Back to reality...
We were welcomed home by a long lawn, lots of blooming flowers, tall weeds, a nest of robins about to take flight, a slightly stuffy house...
Surprisingly, I didn't have that empty or panicked feeling I often have when returning from vacation. Camping and parenting two children can be taxing, but I feel rested and refreshed. I know I have a lot on my plate now that we're back, but that thought doesn't overwhelm me.
Another surprise was that I wasn't just aching to sleep in my own bed. Did I mention how comfortable the dinette is to sleep on? Really. That's not what I expected at all.
Toward the end of our vacation, Jay and I both had the same revelation. We enjoyed the simplicity of a small space to care for in our camper and the order we kept in that small space.
Our home isn't large and it isn't small. We bought this house just before we got married and intend to stay here forever, or until we leave this area. But, gosh, it seems to be so large now - and so cluttered and full of "stuff."
I made the resolution that from now on, we put things away as we use them at home, too. Even if it means going down to the basement to store something - put it away so it doesn't sit around and become part of the landscape. I would also like to purge some things... Where to start?....
Something else has changed. I have always tried to give my kids as much attention as they need. But, the outside world often calls - literally. The phone rings and a little alarm inside me says, "Drop everything - you're needed. Don't keep them waiting." Since our return, if that phone rings when we're on our way outside to play catch or I'm about to put a child to bed, I let it go. We had 14 messages on our machine when we returned - and nothing was urgent. It can wait. My kids can't.
It's good to be home. We look forward to our next adventure together.
We were joined by Jay's brother's family and another niece for dinner and fireworks. 
