Four Hour Road Trip

So I'm completely procrastinating cleaning my house, especially since I just picked it up two hours ago and then again right before we left for vacation.

I want to share with all of you--and prove to my sister why it's important to document these events--my trip to see the Quigleys in Zion, Illinois. Located right at the border of Illinois and Wisconsin, Zion has gorgeous sights, including a rocky beach with the Chicago skyline across Lake Michigan. It was exquisite.

We left at dinnertime on Friday night and traveled I-294 most of the way. Our son, 5yo Rudy D., did not sleep a wink, even though we didn't reach our destination until at least 10:30 our time. He was so excited to see Kati and Brian's new house and his cousin, Tom (not Xander, though he called Tom "Xander" or "Tommy" every time he opened his mouth). But his favorite part of the trip was this sunset.

My husband was on Day 19 of the Whole 30 diet, and luck would have it that my brother-in-law was also trying the diet out. When we put the kids to bed, Rudy whips out a jar and fills it with the necessary ingredients to make Whole 30 mayo. Kati and Brian furrow their brows. Yeah, right. Rudy takes out his little wand, a hand blender, and less than a minute later, hands Brian a jar of mayo. Bam! It was like magic, and I tell you Rudy had won their admiration with that little trick. Rudy also made Brian Whole 30 ketchup as well. 

One of the most irritating things when you travel to a different time zone is the kids' sleeping habits. So after finally getting to bed at midnightish (can't remember if that was Chicago time or Eastern time), I then woke up at 8 a.m. Which was AWESOME! Until I realized that was our time. :(

After Kati gave her son a bottle at 6:30 a.m., she came down to hang out with us until 8 a.m., while our husbands slept. (Yes, we really love you, Rudy and Brian). The best part was she had a tv with the Disney Channel, so my kids locked eyes with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while Kati and I chatted, looking gloriously frumpy in our pjs, lack of makeup (well, I don't think we wore any all weekend. hehe), and purple bags under our eyes.

Then she pulled out the ancient traditional coffee machine, and I handed her the coffee grounds I'd bought. Fresh brewing coffee filled the house and even roused the boys from sleep (my hubby needed some extra nudging from bouncing children).

About 20 minutes from Zion is a quaint town with a beach, splash pad, sandy park, and a gorgeous view of Lake Michigan. Kenosha. A fence and short wall enclosed the sandy park with Lake Michigan beyond. The kids had a blast, and the parents could actually sit back and relax (except me; I had to take a bunch of pictures).

 Hubby did NOT want me to take this picture. Too bad. LOL ;)

The best parts of Kenosha--well, for the adults--were the farmer's market and bubbles.

After all the fun, we put the kids to bed and finally enjoyed some adult only time. First, we had a bonfire and lovely conversation with Kati's neighbors. So much laughing and amusing story time.

Even Rudy D. got to share in the fun for a little while.

But then it was time to send the neighbors home and play the ultimate board game, Ticket to Ride. Brian won, though I think I had the most number of completed routes. :)

The next morning was a rough one. Addy was up at 6 a.m. (5 a.m. our time) and would not go back to sleep--not in our bed, nor hers, nor the couch. I tried to get her to watch a movie or tv, while I slept on the couch. Needless to say, I was exhausted by the time we left (around 10 a.m.), and it rained. The. Entire. Drive. Home. A couple times, Rudy or I had to almost pull over, because we couldn't see.

My dad would be proud. We literally were "Riding the Storm Out" and brought it home with us. And boy, did it storm! 

I miss them already. My son already asks when he can go back. Ella runs around yelling, "Beach." 

But the good news is Kati and her son, Tom, are coming to visit! I can't wait. I believe we both have massage rooms with our names on them. ;)

Thanks for the memories, Kati and Brian!

Losing My "Super"

My blogging has taken a backseat to my chaotic personal life.

Potty-training successes and relapses. Summer vacations and sports (including the kids' first ever swim lessons). All this built up to taking my boss's hours at our daycare last week, so she could enjoy a summer vacation.

This summer has been wonderful. I've really enjoyed the fenced-in backyard and new house, as well as our Y membership (though I've yet to use it to exercise) and pool.

But one fact is clear. This SuperMom is losing her superpowers.

I've learned that no child is the same. I've known that for a long time, experienced it in teaching, but it wasn't until I've raised three different children that I LIVED it.

Rudy D. was a passionate and sensitive child, eager to please. He's loved books and would beg me to read them over and over until he had them memorized. He loved playing by himself, racing with me down the street, and doing whatever he could to make Mom happy. Potty-training was easy. Discipline not so much. But once we passed the 2s, the 3s proved easier (or maybe it seemed so, because I had twin one year olds to chase around).

Enter the twins. From day 1, they've been so different and so similar. The best way to describe them is unpredictable. Some moments, they're cuddly and cute, giggling in a way that melts your heart. Then the next, one is screaming and hitting, while the other is throwing everything within reach on the floor. I open the front door to load them in the car, and they follow each other 1-2 doors down and laugh when you order, ask, threaten, and bribe them to come back. The only thing that works is to go down on your knees with your arms out wide and yell, "They call me 'Mister Pig.' Ahhh!" (Lion King).

We have successful potty-training days, where no diapers are needed. Then we have days, where they've gone everywhere--from their carseats and strollers to our wooden floors. It's enough to drive a person utterly insane. And I've spent most of my summer alone with them. Though my husband has had more evening and weekends off, but up until last week, I was working one day a week.

I've been distracted and exhausted all the time. On my computer for writing/editing, Facebook to stay connected with other adults, and my email. We played outside. We went to the zoo. But I was so, so exhausted. It's nonstop trashing and cleaning, running around after them, cleaning up after them, and then the house...I was embarrassed how behind I was. I tried to just keep the main level of the house clean, but I'm vacuuming and sweeping at least twice a day. I'm throwing laundry and toys down the stairs to the basement, and then every evening, somehow, the house looks like a tornado spewed everywhere.

My super has drained from me. My powers dissolving beneath the terror of my twins.

I even passed some of my super to my son, who has learned to vacuum the carpet and pick up the living room. But then it hit me--and crushed me--my son is starting kindergarten. My sweet, loving, adorable helper will be going to school, starting a brand new journey with unexplored worries and fears for his mom. And on Sunday, I taught his Sunday School class for the last time (I'm moving up to the older kids' class). While we curled up on the couch watching HOME, I cried.

I mourned losing my baby, my helper, to the real world with its problems. I mourned losing my SuperMom powers. I mourned the reality that I'm not in control. And then I prayed.

I'm getting excited now for my son. He's got an amazing teacher and is going to a wonderful school. We went back-to-school shopping, and he picked out a new backpack. And he made me promise to send him with a picture of me in case he misses me.

I'm not a SuperMom anymore. I've lost my Super--my powers. I focus on today and today alone. I focus on survival and meeting everyone's basic needs. I focus on love.

And if there's one aspect of my Superpowers I haven't lost, it's love. There not one person in my house that doubts my love for them, and they reciprocate it in hugs and kisses, giggles and dancing. That's all I need for today.