Today is the day. I’m driving to Palm Springs to attend Camp Mighty. I’m very nervous. I hope everyone likes me and I don’t make a fool out of myself. Insecurities are so inconvenient!
I’m lucky Maggie and Laura decided to host Camp Mighty in Palm Springs, which is not even an hour away from me. That’s the major selling point about living in the Inland Empire–I’m an hour away from everything. Beach, mountains, desert, Los Angeles–I’m smack dab in the middle, which suits my personality just fine.
The above picture is one the Mister sent to us on his most recent business trip. He always takes pictures of clouds and writes emails to the boys where he claims to have seen angels, birds, spaceships, you name it. They love it.
I was packing my suitcase last night around 10pm when I heard Mikey trying to be quiet in the hallway. He came into my room when I called and asked if he could sleep in my bed. I told him no, because I had my clothing and suitcase laid out, and would be working on it for a while. He looked at my suitcase and started crying, saying he would miss me. He was really upset.
As callous as it sounds, I was secretly glad to hear he would miss me, if only a little. I’ve never been away from our family. I’m like a shadow, always there. A given. The only time I have been away from Mikey was when I was in the hospital having Nicholas, and that was almost five years ago. Nicholas hasn’t gone a day in his life without seeing me. They’ll see me Thursday, and I come home Sunday, but on Friday and Saturday I won’t be there to pick them up from school; I won’t be there to make them breakfast, lunch, and dinner; I won’t be there to kiss them goodnight; break up their fights; yell at them to pick up their toys; ask them to let the dogs out; cheer at their soccer games; give them a hug and kiss and ruffle their hair.
I will not be there to do any of that, and it’s nice Mikey noticed.� I hope Nicholas and the Mister notice, too. It’s nice to feel needed. I should go away more often.
I can’t wait to see them again on Sunday.
Wish me luck. I’m really nervous.
Wishing you luck and a fabulous time!!
Good luck!! You will be fine and so will your kids. I left my three kids (one tween and two teens) to fly to the middle east for 17 days to visit a dear girlfriend. I felt like I was on the moon when I was over there, like I could not be farther away. They were fine, turns out I was fine. Enjoy you time away it will be over so quickly!
I had never heard of this before, nor of her blog, which I just looked at. Looks like it will be a great time! Take full advantage and don’t spend a minute worrying about the kids; they’ll be having quality time with Dad and like Shae said, you’ll be home more quickly than you know.
Luck!
You’ll do fine, even if you just opt to wallflower, watching listening and soaking it all in. Notta thing wrong with that, and good on you for taking some time for you. = )
Jules, this trip is good for mama and the boys (all 3 of them). Have a wonderful time – enjoy being just you!
jules. what’s not to love? have a great time!
I’m excited and a little nervous for you, imagining how I would be in your shoes. But you are in the perfect place for this. The events of the past couple of months have more than prepared you. You’ll get lots of good stuff, share it with us, and then move on to the next thing. Check.
Wishing you luck. And secretly consoling myself that I’m not the only one who doesn’t jetset everywhere. I’ve left overnight three different times. I think folks think I’m weird. But, see, look at you, I’m not weird at all. ;)
Oh yes, the best of luck to you–and the men you leave behind! I’m certain you’ll have a fabulous time . . . they’ll love you to bits . . . and you’ll have grand adventures of which to write, upon your return!
Good luck! Everyone will love you, and you’ll have a fantastic time. :-)
I did one week in Rome sans the fam and I wish I could share with you the pictures they sent me while I was gone. They were totally having more fun than I was. If nothing else, I now know that they can get by just fine without me (for a little while, anyway!) Enjoy your trip!
Everyone will LOVE you! And I am sure the boys will miss you like crazy. Have fun, I miss you already.
Good luck on your journey! I looked at the schedule of events and it appears like a fun event. You’re gonna do great! (said the shy, but encouraging wallflower)
It’s nice to be missed. My son is 19 months old and my husband was gone four nights last week (in Palm Springs, of all places). DH had just taught DS to yell “Dada!” while raising his arm in the air so of course our son was doing that all weekend. Now, whenever DS sees DH he will stop what he’s doing and get a big smile on his face, raise his arm over his head and yell, “Dada!” I have to admit it’s pretty darn cute, but there’s a part of me that wants to say, “Come on, kid. I’m the one who’s here with you, washing your diapers, feeding you, putting you to bed. Where’s the love for mama?” Sometimes the cliche is true: absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Unlike you, I have spent quite a few nights away from my kids — sometimes with the husband, sometimes just me. This September, I went away by myself for 1 night. Goodness — before I left, they wrote cards and my son wrapped up “presents” of his toys to give me. Nice to feel so loved!
Also, I’m glad I just learned right now that Camp Mighty is in Palm Springs. If I’d known earlier, I might’ve felt really tempted to go, and I’m just not ready yet. Looking forward to hearing about it all — Have a great time!
Good luck! & drive safe.
You’ll have a blast I’m sure :D
Hi Jules!
I hope you have a wonderful experience at Camp Mighty. I can see why they would miss you; you are absolutely wonderful! I hope that you have a nice and safe trip and I cannot wait to hear all about it.
Many wishes for lots of good luck (that I doubt you’ll actually need)!
Thanks everyone! Just got back from running errands, and now I need to get ready. I don’t want to! Ugh. Nervous.
I know you changed your mind once you got there, I know I did once I got to San Diego. It was a much needed break.
Don’t tell them I said that.