What to do without Sarah?!?

Well, yet again, Sarah has abandoned us. This time for the Catholic Youth Camp. Or as she has called it this past month - Catholic Fat Camp - because you have to eat salad before you get any other part of your meal, you have to drink a "huge" glass of water before you can have either more water, milk or sugar-free kool-aid. Of course, they're also out being active little campers - hiking, canoeing, swimming, etc. So, yeah every year she's gone she comes home a good 10 pounds lighter, tan as all get out and needing new jeans.


I do hope she's having a lot of fun there. She's in a cabin with one of her best friends, Hallie. Of course in the same cabin are people who she either is "okay with", "can tolerate" or "will try not to kill". So, yeah, I really do hope she's having fun. My mom, Joe, Alex and I all sent her mail - even her friend Meredith sent one. So I'm sure she's having fun with mail if all else.

Anyway, Alex came home today asking what we were doing tonight since Sarah's not here. I think I've set a nasty precedent for myself... we usually have "date-night" anytime it's just Alex and me. When I informed him that I was working and he was free to do what he liked as long as it didn't require much of my attention he looked all but crushed (yeah, poor guy). Thank goodness for Legos - he entertained himself quite nicely for hours.

Then we read 3 chapters in the book we're reading. I think we're going to finish book 6 (the last book) of the Warrior Cats series we've been reading. Leslie started Alex on that series - and like always I get hooked into these stories too. So we have 8 chapters to go to the end. But it was after 10 and pushing 11 when we stopped. I told him we could read all night long tomorrow if he wanted to finish the book - he was quite excited - so we'll see.

Anyway, the house is so darn quiet with just one less child. My niece Kierstyn had written a blog a while back when 2 of her 3 little ones were visiting their grandparents. Okay - I can see how the change in volume would be significant there. But Sarah's just one person. Granted she can be a loud one person. Or her music certainly is. Maybe that's it - there is no odd sound coming from her room (yes I've truly become a mom cause the music is called Odd Sounds). But whatever the reason, I found myself wandering around in her room this evening really missing her. I'm not sure why really - I mean yeah, I love her with all I have - but usually I'm not like that sad mopey "my baby's at camp" kind of mom. When school starts each year, I'm the first mom dropping off saying "bye! have fun!" But for some reason --- anyway yeah, I miss her.

In writing this I'm obviously trying to figure out why I miss her - I think it's because we really have been getting along very well lately. The other day she didn't obey immediately and I got really upset. She stormed off to her room only to come out less than 5 minutes later apologizing!!! I tried to tell her how very much that meant to me - I don't think she gets it still. But we've been able to talk about all sorts of things - even when we don't agree - and still do so civilly. Maybe that's what I'm missing - she's certainly not a "grown-up" by any means. But we have conversations about day-to-day issues.

Or maybe it's just this smile!!





Whatever the reason - I miss her and I'll be SO ready to pick her up on Friday afternoon!!