Missing Our Kids

Originally John and I have been known to say, "Yes, 4 days is just about the perfect amount of time to take a trip away from the kids".... No longer. The quote would now be, "18 hours is just about all we need to be away from our kids". It will be several years before we go longer than that because every thought from yesterday morning on was, "How do we get home to our kids even sooner?" Can we change flights? Can we shave 10 minutes off of our airport time by having me retrieve the car and pay for parking while John waits for the luggage when we get home? And, when we did get home last night at 10:30 pm, it was ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY to rouse both of our children from REM sleep just to hold them and try to get some expression of recognition and happiness that Mommy and Daddy were finally home. (Mikayla ended up crying for 10 minutes....nice Mom).

And, then, lo and behold, this morning comes, and my children awake - and they are SO PERFECT. Yes, all of the frustration of willful children/out-of-control mom that occurred the Friday before we left was long gone. My son was so sweet, polite, endearing even at 7 in the morning. There was no arguing between them at all - I know the honeymoon will be short-lived, but how rewarding to return to!

So, despite all the pangings to see the kids, the singing over the cell phone in a public mall to comfort my daughter, and the crying during movie previews when it showed a scene of a child growing up too fast - we did have a FANTASTIC time. Too much food, too much spending, too much sun, too little exercise - but isn't that what vacations are all about? As expected, we loved our time hanging out with Travis and Stephie - overall, the trip exceeded even my lofty expectations.

A big thanks to all who made our get-away possible. Thanks substitute-mommy Aunt Chele, Lisa, Mike, Nancy, the Meyers for everyone covering our duties. The trip was wonderful, but it's so good to be back.....


(view at the pool)

(part of the eating too much at a restaurant in downtown Palm Springs)

(John and I at TGIFridays)

(the view from the balcony of our room)