The last few days have been....interesting.
My 2 year old has been a bit testy, and in turn, his Mommy has been very test-ed. So what did I do when my husband got home from work today?
I bounced.
Yep. Instead of packing up a diaper bag, I stuffed my journal and books into my black tote, jumped in my tiny car from high school rather than our family car, and made a run for it.
I landed at Bob Evan's. (For all you southerners that I know and love...Bob Evan's is like an Owen's only a tad better or a Cracker Barrel without the fun country store.)
I walked up to the hostess and excitedly said "one please!!!". She seemed a bit weirded out by my enthusiasm, but I didn't let it damper my evening. I nestled into a small booth built for no more than two. Perfect. Just enough room for me and my Restorer. I ordered a hot chocolate with whipped cream (why not?), a big fine meal, and some biscuits. Because y'all know I like my biscuits.
As I started reading my library book by Francine Rivers, I sipped my hot chocolate and actually felt like a normal functioning adult. My meal came out real quick - but I gotta tell ya - I ate my Slow Cooked Turkey and Dressing Dinner....s-l-o-w-l-y. Why? Because I could. I was also able to let my hair down, instead of putting it in a pony. (My son usually likes to use my long hair as leverage to pull himself up over the booths to get a better view. And it hurts less if it's in a ponytail.) I was able to sit and eat with no interruptions. Goodness, I was just able to sit!
Oh, the joy!
The only thing that would have made it better is if my favorite Bob Evan's buddy, Amee, could have been there with me. We started meeting at Bob Evan's during our college years. We would laugh and share and pray and vent over omelets and pancakes. We would mostly talk about our husbands and Jesus. I always left those little dates feeling refreshed and recharged. Amee actually just had her first baby a couple of weeks ago, so I'm guessing she could use a Bob's break herself here soon. (What do you say, Amee? Let's make it a date, sister!)
Anyway, while I love my little man and his Daddy more than words can say - sometimes us Mommy's just need to get away. God always accompanies me on my solo outings and He always makes me sane again. Every time He brings me back to my handsome boys in a much better condition than when I left them. And that makes everyone happy!
So as I came through the door tonight after my little excursion, I heard a little 2 year old voice saying, "MAMAAAA!!!!" And unlike a few hours before then.....
It was music to my ears :)
Lord, thank you for making me a Mommy. What a gift. And thank you for my understanding husband. Another gift. Neither of which I deserve. Thank you for being so close and so real to me tonight as I had some time away. Help me to always remember that no one and no thing can fill me up like You can. In Jesus' name, Amen.
