All by myself...

Okay, not totally. I was with my husband for four days, and several of his co-workers and their spouses. BUT... I was utterly and quite nakedly without children.

It was a company trip... an all expense paid reward to my husband's office for being the most profitable in the company. So, I cried and hemmed and hawed at the idea of leaving my babies for four days, and then decided that really a free vacation is one that cannot be passed up.

I'll just make this clear from the first. I am not good at leaving my babies. I spend a day out shopping on my own, and nearly race back to the house to see them when I'm through. I wasn't sure I was going to make it four days. I DID make it, though ( and so did my children, quite nicely, I might add)... and while I enjoyed every second of my vacation, nothing was better than the thirty minutes just after we arrived home this afternoon. Never have I been peppered with so many random 'I love you's and 'I missed you's, gently placed kisses on my hands and legs and arms, and hugs so tight, I'm still trying to catch my breath.

I'll post more about my vacation this week... there are certainly many tales worth telling, but tonight I am basking in the love and warmth of my babies...

That reminds me of a conversation I had with Sam while I was on my trip. He said,

"I miss you, Mommy."

I replied, "I miss you too, baby..."

Then I heard a giggle, and then, "Hey Jordan, Mommy just called me a baby!!"

I don't think he realizes that no matter how old, or how big, he will always be my baby.

That reminds me of Jordan when, just the other day, he crawled up on to my bed where I was playing with the baby and snuggled in beside me. He asked, "Mommy, will I ever be too big to snuggle?"

Grown up vacations may be thrilling and wonderful and, in their own right, important for the health and endurance of my marriage.

But home is what makes my heart happy.