If you've crossed my path lately, I probably resemble one of "those" mothers...you know what I'm talking about....one of the ones that I just KNEW I'd never be. Frazzled, harried, dirty and tired.
First of all, the husband's place of employment has so nicely deemed that THEY need him more on Saturdays than I do. I tend to disagree, but alas, I do what I need to do. Yesterday, it was dragging four children to the 6-yo's basketball game during a monsoon, where I had to park in the furthest possible parking spot and be soaked to the bone by the time I had gotten all of them and their gear from the car into the gym.
Second, the husband and I made a joint decision that he must obtain an evening MBA. Are we crazy? Certifiably. Are we just plain stupid? Without a doubt. But, all for the greater good and we really can't imagine things getting any easier as the kids get older. I certainly need him home when this homework gig gets to be more than my tired brain can handle. He is soooo doing the science fair projects. And I have a feeling that we'll be dividing and conquering evenings in a few years. So, it was now or never and we chose now.
Add these two "adjustments" in with a rainy, bitterly cold weekend in which we were stuck inside (save the rainy trip to the basketball game) which resulted in a slow and tedious destruction of my house...I was in serious need of some "me" time by Sunday.
So, Sunday morning, I got out of bed, enjoyed a cup of coffee and announced to the family that I would be back. I was going for a run. I'm still easing back up my running regimen, so I was only supposed to run for 25 minutes, but let me tell you that I enjoyed every single second of the 1500 that I was out there. I ran like a kid who had nothing better to do all day than to run. I pushed all thoughts out of my head and turned on a Pandora station playing new hits that I have never heard of. By the time I got home, my head was clear and my heart was pounding.
Now, I told my husband, I am going to the grocery store. He smiled and asked me if I'd like to have anyone come with me. And as much as I love taking a "helper" with me on the weekends, I firmly shook my head no. This trip was MY trip. I leisurely strolled around the store, basking in the fluorescent lights and kicking myself for not driving the extra 5 miles to the big store that serves latte and breakfast. I took my time picking out my produce without having to worry about the free cookie, I strolled through the cereal aisle without having to say "no" to sugary cereals and I stood in the check-out line, flipping through a trashy magazine, almost disappointed that the wait was not a little big longer.
I arrived back at home with my healthy grocery bags and was welcomed by complete mayhem. The baby caught sight of me and started crying, the 2-yo clung to my leg and the 4-yo whined about losing a game of uno to the 6-yo, who tossed a basketball by my head unexpectedly. I calmly unpacked the groceries and announced that I was now going to church. By myself. For the first time since the baby was born. I kissed the kids and left them downstairs to take a nice, hot shower.
I walked into church, relishing the quiet, calm traditions of it all and said some prayers - thankful for my four healthy little boys who have so much energy and their sweet dad who works so hard for us.
I drove home in a way too quiet car and happily opened the door to a messy kitchen, cheers for the basketball game and happy yelps of "mommy! mommy! mommy!"as I was greeted by my family.
A run, some "shopping", a shower and some religion. My husband asked me if I felt like I was on vacation. Yep, I sure did. And it was a right quick one. But sometimes that is all you need.
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