I know, I know.

To say I’ve been MIA would be an understatement. I’ve just been busy living. And you must agree, if one is to have a blog with any interest at all, one must live now and then.

And so I’ve been living.

A week and a half ago, Jameson and I drove down to LA — but you all know that already. Sunday night we came back home with Mom and Julia.

It wasn’t quite how any of us pictured the week together. Julia spent the first two days in bed, sicker than… whatever the expression is. Mom followed suit two days later. That entire time, Jameson kept up a hefty fever (and fussing) as a result of two molars coming in. Ryan wasn’t feeling his best, either.

But that was okay.

Because they were still here, in my little house, with me.

And in spite of all that, Mom and I managed to walk quite a bit, frequenting Trader Joe’s and local consignment shops. We also viewed several movies, as that’s a perfect pastime for cozy evenings together. Eventually, everyone was feeling well enough for a real outing, and we drove to Cost Plus, explored the mountain roads around Saratoga, and strolled through Palo Alto (trying on clothes that were ridiculously above our means, and having a blast anyway!)

Friday and Saturday, we all — Ryan included — headed into San Francisco. We did a little Golden Gate, ate at Fisherman’s Wharf (where I’d never been, so now I’ve got that crossed off), gawked at clothes we shouldn’t even be allowed to touch, and actually shopped at more consignment stores. Like this one, which I particularly like.

Sunday we got to share church with them, and then spent a relaxing afternoon in Los Gatos before heading to Jared and Andrea’s to watch the Sox win it all. Go Sox!

Today we managed to fit in quite a bit (perhaps because Mom and I didn’t wait for anyone else to get out of bed before we hit the road?), including a nice last supper.

We cleared the table, blew out the candles, loaded the van, and left.

Then good byes, and then they were gone.

I am soooo sad that they’re gone.

But I’m soooo much more thankful that they were able to come. Yes. I’m going to dwell on that thought as I head to bed.

Thankful.