Just me and the fish(the only ones awake)

Last week the girls and I moved into The Big Blue House(title bequeathed by four kids who love to run the halls there..nobody knows who called it so first).
The experience, while exhausting, was easier than most moves I've pulled off. I think it really helped that over the past few years I've downsized drastically. I love getting rid of things, though sometimes do it too hastily..
Still, for the most part I'm glad to be less encumbered by 'stuff'.
For the first time, when I unpacked things here, I felt like most objects passing through my hands actually mean something to me..and those which seemed empty were rare to come across.
As I sit here all is quiet except for the sounds of the house. Girls are sleeping, the living room is dark and the trees outside are leaning toward the ground under the heavy snow resting on each branch.
If it weren't for the dirty dishes in the sink and the rice on the dining room floor it would be hard to believe that just hours ago this place was absolutely full: of children's wild symphonic voices..the smell of Bombay potatoes and mint chutney..an ancient rolling pin pressing out tales of it's own history and Ryan's amazing naan(devoured by spectators of all ages)..and the endless(wonderful)parade of requests which were each met with the appropriate dixie cup of cheese duckies or spoonful of plain yogurt or one more bite of basmati rice delivered to five expectant mouths.
Every adult knew when the tide turned and it was 'Time', followed by a surprisingly efficient coat/hats/diaperbag gathering ceremony and goodnight hugs all around.

The girls say this place felt like home the first night we stayed here. For me it has been a bit more gradual, and has to be until after the wedding when we can all be here all the time(it's always hard for us to say goodbye to the Rudd boys and I can't wait until we don't have to anymore)..but tonight as I prepare to pack Willow's lunch and remember how she read her homework to Ang at the makeshift dinner table, I feel a very simple and present awareness of being Home here.

It's not hard to take a deep breath and enjoy this moment. So grateful to be this happy.