I didn't like it!

I always thought I would love the nights that my husband and I would have with just the two of us at home while our kids were having a sleepover with friends or other family members for a night or two. We have some time until Benjamin and Eli fly the coop to stay at Cooper's house, but Payton doesn't look back when Jentry calls her for a sleepover or Aunt Jenny wants to take her for the evening for a "girls night out." But Payton is our oldest so when she leaves us to "go have more fun" we are still at home with our boys.



It doesn't happen often that Roy and I have the boys AND Payton to be gone for the night while he and I stay at home, but that opportunity arose this past weekend. My incredible, passionate and caring man and I are on the committee for a local charity that hosts a run each year on Labor Day. This year was the sixth year, and each year we have more and more participants which means more logistical work, etc. All of the money we raise from the sponsorhsips and the registrations go to a local charity, and Roy and I have a heart for the kids at the Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter. Well kids in any shelter really, but this event helps kids in that shelter specifically. Anywho, last night we had a dinner to go to for our sponsors and then had to be on site at 5:00 this morning. As I mentioned before we are both involved with Run for a Child and both have to be present in the morning which means that our kiddos have to go somewhere else for the night/next morning. Payton went back to her mother's house on Sunday after church so the boys spent the night with my sister Amanda, afectionately called "Miss Amamba." I dropped the boys off yesterday afternoon around 5:00 with no drama or tears whatsoever so I knew we were off to a good start. Of course, Miss Amamba had bought several pounds of legos to keep them occupied while I snuck off. I was excited for them because I know how much my sister loves my kiddos AND this was Eli's first time to spend the night at her house.



I'm going to be honest and say that I was looking forward to coming home from dinner and getting to go to bed exactly when I wanted to. I didn't have to give anyone a bath, a glass of water, three hugs and three kisses, be told a scary ghost story, cut a hang nail or listen to another secret that Benjanin has for me to hear. I do love our nights with the kids but honestly the incessant excuses get a little frustrating :) It was even more important for us to go to bed when we wanted to because we had to go to bed earlier than usual since we had to get up earlier than usual (like 4:15 am!). So here's the point that will explain the title of my post: Even though I was excited about coming home from dinner, brushing my teeth and hittin' they hay, I really didn't like not having my kids here!! I had the hardest time falling asleep which is soooo not me. Now let me be the first to say that if Roy and I had just come home from dinner in Paris or Cabo or some other fabulous location I may not have had the same problem. But the bottom line is I missed all of the things that I usually want to pull my hair out for on any other night of the week. The most surprising thing about the way I felt is that this wasn't the first time they kids have had to be away on the Sunday night before Labor Day because Roy and I have done this together for the past three years. I guess because I'm getting to know them more and more as the years go on the more I miss them when they aren't with me. I love to see Payton interact with her brothers. Benjamin has the most active imagination and it's awesome to watch it come to life. Eli is sucha treat to watch run around the house and try to keep up with his big brother and big sister.



I'm typing all of this I guess because I always have a hard time believing how fast my kids are growing up. Payton and Benjamin both have September birthdays with Eli's the first week of October. This time of the year is bittersweet for me, and I just don't want my kids to grow so fast!



Payton, Benjamin and Eli - you three are my pride and joy. I know it's cliche but it's true. I think of you guys all day long and pray that I am the mother that you need. Although it's hard to believe how fast you are growing up, your father and I are having a blast watching your personalities develop and shine. I love you!