I am so glad to have my husband back after 10 days! He had the opportunity to go to Costa Rica for 10 days on a agricultural trip with my brother’s college. It was definitely an experience for them as I am learning, and it was tough being the keeper of the house for 10 days with Brayden! We missed him, but this was simply an opportunity that would never come up for him again. The hardest part was not talking to him every day. He didn’t take his cell phone due to the outrageous international calling fees and they didn’t have access to wifi every night, only about half of the time.

They visited dairy farms, hiked, zip lined, white water rafted, and 100 other things that I can’t remember. They had a really full itinerary and were pretty tired when they got home. They met a lot of really nice people there, ate some pretty good food, and stayed in some very interesting, rustic places. I can’t wait to see some more of the videos that Brandon got while he was gone.

Brayden and I survived- we stayed with some friends last weekend, and then my college roommate and BFF from Florida flew up for the week just to hang out. Thanks to her, the week went by faster! We ate with my parents quite a bit, did a little shopping, and relaxed. It was nice but I was SO ready to go get Brandon last night. We have never been apart for that long and I was just so thankful he was home safe and sound. I even cooked a big meal for him- I think he appreciated that!

Thankfully, my nausea is starting to subside- that helped immensely in taking care of Brayden on my own! My mom kept him for one night so Sheana and I could get dinner together, so that was a nice little break. He was so happy to see Brandon and hasn’t really left his side since last night. Boys…

3 years ago while a blizzard was raging outside, we stood at the altar in a packed church and vowed to honor, love, and cherish each other until death do us part.

Thanks to my blogger/photographer friend Leah, I can’t get this song out of my head. See, her and her little family of 3 just had their family pictures taken, and their photographer set some of them plus video to this song. And as I watched Leah’s video? I cried. And every time I hear this song, I get all teary-eyed and collapse into a pile of mush. Truer words have never been sung.

This song reminds me that God led me to Brandon for a reason.
Many reasons.
For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. God gave me you.

I don’t even know where to begin this story, because something so incredible happened this weekend, I don’t know if I can put it into words.

I. had. an. entire. day. off. from. mommy. duties.

*gasp!*

Brandon said something to me on Friday evening about my plans for the next day, and I didn’t really have any, so he offered to take Brayden for the day so that I could do whatever it was that I wanted to do. I shrugged him off as having some sort of a fever or something! But Saturday morning, he held true to his word. Told me to get showered and get going. Do whatever it was I wanted. So I hurried and dressed and got ready before he changed his mind!

So what did I do? Picked up my mom, went shopping, out for lunch, and to Barnes and Noble. With no schedule. Without wondering when Brayden would need to eat, or what I was going to do to distract him if he got a little out of sorts. I ate at my own pace, and when I browsed at Barnes and Noble, I had a non-fat caramel frappacino in my hands. It was heavenly.

I haven’t felt this relaxed in over a year. I got to be just Julie. Not Julie the mom. Just me. And for a change? It was really nice. I missed my boys but I know they had tons of fun visiting one of Brandon’s college buddies and then stopping at my brother’s new place at college. After I was done, we met at home, got ready again, then took Brayden to my mom and dad’s for the night so we could attend a going away party. We had a nice dinner date beforehand, and a really fun night. Brandon said it was like the “old” Julie was back. That is a good feeling. He said my smile was back and that I looked relaxed, like I could take on the world. And you know what? I felt like it.

I can’t tell you how amazing it was to just be me. And not worry about Brayden, because he had such a blast with his daddy. This hasn’t happened since the day he was born, and although I wouldn’t want to make it a regular habit, it was really nice. Sunday we spent the day as a family to get in my fix since I missed my boys on Saturday. We enjoyed some cooler weather (finally) and played a LOT outside. I feel like a new person, and I can’t wait to tackle some things on my list this week now that I feel a bit more free.

Moms, I encourage you to take even an HOUR to do something for yourselves. Even if the laundry is piling and the kitchen is dirty, indulge yourself. It is so rewarding. And your kids and spouse will thank you later!