THIS MORNING I CAN SAY I AM FULLY...

recovered!

Recovered from what? From my spur-of-the-moment-cross-country-flight-to-see-my-sister!

Oh it was priceless. And it was fun. And it was totally spontaneous! LOVE IT!

Last Tuesday I was sitting in my office listening to dear husband tell me about his upcoming weekend. He was going to drop by my sister's house, crash for a couple of nights and fill up on food, drink, nephews and laughter. Basically recharge his Spring Training drained batteries.

And I was totally jealous. Haven't seen my sis in over 2 years and it was making me physically ache. He was going to get to be there and I wasn't.

And so right here, in my office, on Tuesday morning I did it. Placed one call to my brother-in-law, confirmed an Orlando pick-up from the airport with him, and pulled out my stash of Southwest Airlines free tickets (gotta LOVE frequent flyer business miles!).

And it was done. With only 72 hours to go I had just booked a surprise trip to Florida. Found a neighbor to watch the kids. Got a sitter for the dogs. Finished up my weekend chores a day early. And kept talking to my sister like there was nothing going on!

Oh, this was going to be good!

What follows is my crappy video footage. I totally forgot that I can't hold my camera in portrait mode, when I'm filming video. OOPS! So lean to your left...and what the reaction in Florida.

Oh yeah, and listen for the gasp! (note to self...don't wear a lime green shirt when you're trying to sneak around corners and hide behind cars...)



It was an awesome weekend. I was in the state for 50 hours, and we managed to fit a lot in:

we played Wii Rock Band (I stunk, DH was awesome)...


we (make that I) ate boiled peanuts...


we watched my youngest nephew's opening day baseball game...


we ate some of the best BBQ I've ever had (pulled pork, NOT goat)...


we drove around in my sister's new car...


we played ping-pong with my nephews...



and we BOUNCED on the trampoline! The little one bounced...


the blonde one bounced...


and YES - Aunt Susan bounced...


Dear husband decided that Isabelle is the ONLY small dog he likes...


and then Saturday night we grilled...


and then we all slept in because we were absolutely exhausted!

On Sunday morning everyone indulged me and my camera a little bit. My sis and I...


and her entire, all-boy crew...


Thanks guys for the fun....
• thanks bro-in-law for keeping my secret from your wife.
• thanks nephews for making me feel like you just saw me last month.
• thanks dear husband for always staying in hotels that reward you with Southwest flight segments.
• thanks to my kiddos for not whining when I said it was just me who was going.
• thanks Karen for letting my kids crash with you (and for spoiling them rotten for 2 days)
• thanks mom for being so excited for me.
• thank you God for my family. Because I love my family with every fiber of my body. I know that I'm lucky. I know that I am blessed. Because if you don't have family...you don't have it all.

And after last weekend - I truly believe that I do have it all!

(Well, I don't have a new patio set - but other than that I really do have it all!)

Next time - I'm bringing the kids and my folks. Because whooo-doggie, that'd be a family get-together never to be outdone!

WHEW! I need a nap!

until then - - -