Childless

The past few days our kids have been up staying with my folks while Aven and I bask in quietness and refill our energy stores.

It has been so...quiet in our house.  Well apart from the gun shots and other sounds of battle that are coming from the basement as Aven plays hour after hour of uninterrupted video game time.

Everything is where we left it.  There are no toys, jackets, shoes, papers, miscellaneous kid stuff that materializes out of thin are when kids are around.  We've had leisurely breakfasts after sleeping in.  It was desperately needed - a few days with no plans - time to bask in nothingness.  Trips to the movie theater, going out for dinner, get stuff done in a liesurely fashion because there's time to do it that way....  wonderful.

But man I miss those kids.  I miss them.  Little M reaching up his arms saying "Uppy Mommy" while I'm in the middle of stirring dinner with one hand, clearing the table with the other hand and unloading the dishwasher with one foot.  I miss it.  I do.

Miss H presenting me with craft after craft, picture after picture made with her own little hands.  I miss her.

But tomorrow I will see them again when we drive up to get them.  And I will hug them and kiss them and hug them and kiss them and hug them some more and kiss them some more....'cause I've been saving up a lot of hugs and kisses with their names on them. 

And it feels wonderful to have patience restored.  And humor restored.  A fresh start for a fresh year.