Home Alone...and Oh So Happy!

Today is an exciting day at the Jacobs house. First of all, both kids are sleeping right now, which makes my day! There is something so peaceful about your little ones asleep, along with your husband, after having a busy morning at church and company over for lunch. It's a rewarding feeling to see them all happy....and very quiet!!

The second reason I'm excited is because I am packing a suitcase for the week ahead. I know, I know, that sounds like I have some fun vacation coming my way...but that's not the case. And, although I usually HATE packing our family for trips, it's not so bad when packing means you have a kid-free house for a few days in a row. (Actually, I say that, and then I'll miss them by tomorrow!) You see, Mark and I will be home alone this week while Kendyll and Carlie go play at Gammy's house ALL WEEK LONG! (Well, until Thursday night, but that seems like a long time right now!) So, I am about to begin the chores of washing clothes and piling play clothes in a suitcase for my two precious girls.

I am looking very forward to this week, because there is so much to do while they're gone! Isn't it funny how long your to-do list looks when you have a few days to yourself? Right now, I think I can conquer the world in the next 3 1/2 days, because I'll just have this unlimited time to accomplish tasks with. But, I should prepare myself that it may not happen exactly that way.

My list for a mere three days includes:

1) Design, cut out, and sew 40-50 bags, 15 hooded towels, and 15 changing pads for the Hyer Elementary Craft Bazaar that I somehow got myself into. (obviously, I should stop here with my list, since I won't even get #1 done...but maybe I'll get them at least cut out!)
2) Finish gathering donations with Alyssa for the Christian Works for Children Auction. We have a shopping spree scheduled for Tuesday afternoon to finish up the items we needed by last Friday...oops!
3) See Sarah's new baby boy!! I still haven't met little Owen, and I'm dying to get up there to see the whole family....so, Sarah, if you get to read this, I promise I'm coming soon!!
4) Learn all the Coldplay songs from the latest album, before Mark and I go on a date this Saturday to their concert. (I don't exactly get to listen to REAL songs as much as Mark does, so I don't know many of them yet. But, now I get a whole week of adult music!)
5) Plan the entire month of October for Sunshine School. I've started the process, but the real work is still ahead. :) (Anyone have good ideas for Halloween crafts????)
6) Send two birthday presents and four birthday cards to friends who had birthdays ALREADY this month! (late...I know....Sara and Jenise, please forgive me. I'm a horrible roomie.) PLUS, five "new baby on the way/ pregnancy" congrats to mail out. We have a busy months ahead with all the babies!
7) And, finally, catch up on hubby time! Even though we both have a busy week ahead, we are looking forward to the simple things that come with a quiet house. Dinners together without any "Ummm, excuse me, I need some attention" comments---Yes, our three year old really does say that!! And, being able to be loud at 9:00 pm if we want to. Heck, maybe I'll learn my Coldplay songs by BLASTING them through the house on our surround sound with NOONE to wake up! We might even have time to take a walk without a stroller, wagon, or tricycle to take along.
8) Oh, and, somewhere in there, I plan to have some time set aside for reading too. I have all kinds of books and magazines that I am only halfway through!

So, there goes my week...more like month or two! :) But, the best part of this entire week will be Thursday evening, when I meet up with my mom and get those two precious girls back in my arms...both at the same time...for the biggest hugs and squeezes ever. Those moments make the rest of my to-do list seem inconsequential and silly. I love my girls so much, and I'm missing them already.