I took some pictures on Sunday at the prompting of my sister in law, and here a couple of my favorites... it has been a long end to a long weekend. We spent the weekend at my in laws house, which is always fun. However, it was a bit more business than pleasure, at least for Dan, who was helping to replace the deck in the front of the house. The rain kept interrupting him, and they kept running into snags. This meant that we stayed an extra 24 hours. This would be fine if it was just me and Jude, but the girls really start to act up (at least toward me) when they are out of their usual element for an extended period of time. They would probably do better if I wasn't there at all; I think it messes with their heads. They think they are on vacation, and here's Mommy, trying to maintain the status quo. What a party pooper! 
I am reminded of what a homebody I really am. Without enough clothes or diapers or sleep, I feel like I can't quite relax, and when my kids are not behaving well toward me, it's kind of a hit to my self-esteem. I'm fine now, with some decent rest and hindsight. My dear Mom and Dad Costa are so fantastic, and they really are a surrogate family. I can't relate at all to in-law horror stories, and I count myself blessed. Nevertheless, I hit a wall on Sunday afternoon, and just had to get home. So Mom Costa graciously offered the use of her mini-van, so that I wouldn't have to put a car seat in the front of our tiny Civic, and I made my way home.... ah, home.
The kids all slept the entire way, and an hour later we pulled up to our beloved porch, unloaded, and spent a wonderful 3 hours paying out there, eating dinner, coloring, knitting, and taking some pictures. It was amazing the difference it made to my soul. The kids seemed relieved to be there as well, but perhaps they were just happy to see me completely relaxed. Today, I got to put all three kids in the van, and go grocery shopping for the first time. Pushing a cart with one of those kiddie cars on the front , and Jude squeezed into his infant seat on the top, was like shoving a small automobile with no power steering around the aisles. But I felt good, and independent, and as if I were getting my legs a bit of a workout. An hour later, amid some pushing and hair pulling and whining, we loaded ourselves back up, and made our way home. Now my little ones are all tucked snugly onto their beds, sleeping like angels. I feel good. The first shot is Rowan, the second Vivi, and Jude is letting me borrow his head to size up a work in progress.
