Refreshed

Another new year.  I'm entering this year with excitement as I do most years.  But it hits differently for sure. When your kids get to around middle school age, you start writing the graduation year of your student on school forms, surveys, and various other places where it is asked.  For awhile, I had to do the math because it was far away and not a time I really had planted in my head.  And then as high school begins, you start to get emails addressed to "The Class of 2026"....and you realize, yup...that's going to be a big year for my child.  And so here we are....already a month and a half into 2026.  Could we pump the brakes, please?!

The start of this year has been full of basketball games, house projects, the daily hustle and bustle, and the coldest stretch of weather that I have experienced since living in this part of the country.  Thankfully, we were able to escape to the south for a few days and it was just what my soul needed.  Behold the power of some warm sunshine.  And as we were travelling home yesterday, these were my thoughts....

To the moms of little ones on vacation....I see you.  I see you with your carry on bags full of activities, snacks, drinks, stickers, anything you can find that will keep your kids occupied...I see you giving them gummies to chew on at take off to help with the ear popping...I see you handling all the things on the flight so your hubby can get a bit of rest.  I see you feeling like you need to get home to recover from your vacation.  While of course it's totally worth it, the reality is everyone is exhausted from days full of activity, nights in unfamiliar beds, and thrown off routines.  To you I say...it won't always be this way.  You'll blink, and before you know it, a vacation will actually feel a bit easier.  Your kids will pack their own bags...and if they forget something, they will deal with it.  Bedtimes will not be stressful....late dinners will not be an issue.  You will actually be able to sleep in, and you will not be required at every waking moment.  You will come home feeling refreshed and while it is bittersweet that time is flying by, you will have such joy in realizing that all your hard work is paying off.  You've raised responsible young people who you actually love spending time with.  And then...you will watch all the younger mamas in the airports, at the restaurants, and in the airplanes, and you'll say...I see you. 

How grateful I am for my crew....so thankful for a few days together and the memories that were made.