Headed home

By the time we pull into our drive way on Friday night, we will set foot in our home for the first time in two weeks plus one day. Being away from home makes even an extrovert like me want to be a homebody.
On this trip we have:
- descended from our mountain (approximately 7,050 ft elevation) to 13 ft above sea level
- traveled through 7 states (maybe 8 by the time we get home)
- slept and played in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and Tennessee
- seen a raging variation in gas prices
- spent time with all three sets of parents, some old friends, and made some new ones
- (we haven't yet but by the end we will have) driven over 60 hours!!

The purpose of this trip is several layers deep. With careful planning and our church's blessing, Ryan and I were able to attend the General Assembly for Disciples of Christ 2011 or more simply put, a church conference. Since we had already recruited Jack's three sets of grandparents to take turns watching him during the conference, with their blessing we extended our time away by a couple days and a detour by the beach. We have not been so relaxed since our honeymoon and it was wonderful!

Rejuvenated and exfoliated, we headed North to Nashville for some church business, inspiration, and encouragement. We have had a very enjoyable time here as well! That said, we are missing home. Some of these things felt mundane before we left, but right now, I most miss:
- cooking dinner (please, no more restaurant food!)
- walking with Keely in the mornings
- our dry air (think about where we have been... HUMID!)
- our church (due to a stomach bug the weekend before we left, Jack and I have not been to church in 3 weeks now... way too long)
- making our coffee in the morning
- watering my plants and seeing new growth
- three newborn babies (I left town and everyone went into labor! I can't wait to meet Ruidoso's newest citizens)
- Baby Stella (we are used to seeing her every day; it's weird to go so long without her)
- Brushing Caty and sharing peanut butter snacks
- and the winner.... JACK! 

We have taken to watching home videos on our phones and getting choked up over pictures our parents are sending us. We miss him. My goodness, we long to be reunited with him. I know his grandparents have enjoyed this time with him and I am even glad to know that he is ok without us. But, all of the things we miss about home combined with the desire we have to be together as a family have given us an urgency to return to our town and jump back into the life we have built there. I think that is exactly what a vacation should do for a weary soul. Tomorrow, we plan to focus and finish strong here and then Ruidoso, here we come!