had several days in the 80s!
Life has been moving quickly and been busy since my last blog post in February.
It has been filled with our children...
and trips to Costco... (if only for the samples...)
and muddy playgrounds...
And duck feeding..
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| And duck chasing......... |
...And oh, it also included a visit to
a little tropical island
in the middle
of the pacific ocean.
I am thrilled and honored that I am married to such a successful, hard working, brilliant man.
Furthermore, the company also said some really nice things about John's character and the way he conducts his business. I really couldn't be more proud. A man of integrity is worth more than any amount of money as far as I'm concerned.
AND, as an added perk, he also won us a spot at the annual Peak Performers trip, which takes place in Hawaii!
John and I were both completely giddy. We were so excited about being away together,
on an island,
for a week,
without the kids.
It almost seemed surreal.
As much as I love all of our children, I personally have not been away from them for more than a few days. I was so unbelievably ready.
My mom volunteered to fly out and watch the kids with Amanda.
My Aunt Robin also flew out to help my mom.
And of course, we had John's parents too who are 15 min away who could come and go when needed.
We could vacation and rest assured that we had a big tribe surrounding our family at home.
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Well March really flew by with the anticipation of this trip coming up in April.
But, before the trip...
There was St. Patricks day...
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| Green oatmeal. (I admit, it doesn't look great...) |
And Easter!
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| The kids are dressed in their Easter Best! |
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| This what James does when we ask him to smile |
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| Levi's Easter best is his Vest |
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| Butterfly Girl |
My Grandma came to visit for 12 days and stayed through Easter.
It was very special to spend it with her.
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| We love GG |
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| Painting those Easter Eggs |
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| No visit would be complete without a visit to the candy store |
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| The hunt is on! |
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| Truly a beautiful March day |
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| James finds the candy...and is not going to let it go |
We made a trip out to the tulip farm. Always gorgeous.
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| There's that classic James smile again |
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| Not amused |
Then at the beginning of April there was John's birthday...and our 11th anniversary...BUT>>>>>>>
Then came mid-April and HAWAII!
John and I left on a Wednesday night after putting the kids to bed. We stayed downtown near the airport because our flight the next morning was early (plus it was fun to start our vacation a night early!)
Navigating the airport and flying without children was magical. In fact, everything about that week in Hawaii was magical, mostly because it was just the two of us, and well, life was really really easy.
The week was spent in a beautiful hotel right near the beach. We were really spoiled with VIP treatment.
John's company truly rolled out the red carpet with extravagant parties,
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| Yes, they built a ferris wheel on the beach |
famous entertainers (um, like Stevie Wonder...)
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| Yep, really him. Private concert. |
Oh these parties were unlike anything I've ever seen or experienced before. I kept comparing them to The Gatsby parties.
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| Just completely unreal. Pictures don't begin to show the opulence poured forth. |
We took an excursion to a live volcano (its been smoking since 1983)
Hiked through lava tubes
ate breakfast at a local restaurant (where the Hawaiian Big Boys dine)
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| Pancake with coconut pudding on top. Seriously HUGE amount of food. |
drove a jeep through rain forests...
...walked with our toes in the sand,
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| Saw Sea Turtles! |
and watched the most glorious sunsets I've ever seen.
And relaxed.
I have to say, I finally truly and utterly let myself unwind and refresh.
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| My Monday Morning |
We didn't communicate with the kids all week. My mom said she'd only contact us if someone were in the hospital.
I focused on being in the moment. I didn't spend time missing anyone because I knew that I would soon be home again. And this was a gift, to be away and be recharged.
After a week we ventured home and I was eager to see the kids. I greeted them in the morning when they woke, and the reunion was so so sweet.
"Hi Mommy! Hi Mommy!" the boys reached out to me from their cribs, eyes wide and excited.
It was the best.
My Aunt and Mom left for Chicago a few days later. Although we were sad to see them go, John and I felt energized and ready to take on the family again.
I know it's only been a few days since being home, but John and I both have more patience, energy, positivity, and endurance.
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