So yeah…it turned out to be a fantastic weekend…
Friday night I went to an ornament exchange with Karen and hung out with some ladies, some of whom I knew and some of whom I didn’t.
On Saturday morning, Eric got ready and I packed some stuff and we loaded up the kids in the van. Then he took them out to the farm for the day. They had a blast with their Grandma Hogue. An absolute blast. They made cookies in all sorts of Christmas shapes, plus some other shapes, plus with their initials. They made ornaments, too. One ornament was a star with their picture in the middle and “jewels” glued to some of the arms. The other ornament was their hand print. Even Megan got in on the act. What a great memory for them…seriously!
And for me…well…I stayed home. After they left, I got myself ready and then started working on Christmas. I set out what I had so I could see what I was missing. I ordered a few more presents online. Then I headed out for Christmas shopping. I went to stores, lots of them. I went in, wandered around as long as I wanted, and left. No hauling in 3 little people and hurrying so that we avoid a meltdown at all costs. I moseyed. I browsed. I randomly went into stores that weren’t in my original shopping plan. Because I could! And it was lovely. Truly lovely.
In fact, I pretty much finished my Christmas shopping. I have like one or two little stocking stuffers to pick up. And that’s it! AND, I stopped a Payless that’s going out of business and got 6 pairs of shoes for the twins for about $65, including a pair of winter boots for each of them that were original priced at $40 each. Fab.u.lous!
Anyway, I left the house about 11 and got home at 4:30. The house was a mess; the kitchen was too. And you know what I did. NOTHING! I sat on a chair and read a book until I wanted supper. I watched TV while I ate, then went back to my book. I read for hours…I even made myself real hot chocolate with milk! I can’t even tell you how wonderful it was to have a whole day when no one needed me, no one hung on me, no one changed my schedule. It was great!
Of course, when they pulled into the garage about 8:30, I was more than glad to see them and hear about how much they’d enjoyed their day. But for a few hours, it was great to just be by myself and do my own thing. It was a much-needed break!
On Sunday, we went to church, then after dinner, I met Karen and my parents at the mall. We do a yearly shopping trip where I go with my dad and she goes with my mom and we just shop. Then we met our kids/husbands at a restaurant for supper which was much fun, too.
And when I walked in from supper out, I discovered that my incredible husband had cleaned my entire kitchen while I was gone. It was spotless…and I was almost speechless.
So yeah…it was definitely a fabulous weekend. I was refreshed, I got stuff done, and I started this week actually feeling ahead of things for the first time in a long time. And I can’t thank my MIL and husband enough for the break. They really outdid themselves on my behalf. I’ll remember this feeling for a long time…okay, at least until Wednesday, I think! 
