Lunch Bags Full of Love

Jerry and I will be taking a vacation together soon.  This is only the second time in our marriage that we have managed a getaway longer than a couple of days.  Of course, we will take David with us as he is still exclusively nursing.  I am looking forward to having lots of time to talk and just enjoy being together.  Getting a little extra sleep and a break from daily cleaning, cooking and laundry will be fun too.  Whenever Jerry and I have a getaway, even a short one, we come back closer to one another, more committed to our marriage, and better parents as well.  We feel ready and energized to continue this great adventure of raising our nine children together.

Grandma and Grandpa will be coming to our home to take care of our other children while we are gone.  I am so glad that the children will be in their own home, sleeping in their own beds and have each other and their everyday activities to keep them content while Mom and Dad are gone. 

A friend mentioned a great idea to me  and I decided to give it a try.  It will be a fun thing for Sophia while we are gone, will help to remember how much we love her, and will help her to keep track of when her Mom and Dad will be getting home. 

Here's the cute idea: I went shopping at Walmart and bought a number of inexpensive little "gifts."  I will put each gift in a lunchbag and staple it shut.  Then I will put a date on each bag.  Every morning after breakfast Sophia will get to open one bag.  The little trinkets are fun little things for her to use with her siblings and some healthy snacks.  As she sees the basket of lunchbags getting emptier each day, she will see how much longer it will be until we return.  When she wakes up and there are no lunchbags left, she will know that Mommy and Daddy will be home that day. 

…lunchbags are done now.  Here is Sophia with her basket of prizes