It's too quiet here, and I kind of want to cry.

Our "long" weekend was too short, as always, and as life has been around here lately, didn't go according to plan.  I picked Thomas up from school after he got off work Friday evening, which meant we were on our way home about 8:00.  Because we weren't really sure what he was going back to last weekend, his cat had stayed here for the week.  She is such an absolute sweetheart, but also quite a climber, and doesn't get along with our own Maudie.  We really didn't mind having her around, although I knew some picture frames would be in peril based on where the cat liked to climb.

Andrew had baseball practice Saturday morning.  My plan was to put away Christmas all day, then there would be frozen pizza for dinner while watching football.  After church yesterday, we had planned that Catherine would join us, and we'd enjoy potato soup for dinner and watch the Bengals game, then today we'd eat at one of our family's favorite restaurants when we took Thomas back to school.  Thomas had mentioned that his girlfriend was out of town so I was really looking forward to family time.

Or not.  Saturday did go pretty much as I expected, and it was lovely.  Yesterday though, Catherine didn't feel well and decided not to come over, but was going to try for today to join us for lunch.  I completely understood.  Thomas's girlfriend ended up being in town last evening, and he understandably wanted to see her.  Andrew and I enjoyed the Bengals game.

This morning, Andrew headed to a baseball clinic (which I kept forgetting about), and I was roused out of bed because he forgot he had scheduled the plumber to arrive to fix a pipe...and they had to access it through my closet.  Not the greatest way to begin my day!  As soon as I got up there was a text from Catherine that she still felt awful and wouldn't be here at all.  Thomas had thought a bunch of others were joining us for lunch, and we felt awful about the miscommunication.  We ended up just grabbing something quick, and realized that Thomas seems to still be battling an ear infection after two rounds of antibiotics.  That can sure ramp up my anxiety!  Because we weren't stopping to eat on the way, Thomas decided to go ahead and take his cat back with him.  I appreciate that I can put my house completely back together, but it sure got quiet around here.  It's hard knowing that he is struggling with making friendships at school, and it's hard knowing that he has struggled with his classes.  In fact, both kids are working on finding their way right now, and it makes me emotional.  Coming home, the house just felt empty, and I felt like I've done a lousy job parenting.  I love these kiddos so much, and when they hurt, my heart hurts with them.  Today's rainy weather didn't help at all, either.

Thomas has decided to come home again next weekend.  I'm grateful he enjoys being here.  It's going to be a crazy week, but maybe we can having some family time this weekend!