See John had to travel to Rhode Island for training for a week a while back. When he told me he was going I grimaced and said I would like “a vacation.” [See – his work trips are a lot like vacation. A typical day at home – he and I would rate with a “stress level” of maybe 7 out of 10. A hectic day at work, maybe a 10/10. These work trips? He concedes the stress level is about a 1½. Therefore – these are actually even MORE relaxing that the average family vacation. Now – back to the story.]
When I grimaced and stated, “I would like a vacation,” he said I should have one. Um. Sure. Whatever. About two weeks later he told me he had to go away another time for training. I grimaced and said I would like a vacation. He said I should have one. Um. Sure. Whatever. Three or four days later I said to him, “Where are you going for the second training?” He looked at me sheepishly and said, “Tucson.” My mouth dropped open and I thought – I would like a vacation. I couldn’t actually SAY it because my mouth was gaping open. He said, “I’m telling you, I think you should take a vacation.” Huh? What are you talking about? We have a big family. Vacations cost a fortune. But a few days after that when we were outlining John’s trips to the kids I said how I would like a week off. NOT a week away from them, but a week away from dishes and cooking, and dirty floors, and emails. John said he thought I should find someone to go away with for a few days.
At first I thought I should go out and visit friends who moved to the Pacific northwest. But honestly, that would feel HORRIBLE without my kids. To see all of their kids would make it so weird. So I dropped the idea. Or so I thought. Out of nowhere a few days later I jokingly texted to Emily how John had work trips. I told her how I wanted to go away for a few days. She said she did, too.
And now she and I are going on a 5-night cruise in November!! For. Real. And I’m giddy. And John is wholly supportive. My mom thinks it is a “Wonderful” idea and is going to help him with the kids. And I am going to go. There are moments when I think I’ve lost my mind. I never do anything without my awesome family. I am going to miss them SO. MUCH.
But – people are going to cook for me ALL DAY LONG. FOR FIVE DAYS! I can sit in a chair and read for hours and hours. And – if the weather is nice I can swim in the OCEAN on a Caribbean Beach. For Real.
The cruise cost $296 including transfers. The air was like $260. The one night hotel was FREE with points.
Princess Cruise line – Caribbean Princess. Cheap inside staterooms. Two days at sea and stops at Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman. They serve cookies and milk daily on the ship. And the Ultimate Soft Drink Package includes MILKSHAKES. And you can watch MUTS. That stands for Movies Under the Stars. (If anything decent is showing.) But I can have milkshakes.
(It doesn’t seem real.)
Dayspring Disciples 