Finally Friday!

This week has gone by too freaking slow.  I'm so happy it's Friday...and after today I can go back to sleeping in until 8 and doing stuff I wanna do during the day.  Like sort my teaching stuff, or go swimming, or lay on the couch all day and watch trashy TV, or go to the gym.

Today is my last day of teaching camp classes.  I've enjoyed it.  It's been fun.  But I don't know what I was thinking when I agreed to do it - knowing I'd have to get up at the butt crack of dawn.

It didn't help that I slept like crap last night.  I was still wide awake at midnight - and my alarm was going off at 5:30. 

I slept like crap because I got an email right before I went to bed last night.  An email I probably wasn't supposed to see, and shouldn't have looked at before going to bed.  Can't go in to any details - but let's just say it was enough to get my mind racing.  A racing mind equals a non-sleeping mind. 

So, now, I'm all tired and a little cranky and my mind is STILL racing with images started by that email.

Yesterday was an exhausting day at camp.  I got to teach a class of 6 year olds.  You all know how much I love 6 year olds, right? That's kindergarten age.  They make my heart rate increase, my head start spinning, and my palms sweaty.  If there was or is a phobia or kindergarten kids - I have it.  Yes, even being a teacher.  Kindergarten children scare the bejeezus out of me... because they are very hard to settle down, have way too much energy, and have the attention span of a gnat.  And I was supposed to teach them about the importance of hydration FOR NINETY MINUTES!

But, I learned something I was very shocked to learn.  There are several six year olds that can't last five minutes doing physical activity.  Seriously.  The one class that I thought would knock my socks off in terms of the exercise segment of the class didn't.  What.  The.  Freak?

I also learned that the skinnier a child, the less energy they have.  No joke.  The one girl that down right refused to do any more than a couple of jumping jacks before crying that she was too tired was about as big around as my thigh.  She was so lethargic.  No amount of encouragement or support could get her to do anything.  I even got down and did sit-ups with her.  I knocked out ten in the time it took her to do three.. and then she was done.  She just couldn't do anymore.

Then, I remembered that I'd seen that trend throughout the week.  The really skinny kids had a really tough time doing any form of physical activity.  The kids that ran circles around me weren't skinny.  They weren't overweight.  They had some meat on their bones.  And then I realized - Duh, Joanna....I know that skinny doesn't mean healthy.

I'm still overweight - big time - but I know that I don't want to be skinny.  And by skinny I mean bones showing.  I don't want my ribs to stick out of my sides.  I don't want a collarbone big enough to hang clothes off of.  I want curves.  I want meat.  I just don't want handfuls of it.  If I can do more sit-ups and even push-ups than a six year old... I haven't lost all hope.  I can still do way more now than I could two years ago when I was hovering around 300lbs.

Today, I have the other group of children that make me very nervous.  The 11 and 12 year olds.  That's 6th/7th grade level.  That's where there's a lot of attitude, not wanting to do stuff cause it's too embarrassing, and I better find a way to bring Justin Bieber in to the conversation - or I'll lose the girls 5 minutes in.  But, it's also probably the most crucial age to get my message across to.  Their bodies are changing, they are starting that level where girls are obsessed with body image and boys are dreaming of playing professional sports.  And there's Facebook, video games, and cell phones to compete with.

I really have to buckle down today and do what I can to imprint some form of wisdom on these kids.  It will be tough, but I think I can do it.
 
Well, it's time to go.

Till next time. ;)

You've Got to Give Everything a Second Chance

Last week, I decided to try a new blog post idea that I copied stole borrowed from Draz (an amazing blogger).  It was called Ten Things Thursday.

I've borrowed several blogging ideas from Draz.  She just has a knack for writing, and then when I read it I get this delusional idea in my head that I'll be able to pull off a similar blog post just as well.  That's never the case, but I do usually always enjoy writing the posts.  Until last Thursday.  It was hard coming up with ten random things to write about - and I'm a very random person!  I think I struggled so much with it because I was still at my parent's house, and consumed by everything related to that.

