much needed sister time.

one of the hardest things about living in oklahoma (besides not having a target within 70 miles of me) is how much i miss my family.  prior to having kids it was much easier to travel to visit them.  even with one kid, i was still able to swing it.  but adding on number 2 and 3 really cut back.  my family comes out here for visits, which we all enjoy, but i still wish i could just drive down the road and visit them for a dinner here and there without it involving an airport. 

my sister and i are INCREDIBLY close.  she is my best friend and always will be.  even growing up we got along well (for the most part of course!) we each had our own bedrooms, but silly girls, we shared a bed until i moved out.  it was much more fun to giggle and talk late into the night than it was to have separate rooms.  even when we would visit each other after we moved out, we'd get in bed and read, chat and watch tv.  and while the busyness and life in general has made it hard for us to talk on the phone sometimes, you just pick right back up the next time you chat, like it has only been a few minutes instead of a few weeks.

my sister is starting a new chapter in her life and, while there are parts that are so very hard for her, i am excited to see her becoming more like her old self.  to begin this new stage in her life, she wanted to take her girls on a beach vacation.  the boys and i were lucky enough to be able to join her and it was one of the best vacations that i can remember. 

sisters.  cousins.  the beach.  sunny weather.  watching movies and eating snacks late into the night while the kids slept.  hanging out in your pj's and swim suits all.day.long.  vacations are hard work, but this one seemed easy.  yes, we dealt with the tantrums, the whining, the making of a million meals and dispensing ketchup and napkins and oh yes, writing our names on all water bottles, as the girls had just gotten over a tummy bug right before the trip.  but between two moms, you never felt like you were doing it alone.  we each knew what needed to be done and it just got done.  

the kids loved it.  i am thankful that we were able to finally get a chance to just hang out and catch up.  we are already planning next year's trip.