End of Vacation 2014

Today was the last day of Jon's 2 week vacation.  I am not sure he has ever before taken a full 2 week vacation in all of our marriage, surely not since he left seminary 12 or so years ago.  It has been amazing to be together all as a family for two whole weeks.  We made the (smart) decision to not go somewhere for the full two weeks but to sprinkle in smaller trips and be home for the rest.  With the ages and numbers of kids we have, I think this worked so well.  We got to have new experiences as a family of 10, but we also had down time to just...be.  I can't tell you how much I think Jon needed this break.  His job is STRESSSSSSSFUL, especially for the last 15 months or so, and he just never has down time.  Fridays are his only full day off, and that's not enough to rejuvenate fully.  I have seen the weight lift from his shoulders as he got to leave his phone at home and focus on himself and his family.

Tomorrow he will head back into the office, and catching up will be insane.  I'm sure he will wonder if it was worth getting away, but I know that it was.  Will it be another 12-18 years before he takes another such break?  Probably, and that is OK.  I knew I was marrying a man who is passionate about what he does and who works really hard.  I pray his time off gives him the boost of energy he needs to do all he does for so many people.  I loved every second of his vacation, and I know the kids did, too.

Tomorrow we are back to reality.  Jon heads to the office.  I take three of my kids to meet their new teachers.  I tweak the lesson plans one last time to start school with Basia on Thursday.  We load backpacks and set out 1st day of school outfits.  We set up Zade's little desk so he doesn't feel left out of the back-to-school fun.  Caregivers return (we love them, but we love normal family life more).