A week to myself...

Did you know that I was by myself for a week and a half? Brad took the boys to Seattle while he did a job shadow with a bankruptcy attorney, my parents watched the kids and I worked. SO WHAT DID I DO?

It was nice to be able to come home from night shift and sleep in until my heart desires with no interruptions. I was also able to take candlelit bubble baths without boys hoping in or blowing out my candles or husbands coming in to talk about the weather. I stayed up devilishly late, with my nose in a book and (gasp) ate junk food in my bed until I saw it getting light outside. I watched what I wanted, when I wanted. I stayed in my pajamas all day. I took strolls down to the quaint main street, grabbed a bagel from the local store and sat in a cute coffee shop reading from my kindle. I wore my glasses the entire time Brad and the boys were gone. I chit chatted on the phone strewn across my bed like a high schooler talking to her only true love, my husband on the phone. I lived in my bed, my house stayed clean. I jogged around the neighborhood a few times. Ate cereal and fishy crackers (and maybe a few oreos) for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I did manage a lunch date with the best girls in town, and ate leftovers for dinner. Did some cruising around the mall. Gave myself a mini makeover and pedicure. Went out and bought myself some brand new white sheets, which I lived in until the morning Brad came home. My house was quiet, and still.

WHAT A LIFE, RIGHT?

Now, 2-3 days without my family would have been just fine. By the end of the week, I was struggling. I missed the little rascals jumping on me in the morning to wake me up. I was lonely eating dinner after making way too much dinner for one. I didn't have anyone to say, "don't play with your food" or anyone to tell "that the green stuff will give you energy to wrestle dad". I didn't trip over toys or wipe hand prints off the counter. I didn't have a husband smack my bum when I walked by, or to snuggle up too on the couch. I didn't hear any laughter, or fighting or water running the the bathroom to make me jump and to tell my all is well and life is good.

I realized how much my family was a part of me now. How I have grown to depend on them and how I expect that each day will be filled with something from them. How I loved that WHEN I take bubble baths the boys get all excited about the bubbles and the candles. And when I choose a junk food it is usually reared towards what my kids will enjoy or what Brad would like to share with me. And why I enjoy walking main street is because the boys love the fountain, and the cute park area, and that I think it is romantic to walk down holding hands with my hubby. I bought the sheets because I thought Brad would like the white rather than the ruby color that I had previously had on the bed and I could picture us cuddling in the over sized soft sheets. I enjoy reading from my Kindle because it was a special gift from Brad, who always gives the best gifts.

Life is SO MUCH BETTER WHEN YOU SHARE IT WITH PEOPLE YOU LOVE.

I am so glad they are back. Tonight I didn't say much, just lots of hugs and kisses, and listened to my very own life, and I was glad for the noise.