Yes, I Left Them

My husband and I in Cancun (Camp Coon as my kids called it) last week.

This year we will celebrate our 25 year wedding anniversary and we took an early celebration trip in the middle of this cold winter.  Yes, we left all 10 kids back here in the states and had a wonderful time!  It really was the best vacation we have ever had.  We were gone for 5 days and even though there was a ton of prep to do beforehand, not to mention a few panic attacks when I thought about leaving them, it was so worth it.
I would encourage all you married couples to never forget to invest in your marriage.  The kids will one day grow-up and leave the nest and it will just be the 2 of you once again.  A happy, healthy marriage is the greatest gift that you can give your children.  It doesn't matter if you practice attachment parenting, homeschool, take them to church, give them every luxury or extra-curricular activity, etc. if you do not have a strong marriage relationship then all the above is in vain. I think I've said this before, but if the nucleus of a cell is not healthy, than the whole cell is not healthy.
I know when the children are small it is harder to get away, but it still can be done.  If you have a child younger than 12 months that you are still nursing, then take them with you.  If they are older than that, they can be left.  Your child will never remember you even leaving them when they are younger than 3.
Below is a picture of the 11 pages of instructions I left for the kids and sitters before I left.  I started working on this about 5 days before our departure. 

 It's so nice too, with cell phones and internet that I was able to keep in touch with them but my husband wouldn't let me too much.  You know, you have detach some to really relax. 

My toes enjoying the Caribbean.....the weather was so very perfect. 

The resort we went to was a couple's only resort and all inclusive and away from all the main resorts of Cancun. 

We took a boat out to a coral reef and both went snorkeling for the first time.  It was so beautiful and we marveled at God's creation.

The view from our room.  Boy, with all the snow we've had this past week I am sure missing this.....maybe next year again : )