Top Ten {Tuesday}

As a new blogger, I am learning more and more about the blogging world every day...and I have to tell you that I am loving it!  A friend of mine sent me the link to a "Linky Party" which I had never heard of...but once I started reading about them, I was hooked.  When I read some of the Top Ten Tuesday Posts on Oh Amanda...I just had to participate!  I am very excited about linking up with all of these great bloggers and I hope to make some new friends in the blogging community.

I have to be honest though, there is one other, and rather selfish reason why participating in the Top Ten Tuesday linky party appealed to me.  I am going on vacation in a few days with my husband and we are leaving our 20 month old little boy at home.  Did hear I a resounding "GASP"?  Oh, I really hope not because I am on the verge of a nervous breakdown as it is.  I guess you could say that I need a little perspective.  Or better yet, I need a reason to put some logical and rational thoughts around our trip to replace the catastrophic irrational ones that have filled my mind for the last month.  My reason?  Top Ten Tuesday!  So, if you haven't already guessed it, my Top Ten Tuesday is going to be: The Top Ten Reasons Why It's Okay To Go On Vacation Without Your Child.  I cringed just typing that. 

Must. Stay. Positive. 

Here we go:

1. Me Time - We all need a little time for ourselves.  Time to recuperate and relax.  Time when the only person you have to worry about is you.  There are no dishes to deal with, no house to clean, no diapers to change, no dogs to take out.  Just you with time to revel in the wonderful person you are...we all deserve this!  Life is too short to not give yourself a break for all you do every single day.  And you know what?  We all deserve this time without feeling guilty...because 90% (and that's a conservative estimate) of the time a mother's life revolves around taking care of others.  It is okay to take care of yourself from time to time too.

2. Husband Time - When you are married, working full time, and a mother...your marriage is different.  When my husband and I got married...it was just us and the dogs.  We could travel, we could go out to dinner every night if we wanted, we could do our own thing but still have time for each other.  These days we can still do a lot of the same stuff...but it's different.  Date nights don't come around so often...and neither does one on one time.  Time to really enjoy one and other.  Time to act like newlyweds and take care of only one another.  Time to focus solely on our relationship.  Time to be silly, to talk, to cuddle, to hold hands.  Time for all the little stuff that falls through the cracks during the busy days and nights that make up our week. 

3. Rest - Everyone needs to be able to get a good nights sleep once in awhile.  The prospect of having several nights in a row to go to bed when I want and to wake up when I want feels so indulgent.  I'm not even sure I know how to sleep through the night without waking up at least once but I am about to find out!

4. Tan - Everyone looks better when their tan...just sayin'...

5. Vitamin D - It's really good for us.  We all need to be out in the sun so that we can be sure to get our Vitamin D.  Vitamin D may protect against osteporosis, heart disease, and some cancers.  Not to mention sunlight's other hidden benefits—like protecting against depression, insomnia, and an overactive immune system.  For the sake of my health I shall go on vacation. : )

6.  Patience - I hate to admit this, but at times I get impatient ( I know I can't be the only one...).  I am doing so much all the time.  Going from a full day at work to a full night at home wears on me and I find myself not having as much patience as I would like.  I think a break away from it all is needed from time to time so that while I am working and being a Mom, I am doing the best possible job that I can.  I want to be a patient, kind mother and wife, not a crazed, mean one.  Vacation promotes kindness. 

7.  Gratitude - I find that sometimes getting away and actually having the time to be present in the moment typically offers up feelings of love and gratitude for my life.  I feel so fortunate to have my husband and a healthy baby boy.  It's in the quietness of life that I feel profound feelings of gratitude.

8.  Ocean & Sand - There is nothing like being on the ocean and feeling the sand in your toes.  It's one of the best feelings.  I love to play in the waves with my husband like we are little kids splashing and dunking each other.  It's one of our favorite little vacation traditions and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

9.  Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder - I don't know if this one really applies because I love my son so much that if my heart grows any fonder, I fear it may burst.  Nonetheless, I know I will be counting down the minutes until I return home to my favorite job in the world...being a Mom.

And finally...

10. Because EVERYTHING is going to be fine.  It is.  Plain and simple.  No need to worry...everything is taken care of and my boy will be in extremely capable hands.  So...I can go and it's going to be fine.  Before I know it, I will be home.  Time flies so I shouldn't waste it worrying. 

I will do my best (please note the name of my blog)...