Home

Wow...I can't believe it. I'm finally home and it feels so good.

It's been eighteen LONG months since the last time my entire family was in the same house. As I sit here typing on my little brother's laptop, I can hear Kevin teasing Neil as he beats him in Madden on the X box. It's quickly becoming one of our Christmas traditions. James, my brother in law, adds in his two cents from the "sidelines," also known as our couch. My parents lie snug in their bed, while my nephews rest peacefully in the guest bedroom. As I sit here taking all of this in, my heart is happy. It practically sings with joy.

Suddenly, the 24 hour drive from BC to here doesn't seem so bad after all. In fact, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat just to get those first hugs from my family when we walked in the door. Ah, I am home...at long last, I am home.

Our journey was an interesting one, starting when we awoke on Saturday morning to the news that the weather was not so good in Washington. I admit it, I began to tear up at the thought that I might not get to go home. My hubby got on the net and began looking for other ways to drive, other flights to take, anything to get me home. He said, "Don't worry, you will be home for Christmas." It wasn't even the thought that I would be missing Christmas, but rather the horrifying thought that I might miss my little brother. See, he can only be home for two days, and if we didn't make it by tonight, we probably wouldn't have seen him. The thought of not seeing him was just too much for me to handle. I broke down into tears. So, I prayed. I prayed for wisdom, for better weather, for a miracle, really!

We got it. Kevin felt that we were supposed to leave and just see what happened. So, we got in the car and took off. A few hours later we were passing over the Snoqualmie Pass and it was clear! Just hours before there had been a massive snowstorm, but now the roads were clear. I knew it was the prayers. Washington and Idaho were a dream! Then, we hit Montana.

We always stop for the night in Missoula, and usually once we are through Idaho we get there quickly. Not last night. The roads were snowpacked and icy, and at points we were simply crawling along. We were so happy to finally get to our hotel. At that point, we decided that we would need more sleep than a few hours, so we phoned my family and let them know that we would not be home by five tonight in time for church. Of course my mom was fine with that, because a mother just always wants her kids to be safe.

We left this morning feeling optimistic...the sun was shining and the skies were clear. Unfortunately we soon discovered that didn't mean the ROADS were clear! Ugh...Montana truly felt like it would never end!

But, in the end, we made it. After 12 hours in the car today and some crazy singing to songs at the top of our lungs, while making up our own words, we made it.

And when I wrapped my arms around my not so little brother tonight and he hugged me back...I couldn't help it. The tears started again. I had made it. I got to see him. My family surrounded me and the hugs and catching up began. It's like we haven't even been gone...that's what it feels like when you are home!