They're back...

Has it really been four days since my last post? Well, perhaps it was because I was delibrately trying to keep myself from this new blogging habit as much as humanly possible so that I could take advantage of my "alone time". But it wasn't easy! I kept coming back... replying a lot... and lurking even more.

And now that the time is over, here is what happend:

I found that I accomplished just little molecules of eveything on my list...story writing, scrapbooking, reading on my deck...oh, and house cleaning. And I did have some uninterruped time reading God's Word, which as all moms know, can be a luxury in itself. My mom drove up to spend one night, too, so I wasn't with complete solitude the whole time. (Read: Didn't resort to walking around the house and mumbling to myself...at least not too much.)

All in all, I have to say that I enjoyed my mommy vacation. A lot. It was like a balm to this tired homeschooling mom, who has spent the last year teaching, chauffering, cooking cleaning and waiting on family. Not that I haven't enjoyed many of those jobs, but as with all jobs, we all need a break now and then...and time just to hear ourselves think.

But... when the three days were over, I found myself continuously looking at the clock, excitedly awaiting my family's return. In the early evening, I was outside reading when I heard the door open. I came in to see my husband put our sleeping four year old on the futon...oh, how I longed to hold her! After giving hubby a kiss, he went to unload the car and before my oldest came in, I found myself sitting next to my sleeping child, just watching her... I gave her a kiss on the forehead and she slept on. My heart was putty just at the sight of her again, and my strong emotions frankly surprised me a bit.
Then my seven year old came in looking very sunkissed and we spent the remainder of the evening cuddling on the sofa while she told me all about the trip. I couldn't stop hugging her!

Oh...and yes, I missed my husband too. But between the long drive, unloading the car, and being the sole parent for three days, he was pretty much done for. After a half-hearted hug, he trudged up the stairs to bed. Ahh, well.

As for their adventure, they all assured me it was great fun. Except for the drive over there. My littlest hadn't eaten much and on the curvatious twist and turns toward the coast, became carsick for the very first time. Hubby, in his quick thinking, handed her the sand pail, where she compliantly tossed her cookies, or lack thereof, into the waiting vessel. She was fine for the rest of their campout (and hopefully, they scoured the pail before filling it up with sand.)

On a better note, they unexpectantly ran into some friends of ours from the home school group and the girls all spent lots of fun hours playing together at the beach.

I wish I could post a wonderful shot of my family's adventure, but sadly, the memory card wasn't placed back into the digital camera they brought...so we are awaiting the old-fashioned film to be developed from my daughter's $5 instamatic. Still, I know the memories they made were wonderful and exciting... I can tell by the tiny little shells I found this morning, and by the sand in the carpet and the scent of campfire smoke on their clothes.

A good time was had by all. Including me. But wow...am I ever glad their back!