Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

Yesterday we went on an adventure to Sonnenberg Gardens. Jim and Michele with Austin, Beth and her three children, Hannah, and me. It was a hot, muggy afternoon. I took a ton of pictures which will likely show up here and there for the next several days.

Minnesota has been here since Saturday. It's been a busy week. They say time flies when you're having fun, and we've had a lot of that. Austin is at an especially cute age, old enough to understand a little bit better who we are, and little enough to be terribly cute and funny. I found myself smiling this morning when he looked down the stairs, saw Lucas, Simon, and Aubrey, and called out "Hi, cousins!"

Today was a stay at home day, but not necessarily more laid back. The three grands were here all day like usual. That always makes for some wild activity... I made a double batch of stuffed shells and meatballs this afternoon, and the entire gang returned for dinner, ice cream sundaes in honor of a little girl who turns five tomorrow, and a grand fireworks display when it got dark.

Lots of hugs, kisses, and goodbyes were said as family members left a few at a time. I felt myself get a little emotional when Austin hugged Aunt Bethany and Jilly-a-Baby, but my time to shed tears is not tonight. I can cry tomorrow when the car pulls away and heads off down the road, and then remember to be grateful for the time together and love we share.

Tomorrow I'll be pulling the house back together, putting things away, and feeling the silence settle in. I'll await a call from the agency I interviewed with on Monday, probably take a nap, and miss the hustle and bustle of the past few days. And I'll settle into whatever comes next. Maybe I'll even take a walk.

I have some great photos from our days together and plan to print up one of the "grandchildren" pictures from the 4th of July. I love those group photos and I'm glad there are cousins of all ages. It makes a great little group.

A Minnesota grandpa saw this picture yesterday and said, "I miss that little guy." I have to admit, there is a little piece of me that is jealous. I want more than a week with this small grandson, and then I recall that he is the only grandchild the other grandma and grandpa have (No wonder he is so special.) and I am happy all over again that he has Minnesota grandparents too.