Spring, friends, mini-vacation!

There is snow on the ground but HAPPY SPRING! How does that work really? Do you feel better to think that today is the first day of spring because that means the weather WILL get warmer? Or does it make you sad that there is snow in ugly heaping piles everywhere and its supposed to be spring?

Well, it's Spring. It's finally here. I assume soon enough we will be smelling the Spring breeze and seeing spring blossoms. There for, I feel better knowing it is Spring. Eventually the Earth will catch up with the calendar.

Plus, there are so many other things to be grateful and happy about. The most recent happiness: I am going out of town; out of the state in fact. We're having a girls weekend. I was invited by a co-worker/ friend. Or better yet, friend/co-worker. I'd like to consider the ladies I spend 5 days a week with friends. They are definitely great listeners and great people. I'll call them friends.

I am thrilled to be invited on a little weekend get away. I am looking forward to staying in a hotel, not cleaning or worrying about...anything. Well, except what FUN thing we should do next!

This will be my very first time taking both of the girls on a little road trip. R is having a guys weekend. E hasn't stayed away from home since she was 2 months old (Thanksgiving in Pentwater). So this shall be interesting. I think she will love it. Who doesn't love water parks, arcades, big hotel beds and...all the fun stuff that comes along with a VACATION!

I'll be sure to take lots of photos and share with you our little excursion. I can't wait to hop in the car and GO!

Home away from home.

It's a curse; moving away from home. You're raised and taught to believe that to leave the nest, take that first step out into the real (big) world is an accomplishment. Don't get me wrong, I believe it is. But, then you spend the rest of your life missing something. Home. 

I realize I have a home of my own now and I share it with an amazing family. I honestly, wouldn't have it any other way. I love my home in our little apartment in Grand Haven. I enjoy sitting in my living room playing with E and talking to R about work, future plans, etc. But, right around this time every year, when the roads are dangerous to travel on, I want to return to my childhood home.

I miss it more than anything. I miss Mom's cooking, Dad walking in the door to greet us with "Ladies!!" (you all know the sound), seeing my siblings all at once, watching White Christmas with Mom, playing games and the smell of wood burning in the wood stove. 

White Christmas

I suppose it's one of those things I'll add to my bittersweet list. 

There will never be enough time in life to spend with the ones you love. 

Luckily, my parents, my siblings, R and E will all be in one place, together on Christmas day. Somehow, all of a sudden, it's easier for my parents to make the trip here this year. I am so thankful they want to and can come stay in our neighborhood to celebrate Christmas. 

Christmas morning couldn't come soon enough. I definitely feel like a kid again, looking forward, anticipating with high hopes a very Merry Christmas. 

Keep loving.