Staycation 2019

You know the feeling when your eyelids get so heavy it’s almost physically impossible to keep them open? I was to this point in bed when I hear, “ Babe! I just found a great Air B&B, let’s go to Pensacola for our vacation!” I mumbled something along the lines of, “Do you really think we are ready for that?” His response was, “It’s going to be crazy here, might as well be crazy where we can be outside.”

Click. It was booked.

The next morning while eating breakfast Brock announced that the Graham family vacation was set. He could see the hesitation on my face and said we have 48 hours to cancel. Brock, bless his heart, was already there, dreaming of sitting in a chair, in the shade, with a good book and an ice cold root beer in arms reach.

HA!

As the day went on, I was consumed with thinking of all that would have to be done in the next two weeks to get ready for this “vacation” Brock wanted to go on. I knew we couldn’t do it when I was half awake the night before, but I didn’t want to be the party pooper (although I am the majority of the time) so I was trying to figure out in my head if this really could happen.

When I began to think about all that it would entail to get everyone packed, where we would rent one of those car storage thingy’s you put on your vehicle, how many feedings I would be doing in the van, not to mention how an 11 hour drive that would EASILY become a 15 hour drive - I was drained just thinking of it!

So that night after everyone was tucked in, I broke the news to him. He was visibly disappointed, but knew it was the right thing. I mean those of you who vacation with your children know it should really be called a trip. There is nothing relaxing about a vacation at our stage. A fun trip is the more appropriate term in my opinion.

So we decided to stay here and think of things to do around us for the week.

Again, HA!

A few days after Christmas the boys ended up getting colds (of course right?) and could not seem to shake them, so I kept them home from church. Once second service was done Brock went on vacation mode but while he was there Trey developed the croup cough (cue the slapping your face emoji). By that night I could tell he was struggling to breath so I took him and Casen to the Doctor the next morning. Trey was put on a steroid to open up his airways again and the cold/diarrhea the kids were all now experiencing would just have to work itself out.

By Tuesday morning Brock had been here a full day and a half. He looked at me and said, “My job is more of a vacation than being home.” I really did feel bad for him. I have gotten accustomed to the craziness over the last couple of months, but the last time Brock had been home for more than a full day was when we brought the twins home from the NICU. Being home is anything but restful, and I knew he needed rest but rest is a dream right now at our stage.

Our week of what we had thought would at least include getting to do some fun things as a family quickly disintegrated in our minds. We could hardly remember what day it was due to the even less sleep we were getting thanks to the sick kiddos. It was insanity. The amount of diapers changed, snot that was sucked (we use the Nose Frida), and the times Brock and I passed each other in the middle of the nights were endless.

I’ll spare you all the rest of the wonderful details of our week (cue complete sarcasm) but to give you the highlights… we went on a few drives around town, went walking at the mall one morning, actually got a date breakfast, Brock started a puzzle but couldn’t even find time to finish it, and when Casen could handle being away from a bathroom we went out to my parents for dinner one night.

Honestly, I was pretty bummed too as the week went on and we weren’t seeing any relief. I was frustrated that a week we were actually able to have daddy home was spent like this. But then when someone asked how our staycation was the next week I thought, “Oh my gosh- what if Brock hadn’t have been home?”

That’s when it hit me, I had a choice to change my perspective. I’m more of a glass half-empty-person. It’s not something I’m proud of, but Brock helps balance that out in me. So as I looked back on our week I could dwell on all the unfortunates OR I could dwell on the thankful’s.

I am thankful for Country Nutrition here in Greenwood. I like to, if at all possible, help our bodies fight things naturally and they are a great resource for that!

I am thankful for Clown Pediatrics getting us right in and prescribing Trey with a steroid so he could breathe well again.

I’m thankful for Brock being home and for all his help. We are truly whole when he is here and there were no pity party’s for himself that week at all; just a willing spirit.

I am thankful we cancelled our Air B&B when we could, I couldn’t imagine what our week would have been like with everyone sick and not at home base!

I am thankful for our van that we were gifted that allowed us to go on drives as a family when we thought we might get cabin fever.

I’m thankful for my two sisters, Amber and Faith, who came Friday morning to let Brock and I go get massages and have breakfast at Cafe Patachou. It was truly the best three hours ever.

I am thankful to have celebrated four months of the twins lives while on our staycation. Their little personalities are starting to come out and it is sweet to see. Oh, and just eight more months of breastfeeding them to go!

I am thankful for our health. I cannot imagine always having a sick child. Just seeing how something as insignificant as a common cold rocks their little bodies makes me so grateful for our daily health!

And although I have to remind myself, I am thankful for the extra cuddles needed from my babies when they are sick. It’s amazing how just being held provides them relief.

So here’s to you Staycation 2019, I am thankful you’re over!