It’s my last night in the states….it’s hot, humid, and loud. Fireworks are going off…and really, all I want to do is get the kids to bed and spend one last evening with my parents, watch episodes of 24. and get a good night sleep.

It’s been such a long trip. So long in fact that it feels strange to be leaving. Although I’m not really living in any kind of reality at the moment. In some ways I’m a kid again. I’m back home having meals cooked for me, being taken out to eat, and not having to really worry too much about anything. There are extra hands to help with the kids, and I’m not doing any laundry.

I’ve eaten way too much food and when I come back, I’m sure people are going to think I’m pregnant…but alas, it’s just a “food baby”…or “food triplets’ more like it. I think we have eaten out nearly every night this last week. I’ve discovered Mike’s Hard Lemonade…which I’m sure is responsible for a lot of extra calories…as well as rediscovering things like salt water taffy, chai tea frappucinos, ranch dip, taco dip, beer cheese dip, and various other high fat/high sugar treats. I’ve also had lots of home cooked meals between my mom, my sister, and the incredibly talented Leah Westbrook. So detox…here we come.

It was great seeing old friends. Some that I have not seen in a serious amount of years. It showed me that it really is worth it to keep in touch…people really are the most important thing, and time spent with an old friend is never time wasted.

I discovered I really liked Fish Tacos, and was determined to eat them everywhere I went.

I have decided that british people act a bit less annoying at musical festivals than americans.

I really do miss american customer service at times and the child friendliness of restaurants.

I will so miss my frequent visits to the chiropractor…..I want to bring him back with me!

Highlights of the trips were….

Seeing Iona surrounded by all her cousins at Jake’s graduation…all of them waiting for her to start talking.

Sitting at the outdoor fountains at Bayshore Mall with Nicole, catching the sun, watching Iona and Lexi play together.

Watching Fox New with Julie and Joe and not being able to stop laughing.

Leaving Iona for the afternoon with Granny and coming back and finding them both still in the water!

Watching the DVD of david’s sky dive and listening to him talk about it.

Walking outside and seeing Jon, Iona, and Judah all in the water…Judah happily floating in the baby ring.

Seeing Iona out with Sophia and their ATV….happy and confident.

Helping my sister put food out at her kid’s birthday party

Staying up late talking with Russell and Leah…later than any of us had stayed up since we can remember. It was like we were in college again.

Eating my mom’s grilled wild alaskan salmon for dinner the first night I arrived.

Being reminded of what good pizza tastes like.

Watching Iona playing the restaurant game with my dad.

Eating a totally over the top rich peanut butter chocolate concoction while out with Chris and Jen

Listening to Chris and Dave reminisce about Summerfest in bygone years…while at summerfest

Eating an everything bagel.

hmmmmm I could go on.

Not so great moments.

The whole nursing in public confrontation….the blog that ensued, and the drama that followed….still bothering me.

The long drives everywhere!!! nothing is ever a simple trip out!

The Iona meltdowns…..due to jet lag, staying up late with cousins, more sugar than she’s ever ingested…

Feeling like even though I was on holiday..I wasn’t really on holiday….as in…..I still had two young children to take care of….even though I had help.

Feeling like a foreigner…and realizing that when I go back home…i’m still an outsider….that panicked feeling of “ahhh where do I belong???” which most of the time I just live with

Anyway..thanks to all my family and friends in the States for what was a really amazing visit. It was the longest stretch of time I’ve spent in the States since leaving in 2001!!! It was worth it!