tidbits.

I just survived a week without Luke. And by survived, I mean it may have been the easiest week of my life. See, Kay, Maggie and the kids came over to help. They cooked, cleaned, entertained the kids (think day-long zoo trip one day and parks and beaches the rest) and generally made my existence calm and peaceful. I practically did nothing. Oh, except one day I HAD to go to Nordstrom, kid-free, then have drinks at Indigo with Mags. I know. I’m lucky.

To put my life into perspective, I used to fear things like cancer, or drowning, or flying over the Atlantic sober. Today my biggest fears include not being able to find a binky, temperatures any higher than 99.9, and my son someday asking for a pet rat. Or even one of those white mice with red eyes. Equally as bad.

Recently, Luke gave me the priceless gift of a night to myself in a swanky hotel downtown. I felt guilty leaving him and the kids behind, but not guilty enough to not go. I learned that it’s good to do stuff like that to unplug and recharge and make me a better mom. I also learned that I’m sort of addicted to my little fam. It was hard to resist the urge to check my phone for pictures or messages from them. It was hard to miss a Saturday night with them despite the fun I was having. And when they picked me up and I jumped in the CRV ready to hear how much I was missed - but instead got Luke saying “Hurry up, there’s a car behind me,” and Kenzie screaming at the top of her lungs (Guess what? Luke couldn’t find her binky) and Caleb grimacing with those it’s-naptime-and-I’m-still-awake eyes - it was hard not to want to run back into that hotel for another hour. Or seven.

All of the little girls in Caleb’s class freak out when he gets to school in the morning. He usually hides behind me as they are screaming and clawing. We are both a little scared by this scene. His teacher says the girls have crushes on him, to which Luke replied "Yep, just like his Dad."