Spring Breaking

Last Thursday kicked off the Kelley kids spring break. I’m realizing everyone in our family needs a little break every now and then…not just mom and dad. To get away. To take it easy. To break the norm. To get out into the world. To breathe easier and move slower. In January we headed to a state park for 2 nights. We left our current littlest behind in good hands while we hiked and biked and went swimming. We all enjoyed the break and came home a bit renewed. So on Monday we hit repeat. Left our littlest in good hands and hit the trails again. Biking, hiking, swimming and running.

There’s something about being away from your home even for just a few days and nights…even all together. Something about the break in the normal routine and the everyday grind. Something about getting away. It makes us all a little lighter for a bit. And honestly, it feels good when things can be pretty heavy and daunting feeling at home with so many things going on especially in our foster care journey.

Our mornings started later. Our nights lasted a little longer. Everyone moved a bit slower. We hiked each morning. Swam in the afternoons and nights. We played games, ate treats and snacked like it was our job. We ate meals extra leisurely. Kids played outside constantly. We watched movies after dark or if you were Solomon you laid in our bed and watched cable cooking shows to which he said things like “I just can’t quit watching this Mom.”

Everyone came home physically exhausted, but feeling fresher. I can’t even count how many times I thanked God for our strong healthy bodies this week. To be physically active is a such a gift and blessing. I remind our kids of this a lot.

Now we’re home, but still spring breaking pretty hard. Wev’e got two birthdays in the next 6 days. Celebrating the oldest and youngest…the two with the most uniquely forged bond…both massively in love with each other. They are our book ends and the sweetest book ends at that.