Well, I've been back for almost a week now.  I thought it was only fair that I give Ten Things Thursday one more shot - just to see if I still do as bad as I did last week...

1.  I am now officially licensed to teach in the state of Missouri!  Got my email on Monday telling me that the Department of Education in Missouri are going to trust me teaching their youth and issued me a teaching license so that I can teach Pre-K through 6th grades.  It was a great bit of news to start my week.

2.  In the state of Arkansas, where I did all of my schooling to become a teacher and received my initial teaching license, I am only certified to teach up to 4th grade. I think it's crazy and very cool that I jump to another state, and earn the certification to teach two additional grades - just by submitting some paperwork.  Not that I ever had nor probably will have any desire to teach higher than 4th grade... but who doesn't love freebies when they can get them?

3.  I'm on a role with my teaching stuff today, so I'll go ahead and mention that the board notes from the last board meeting were published this week...announcing that I'd officially been hired by the school board.  Phew!  That's a relief.  Getting a teaching job isn't as easy as hearing the words "you're hired" by a school principal.  They offer you the job, then the superintendent has to OK it, and then the school board has to OK it.  Check!  Check!  Check!  Now, a month after receiving my job offer, I am now officially an employee of the school district. 

4.  This weekend, I'm planning a couple of kid-free outings for myself.  One being a night out with Sanity and possibly Hope.  We haven't had a girls' night out in so long.  Too long.  We need to celebrate the summer, celebrate finally getting teaching jobs, (Hope already had one, but she is more than willing to celebrate with Sanity and I) and celebrate anything else we can think of celebrating.  I am a firm believer that you're just never too old to go out for a drink with friends, make complete fools out of ourselves, and laugh until our sides hurt. 

5.  My other kid-free outing is another day at Bingo.  I'm starting to feel like a 60 year old woman... but dang, I love me some bingo.  I have no interest in any other form of gambling.  Plus, I'm due for a win.  It's been a couple of months, now, and my palms are getting a little itchy.  I need to come up with some extra cash for a down payment on a house somehow...might as well try my luck with an afternoon at bingo.  Please keep comments about how I should be saving my money to yourself..m'kay?

6.  I showed the kiddos in my nutrition class, yesterday, the picture of me before I started losing weight.  This picture...

They were genuinely surprised, and I was genuinely relieved that they were so surprised.  One girl said "you were fat in that picture, now you're just chubby".  I never thought I'd want to hug a kid so much for calling me "chubby".  It made me realize that even though I've gained 35lbs in the past year, I have still lost a considerable amount of weight since that photo was taken.  Enough to shock the crap out of a bunch of kids.  And then I realized that if I had still been at 212lbs - my lowest weight - that shock would have probably been about 10 fold.  I promised myself that I'd volunteer to go back to the camp next year and teach a similar class... but this time be a lot less "chubby" than I am now.

7.  I have been shocked at the amount of kids I can out-run and out exercise the past two days.  No joke. Seriously.  Stop laughing!  I haven't been able to run much, and I couldn't remember the last time I tried to do sit-ups or push-ups.  But I did them the past two days...and could do more than several of the small kids in my classes.  At first, that made me happy...then realization sunk in and it made me very sad.  If I can out exercise a bunch of kids that are less than 10 years old at my current size and condition - something is seriously wrong.  My lesson plans suddenly switched from the importance of staying hydrated to the importance of not spending your life in front of a TV or computer and ending up being me in 20 years. I heard after that several kids had opted for water with their snack both days rather than the juice and sweetened drinks that were being offered.  That's a start, I guess.

8.  I'm not one to stand on a soap box and preach about the health of our youth or the "obesity epidemic" but I've now decided I'm going to start.  But first, I have to change some of my current situations.  I will NOT be a hypocrite.  Or anymore of a hypocrite than I'm already being teaching a nutrition class while weighing 250lbs.  I personally believe that kids should be able to enjoy pizza, candy, and soda... but the kids have to learn moderation.  Or at least learn how to get out and exercise every once in a while.  I'm starting to feel that this summer camp class was somehow a sign that I've been given.  Yeah, there I go with my signs again - but it's true.  If nothing else comes out of it but myself getting a swift kick up the rear, and taking some of the wisdom I've learned in to my own classroom, that's good enough - for now.  

