Sandy beaches.

Hot weather.

Fresh fruit.

Tropical drinks.

The absolute leisure to do whatever we feel like, at any time of the day or night.

That's what Eric and I are looking forward to...in three more days!

You see, my super-cool college roommate happens to be going to grad school in Grenada. In case you don't know where that is, it's way down in the south of the Caribbean, almost to South America. And, being super-cool, she offered up a free place to stay to any of her friends who wanted to make the trip. That, combined with some bargain airfares and five years' worth of rewards points on our credit card that were ready to be cashed in, made taking a Caribbean vacation an offer we couldn't refuse.

And so...we'll be flying out of Portland...stopping for a day in Puerto Rico...then reuniting with Meg for lots of island fun. Staying with my roomie in a small apartment--it will be just like the good old days at Linfield! Oh, except that I have a husband now. That will make it a little different, I guess :)

And now you're asking, "Wait a minute? Don't you have three kids? How can you just be flying off to another time zone?"

The answer is that yes, we do have three kids, but we also have amazing parents, and the kids will be staying with them for the trip. Mostly with my parents, but also a few days with Eric's parents. Luckily, my parents and Eric's parents live on the same road, so that makes it easy. (Yes, I married the boy next door. It's a little weird, I know.)

Taking this trip seemed like a GREAT idea back when we planned it--after all, we haven't had a real vacation since before kids, and I haven't even set foot on a plane since our honeymoon in 2001. And it still does seem like a good idea. But I'm starting to get worried about leaving the kids for so long. What if Evie won't sleep? What if Lucy gets into one of her moods and just scowls at everyone for a week? What if Beth won't obey her grandparents? Won't they NEED their mommy? What was I thinking?

But I am banishing those thoughts. Banishing them! The truth is, my parents and Eric's parents are both wonderful. The girls adore their grandparents, both sets, and I'm not sure they're even really going to miss us, they'll have such a good time.

And it will be good times for us too. Meg asked us, when she was home over Christmas, what we wanted to do while we were in Grenada. And Eric and I both kind of looked at each other and shrugged. Do? Do we need anything more than just the ability to sleep in as late as we stinkin' want, and not change any diapers, and not hear any whining, and lie on the beach reading good books for hours? But I think we are going to get in some snorkeling and hikes in the jungle and other fun activities.

Meg has an internet connection, since she is a college student after all, so if the mood strikes me I may blog from Grenada, posting pictures of sunshine and beaches that will make you all jealous to your core. Not that I'd revel in my good fortune or anything.

In the mean time, I'm trying to finish up all my work, and do laundry, and pack, and buy some warm-weather clothes, and clean the house for our house-sitter, and think of every possible thing that might need to be accomplished in the next three days. And then accomplish it.

Have a good spring break, people. I suppose I'll be back eventually, with a new stamp in my passport, a lovely tan on my skin, and lots of island stories to share.