Turning a corner

I am sitting in a quiet house with two sleeping children snuggled into their beds for afternoon nap. Though Lily's naps have become less certain, this isn't unusual.  The difference?  It's 3:30, and they are completely tuckered out after their first day of preschool.  Not a peep from that end of the house.  And I sit here, having had a wonderfully productive morning of finishing one chapter, starting another, getting Canon's birthday gift boxed and mailed, getting laundry put away, more laundry in...and now a little break to sit and reflect on this new phase of life.

True, I've had a babysitter over the last few months so I could churn out this book.  But there's something infinitely better about being alone in your own house.  I know I am going to get to some of the projects that have been on my mind, use those spots in between writing inspiration to get the dishwasher unloaded or pick up a few toys.  Four and a half hours, twice a week, counting the time it takes to drop them off and pick them up.  I'll take it.

They both had a great time.  Lily told me that her favorite part was the playground, especially climbing up on "thirty steps."  Jack liked the time singing songs, and chose "Itsy Bitsy Spider"as his favorite song.  Jack made a little paper crown with a tugboat, and Lily made a book about God's love.  Everything I could ask for as my little ones come home from preschool.

And now, naps.

And quiet.

Vacation

As Lily reminds me, we are "far from home."  But that's not what defines this vacation for me.  I think it's more the fact that I have slept through the night without interruption every night since we got here, and have generally gotten to sleep in past seven while Grandma hangs out with the kids.  Jack has slept late; maybe he senses that we're on vacation.  Rest--that's a huge part of this real vacation!  Help with the kids, play time at pretty parks and the beach, swimming, it's all wonderful.  But on a much more basic level, I finally feel rested.  It may get undone on our drive back across the country, and we certainly will hit the ground running.  But I'm not thinking about that.  I'm resting, enjoying, and soaking up the days with sunshine and cool breezes and beauty and family and friends.  And I'm feeling really grateful for this break.