9.  I think it's high time I got my ever-growing behind back to the gym.  My gym offers free personal training, and now is the time to start taking advantage...while I have the time.  I can get up early every morning, head to the gym for an hour, and still be back home in time to spend some quality time doing stuff with the kids.  The twenty pounds I want to lose this summer aren't going to magically melt in the heat...no matter how much I try to convince myself they will.

10.  Ten Things Thursday is still really hard.  I want it to be funny, random, and upbeat... but that didn't happen today.  I gave it a fair shot.  But, I failed.  I got out some stuff I wanted to say - but I've somehow lost the ability to be humorous when I write posts like this.  Sorry, Ten Things Thursday, may you rest in peace.

Till next time. ;) 

The Importance of Staying Hydrated - The Class

I've told you all time and time again how long I've wanted to be a teacher, right?  I'm sure if I just posted the question right now and waited for responses - there would be a lot of correct answers. 

Twenty-Five Years.

Since the age of five, I've played, dreamed, and worked towards becoming a teacher.  I've taught, basically, for the last two years.  One year as a student-teacher and the next as a teacher's aide.  I've been nervous.  Not all of my lessons have gone to plan.  But, I can say, not a single lesson or class have I taught where I felt guilt, sadness, pleasure, anger, and happiness all at the same time.

Until yesterday.

My first group of kiddos entered the room.  They sat down.  They were a mixture of 8 and 9 year olds.  I introduced myself by name...and then I introduced myself to them by example.  I had four kids come up front and make a circle around me and link their arms.  I asked them to walk around the room with me.  They weren't allowed to break the chain they had formed, but they had to move in the different ways I asked them to.  I asked them to walk, bend over, move.

After they sat back down, I asked them to explain to the rest of the kids how difficult it was to do the things I asked.  They said it was almost impossible - they had a lot of trouble with it.  I then told them the point to that scenario.

That was me two years ago.

That's how big around I was.  That's how hard it was for me to walk, move, and bend over.  I explained how difficult it was for me to be on my feet for more than a few minutes.  How hard and tiring it was for me to walk around a grocery store.  And how simple tasks such as tying my shoe laces, buying clothes, and walking up a few stairs felt like running a marathon.

It was a powerful introduction.  One that I was pretty proud of.  It was true.  Then, my mind began to wander to how much more I had achieved such as boot camp, running 5ks, buying clothes in a regular department store.  And then, I remembered how far I'd let myself sway off course.  And not just while I was teaching.

For 90 minutes, I taught the kids how important it was to drink lots of water - and the nasty effects that soda, sugar, and fat has on the body.  I took the kids outside for a demonstration on fun exercise and how the body uses water during exercise.  I had fun.  They had fun.  They then got to drink a bottle of water, and then I gave them some Propel water flavorings to take with them to enjoy. 

After the class was over, I had some time to reflect on my teaching.  I felt good about how the class went, but I couldn't shake the feelings I was having.  I was proud I was able to share with them my story.  I was angry that a year ago I was MUCH smaller and much more able to do more activity.  I felt guilty that I had spent so much time telling them how important proper nutrition was, when I didn't follow my own advice.  I kept telling myself that my story would have much more of an impact if they saw me last year...when I was at my lowest weight, was in the best shape I'd ever been, and was living by the example I was setting on them.

I get to do it all over again today.

But, today, I've decided that during the time I get to sit and reflect...I'm going to go and walk, instead.  Why waste 30 minutes sitting when I could be walking around the building and getting some extra exercise?  I've decided that I'm going to drink water all day long and live up to the explanation of how much water I should be drinking. 

I weighed myself this morning.  The scale said 251lbs.  Not sure how I've gained 5lbs this past week.  Especially since I've been eating better and I did do some exercise - such as the yard work I did at my parent's house last week.  You can bet that seeing that number really brought my feelings down. 

I think I'm a hypocrite.

