Owen and I got home again on Saturday night. It was indeed good to be home. I can remember my first few months on the road with Images being so incredible and I had no reason to go home. I loved being out and couldn’t see any need to hurry home. Now…it’s so different. Owen and I were both aching to see Kris and to feel the safety and warmth inside the walls of home.
Friday night Owen didn’t want to go to sleep in the hotel room. I tried putting him in the pack-n-play the hotel provided but he cried so pitifully I couldn’t stand it. Then I tried just laying him in bed with me and he continued to cry. I wasn’t sure if I was going to get any sleep or not. Finally he was so worn out he fell asleep in my arms and I was able to lay him down beside me in bed. We both got about 5 hours of sleep which isn’t too horrible. The next morning he woke up unsure of where he was but as soon as he saw me he laughed and seemed to remain in a good mood the rest of our time in Dayton.
Henry and I drove to the arena and performed 2 sketches with Brent while Elizabeth watched the boys in the hotel room. Owen fell asleep again about 20 minutes after I left him with her and I had to wake him up when we came back to check out and pack up the van to go home. We all went back to the arena to pack up what was left of the product and gather up the props one last time. Brent went to lunch with the rest of the event staff and Henry and Elizabeth, the boys and I went to Tropical Smoothie for wraps and smoothies. We were of course invited to join the rest of the staff but opted to do lunch on our own in hopes that we would be done faster and get back on the road in good time.
As we piled back into the van I commented that I was glad that we don’t do this anymore. It was a very good weekend and a lot of fun, but there are so many stresses that follow that lifestyle it is a blessing to be able to come home to my “normal” life and hang out with my family. I love traveling and I honestly think I could do it again under different circumstances. I just would have to have my husband with me and be very particular about the way all aspects of road life are handled. It is a touchy business and the hazards should not be taken lightly. God did great work this weekend…hundreds of students made decisions to follow Christ and that makes all of it worthwhile. Another neat thing was traveling with the Jernigans was really fun. Henry, Elizabeth and Pierce were all three laid back and easy to get along with. In fact…Owen was the one who got whiny. He was having a hard time with an incoming tooth and poor Pierce who sat beside him felt his pain so distinctly, he cried whenever Owen did. Soft hearted little guy. We put some Baby Beethoven in the DVD player and this calmed all ills for those under three years old. The rest of us dealt with it as the lesser of two annoying noises.
Owen was eager to get into his crib when we got home last night and fell asleep quickly and quietly. I was exhausted and followed suit in good time.
This morning we had a wonderful Easter service at church…everything went so well. The music the preaching the worship…I thoroughly enjoyed it.
We had lunch with the Buttons after church and it was so good to see them again. I was able to see little Halle for the first time and she ranks right up there with Amanda and Chloe in the beautiful department. Travis and Amy just make good looking girls. Chloe was adorable as she chattered about her Easter dress and so politely thought of each person at the table in regard to the distribution of Maraschino cherrys. She wouldn’t take the last one until I told her that I didn’t want one. Amanda is almost old enough for her learner’s permit and we were all very excited for her. She is growing more beautiful inside and out as she matures.
Owen just got up from a long hard nap and Kris and I have been laying about the house enjoying the quiet and the coziness emphasized by the rain and thunder outside. It’s been a good weekend.
I was surprised to hear that you ended up taking Owen, but it sounds like it worked out so well- apart from the 5 hours sleep thing. (enough sleep…but certainly not the preferred amount, eh?) And I’m sure it was so much fun to show him around, cutie pie that he is.
It was fun to have him along and I think I would have been very lonely without either of my two favorite guys. It was nice for Kris too because of a few things that he needed to take care of at the old house. Work that would have been a lot harder and slower with a toddler to look after.