Home.

How do you explain to a toddler that "Home is Where the Heart Is?" We really thought that after 4 months of California Living, that Finn was pretty well adjusted. Yesterday, at 4pm, Finn had another thought in mind. He was bound and determined to be homeward bound. And by "home" he meant Mesa. He was crying. Bawling. Tears streaming down his face. "Go go home MESAAAAAAAA." I think it was probably a combination of being a little too tired, and wanting to keep riding in the car. But it's not the first time he's mentioned it. I wonder if he thinks we're just visiting this little cottage with all of his toys and clothes so nicely organized for him. With his cozy bed that's just his size. With a snuggly little sister waiting to make him smile. With parents that act on his every beck and call. Love him. Strive every day to make this new home, well, home. It's tough being a little guy. I can see every day that Finn has quite a big spirit. He has big emotions, bigger than his little body. He has big energy. A big heart. And sometimes he doesn't know how to make all that bigness feel like a manageable size.

Monday nights are usually special nights in an LDS home. We have Family Home Evening (often called simply Family Night). We get together and spend time as a family. It's different each week for each family. Stay in and share a spiritual message. Go out and do something fun (go on a drive, have an outing). (I secretly long for family game night, as nerdy as that may sound. But sadly Wes doesn't share my affinity for Scattergories, and Maya's knowledge of the alphabet is just barely coming along.) With 2 small kiddos Family Night usually consists of simply trying to spend some time together and paying special attention to the kids. Sometimes we manage to wriggle in a short spiritual thought (like 30 seconds short), and sometimes it's just Wes and Finn wrestling on the rug. Anything to make our time together feel more like "home."

But it's been rough since Wes started school. And Finn can tell. Tonight the babies were asleep (and almost me, too) by the time Wes got home. Family night turned into "get the kids to bed by 7:30 before meltdowns ensue." There will be lots of days and nights while Wes is at AFI that it will be just me and kiddos, while we miss Dadda. So, Finn, I just want to let you know that even though we're being a little unconventional for these next 2 years, we are home. You make it home. It is home, because you are with us, and we love you. Now let's have a lollipop and snuggle.