We usually do everything as a family so it’s very rare to solo parent an outing like this but I’m thankful for any opportunity to head into the mountains with the kids and this adventure became an instant classic at one of my favorite places.
I loved this experience because it simultaneously assured me that I’m capable of solo-crushing ambitious outings with them while reminding me how great of a team Samantha and I are together because while I managed to pull it off, it was SO much more work than I’m used to without my adventure partner and mama-bear crushing it alongside me.
We’ve been so busy that this trip almost didn’t happen. It wasn’t until the morning we would need to leave that I committed to packing up in haste with my last bit of energy and started driving to Oregon trusting things would fall into place along the way.
Sure I may have forgot a bunch of stuff, including the duffel bag with all of their jackets and warm clothes in it but a quick stop at a thrift store on the way remedied that situation (and Aubrin now has the most sparkly full sequin dress I’ve ever seen for her dance party’s.)
I am perpetually aware that tomorrow may never come. I’m aware that we often never get to say goodbye to the ones we love because life (and death) is unpredictable.
This is a blessing and a curse and the driving force behind my attempts to pack in as much as I can each day/week/year.
At least once a year a particular experience will feel perfect to the point of tears. These are the experiences I live for. Trust me, you’ll never regret spending time with your children.
They just need us to be present, not perfect.