Heading back home.....and leaving "home"..

The other night, Jack and Q made ice cream! Grandmama (Race's mom) got them a non electric, ball-shaped, ice cream maker that you roll around on the floor. You place the ingredients inside one end of the ball, and the ice and rock salt into the other end of the ball, then roll away! Even Walker got in on the action. They had the best time with that thing! The kids were so proud of for being able to make ice cream all by themselves. Pretty cool little contraption, that I believe she picked up at Lands End.

We have been here since Christmas day, and each day, Em, The Dude and thier boys have been over here hanging out and visiting, too. Em's boys are unbelievably good! I am always so struck with admiration when I see the parents of little ones who remain patient, see the humor in situations, and generally just realize that this is all part of the training! What a nice thing to watch. I am not so sure that I "got" that, when my kids were all little. They are doing a great job there, and it really shows in those little boys. They are just a joy to be around.


Grandmama and Frank pulled out at o'dark thirty this morning, heading south. We had a wonderful visit with them. Dad fixed steaks, baked sweet potatoes, and mixed vegetables for all 13 of us last night( Thom had to leave earlier in the day). We all had such a good time talking, exchanging stories and laughing. Grandmama and Frank had to turn in early, but some of us held on till the wee hours. Great fun.

Today, we head back home. When we get there, it will be quiet, and full of "to-do" lists. The kids will busy themselves with the Christmas toys that we left home on Christmas morning, as well as playing with the pets who will be so happy to see them after being gone. Race and I will take down the tree, (which is, no doubt a fire hazard at this point) we'll do some cleaning and just settel back in. I have a lot of school work to attend to in the next few days, and I KNOW that Race wants to get out in the woods to hunt some.

I am making Mom and Dad promise to come down to visit us in the next week or so, so that we can treat THEM for awhile. And we are also hoping to drive south a ways and meet up with Gregg and Lynette for supper or something in the next few weeks...(guess I need to let them know about that, huh?)

Anyway, our holidays are winding down, and I have to say that I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family. To have been given such a perfect example to follow in raising my own kids. My mom and dad love each other...FIRST. And then, they, as the leaders, led us. They would not be divided....EVER. My parents showed us what it means to be selfless. To do just TRY to always "do the right thing". Even when you don't FEEL like it, and even when it is totally unfair. To accept people for who they are, and to only judge people by their actions. And always offer second chances to those who royally screw up and would like to try again. But also to know where to draw the line when misguided souls would foolishly take advantage. They taught us to stand up for one another, and to stick together as a family.
These things.......seeing them lived out in an everyday fashion, with all their ups and downs.......are the greatest gifts that my parents gave to me. I am convinced that these are the greatest things that any parent can do for their children. I sincerely hope that I am giving my own kids that wonderful inheritance so that they can move it on down the line.

Have a great day!
Melissa