Nothing like comin' home

Today I woke up late (about 9ish) and it was pouring rain out. Theres something a bit cozy about being warm inside on a day you dont have to go to work and just lounging around. But I also knew that coziness would lead way to boredom and listlessness as the day went on. Unfortunately I don't really have close friends in my area - I have a lot of people I am friendly with and hope to become closer to but very few people I can crash by for hours with the kids and be totally myself. The very thought of texting one mom after another to ask if we could come play was depressing. We had also had a quiet shabbos with just our family which was definitely relaxing but I was craving family or very close friends. I called my sister who had been at my mom for shabbos (my brother and his wife were also there but tehres a limit to how many can sleep in a 3 BR city apartment so I didnt even bother asking if we could come). My sister tells me that she and her husband are going on a mini-vacation and the kids are still at my mom as is my brother and his wife. (were all very last minute). Just calling my mom and speaking to my SIL and hearing the noise in the background made the idea of driving there very tempting. I was tired and it was pouring and I'd have to drive myself and find parking which can be a 40 minute task sometime. But I decided I wanted to go and we made plans that if the rain let up we'd go somewhere, otherwise we'd just all hang out at Moms.

Its always a trip to get everyone to the car, especially in the rain. I'm constantly praying that no one is going to fall on the way down (thankfully we only have 5 steps). But amazingly we got into the car and on our way (stopped for Gas) about ten to twelve. Yak fell asleep right away but Shain had fun talking with me while the music was playing and we were driving. She even said "Bubby (Grandma) lives in the city, right". LOL! The drive was rainy but there was no traffic and I got off the Willy bridge about 12:25. Great timing, especially as it was raining and the trip can take 1.5 hours plus in traffic. I was going to call to ask someone to help get the kids so I could loook for parking but decided to try to find one myself. At this point Shain was gettnig sleepy but I kept pointing things out to her so she wouldn't fall asleep. Another amazing thing happened and as I rounded the corner of my moms apt, a parking space was just sitting there. Score! I got the stroller and kids out and we managed to get into the building and upstairs all on my own. I always feel like I desrve a medal when I maneuver kids, double stroller and bags through two doors, an elevator, hallway, etc.

Anyway, it was the best decision to come. My nieces are adorable (11, 10 and 8) and my nephews love my kids (6 and 3). the girls put on music and we all started doing aerobics and dancing. We read books, chatted about my sisters upcoming party and ate a nice lunch together. At one point my mom put on a video for the 5 youngest and the 4 adults and my big nieces played Taboo. We just laughed a ton at some of the clue and guessing going on. At the end of the day my mom put up dinner and there's nothing like eating my moms chicken soup especially on a rainy day. I love going home. its so familiar and warm and part of my childhood and past and who I am today. And of course there's my mom and other family memebrs who love me just the way I am if they are there as well. I hope that one day I'll feel similarly about my current neighbrhood but its good to know I can throw the kids in the car and drive less than an hour to get there whenever I want. I hope to spend a few days there on my day off.

I left mom about 7 and texted DH that i'm on my way. Althogh he was hoping to be tehre for me, he had an emergency job that he had to take care of. I arrived home with two sleeping children and no sign of DH's car in the driveway. Not OK. Usually i'm exhausted when I take the kids somewhere on Sunday and knowing he's there waiting with his big strong arms to carry everything in is such a relief. Now its just me and kids are fast asleep. At least the rain had tapered off. What am I supposed to do. Carry each sleeping 30+ pound kid inside and upstairs to their bedrooms? Help. It hit me that if I was ever, God forbid, a single mom i'd have to live only in an apartment or a ranch style house with no stairs.

There's a time and place that I tell my myself 'CMT, you need to bug off. I can do this even if its a little overwhelming. Shrug off the nerves and self-pity and do what you need to do. Your kids are relying on you and you can't let some weak muscle nerve endings or whatever stop you from doing what needs to get done.' I then backed the car right onto the pathway to my home as far as it could go. I ran in, put down diaper bag, pocket book and put a stopper in the door. And one by one, I gently opened the car seats and carried them inside. Yay SuperMama! Don't worry I didnt even entertain the though of carrying them to their rooms. I placed each one of them on one of our comfy couches and gave them their blankies. Shain woke up as she was being transferred and let out a whimper but Yak barely moved. When they were comfy, I went back out and backed the car out and parked it.

So thats where my babies are right now snugly asleep on the couch, waiting for Daddy to bring them up. I am gonig to go down in a minute and put a diaper on Shain, hopefully its not too late....I feel all warm and mushy about my day and hopeful that i'm creating memoreis for my children that will stay with them for a lifetime. Good night :)