My four children have been away now for 6 days on vacation with their father and my ears are starting to hurt.  I cannot express enough how much I miss all the noise.  It has been so quiet that the silence is deafening.  It’s been so unbearable for me at home that Miss Natalie and I have been doing all we can to avoid the place all together.  I have been out and about more in the last 6 days than I have been in the last 6 months.  I find any reason that might remotely seem logical to leave the house and get away from the stillness.  I even took that poor baby girl minivan shopping!  I mean, who takes a nearly 1-year-old minivan shopping for hours on end?  Well, a mother desperately avoiding her empty nest, that’s who!

And speaking of my baby girl….thank God that I have her at home, and I’m so grateful for her company.  She may only be a few days shy of 1 year old, but she is one of the best companions I could ever have.  Just her smile lights up my world and gives me the motivation to keep moving and not sulk like I feel the need to do since the kids left.  She is growing so fast and learning so much that her zest for all things “new” in her world makes waking up each morning an exciting adventure.  I am truly grateful for this one on one time with her and I see now that it’s been a blessing in disguise….a silver lining to missing my other children so much.

And how are the other kids doing?  Very well…they call each evening and tell me all about their day.   Swimming at the pool, rock climbing, going to the beach, and a couple days at Universal Studios are just a few of the fun events that have filled their time in Florida.  Hearing the excitement in their voices each night gives me comfort.  I find solace in knowing that even though I am missing them terribly here at home, they are having the time of their life with their “other” family.

And as sick and twisted as it may seem, I also find comfort in hearing that twinge in their voice when they say good night…an inflection in their voice ever so subtle that lets me know they are missing me too ;o)