For the very first time Justin took some of the children and left the house for an overnight trip. He took Kate and Gabby to camp in a nearby state park.
Ellie, Nate, and I stayed busy playing, having dinner, and they took a bath together. Then I got everyone off to bed. That was when it got very, very quiet.
I've never lived alone. Ever. I lived at home until I got a dorm room at 19. In the dorm there were many people around all the time. I lived on the same floor as several girls I knew from the Wesley Foundation, and I had a room mate. I moved back home for a month after my sophomore year of dorm life and then I moved into an apartment with Justin after returning from our honeymoon. He rarely travels for work, so I am almost never home without him.
It was so odd to know half of our family wasn't under the roof. I tackled the girls' room to give me something to do. I made their beds up freshly, pulled out ill fitting clothes from the drawers as I carefully folded and placed the clothes in nice neat stacks. I matched mix-matched socks. I pulled odds and ends out from under the dresser and their beds. I placed these items on their beds to be put away when they arrived home the next afternoon. Next I tackled the kids bathroom. I scrubbed the walls, the vanity, and wiped it all down. Finally, I climbed into bed with a book. I knew it would be hard to sleep, but since it was nearly 11:00, I thought I might be able to fall asleep soon.
Suddenly the phone rings. At that hour, it is either a wrong number or something is wrong. Something was wrong, but thankfully not a big deal. Justin called saying they were not able to sleep because it was too cold, so they were heading home. I went to clear off the girls' beds and turn on a few lights for them. Once they got camp broken, they called to let me know they were on the way. I was able to tuck in the girls and kiss them good night.
It made for an awfully short night, but I was glad to have them home safe and sound. And I'm sure I slept more soundly with Justin home than I would have.
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