Home

I just got home from a two day retreat with all the 8th graders and staff from our Student Ministries department at work. It has been a really long time since I have spent that much time with teenagers, I kind of forgot how tired it used to make me...and still does. I mean, I spent every summer for several years doing what I did these past two days, but mostly when I think of my days at SRBC I don't remember how tiring it was. I remember now.

I had a really great time, although I don't really have the energy to say anything meaningful about it right now. Really, I just got home people. A few things to note though:

1. This is the first time in four years I have spent time away from Steve AND the girls and been "all on my own". I have had vacations with Steve without the girls and have had weekends and weeks alone with the girls without Steve, but I have not been without some member of my immediate family for more than like a work day period of time. It was weird.

2. Berlin saw me in a tank top for the first time out of the house this season and when I got in the car to drive them home she asked me, "Mom, are you nakie?" I told her no, that I was wearing a tank top. Then I realized that all she could see of me while I was driving was my arm. She told me, "Lemme see!" so that she could make sure I was not being inappropriate in public.

3. I asked Tryn if she missed me and she said, "No, not really. I only loved you while you were gone. I missed you a teeny little bit *and used her hands to show me just how small, like the size of a pea* and then I loved you." Hm. Maybe I should be gone longer next time?

4. I love coming home. Being home is like...well, it's just true that there is no place like home.