There's No Place Like Home

Our trip to Knoxville was WONDERFUL! :) It was SUCH a blessing to see everyone, be with them, and hear everyone's excitement about our wedding and marriage. Bear with me, as this will be a long post about our marathan sprint through K-town.

We drove up Friday afternoon and got to Tennessee just before midnight. We talked to my parents for awhile before we went to bed. Saturday morning we got up, had breakfast, Brad & Joy came over with Charis of course, and we got to have lunch together with them and Grandma. After lunch we went to Linens n Things to return some cutting boards I bought but we don't need--we have been generously supplied with beautiful wood cutting boards--no need for the cheap white ones I bought just in case. Then we stopped by my favorite used books/cds/media store, McKay's. Matt found 2 super nintendo games he loved as a kid. Basically we "made" his childhood and spent less than $5. :) It was so cute! :)

Then it was off to see Kylan, one of our bell ringers. He was so sweet and excited to see us. It was precious. It was really special to me to see him and his family again. After being in their home almost daily for the past 2 summers, my roots are deep with them. It was a great visit, and we even got to see Emma walking! We stayed about 20 minutes or so, then it was home again. Actually, we dropped Matt off at Best Buy to hook up with Dad and Brad who were looking at tvs and stereos. :) Guilford men. %-) (rolling eyes) My brother Matt stopped by before heading out on a business trip. It was GREAT to see him. He might come down for a visit soon, so that's exciting. :) And Ariana is *almost* done with grad school--yea for her! :) Saturday evening Brad & Joy, Charis, and Grandma came over for dinner--my dad's yummy tacos. Then Matt and I went to my friend Jessica's wedding. She married a Matt too! I really think there was something in the water in the late 70s-early 80s. It's crazy! On Sunday we saw Sarah McKinney and her new fiance Matt too! Whew! But Jess and Matt's wedding was beautiful, and it was SOO much fun to attend it from the "married" side of things. I was SO giddy for her all weekend. I'd stop out of no where and say to (my) Matt, "Jessica's at her rehearsal right now!!" Or, "I wonder if she's in her dress yet??" I was so excited for them. I had high expectations of marriage to begin with, and it has completely blown my expectations out of the water--it's amazingly better, and continues to be increasingly so, than I ever imagined. When we got to talk to Jessica and Matt at the reception, it was so fun to tell them that and *encourage* them to have fun, ENJOY, and that it's more of a blessing than they could ever imagine. It was sweet to see their excitement. :) Also with Sarah and her Matt when we said that same thing. She absolutely has the newly engaged glow; it was very cute. :)

Then it was back to my parents' house for the evening. We watched the Gilmore Girls episode they saved on Tivo for us that we missed on our honeymoon. "Sores and Boils." hehe Sunday morning we got to church early and got talk to Alan and the kids. He told Matt he has superhero status for bringing me back for a visit. :) I agreed and told Alan he has some superhero status of his own for all the times he kept me from losing it during the ceremony. :) Unfortunately, we didn't find Stephanie on Sunday morning, but hopefully over Christmas. We definitely appreciate her sweet comment on the last post. :) We also saw Kris in the nursery, the Holstads, some of my parents' friends, Matt's old Bible study leader, Paige, Laura, and Sarah (no Ruthie or Jessica--a different one ), and Bekah! And of course, all the people in the Kairos class, including bridesmaid Rachel--SOO fun to see her again, just not enough time to talk!--and many others who sweetly and excitedly welcomed us back for a visit. In Kairos, Rachel made a sweet announcement about the Kubos visiting, but not being first time visitors, and Arnie said, "Well, it's the first time Mrs. Kubo has been here," because I was Miss Guilford last time I was there. It made me smile. :)

Then it was home for lunch and milkshakes Matt made for everyone. I got Charis to sleep--yea. :) We finished packing up and got on the road. About 30 minutes down the road, I jokingly asked Matt if he had his ring...

We turned around and arrived at my parents' house (again) 30 minutes later to retrieve his ring--he took it off to make the milkshakes. On the road again, some construction north of Atlanta and some slow truck s= arriving home at 1:45 or so. We were TIRED. But Matt worked out flex time so he could sleep in this morning and get to work around noon or so. :) Hooray!

It was such a blessing to visit my other "home," and fun to get back to our home here too. Although I did miss getting to pet a sweet dog as soon as I walked in the door. I miss Ellie! It was so comfy to be "home" at my parents, but it was calming also to arrive "home" in Florida. Who would have known I'd be blessed with mulitple places to feel God's peace and love with family and friends? It's like the saying, "I'm not losing a daughter, I'm gaining a son." Well, I didn't lose my home as I was so anxious about, I gained even another one where I am showered with God's grace, love, and mercy.

I now know that I do have at least two homes, and three when you count the other Kubos' (not us, Matt's parents ;)), and then when you add in the sweet families I babysat for who have welcomed me and made me feel at home...Wow! God has blessed us with amazing people who love Him and us and are truly our family as well. I am so thankful for that after this visit and as Thanksgiving approaches. I am also thankful for my husband who loves me and cares for me so well. Thank you again, honey, for a wonderful weekend trip. :)