Weekend Getaway

My daytime fast from the computer wasn't exactly supposed to turn into a total removal from it entirely...but I'm still very much learning how to balance it all and complete everything within a mere 12 hour period. I could not let the kitchen overcome me as I struggle with my own domestic side of self...or lack thereof..... so each day includes in it a time to prepare each and every meal. So, in my time away from here last week I managed to very successfully complete homemade lasagna, homemade crescent rolls, chicken spaghetti, and a myriad of other dinners. I think I finally surmised that it's not exactly that I CAN'T cook but more that I just don't entirely like it....like, by alot. Just cause I'm doing it doesn't really mean I enjoy it anymore than I did a few weeks ago. It was more than a little gratifying to have the rolls turn out though. Little bit of redemption going on, I suppose. In the midst of it all I also managed to come up with a homemade breakfast every morning ready and warm when the children awake. It's been everything from breakfast casserole to pancakes...and then of course, frozen waffles. This time, breakfast instead of dinner. But.....it's progressing beyond cereal, I suppose. So, it is that I struggle with my own time management until I really get the hang of being proficient at it all. At the moment it's either schooling, cooking, managing children and cleaning..or blogging. Oneday I'll get it all down and fit it all in. One thing is definite.....waking at hours before the sun even awakes doesn't really leave much room for 2 am bedtimes.





Valentine's Day brought with it a small bit of paradise as sweet husband and I escaped without any children at all for a romantic little getaway. With much thanks to my own dear mother we left the children and drove away into the 30th day of dreary clouds. I do love cold gray days and the hot morning coffee, soup, and comforting chili dinners they bring but after days and days on end it begins to wear on the soul of one. There is much to be said for sunshine splashed days and the joy that the sun just naturally brings with it. Mud laden pastures turning their faces to warm sun, puddles reflecting blinding rays of radiance, little girls running, long blond hair transformed to gold in sun's glory, little boys wildly taking down their unseen enemies on sundrenched days, huge dogs sprawled out in sunny patches of warmth. Yes...I do love the sun. Somehow the dreariness has a way of penetrating to the core of one after such prolonged periods. So we left our little tiny bit of heaven and traveled the familiar miles back to the city and into the 6 inches of remaining snow, mud and slush. Joined by sweet friends we made our rounds on the town.....a rare quiet weekend without the presence of any children at all. It does the heart good every once in awhile just to go and regroup. Hotel room, no meals to prepare, no laundry to do, nothing to pick up, a bed that is made by some blessed person other than my own self. Although....with time to spare Saturday morning and nothing else better to do I did make the bed despite the service hotels have going for them. Though we have never really been one to celebrate America's commercially appointed love day I did tell adoring husband that I think we need to make a tradition of this and do an annual weekend away. It does the heart and the marriage good. Despite the huge disappointment of tattoo not being completed we did manage to make a memorable weekend out of the deal...but then we manage to make just about everything pretty memorable.



So it is that I am left with a rare quiet afternoon after the busyness and fun of a weekend spent away. Older children gone with working husband. I do love my life. Contentment fills my soul as I sit and contemplate so many mixed emotions that seem to be a common part of life these days. Messy brown headed little girl jabbers at my side. Dark eyes shining she flashes me a smile that rivals anything I have known in life. Time stands still as I gaze at her...heart and mind pondering the miracle that she is mine. Beautiful, petite, dark eyed baby....blessedly mine. Handful of handsome little boys play loudly behind closed doors, sounds of jets, tanks and guns can be heard. I listen to the total immersion of imagination. 4 little boys all resembling the other, 4 little minds working together to create a world that only they can see, 4 pair of hands all joined in play, learning how to give, trade and take in life...learning to navigate, making it all work beyond the existence of only one's self. Glorious sun beckons the body to come run and be free. Urge cannot be reckoned with, desire overcomes. My heart gives in to this untimely afternoon call, schedule laid down I don warm layers and tie shoes. Feet finally hit familiar dirt once more and exhilaration of life pervades. Power, self discipline, freedom, confidence, clarity of thought and purpose. It is comforting yet powerful to the soul.



My heart knows no greater joy or fulfillment.