As I drove the final three hours of our 21 hour journey home, my mind raced over the To Do lists that I had finally written earlier in the day.  As I had mentioned earlier, my husband usually shakes his head while  I contruct my constant lists, and I found myself conscious of him even  viewing  my list.  I meticulously listed the rooms in my house, and exactly what needed to be done in each room.  I wrote a short time table for what I wanted to accomplish this summer.  I knew that my first and foremost task was the girls' bedroom. 

Don't be in shock, but our girls were ousted from their room nearly 16 months ago when we began construction upstairs.  Work stalled when my dad's back went very bad, and continued its stalled state when JP fell through the floor, major construction started in other parts of the house, and I began teaching again.  I was determined to finish the project in the next month even though I wasn't so sure that I could do that.  I never voiced the fear, and I was afraid to even allow the thought to creep into my own mind. 

My mind wandered to my friends, and the ones that I miss so dearly.  One might think that I am only thinking of those far away, but I was thinking in particular to those I live so near and hardly see anymore!  My two closest friends have felt so distant lately.  I haven't been able to spend much time with them because of our insane life.  I wondered if this summer would be different from those that I have become used to.  It was worrying me, and I tried to squelch that fear. 

When I pulled in my driveway, I was trying to look around and see if all my flowers died in my mother's care.  I know that sounds harsh, but If you knew my mother's lack of a green thumb, you would understand why.  Everytime I talked to her, I had asked how were the plants, and she claimed they were fine, but the fear was in the back of my mind.  My glance shifted to the other side of the driveway, and I let out a sigh.  "More Junk"  I thought to myself.  "Are we ever going to get this place not looking like we are hardly a step above trailer trash?"

Then it dawned on me, that was a NEW pile of drywall, and who in the world lined up the bikes like that?  I didn't get that done before I left.  My thoughts wandered to my parents.  I said to JP, "If my parents paid someone...."  I have been secretly very worried about doing the drywall. I was trying too figure out where we could find the money to pay someone to do it.  I thought I could hang two sheets a day, and make progress...

I went in through the garage to open the front door, and my heart was warmed when I saw this. 

I thought, "Thats Julie!  She is so incredibly thoughtful like that.  It is her special gift."  I continued to walk.

I was slightly concerned when I saw this.  I kept thinking of my garden.  I am so vain, and particular when it comes to my garden, and Julie had already apologized for the crooked rows.  She told me I was going to irritated, and I was trying hard to not let it bother me!  I was determined to turn over a new leaf....

I started to grin when I saw the remaining signs.  I ran back outside and said to JP, "Oh my goodness Honey, I think they hung the drywall!"  I was stinking excited! I knew that I could tape it, and I knew that I could mud it.  I wasn't so sure I could frame in the closet, but if my dad could watch me, I was sure that I could figure it out.  Maybe...

I wondered why Julie had asked several times about when we were coming home.  We decided to push through the night because I like to be home before people expect us.  It gives me most of a day to get caught up before life begins again.  But, I was so tired...

We started pulling out sleeping children out of the car, and JP kept asking if I went upstairs yet.  I hadn't because I was afraid he would be mad if I left him to bring in four sleeping urchins.  With his prodding, I headed upstairs to see this...

I couldn't control the tears. It began with a welling, and continued with bawling.  I sobbed and sobbed.  Jp came up to see what in the world was going on.  I cried and cried. I cried so hard, JP began to get irritated that I was crying so hard.  The girls woke up and were alarmed at my sobbing. JP was mad I was upsetting the girls.... I continued crying. 

THE FLOOR IS EVEN IN!  Yes, they laid the floor!  When I finally calmed down I saw the note (that I didn't take a picture of, but can't go up and wake the girls!) that said,

"We love you! 

Kevin, Jeremy, Julie, and Beth" 

II was going to give myself three days to pick up the disaster the kids had made upstairs!  Here is was cleaned up, organized, with beds that were made!  My girls aren't sleeping in the living room!  WOW! 

Sure, I have to work more up there. I have sanding to do, another closet to frame and a little more sheetrock, but those fabulous four people cut off the first two thirds of my ginormous To do list!  They made my summer so much less daunting. 

I AM SO BLESSED!

I felt like those who stand there and sob on Extreme Makeover.  I find myself cursing their crying because they have caused me to sit on my own couch and sob like an idiot for someone I will never know.  In my life, I will never be able to top the complete and happy shock that I was greeted with this early morning!

I will never be able to thank them enough. I will NEVER be able to repay them.  I just can't even express what kind of burden they have lifted.  I am so undeserving and so humbled...

Crap, I am crying again!