the unplanned absence.

Well, hello there. Remember me? Sometimes I blog. And other times.... not so much. This has been one of those times. Really, I didn't even plan to take so much time away from the internet. It just sort of happened... and you know what? It was nice. I enjoyed not getting on facebook all the time, not checking into my google reader (which, by the way, is out of control. eeeeep) each day, not saying to myself "I need to blog, it's been too long!!".

Instead, I hung out on our patio with my family in the morning sunshine, eating breakfast and watching Rosalie toddle around while Emma and Annabelle swung happily.

I stayed up way too late each night having copious amounts of fun and got up way too early, thanks to a certain one-year-old who does not understand sleeping in.

I went to the beach with my mom and sisters and my girls where we played on the beach all day and ate ice cream.

I baked cinnamon rolls, and cookies, and made tiramisu, and generally consumed more desserts than anyone really should.

I celebrated Mother's Day with my very own mother, and my sister's birthday with her, for the first time in years.

I discovered that yes, you can in fact fit 13 people under one small roof, and it's actually quite a lot of fun.

I threw an Italian dinner party for my Lydia's 20th birthday, complete with incredible amounts of pasta and bread (mmmm), a backyard that looked rather magical, and wonderful friends and family.

I learned a lot about healthy eating from my ever-amazing mom. (Yes, I realize this conflicts with the cinnamon rolls and cookies and tiramisu. I didn't say I actually applied it.... yet)

I went grocery shopping. A lot. Turns out lots of people will eat lots of food! who knew!

I was silly and goofy and laughed every single day.

I danced to Glee, all of us in the living room jumping up and down and singing our little hearts out.

I planned a recital for my 8 piano students, and now I am eagerly and happily awaiting Tuesday night when I can officially burst with pride for these young people I get to teach.

I made new friends. One can never know too many lovely people.

I cut ten inches off my hair (and Emma's too!).

I watched my children get to be with their aunties and uncle and their grandma and grandpa every single day,

.... and there is much much more that has filled these past weeks, things that fill my heart with thankfulness and make me smile. To sum up, it has been an incredibly busy (and exhausting, but in the best way) and thoroughly enjoyable, oh-so-blessed couple of weeks.

My house seems rather empty, and I very much miss our dear ones already. But I am glad to be here again, and ready to get back into life as normal... which, come to think of it, can be quite a lovely thing too!