bittersweet

the other night, carson: "mom, i'm sad that you're going to be gone. but i'm happy that michelle & shay get to have sleepovers. so, it's a little bit good AND bad, at the same time! (pause, then sagely) that's just the way life is sometimes, mom."

indeed.

what will it be like, 10 days away from these dudes? i'm going to love the time with my parents and sister. LOVE it. chances are, i won't be mopping the floor after a cereal bowl spills. i won't be rinsing handfuls of carefully painted yogurt out of addie's hair...again. i won't be trying to remain calm amid hysterical laughter and/or tears. i won't be stepping on toy cars in the kitchen, putting the same board book away on the same shelf 14 times, or sweeping up pounds of spilled flour. that will be nice.

nor will i have little bodies racing over to sit on my lap and read, snuggling with me on the couch, putting feet in my face to do "little piggies" over and over, telling me punchline-less jokes because they're laughing too hard to choke the words out, and ultimately giving meaning to the name "mom."

until i return...xoxo