Back Home Tonight

As I sit here, back home tonight at midnight after five incredible days in San Francisco with Joe (a tag-along on his advising conference business trip), I am zeroed in, not on the memories and adventures of this last week, but on my babies, sleeping peacefully upstairs in their  rooms. 

I am thinking about how the first thing both Joe and I wanted to do was to sneak into their rooms to tuck them in, kiss their cheeks, maybe even wake them  a little just to tell them we are home. How we did just that, side-by-side, together like we have gotten to be all week. Joe leaning over Lucy as I leaned over Noah, then trading spots... Both of us then tiptoeing into Quinn's room to watch him smile in his sleep as Joe replaced his binkie and lovey.

I am thinking about how, no matter how grand the adventure, how restful the break, no vacation can compare to the deeper current of joy in the dailiness of this backbreaking, heart-tugging work of parenting little kids. I adored the time with just Joe--- reveled in the freedom and excitement of adventuring in a magical city-- but this, right here? Home again, everyone asleep and at peace, safe, together? That is a deep deep joy. This is what life is about for me. 

I cannot wait for them to wake tomorrow so we can share our adventure stories with each other.... Them telling me all about "Grandparent Camp"-- their 5 marvelous days at my parents' house-- and me telling them about the lanterns in Chinatown and the cable car drivers on steep hills, and the seagulls at the Wharf and about the fog... I cannot wait to give them the trinkets we bought for them because they were on our minds constantly while we were away. 

I am thinking about Joe, sleeping now, having to dive back into his workweek with no break from the go-go-go of his past week... And feeling so in love with him. As a husband, as a dad, as a good-looking guy... as my partner-in-crime. 

And I am just..... really at peace. 

Tomorrow, it'll be back to the noise and there will be unpacking and busy-ness and probably kids talking over one another and one or two of them shrieking a bit just because they can.... but it'll be my world, and my kids, and everyone back in their usual spots, and it will be perfect. 

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Some of the many photos my mom was so so good to keep posting all week on Facebook while she wrangled the trio. She is an angel. A Godsend. So is my dad. THANK YOU, Mom and Dad!!! ♥

 Above: Splash park fun  |  visiting Dad at the Law Library | Noah getting to guest-conduct at a convert | Lucy and Quinn  roaming the neighborhood

Above: Lucy gets a haircut | Noah gets to do an art project | outdoor dining one evening | Lucy at the Splash Park | picking blackberries with Grandpa | bedtime-clad baby boy