At the beginning of July I flew out to CO to see my friend Erin. I was going to take Sugar Ball with me but after experiencing some prior travels with her I decided to leave her home. And boy am I glad I did. Within 2 weeks I had Jamie weaned and I was off to see Erin, on my own, all by myself, no kids hanging on me, no babies to carry, no one to feed but myself. The first time I noticed being alone was when I went through security. It was so easy, like it almost didn't even happen. That's how easy it was. I flew through and was relaxing in my chair waiting for my flight within 10 min of arriving at the airport. I sat there all by myself and felt like I was missing something. Oh yea, I was missing those 2 kids I have at home that are always with me. And yes, I was missing them. I actually cried when P. and the kids dropped me off at the airport. I was explaining to Pete that I was going on a plane for a quick trip and I would be home in a few days. He had this, "What are you doing mommy?" look on his face, almost sad but not quite understanding what I had just said. And I started to bawl. Then I had to say goodbye to Jamie. And to P. of course. So I checked in with red, teary eyes but by the time I was waiting in my seat for my flight I was over it and enjoying the quiet moments I so rarely get. On the plane it was even better. I closed my eyes, listened to my iPod, read my Parenting magazine, ate some snacks, had a pop. It's hard to do any of these things when you are traveling with little ones. I sat there thinking, this is so wonderful. Don't get me wrong, I adore my kids. I stay home with them every day all day and wouldn't have it any other way. But the quiet of my trip to CO was almost soothing. I could feel myself loosening up from the release of responsibilities of being a full time mom.
My trip was sensational. I laughed so much with Erin. We always do. We laughed about things from the minute I got there until the minute I left. It felt so good to laugh. A different laugh. Not like a "Pete just tooted again" kind of laugh. Not only did we do a million wedding things but we had a few moments to relax in a couple of our favorite places. We ate at our favorite restaurants and we cooked at home. We visited Garden of the Gods and Glen Eyrie. And I met Jeremy, her fiance, who really is a great man and they are great together. He will take good care of her and I know she will make him very happy and proud to call her his wife.
Yes, I missed the kids and my wonderful husband. I worried about them a little bit but apparently they all did just fine without me. P. did an incredible job keeping them fed, cared for and happy. I needed the trip away more than I knew and was refreshed to come back to life as a mom. When the van drove up at the airport and the doors opened for me I saw Pete almost jumping out of his seat with excitement to see me. Jamie saw me and her face filled up with one of her full face smiles that she has. That's what it is all about. Raising the beautiful children you are blessed with but then giving yourself the time that you need to be the best mom you can be for them. And life is about friendship. Erin and I have a forever friendship that will stand the test of time and distance. And in two months I get to stand next to her as she marries Jeremy and our friendship will start a whole new course. And someday our kids will meet and be friends. Hopefully they will be the kind of friends Erin and I are and they will feel as blessed as I do.
Aren't we cute?
Aren't they cute?
Meeting with a flower vendor.
And eating ice-cream.
And on this trip I was lucky to have some time to see two other close friends. Erin went to work Friday morning so I spent time with my friend Beth, her husband and daughter. It was a wonderful time catching up and eating a really yummy breakfast on her back porch that looks out to the Rocky Mtns and Pikes Peak. Beautiful. It was a beautiful day and I was so thankful to have some time to spend with Beth and her family. Beth and I have been friends for over 10 years now and I have watched her beautiful daughter grow up from that first ultrasound picture at the doctors office until now. She even wore a pink Paul Frank shirt for me!
And then there is my friend Jen who is so sweet and thoughtful. Jen and I have also been friends for about 10 years now. We met at church and played on the same volleyball team for many years. Boy we were good and she is still my favorite setter. Hopefully we will get to team up again together some day. Jen sends me gifts in the mail. Dr Pepper gifts that she comes across now and then. And who sends sweet gifts in the mail anymore? What a fun treat those are when they come to the house. I appreciate Jen and the fact that after 5 years of living in MI I can still call her my friend.
So, that was my trip. We will go back again in Sept for the wedding. All of us. The travels won't be as easy and the trip won't be as relaxing but it will be another memory for the picture books, or blog in this case.
Pete showing off his arcade ticket winnings.
Abby is truly a man's best friend. And she loves Omi and Opa's house. It's like doggy heaven for her. She has room to run, horses to stalk, birds and other small animals to chase, and Omi and Opa feed her lots of people food. Oh and she loves a ride on the golf cart.
Fishing with big sissy. 
Krischan's catch.
Ride on the boat.
Cousins.
Aren't they cute?
Meeting with a flower vendor.
And eating ice-cream.
And on this trip I was lucky to have some time to see two other close friends. Erin went to work Friday morning so I spent time with my friend Beth, her husband and daughter. It was a wonderful time catching up and eating a really yummy breakfast on her back porch that looks out to the Rocky Mtns and Pikes Peak. Beautiful. It was a beautiful day and I was so thankful to have some time to spend with Beth and her family. Beth and I have been friends for over 10 years now and I have watched her beautiful daughter grow up from that first ultrasound picture at the doctors office until now. She even wore a pink Paul Frank shirt for me! 
And then there is my friend Jen who is so sweet and thoughtful. Jen and I have also been friends for about 10 years now. We met at church and played on the same volleyball team for many years. Boy we were good and she is still my favorite setter. Hopefully we will get to team up again together some day. Jen sends me gifts in the mail. Dr Pepper gifts that she comes across now and then. And who sends sweet gifts in the mail anymore? What a fun treat those are when they come to the house. I appreciate Jen and the fact that after 5 years of living in MI I can still call her my friend. 
So, that was my trip. We will go back again in Sept for the wedding. All of us. The travels won't be as easy and the trip won't be as relaxing but it will be another memory for the picture books, or blog in this case.
Pete and his "best friend". I have no idea what he is going to do when Katie goes home at the end of the summer. Today she is at a friends house and he has been asking for her since the minute he woke up. 
Touching a frog, trying to grab it, then dropping it.
Watching fireworks. 
Hiding in the garage from the fireworks. He ran out between fireworks to tell Jim, "No more!"
Sleepy girl ready for night-night.
Ready to eat cake.
Sugar Ball hanging out with mama.
This is about as much as Pete went in the water. Good thing I had the camera ready...
Burying sissy in the sand.
Hi Mama.
P. says Pete looks like Big Foot walking in the sand in this picture. Ha, he does doesn't he? :)