I stand in front of a bunch of kids - weighing 251lbs - and tell them why it's important to eat healthy, drink lots of water, and exercise often.  Especially since I eat like crap, drink hardly any water, and exercise minimally.  Now, anyways.  I can only imagine what was going on in their cute little heads. 

But, if they were thinking what I think they were thinking - they didn't say it out loud.  They did make me prove my claims, though.  They wanted to see me run.  They wanted to see me do a push-up, and a sit-up.  Thankfully for me, my body cooperated.  I was able to do ONE push-up for each class.  I was able to run the length of the field in a sprint.  And I tried with all my might to not show them how tired and winded it made me. 

It made me very angry that I had let my body go so much.

Seeing 251lbs on the scale this morning made me realize that if I lose 20lbs by the time I go back to work, I'll still weigh 230lbs.  That's not good.  And with each day that goes by that the scale keeps increasing, I make that number even higher.  Twenty pounds won't matter that much if I keep doing what I'm doing.  In terms of getting back in to my old clothes and shape, anyhow. 

So, I have a choice.  I bite the bullet, start living by example, lose the damn weight, and go back next year a completely different person.  OR, I keep doing what I'm doing now, keep increasing my weight, and go against everything I believe - the motto of teach as I say not as I do.  I don't like that motto one bit. 

But, only I have the power to make that decision.

Till next time. ;)

True Confessions Tuesday

It's Tuesday, so you all know what that means.  Well, maybe not all of you.  If you're new, you might not know that each Tuesday I get on here and make a list of confessions.  It covers all the things I probably shouldn't have done, things I should have done but didn't, and other stuff that I feel the need to share or say something about.  It goes a little something like this...

I confess that I'm pretty nervous about the summer camp classes I'm teaching this week that start TODAY.  In a little over a couple of hours, actually.  I got all of my notes written on my iPad yesterday, and so I feel a little more organized - but still nervous.  Which is really funny, being that I'm going to be a teacher in a couple of months.  But this is different, because it's 8 different classes of age groups, I'm teaching a topic I've only ever had personal experience with rather than proper training, and I don't know any of the kids or the people I'll be working with.  Except Sanity.  That part makes it all worth it.

I confess that I never in a million years thought I'd be spending four days of my summer break getting up at 5:30am.  I'd almost forgotten what this felt like.  I'm not as tired as I thought I'd be - yet.  But, the house is silent, my coffee smells and tastes wonderful, and my mind is clear.  I now remember why I enjoyed this time so much when I was getting up so early each morning before going to work.

I confess that I'm not wearing any make-up today.  I would never normally go to any job without putting a layer of make-up on, but I figure if I'm going to have kids outside running around in the heat... I better prepare myself to join them.  Me plus heat plus make-up equals one hot mess.  I'm going to go for an all natural look, and hope I can get away with it.  For the sake of the children, they don't need to see what I look like sweaty WITH make-up running down my face.  I think it's comparable with watching a wax figure melt in a fire.  I don't want to give those poor kids nightmares.

I confess that I had a really good session with Therapy Dude and Butter, yesterday.  We confronted a lot of issues.  I was able to let out some of my frustration.  Therapy Dude ensured me that I'm doing all of the right stuff, and it was completely normal to feel the way I've been feeling.  Phew, that's always a relief to hear from a therapist.  He also thinks that Butter's recent behaviors are pretty normal considering the amount of stress we've all been under.  Leave old school, move away for a month, prepare for new school.  It's a lot.  We're going to have a few extra visits this month, just to give Butter more time to work through some of his issues.  And mine.

I confess that I spent several hours yesterday starting the cataloging and packing up of my books ready for my classroom.  It's a lot more time consuming than just throwing the books in to a box.  I have to stamp each book with my name, catalog them in to my online library program, and write down the AR reading level in each book.  After about three hours, I packed just over 100 books.  There's only about 400 more to go.  Good thing I started when I did, I might actually be finished by the time I go back to work.

