We’re Back

We just got home from a week long trip to Utah where we were able to spend a lot of time with family. The trip was so fun, and it felt renewing to me to be surrounded by family.

We got in late last night (early this morning, technically). Grant had already come home a few days ago to get back to work, so I was alone with the kids. The flight went well. My kids stayed awake the whole time even though we started the flight right at their bedtime. Cecilia was the exception. She slept for about the first hour, and then she was pleasant on my lap until we hit a thunderstorm upon landing. We descended quickly, and I think her ears bothered her. There was nothing I could do to comfort her, no matter how I tried. Of course, I wasn’t allowed to stand up with her. I finally gave up all my comforting efforts and just let her sit in my lap and cry. She would calm herself for a moment and then shake her head and go back to crying. Poor thing. That lasted for about the last half hour of the trip. As soon as we were close to touching down, she snapped out of it and was calm.

(Before she woke up and was pleasant.)

She didn’t like the flash on the camera.

All the kids fell asleep in the car on the way home. It was probably 1:30 by the time they got to bed, and I didn’t get to bed until 2am. I think we were all grateful to be in our own beds again. The girls slept in so late!

It feels good to be surrounded by the familiarity of home. It feels good to have a reason to be grateful to be here. I was so glad to be able to go and be with family. My heart was so full as I watched my kids play and explore with their cousins. I can’t tell you how rare it is for us to be in a large family group. It was heavenly to let the kids run and enjoy their cousins. Times like these only strengthen my resolve to move us someplace near family where my kids will have cousins to play with. But until then, I am so overwhelmed with gratitude for the moments when we can join a group of family.

I trust the Lord, and I know we are here for a good reason. I know that we can become a stronger family as we rely on each other and have this time on our own. I’m grateful that my husband has found a job working with good people in an environment where he can grow. People on the airplane asked me where I was from. I knew what they meant, but it didn’t feel right to say I was from Chicago. I told them I have lived near Chicago for about a year and a half. I don’t feel like I’m from here yet. I’m still and Oregonian living in Illinois. This may not be my favorite situation, but there are good things about this place, the best of which being that we are together as a family. I want to enjoy it while we are here. I want to take advantage of all the things we can see and do around here.

Basically, this trip was really good for me. I feel like I’ve been pulled out of a rut, and I have renewed hope and appreciation. I hope I can hold onto it.