I didn’t really intended to take a blog-cation during my mom-cation but it kind of turned out that way didn’t it.

I even skipped a Financial Freedom Friday. Sorry – I was having too much fun.

Poor Mark was not having quite so much fun. All four kids ended up at sleepovers on Friday night (that part was okay).

I got this text message from my husband at 12:20 p.m. on Saturday…

“Can u come home now?”

Followed by

“They were all 4 up past midnight. Luke puked all over back seat of van – like 2 gallons worth of barf. Guess you’ll be getting a new van when u get home.”

At 2:12 p.m.

“Beza just puked.”

I told him that I was still winning until he had all 4 kids puking at the same time (which happened to me while he was in Africa during last summer).

“Ya. I don’t want to win that game.”

I was just about to say that he did a fantastic job of cleaning the van because I couldn’t smell anything. But then I realized I haven’t actually been in it yet since I got home 🙂

There are three classifications of vacations in our house – family vacation, couple vacation and the ever-important “momcation”.

Yes, I totally made up the word but I predict it will take off like gangbusters.

See family vacations are fun – bonding times going to the beach, Disneyland, camping, whatever they may be. (My husband is laughing right now because we’ve never been camping as a family – I’m counting going to the cabin 🙂

Couple vacation? Totally crucial! Mark and I try to get away about once a year even if it’s for a quick 3-day weekend to California. Sometimes it’s just an overnight on the other side of town. In 2005 it was two weeks in Europe and I’m currently trying to talk him into some sort of overseas adventure in 2011 because I’m feeling restless. (I’m thinking Rome because it’s romantic yet important from a Bible history point. Of course only if we can get some super stellar deal.)

But the momcation? Totally in a class by itself. Husbands may have a hard time understanding this, but even on couple vacation we’re required to make decisions, compromise, not upset anyone etc. etc. We’re still “on duty”.

On the momcation we can relax. We have no one to pick up after except ourselves. Meal decisions…takes 60 seconds. We can stay up as late as we want, sleep in as late as we want – no guilt (even if it’s only self-imposed in the other situations).

The momcation can take on many forms. There’s the solitary getaway – I’m all for it but really, after about 24-48 hours and I’m bored. There’s the girlfriend getaway where you gather friends and head somewhere together. Like the 4 days I spent in NYC with my SIL and her best friend before the SIL’s wedding – totally rocked!

My most frequent momcations happen when I head East to visit my best friend Kristen. She used to live in CT – by the beach. Now she lives in Pittsburgh.

Yeah, I know. Really no comparison. But that was another life and another time and besides, the Steeler fervor provides endless amusement and Twitpic opportunities while I’m there.

So tomorrow I head off for glorious 5 days without a gazillion questions that start with “Mom, can you…” and “Mom, why…” I don’t have to think about what to make for dinner (although I’ll help of course).

Mark is my hero for letting me do this every year – sometimes twice a year. Thanks honey!