Ahhh...vacation. I would like to think that I sat in the chair in the picture above for hours, but I sat in that chair for about the length that it took me to take that picture. The picture of my husband and children on the bottom portion of the picture was the more accurate portrayal of our vacation.
On day one, I posted a picture of my journal, bible, laptop, and coffee to social media. I was bragging on my husband who was watching the kids while I did what I love. Yep, this happened once! Not because my husband didn't love me on day 2, lol...but because we have what my sis-in-law calls, "littles." I am writing this blog at midnight in order just to get my writing in.
What was I thinking that I would actually get to rest on this vacation?
A simple trip to the beach was a lot of work. Applying sunscreen felt like a work out, and we hadn't even made it outside. On our first trip to the beach, I packed a picnic lunch. I thought I would feed my 18 month old, so he would sit still for a few minutes before I had to chase him on the beach. It worked for a few minutes. He ate his food, and a lot of sand. And when we decided to go play in the sand, a bird ate the rest of his goldfish crackers!
The next attempt at the beach, Travis watched the baby during nap time and I took the older two. I hoped I could read a book under the sun this time. I read one page, and my daughter's face was quote, "on fire", or so she said, and we had to run to the shower to wash the sunscreen off because the particular brand was irritating her. We ended up at the pool instead.
We thought we would take a trip to play mini-golf, and we only got through about 7 of the 18 holes, before she "couldn't go one more step." A meltdown occurred, and off to the car we went.
I found out that a dear friend was willing to meet us on our trip home, but my son came down with a fever, head ache, and stomach virus...so never mind.
The baby has a bug bite on his eye lid and it is almost swollen shut.
Oh, and did I mention? I have had a beautiful, relaxing, time!!!
No seriously, I actually enjoyed this vacation. Somewhere around day 2 or 3, I had a change of heart. My husband and I were getting discouraged. We didn't even realize it, but we both thought we needed our alone time so much, that neither one of us were getting it. Until I had a change of heart and a conversation with my hubby.
We determined that this vacation was not about us getting rest, but about family time.
We had a great time with our kids, and with the rest of our family who watched our littles so we could get some much needed time together!
Our kids start back to school next week, and they will soon have more hours with their teachers than they will with me. We will get back into a routine of homework, dinner, bath, and bed. The play time will be short, the pictures will stop, the screaming on the way out the door will begin all too soon...and I am sad.
What I've come to realize this week, is that those moments of "relaxation" may come through taking selfies with my girl...
Watching my toddler dance until he falls down...
Or, seeing my son's face light up playing mini-golf.
There will be a season when I can lay out and read again.
I recall the last time we rented a beach house with my sister- in- law and her family. At the time, she too had "littles". This time, her big kids were helping with mine. I can't believe how quickly her kids have grown, and they are doing a wonderful job raising them!
My littles won't always be little, and neither will yours. A trip to the beach can be exhausting now, but even in the craziness, these moments are such a blessing! I'm so glad I changed my perspective this week. I may need a vacation from my vacation to recoup, but my heart is happy that these littles need me so.
And somehow, in the middle of the hard work and exhaustion, I find rest...deep in my soul.