I confess that I love the fact that Katniss, my kitten, is curled up underneath my desk in her bed.  Only because Hubby said that she wouldn't sleep in a bed.  Nor would she sleep in the bed when it's under my desk.  He made sure to inform me that cats aren't as loyal as dogs are.  She won't follow me around or sleep with me or keep me company when I'm sitting here typing.  Really, Hubby?  Well, here's the proof...

I confess that having Katniss has really helped fill the hole I've felt since Asia left.  I know I haven't said much about that.  Only because it's really been too difficult.  I still have trouble when I get home from somewhere, and she's not there waiting for me by the door.  I know she's doing well with her new family, but it's still hard.  Thankfully, Katniss does all of the things Hubby said she probably wouldn't do - and then some.  One of my favorites being curling up in bed with me at night.  She sleeps exactly how Asia used to - right up against my back.  It's also a huge bonus that Hubby actually likes Katniss.  They get along very well, actually.  Having an animal Hubby likes is huge.

I confess that I ate better yesterday.  Still not perfect, but better.  It's something that will get some encouragement this week while I'm working.  Being that this entire week of camp is dedicated to cooking, eating, and nutrition - I might actually learn a thing or two.  Plus, I've made sure to add 30 minutes of outside activity to the lesson plan.  I'll admit, that part is for my own benefit.  I figure why not kill two birds with one stone.  I want to get in some exercise and I have to teach the kids the importance of staying hydrated while they play.  Might as well come up with a good way to demonstrate that.

I confess that I probably need to get my behind in gear.  I have quite a drive a head of me - and no idea what traffic is going to be like.  I better give myself extra time to get there... which means it's time for confessions to be over.

Till next time. ;)

Back to the Grind

I've been back home from my parent's house for a couple of days, now.  I've had a little time to adjust and get back in to the swing of things... and now it's time to get back to doing what I do.

This week is going to be pretty busy.

Today, I have to take Butter for his visit with Therapy Dude.  It's my his follow up visit post parent's house to see how I'm he's adjusting.  Therapy Dude blocked out an hour and a half for our visit today.  Does he know me or what?  He knows I'm going to be all up in there talking about my problems and stress.

Unfortunately, though, Butter has a lot to talk about too.  Some of his old behaviors are starting to rear their ugly heads - and that worries me.  I don't know if it's because of the stress of being at my parent's, being out of school, or knowing that he's going to be starting a brand new school in a couple of months.  Probably a mixture of all of it.  Whatever it is, I need to find a way to knock it on the head - now.  I understand that there's a lot going on right now, but we have to find a way to deal.  This momma has no problem admitting when it's hard to cope.

Starting tomorrow, I'm teaching a nutrition class for the rest of the week.  It's half a day each day, two classes per day.  For 90 minutes, I have to keep kids amused by discussing nutrition.  Luckily, I'm teaching the same lesson to 8 different classes. 

I've decided to teach about the importance of staying hydrated.  Sounds thrilling, doesn't it?  But, like I said a few posts ago - I don't want to be too much of a hypocrite.  I don't want to stand in front of a classroom of kids and tell them how important it is to eat healthy, when I am struggling with that myself.  Staying hydrated I do know a thing or two about.  Plus, I can incorporate playing around outside in the heat and following up with some good old H2O.  Yes, I totally plan on using this time for my own benefit of getting some exercise in as well as drinking some water.

Being at home has been weird.  I feel almost like a stranger in my own home.  I don't like the clutter or the mess.  I have some serious work to take care of.  Being at my parent's house somehow brainwashed me in to enjoying a clean house.  Even though I'll never really care for this house, much, I can at least work on getting it decluttered so I can be comfortable.  For now.

I've also realized that now it's time to put up or shut up in terms of getting back on my weight loss horse.  That poor ol' horse.  I sure do get up and down off of him way too much.  He's ready for a nice, long ride.  Not a gallop that only lasts a day or two before he's forgotten again.  Anyone else think it's weird that my weight loss horse is male?  No?  Okie dokie, then. 

