Week 1

There have been plenty of quiet mornings in the past week. And I've (we've) been working on projects around the house with pretty big success while the kids are gone.

Every now and then I get updates from Oliver including pictures - which I love. It's amazing to me how seeing a picture someone else takes of them puts them in a new light to me. Like this on on the metro in DC...

They all look grown up - maybe it's the crossed legs or the dresses or the angle. I just know they loved it. I just know.

And I just know Alan loved catching the biggest fish in the pond. And I know it ate Holly up and probably led to her catching the most fish - 8.

And I just know they had tons of fun picking cherries and hanging out with cousins. And I can sense Alan's determination to pick from seeing him ignoring the picture session going on behind him as he picks.

And I can feel the determination he has to park the paddle boat.

I guess it goes without saying that I miss them a lot. I love being able to stand a little on the outside and watch what they're doing while they're gone. I can't wait to hear the stories. I've called, but they've been too busy having fun to talk. So I'm organizing the house and we painted Alan's bedroom. Finding things to keep busy. And checking my phone a lot.