Annie, I just want to tell you, try your hardest to *really* enjoy your holiday visit with your sister.

I know how it feels to be without your kids for a holiday. The first time is especially hard. When my X and I split up, he moved out the week before July 4. A few days after he moved, he took the kids, aged 7 and 8 at the time, for 4 days. I thought I'd go crazy or die.

Thank God for a dear friend, who made a point of including me in all of her family functions those few days. I also made a huge effort to stay busy, when I wasn't at her house.

You will be with people who care about you, your kids will be safe, so please, try to enjoy yourself. The visit will be good for you.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

By Annie2 on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 05:12 pm:

Thank you, Karen. Gosh, my house was sooo quiet this am. I woke up, at 5:00 am, with the same thoughts that run through my mind...what the kids want to do today, did R come to my bed, does K's throat feel better, etc...then I remembered they weren't at home.

The kids called me this am around 11:00. They were just getting up.

I brought the dogs to the kennel this am, I set up my new bank acct for dh to start depositing on the 1st, then I went and had a pedicure and new nails put on.

Now I am home and have to pack. All warm clothes, as Colette suggested, because it is freezing up north. I guess no one will see my pedi since I am leaving my sandals at home.

I'm looking forward to my time away. I know it is good for the kids to be with their dad and my taking this trip really helped make it happen. Otherwise I think he would not have seen them.

Taking my laptop so I will check in, thanks everyone!!!! I'm around this evening with an early flight in am.

By Mrsheidi on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 05:16 pm:

Awww, Annie. I'll be thinking of you this week. And, ditto Karen, stay busy and use this time to recharge.
{{{{Annie}}}}

By Mom2three1968 on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 08:02 pm:

(((Hugs))) from me to you!!

By Bobbie~moderatr on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 08:07 pm:

Huge hugs from me also I so hope you are able to relax and enjoy your time way. You need this, swing by and pick me up I want to go too.

By Wandilu on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 09:34 pm:

Annie, I wish you the very best ,this holiday,too!!Just allow yourself to laugh and have a good time, as much as you can .I know that sounds funny to say "allow ' yourself to do something. But, we as women and mothers, do so much for our children,when things like this happens we still feel like we should be "doing" something to fix things.You did, and are DOING ,everything that you should do, under the circumstances.Your hands are clean! So, take this time for yourself, and enjoy !

By Mlee on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - 02:04 am:

(((Hugs))) I hope you have a refreshing time. By next week, you'll be back in the thick of mothering and the time without your kids will seem to have passed in a blip.

By Breann on Thursday, November 22, 2007 - 12:19 am:

(((hugs))) I've been thinking of you this afternoon. Hope you have a great weekend!

By Hol on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 02:09 am:

Hi Annie! I have been thinking of you all weekend. I hope that you got through it okay. It had to be hard for you without the kids. Very different from Thanksgivings past.

I think that you are incredibly strong and I admire you so much. I wish that you didn't have to go through any of it. Just know that you have friends that are holding you up in thoughts and prayers.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 06:28 am:

"I think that you are incredibly strong and I admire you so much. I wish that you didn't have to go through any of it. Just know that you have friends that are holding you up in thoughts and prayers."

Ditto everything Hol had to say, Love you Annie. I so hope that you are/were able to have a good time and relax a bit. I am so proud of you for everything that has gone on this past year. So many warm fuzzy HUGS..

By Conni on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 09:15 am:

Haven't heard from you! Email me when you get a minute. Would love to hear about your trip and how it went with the kids!!

By Yjja123 on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 08:46 pm:

I hope you had a nice visit. Please let us know how you are doing.

By Colette on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 08:48 pm:

Hey Annie, I hope you had a good time. It looks like we are all thinking of you. I hope you had a nice visit up here with your family.

By Wandilu on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 11:17 pm:

Ditto !!