Ok, ok. I've been home for almost a week, and am just now getting around to blogging.
Shame, I know.
But I blame it on the jet lag, 100%.
If you have ever had the privilege of attending a lock-in of any sorts and suffered the next day because of the 24 hours you stayed awake, that's kind of how I've felt for about a week.
(I'm thinking specifically of the kind where you stay up for 24 hours straight, eat lots of junk food, play games like sardines, and watch movies you would only watch when locked in a building for 24 hours type of lock-in.)
Needless to say, my transition from Cambridge time to Dallas time hasn't been as smooth as I wish.
But.
I'm home!
And it has been glorious!
From the first step I took back into the states, I was greeted with the Southern hospitality I've missed. Walking through Customs in Florida was just about one of the best moments ever; every person I encountered said, "Welcome Home!" to me.
(I must have been radiating "I AM SO GLAD TO BE HOME" vibes...)
By the way, if you pack an apple for your lunch from one country and forget to eat it before landing in another country, a cute little beagle will sniff you out and you will get to do some fun things like extra luggage scans and friendly talks with custom agents. It is pretty much just like the tv shows...
I flew into Dallas and was able to see it all lit up. It felt a bit magical and perfect all at once.
I think Darcy might have missed me. Or, he just saw an opportunity with someone who will let him on the bed. (I'm going for the first...)
Since I've been home, I've been blessed to do what one of my favorite things -
spend time with family!
We take coloring very seriously around here.
Lil one with Aunt Ginny and Aunty B.
We've had some family dinners, full of wonderful food, drink, and laughs!
Aunt G is really good at decorating baked goods...
The bunny/gruffalo cake.
(see some similarities?)
So. Focused.
Best part about decorating!
I just can't even contain the joy in my heart from having all my siblings and their sweet families home this weekend, even if brief!
I returned to the kitchen (with my sisters!) and baked/decorated/burned some cookies.
(E decorated these, I promise.)
Lucy had some fun too!
Another added bonus to my timing of returning home, was that I was able to worship at a home away from home, my church!
I love so many things about this place - the worship that happens, the memories made, the people who make up the community there.
We had some fun there on Saturday, getting ready for Easter Sunday.
I've come home at just the right time. My time at Cambridge was beyond amazing, full of memories and people I treasure dearly, but my time had come to come on home.
I'm a homebody.
I love knowing where that one field of bluebonnets is near the house.
It still amazes me that for three years (and one more!) I've lived over 795 miles away attending graduate school when I went to college 54.1 miles away.
And for 100 days, I went a bit further.
It is good to stretch our limits and reach a wee bit farther than we thought we could, and I am grateful for the opportunities I have had and the opportunities yet to come where I will be able to reach, stretch, and grow a bit more.
When I drive the 795 miles tomorrow to spend this week taking care of things at school, I'll be grateful for the ways I've been able to reach, stretch, and grow on that campus in that community.
So, stay tuned. There's more to come.
More reflections, more pictures, more Olaf, more "aha" and "oh no" moments to share for sure.
Until then,
Easter blessings,
Katy
