My husband and I had a delightful 4th of July weekend together. The kids were at their Dad's, so we had lots of time to do stuff and "nothing" together.

We swam in the pool on Saturday and played board games out on the back deck well past darkness. It was so fun. We listened to music, slept with the windows open and ate breakfast with fresh raspberries from our garden.

Our little 3 year old granddaughter came over for a visit and of course, we just love spending time with her.

Then when 9:00am on Tuesday FINALLY arrived, thus began a 9 day "uninterrupted" vacation for me and my children. And so far, I have savored every moment of it. You may or may not know what it is like to be without your children for periods of time. It is, sadly, a casualty of divorce in my situation. On one hand, I'm am happy that their Dad chose to remain a part of their lives. He wouldn't settle for being a weekend Dad and I do commend him for that. On the other hand... days go by that I don't see my kids. In the beginning, shortly after our divorce, being apart from them was excruciating for me. I couldn't make it from Wednesday to Sunday without some kind of meltdown from missing them. I always ended up in tears by Sunday at 6:00pm. But as time has gone on, I've been able to adjust to the schedule. It is what it is. I learned to accept it.

And so, since my kids have been here, we've been hanging out together. Eating together on nights that they are usually with their Dad. Watching TV shows that they are sometimes not here for. Playing cards. Swimming in the pool. Watching movies. Playing volleyball. Making brownies.

There is more laundry this week. The dishwasher is running every day. There's grass all over the back stairs and towels strewn over the chairs on the deck. We're running out of food.

There are still 6 more overnights together.

And I couldn't be happier...

Comments:

Aw, great post!!! Enjoy your time with them!!

comment by mellowdee on July 11, 2008 8:28 AM ()

They both have a friend over right now. That's what summer vacation is all about.

reply by shesaidwhat on July 11, 2008 8:39 AM ()

How delightful! Enjoy your time with them but also enjoy your time with your hubby!

comment by spicybitch on July 11, 2008 8:22 AM ()

I guess I wouldn't quite advocate divorce and/or shared custody of children, but there is a nice "balance" to my life. I miss my kids when they're not here, but I love the alone time with my husband. He feels the same way. We had to make this work for our family and I truly do enjoy the results.

reply by shesaidwhat on July 11, 2008 8:39 AM ()

I am happy for ya!

comment by kristilyn3 on July 11, 2008 6:50 AM ()

Thanks Kristy. It's a good feeling having them wake up all these days in a row here with me.

reply by shesaidwhat on July 11, 2008 6:52 AM ()

comment by marta on July 11, 2008 3:20 AM ()

It's a warm cozy fluffy feeling, these summer days.

reply by shesaidwhat on July 11, 2008 5:12 AM ()

sounds wonderful!as it's meant to be

comment by firststarisee on July 11, 2008 3:03 AM ()

I think so too.

reply by shesaidwhat on July 11, 2008 5:11 AM ()

comment by strider333 on July 10, 2008 7:40 PM ()

Kids are precious.

reply by shesaidwhat on July 11, 2008 5:11 AM ()

that is wonderful Terri! it sure sounds like alot of fun at your house. I get wacky just leaving kota for date night with hubby! enjoy your time together!

comment by elkhound on July 10, 2008 6:33 PM ()

I'm sure the kids have fun here. I know it's an opposite to what goes on at their Dad's house with their stepmom being so miserable lately, there is little joy and laughter at Dad's. I may go to the opposite extreme sometimes here with my attention and devotion to them, but I love them so much and never want them to question their importance to me.

reply by shesaidwhat on July 11, 2008 5:10 AM ()

I'm so happy that you all have had such a good time and enjoyed each other!!

comment by texastar on July 10, 2008 6:29 PM ()

Yes they sure do grow up too fast Terri.

reply by texastar on July 11, 2008 8:42 AM ()

They're only young for a short while. Time flies. 3 more years to daughters graduation. 5 more for son. I want them to always know they were the loves of my life and that nothing was ever more important to me. They get me full attention when they are here. Everything else can wait until they go to Dad's for his week. It works for us.

reply by shesaidwhat on July 11, 2008 5:08 AM ()

sounds great Terri, stretch that time!

comment by ducky on July 10, 2008 6:09 PM ()

You know it Nic

reply by shesaidwhat on July 11, 2008 5:06 AM ()

Enjoy,enjoy,enjoy them.Laurie

comment by dogsalot on July 10, 2008 5:26 PM ()

You know I do.

reply by shesaidwhat on July 10, 2008 5:48 PM ()