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home again home again jiggity jig

2012 January 11
by Rachel Turiel

We’re home and back to our old tricks.

Like, taping our eyelids shut.

And conducting rubber band target practice for homeschool P.E.

Thanks Grandpa Starks for the jumbo rubber bands!

Dan is making scrambled eggs in our tiny kitchen, singing: can we have a day without potty talk? Just. One. Day?

And we’ve determined that Durango in January is pretty much the opposite of Kauai. High, cold, dry, and dormant. But it’s like a dear familiar friend, even if that friend is shivering and breaking out in eczema.

We flew home on a red-eye, sure that we’d sleep easy on the 6-hour flight between Kauai and Phoenix. How do you make God laugh? Right. The kids slept great, outstretched on the bed-lap of a parent, while I passed six hours—six!—wondering what exactly creates turbulence, if the man sleeping next to Rose minded her feet in his lap, and what it would be like to get off the plane in Phoenix on a new day, on Col’s 7th birthday.

We landed at sunrise and I staggered off the plane with Rose, waiting for Dan and Col, who were in a different aisle. Col flung himself into my arms like it had been a long time since we’d seen each other, which it had been; last time I saw him he was six.

I have so much more to say about Col’s birthday, about his birth and about him, but there are so many crazy memories from his time in the NICU bubbling up (it’s that book wanting to be written), I can tell I need some time to organize my thoughts.

I just wanted to let you all know we got home safely. Thanks for all your fruit suggestions and tropical camaraderie.

 

Kalalau trail above Na Pali coast

Back soon.



20 Responses leave one →
  1. Audrey permalink
    January 11, 2012

    Happy Birthday Col! XXXOOO

  2. January 11, 2012

    Oh, how great! You’re such a positive person you even make an uncomfortable plane ride sound like a blast. Welcome back to winter and get started on that book!!!!

  3. January 11, 2012

    Happy birth-day to you both. What a great trip! And red eye with kids…. I’ve so been there. My recent trip was to Seattle…. which was in the 40’s and rainy. Man am I wimp after living in the south for nearly three years. Layered with wool and fleece and more wool. Uff-da. But I loved running around the city and eating & wandering in non kid friendly shops. And I read a whole book on the plane. A WHOLE BOOK!! I arrived home to a balmy 70 degrees and wondered why I would ever leave this place?! {I know the answer is July, but right now I am pretending I have no idea.}

  4. January 11, 2012

    It’s wonderful to go away, but even more wonderful to come home and get back into the familiar routines. I love to see that everyone is back to their old selves! Although, I loved those pictures from your vacation!
    http://amysreallife.wordpress.com

  5. Ania permalink
    January 11, 2012

    hit that 1000 points bullseye Col! And Happy Happy Birthday!!!

  6. January 11, 2012

    I NEVER sleep on planes. Not on a flight to Japan, or China, or London from Denver. Drives me crazy. Something about sitting up. I just can’t do it. So I feel your pain. Glad you are all home safe and sound, if a bit less hydrated.

  7. ike permalink
    January 11, 2012

    Love the spiral- Who made it?
    Baba

    • Rachel Turiel permalink
      January 11, 2012

      It was a family effort (everyone but Dan who was snoozing on the beach at the time)

  8. Chris permalink
    January 11, 2012

    Thank you so very much for taking the time (on vacation!) to share your vacation with all of us. Our upper midwest winter has been exceptionally mild, but it was nevertheless a lovely thrill to travel with you to Cali, Hawaii and back – really appreciate your writing and photos Rachel! Happy Birthday Col!

  9. Anonymous permalink
    January 11, 2012

    Welcome home and Happy Birthday Col!!!! We love you. ~Sheryl

  10. Melissa permalink
    January 11, 2012

    It bears repeating that you are aweseome, just awesome, and damn, I can’t wait to read your book one day. And hand it out to all the mamas I work with.

    Sorry about the cracked out plane ride (for you); believe me, I can relate. Hope you get rested, grounded and organized as gently as possible. xo

  11. Bree permalink
    January 11, 2012

    I was singing the same song about potty talk just this morning….

    Glad you all are safely back home!

  12. January 11, 2012

    Next time on the red-eye, try taping your eyelids shut? And Mele Kalikimaka, albeit belatedly! Oh, and hooray for your 7-year-old!

  13. January 11, 2012

    Happy Bday Col and welcome home friends……Hugs,SAB

  14. January 11, 2012

    Col and Rose look just as at home in the jungle as they do in the woods of Durango. Gorgeous, happy kids! Happy Birthday to Col, and a big hug to you. I look forward to reading that book one day!

  15. Maggie permalink
    January 11, 2012

    Happy birthday, Sir Col! I’m so glad you were born! Rach – I can’t sleep on planes either (ditto London and China). I’ve thought about the “why” a lot, and finally figured out it’s just too weird knowing that others can walk by and see you at your most vulnerable – snoring (not moi, of course), drooling, making faces – I’m just so out of control of my body… probably why I don’t do drugs as well… Peace, sweet family! Mags

  16. January 11, 2012

    Glad you all are home and safe…Happy Birthday to Col and many more happy and healthy ones..

  17. January 11, 2012

    OMgosh, I took a red eye once with the kids thinking that we’d all sleep. Nope.

    Happy Birthday Dear Col, you beautiful kid!

    ♥K

  18. January 12, 2012

    welcome home!!!! one time i got back from tonga to new york on a day when the (salt water) bay near my house was frozen. i got to see ice boats. it was “awesome”. and can i just squeal about your book! book book book go rachel go!

  19. January 15, 2012

    Welcome back home — and Happy Birth Day to Col!! And you, Mama.

    xo,
    Stacy

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