It comes as no surprise to anyone that the past two years of our lives have been…tough. Let’s be honest here…they have been tough for a lot of people and we are not the exception to the rule.
But a few weeks ago, I just felt broken. Not because I hate my life or my kids or my job but simply because it takes a lot of work to bear the responsibility of life sometimes. One day Theo mentioned that he felt like it would be helpful if I could get a weekend away. He suggested I drive all the way up to his parents cabin and take a whole weekend off. While this was a very sweet suggestion, I didn’t love the idea of having to pack up and drive multiple hours away and then pack up and drive back. Instead, I suggested that he go with the kids while I stay home….alone.
Oh my goodness. That was the most priceless gift that Theo could have given me. Again…not because I hate my kids or my life….but because rest was so so needed for me. I know that this isn’t a possibility for everyone and that there are just some circumstances and situations that will not allow any kind of travel or break. I have always preached loud and clear that our true refreshment and restoration comes in Christ alone. Trust me when I say that there have been years upon years when I could have used a break like this, and I just never got one. And God gave strength for each weary day. But this year, I got a weekend alone…to myself. And I am so very grateful.
So what does a Mom do when she has three days alone?
- got home from work, tidied up the house and was delighted to realize that it was going to STAY tidy for 3 whole days!!!
- spent the evening at school for an Open House, sharing about why we love our school so much
- read a book and went to bed by 10pm each night
- woke up whenever my body was ready to wake up (turns out I now officially consider 7:30 SLEEPING IN)
- slowly spent over an hour doing my morning devotions while sipping my tea and eating breakfast in bed
- spent over 9 hours working on the final edits of the manuscript of my book
- submitted my manuscript to Amazon’s self-publishing platform!!
- read an entire book cover to cover
- watched two chick flicks
- walked to a nearby coffee shop and got some chai tea
- went for two great runs- 4 miles and 3 miles
- made a grocery list and went grocery shopping in preparation for the week ahead
- scrolled Instagram without worrying about if my screen time will ruin my children
- did 3 loads of laundry- washed, dried, folded and put away
- worked on my cross stitch
- set an alarm for 30 minutes and made myself SIT IN SILENCE for the duration of the alarm
- remembered that I am a person outside of being just a Mom
- ordered doordash and did not turn on my oven or stove even once
- washed the dishwasher only one time over the course of 3 days
- baked cookies
- missed my kids and husband so incredibly much and was SO READY for them to be home on Sunday afternoon!
P.S. In case you were worried about my husband and kids…don’t be. They also had a blast!!!
It sounds like exactly what you needed and a wonderful, wonderful weekend!
It was SO great! We plan to do it more often!