I'm still determined to lose 20lbs before I go back to work.  I spent some time, yesterday, rearranging my closet and moving all of my summer clothes to the front and temporarily retiring my winter clothes to the back.  It was good for me to see the clothes I was able to wear last summer, but will have some trouble wearing this summer unless I do something about it.  I have so many cute summer dresses, capris, shorts, etc. that are dying to be worn again.  I could almost hear them talking to me.  "Oh, Joanna, do you remember how great you felt when you put me on last year?  Don't you want to feel that way again?"  Yes, clothes, I do.  I do.

My plan for eating is to go back to eating clean.  I tried doing it twice, and both times I had HUGE results very quickly.  The first time was the week before spring break.  I lost something crazy like 7lbs in a week.  Then, I did it a couple of weeks before school got out and lost 8lbs that time.  The problem is, I didn't stick with it.  I jumped off that horse way too fast...and so the weight crept back on just as fast as I lost it.

One thing I learned about eating clean is it's a do or die program.  After a few days, my body starts to adjust to the good things I'm pumping in.  That leads to a fast weight lost the first couple of weeks, cause it's unloading all the nasty toxins and water weight that's stored.  The problem is, though, if you don't stick with it - the weight comes back hard and fast.  I lost 7lbs in a week eating clean, gained it back in a week of not eating clean.  Lost 8lbs in two weeks, gained it back in two weeks. It goes to show that changing my eating habits has to be a lifelong commitment, or I'll be right back to square one in no time. 

I also learned that eating clean isn't expensive or really that difficult.  I'm just eating more natural products.  I'm avoiding white sugar and flour.  My taste buds really enjoyed the changes I was throwing down my throat.  AND, it's very easy to compromise with a family that isn't really on board with cutting out the foods they love.  If they are eating white bread, I eat multi-grain bread.  If they are eating white rice, I eat brown rice.  If they are eating something else I shouldn't have, I can throw a bag of steamed veggies in the microwave and have those instead.  There's plenty of room for compromise and adjustments.  One thing I love about my family, though, is that if I'm eating healthy - they are willing to eat healthy with me.  That part I have to be thankful for.

I have about 6 or 7 weeks before it's time to go back to work.  I'm not sure when my first day will actually be.  That's plenty of time to lose 20lbs.  If I eat clean the whole time, anyway.  If I had the results I did the first two times, anyhow.  If I really commit myself to working out a couple times a week, it should be easy sailing. 

I know I can do it, because I've done it before.  So, I need to do it again...and this time?  NO GOING BACK!

Till next time. ;)

I Didn't Realize Sleeping Till Noon Was Possible

Yes.  The title for today's blog is exactly what I plan on talking about today.  Sleeping.  It will probably end up being a snooze-fest (ba-da-bum), but it's just all I've got.

So, yesterday I went out with P-Momma and we played some bingo.  We didn't win, which sucks big donkey balls - but we had a good time, and that's all that matters.  Although winning a couple hundred dollars would have made it SOOOOO much more fun.

I get home around 11:30 last night, but I didn't go to bed until 1:30am.  Before going to bed, I look at Hubby and say "I'm sleeping until noon tomorrow, just so you know".  We both laugh...cause even though I LOVE sleep - sleeping until noon is something I haven't done since I was a teenager.

When you have kids, it becomes a rite of passage that there are no more days of sleeping late.  If I'm up after 9am, I feel like my whole day has been wasted.  There's just too much to do in a day to waste any time on sleeping in late.  OK, so there are days where I feel like a nap is in order - but even those days are very few and far between.

Anywho, I tell Hubby I'm going to sleep until noon.

I wake up this morning, and look at my clock.  What do my eyes see?  12:02.  Seriously.  I have slept until noon.  What.  The.  Freak?

I figured I'd feel full of energy.  I figured I had to have been tired in order to sleep that long.  I was up most of the night before with Katniss, my kitten, who insisted on playing with me.  But, once I got up I felt sluggish.  My back hurt.  Sleeping this late is not good.

Now, I'm looking at the clock and it's after 1:30pm.  I literally slept half the day away.  And I really don't like it.  I have no energy.  I don't want to do anything.

