We did it. We finally had a full weekend as a family and we had an AMAZING time! After two months of non-stop busyness it was so good to stop, get away, and focus on each other. We're just the type of family that likes to get away. If we stay at home we tend to piddle around the house...you know, clean, check email, take naps, clean some more, get milk in sippy cups, clean some more, check email again, blah blah blah. But, when we leave home and get away together we really get to focus on each other. We take time and ENJOY each other. We do fun and silly things we don't normally get to do. We don't have a lot of stuff. Our furniture is not new. We drive a 1998 mini-van. A nice meal out is our $12 bill at Fazoli's. We don't own cell phones. THINGS are not bad. But, since we are on a limited budget we choose to have less things so we have money to go away. To stay in hotels. To spoil the kids when we are out. I would so much rather invest in memories and in my family than THINGS. So, we made a large investment in our family this weekend. And I KNOW there will be great returns on it.
Our weekend off is officially from 5pm Friday until 7pm on Sunday. But, since I normally have the school day off we would have been just sitting around here waiting all day just so I could work from 4-5. So, we asked the people who were covering for us if they could start at 4 and then we would comeback an hour earlier on Sunday. So, we were able to leave at 10:30 am on Friday. We drove to Omaha (with an hour stop for lunch) and then onto our hotel. We got a little lost and made lots of stops (with three kids age three and under we're lucky if we can drive for an hour without having to stop!) Finally, at around 4 we arrived at our hotel. We always pick to stay in a two-room suite. If we got just one room then it would mean that Jason and I would have to go to bed at the same time as the kids. And in a job situation where we NEVER have nights off to ourselves, having some alone time is crucial. So, we stayed at a DoubleTree Suites. The hotel was gorgeous. Our room was really nice...a living room with pull out sofa bed, a kitchen with full-size fridge, microwave, etc., and a huge bedroom with king-size bed, bath, etc. Plus, there were TV's in each room. The main disappointment was that although we always check to see if a hotel has wireless internet access before booking, the internet at this hotel was not free. They actually expected me to pay $10 to use the internet for a 24 hour period. Yea, right. I was annoyed because I had some work stuff to do, but I was not about to give in to their outrageous prices. So, I had an internet free weekend...it was actually a nice break :)
We went to the pool, swam, sat in the hot-tub, and played around. We were hoping to find a yummy Indian restaurant to eat at but Alaina wasn't feeling well so we just went to the mall down the road and ate at the food court. Then we walked around a bit, stopped at Borders for a while, then headed to Blockbuster and the grocery store. We picked up a movie for us to watch after the kiddos went to bed and some snacks.
It was soooo nice to spend some time alone as a couple. Most of you know that we are dorm parents for 22 high school girls. So, after we put our kids to bed we don't get time alone like most families do...we still have 22 girls to take care of. We love it, but it doesn't allow for much couple time. So, it was luxury to have a few hours to watch a movie, to cuddle, to talk without interruption. I've really missed Jason so it was good t spend some quality time together.
On Saturday we had a nice lazy morning. Jason hung out with the kids so I could sleep in. Levi cooperated so I got to sleep until 9am. HEAVENLY! After I got up and had coffee I headed out to Old Navy and Target (the nearest ones to us are an hour and a half away so I don't get to go very often). I didn't have a lot of time but was able to pick up some warmer clothes for the boys and a winter coat for Alaina. I really wanted to stop for a pumpkin spiced latte at Starbucks (we don't have one of those either) but I ran out of time. Then, we packed up, headed to lunch, then went to the zoo. The Omaha zoo is really nice and in four hours probably didn't even see half of it. It is HUGE! We all had a great time, though. Alaina fell asleep soon after we got in the car so we decided to not go to a nice restaurant (we were thinking Outback...it's been over two years since we have been there!). Instead, we went through the drive through at Arby's and stopped near a park and Jason, Caleb, and I ate in the car while Alaina slept. Then, a long drive home with Caleb incredible wound up from no nap for two days but refusing to give in to his tiredness.
Church on Sunday with an amazing sermon. It was the first time I have heard someone really talk about the dangers of legalism and also warn against its opposite. Christians tend to swing the pendulum from one end to the other. I hate legalism (strict adherence, or the principle of strict adherence, to law or prescription, esp. to the letter rather than the spirit.) but I also hate people throwing God's Word in the trash and doing whatever they please (often in the "Christian" name of "Christian freedom.") It was such a refreshing and thoroughly Biblical sermon. I learned a lot.
Then we headed to pizza hut for the lunch buffet (can't beat an all-you-an-eat buffet for all of us for $10). Then, off to the pumpkin patch. We had tried to go last week but the van broke down. It was actually a really nice place...it was totally geared towards kids our kids age. There was a ton to do...little "train" rides, pumpkin slinging, zip lines, hay rides, slides, a wagon full of corn, etc. We spent a few hours there and declared the kids TOTALLY worn out. It only took three days :)
So, all in all in was one FABULOUS weekend. And, now for the rest of the semester, we are off every other weekend! We won't go away every weekend but we WILL spend some awesome quality time together.
Sorry...no pictures, no LO's, no nothing. I took about 500 pictures this weekend but don't feel like proofing and resizing. Maybe tomorrow.
Okay, gotta go. Have lots to do. Hope you have a GREAT day!
Yay, yay, YAY for you!! What an awesome weekend! So much fun stuff! Oh I can't wait to get to the pumpkin patch here too--Brian's mom and grandma are coming to visit in two weeks and we are waiting to go with them. So happy for you that you got some special time this weekend!! --Hollie
Posted by: PaulineLucille | October 03, 2006 at 10:12 AM
OH Janet - that is awesome that you had a great weekend with the family! Good for you! Do not for one second try to justify spending the money on the weekend - money well spent!!! Can't wait to see the awesome pics!
Posted by: MandaKay | October 03, 2006 at 04:15 PM
Hey! I just wanted to stop by and thank you for your comment on my layout at digishop talk...it was super sweet! Thanks :).
Posted by: emily | October 06, 2006 at 12:49 PM