Being back home in Canada definitely lifted my spirits up tremendously; I wasn't sad in the states but seeing my family again made me content. I didn't tell my mom when I was coming to visit them so the look on the face of my mother when she opened up the door to see me standing on the porch was worth the surprise. My mom gave me the biggest hug known to man and also embraced her grandkids whom she missed dearly. Tyson of course got a lot of love from his mother-in-law who gave him a big hug as well and almost pushed him and me into the house.

"You guys have to tell me how everything is in your new home! Sit down, get comfortable!"

My mother almost pulled me down on the couch with excitement so she could hear me and Tyson talk about our adventures in our new home. I gave her the usual spiel about finding my way around the neighborhood, the city, and how I loved the beaches (but withheld information about Lover's Lane).

"Have you guys found a school yet for the kids? Are you guys going to home school them? Private school? Public school?"

"I was looking for a nice school for T.J. to go. Me and Tyson are still narrowing it down."

"Sorry for all of the questions but you know me: I just want to make sure everything is fine with you guys."

"Everything is going just fine, Mom," Tyson said. "Work is fine, Tia is choreographing a play, and we're both doing just fine. The kids will definitely be in a school…not sure if public or private though."

"That's good to hear. Wait: Tia, you're doing what?"

"Choreographing a play?" My mother's face lit up like a Christmas tree as she grabbed my hand.

"Yes," I said.

"That's good! This is what you've wanted to do for years and I'm glad you're finally able to. You two…"

"Mom, please don't cry."

"I'm sorry but you know how emotional I can be. I remember when I would drop you off to your dance classes and then sit right in a seat near the stage where you practiced and I loved to see your progress. Makes me wish I could relive that time again."

"There was one time for my birthday, Dad was out of town, and you surprised me after a recital when you brought Tyson with you. It was my...14th birthday and I basically couldn't let go of Tyson's head throughout the night when we went out to eat."

"Good times, indeed. Now: it's time for us to eat!"

Tyra, who was sitting in a chair with T.J. and Timmy by her side, looked at her grandmother with a smile on her face.

"Peas?" she asked.

When my noggin hit the pillow, I let out a huge sigh of relief and cuddled up next to Tyson who gave me a kiss on my forehead.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Yup. How's your knee?"

"Nagging a little but I'll manage. Today was a very nice day."

"It sure was. What would you like to do tomorrow?"

"We'll figure something out. We can take the kids to the park and go from there."

"Good idea. Sweet dreams, honey."

Even though we were lying in the dark, the full moon from the outside came through the window and gave us enough light through the blinds to be able to see each other. We gave each other a kiss and fell asleep to get some much needed rest after a long day.

Someone's hand kept gently tapping my face multiple times but I didn't see anyone standing in front of me in my dreams. Then a soft voice said "Mommy" multiple times and I was finally woken up to T.J.'s face right next to mine. I had to blink to make sure my child wasn't a figment of my imagination but my eyes fell upon the face of T.J. staring at me.

"Yes?" I replied.

"I'm hungry. I want eggs," T.J. said.

"Okay…give Mommy a moment," I replied.

T.J. laid his head on top of mine and patted me on my back.

"It's okay, Mommy. Sleep," he said.

"I'm not going back to sleep, toots. I'm just resting my eyes."

"Rest your eyes?" T.J. said.

"Mmhmm!"

"Daddy is sleep. He resting his eyes?"

"Yes. Did you have a bad dream?" The children had slept in their own room but if they had a bad dream or didn't want to sleep alone, they'd get out of their bed and come to us for comfort.

"Yes, I had a bad dream. Daddy saved me."

"That's good. Alright, let's go get some food."

I got up to grab my robe from the end of the bed, put it around me, and picked up T.J. and held him tight in my arms.

"You want food?"

"Yes!"

"Okay, let's go."

I cooked mini pancakes for T.J. and gave him a small bowl of yogurt to go with it. He happily ate his food and drunk his apple juice then wanted to watch cartoons with me. I ended up falling asleep on the couch as T.J. sat in front of me to enjoy Sesame Street and when he saw Elmo, he sung along with his favorite character. I smiled to myself before I finally knocked out for a bit only to be woken up by my second child: the one and only Tyra.

"Mommy, wake up!" she said.

"Can Mommy please rest my eyes for a bit?"

"No, you can't."

"Tyra Francis Smith, what did you say to your mother?"

"Nothing, Daddy!"

I opened one eye to see Tyra smiling at Tyson who picked her up and carried her into the kitchen to feed her. I knocked out yet again but this time it seemed like it was a bit longer: either I was super tired and was in a deeeep sleep or everyone just simply left me alone to get some rest. When I did wake up, I heard absolutely no one in the house after a few minutes and eventually got up to go freshen up for the day. I went back to my room to see that my mom and Tyson left me a text message on my phone about a few minutes apart from each other. It was 11:30 and they both texted me an hour ago.

The first message was from my mother:

"Gone out to the grocery store really quick to get some food for dinner. I'll be right back!"

Tyson:

"Took the kids to get McDonald's because your daughter wouldn't stop asking me about chicken nuggets. Will be back soon."

Quite interesting messages to say the least as they make me chuckle just a bit. I brushed my teeth and took a nice hot shower in peace and quiet and slipped on some leggings with a regular t-shirt because I wasn't in the mood to dress fancy today. I went back downstairs in time to see the front door opening and there was my father coming through the door with a suitcase in his hand.

"Dad!" The word slipped out of my mouth as I ran up to him to give him the biggest hug ever. He told me he'd be out of town for a while but I didn't know he'd be back so early.

"Awww, Tia! I'm so glad you're here!"

My dad gave me a huge hug that lasted for a long time. I haven't been gone too long from home but I really missed me folks back here a lot and I know my dad missed me for sure.

"I've missed you," I said. "Mom said you'd still be out of town right now?"

"I decided to surprise you by coming back home early. I had my trip planned but...coming back home to see my daughter, my son, and my grandbabies was more important. Plus, my brother and his family can wait."

I chuckled at that last part.

"How is Uncle Joe?"

"He's alright."

"And you called Tyson your son?"

"Yes. I call Tyson my son because he is like a son to me and if he gets out of line, I can discipline him just like a son," my dad joked. "Plus: he's family and you guys have a beautiful family together."

"Aww, thanks. Let's pop some popcorn and catch up for a bit until the others come home," I suggested.

"And let's watch some cartoons while we're at it," my dad said.

Being back home felt great indeed.