we dropped michael off at the airport tonight and as we said goodbye we were all eyeing the extra suitcase he’s taking with him. trying to figure out how we could manage to hide in it.

this isn’t his first trip back to america, but the last trip was work related and to california. which is not where we are from. this time he’s headed to dallas. where all of our extended family lives. when we lived in colorado he made this same trip every summer and the rest of us tagged along. he pastors a camp for abused children and while he does that the rest of us visited with friends and family in texas. and i think it’s just hit the four of us (that are left behind) that this has always been a family trip – which has us feeling a tad bit out of sorts. until the past few days i didn’t realize i was bothered by this trip. i haven’t exactly recovered from the rough time we had on our flights here and really had no desire to maybe possibly have that same experience again. but as we waved goodbye it hit me that i really would like to be going with him. i can now understand why the kids have asked me about 80 gabillionjillion times (i’m sure i’ve low-balled that estimate) why can’t they go. when can they go. and i also understand why they aren’t satisfied with my answer of we can’t go because it’s too expensive and i don’t know when they get to go.

we’re telling them summer 2010 right now. but keeping our fingers crossed we can make a visit sooner.

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to help this post end on a good note i’ll tell you about the most recent mundane things we found at the grocery store that have us more excited than anyone should be. the other day i found kraft macaroni and cheese. and i cringe when the kids prepare a box, cuz once it’s gone who knows if i’ll find it again. and tonight, on the way home from the airport, a11 and i ran into the store and we found marshmallows!! and then managed to gather up everything else we need to make rice krispie treats. which i will be doing tomorrow!! yum.