I've done all I can do.

It's been a long day. Twice I thought I'd cry. Right now I'm sitting at the computer with a drink on the coaster and some music playing (Thanks Dude. Now, exactly how many times can one person oscillate between "wild horses" and "crazy"?) ; and I'm mentally compiling my third list of the day. The first was a list for Target (check). The second, the actual "to do" stuff (check- I actually got it all done), and now, the to do's for tomorrow. D-day, travel day. Not much left for tomorrow, but heaven forbid we forget the Dora blanket the world may explode, or at least everyone's eardrums on the plane. Don't want that. After seeing my Dad's three columned list for hunting - I know exactly where I get the list trait. Thanks Mom. Really. Thanks. Without order there is only chaos.

For me, the preparation is the hardest part. The execution of getting four (five if you count my husband) people ready to go out the door for a four night trip is daunting. I could go into excruciating detail of it all, but I won't. Ok, maybe a little... Three loads of laundry, crying two year old unpacking her suitcase as fast as I can pack it, four year old throwing stuff in faster than I can mentally check it off my list, six year old letting me know exactly what she needs. All at the same time. And I am Alone. On my own. The master of my domain; the four walls of surburbia - all mine. No wonder I dream of pastures and glens and groves.

My husband left at 6:30 this morning and didn't get home until 9:20 tonight. He's had a lot going on as well. Maintaining a family of five on one income takes work. A lot of work. We're both working twelve hour days and only one of us is getting paid. We're doing it though, managing, maintaining, and occasionally even getting ahead. Not once has he brought up that I should go back to work. I've brought it up though...

And through it all, I'm terribly excited. Taking the kids on vacation? To the beach? Disney? Cripes, what more could they want... Considering I've been asked daily for the last two weeks if today is the day... I'd say not much. Really, the six year old "gets it" - she knows today's date, and if I tell her something is so many days away, she can figure it out. Not the boy. Today is Tuesday, tomorrow we go. No, we can't go today. Even if you throw a fit, we still can't go. The two year old? She's just along for the ride. As long as Mom's there, she's happy.

I've done all I can to today. Now, if I can just convince myself to sleep tonight.

Have a great rest of the week. Have a great weekend. Make the most of it. I know I will.