Home again

After a week in Texas, Macie and Chase arrived home safely yesterday afternoon. They spent the week with my great aunt Lynn and great uncle Guy. I used to spend my summers lazing at the lake with them. We really haven't had much of an opportunity for our kids to spend any time with my mother's family so I was grateful that they could go and that Lynn and Guy were up for the challenge! They went fishing, swam in the lake, learned to bait catfish, shot a rifle, rode a 4 wheeler(Macie flipped it into the lake!) and got to be kids.

While they were away I got to experience what it is like to be the parent of only 2 children! Boy what a difference! I enjoyed my time with Avery and Owen and was surprised at how much more relaxed I was. It's so much easier to say "yes" when you only have two kids to worry about! Owen's best friend Carter and his family joined us for the Fourth of July weekend. To say he was in heaven is an understatement. It was pretty much Owen and Carter 24/7.

Now that we are all back under one roof, it is definitely a reality check. I feel my stress level rising with the sheer managing of 4 loud and busy kids. It was a nice experience for all of us to have. Them to experience some freedom and get away from their day to day grind. For Owen and Avery to finally be the "big kids" and get me and Stew all to themselves. For as much as we all enjoyed it though, I'll take my crazy four any day! It feels good to be home again!