BACK TO NORMAL

All is back to normal, home is finally home again. Flicka and Camo are home with Hunter and I. We have slept under the same roof for 3 nights in a row now; sleep is much sweeter when all is right in the home.

Don't get me wrong though, it is no fairy tale. When I say back to normal, it includes more than just everyone being back at home. The kids arguing, cooking dinner again (took a break from that when the kiddos were away), running kids here and there again, increase in laundry again, etc.....

Ah, normal - it is awesome, and it is exhausting! But, I do love it!

My normal may be crazy to some, but to quote a line from a Jimmy Buffet song - "if we weren't all crazy, we would all be insane!" (I will learn how to upload music clips, and do links soon, I promise)

So, share with me. Is my normal crazy? What is your normal?

HOMESICK!

Is it possible to be homesick when you are still at home???

You may think that is a strange question to ask, but for me right now, I am at home, but a little homesick. What does that crazy girl mean, you are probably asking yourself. Well, we are now into July and summer is too close to over, and my kids are still away from home. I'm not homesick for my house, but for my home the way it should be - with Flicka and Camo at home with Hunter and me.

I have enjoyed the break and the alone time with Hunter. Hunter and I definitely needed the time together, we have so enjoyed the conversations without interruptions, the life without much of a schedule, the few dinner dates we had, etc.... But now, I think it is time for my home to return to normal.

Flicka and Camo have been gone for almost the entire summer. They were home the first week school was out and then both left for camp - Flicka for 2 weeks and Camo for one. Camo returned from camp and went straight to the grandparents in the country. Flicka came home and then switched places with Camo at the grandparents. Camo was then home for only 2 nights and left to go camping with the other grandparents. These brief moments with the children have been nice, but I am ready to see them daily again.

I love that they enjoy spending time with their grandparents and do not get homesick for me when they are away, I love that they are independent and happy, but I do miss them when they are away.

So, even though I am at my own home, I am still a little homesick. They will both return home on Thursday, and I am looking forward to a restful sleep in my home as it should be - all the family under the same roof!

The Family - part 1

I want to introduce you to my family, but think it is best if I start by introducing myself a little further. As I said, in my "all about me" I am a wife and mother, and I do work full time.

My Blog Name: You may have noticed I sign my blog with the name "Shortone." There really isn't a deep mystery to my blogging name, I chose it because it sums be up, and has been my nickname in some form or other for most of my life. Yes, you guessed it, I am not very tall. I believe I reached my full height around the 6th or 7th grade; that height is just under 5', but I do fudge a little and list my height as 5'. This lack of height is not something that has ever bothered, me and I have been known to use it to my advantage at times (i.e. short people can get through large crowds virtually unnoticed!)

My Job: I changed careers around a year ago. I am currently self-employed - an independent agent for a very well known insurance company (think about a duck!) I love this job; it gives me an independence that I never had before. It brings something new each day, and gives me the flexibility to be with my children when needed - I can set my own schedule, and I don't have to answer to anyone. The flip side of that is that if I don't work, I don't make money. So, I do still work as much as possible.

The Rest: I am from a very small southeast Arkansas town. My parents still live there and it will always be home to me. I left when I went to college. I ended up in a very large central Arkansas town via college, and marrying someone who is from that town. We actually live in one of the smaller suburbs of the larger town. We live approximately 5 miles from my in-laws, which is awesome. I am very lucky and have some of the greatest in-laws ever; and of course this makes it easier for the spoiling of their only 2 grandchildren. For the most part we love where we live, but do hope to get back to the country at some point - I am still a small town country girl at heart.

A little more: Just a few more fun things to know: I LOOVVVEE country music (not obsessed with it like I was when I was younger, but love it!) A few of my favs are Alabama, George Strait, Tim McGraw, Martina McBride. On the flip side of the charts, I love 80s music, especially the hair bands, and mostly Bon Jovi (Jon Bon Jovi just gets better looking with age!) I also love to cook, watch Razorback football (and basketball sometimes), I'm a Girl Scout Leader, and will chase my kids to any activity they are interested in at the time (more about that as I introduce my kids to you.) I love my husband as much now as when we first got married, and probably more! Of course most importantly, I am a Christian, and believe in God.

This gives a little peak into me, and I will share more as we go. You will also learn more about me as I introduce my children, husband, and on occasion other members of my family (siblings, nieces, nephews, etc...)