I found a few drafts saved when I logged into the blog for my standard biennial check. Figured better now than never!
I don't have too many hobbies, but I do love to travel. As always, availability and money dictates when, where, and how often I get to take trips, but I'm always looking for a good deal for a family, couple, or individual vacation. At the end of 2013, the stars all seemed to align, and I was able to schedule a few trips for the following year. Before 2014 was over, I would have visited Des Moines, Iowa; Los Angeles, California; Manhattan, New York; Branson, Missouri; Canon City, Colorado; and Los Angeles again. I declared it the Year of Travel, and I enjoyed every minute of each trip.
I joined an online Mothers of Multiples group when I was still pregnant with the boys, and we got together in the summer of 2013. It was a blast, so when a different group of friends began talking about having a get-together in the spring of 2014, I was thrilled! We finally decided on a location and weekend that worked for the most people and packed our bags!(Theoretically, of course. Nobody packs bags months in advance.)
It's amazing what a little break can do for the soul. Before heading to Iowa, my temper was short and patience thin. The tiniest things annoyed me to no end. The (very loud) giggles that filled most waking hours in my house didn't bring me joy like they once had. Instead, the noise grated on my nerves and made my head pound. I was sad and on edge 90% of the time. I felt like I had neglected myself for so long that I wasn't even sure if the person I had been still existed. After two-and-a-half years of raising twins, I was hitting a new, unexpected low. My energy was depleted beyond what could be restored after the nightly baby bedtime. I felt defeated before I even started most days.
In March, we all met in Des Moines, Iowa for a long weekend of drinks, laughs, and no fixing food for other people or changing diapers. It was perfect! It was a low-key, uneventful weekend, and while most people would find it unremarkable, for us, it was priceless. We may get to talk on an almost daily basis, but we rarely get to spend any physical time together. Add in that as moms in general we get very little alone time, a weekend away to be completely selfish was heaven on Earth. I laughed more than I had in months. I remembered what it was like to be someone other than "Mama." I felt like I could take a deep breath. And when it was time to go home, I was actually excited to get off the plane and head home to resume my Mom duties. The thought of those tiny humans depending on me for almost everything didn't make me want to cry. I was refreshed. I was back.
I'm grateful that I've been able to prioritize my family in most situations, but it often meant I neglected myself to do it. It wasn't even a conscious decision.. it just happened. I needed to be reminded that even though I am a wife and a mother, I still have an identity outside those (very important) roles. This trip taught me that I can't truly take the best care of my family if I'm not willing to take care of myself, too. It was a hard lesson for me to learn, but it was definitely one that I needed.
When was the last time you took a weekend for yourself, mama? A day? An hour? It's challenging to find time for yourself. You have to find a babysitter, coordinate times that work for them and you, get those angel children of yours dressed, buckled in, and to the sitter, then head out for a while alone, keep check on that ticking clock so you aren't late for pick up, wrestle back into the car, and then get those precious munchkins home, fed, bathed, and in bed. And you have to do it before bedtime hits. Is it even worth it?!
YES. It is worth it. YOU are worth it. Get that sitter and take a few hours to get a pedicure, have a cup of coffee that's actually hot, or just sit in your quiet car by yourself. Raising tiny humans is no joke. It's a relentless labor of love. You wouldn't dream of being clocked in at a day job 24/7, but those are the exact hours that Moms have. You need to clock out every now and then. Recharge, mama. Recharge, and come back ready to take on the world.
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