summer 2011

summer 2011

Paul and I, all 16 kids and Ashley, Benjamin's wife...Christmas 2012

Paul and I, all 16 kids and Ashley, Benjamin's wife...Christmas 2012
family

Friday, April 29, 2016

france? me? really? um, next week?

How to decide? 100% of me says YES!!! But then the other 100% of me wonders how on earth will this family function without me.

I watch young children during the week. Can Kathryn manage to do it for me? Is it right to ask her to? The kids have schooling to do, will they do it? Then there's the soccer tournament at church...Sonja and Jonathan are playing, and are so into it...I want to watch them play, I want to be a part of this with them. There are also so many other things going on next weekend...

Here's the thing: I felt so bad later after writing that Paul doesn't care about the little details in my life. Because that implies that he doesn't care about me, and that's not true. He's just more of a get-to-the-point-of-the-story person. And I am a storyteller. Yet we still really like each other. We've managed to stay on the same page through many trials, choosing to be together in whatever challenges come our way. When one particular older son got himself in trouble a few years back, Paul looked at me, and asked, "What do we do?" We've been through so much together. And we are very blessed to still have that attraction to each other. So when I write here, I write about how I feel about things, yet I don't want to put him in a bad light for the whole world to read, and think he's not an excellent husband...:)

So. He texted this morning, it's not a sure thing yet, he's been looking into getting me a plane ticket...for next week. I pulled of a trip to Washington D.C. last week, with about 12 hours notice until departure time, but I took my younger kids with me. This is a little different. I have some thinking to do.

My heart says to just go. When will I ever get an opportunity like this again? We get so very little time together without kids around, and we are getting older, and and and. I also want to get a little peek into his world...

Then come all the practicalities...I'm pretty sure I can convince the older kids to cover for me, but is it fair?

The answer to this question will come this evening, when he calls me from Paris. He's coming home tomorrow, but only for a week. Will I be getting on the plane with him the next time, or will I be dropping him off at the airport and driving to the soccer tournament?...hmm.

8 comments:

Lisa said...

GO GO GO! Another question to ask yourself is, will I regret not going. The kiddoes will be fine for one week. But most importantly, pray about it. God has all the answers! :)

Deb said...

Go! Absolutely go! Everyone will survive while you are gone, and it's not like you're leaving for a year!

I hope you have an amazing trip, and I am eager to hear all about it.

Remember, you're creating wonderful memories with your husband, and that is a precious thing to have!

Lisa said...

GO!!!! yes, it's fair to ask the kids to cover for you - that's what a family does, helps one another out whenever possible. You do so.... much for all of them...I know it's your life, but Paul was there first, and he'll be there long after the last child has moved out....it's absolutely NOT selfish to invest time in your marriage!!!

Just my two cents :)

Susan said...

Well now, I am sure that you want our opinions so here is mine! Yes, yes, yes-you need to pack a little bag and go!
Your children are going to want you to go and they are fabulous when it comes to the older ones providing for the younger children. It will all work out nicely.
You may consider it your Mothers Day gift!

Michelle in FL said...

I hope you can go to France! I'm sure you won't regret it. I went there years ago, and I loved it. I want to go back with my husband when my youngest kids get a little older:)

Heidi DeGroot said...

Just GO!! You deserve it. And no it may not be fair to ask the older kids to fill in but I bet they will be fine and that they will do their work. This seems like a great opportunity so just take it. Stop feeling the "mom guilt". I bet your kids will understand and want you to go. :)

Kanadiangirl said...

Yes! Yes! Yes! Everything will be fine at home. You will have the trip of your lifetime and come home with a renewed sense of wellbeing and purpose. Your marriage will be further strengthened. And if anyone deserves it, it's you!

Anonymous said...

GO!!!!
:)
-Valerie, a reader and fan