Dream Come True

My bucket list used to include all these exotic destinations/vacations I wanted to go on. 

You know, stuff like visit the Egyptian Pyramids, go on an African Safari, walk on the Great Wall of China, snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef, go to Hawaii (not so uncommon of a destination, but still a dream of mine).  Maybe someday these locations will seem appealing again, but since starting a family I have to admit that my burning desire to travel has been nearly snuffed out.  Traveling to far off places with tiny children in tow sounds like torture, and being without my kiddos for very long doesn't sound appealing to me either.  

There has been a time or two in the past few years when I have thought that a kid-free vacation somewhere tropical would be nice and relaxing, but I've never anticipated being able to do this for quite a few years, and I've been okay with that.....

Enter my awesome and generous in-laws, who scored a week's stay at a time share in Maui for this November and invited us to come along with and occupy the condo's second room.  We'd just need to pay for airfare and food. 

With the purchase of one plane ticket (and a small companion-fare ticket), a plan to load the condo's kitchen with cheap groceries, meticulous planning on all the free things there are to do on Maui, and my incredible parents who are offering to watch the girls for us, we are set to leave on our first Hawaiian (and kid-free) vacation next week for very little cost!  Woohoo!!

 Although I wish I weren't big and pregnant for this trip so that I could do all the hiking and other active things that I've always dreamed of doing in Hawaii, my body could use a little R&R after a busy few months, and spending some quality time with Garrett will be so nice (we haven't seen much of each other lately and we literally haven't spent more than 24 hours away from our children since we became parents 4.5 years ago).

  

I'm feeling extremely spoiled (and perhaps a little guilty?!) for such a treat and opportunity.  

I'll admit that I'm also feeling a little nervous and guilty about leaving my sweet girls for a whole week, so much so that I get a little bit of anxiety over the thought and sometimes wonder if we should not be going on this vacation after all......

And then when I saw that this morning's temperature was 19 degrees and I had to scrape frost of my windshield, I thought, "Nevermind, this vacation is the best Christmas gift Garrett and I could ever get each other!" :)  

9 days and counting........