So much more than a week of class 1-18-07

So Much More than a Week of Class

I really do not even know where to begin! Last week was an adventure in just about every aspect. The girl I stayed with, Carmen, is a friend that I graduated high school with and have not really seen since. We had a wonderful time together!!! She was so wonderful and made me feel so at home! We had some great talks, even greater laughs, and some good eating at night. It was wonderful to reaquant with her. Class, the whole purpose for going down there, went rather smoothly. Besides getting uncomfortable sitting for eight hours, I breezed through the week. I am so thankful that I was able to feel pretty well, at least during the day. I learned a bit, had awesome counseling sessions where I was able to make what I have learned these past months practical and got some good confirmation that I am on the right track with my desires and dreams. I already told you about the drive down...I split the drive back into two pieces. Friday we got out of class at noon so I drove from then until about 7:30 when I finally reached Columbus. I made it through the mountains before dark, but it was raining. Oh well...it was so much better than pouring rain and dark! In Columbus I had yet another adventure...looking for Mtaviano's house. This was an adventure in many ways...first, I had never actually met her before, second, my compass broke in my car and I turned around 4 times trying to figure out which way was south. Finally, I made it there and am so happy to report that she is as wonderful in person as she is on the web. They have three gorgeous, funny, puzzle-loving (well, Nina just wanted to eat the pieces, but the other two are puzzle whizzes!) girls. We stayed up quite late chatting and then Saturday morning I got up and got ready and began my final leg of of the journey home.

A week away...I knew going into it that it would be difficult to leave behind my little boy for that much time. He did pretty well...only showing a few signs of insecurity and wondering if I was ever coming home. Jonathan's mom had him during the day and Jonathan had him at night and then Friday and Saturday it was just daddy and Landon. Monday night Jon called at 10pm bc Landon was crying...so I talked to him and he just kept saying, "I just miss you Mommy!" As hard as I tried to be strong, this of course brought tears to my eyes! Tuesday went fine. Wendesday night Landon didn't want Jonathan to leave the room and was showing big signs of insecurity. Thursday when I talked to Landon he was having a hard time again. Friday I did not talk to him becuase he seemed better if he didn't talk to me and remember that I wasn't there. So anyway...by Saturday and my final leg home I was so unbelievably ready to get home and hug my boys. When I walked into my door at 4:30 my house was SPOTLESS, candles lit, smelled awesome. I just wanted to melt into it...it was so awesome to be home! Jonathan was such an angel to have this place so perfect for me. He and I had about a half hour before Landon got up from nap. When Landon got up and saw me, his face registered unbelief...he said nothing and ran to me as fast as he could and just laid on me for about 5 mintues, speechless. Clearly he missed me and it was so undescribably beautiful to have him in my arms again. All evening, after that, Jonathan and Landon fought over who got to talk to me...they both had so much to say! I truly felt like a princess, and I felt so loved on every single level.

Grad school was great, but I think as a family we all learned much more valuable lessons from the week. I learned that I love my life and would not want to change anything about it for anything. Freedom was great, for an evening or two, but my heart belongs here with my men. Even the mundane...feeding, bathing, etc...is special and timeless becuase one day it will all be over. I found myself wondering how I ever lived 22 years of my life without Landon, and that got me thinking about the little one I have yet to meet. I can't imagine doubling the love I have for my child, and yet, I know it will happen. None of what I feel in my heart is adequately coming out in words, but that is ok. Perhaps it is just meant for Jonathan and I and Landon...to learn to appreciate the mundane, love every minute, and cherish one another each day for every little thing. Suffice it to say that we, as a family, have come out of this week much stronger, much more loving, and much more aware. This week was so good for all of us, in so very many ways. Thank you all for your prayers...God was, as He always is, so faithful! Our needs were provided for in every way, and in the end, we all learned some much needed lessons about ourselvels, our marriage, our parenting and even our relationship with the Lord.

So here I find myself, on a normal, mundane Monday morning watching Landon be a bulldozer and build a bridge with our couch cushions...and I love it. Absolutely love it.