We’re back from vacation and back to real life. Definitely a bit depressing…

I’m sitting here eating cold Cream of Wheat and watching my son throw his waffles all over the dining room floor as I slowly check emails and get back to work. I’m dreaming of the delicious breakfast sandwiches we got every morning while on our trip and my steaming cup of “vacation” coffee. Does food just taste better on vacation? I seriously think it does.

And with every load of laundry I do (and there’s a LOT), the sand continues to pour out of every pocket and towel, and I instantly miss the sound of the ocean and the feel of the burning hot sun. Watching my 14 month old play in the sand and put his toes in the ocean for the first time was worth every 98 degree day we were there.

And as the luggage goes back into the storage closet, I’m pulling out all the seashells and receipts from our adventures. I like to keep everything for scrap booking (even though I’m about three years behind on those books) so I’m trying to find places to keep everything as I’m getting teary-eyed thinking about all the fun we had, and how fast it went.

I not only got to spend this trip with my husband and son, but also my mom, my brother, and his girlfriend. It really made me miss just being home, and seeing my mom and siblings every day. My sister and her boyfriend couldn’t make the trip, but believe me guys- WE MISSED YOU. You don’t realize how much you miss spending time with your family until you get to take a trip like that together.

And even though it’s great to be home, and sleep in our own beds and use our own shower, I already want to go back.

I know memories are the thing we take away from a trip that can’t be washed away in the washer, or packed away in a closet. I have been running those through my mind all day, trying to make sure they stay right in the front, as vivid as possible, so I can bring them up anytime I need them.

If you need a little piece of the beach today, or any day, feel free to use my memory below:

I might be sitting at a desk typing on a computer right now, but my heart is sitting on that sand chair, family by my side, ocean and blue skies all around.

Until next year…