It is a big deal for our family when there is any separation, for any amount of time.  We are use to the busy hours of harvest time in it's seasons, but still, even then, there is at least a moment for a hug, a kiss or an "I Love You".  Yesterday morning my husband left very early, with our oldest son, for a trip to Nebraska.  He had some machinery that he needed to pick up before this baby comes.  It was an all day drive for them, so they stayed the night and drove back home today.  Here is the scene your eyes would behold had you been here upon their arrival.....

The children and I are spread all over the house.  Mama is in official nesting mode, so everyone is pitching in.  The music is playing.  The toddlers are "helping" Mama organizing a bathroom cabinet.  The other children are each working on their own special cleaning project.  All of a sudden Mama hears the sound of a semi truck and goes to the front window.  She waits and finally she sees what she is hoping for!  Daddy and "Bubba" have arrived, and WAY before they are expected to!  They couldn''t sleep well, just wanted to get home so left in the very early morning hours for home.  The toddlers faces are full of glee and delight at the sight themselves, but the older children haven't heard what we have heard or seen what we have seen.  Suddenly a HUGE horn blasts and it is like a heard of elephants running through the house!  "DADDEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!"

At this point there is no saying anything to anyone as they are fleeing out the front door and running down the sidewalk to greet their "Big Boys".  My oldest daughter runs to her Bubba and embraces him like she hasn't seen him in AGES!  Her eyes are full of tears and she says, "Oh how I missed you!".  Next you can see our one and two year old being scooped up in daddy's arms as they giggle in sheer delight.  Then my oldest son runs to his 5 year old brother, wraps his arms around him and says, "I never thought I could miss you so much!  I am so glad to see you and to be home!"  My five year old excitedly hands Bubba a finely decorated envelope which he has had prepared for him since the morning before, while my 7 year old daughter leads them to the refridgerator to show them the airplanes she drew and letters that she wrote for them while missing them.  Bubba hears his baby sister fussing behind him, turns and scoops her in his arms saying, "Bubba is here now!"

I go to my husband and give him a kiss.  I can see he is weary and his eyes tell me he is so thankful to be home.  They had a great time, he tells me, but there is just no place like home and nothing harder than missing those you love most. 

My heart, right now as I type, is feeling so full.  You see, we are a normal family who goes through the normal emotions of family.  Sometimes we irritate eachother, frustrate each other and often find ourselves needing to set pride aside to make amends.  It is days like today when the Lord showers one with the blessing of understanding how very important each one of us is to the other.  How very much we are loved!  It is a time that moves me to my knees, thanking the Lord for blessing me with a family who loves me for me.  A family that I am safe with.  Today's reunion was a reminder for me this day to stop and say thank you to my Heavenly Father...for He has indeed blessed!