our surprise trip to NC

I can't believe it's been two weeks since this trip. TWO WEEKS. Bad blogger.

In case you didn't already know, Andrew's been gone this month. About a week before he left, I was thinking (read: feeling sorry for myself) about spending my first Mother's Day alone, with no one around to make a big deal about it. Wah, wah, wah. For most of my life, Mother's Days were spent in Black Mountain with my grandmother and the rest of my family. It's always a lovely weekend full of funny conversation and good food, all shared around the table in the back yard. And when I thought about my first Mother's Day, that's where I wanted to be.

So I hatched a plan to surprise my Nanny.

Because I could never violate the Grandparent Code and come home without letting Jack see his Nonni and Grandpa, I was able to sneak a night in with Andrew's parents. We even go to see Jack's Great Grandmother and her new husband! The time with my in-laws, though short, was sweet as always. I had a few things in mind: Chick-fil-a and a break from being the only adult around to care for a certain baby. They delivered on both. In fact, I'm not ashamed at all to admit that less than 24 hours after landing in North Carolina, I'd consumed Chick-fil-a twice. And I don't have to tell you whether or not they took some of the Jack-cuddling responsibility off of my plate. I'm sure you can figure that one out.

 Then it was time for the big surprise!

Jack and I walked into Nanny's kitchen unexpectedly and I watched her eyes flash with the realization that her first great-grandchild was right in front of her. That memory will be locked away and treasured for a while. She squealed and jumped up and down and shouted "Hallelujah!" in honest, genuine praise that we were there. Cutest thing ever.

The weekend was just what I'd hoped it would be. There was the perfect amount of family and home cooking and quality time. My love language tank was full, y'all. I don't have a ton of pictures to prove it, but trust me. It was just what I needed.

And (bonus!) we got to stay with Aunt Rita and Tom in Charlotte before flying back out, where we got to enjoy their new covered porch. It was raining, which thoroughly fascinated Jack. Are we outside or inside? Outside or inside?!

Seriously, is there anything better than watching the people you care so much about love on your kid? I submit that there is not.