Friday, January 4, 2008

Coming down

We had quite a fun Christmas visiting family in Colorado and then we were lucky enough to have my sister-in-law Kjirsti (pronounced Chair-stee for all of you thinking "what the heck?") and her husband Tom (pronounced Tom) visit for a few days. It's always great for me to visit with everyone because it usually means:

  1. My husband is not working!!!

  2. My husband is helping me with the chores and children.

  3. I am spending time with other humans who don't want to watch a movie in the middle of the day or fall apart mid afternoon because they refuse to ever take a nap.

Not that I don't love being a SAHM, but it's nice to get a break from my full-time job too!


The downside to all of this wonderful family togetherness is the time period directly following. After we have left or everyone has left us, my kids forget how to function a bit. My daughter is pretty independent and will play by herself or with Owen for very long time periods. Upon the departure of family, my children look at me with sad eyes reminiscent of Puss in Boots from the Shrek movies as if to say, "Dear woman, we received constant stimulation and attention from family for the last x days and now it is your turn to be a one-woman entertainment center."



Unfortunately for them, I never fall for this and instead have to spend several days convincing them that it is okay to read a book by youself or color or paint a picture, etc. It's always a hard knock life until they discover that I will spend time with them, but not every waking moment as they have quickly grown accustomed to.

Boy, I wish we lived closer to family, so they could get more interaction like this. I think it would be so good for them--them being my children--in so many ways. If I could convince family to come down at this time of year, they may just move here. It's the months of May-September/October that I've got to prevent them from seeing the furnace we live in. So, if you're feeling like you need a break from the cold and snow, I have a place for you!

9 comments:

Kelli said...

Look, I have been checking the Southwest fares, they are not coming down!!! I would love to come see you! I would even love to come see you when it is a cajillion degrees outside! We were actually thinking that maybe sometime this summer we would come on down.

JLJ said...

Ok, after all this time, I'm going to leave a comment :)

Maybe its the after-Christmas let down that makes me want to eat all the time!

Lara Neves said...

Oh man, I hear you. We got back from Provo yesterday and it's annoying! At least Joel is still here until school starts on Monday, he can help me through their withdrawal.

DONNA J. said...

Audrey...what a great time we had visiting you at Christmas!!! Derek and you are always so interesting to talk with...about anything!! I loved the show that you put together for Gram and Pop! You did a terrific job and the music that you selected was outstanding and well-suited for the pictures. I wish that we would have had more time to visit. Talk Gram into flying down for a visit...you know that I can arrange it... Or, should I deliver the "MITT'08" stickers in person?

mmhamblin said...

You're singing my song sister! Since we've been home all Jacob talks about is his "family in Utah". Today he tried to convince us to drop what we were doing and drive to Utah for another visit. He said, "Mom, all we have to do is load up the car!" We need to get the kids together to entertain each other.

Erin said...

Hey Audrey,
Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. Phil totally remembered Derek. He loved his time working for Dr. Nielson. I also think I might have met you once at a party at Dr. Nielson's house. I think you might have been pregnant then...or I was pregnant...or someone was pregnant. My memory isn't so hot. What a small world this blogging thing is. Congratulations to your hubby on finishing law school! Are you guys staying in AZ?
We're in Las Vegas for Phil's clerkship and then we're off to someplace new....probably D.C. or New York...who knows. Anyway, I'm glad I found your blog!

Oh, and now for a real comment. I totally understand the depression that sets in after family leaves. My brother and his wife came out for New Years and now that they've left Olivia is totally unimpressed with me and my attempts to entertain her. It is very sad.

Lacey said...

We are feeling the stuggle to get back in to a routine of things too...especially after Disneyland..the first day home when Elodie had to go clean her room she looked at my like I was a crazy woman! We are slowly getting back into our normal schedule! I just know it's really going to stink when my mom comes in March for 3 weeks...even Ginger gets depressed after she leaves us!

JenW said...

the after holiday let down...such a traumatic event for everyone!!! we should all get together to ease our pain:)

Cari Florence said...

Hey Audrey it's Cari. How are you? I just came across your blog from Melissa's. Your new home looks gorgeous! And your kids are growing up so fast. Owen is a spitting image of you!