Saturday, September 22, 2007

What a Wonderful Day!

Ahhhh, what a wonderful day I have had today!
Would I seem like too much of a weirdo if I told you it's my birthday and the wonderful gift my husband gave me was taking my kids away with him this weekend so I could be totally and completely by myself all day? Guess it's out there now, so if that makes me seem like a weirdo...Oh well!

Here's the background:
A few weeks ago my husband asked me if I would mind if he participated in a conference the weekend of September 21. I looked at him and said, "Well, except that weekend happens to be my birthday, I guess I really don't mind." He started to back-pedal, but I tried to assure him I truly did not mind if he was gone.
Well, a few days later he asked what I would think of him taking the kids with him to the conference. (It is being held at a camp we went to this summer, which the boys absolutely loved.) I looked at him and said, "Are you serious?"

He was.

So I started thinking about what I would do with nearly 48 hours all to myself. (If only I didn't have to sleep...) I spent all Friday evening writing and sending out a newsletter for my Irritable Mother subscribers. The last newsletter I wrote was on June 19. Funny how moving to a new house over the summer can put you behind on things you'd like to do. Anyway, I was glad to get that newsletter out.
Then this morning, I woke up and took a shower (Didn't do my hair or make up, and I haven't seen a living soul all day so I'm really glad I didn't waste the time!) and I have been sitting in front of my computer almost all day, working on my next book. It has been wonderful! I have my first draft of each of the entries almost completed. Still have to do the Your Turn (application) section on most of them, write the final chapter and do a bunch of editing before I turn it over to my editor. And, of course, she'll have plenty of re-writing for me to do after she gets through with it. But I made so much progress today and I am thrilled. Going into this weekend, I realized I haven't touched this project in two months, so it feels especially good to make so much headway today.

Now, it's 10:02 and I realize I haven't eaten dinner yet. Guess I'll grab something quick and then I'm going to bed to read for awhile. I am participating in a Blog Tour for Tricia Goyer's latest book, My Life, Unscripted. I just started reading it last night and am impressed so far. I'll be posting about it on October 3 and will have a copy of the book to give away, so be sure to check in!

I hope your day was a wonderful one, too!


post signature

19 comments:

A Captured Reflection said...

I am so glad you got this time for your birthday - but you should have told us it was your birthday. Happy Birthday to you!! Totally not weird, I would have had the exact same desire, so I nodded and could really relate to the pleasure you had of this time. What a wonderful hubby you have! Yay for you.

KarenW said...

I can't remember the last time I had 48 hours to myself. Late 80's early 90's I'm guessing. Happy birthday! Glad you had this time.

It's OK to be WEIRD! said...

WOW! I've been thinking about this kind of thing - having a chunk of time alone. But, I feel like I haven't had enough time with my sweetie so I'd love to have time away with him. It's hard to justify taking that time for me. Oh well. I'll have to figure something out sooner or later, eh?

By the way -

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEETIE!

It sounds like you had a great day!

Just a quick question - it IS ok that my name isn't "Karen" and I visit this blog, right? (Just kidding, LOL!) You get so many Karens here!

Anonymous said...

happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday sweet karen, happy birthday to you! glad u had a fab time - you deserve it!

Anonymous said...

ps i really appreciate time to myself too!

and though i am not a karen, my younger sister is a karen...

Char said...

You so deserve some "ME" time! And happy birthday to you, too! Hope you have a huge slice of chocolate fudge cake with caramel topping. And a cappuccino just to top it off. It's one thing to be alone on your birthday, another thing totally to pass up a good opportunity for a slice of cake!!! :o) Happy birthday Karen!

It's OK to be WEIRD! said...

Oh yeah, I was going to remind you, Karen - "It's OK to be WEIRD!"

Anonymous said...

First off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Secondly, you are not weird! You are a totally normal mom. Though we love our children dearly, a few hours of treasured peace and quiet are necessary for our own mental health. I think your dh's gift to you was fantastic. Glad you made such great headway on your book.

Angela Baylis said...

Happy Birthday! I am glad you had time to yourself to get some things done! That's a great gift! I would appreciate that kind of gift, too!

I hope you enjoyed your time!

I can't wait to hear more about your book!
-Angie xoxo

Stacey said...

Thanks for the irritable mother newsletter. It's so good when God uses our struggles to build up others. I have spent a lot of the last 12 years feeling that the whole weight of 3 additional lives are on my shoulders. Thankfully God is teaching me that He is the One Who builds my house, and I am laboring in vain if I do it apart from Him. Additionally, since I remarried 2 years ago, I have the blessing of a husband who truly shares in the burden and lifts me up in my parenting, for which I am SO thankful! (Of course, I still get irritable with the task at times!)

May God continue to use you to encourage all of us - and be encouraged yourself!

Glad you had a happy birthday.

AnnG said...

What a blessing this weekend must have been for you. Hope you get another dose of "alone time" soon. Moms need this to recharge!

amylynn said...

you are so not wierd lol. My husband is doing something along the same lines for my b day, he is watching my three kids while I go to the hearts at home confrence in grand rapids overnite for my hubby this is a big deal as he has never had to take care of the kids on his own for such a long stretch of time. I hope you enjoyed your b-day weekend.
God bless

Unknown said...

I was drawn to your title. Oh, surviving Motherhood!!! Irratible Mother...all of it. I was a magnet and now I'm here. Any info on your newsletter would be great!
It's funny because my husband and I got to leave our children that same weekend (his birthday 9.21) and it was great to be around other believers without the kiddos! I was identifying with you in different ways this weekend!
It's nice to meet you!

Speaking Thru Me Ministries said...

hey girl - i think i forgot to ask a long time ago - who did you decide to go wtih on your newest book - publisher i mean??? that is so exciting!!

have a great day!

Leigh

Speaking Thru Me Ministries said...

oh and i forgot to say - happy birthday!!!!

Leigh

Jenileigh said...

Happy Birthday! Sorry I'm late. Oh and the Irritable Mother Newletter was great! TYVM! Its great to catch up with you! Big Hugs

Annie said...

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Glad you had such a wonderful weekend!!!!
love ya!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful present! Enjoy your time, and Happy Birthday!

Jenny said...

Shucks! I hate I missed your birthday! I hope it was wonderful...and I can't think of a better present than a couple of days ALONE! Sweet bliss.
Love you!