Our three little travellers just had a two-week visit to Grandma and Grandpa's house...without Mommy and Daddy. They had so much fun going to VBS, visiting playgrounds, staying overnight at a water park, flying with Grandpa, and so much more! There were a few special girl things at a Sleeping Beauty dinner theater and a tea house. The boys visited the Air Force museum and toured a former Air Force One.
Then our young journeyers return home. After so much fun and adventure packed into two weeks, it's no wonder there are a few bumps as they re-acclimate. They are tired from all the excitement and travelling. Though they are not without boundaries at Grandma and Grandpa's, things are different. David and I jokingly call the time of re-entry "de-tox." We know emotions are going to run higher. We know there will, once again, be testing of boundaries. This time has just been a little harder than we expected.
Our oldest traveler started a high fever the day before they were driving home. But other than that, she has done amazingly. There have not been more than a couple instances of testing or such. She has done this enough times now to know how things go.
Our second, has had the most difficult time. Today is only the fifth day since their return, but there has been significantly more turbulence than we anticipated. We have seen A LOT of attitude for every little thing, along with many other bumps. As I said, we expected some of this. It happened last year. But something else seems to be going on. I've tried to work through the reasons. This is a time of big changes for this one, historically and presently. We are nearing the anniversary of our son going through the biggest changes of his young life. He's starting to think about starting school and having a new sibling all in the next few weeks. I know there is so much going on in his heart and in his head. But it's hard not to take his actions and rejection personally. And I'm not doing a very good job controlling my reactions. Tonight I've been thinking through so many ways for both David and me to consciously give him more time and attention.
This was the first of such trips for our youngest, so we were not quite sure what to expect. I was a little bit worried about how he would do for such a long time. While away, it seemed like he barely noticed that we weren't there. He did seem to return home with an ever-present whine in his little voice. He's been quicker to tantrum and to cling. But I think he is slowly starting to work out of those.
We are glad to have the kids home again. Though it was nice to relax and rest for a time, the house and my days felt pretty empty. We missed the hugs and snuggles and giggles. We missed the kids.
I am grateful they are able to go and enjoy special time with family. I am grateful we have several weeks together before school and more craziness starts. I am especially grateful for the example I have of my Heavenly Father who loves me as I am...even with my testing, whining, rejection, tantrums, and attitude. Praying He'll help me love the same way.
