Me time!

Last Friday, as I sat in my living room realizing that my husband was going to be gone for the 3rd night in a row, I lovingly texted him and asked if I could have the next morning to myself. Time to be out of the house doing whatever I wanted. He granted my request! Miss Miriam is transitioning to formula so I had a good chunk of time! Like 5 hours! Seriously, it's been nearly 7 months that I have been alone for longer than 2 hours. I digress. I did some shopping. Made some returns and had lunch all alone! No one needed anything. No one asking for a bite. Just me. At Panera. Alone!

Soup and Salad. Yum. All mine! :)

As I sat there by myself, I couldn't help but notice a cute little boy playing at another table. He was babbling and fussing but really not a bother at all. I looked up and he was looking at me, I smiled, he glared and I noticed his mom looking at me. It was at that moment that I wished I had one of the girls with me! I wanted her to know that I have a babbling, fussy baby at home, along with a toddler and an almost 10 year old! We are united and this, me eating alone and looking put together, is NOT a normal occurrence! I wished that I could have a sign that said, "Mom of 3! First time out alone in several months!" I felt guilty for being away. It was like I was playing hookie in high school. Sleeping through a class in college. Calling off "sick" from a full time job! It didn't seem natural to be out without kids! It was like I had to justify this meal of peace and quiet!

As mothers we are united. No one knows what it's like to be a Mom til you are a Mom. And I feel connected to complete strangers when I see their growing belly. Or, I hear a Mom battling it out with a toddler in the neighboring aisle in Target. Raising kids is hard. The hardest job around. Running a house is not too far down the list either. Oh and let's not forget, our husbands! Because, I do. I know I do. The kids take so much time and energy it's so easy to just coexist and not sit down and relate. But, I also have to remember it's okay, no, IT'S REQUIRED to take some time for yourself. To recharge. To leave for a bit and get done in 4 hours what would take 4 days of trips with kids in tow!

An aside...Mark said to me Saturday evening after I had been gone all morning and he had run to the store for me but had left the 2 gallons of milk and other various items in the car, "I don't know how you do it!" It's good for me to know that he appreciates what I do all day and know the extent of 'tired' I am at the end of the day. (I also know he works hard and provides for us so I CAN stay home! Thanks Love!)

Here's hoping all you Mommas get some ME time soon!