I {heart} Acadia.

A vacation is like love - anticipated with pleasure, experienced with discomfort and remembered with nostalgia.

That sounds about right.

I LOVE going on trips with my family. We travel often and each time we eagerly anticipate all of the wonderful things we are going to do and the fabulous sites we are going to explore. We excitedly arrive at our destination full of hope and boundless energy for our adventure.

The first day or so is always bliss. But at some point the reality of vacationing with 4 children sets in as the bickering starts, complaining ensues, and aggravations escalate. Deep breathing becomes necessary and threats that this is our last. vacation. ever. may pop out of my mouth.

But all that is a distant memory.

For now, as I look back on our trip away, I am filled with happiness and wonderful memories of our family time - enjoying the sounds of the ocean crashing on the rocky shoreline, hiking and biking the brilliant carriage roads through the spectacular national park, and rediscovering our love for Acadia.

I'm filled with the nostalgia of our time together and wistful that it ended so fast. And longing for another trip back up there - squabbles and all.

Project 52. Week 16.

O.M.G.

He is a middle schooler!!!

How did this happen? When did this happen? Why did this happen?? (Ok, so I know the answer to these questions, but still, the feelings of amazement and disbelief are pretty strong.)

I just can't believe my little boy has grown up so much. He is walking home from school AND letting himself in the house on his own. (Even though I did these things at a much younger age than he is, times have changed and I can't believe he is at the age that I can leave him alone and not get in trouble with child services.) He is wanting to watch more mature shows and read more mature books. He is going on trips without mom or dad. He is loving all of this. He is becoming more independent and it is certainly bittersweet.

I swear he still looks like my little baby here. I love this photo of him - so content, so happy, so youthful and innocent - and this is how I see him in my heart. So it is hard to see that he is in MIDDLE SCHOOL!

Learning to let go seems to be getting harder and harder...

Project 52. Week 15.

Ok, so I'm haven't been keeping up with this on a week to week basis, but I am still taking lots of photos and have a ton of favorites to share, and many of them from our trips to the beach this summer. Hmm, maybe that is my problem...lots of time at the beach and too many photos! :-) Not a bad problem to have by any means...

"On the beach, you can live in bliss."
- Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys