Home again, Home again

Though I lack the jiggity jig.

In truth, it has been an exhausting week. I was here, there and every where-but that is not what exhausted me. I was tired MENTALLY and emotionally as I was in New York. Corynn needed constant attention because she decided that what other children do, she can do-even though she knows those are not our rules. She became whiney, she was not nearly as obedient as she is at home, she even began to argue with me! All things that she just DOESN’T do here. I was on her all the time, but it didn’t matter. I realize she was pushing her limits and testing but it just makes me so angry. It is like all the previous training is thrown out the window and I must start again. Why is it that BAD behaviors are so quick to be adopted and good behaviors take such work?!?! Ugh! This is retraining week-with NO exceptions. I can only HOPE it will be done in a week…

Also while we were gone, Andrew became sick. Very sick. So much so that I started having him sleep with me because I was afraid for him. He has a terrible cough that is only just starting to loosen up. Two nights ago was the WORST. We spent the night at a hotel after the anniversary party and I was literally-awake all night. At 1am Andrew awoke and was a basket case. Only when I nursed AND juggled him at the same time, was he happy. If either of those things stopped-he screamed. Eventually, at 3am I couldn’t take it anymore and even those two things didn’t comfort him. So I threw some clothes on and headed out. And from that moment until 7:30, I could be seen walking the halls barefooted or sitting in the lounge. By morning, all the staff felt so bad for me. I was a walking zombie. A random kind guest came out and gave me infant Tylenol for Andrew and within minutes he appeared to feel better. Much less lethargic and he even smiled! But-that was at 7:30-after all hope was lost for sleep.

And then of course…being away from Matt was terrible. It is amazing how obvious a gift love is in its absence. The mailman and I were in cahoots. I had arranged that a love note be ‘delivered’ each day of the week for Matt and in return for such a favor, he got some apple butter. So-while Matt was getting love notes daily, I was all by my lonesome and it didn’t take long for the sweatshirt I packed to lose his scent. Funny how women NEED romantic things but are always the ones behind them-not receiving them. Well, not REALLY funny. More like-absurd.

Lots happened while I was away and even more pictures were taken. So many, in fact, that I had to burn a cd with them to clear the camera for anniversary party pictures. And then, the cd was left at Mom and Dads. Those photos will have to come later, I suppose.

For now, here are more than a few photos from my grandparents’ 60th wedding anniversary. It was a wonderful time and I imagine, very touching for them. All of their children were in attendance, and each had traveled quite a distance. In fact, all of their grand children and great grandchildren were there as well excluding one granddaughter. It was amazing for me-it must have been so emotional for Oma and Opa to look about the room and see your legacy before you. To see God’s gifts before your eyes, His grace upon your family, His promises revealed, His tender loving care. Such a life they have both lived. Such a gift they have been given. It was a celebration of their love and their life but more so, a celebration of God’s love bestowed upon them.

So-there is a short update and NATURALLY a fair amount of photos. Hope everyone is well and I look forward to catching up on everyone’s blogs in the next few days. Though I did have access to wireless, I didn’t have access to much TIME! :-}