I was talking to a good friend while on the beach in the Dominican about blogging. She is really one of my only other friends who blogs. She's been doing it for a long time and has close to 1,000 followers.

And as we were talking it occurred to me that my blog really isn't a blog in the truest sense of a blog. It's more of a journal.

When I committed to writing everyday for a year, there was nothing else it could be.

It has many days been my sounding board, my release, my escape. And through all that, I've learned to heal through my own words on a screen.

When I look back at my teenage years, I was always writing. I always had some kind of journal. I think I have Tupperware's full of old journals up in our attic. Back then, I never thought I'd be comfortable enough with who I am to write so openly for so many people to read.

But here we are. Over 300 days into this adventure, I finally realized that what this is and has been is my journal. My life on a page. The contents of my head and my heart and my soul.

And it's good. I believe it's all good.

.....day 323 of a year of writing.....

Because There's No Place Like Home

Dorothy hit the nail on the head when she said it, "There is no place like home."

I love going away, but I think I love coming home even more.

We pulled into our driveway late on Tuesday night. So late, that it was almost Wednesday.

We carried already sleeping darlings up to their own beds to snuggle in for a night at home.

Once the bags were inside and we had made the rounds around the house, my previously groggy mind found a jolt of inspiration.



A new planner in the mail. Junk mail in the trash. Scentsy warmers changed to quickly bring us home. Laundry started, a cup of decaf coffe from the Keurig, and a big glass of water straight from the tap.



There is just something about being home.

I marked off the days we were gone on the house calendar and realized that June is nearly over. It seems like it just arrived.

I started to load the stairs with all the treasures the kids picked up on our trip and all the treasures they took along with them.



Sand ended up on the hardwood floors. Tiny little stowaways from our trip out of the country.

And in the midst of all the unpacking and settling in, I was so sweetly reminded of what it feels like to be home.



Yes, I ate pancakes and bacon everyday while we were on vacation, just because I could. And I did my fair share of lying on the beach while doing absolutely nothing at all, but I would never trade that for the feeling of home.

Knowing there is someplace I belong. Someplace I am comfortable. Someplace we are us. You don't get that just anywhere.

And every part of me wants to remember what this feels like. This bliss. This happiness and contentedness of who we are and where we are because I know that tomorrow will come with all its daily demands and issues, and I will more than likely, quickly forget that I love this.

I want to remember the dreams I've begun to dream while away from home. Sometimes it takes walking away and spending the time remembering who we are to appreciate all we have.

I think I have dreamed more and prayed more over the past couple of weeks than I ever really have. Big dreams. Dreams I used to be too afraid to dream. I'm not afraid to dream those dreams anymore.

So I guess that leaves me to dreaming at home. It's a good thing.

.....day 322 of a year of writing.....

The Last Day of our Janzen Wedding Trip

On the last day of our Cancun stay, we decided to take advantage of the last few hours and head to the aquarium with the hope of being able to swim with some dolphins.

We made it to the aquarium and got to check out some jelly fish.



They are so creepy.



The kids were able to pet stingrays in an open tank.



No touching the turtles though....they try to bite.



We found some pretty starfish.



There they are....ready to swim with the dolphins.







Meeting their dolphin.





A splash war.







She did a little showing off.





Getting a kiss.












They loved every minute of hanging with that dolphin. They talked about it all the way home.
Our last adventure in Cancun was complete.

.....day 321 of a year of writing.....

Janzen Wedding Trip Day 5

On Monday lots of our friends and family headed back home. We met for an early breakfast before they all headed to the airport.

After breakfast we headed to the kid's area for a lazy morning by the pool.



Luke made good use of his new water gun.



Knee knee (aka Whitney) and Uncle Kris stopped by to say goodbye before they headed to their adults' only honeymoon resort for the rest of the week.



Addy quickly made friends and was leading the other kids in imaginary games.



Dad blew up some awesome water balloons for all the kiddos.



New friends.



Luke appropriately hoarded all the orange water balloons.









After a morning by the pool, we headed to the room for a little relaxation and room service for lunch.





The room service chicken nuggets were surprisingly delicious.



After a nice long nap and a shower, we decided to head into town. We all took a city bus to head to the mall. Suddenly, on the very short drive to the mall, rain started gushing from the heavens all around us.

Before we knew it, the streets were nearly flooded. Brian and I opted out of getting off at our original stop where the water would have come to our knees with a single step outside the bus. We instead opted to stick with the rest of our crew (and it was a good thing).

This picture was taken after running through the rain for less than one minute. It looks like we jumped into a pool. We had to carry the kids (they would have had to swim in the street). And the air was so humid that I couldn't even get my camera lens to dry long enough to get a clear shot.



What an adventure that was!



We ended up having to walk across the street (which became a river...I'm not joking - the water was up to our knees) to catch a bus back to the resort.

Always an adventure.

....day 320 of a year of writing.....

Janzen Wedding Trip Day 4

The day after the wedding we rested. We slept in. Ordered room service. And headed to the pool for a late morning by the water. It was oh so sweet.
The boys played a little more sand volleyball.






And we headed to the beach for a stroll in the sand.



My babies enjoyed some special time with their grammy on the beach.



And they fell in love with the captivating ocean water just like their momma.





I had to include this picture because this is the stance that Luke was found in more often than not. He just couldn't keep his hands out of the sand.




We saw tons of pelicans soaring over the ocean and I just happened to snap this one soaring just above my mom and Luke's heads.











After our day by the water and a nice long nap, we cleaned up and headed to Zen for an Asian dining experience complete with a Hibachi grill and a Mexican chef : )


After sitting at this beautiful white piano, Addison decided that she would like to take piano lessons. So, I guess we'll be signing up for piano lessons soon.

We've had an incredible trip on the sandy beaches of Cancun, and it's not over yet. Loving every minute of our little adventure,

.....day 319 of a year of writing.....