Long Hollow

I'm home.

The past week has been a whirlwind of sand, sunshine, hugs, laughter, seashells, sunburns, storm clouds, card games, wet towels, buffet-style meals, birthday cake, aloe gel, clear water, ocean waves, camera clicks…

But now, I'm home, hitting the ground running last night as soon as we unloaded the car… unpacking, starting laundry, uploading 1000 photos to my computer…

Yes, that's right. I said 1000.

But when you consider I spent a week in Pensacola Beach, Florida, at a reunion with my husband's parents, seven of his eight brothers and most of their families (including one brother's in-laws) I think I showed remarkable restraint in limiting myself to 1000 photos, don't you?

But the chaos didn't end with vacation. I have 2/3 of my kids home again right now, plus an extra. They're all in that limbo between moving out of one apartment and having to wait a week or two before moving into the next one.

Consequently, there's a mini-fridge in my livingroom, as well as stacks of boxes, furniture, and bags full of stuff scattered all over the house.

And I love it.

(Temporarily, at least.)

More on all of the above later. Right now I'm ignoring the casualties, which include my favorite swimsuit coverup (rust-colored stains I haven't been able to remove) and 1/2 of my brain (a spiral notebook where I listed my to-do's and jotted down bits of thoughts)…

Instead, I'm focusing on the sweet!s from the past week..

Saturday: safely arriving at your destination; reunions with family; the ocean's lullaby; the play of flashlights on a beach at night

Sunday: standing-room only in an island church on a beautiful summer morning; playing 3-13; watching your kids learn cribbage from two old pros 

Monday: running in a beach town; reading on the beach with the sound of waves in your ears; a walk on the beach at night; the BEACH, period!

Tuesday: seeing a sand shark and a turtle swimming in the water (from shore!); hugs from loved ones you haven't seen in a long time and babies you're seeing for the first time; winning a Wii Dance Off

Wednesday: running barefoot through the surf; baby sunglasses and hats; hamming it up at the air museum with your daughter; seeing the new Batman movie with your sister-in-law and lots of kids; watching your grown kids play with their little cousins; watching dolphins jumping in the bay

Thursday: having all of your kids with you; pictures and texts letting you know your puppies are doing fine while you're away; a banquet room filled with family; moonlight splashing on the Gulf of Mexico in front of your condo; cousins playing card games together

Friday: taking a long walk with your sweetie on the beach, holding hands; watching fish jump out of the water; McGuire's Irish Pub and the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk with your son and future daughter-in-law; a storm that passes you by 

Saturday: a house and pool overflowing with family of all ages that you haven't seen in too many years… wishing a happy birthday to everyone... crossing language barriers…and too many sweet!moments to list!

Sunday: good weather for traveling; a scenic detour; Subway Sandwich Shops on every exit of I-10; arriving home, safe and sound, to two puppies wiggling and grinning and overflowing with happiness at the sight of you; finding the momma duck and her mostly-grown duckling still hanging out at the neighborhood pond; new purple and yellow wildflowers popping up along your country road

Monday: a house full of kids and their stuff; watching your old puppy act like a youngster; tackling tons of to-do's; a day spent running errands with your daughter

I hope you all had a week full of sweet!s and have already started on another one. But please take a minute to share a sweet! from your past week!