What I missed (the cruise re-cap)

Okay, the cruise. 

5 days, no kids. 

I napped everyday. Long, dead-to-the-world naps.

You know you're a mom when sleep is the most luxurious thing you can think of. Aw, sleep, glorious sleep. The cruise director invited us to eat til we were tired and sleep til we were hungry. And we followed directions. 

Man did we eat!  

Mmmm, desserts!!!!

Yummy dinners every night

Our waiter was great, whenever he presented our entree, he'd say "Oo. la, la"

Unlimited hot chocolate on tap!

And unlimited sushi (only Ben was excited about that)

That pineapple salsa was amazing!

All you can eat Mexican buffet, from 11-1

The cruise stopped two places. Catalina Island, just off the California coast. There were all these little golf carts you could rent to drive around, but Ben and I rented electric bikes instad...way cooler!!! Little throttle and your going 20 miles/hour. At one point we were following this little golf cart up a pretty steep hill and this little old lady was nudging her husband, saying look at her! She's barley pedalling!

see the cruise ship? ( I think aviator pics are so fun!)

There was this super cute house with all these painted pots, and I just wanted to take pictures of them all day!

Our second stop was in Ensenada, Mexico. 

We took a bus to the famous "blow hole", which wasn't as blowy as the posters claimed, but there were fun little shops. Ben bought I hat (cuz he needs another one, just like I need another purse, which I also bought) so I wore his cowboy hat he bought in Mexico two years ago. Man was I a target, "Hey cowgirl!! Hey cowgirl, come see my shop!" Man, Vivint should do their sales training down there!

It's always nice to get some time with the hubby. We did a cruise two years ago, but we had friends with us. Being just with Ben always reminds me how much I love (and like) him.

Ben and I actually realized we have NEVER flown together just us. And  just sitting together on our lay overs, or snuggling on the plane (reading the first hunger games book...Ben would skim the lovey parts and get annoyed cuz I'd slow down and enjoy them) It was nice.

But the overall feeling of the cruise. Was it relaxing? yes. 

Was it fun? sure. But I missed. Not only did I miss my kids , but I missed...growing. I felt like I was the exact same person that got on the boat as got off (maybe a little less tired!) A week of being a mom on the other hand? It just constantly stretches and challenges you. Just everyday forces you to progress, and learn. I missed that. 

Man I missed my kids! (One of the reasons I'm so converted to the concept of kidless vacations, is because it really does make me aware of how deeply I love em, how even after just a few days, I ache to hold them, instead of shooing them away, so I can "get something done") The last hour of our flight we just watched videos of the kids of our phones.

I didn't' miss laundry though. And just as I was about to get all stressed Saturday thinking I had so much to do, not wanting to get miserably behind with Ben going out of town next week, and  I find this in the kids' suitcase....

Both the babysitters had washed all my kids clothes and all I had to do was put them away...it was such a treat! Seriously though, the two friends I left my kids with (Levi and Aaron one place and McKye at another, so he wouldn't torture the other two) my kids are probably better off at their houses! McKye did start calling our one friend "Daddy!" along with the other kids. And I think Levi just ate up all the extra attention from the "little mamas", and their son excited to have "little brothers" for a change.  This was the note in ther suitcase:

Amazing. Didn't worry about the kids at all.

The cruise was full of people trying to have fun and be happy.

"Everywhere you look today, you will find promises of happiness. Ads in magazines promise total bliss if you will only buy a certain outfit, shampoo, or makeup [or cruise vacation]...
We all search for happiness, and we all try to find our own “happily ever after.” The truth is, God knows how to get there! And He has created a map for you; He knows the way. He is your beloved Heavenly Father, who seeks your good, your happiness. He desires with all the love of a perfect and pure Father that you reach your supernal destination. The map is available to all. It gives explicit directions of what to do and where to go to everyone who is striving to come unto Christ...All you have to do is trust your Heavenly Father. Trust Him enough to follow His plan." Pres Uchtdorf "Your Happily Ever After"

   

And the plan means growth, and trials and everyday endurance. Hourly developing just a little more patience, a little more love. The plan involves opposition in all things. 
The cruise, (the carefreeness, the laziness) was an "opposite" from my day to day, and it helped me appreciate the enduring. 

Annnnnnnnd it's back to life. Back to growing. 

Ask me how I feel about that Monday, around 4:30ish...