Breathe, Stretch, Shake, Let It Go...

So far I can say that this visit is different than any of the other ones I've taken here... There's a different feeling about it... Even before I left, the words I kept hearing were "enjoy" and "fun". And even though I've always enjoyed and had fun on my visits, this is the first time I didn't feel like I was stepping into a war zone.
The flight was different all by itself. I actually slept through the whole trip (thanks to my ipod - not sure if it's a good thing) and didn't make any new friends along the way (unlike me, I know). As soon as I got off the plane I found a vending machine that sold Starbucks Frappachinos (I refuse to drink Dunkin Donuts) and it cracked me up to see how I was becoming more and more of a coffee snob since moving to Seattle.
I reserved today to be a low key family day before disappearing to spend each moment with my friends, and it had some surprises... Turns out that today was the 3rd year anniversary for Sveta and my dad (I was a witness at their wedding, but I forgot). So Tanya (my stepsister) and I babysat Sophia (my half sister) while they went out to dinner.
Sophia got so big! I'll post pictures on fb pretty soon :) she is SO adorable! She totally recognized me and was all about me the entire day, my name always on her lips :) She totally melted me with all her sweet hugs and attention :) She is VERY excited to have me here!
Tanya gave me a surprise too... She moved in with her boyfriend and is no longer living at the house, so I'm actually staying in my old room now... which is a little odd... When she came over to babysit with me, the first few moments were a bit awkward between us, but in short, not much has changed... As my dad was hugging me before they left, I could sense that even though he didn't quite understand, he was grateful that at least now I was the "good" child...
In conclusion, as I'm about to hit the sack in my old bed, in my old room, I've decided to just enjoy this visit... Enjoy my family, enjoy my friends, enjoy my time in this city with the people I love and just have fun. I know God is in control and He is giving me peace. I have peace about my family and my friends, and that's all I need and want right now :)