I'm back!

We arrived home safely yesterday. I really had a very nice time in Kentucky, but I had reached a point where I really needed to get home. I was missing Dave really alot, as Anna would say. I feel for single mothers everywhere. Over the two weeks I was gone, I was stretched to the limit as a mother, as far as energy and patience goes. I think I grew a little as a mother. Jonathan was acting out A LOT, and Anna was being VERY DEMANDING. But I know being away from home and out of routine was hard on them both. The night before we left to come back, Jonathan came up to me tearfully, and said, I really miss Daddy. This has been too many nights. On the plane home, he told me, in a very regretful tone, I should have stayed home with Daddy. He told my Mom today that he missed her a little, but he really missed his Daddy. Anna spoke to Dave on the phone almost everyday. Jonathan's not much for the phone. So, we all missed Dave, and Dave really missed us. But the kids had A LOT of fun. They went to the playground, went to the Exploratorium in Lexington, went to a horse show, and they were able to play outside a lot more than they ever can here. Dave's sister, Aunt Meredith (Aunt Mer-Mer), was able to spend a lot of time with us. The kids had so much fun with her and she gave me a lot of relief by taking them outside and entertaining them so I could get a break. My mother-in-law was also wonderful to us. She fed us very well and made us feel at home. Unfortunately, my kids felt a little too comfortable there and acted like wild monkeys. But she still wants us to come back and she was sad when we left, so they must not have been too wild. The weather was gorgeous! It was sunny most days and not nearly as hot and muggy as it is here. I had my moments, when I was overwhelmed by the bugs, (SO! MANY! BEES! Those of you who know me, know how I feel about bees.) and I was tired of the kids and I felt really homesick. But all in all, I had a restful time. It was a nice change of pace and scenery for us. I really bonded with my mom and sister-in-law. I love Dave's family and I am glad whenever the kids get to be with them. I always wanted to be able to spend more time with my grandmothers and aunts and uncles.
Jonathan caught a butterfly. It stayed on his hand forever. He was so excited. He also got to see a dead mouse. I think the farm cats killed it. It was one of the highlights of his trip. The next day on the porch, he said, I hope I get to see another dead mouse. What a thing to wish for! Poor mice.
We also picked dandelions and made wishes. He wished for Transformers, and I wished for Poppa Ed (at home in FL) to get better and come home from the hospital. A few days later, when I got off the phone and told Jon that Poppa was back at home, his face lit up and he said, You got your wish, Mama! He also got his wish. Dave sent the kids presents in the mail, Transformers for Jonathan and a My Little Pony for Anna.
Oh, and how can I forget this little tidbit! I wrecked my mother-in-law's car. Lovely! I feel really bad about it. Luckily, no one was hurt and there was not too much damage to her car. I had a fender-bender in the parking lot of the bank. I have never had a ticket, never even been pulled over for speeding or anything, and I have never had a wreck (except for being rear-ended). I wish it had not been in her car. I hope her insurance rates don't go up. She was really nice about the whole thing.
Anna loved flying on an airplane. We came home through turbulence and storms and had sort of a rough landing (just very bumpy) and she giggled and squealed like she was on an amusement park ride. On the way to KY, I let her have the window seat and she was amazed by being up in the clouds. (It still really amazes me!) Anna said, We're up in the clouds like CareBears!
I returned home to a very clean and orderly house. Dave had done lots of work around the house, finished lots of unfinished projects, and kept the house up very well. I had no laundry to do, and we unpacked everything and put it away last night. Normally, I belong to the leave your suitcases by the front door and gradually get stuff out as you need it club. I also normally stuff dirty clothes on top of all the clean ones and then I have to wash everything when I get home.
I have been feeling very scattered and unfocused since I got home. Everything seems too fast and too loud. I survived very well without DVR or cable, without Internet, without Starbucks (I did have one latte in Frankfort). I think I got so used to being there that it is hard to come home. I feel like I have too much, do too much, have too many options.
As for my goals while I was there:
I did not gain one pound, but I only made it to Curves 2 times.
I did not make it through the New Testament, just Matthew, Mark and half of Luke. But the Bible was all I read while I was there.
I tried really hard with the helping hands and kind words, but I am sure I failed many times.
I did get some rest while I was there. I sat around and cross-stitched a lot, and had some good sleeping nights. So all in all, we arrived and returned safely, had some fun, and learned a lot.