Every year Marc's family gathers at Snowbird for a week's vacation time together. In the past, I have often taken my boys and gone without Marc because he couldn't spare the time from work. This year, he could actually go! But we decided I would stay home with Eva. Since our family shares one big room, the sleeping arrangements would be nightmarish with her there -- either we would wake her up, or she would wake everyone else up. Either way it looks like we would all be awake a lot. Plus, she's still sick and coughs all night long.
Anyway, we drove up there today and Eva and I stayed for the day and them returned home tonight. It was a great day. Marc's parents sent us out to lunch to celebrate our anniversary early while they watched the kids. We very rarely go out to eat and it was a real treat. (There were even some tame squirrels that wandered in the open door!) Eva actually took a nap and we played two rousing games of Scrabble that provided plenty of laughs. Marc's mom spoiled the kids rotten by waiting on them hand and foot, bringing them multiple courses of made to order food and drinks on the bed while they were watching TV! Aren't grandmas wonderful?
We drove home via Draper so we could stop by a scrapbook store I hardly ever get to. So fun. As soon as we got home, Eva had a brief freak-out (we now call them Emily Rose incidents) while I was changing her into her pajamas. I gave her a bottle and put her promptly to bed. I went into my room to change and noticed the fresh vacuum tracks. Hmm. I didn't have a chance to vacuum before I left. Then I came out and saw how much neater everything looked. I came into the kitchen and found a note from Jill. Not only had she come and vacuumed, but she brought me some groceries from Costco, loaded the new Dixie Chicks CD onto my iTunes, and put a caramel praline milkshake in my freezer!
Seriously. This is not the first time she has come and vacuumed my house or brought me any number of thoughtful things. (Not by a long shot.) But every time, it kind of takes my breath away. I don't know why it makes me feel SO much better, but it does, and she knows it. And I absolutely love the fact that she feels so comfortable coming into my house and making herself at home. I don't deserve her, but I am so glad to have her as my dear friend.
Now I'm caught up in the giddiness of having some peace and quiet. I know Eva will probably be a little lonely for the attentions of her brothers and dad, and may be a little needier than usual. But I'm still hoping for the chance to do some things that I want to do around the house and yard. And, oh the relaxing possibilities at night after she goes to bed! I almost can't decide what to do because so many options are presenting themselves... should I take a bath? read in bed? flip through magazines while watching a movie? blog? It's all good.
**I just heard a weird noise from outside so I went to open the shutters and investigate. It was fireworks! I had forgotten that Orem is having their Summerfest this weekend, which culminates in a fireworks show. I had a perfect vantage point and watched the whole thing. Who knew? I love fireworks. Then I turned around and Jack was peacefully sleeping on the couch. He knows he's not allowed to lie on the couch and he hasn't even tried it for a long, long time. What gives? Maybe he feels he's entitled after being left at home alone for 12 hours today?**
Saturday, June 10, 2006
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7 comments:
Jill absolutely amazes me! What an incredible friend--I'm very jealous.
I'm also envious of your quiet house. Sometimes I think the perfect vacation for me would be if everyone else would go somewhere and I could be totally alone in the house to do whatever I please with no shedule to shackle me (the vision of a praline shake waiting in the freezer adds a new dimension to this dream). I've never really voiced this dream because it's sounds rather selfish--and I do really love being with my husband and kids--but I guess I just can't help longing for a little alone time at home. Enjoy your time!
What a way to end an evening. Tell Jill to come and vacuum my house! How thoughtful and the little surprises...she is just fabulous Jill! I am glad she gets a chance to do these wonderful things for her friends. WOW I am still in AWE. I wish I had grandparents still!
I would love anyone cleaning my house for me- you are very lucky.
What's with the Emily Rose incidents? Do tell. It sounds blog-worthy.
I'm so glad you liked my little gifts. I'm so excited for you to have this time at home with just Eva, and really wanted to give you a headstart on things so that you could be free to relax and watch a movie, work in your scrapbook room, read in bed or whatever else you felt like doing. I'm thrilled that you posted twice in one night. Plus, carmel praline shakes are heaven in a cup.
I too am jealous- First of all, Jill thinks to do these amazingly thoughtful and selfless things. Then, she actually does them! What gives? Why don't I do that? You deserve eachother :)
Have fun! I'm so excited for you!
You are so lucky to have such an amazing friend, although, I'm guessing you are pretty amazing yourself- so you must really deserve it. I would never think to do that - maybe that is my problem.
It sounds like you will have such a great time planned. I always feel like I need to do the things I cannot do with a kiddo- clean, organize, fold laundry, do laundry (obviously in reverse order), but never really things that pamper me. Have a great time and I hope you get lots of "me" stuff done- it is always so rewarding and reenergizing to do the "me" stuff once in awhile- it makes for better "us" time.
Jill and anyone else who wants to surprise me, can have a key to my house anytime they want, what a great surprise.
A bonus to get to watch fireworks, I love to watch fireworks, they are amazing.
It sounds that Snowbird was a fun day for everyone.
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