For Mother's Day this year I did something completely out of character for me. Every year since the birth of my first child, I have spent the day with my children. This year, I have two wonderful friends who knew I was in desperate need of  "me" time to recharge my batteries. Knowing only things best friends can know, they planned a quick trip to Seattle, listened to my objections and waited patiently while I made up my mind. 

Life has a way of sideswiping a person and the last year has been one where I felt as if daily I was putting on my big girl panties and dealing with it. The nice things about best friends is they can tell when you are running on empty and if they are really really good friends, they put up road blocks and sweetly slap you silly til you listen to reason. I'm blessed enough to have those type of friends, and I'm so very thankful I do. 

Our trip began with  Lattes in hand made by yours truly. I swear by 11 a.m. we had reached our million word minimum quota and were out to set a world record. I tried to talk my girl friends into moving to Ritz-ville Washington, to no avail. They have a really great Mexican Food place, something our little town is missing. Food  and chocolate became really important on our trip. I valiantly managed to keep my diet for less than 24 hours before giving in to the call of garlic fries at the Mariners Game on Mother's Day. 

I must confess I was less than thrilled at the idea of attending a baseball game. I have never attended a "real" one, and as un-American as it may sound I just don't like the sport. However, I am ALWAYS game for a new adventure which doesn't require heights or embarrassment! The entire experience from the ride on the train, to entering the ball park, to the excitement of the crowd was pretty contagious. Seattle is a beautiful city. The train ride by the Sound was breath taking. I really desired to stay longer, but Ill have to settle with a return visit. 

My time away from home really made me think about motherhood, and the direction life takes women in general. Often times we find ourselves overwhelmed and spending very little time reflecting on the things WE love as women. I for one get so focused on the needs of everyone else I forget about myself. Who has time with all the carpooling, kissing every owie and making dinner?  Add work, chaos and a few problems life is bound to bring, and it is easy to lose site of the unique qualities that make us special and help us to feel vibrant and alive! I faced question which made me question whether or not it was a "bad mother thing" to engage in a little self care on (GASP) mother's day. 

I came away from my me time with a very firm belief that taking care of myself IS taking care of my family. Whether it be trips to other places, a new hair do, getting my nails done, reading a new book, a walk in the park,  or whatever it is which strikes my fancy and helps me recharge my batteries so I am better able to do my job as a woman in this world, is so deserving of my energy. Find a way to afford the time or money to pamper yourself on a consistent basis ladies. Don't listen to the naysayers who believe womanhood equals martyrdom; that's just plain boring and a terrible example to those we care for. I'm learning this life as I go. I'm not going to do it perfectly all the time, but my hope is always to find balance and happiness where I can. 
 

With teens in the house...sometimes throwing out the proverbial baby with the bathtub seems like a great plan! I want to be unreasonable, unexpected, and act a little crazy....but that would not be a good example...so often times I am stuck behaving in a rational, calm, consistent manner, all of which is a little boring and predictable. In those moments when the halo or cape or what ever you want to call it slips or falls off all together I must confess I get this feeling of  "FINALLY" in my soul!  An unexpected understanding of life. Life is not always ordered..it is messy, dangerous, exhilarating and sometimes down right dirty! On occasion,  we just have to get a little out of our comfort zone and the expectations placed upon us to get some things accomplished. It has been in those moments of getting a little fed up with status quo where I have made the greatest and healthiest changes in my life. Life is not meant to be sterile and stagnant. No, life is like a snow globe, such a pretty little scene there on the shelf, but sometimes it is good to be like a gleeful child shaking it vigorously,  watching as things once again fall into place but with a fresh outlook.  Don't be afraid to shake things up a little on occasion as you just might be surprised what fresh directions life will take.