Well we have now been back for two full weeks, and boy have they been two full weeks!! The kids were straight back into school and extra-curricular activities, extremely happy to see their friends and all very satisfied with the welcome home they received!! They had no problem returning to dance and music lessons and their soccer or netball teams, but have had to be coaxed (ok, sometimes spoken sharply to…) to get their homework done.

Ross had an extra week at home which allowed his leg to heal before he had to return to work. Once back at work, he was asked if he was pregnant (jokingly of course) because he had a glow and a happy peaceful smile! A joke we could enjoy even more knowing we both actually lost a few kgs while away. (Only funny as long as no-one asks ME the same question…)

I had to go back to work the day after the kids went back to school, but have also approached the last two weeks in a serene and carefree manner. To the point where colleagues are telling me it is time to snap out of it and get back to reality!! 😉 I must admit, I did stop to reflect on my feelings. I was afraid the enjoyment of the experience was more due to the escape from reality it allowed us, because – quite frankly – some aspects of reality have been really hard over the last couple of years. But while the time away was an escape from reality of sorts, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, which allowed us to learn, grow, and bond together. And personally, thanks to Ross doing ALL the driving, I had time in the RV I just don’t get at home, to spend in meditation and reflection, read novels, and write a few songs in Garage Band on my iPad (which sound quite good now Jarrod has fixed them up!).

It took me the whole first weekend to catch up on my washing, a few days to unpack everyone’s suitcases, and over a week to catch up on mail and paying bills. It was more fun to sign up to travel websites and examine the travel section of the Sunday newspapers. A common question we are asked is “so where are you going next?”. Don’t worry, it is definitely under consideration!

The next question we are always asked is to name our favourite thing/experience/place during our journey. I did ask the kids during the plane trip home to give this some thought knowing it would be a common question. Surprisingly, everyone has a different “top three” list, which someone suggested to me is a good thing because it means we catered to everyone at their different ages and stages along the way. I wholeheartedly agree!