a BIG vacation

For weeks and weeks we've been plotting about how to get up to Washington to visit my family (mom, dad, and 5 siblings still living at home + my older brother and his family who live in the area). We have a trip planned next month when Nick will be there with his kids, so I was resigning myself to the fact that I would be waiting a while longer.

Now a friend of the family is down here and would like to ride up with me on WEDNESDAY, two days away!! (can you imagine anyone wanting to ride for 12 hours in a van with one mom and FOUR little boys? Abby, you're a saint. a desperate saint.) The trouble is, this takes me and the boys away from Kevin for an entire month.

So here it is..

PROS:
1. Kevin can really focus on work and getting projects done around the house. He's actually quite excited about this part.
2. I can be surrounded by people I love everyday and pick my mom's brain about how I can be a better mom to my four little boys. Also, I'll be able to spend more one-on-one time with each of the boys as there will be many helpful hands.
3. The boys LOVE going to Grandma's house and I want them to grow up really knowing and loving my family.
4. Everyone will be able to meet Austin!

CONS:
1. 12 hour road trip with 4 little kids and no Kevin
2. I'm not sure I can live this long without seeing Kevin.

Bottom line:
We're going to give it a go. I think it will be better than worse. This trip is long overdue. I started longing for home back in April, and I'm always a nicer person after I've been home, had my little fix. It will be really good.

So...I must launder and pack and shop and plan and load. Make a million lists so I don't forget anything. It's all very exciting. Wide open spaces, I'll be there soon. Be ready to renew my outlook on life and better my perspective, as always.