I have now been away from my family for almost 4 days and I now realize how much work it is with three children. Of all things, my own sister, who just had a baby keeps asking me if I need a nap. I look in the mirror and can't understand why I look so tired. As I am sitting here, I realize why that is. I believe the last 3 years of running around with children, a full time job and taking care of a home has caught up to me and while I am on my first "true" vacation with no plans, no itinerary and just do as you want when you want, I crash face first into the ground. I either have to take more vacations alone or just keep up the fast paced chaos my life has been. I have a feeling my husband would rather me choose the latter of the two and then we can just takeadvantageof no kids and no responsibilities once we retire!

I leave Texas in two days and I am already planning another trip down here or at least in the vacinity! Maybe Kansas, Leanna and the family could meet us halfway and spend a week together. I also would love to take a trip back down here for a "sister weekend"!

Oh well, I miss my kids and can't wait for them to run up to me and give me tons of hugs!

I left this morning for the airport at 4:00 in the morning with my husband at the wheel and our 3 children in the back trying to figure out why they are up before the chickens. I arrived at the airport at 5AM and checked in and went to my gate. At 5:30 my brother in law Stacy called me and said Leanna was still in labor and they would begin the induction at 6AM. My plane, which by the way was a bug smasher, only 50 people on board, took off and I was on my way to Houston. I landed safely at 8:40AM and headed to the baggage claim. Within 10 minutes I was being told my baggage maybe did not make it on the plane. Finally it arrived and I bolted for the door to meet up with Romie, Stacy's mom, who was picking me up and taking me to the hospital. We finally got to the hospital to see my sister for the first time in over 9 months. She was definitely in labor, had just gotten her epidural and was doing better. I put my bags down for what I thought would be a wait, since her first baby, Maddie took 12 hours to get here. Boy was I in for a surprise! Within 45 minutes, Leanna was very uncomfortable and thought she had to push. The nurse came in, checked her asked her to practice pushing. Moments later, the doctor was being called in and we were on the road to seeing my new nephew. Xavier Dean Suarez came into this world at 11:22AM weighing 6lbs 6.6ozs and 19.5" long. He was just adorable. I told Leanna he knew to wait for his auntie to get there before he made his appearance. For the second time, my baby sister made me cry and realize what a hero she is to me. I am blessed her and Stacy allowed me to be there and watch this miracle happen. Thank you!