How to have a perfect spring break:
Hit the road with movies aplenty, 44 ounces of Sonic Diet Coke with Vanilla, and strawberry Twizzlers. Stop in the Austin area to spend the night with Jeanne; manage to meet up with other friends for scrapbook shopping and dinner while you're there.
Arrive at Joanie's the next day in time for lunch. Toss the kids (7 total) outside for hours of springtime fun. Spend your day chatting with girlfriends.
Climb into bed that night and actually enjoy the bits of sand that the kids have sprinkled about. It reminds you that they had a wonderful day. Wake up to the smell of coffee and children giggling, and your 6-year old climbing on your back saying, "You have to wake up, Mom. That lady said." Look at the clock, realize that it's not even 8 a.m., and you have the whole day ahead of you.
Don't make plans. Instead, plan to have no plans, and just fly by the seat of your pants. Maybe you'll unpack your scrapbook stuff, maybe you won't. (I did.) Maybe you'll cook dinner, maybe you'll order pizza. It's all good.
Wake up on the second morning and realize that a miracle has happened: there have been no kid fights, no name calling, no hitting, no tattling. There have been no broken toys, no hurt feelings, no angry words. It's been BLISSFUL. You find yourself wondering if you husband would be willing to telecommute from La Vernia, Texas. Your host promises that there are inner city ministries in San Antonio that you could plug in to.
Find joy in the little things, like the sound of rain on the roof, the blue of the sky the next day, the millipede on the driveway, piling on the bed with your girlfriends to watch American Idol together, the primitive church in town where you'd swear Reverend Alden once preached. You'll have no cell service in rural La Vernia, but you'll find that you're okay with that, which both surprises you and satisfies you.
Finish it off with a drive through the countryside, stopping for photo ops in China Grove ("the people of the town are strange, but they're proud of where they came.... well I'm talkin' 'bout China Grove. Whoa oh oh, OHoh, China Grove...") and the Pancho Villa Lounge.
Laugh a LOT.
Smile a lot.
Talk deep into the night about things that matter.
Realize that this life you live is charmed and beautiful, and what makes it so is the people with whom you spend your days.
Count your blessings.
Return home just in time to see the sun setting over your neighborhood, where the cat is happy to see you and your husband meets you at the backdoor. Life is good.
Life is good.
7 comments:
That sounds like a fantastic way to spend the time...sheer bliss infact! :)
Sounds just about perfect to me. I'm so glad you all had such a wonderful time. All of the pics are great, but that one of Avery is beautiful! Look at that sweet darling face.
Glad you're havin a great spring break! You take some cool pics. See ya soon.
Sounds like bliss! And that Avery is just the most beautiful girl in the whole wide world :)
Sounds awesome.
BTW, hearing the live version of "China Grove" (or whatever the song is actually called) Rocked! :D
well now, Heidi, since you've given such a great review of my impromtu concert, I might just have to sing China Grove at Karaoke Night at Spring Thing, and have it videoed just for you! bwahaha.....
Awwww, Stace -you said it all perfectly. I confess that it even brought a little tear to my eye because it really was a perfect time together. I might have to borrow your words when I do my LO.
Miss you.
The house is still for sale;)
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