july 31

the big day finally arrived!!  to say we were excited would be a huge understatement.  kevin dropped us off at the airport this morning, and we gave him big hugs and kisses goodbye.  we're going to be gone for 12 days!  my little travelers are all ready :)  so am i!

anastasia decided to make our visit a surprise for hanna.  so ryan picked us up at the airport and drove us to their home in snoqualmie.  i envisioned us ringing the door and hanna running to answer it, her jaw dropping open when she saw brooke.  what actually happened was probably even better... as we pulled in the driveway, hanna was outside.  anastasia had asked her to run over to the cesmat's for an ingredient she needed.  i yelled at the kids to duck down so she didn't see us, but it was too late.  hanna saw gavin first, and then i could see the recognition on her face.  i could see her little brain working overtime, "if gavin is here, brooke must be here!!!!"  hanna ran around the car to brooke's side and just started shrieking.  her mouth was open, her eyes were wide, and she was jumping up and down.  she literally could not contain her excitement.  brooke quickly scrambled out of the car, and the girls embraced.  it was the sweetest moment.  better than i could have scripted myself.  a big embrace and then brooke and hanna took off running for the house and up the stairs before we could even get a word out.  it was like no time had passed.  none.  they picked up right where they left off.  i hope they always do.

we spent the afternoon getting settled at the house and playing at the park.  gavin didn't really remember our house, and he kept asking me when we were going to go to the "big park."  it took me only a second to realize that our park was so much bigger to him in his memory because he was so little when we lived in snoqualmie.  he did not believe it when i explained that it was THE park.  too much for him to wrap his little mind around!

standing at the park, watching our kids play... i had this feeling that time had completely stood still.  almost a year had passed, but i was instantly transported into my former life and everything was still exactly as it had been.  except now, i am only a visitor.  and i'm ok with that.  i hadn't realized it until that very moment standing at the park, looking out at the mountains.  but i am ok with it.  i have moved on.