Bliss

I have been on fall break for almost a week now, and I've gotten lots done and had gobs of quality time with the kids. However, Mark was out of town this weekend, worked this week, and has been gone a few of the past nights, so I've been doing the parent thing largely on my own.

Wednesday night after Mark had been out climbing and called to see if he could go to dinner with his friend, he asked, "By the way, how are things going there?"

I responded with a sigh, "Well, you know, it's day five of me and the kids." In the back of my mind I knew I still had the rest of the week days on my own, and then again this weekend when Mark will be in charge of entertaining his friend who's coming in to town.

Without hesitation, Mark suggested he take Thursday off from work so I could go do what I wanted. He said I could come and go and do what I needed to feel like I was getting a break. I jumped at the opportunity.

I didn't do anything spectacular, a couple hours shopping with birthday money and a great new yoga class I found. We had to go to grandma's to install a disposal, plans that had already been made, so I was mom again for a few hours.

But it was such a rejuvenating day. It was freedom I hadn't felt in such a long time. It was less about what I did and more about the fact that Mark took away much of the guilt I often have when I leave everyone. I had no reason to feel like I was missing out on precious kid time because I had already had several days and knew I had another week and a half with them. And Mark wasn't having to give up on something fun in order for me to leave. Just a day of work. But most of all, Mark suggesting my leaving and therefore made me feel like I had his "blessing" to go.

It's amazing the difference the mental part plays in my feeling "released" and therefore more refreshed. The day was less about what I did and more about my ability to really enjoy my time alone.

F...aaaaaahhhhhh.....ll Break

Aaahhhhh.......that is the big sigh of relief and release I am letting out now that I am officially on fall break. Two weeks of no early morning meetings or rushing to daycare or packing a lunch or wishing I had more time in the day to wear all the hats I sport in a day.

This week Mark is still working, so I have the gift of time to catch up on life and feel like I am on top of it (or at least sort of keeping up). I have to keep reminding myself that I don't have to get everything done in a day. Today we focused on a few key errands and rotating toys from upstairs and downstairs. Already Carter is more interested in the play area with toys that have not been enjoyed for a few months.

Today was cold and rainy, so much so that I finally broke down and turned on the heat for the season. It wasn't exactly the beautiful crisp, fall day that I was hoping for to begin fall break, I decided to make the best of it, so I rented a movie and even got to watch it.

I'd like to make it to the zoo one day this week and check some more things off my to-do list, but I'm trying to stay open so that, even with two kids in tow, I can still feel a bit spontaneous and see what I'm in the mood for as the days come. This fall break is all about attitude, and so far I've gotten off on the right foot.

The second week of fall break Mark is off too, so those days will have a totally different rhythm to them. We've got plans for many of the days already, including a few days away with the family, a trip I got for my birthday and am very excited about.

Oh, and for those of you who were involved in the daily drama of daycare the past few weeks, we have left the last "new" person due to all sorts of fishy things, but mainly just a bad gut feeling. And we've already found someone new! We did one day with her last week that went great, so that's a huge load off my mind that will help me enjoy these next two weeks that much more.

Right now I'm drinking a glass of wine on the couch while both boys sleep soundly. Cheers to this much-needed time off.