Sunday, January 14, 2007

How things change...


I am back from my trip. Leaving was difficult. Returning was sweet! I once travelled fairly regularly for work. I couldn't help but notice this weekend how motherhood has changed a few things in terms of my travel.

I noticed every fire truck, school bus and construction site on the 13 hour (roundtrip) drive. I kept thinking how much the kids would love seeing this or that. When I arrived at my hotel room, I actually chuckled at the sounds of rowdy young children in the room next door. What would have annoyed me to no end a few years ago, was comforting and made me feel not so lonely.

I spent a blissful evening reading 2 Real Simple magazines from cover to cover. They had both been in a stack of "things to read" for months.

I was travelling with 2 elders and a deacon from our church to hear a potential pastor speak. They are all prompt, "right on time" people. You can imagine my horror when I woke up this morning at 6:58. We had planned to meet downstairs around 7 for a prompt 7:15 departure. I was downstairs in 7 minutes. Dressing quickly is a talent I have certainly developed thanks to children! But seriously, a mother of young children alone in a dark hotel room, I could have easily slept all day.

The children had a wonderful time with their Daddy and his parents. He took them all to see our new house. (Did I mention we put a contract a new house Thursday? It is an incredible story for another post.) There is some work that needs to be done, so I am anticipating a Spring move. We are hoping to put the children in big kid beds in the new house, so I have been talking it up. When the children arrived (having never been inside) they squealed and ran through the house exploring. They darted upstairs to see their new rooms. The boys found theirs and were chatting about "big boy beds wid twains on dem" when K said, "Daddy, where's MY woom?" He walked her down the hall and she ran circles in the empty room. R came to investigate and K ran and blocked the door shouting, "NO BOYS! Dis a GURL woom!" Ah, sounds like home already!

7 comments:

Paulette said...

Welcome home I missed you!!
Wow you are moving! How exciting for you all. I cant wait to follow this. Does Kate had her own room now? I am glad you were able to get away for a bit and glad you are safe back home.

Alison said...

Welcome home!

Looking forward to hear as the story unfolds about hte new house.

Enjoy being home....

Anonymous said...

Welcome home Jen. I prayed for you on the weekend a few times, relating to your mommy heart!

Glad the trip went well.

Chris

Paula said...

I am glad you got some rest. I wouldn't kow what to do with a overnight like that. Heavenly.

Sounds like Kate already has it figured out.

keri said...

glad you survived jen! how insensitive of those men to make you get up so early! :) i'm sure i would've overslept as well!! i'm impressed with the 7 minute ready time!
can't wait to hear about the new house.

Erickson 5 said...

I'm glad you are back! Can't wait to hear about the new house news. That is so exciting. We have been on the look out for a new house but we haven't found anything that we like yet. Sooo exciting.

Nicole

Renee said...

I hope you realize that you have left several of us hanging about the new house. We are dying to hear more!