A week of my little brother's household descending upon mine is over. 3 nieces plus my 5 equaled eight wild kiddos running rampant through the house...that is, until we banished them to the great outdoors.
"It is 85 degrees, for cryin' out loud! Do you know what Uncle J and I did when we were kids? We played outside...ALL DAY! Shoot, we left after breakfast and wandered the neighborhood til dinner...and that was before cell phones were even invented! Now y'all go outside and play! Hot? It's not HOT! It is perfect weather! Yes, you can eat outside. Y'all want' chicken nuggets and chips?"
My little brother brings out the redneck in me.
Anywho...
They all waved goodbye this morning as they hit the road for the two-day drive home. I swallowed hard to squelch the lump in my throat as Gracie and Drew sobbed. Oh WHY do we all have to live so far apart?
After they drove away, the kids and I set to work getting things back to normal. Lunch with a friend, laundry, dishes...the normal stuff. Then Daddy and DJ prepared for their quick trip to Nebraska to celebrate my brother-in-law's retirement from the Air Force. That was just about more than sweet Gracie could handle.
"There are just too many people leaving today," she sobbed.
"I don't want Daddy to go away," cried Drew.
"But honey, it's just for two days." But there was no comfort. Drew turned into his big brother's arms and bawled before DJ climbed into the car with Daddy.
Oh, the sadness.
When my faithful husband called to say they were boarding the plane, I informed him that there had been "weeping and gnashing of teeth" since his departure. He chuckled.
I sort of chuckled.
So now I sit in evening quiet with four kiddos settled into their beds, right?
Well, not exactly.
Katie is in her bed, immersed in a good book. She will read until her book lands on her face. That makes me so happy :)
The other three?
All in my bedroom.
Three little pallets surround my bed in Daddy's absence. They were asleep within 30 seconds of their sweet heads hitting the pillows. They have been up extremely late with their cousins all week, so they are truly exhausted. I wonder who will climb into my bed first? Probably Drew, my touchy, feely, lover-boy.
Such sweetness exists in this night. Three little hearts needing me near, just wanting to be close. Three little chests rising and falling in the deep breathing of sound sleep. It is like a song...their breathing. I will fall asleep with a smile on my face, and awaken with knees and elbows poking me from both sides I am sure.
It's all good.
"It is 85 degrees, for cryin' out loud! Do you know what Uncle J and I did when we were kids? We played outside...ALL DAY! Shoot, we left after breakfast and wandered the neighborhood til dinner...and that was before cell phones were even invented! Now y'all go outside and play! Hot? It's not HOT! It is perfect weather! Yes, you can eat outside. Y'all want' chicken nuggets and chips?"
My little brother brings out the redneck in me.
Anywho...
They all waved goodbye this morning as they hit the road for the two-day drive home. I swallowed hard to squelch the lump in my throat as Gracie and Drew sobbed. Oh WHY do we all have to live so far apart?
After they drove away, the kids and I set to work getting things back to normal. Lunch with a friend, laundry, dishes...the normal stuff. Then Daddy and DJ prepared for their quick trip to Nebraska to celebrate my brother-in-law's retirement from the Air Force. That was just about more than sweet Gracie could handle.
"There are just too many people leaving today," she sobbed.
"I don't want Daddy to go away," cried Drew.
"But honey, it's just for two days." But there was no comfort. Drew turned into his big brother's arms and bawled before DJ climbed into the car with Daddy.
Oh, the sadness.
When my faithful husband called to say they were boarding the plane, I informed him that there had been "weeping and gnashing of teeth" since his departure. He chuckled.
I sort of chuckled.
So now I sit in evening quiet with four kiddos settled into their beds, right?
Well, not exactly.
Katie is in her bed, immersed in a good book. She will read until her book lands on her face. That makes me so happy :)
The other three?
All in my bedroom.
Three little pallets surround my bed in Daddy's absence. They were asleep within 30 seconds of their sweet heads hitting the pillows. They have been up extremely late with their cousins all week, so they are truly exhausted. I wonder who will climb into my bed first? Probably Drew, my touchy, feely, lover-boy.
Such sweetness exists in this night. Three little hearts needing me near, just wanting to be close. Three little chests rising and falling in the deep breathing of sound sleep. It is like a song...their breathing. I will fall asleep with a smile on my face, and awaken with knees and elbows poking me from both sides I am sure.
It's all good.
Hey girlie..I know all too well those tears and how hard it is to make them better. Glad you had a great visit! Jamie
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