No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow. ~Lin Yutang
We arrived home safe and sound last night from our week long vacation. We stayed in a cabin at a state park and it went pretty well, I would say. I can’t rave about it at this moment because I am SO TIRED. However, I suppose I have to credit expecting baby number 6 for my fatigue, because Rich and the children had a fantastic time and were sad to leave our cabin. On vacation, they swam, they played, they rode bikes, we all walked a lot, went out to eat at our favorite places, and the children attended VBS every night at our home church, which they loved. We also got to visit the zoo with my Aunt Colleen and her girls, which was wonderful. Because we were “back home” (where Rich and I grew up) we got to spend time with our family. . .both sides. It was great seeing everyone.
The number one highlight of vacation for me was being able to see my friend Joanna on Tuesday and spend time with her for the first time in a year.
Today, I have a big pot of homemade vegetable beef soup simmering on the stove, and am about to mix up a seafood salad for my husband. I noticed this morning that I have sunflowers blooming in my flower beds and the little yellow goldfinches are enjoying them. The children are cleaning and/or playing depending on their ages. It’s a beautiful sunny Sunday, with a blue sky scattered with big fluffy clouds. The lawn and trees are so green, and the air is cool. . . a perfect day to throw open all the windows in the house and watch the curtains gently wave in the sweet scented breezes. Oh, how I love to hear the wind rustling through the trees. . . . .
Hmmmmm, yes, it is so good to be home.
Rich is getting so much done around here today. He’s unpacked everything and has been doing loads of laundry all morning. I can’t tell you how much THAT means to me (makes me want to cry, actually). We have about 10 loads (or more) of laundry to do and I wasn’t exactly looking forward to it. Yes, the dirty clothes are a good indication of all the fun we had this week. My children were dirty most of the time. LOL
Jacob is recovering from a bike-wreck and I’m thankful his teeth were spared:
Grace is recovering from itchy poison ivy (that she woke up with yesterday morning). She said to me this morning, “I’ll tell ya one thing. It stinks.” LOL She’s walking around with her face all powdery pink from calamine lotion. Rich calls her fancy face.
She is happy to be back home with our cat.
And some of us are just plain recovering:
Thank you, Lord, for a safe and happy vacation. Thank you for our family, the memories we made, and for the home you have given us to come back to~ to take care of and enjoy together.
Have a wonderful Lord’s day, all! More pictures to come!
Good to be Home 
Sounds like you had a wonderful time!Hope that you all are having a restful Sonday!
I’m so glad you had a good time! I thought of you guys this week. I hope you get some rest today!
Love the quote at the top. I always miss my own pillow and have been known to try to cram it in my suitcase! Glad you had a wonderful vacation — that everyone is resting/recovering and that laundry is being done by your sweet prince.
Nice to have you back! =)
WELCOME HOME! MMmmmmm, vegetable soup is the perfect comfort food as you all settle back into your own place again.It is precious of Rich to keep get that laundry going! Thank God for husbands that are such servant-leaders!Looking forward to those pictures! But in the meantime, hope you can get some GOOD REST… ❤
Welcome Home! It’s nice to get away, but it’s always good to get back HOME! Suz
It’s so good to hear from you again… I sure missed you posts this week!!!
With all of the good times and fun that you all had, you must be so very tired, indeed!!! Get a nice loooong rest!!!
Welcome Home! Good to hear you had a good time and are enjoying being home. Glad Jacob is alright…yes, and his teeth! Keep an eye on Grace. We found it sometimes keeps coming out for a day or so….found the CalaGel medicated anti-itch stuff worked well from the drug store.
Pray for our Davey please. He left on a week long high adventure camp with Boyscouts. It is to an island nearby….32 miles across the ocean from where we live. I vacationed there a lot growing up. I am excited for him. He will be canoeing, biking, hiking, snorkling, etc. Lots of fun,excercise, and leadership skillbuilding. He took two waterproof camaras with him….so hopefully some shots when he returns. The mama’s heart in me just always goes along in praying for the Lord to watch over him
Lord bless, Jenny
Welcome back. Glad you all have a wonderful time!
Glad you had a wonderful vacation — praise God for helpful husbands on the return~:)
Welcome back 🙂
Glad to see you back! I’ve missed reading your blog all week. 🙂
Good to have you back with us! I can’t imagine opening my windows and letting the curtains blow gently in the breeze today. It’s 105 degrees with an even hotter heat index. They are asking everyone to remain inside with a/c or fans, and to remember outdoor animals by giving them shade and lots of water OR by bringing them inside, too!It’s descriptions like yours that keep me cooled off!!!Waving at you from Oklahoma!
Welcome Home!! I’m glad you had a nice vacation and it sounds wonderful!
Good to be home. Glad you had a great time. Glad the bike wreck was not worse than that….ouch!
Welcome back to blogland!!!! Can’t wait to see all your pictures!!
Glad you are back…I will look forward to more photos…and perhaps one of JO, too?Get some more rest….in between laundry loads.:o)
So glad that you are home safe and sound! I thought of you all often this past week. Our VBS starts tomorrow. I look forward to pictures of your trip!
Glad to hear you had a good time — looking forward to your posts again.
Vacation are fun but there know place like home, try and get some rest before you tackle all that laundry
SANDY
I take my pillows with me ~ others just don’t measure up, do they?
Glad you made it home safely, and had an enjoyable vacation. I’m also glad to hear that Jacob’s accident wasn’t worse..poor kiddo. I hope you have a good night, and get some rest. Miss you! ❤
Shan, I’m so glad you had a great time! One of these times we’ll be able to get together. Jacobs bike accident reminds me of mine in 3rd grade. Do you remember it? Your mom still does. I still have the big scar on my hand from it. Thank God I never had a scar on my face, because I had my whole cheek with road rash, scabbed, and everything! Anyway, I hope you’re having an excellent Monday. I’m determined to make it one. I love you! Lish
You’ve been missed! Welcome home. They say that one of the best ways for a family to bond, is to go camping together. Since you are already pretty well bonded, this just sort of cements things. Glad all are mending, that no NOSES were damaged, and tell Grace she still actually looks pretty “in pink”. I realized I was expected baby six because I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I was tired allllll of the time, but like morning sickness, it passed after a tme. Praying for you with love, in SC. OX
Nice to have you back, but it sounds as if you had a wonderful time.
Welcome back! I’ve been kind of xanga-absent lately. So much to do… so little of summer left. Glad you had a wonderful time. I’ve missed seeing you in person and here on xanga. I hope you are recovering well from your week away. Now you need a vacation from your vacation. Did Rich go back to work today?
Oh Shan that was the nicest thing to say, thank you!
Poor Jake and poor Gee, the pink lotion always makes me think of the time I had chicken pox whne I was a kid, all six of us had it at the same time!
I thought of Jake’s teeth when I saw the picture, it looks like it hurt! Give him a kiss on the cheek from me! 🙂
I am glad you are home safe!