Drawing WInner!!! (And the annual Mommy-alone time is here)

I'm sitting here, after just writing everyone's name on teeny tiny little pieces of paper...cutting them up...and putting them in a little bowl.
What...you say there's that automatic random name drawing computer site now? Well, maybe I'll try it one of these days, but this way is so much more personal, don't ya' think?

And since I have a LOT of time on my hands this week, I didn't mind.

You see, this week is that annual time again when my husband takes our children and camps all week with his side of the family. The time when this homeschooling mom has a few days out of the year to call her time her own.

Only this year, I'm going to be joining them for the final two nights...because really, a gal can only have so much solitude before she starts doing strange things like...oh, say... finding old pictures of college friends while organizing and then googling their names...having long conversations with her dog... and considering actually cleaning things that haven't been cleaned in awhile.

But truely, I do look forward to just a few days to myself.
And since Sunday afternoon, I've been reading a lot, trying to make a dent in organizing a couple rooms, and just enjoying that rare time of not hearing arguments ensue or demands for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
Honestly? I'm not a big fan of cooking and meal planning...so for me, it's a pure vacation to reach into the freezer for a Lean Cuisine of my choosing and call it good.

And most of all, I've been wanting to use to this time to have some uninterrupted time with the Lord...something that all of us as moms can find challenging during the busy days of parenting.

All of this said, I've got to come clean...
I miss my family SO much.
I miss my husband walking through the door at dinnertime and kissing me...
I miss my oldest daughter's silly sense of humor or our talks about the latest American Girl book she is reading...
I miss my youngest cuddling with me (at seven, she's still very much a cuddler) as we read stories at bedtime.

And last night, my heart was about broken when she began crying on the phone because she missed me so much.
I tried to encourage her, and then I prayed with her over the phone. But afterwards, I, too, was a puddle of tears.

So, needless to say, as much as I look forward to some rare alone time once a year, I am honestly looking forward to joining them in three more days!

Anyway, without further adieu...

Here is the name that I pulled out of my bowl with my eyes closed.....

DRUM ROLL....

Grandma Dawn!

Dawn, I'm so thrilled you won, since I know you love to read as I do!
You may have mentioned your first book choice already, but e-mail me and let me know what it is, as well as your mailing address.
(And I hope you enjoy sipping your Starbucks as you read!)

Blessings!