It's so nice to be home.

 

The above picture and quote was taken at the Museum of Natural History in Washington DC last week.  Right now, I'm in the process of uploading, and editing pictures of the entire East Coast trip to 

put in the photo collection (I took lots of em').  

I've scratched off 3 more items on my Bucket List.

We had so much fun exploring 3 different Smithsonian museums in Washington DC.  We did a LOT of walking.  We flew into New Orleans, tired and happy. 

The kids and I are home in Lafayette, LA this week.  We'll be here for pretty much the rest of the summer.  It's so nice to be home, and I'm not sure that we'll be so ready to leave to go back to Alaska when it's time.  I never thought I'd find myself saying this, after having spent the first 20-something years of my life in this area, but I miss home.  

I couldn't wait to leave Louisiana. (Right about now, certain family members are slapping their hands on the computer desk) 11 years ago.  Lafayette was too "small town" for me.  Everyone knows of everyone; you run into the same people, etc., and I couldn't wait to see what else was out there.  It felt like life here was at a dead end.  Now, things are starting to change around here, and I'm not sure if I like that suddenly and slowly, I'm starting to feel like a stranger to it.  

But, I have a bad case of wanderlust, and I love to travel 

and live in different places to experience all that the area has to offer. 

I'm thankful for the experience of living in Alaska, but it doesn't fit me.  Alaska has taught me to slow down, and be more creative with my time. I'm so used to just going and going, constantly looking for things to do and see.  BIG city life would be perfect for me, I think. 

With that being said, everything happens for a reason.   I'm exactly where I need to be right now (in life),  and the experience of living there is changing me.  I'm appreciating the slower pace of Fairbanks.  I'm learning more and more about myself. 

But, when our time is up, I'll be more than ready to leave.  

When it's time for us to say good-bye to full-time, active military life, 

it will be wonderful to set our roots down, maybe somewhere closer to family.

At this moment, I'm content to be sitting here on the couch, typing with a full belly of my in-laws home cooking.  I'm listening to Sarah talk her Ya-Ya's ear off.  

And, I know that there is no place like home.