Goal #24: Take a 'Me' Day

Call me an overachiever, but I really knocked this one out of the ballpark. The purpose of a 'me' day was to be able get out of the house, recharge my batteries, and do only the things that my little heart desired. I think Joey finally got tired of hearing me complain about how overwhelmed I was and how desperately I needed a break from the girls, so he forced me to buy a plane ticket to Scotland and 3 weeks later I was on my way to Aberdeen to see my best friend, Lara, and her cute family. (Also I think he had ulterior motives: ie, to build his chicken coop and cross other projects off his extensive list, and this was an excuse for him to take a few days off from work). So for 9 days I enjoyed the rejuvenating powers of the Scottish air, uplifting conversation with my bestie, bathroom breaks in complete silence without little fingers wriggling under the door, sleeping in, Cadbury chocolate, spur-of-the-moment trips to castles, sea cliffs, and charity shops, brilliant accents, national galleries and museums, and quiet moments of uninterrupted scripture study and contemplation. (And for 9 days Joey enjoyed feverish, barfing babies, early morning feedings, a steady diet of pb&j and Chick Filet, opportunities to sneak away to the chicken coop, and morning, afternoon, and evening snuggles with two of the sweetest, most adorable children there ever were). 

The chicken coop

We never did find Nessie

My favorite spot in my favorite country

I had been wanting to go back to Scotland since the day we came home from Scotland 2 1/2 years ago. This is one of my favorite places on the planet and Lara should win a prize for being the best hostess and the best listener to my aforementioned contemplations. One of the happiest feelings in the world was when I got back from a run my second day there and Lara's husband was just putting dinner on the table- a dinner that I didn't have to plan or make or serve or spoon feed. I quite literally felt a weight lifted off my shoulders and was able to really start the recharging process at that point. (Not that I'm a lazy, entitled house guest. I tried to be as helpful as possible and I like to think I made Lara's week a bit easier as well). Since being back home Joey hasn't once told me that I owe him, and for that he also deserves a prize. That was the very best gift he could have given me and I think we will all benefit from the experience.

This is what happens when Mom leaves the country.