And we are childless for 5 days. The first time in almost 6 years that we have had the house absent of children while we were in it. Of course there have been occasions when one or both of us were away for a few days sans kids, but never HOME without kids.
And its oddly lonely.
When my dad asked this morning before the funeral we were all attending, Jim and I both thought "wow, a few days alone, what will we do?". And we agreed that our kids and my niece would love to spend the time together with grandma and grandpa. They only see Lainie once or twice a year, usually for only a few hours at a time, yet they are all great companions whenever together.
So after the funeral we came back home, packed up our two, and sent all three kids (my brother and sister in law sent my niece with gma & gpa to our house) off to the great up north - a short (NOT) 5 hour drive away.
And I cried as I spied my baby waving good bye to me for the first time ever - leaving me alone for 5 days.
I am used to Mantha's departures. She makes them every other weekend. And in the summer she is gone the month of August. But other than hospital stays, conferences for work or Relay, and a few short vacations to Dayna's house, I haven't ever really left Jadon.
And then the rush of worries hit.
I was no longer in control of their safety. It was all in the hands of my dad and step mom. And I trust them absolutely whole heartedly. But to be that far away on that long of a drive, I don't trust the other people on the roadways.
I am trying to be the good mom and not be smothering, and waiting for their call that they arrived safely, but it doesn't change the fact that until I hear from them I will worry.
And that leaves Jim and I with the idea: what do we do now? We just decided that we will trek 20 miles further into the country then we already dwell for dinner tonite (one of those way off the beaten path, smaller than a shoe box, but people pack in like hogs to slaughter from all over Southern MN because the food is so good places). We have a neighborhood party tomorrow night, but all the time hither and yon is ours to do as we wish.
All this time and no idea what to do with ourselves.
Yikes.
Wow! Have fun at dinner--sounds like a yummy place, wherever it is...
ReplyDeleteBefore I had Anja, I thought that I would absolutely RELISH time away from any children, that I would want to get them out of my hair as often as possible. But now that I have her, as soon as I leave her for a moment, I find my mind wandering to what she's doing and if she's missing me. I miss her. So hopefully your time sans kiddos won't be too lonely! Use it as a chance to spoil Jim rotten!
I tell you what Heidi, if you ever make it to this part of the state, I will show you a place that has better food than most restaurants in the cities! We are talking beef that is picked up fresh cut the day that it is served. You dont get better, fresher, more tender beef than what they serve. They have MN caught walleye too. I always have the petite filet. I cut it with a fork tonite - all 4" of its thickness!
ReplyDeleteBefore you realize it, it will be halfway through day 3, and you may be wishing for more time! My kids were rarely away from us, and when they would be, it never failed that one would call aroun 11 p.m., and say they wanted to come home. Nevermind that grandma and grandpa's house was littered with different toys, snacks galore, and continous TV and cartoons. They wanted to come home.
ReplyDeleteNot so much anymore (even though they're still never gone from us for long), but I'll admit, when they are gone I walk around a little shell shocked by the quiet and the lack of commotion, and stunned by the chance to do adult things. Usually, we spend the time they're gone talking all about them, wondering if they miss us (my boys always say they don't!)!