Thanksgiving 2008

I am gearing up for the drive home. I don't really want to drive tonight. I would much rather just be there, put my finger on the edge of my nose, and wham-o I'm there. But, no. I have to pack all of our stuff, shove it in the car, pile all five of the kids, two dogs and husband in two cars, listening to the kids fight about who rides with who, and then they will fight about who gets to sit in the front of whatever car they are riding in. Then, an hour and a half of the kids telling me that they have to go to the bathroom, and that they are bored, and "are we there yet". Woo hoo.
The last few days have been restful and relaxing. In spite of the fact that my parents get up at the crack of dawn, I have enjoyed myself. The kids have, for the most part, gotten along. I got to bake and make Thanksgiving dinner with my daughter. I also got to reconnect with a dear old friend.
Tonight, I will drive down the mountain, listening to the radio, turned up to drown out the volume of the fighting kids in the backseat, singing off key to the songs that I know, and the wrong words to the songs I think I know (but really don't), and changing the station when the songs I don't know come on. I will enjoy the last remnants of Thanksgiving, and then, I will walk into my messy house, with luggage, food and miscellaneous kids stuff. I will got to bed with a smile on my face, knowing that I thoroughly enjoyed my kids, my parents, and my friends. Tomorrow, the real world comes back. Work, housework, laundry, dishes, bills, all of the real world things that I have been able to avoid the last few days.
My daughter just came to me and asked me when we will leave. I guess it is time to end the vacation from my life, and return to the real world with all of its responsibilities, and with all of it's little joys.
I am so thankful for all that I have in my life. The material things, of course, but mostly all of the amazing people I have the privilege of having in my life.
Happy Thanksgiving!