Home Again

I feel so out of touch. I haven't written in forever. I entered the psyche of vacation-land about 10 days ago and am just now stretching out of it. This is always a bit of an adjustment for me personally. I need a few more days.

Another glorious week at the seashore is behind us. We've fallen in love with this little slice of the Jersey Shore...Avalon & Stone Harbor. There is just something about it there. Tranquil, slow-paced, laid-back, gorgeous, pristine. We were lucky to have lovely, perfect weather the entire week.

The kids had the times of their lives. Playing in the sand, splashing in the pool, playing dolls, dressing up, riding on daddy's shoulders, running in the water, dancing around, flying kites, movies on the beach, fireworks, eating freeze-pops and ice cream...just being kids. It's priceless. Being 8 months pregnant made for an interesting twist this year...but I wasn't alone. There were three preggos in all: Bridget (4 mo) and Stacey (6 wks) joined the ranks. Felice & Monique maintained their normal hormone levels :)

So, now we're home again. The many pictures and videotape will forever freeze these memories in our minds and help us remember our lives in July 2008. I treasure these photos. I love to look back at last years and the year before and see how much things have changed. I never want to forget.

You know what was always in the back of my mind? That this would be Ava's last vacation as the only child in our family. I can't explain exactly how that makes me feel. I feel happy and so excited to meet our son...SO excited! At the same time I clearly sense the end of a chapter coming. The thing is, I happen to love that chapter. Oh, how we've grown over the last 3 years. I know I will love the next just the same, likely even more...but still, there it is, on my mind anyway. Our sweet baby girl is growing up and about to become a big sister. Vacation will never be quite the same again. Party of 4 coming soon.