Plus, today is Father's Day.  I was supposed to get up and make pancakes with Peanut.  That obviously didn't happen.  But, I don't feel guilty.  I went out to eat breakfast on Mother's Day - but that's only because I put my foot down and made it happen.  If I hadn't of suggested it, it wouldn't have happened.  Sorry, Hubby, but that's what you get.  HA!

I did speak to my Dad a little while ago, for 3.2 seconds.  He HATES talking on the phone, so the conversation consisted of "Happy Father's Day! Love you!" with the response, "Thanks, Jo, and you!"  And, that was that. 

Now, I'm thinking about all the stuff I have to do today - and how much time I don't have to do it.  Although, on the flip side, if I don't do it today - I'll do it tomorrow, or the next day, or the next day...and I can go on and on.  Ahh, gotta love being a teacher.  Wow, typing that sounds funny.  Looks funny.  But, I really am a teacher now!

Seriously, though, being at my mom's for an entire month has done something to me.  Apparently, I lost so much sleep while I was there that I slept until noon.. but so much more.  I can't stand looking at the clutter in my house.  I can't stand seeing a bathroom that's in desperate need of some reorganization.  I can't stand seeing my bedroom with clothes that aren't put away or laying on the floor.  It must be cleaned!

So, I guess that's what I need to get my behind to doing.

I apologize for just boring you to tears with this post - told ya it would be a snooze fest.

Till next time. ;)

Home Sweet Home

I'm here.  Home.  Finally.

Got here around 10pm last night...and man, it feels good.

I spent all morning, yesterday, recleaning my parent's house.  I wanted it to be perfect, or as close as I could get it for their return.  I was also trying to stay busy so that the time would fly by - and my nerves would stay settled as much as they could.

At 3pm, I finally left for the 1 1/2 hour drive to the airport.  I got there right at 4:30.  The flight was supposed to arrive at 5:15, so my sister's boyfriend and I just walked around a little.  At 4:45, I decided to head back to the arrival gate and wait.

But there wasn't much waiting.  As I stood there staring at the arrival display, their flight showed a change in status - it had already arrived at 4:46pm.

My sister's boyfriend was there as a surprise to my sister.  We came up with a quick plan for where he could hide and decided the best place would be by the luggage turn-style.  I stood staring at the gate from where I was, feeling as if had been years since I'd last seen my parents.  Tears began to well up in my eyes...and I ditched the boyfriend and went back down to the gate.

People started coming through and I waited...and waited...and waited.  Finally, ten minutes later, above the crowd of people, I spotted my dad.  I couldn't hold my emotions anymore, and flung myself at him with a tearful sob.  Shortly behind came my mother, my brother, and my sister.  I gave my mom the hug of a lifetime and new tears sprung to my eyes.  They all laughed.  They thought I was joking when I told them I would cry when I saw them.

We walked down to get their luggage, and to give my sister her surprise.  She was surprised.. but I didn't have time to worry about that.  I was just happy they were all finally home.

The ride back to their house was very nice.  All of my nerves and fears were quickly swept away.  My mom assured me that she wasn't too bothered about the minor problems that had occurred since she'd been away.

We arrived back at their house close to 8pm.  My mom insisted that she get all the cases opened up and dig out the stuff she brought home for the kids.  I would have been happy to wait on that... but she wanted to.  The kids got some cute stuff - and I got something I've wanted for YEARS.  That would be an official Arsenal jersey.  Arsenal is my favorite soccer team.  I'm English, so I like British football.  Arsenal just also happens to be the rival team of my entire family's favorite team...so I knew had to have been hard on my dad to spend money on that jersey.

At a little after 9pm, I decided it was well past time to finally head home.

It was and is so nice to be home.  I didn't get as much sleep as I thought I would being that my kitten has apparently missed me and spent practically all night trying to get me to play with her.  But it sure felt good to be back in my own bed.

This morning, I've spent some time on my computer and went and did some grocery shopping.  Now, I'm waiting for P-Momma to get here so that we can have a girls' night out.   It will be so nice to have a kid-free evening.

Guess I better go unpack all my junk.


Till next time. ;)