WOW! Our long-planned trip has come and gone! We're exhausted, but left with memories worth the time and struggle. Like great-grandparents playing with babies, aunts and uncles experiencing the grandparent heart tugs, celebrating my dad's 86th birthday, and sitting through church at my dad's, all so he could be the proud patriarch showing 20 of his clan.

We arrived safely and began work immediately on the deck at Jenny and Jon's. Little Paul, now 13 weeks, is really fun. I wonder if he's adapted to not being held since we left -- he loved talking and cooing, all the time. Such an EASY going baby!! And Emily was busy, busy, busy, not unlike her mother. Within 20 minutes of Joy's arrival with Luke, Emily was taking Luke to the potty -- and he did it! They had great fun together!

Lora and Andrew arrived at Jenny and Jon's at a very good time. Lora was all round support and an extra watchful eye, and Andrew brought both construction and managerial skills. Jon learned one week before the trip that instead of the week off work to build the deck, he would have to be in class. He worked HARD every moment he was off, had much more grunt for digging postholes than one good looking Grandpa I know (Larry!), and was a pleasure for Larry to work with. Larry, Andrew and Jon worked together two days, and Larry and Jon for more. We left with the deck sufficiently together that Jon could finish.

Easter Sunday we were all in Ohio at Grandpa Duncan's. All five sisters and families (with exception of one brother-in-law who had to work, Jenny's family of four, and Joy's Jer and son Ian) were there to celebrate. THANKS, Sisters, for coming! We had Lois' good pork roast(s) (Lois loves recipes!), Christie's beautiful cake, and Sarah and Esther's extras. Sarah's Ann did an elaborate show of decorating cookies! Luke played with everyone (as long as Mama or Gramma or Papa were close by). He was a hoot and a hit, and everyone helped watch him on the steps! but washed out by 5, Gramma Linda and Gr Duncan too! We 3 hid upstairs. Such fun, so good to hear all the laughter, good for me and for Daddy.

At Gr and Gr Pusey we had a bed and even ROOM to ourselves! So all of us had at least 2 good nights' sleep on this trip. Luke had congestion, so heavy breathing, and I snore badly if not using my CPAP. Separate rooms and time alone with the Pusey grandparents were such a blessing. Luke loved playing with Grandpa (Paul) Pusey, and Grandpa loved it too. He loves soft textures, and faded into their fur carpet quickly. Grandma Lucy always has her sticky pecan rolls on hand, and we made good work of them.

Our trip home had one good flight and one bad one. Joy had told me that Luke didn't travel well. On the first flight (3 hrs), Luke played hard in her lap for 2 1/2 hrs, till we had to turn off the DVD player for the descent. That was the beginning of a very unhappy time (UNDERSTATEMENT!!!) but we did land in one piece. Right before boarding for the next flight, Luke fell asleep on my shoulder (aaahhhhh!!!) and slept for an hour plus. When he awoke, we did everything imaginable to keep him happy, including playing a game with M&Ms as we descended. With about 20 M&Ms in his belly, he finally sat in Mama's lap, looking like "what's happening?" Joy was even a little scared at his quiet. Thank God for a better flight!

After arriving at Joy's, Larry and I had planned to go to Olive Garden (which WE don't have in our town!), watch a dvd and go to sleep. When stopping at Walmart, Ian spied us in the parking lot, and began screaming, "I see my Gramma and my Papa!" We assured him we'd see him at home, and there watched "Night at the Museum" for about 30 minutes as he gave us a minute by minute narrative, as do kids -- big or little -- who've watched a movie a hundred times. SO CUTE! So fun. So great to be loved, both for him and for us. Luke was already asleep, and as soon as Ian went to bed, we did too!

BACK HOME! Oh, thank God for all we have, even if we've plywood floors and stairs while we await the flooring installation. Thank God for good job to go back to, and a day to rest before jumping back in. Thank God for 3 sweet daughters who appreciated the trip and told us over and over, 3 dedicated sons-in-law to whom we feel even closer and admire more, and 4 healthy grandkids. Thank God also for the health of our parents!!!

I'm glad for a few days rest, but I'm eager to sub again soon. At Joann Fabrics a few days ago, a little guy came up to me as I was perusing the aisles. "Hi," he drawled. I looked up and hugged him, not remembering which class he was in, nor his name. "What's your name?" he asked me, and I told him. "And what's your name? I don't remember which class you are in." He told me, and I let him know I'd be teaching his class later this month. That meant so much. A kid who couldn't even remember my name, remembered that I had loved him.

As Joy said on her blog, I want to help, teach, guide, assist, all I can in this life. I want to grow old so I can keep praying for my family, and everyone I can encourage or love. But as Joy has learned, and my Daddy said when I was just a young adult, "they won't remember what you teach them half as much as that you loved them."

Life is hard. Life is good. God help me slow down so I can keep at it longer!