You Can Go Home Again!

 In 3 months I have moved 1055 miles, got an apartment, found amazing roommates, found a job that I love, started an internship, found a church I enjoy, figured out how to use the subway, found some families to babysit for, seen places I have dreamed about for years (Central park, fashion ave, Moods fabric, Upper East Side, Times Square, The Plaza, World Trade Center, the MET, Lincoln Center, Byrant Park), done my own laundry, cooking, cleaning, started to apply for college..but what I haven't done in 3 months is gone home!

     Last Thursday I got up at 3:30 and headed for the airport to go HOME!!! My flight was at 6 in the morning. I got to the airport around 3:45 and then had to wait until 4:10 for Frontier to open to get my tickets! I got my tickets, got through security, and was at my gate by 5! My first flight was from New York to Milwaukee where I had an hour lay over!  i got something to eat and then it was time to get on the plane! I actually got in early( was suppose to get in at 10:20 and we landed at 10) called my Dad and then headed to baggage claim! It was hard to not run through the airport to get to my Dad faster! I got down the stairs and there was my Pops waiting for me!!! After a hug and kiss we got my checked bag right away and were on the road by 10:20! We stopped for a quick lunch and kept on our way.

   Things I noticed on my way home:

     * Land!!!!!  Everywhere there is grass and trees and open skies!!

     * The leaves were soooo pretty on our drive.

     * McDonalds tastes so much better when you don't have to pay for it!

  We got home around 1:40 and I had a lovely welcome home sign waiting for me. I walked in and Emma( one of the daycare kids) came up the stairs, went LISA!, ran and gave me a hug and said, "Lisa, I have missed you oh so very much!"  I did not put her down for the next 20 min! I also gave my mom a huge hug and just relaxed a little and enjoyed being in my room!

    Next I went off to surprise people! Tracy is one of my best friend's mom and she works at the high school. I spent a lot of time with her last year and had told her son I was coming home and decided it would be fun to surprise her. I also still have a lot of friends at the high school and one of them is my amazing friend Beth. I first surprised Tracy which was so fun and then had Beth called to the office! Beth's reaction was priceless and I wish I would have had a video camera with me!  I then went around and saw people, lots of hugs, seeing old teachers and such! I also got to talk with my former Fashion teacher which was great! She has not only been a teacher to me the last three years but encouraged me to follow my dreams in fashion and has taught me so much not only in fashion but in life! It was great catching up with her too :) 

    I then got home and jumped in the leaves with the kids for an hour. Talk about pure joy! Then Kate got home!!! She took a personal day Friday so we could spend time together. For anyone who is a teacher you know what a big deal taking a personal day is and I was so grateful I got to spend time with Kate!! We then headed to Old Chicago for dinner. It was so great just being together joking around and laughing! I then was going to surprise one of my best friends, Hannah at Basic (church) but she found out beforehand that I was in town.  She was still happy to see me and still a little surprised! Then a group of us went to Panchero! It was so much fun being with old friends and laughing and just being silly!

   On Friday my sister woke me up early to get Panera bagel sandwiches. We got them and headed back home to share with our Mom. They were really yummy. We then went to a Pumpkin Patch with the Daycare! 

This was our group at the Pumpkin Patch :) 

    There were lots of animals, a corn maze, hay ride, corn box, hay barn full of swings and ropes to climb and a lot more. Some of the moms were able to come along so it was fun being all together! On our way home we stopped by and saw both my Grandmas! It was great to see them and say hello :) Once we got home Kate and I had to stop and get...

A Scratch cupcake!!! It was just as good as I remembered! Then my sister, Emma, and I got  a pumpkin to carve with the kids but it ended up being my sister carving it as the kids played! Here is our annual jack-o-lantern picture:

   Sara got home Friday so I spent some time with her and then I went out to eat with a good friend :) We went to Brown Bottle and it was tasty. I then hung out with a group of friends and it was so nice to see everyone and catch up with each other lives. We then watched a movie and then I went home. 

    Saturday I woke up and everyone got busy baking. We had my neighbors from two houses down come over for brunch. It was great to spend time with them and get to tell them about New York and hear what's going on in each of their lives. Lots of laughter and fun was had. My mom, sisters, and I then headed to good old Target. My mom was awesome and got me some things (socks, mac and cheese, make-up remover, make-up, People Style Watch mag.)  We also went to the mall. We then went home and ate dinner together and of course had to get Four Queens! (ice cream)  I then went and saw my dear friend Catherine. She was home because she has mono so it worked out that I got to see her. We could have talked all night. It was so great spending time with her.  I then headed off to see one of my youth leaders Nikki! Nikki and I become close last year and we have stay closed since I have moved. It was so great getting to talk in person. I then headed to my friend Madison's house and got to see another group of friends there. We had a blast together and it felt like old times:) 

      Sunday we headed to church and there I was able to see quite a few people. It was great to be able to say hellos and see families I babysat for, family friends, ect. We then went to visit both my Grandmas and I got to see aunts, uncles, cousins,  and 2nd cousins! I have an amazing extended family whom I love and feel so blessed to have. It was such a nice afternoon sharing great food, stories, and fellowship together. I am very close to both my Grandmas and so I was glad I got to see them not once but twice while being home! We then got back home and ran to Wal-mart to get some more things for our Halloween Daycare Party. I then went over to see my old small group leader Shelby! I got to see her baby boy who is now 10 months. What a happy and joyful boy he is :) Shelby has been such a blessing in my life so I was so glad I got to spend some time with her! 

    Monday was Ilene's Daycare Halloween Party.

 It was filled with dressing up, having a costume parade, bobbing for apples, a pumpkin bar snack, pin the nose on the jack-o-lantern, a pumpkin shaped pizza for lunch, Halloween Clifford, and so much more. Being with the Daycare Kids is when I am so happy in life. They bring such joy to my life and I don't know what I would do if my mom hadn't decided to open our home to watching kids 5 years ago. Every one of her kids has a special place in my heart. I love them so much and getting to spend the day with them was perfect. My mom then made ham, cheesy potatoes, green beans, and pumpkin bars for dinner! It was such a great meal. My sister and I then headed back to MN. and then she lovingly drove me to the airport at 4:00 a.m. so I could catch my 6:00 flight. With an hour delay I finally made it back and then worked from 2-7.  By the time I got home I was tired from a long day. 

    I wish I could have had two weeks at home to be able to see everyone and do everything I wanted to do. It was such a fun, blessed, exciting, and joyful trip.  I love living in New York but I think if I would have gone home a month ago it would have been 10 times harder to leave. I am now really adjusting to my job and my life here in New York. Yes, some days I wish I could be home but there was something so nice about my trip. It was that feeling that no matter how far away you are, there is always a place for you and a place where people love you and want you to succeed. I have that in Cedar Falls. I have a place that I will always call home! Thanks to everyone for making my trip home so special. I love you and miss you all! 

Sending So Much Love From NYC, 

 Lisa