BW & I just returned from a week-long vacation!!!!  BW had a 2-week seminary class called the Pastor's Home that is supposed to be taken with your spouse.  BW's parents went well beyond the call of duty to watch the kids for us from Sunday afternoon(Mother's Day) through the following Saturday.   We hadn't been away together for that long(just the two of us! We had gone on a Short Term mission trip 5 years ago) since our honeymoon.   It really did feel like a second honeymoon in many ways. 

Sunday evening we had the priviledge of attending the seminary Graduation.  I was surprised that I wasn't upset that we weren't graduating too - guess I'm growing!  I did tear up though as they called all the graduates forward to have them prayed for by the seminary staff and elders of the church.  The thought that all 70+ of these men are going to spread out over the whole earth teaching God's word touched me and helped me remember why we came to seminary in the first place.  Please lift up in prayer those men(and their families) who are still waiting for God to reveal His plan for them on where they will be serving.   What a blessing to be back at seminary and catch up with those who have been such a part of our lives in the past 3 years. 

We got to stay in a hotel! for 3 nights! No kids in bed with us!  Waking up when we felt like it!  Eating wherever we wanted and not worrying about if the kids would like it!  Not having to cut anyone's food!  Not having to cook for anyone at all!  Days with nothing planned and nothing we HAD to do!  We got to pick up my long lost van which had been greatly improved with a new transmission, new A/C, new brake pads and some other things that sound important but I couldn't tell you what or where they are.  Then BW surprised me with a great Mother's Day present - a new CD player for my van!  The tapedeck in my old van became extinct years ago when the kids decided it was a bank and put LOTS of change in it.  In our new area, there are few radio stations and I am so excited to get to hear my favorite CD's now when I am driving instead of static everytime I go over a hill. 

We received great teaching during our class and many "homework assignments" that gave us some  things to talk about that we usually don't have time for as we get stuck in just getting through life.  Topics included finances, conflict resolution/communication, biblical roles and goals for our family.   

On Tuesday, I was blessed to visit a fellow seminary wife whose baby had been in Pediatric ICU for a month.  The baby went home to be with the Lord on Saturday morning.  Please keep their family in your prayers.  And pray that there would be much fruit from the witnessing of the parents during this trial. 

What else? Visiting & catching up with friends, walking around at the beach, seeing Prince Caspian, shopping, napping, a great dinner with my parents - such a wonderful week!

The kids did great and had lots of fun with my in-laws.  Apparently, they didn't even miss us or ask about us!  Highlights for them included visiting just about every park in town, eating breakfast with syrup EVERY morning and not having to do any schoolwork. 

So, I've had my rest and was excited to come home.  Those big gi-normous hugs upon our return was a great reason to come back.   BW went back today to finish out the class.  He will then be out of seminary until January since the last 2 classes he needs will not be offered until then.   We will, Lord willing, be graduating next Mother's Day. 

Kind of funny to go from a week with no children to a week as single parent.  I might need another vacation sooner than I thought:)

Blessings!

-J