In our family...

In our family....we do second chances...we do grace...we do real...we do mistakes...we do I'm sorry (and I forgive you)...we do loud really well...we do hugs...we do family...we do love.















Sunday, August 9, 2009

Time flys when you're having fun

Have I really been absent from this place for a month? How time flys when you are having fun and embracing every second of it.

My children and grandchildren have all come and gone. It has left me exhausted and feeling the “empty nest” once again. Letting go is hard for me, so it has taken me some time to catch my breath, grieve what is now over and embrace the wonderful memories that I now have. I have had the time of my life over this past month. My words cannot even begin to convey to you, the awesomeness of it all…there is far too much to share in one post, so over the next week, I will break it down into separate posts.

On July 8th my youngest son from north Florida flew into Minnesota. Less then a half hour later, my oldest daughter and 10 year old granddaughter from south Florida flew in also. As we began to catch up on our 2 hour drive home I mentally braced myself for what I knew was going to be a crazy wonderful month of relishing in this time with these children and grandchildren and the ones yet to fly in. I knew it would go fast…and now looking back, it seems like I blinked once and it was over.

I came home to beautiful roses and my favorite Vampire wine since it was our anniversary. On a side note…on my 2nd date with my husband, he bought a bottle of this wine for us to try because it was called Vampire and he had already learned my like for vampires…lol. My husband had fixings for taco’s ready and all I had to do was throw some guacamole together. My eldest son(my only child that still lives in Minnesota)came over and thus began the party.

After eating, we sat around the fire. How wonderful it was to have these 3 sitting across from me. I kept looking at them and thinking "Oh my god, these are my children! How they have grown up...how great they are...how blessed am I to have such children that honor me in such a way that brings tears to my eyes."


The 3 grands enjoyed ice cream together, even though it wasn't ever that warm...


...and getting silly in their new pj‘s from their auntie…


Over the weekend we entertained extended family and friends that came to visit my visitors. My home over flowed with love and laughter and noise. Lots of fun and little sleep. Lots of cooking and preparing.

Before we knew it, Sunday, July 12th (our day for departing on our road trip to Idaho) was upon us and I hadn’t even begun to pack. Ugh! This also meant it was time for the little people to say goodbye to their uncle since he would be flying out from Spokane, instead of driving back home with us.


After a few tears and good byes, our road trip began. In spite of running into some severe storms we made good time and we all got along well. Twenty one hours later we seen this much awaited sign.


It is beautiful driving into Couer d’ Alene…breath taking beautiful. Even though it was cloudy and raining when we arrived, it’s beauty has a way of capturing me.


Even more beautiful, was seeing my daughter and her boyfriend and their dog Ida. And yes, their dog is named after Idaho.


I had the time of my life just being with these wonderful children and granddaughter of mine.


The only thing better, would have been if my other 2 children, grandchildren and husband had been there with us. Even though some were missing, I had a great time. I am learning to enjoy what I have in the moment…whoever or whatever is present…and where ever I am...to embrace them and just “be” in the moment with who I am with, in that time and place, instead of focusing on who is missing or what isn’t “right” or where I should or want to be.

In my next post, I will share about my time there and some pictures that can’t even come close to capturing the true beauty of this place and more so, our time together. Those moments, that I shared with them, are so imprinted in my mind and heart and I look forward to not only sharing them with you but also having a record of our time together.

I have missed you. I have missed connecting with you at your special places. I look forward to reconnecting now that normal life has begun once again. It sure is good to be back!

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Welcome Back!

I am so glad your travel was safe and fun and that you were able to make it happen!

Pseudo said...

Oh Lori! I am so happy for you that you had this wonderful time with your family. Can't wait to hear and see more.

Beth said...

Yay! Sounds like you guys have been having fun!

I Am Woody said...

Welcome back! I am so glad that you got to spend some glorious time with your family!! Thanks for sharing the photos!!

Brittany said...

Ohhh mom, we all miss you so very much as well. I cant explain how amazing my time with you was. I can honestly say it was the best time I ever spent with you :) You really are my best friend! I am so happy we all got to spend this month with you :) we are the ones who are blessed!

Jason, as himself said...

You deserved this wonderful month! I'm glad to see these happy faces, too.

Eternal Lizdom said...

Great pics! Welcome back!

SciFi Dad said...

What a wonderful impromptu family reunion (of sorts... of course not everyone was there so it wasn't a true reunion, but you get my sentiment). I'm sure you enjoyed it tremendously.

Natalie said...

Sounds wonderful, Lori! I will look forward to all your pics for sure.xx♥

Unknown said...

Awwwwwwwwwwwww. It made me so happy to read this! Your children are beautiful! I love their smiles! I am so thankful that you had a month filled with happiness : ) And, holy cow, the little people are growing by leaps and bounds. I just love the smiles in these pictures. Melt my heart delicious : ) Can't wait to see more!

Jan said...

We missed you too, Lori! But it looks like you've had a great time, and I'm so glad for you. You deserve it!

Smart Mouth Broad said...

I'm so happy for you and may I say that you look like you are one of the kids....not the mom. How wonderful to have that time together. I know how much it means to you. Hugs and welcome back!

Laura said...

What a wonderful internal memory movie you have made for yourself and your children! Everyone looks so happy and fulfilled.

MGM said...

If I didn't already say so, I am positively GREEN with envy over your Couer d' Alene trip. When I saw the pics you posted my heart literally caught in my chest. Funny how I can be so homesick for that place when it was never my "home" in the true sense. But it's the only place I've ever lived that I felt truly "at home" in my skin and in the world. What a dream! Can't wait to see more pics!!!!!!!