Mina & Momo are all packed up

... well, almost.  I think there is still some packing in process. 

Today is a bittersweet day around our house; Mina (aka Grandma Lorna) and Momo (aka Great Grandma Arline) are spending their last day in Austin with us today.  Tomorrow morning they head out on their journey back to northern Minnesota.  I know Mina and Momo are excited to go home again and see family and friends they have missed over the last year, but they are also struggling with leaving and not seeing the girls grow up right before them. 

There really is no other word to describe it than bittersweet. 

I am going to miss my shopping partner-in-crime (however, I doubt my budget will share the same longing).  I am going to miss all of the stories Momo shares of Christopher growing up.  The boys will miss Rusty; I know Rusty is going to miss his pool.  Amongst a zillion-billion other things I am going to miss, I really am going to miss having the "The Grandmas" as a part of the girls daily life.

Rather than being really sad I am trying my best to keep from crying by reminding myself of how lucky we have been to have shared the last year with Mina and Momo and Rusty, and how special that time has been.  When I say good-bye, which I unfortunately have to do more often than I like, I always have this feeling of guilt - of... I wish I would have lived every moment to the fullest and truly appreciated at the time how special it was - and made sure everyone knew how much I loved them everytime I spent time with them.  I always think back to times when I was pre-occupied and wish I would not have been.  I wish time went by slower.  SO... as I say good-bye this weekend, I am not going to do that.  Well, I am trying not to. 

...(choking back tears at the moment)

(Photo credit: Todd McKimmey Studios)