Just got back from southern California. I enjoyed a week there with my friend, Christie. She just had a baby boy on the 3rd - too cute! I am so sad her hubby has to deploy tomorrow. He made me so proud - totally took the reigns as a new papa. And he was even beginning to master the ever-difficult task of "anticipating needs" (of the baby AND his wifey!) Godspeed, Brian, and we can't wait till you get back, really.
That baby boy was a dream the whole time I was there - with Christie as the Mama, there is NO other way! My kids are so excited to see him and Claire (hopefully soon).

They were also very happy to see me, as I was them. But let me tell you, after being away from them for a week, in lovely Cali weather, in the ultra quiet household I was visiting - coming home was a total culture shock to all my senses. I got off the plane in blustery-cold Atlanta yesterday (did I mention it was completely gray in ATL?) then drove in INSANE Atlanta traffic, entered my loud, physically busy house just in time to shoo the girls off to gymnastics. It then started snowing, fully insuring my "full immersion" method of getting used to things, as this meant a snow day on my first full day home. I have accomplished absolutely nothing today. I'm trying to live in the moment and not go completely insane. It's 4 p.m., I haven't had a shower, breakfast remnants are still on the table, there is no plan in place for dinner, there is now a TON more laundry than when I woke up (Damn that weak GA snow - can't even stay cold enough to not make it a mud slushy to play in) and something really smells bad in this house. Oh, also, I have two dress orders to make by tomorrow morning, and I haven't unpacked my sewing machine from the move yet. There is no way having "older kids" is not easier! Everybody wants a piece of me all the time - either to tell me something, to tell on someone, or to get them something, or to ask me if they can have/do/smell/touch/sit on/get out/eat/drink whatever.

Sally did the cutest thing while I was gone to sum up her time with them, and I hope she'll make it a new tradition, of sorts, anytime she's around them for extended periods.
Excerpts:

" 'Deep subjects' that were discussed...
-smoking
-rednecks (what's that?!)
-what it would be like to have Hannah Montana as a sister

Things I learned...
-never turn your back on a two year old
-don't take kids to Wal-Mart
-I've never given myself enough credit for surviving motherhood with both kids "intact"
-I just THOUGHT that I remembered that the teen years are worse!!

Things that drove me to the wall...
-clothes, clothes, clothes - - - all over the floor ALL the time!!! (is this clean or dirty?)
-[hearing] That's gross!! Yucky!! That's not how that goes! We don't do it that way!!

The best question I answered...
"Ma'am, I've seen you here everyday - would you like to have a cot set up in the back?" (check-out clerk at Wal-Mart)

My favorite most frequently heard sounds...
-'I love you, Oui!'
-'Oui, you're the BEST!'
-the garage door opening in the evening
-'nite, Oui' "

That Oui sure is something!

I am off to the basement to dig out the sewing machine (read: ignore the remnants of the tornado that apparently whirled through my house today). I miss my friends and their peaceful home, oh, and The Office marathon.