Monday, October 12, 2009

California, here I come

In just over a week I will find myself in San Francisco. I haven't thought about this trip much. I haven't planned any itineraries. All I know is Ryan has a conference, I am tagging along, sleeping in a hotel with him and another single dude (yeah, nice), and I will have no children for a whole five days. And I won't really worry about them. I don't seem to have a hard time enjoying myself when I'm away from them and I seldom even think about them. I probably should however, seeing that I'm leaving a pregnant woman with 4 little boys to take care of for most of the time (her little boy plus mine), and the rest of the time I am leaving them with a single 31 year-old bachelor. Hmm.

A few months ago because of facebook, I realized a guy that went to jr. high and high school lived only minutes from me here in Miami. We hung out with him and his girlfriend. He comes and gets haircuts. He comes over to hang out when the missionaries invite themselves over. He and his girlfriend also made the mistake of saying, "We would totally watch your kids for you if you ever need it!" I don't know how serious they were, but well, those are the kind of golden phrases I hang on to. So I took them up on that and asked if they could watch the babies for the weekend while we're in SF. They agreed. Then they broke up. James is coming alone. Bless his heart is about all I can think of to say. :) But he says he's the oldest of 7 and he can handle taking care of kids. We sure hope so. And he's said that he has also had numerous offers for help as of late. I tell him to take them up on it. I tell our single neighbor all the time that he should just go take the twins for a walk down on South Beach- he'd have no lack of attention. And when the girls come doting he just mentions how he's babysitting, and bam - suddenly he's single and super sweet.

Anyhow, over the last week there are two reasons that I realize I am most excited about this trip:
1. THE WEATHER!!! I am sure there are some of you out there wearing jeans. I am not. I actually even tried one evening last week and was brutally mocked by the weather for my attempt. It is this time of year that I start to die. It should be getting cool. I should have stopped sweating. I should be enjoying a change of wardrobe. But I'm not. Instead we have been in the 90s all of October, and yesterday my cousins even saw something that said it was 91 or 93 degrees or something but felt like 108. UGH. So on this trip I will wear jeans. I will wear a jacket. I will probably be a huge Miami wuss and complain about how cold it is. I will love every minute of it.

2. I will not have to lift any babies for a whole 5 days! This may not be something any of you think about, but my back is awful lately and I cringe even thinking about going anywhere with my kids. 100 lbs into the stroller. 100 lbs out of the stroller. 100 lbs into the car. 100 lbs out of the car. 100 lbs getting picked up for diaper changes, into the high chairs, into cribs... you get the idea. It's killing me. I don't think people understand the pang of jealousy I feel when I lift up their lightweight children and am in shock at how light they are. Mine are dense little bundles of dead weight. I've told Ryan that if we have kids again, I will be praying for skinny children.

So now I need to start thinking of things I want to do there to entertain myself while Ryan is in conferences. I have family there I'd like to see, and I'm just so excited because I haven't been to San Francisco since I was young. If anyone I know happens to be in that area in just over a week - let me know!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hooray, a new post! I was just laboring through 600 pages of proofreading and thought, "I need a break." You will love your trip. You will have a great time. You will rest your back -- all necessary at this time. J. will do fine with the kids. Your pregnant mother friend might get to the end of her wits, but with some backup in case of emergency and numbers of neighbors or friends close by who could be called, all will be well.
Much love, Grammy

Aimee said...

Oh my gosh...#2. I LOVE it! I am very familiar with that pang of jealousy! :) I feel the same way you do when I am away from my boys. I think if you really enjoy your time away you come back even more refreshed. Or at least that's the theory I'm sticking with.

I'm glad you get a fun getaway! Yay!

Melanie said...

I am soooo glad for you! You are going to have a great time doing what ever! Not having kids hanging off you would make any time away a glorious retreat. As for the weather - I heard a saying once "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Fransico." Enjoy being cozy. If you were here you would have on sweaters and slippers already.

Gavin and Shawna said...

Oh I wish...but this time next week...i will be having/had a baby...so Gav's not going to the mtg in SF. Its so much fun, though! I am certain you will have no problem filling your time...think of all the awesome shopping and food...and sleeping in. Oh-I am jealous already!

~ann said...

Ok, hi. I so don't know and can't even remember how I came across your blog (for some reason I think you were linked from my friend Kristine's blog). Anyway, I think you're really funny and like to read about all your kiddo commentary because it makes me feel a bit better about the chaos I am having with my 18 month old little girl who is also quite the handful. Anyway, the reason I am coming out of my hiding of being a secret blog stalker is that I just got back from a girls trip to San Francisco with my mom and sister in September and it was so much fun. Our favorites were seeing Wicked at the Orpheum Theater (it was AMAZING) and the ferry to Alcatraz was also really cool (just make sure to purchase your tickets prior to going to avoid the line and to make sure you get the day/time you want). Hope you have an awesome time! Oh, and if you have time, grab brunch at the Cliff House restaurant. Our pics are on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2036606&id=1400869891&l=2eb825c47d.

Corinne said...

hey! who the heck is watching your kids? that is FANtastic!! I am THRILLED FOR YOU! Those trips save our marriage :)

AnnaMarie said...

Wow, have a great time! I'm excited for you.

Anonymous said...

That's exciting. I was wondering about your trip and if it was still in the works! That's awesome! Your friends are amazing to do you such a huge favor!

Julie

Jenilee said...

What a nice, deserved break. Have fun.

LuAnn said...

Ha ha. That is hilarious. I can't believe J (I changed that to an initial cause I saw that your mom did) is watching your kids! That is so random. Wow that he is doing it! Only you, Jen, would end up in this scenario. Not that it's bad, but only you would even think to ask! :) If it makes you feel any better...I ended up with a back injury with my 2 10th%ile kids. Jack was light, but he held himself in a way that killed me! I was better off carrying Simon.

camille said...

OH, I cannot wait to hear how everything goes....I love it that I'm not the only one who can leave two babies and not be sad AT ALL!!! And I always tell people who volunteer to "watch" our twins to not say that unless they mean it! I have a good long memory too. Hope you have tons of fun doing everything or nothing if that's what you choose!