We just spent a week in mountain cabins surrounded by my sisters, their families and my parents. Repeatedly, CW asked why we have to live here, why we can't just stay in the cabins. CE said she didn't think she could remember being anywhere else. We had the wonder of the cabins themselves only because of the kindness and largess of my sister's Lisonbee in-laws. Being able to be mostly together was a wonder none of us could have afforded otherwise.
There is something lovely about having my nephews who normally live 3,000 miles away come upstairs to ask what my kids are doing or to see if we have better breakfast cereal than they do. There is something delightful when my sister organizes sleepovers for various collections of cousins in her room. There is something just right when my sisters, my mom and I sit around T's kitchen table with sweet pastries and just talk and laugh. I love that BT's twin boys constantly verified my location and CE's location and others' locations throughout the week. It was so wonderful to hear T's twins squeal and chase after Z, calling his name and begging for his attention.
No vacation is perfect. Children's medications were dosed a few times. There was excrement and vomit and the need for both Benadryl and the BRAT diet. There were plenty of time-outs for children and probably a few times when the grown-ups needed a time out as well. Having so many in such close proximity probably wasn't the most restful of vacations, on a physical level. But it was definitely soothing to my heart to have the people I love best all together, perhaps more so because it was so hard won to attempt to sync 20+ schedules, arrange for travel for six families and plan and execute meals for 27 differing palates over the course of a week.
And now, like a dream all the planning and execution is over and we are home again. I am awash in laundry and an empty fridge. I have paid the bills and sorted the mail. My kids are running amok, happy to be home and anxious to begin new schools and schedules. And even though it is nice to have everyone sleep again in their own beds and I do have a very nice bed, I am missing those cool mountain breezes and rushing river sounds, but especially the warm embrace of family so close, knowing how tricky it is to plan and wondering when we can do it again.
*photo "borrowed" from BIL Adam's iphone via FB--view from our window, said window courtesy of A's parents*
4 comments:
I like your synposis of the week. :)
It's great that you were able to get out of the heat and enjoy some time with your family!
I am SO jealous. It has been so hard not to go home this summer because of the cost of flying everyone home and nothing sounds more heavenly to me than your trip - timeouts, sickness and all!
Loved the week and all the fun we had. I wish we could do it every other month. Not every month cause I'd be too tired, but every other one sounds about right! Love you guys so much. :)
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