Home Sweet Home!

My sweet girl. How I missed her! Mommy had her first business trip in over a year and half. Got offered a few easy gigs (as a spokesperson/product specialist) for Nissan. The special events I am working are local, but the catch was a 3 day training in Nashville. We decided it was time I start doing some things here and there and gave it a go. I was gone 2 nights and nearly 3 days. More like 2-1/2 days really. Got home tonight in time for dinner. Jeff was super dad and his parents came down and stayed a few days to help. LOL, I am seriously thinking of moving them in with us. In the 3 days I was absent, Jeff's dad painted our front doors and shutters and sanded the porch. Jeff's mother cleaned out my refrigerator, did laundry, and tidied up the house. They had great bonding time with Rubes and it helped Jeff a lot so he could be there for Ruby but still get some work done. It worked out really well. They all went together to the movies and Ruby's first Pony class. We are so grateful they could be there this week. I really think it was a big comfort to Ruby cause she was such a trooper. And of course, Daddy is just awesome with Rubes. Can't leave him out of the credits!

The first night wasn't easy for her. She knew I was leaving and we had read a couple books about Mommy going back to work and leaving/coming back scenarios. She got it and was fine during the day, but when I called b4 bedtime she cried as soon as she heard my voice. Like full sobs. Oh my heart! I talked to her for a while and she calmed down and then Jeff's mom soothed her a bit but I heard it wasn't easy. Finally Daddy laid down beside her bed and held her hand till she fell asleep. (Sweet Daddy!) He also put my lullaby CD on so she could hear my voice. Such a sweet idea and she really liked it. So that was day 1. I was so emotional the night b4 I left that I didn't sleep well. I thought I'd sleep hard once in Nashville, but, again I tossed and turned. So weird to be away from home and be working again. I was a tad nervous about the full day of training ahead of me but mostly I was just missing my Ruby something awful.

Day 2 was better. Ruby did great with no tears all day - not even at bedtime! Training was a breeze and I got together with an old girlfriend that lives in Nashville for dinner. We had a blast catching up and talking over a long fabulous dinner. Slept hard but stayed up too late. So much for all the rest I was gonna get on the road. Ha ha.

By Day 3 I could have cared less about lack of rest. Was just so excited to go home. Jeff said there were tears when Ruby woke up and I wasn't there that morning. But as soon as he reminded her they were picking me up at the airport later she was okay. Oh her sweet face when I saw her at the airport. Jeff said she cried at first site of me. Our reunion was so emotional. I jumped in the back seat beside her and she looked at me as if she never really expected to see me again. She was happy yet still had tears in her eyes. Of course, I started crying too and Jeff just chuckled at his silly girls. The big one and the little one. I kissed her and hugged her through her car seat like a HUNDRED times and she kept looking at me smiling sometimes yet still in shock. We were all starved and went straight to a restaurant where Ruby finally started to loosen up and realize I was back to STAY. Then she got giddy. And oh so sweet. She jumped on my lap (facing me) after finishing her dinner. She stared up at me and touched my face and said "My Mommy!" or "Momma" and then hugged me again. Seriously, this kid is so loving I could have cried all the way through dinner. How she owns my heart! It was such a sweet home coming and by the time we got home she was sillier than ever. Dancing, singing, jumping around...so so happy.

There's no place like home. :-)