Bahama Mamas

Things I’ll remember:

-Non-stop chatting and fun with my sisters.
-Bingo and telling a persistent bar-tender that “we’re all pregnant”.
-Sleeping deeper than I have in a long time.
-Crying the night before I left because I was going to miss my kids…And then thinking, “Kids? What kids?” the very next day.
-Feeling like I was in an alternate universe with my sisters…not a care in the world.
- CocoCay: A make believe island (Royal Carribean owns it) but a restful, relaxing day in the sun.
- Nassau: Most beautiful aqua water and white sand.
-The bartenders snubbing us whenever we asked for a soda from our pre-paid soda package.
-Eating more than necessary and somehow still being bothered that the windjammer was closed at certain hours.
-Time? Time didn’t seem to exist.
-Sweet, fun, boisterous Sally.





A few thoughts I’ve had upon returning:

-“When will the room stop swaying?”
-“Who’s bright idea was it to run a marathon a week and a half AFTER a cruise?.”
-“I’m so glad that I have sisters whose company I enjoy so much.”





A tip for those of you who may consider going on a cruise to the Bahamas with your sisters:

-Be sure to leave valuables behind (such as a husband and children you love). Otherwise…you may never go back home!

Speaking of those left at home...they were having lots of fun with their daddy. Blaine did his best to make it a fun weekend. Here are some pics of them driving in "the swagger wagon" and of their camping trip in our living room.

Bedtime

Bedtime. I have a love hate relationship with the concept of bedtime. I love that it is time for the little ones to settle down and go to sleep. I hate that it is usually a big struggle to get them settled into bed and even more of a struggle to get them to stay in their beds. Usually when bedtime hits, I am exhausted. I’ve been with the kids all day and I am ready for a little down time, which usually consists of unloading and loading the dishwasher with out Cali’s “assistance”, folding laundry, and straightening up before I go to bed. But, I digress. Any mom can attest how nice it is to have a few moments to herself when the kiddos are tucked safely in their beds. So, imagine my surprise last night when I was fighting back the tears as I put the kids to bed. I was lingering in their room, even in their beds with them. I didn’t want to say goodnight.

Today I am on my way to board a cruise to the Bahamas. It is going to be a blast! I am going with my sisters and I can’t think of a better way to unwind. But, oh, I am going to miss those little critters. Sure they keep my house messy, my thoughts jumbled, and add a bit of stress to my daily life. But, they also give me more love than sometimes I think my heart can hold. I am overflowing with love for them and from them. I get nervous when I leave them. I am their primary care provider and they are used to me. I know Blaine is going to do just fine at the helm but I am the one with the anxiety. I just need to let it go. I’m sure that will be easier to do when my toes are in the sand.

I had to leave by 5:00 am this morning. Bella told me she wanted to wake up to say goodbye. I told her it would still be dark and not to worry about getting up. But, at 4:15am, a little red-headed, bed-headed, lioness looking thing came stumbling out of her room to give me a hug. I don’t know how she times her internal clock like that but she woke up early every morning last month when I was on jury duty to see me off also. This from a girl who usually sleeps until 8 or 9am. Now that is love.

So, while I may be having the time of my life in the Bahamas…a big chunk of my heart will be home with my babies. Together with Blaine, they are my sun, my moon, and my stars. They are my world and I am grateful for a chance to miss them so that I can appreciate them even more when I return home.

Missing in Action

I have been MIA in the blogging world. Here is a synopsis of the past few months, according to me.

-Jury duty selection. Fascinating but inconvenient experience. But, how many people can say that they stopped a trial to ask the judge permission to use the restroom? I can.

-Training for a marathon. On a whim, I agreed to run a marathon with my sister in law, Kelli. While training, I developed plantar fasciitis in my right foot. For a while I was worried that it was going to be a deal breaker. Thankfully with lots of stretching, alleve, orthodic inserts, and foot tapings, I am about 90% better. But, did the podiatrist really say that I had to stop wearing my flip flops and floppy converse shoes? OUCH! Now that hurts!

Here's Cali taking my running shoes for a spin.


-While I was cooking dinner and talking on the phone one night, Cali got her foot stuck in a kitchen chair. After unsuccessfully trying to work it out, seeing her foot swell, and hearing her screaming, I called my neighbor and told him to bring over a power tool to cut the chair. He brought over Vaseline. It worked just fine. I guess I’m not a totally rational thinker in a crisis...that is Blaine's job. But, I did think to give Cali a sucker, which calmed her down. She was stuck in the chair for a good 20 minutes. After awhile, she just thought she was hanging out eating a sucker.

She is happy in this picture because she has her sucker.


-The tooth fairy was hired this month! Bella’s bottom front tooth became loose and after wiggling it for a few weeks, it was barely hanging on. Bella wouldn’t let anyone touch it except in a moment of weakness she let Blaine and he yanked it out. It’s a good thing too because her adult tooth was waiting right behind it already growing in. Bella woke me up in the middle of the night to tell me that the tooth fairy had come. She was so excited and I can’t get over how quickly she is growing up.


-I’ve been running on Saturdays with some good friends. Usually we run between 6 to 10 miles and a few weeks ago, Haley and I ran a half marathon of our own making. Then, in order to go farther than I’ve ever gone before, I organized a 16 mile run where friends could meet up with me at different times to join me. I ran a 4 mile loop 4 times to make it easier for friends to come and go. Right around mile 13.5, when I realized that I had just passed the point that I’ve never run before, Blaine came driving up with the kids. Bella and Ezra hopped out, gave me a hug and a water bottle and Cali said her first sentence while crying: “I want mama”. Their little visit meant a lot and 16 miles later, I was feeling good about my accomplishment. I’ve got such great running buddies, too. It makes all the difference to have someone to talk to.

-For Valentine’s Day, the young women delivered singing Valentine grams for their camp fundraiser. The kids were thrilled with their balloons and suckers.


-Cali started nursery at church. She loves it. No longer are we roaming the halls with a very busy toddler for 3 hours. Church is becoming doable again! On Sunday, Bella told me that Cali was playing with the bubbles when she picked her up from nursery. Ezra heard this and said, “OOOOH! I wish I was still a baby!” I asked, “Why is that, bud?” And he responded, “So I can still go to my other class!” Poor Ez…he is having a harder adjustment to being a sunbeam. He misses the toys and the bubbles in nursery. He sure is cute though. I mean, just look at this kid! He wants to wear ties to church now and I’ve never seen a cuter superman in my life. When wearing his superman PJs, he only responds to “superman”. The other night he called me “Super Mama”. Hey, if the shoe fits...



-My days have been busy and sometimes I get tired and stressed out. But in my calm moments, I recognize how truly blessed I am to have an amazing family. I love my husband and my children more than words can express. Children have a way of expanding your heart and multiplying your capacity to love. My kids keep me hopping and I don’t always appreciate the craziness that they provide, but I would be so lost with out them. I am one lucky lady to have what I have.