Vacation Bliss

Rejuvenation.  Respite.  Relaxation.  Three good words for the week that we just ended.

There is nothing like going only 60 miles from your house for a week to be unplugged, slowed down, and hang with family to give the soul exactly what it needs.  How could Michigan, or a just a cottage, give you such a difference in life that your house, even if you were on a staycation, couldn't?

I'm not going to dare try to explain or theorize that question.  It is the core reason cottages exist, especially for the Chicagoans who flock to Wisconsin, Indiana, or Michigan for that very experience.  They are all certainly on to something.

We had a great week, which is why you have heard nothing from me.  The five of us played, swam, and hung with our family and cousins.  There was nothing but swimming, sandboxes, laser tag, beaches, playgrounds, tennis, cops and robbers, beer, wine, and talk.  There were many days last week where there wasn't even a cloud in the sky.  We couldn't beat it if we tried.

I will confess I didn't think of work, the eldest's upcoming doctors appointments, school IEP, the school schedule for the twins while I was up there at all...unless of course it was after many glasses of wine and I was crying to my cousins.  Oh, drinking?  Wasn't that a new years resolution?  Yes...and I have still been stinking at keeping that one.

Next week is the last day of 'camp' at daycare for the kids.  It's a fun week too with lots of big-bang adventures planned: Navy Pier, Bowling, Chuck E Cheese, Gymnastics.  Then, a week of calm before the school storm starts.

Today everyone is still sleeping, or quietly playing, and I'm preparing for my day of shopping for school supplies, wedding attire, and a bachelorette party gift.  I feel a bit guilty in taking the day to myself to shop like this, but on the flip side, I'm looking forward to spending some more alone time before the manic Monday returns tomorrow.

While there were lots and lots of tears just a week ago, there is nothing but a huge smile, and weight off my shoulders and out of my heart today.  Life is good.  I'm blessed.  I knew this, and it is what keeps me going, but it is still nice to remind myself.