Refreshed

I told Sadie to "make a nice face," but I think she heard, "make a face."

I have a lot to say about my trip home. Let's start with the most prominent change. My nieces and nephews are bigger. Bigger. Well, except Jack, for which I'm grateful because he's already six-two and hasn't even graduated high school yet. He dwarfs everyone. His mother, his father, and his aunt, who barely clears five-one.

My parents met me at the airport and my dad told me I had gotten bigger. I said, "dad, I'm 23, there's only one way I'm growing from here on out and I don't want to hear I'm getting bigger that way." Remember when a grown-up told you that you were getting bigger and you glowed with pride? Those were the days.

It was so refreshing and relaxing to be home with my family. It kind of felt like I was back in college or something and Blake was at his school and I was still at home. I didn't realize how relaxed I was until I came back to Pensacola. Not that I was sullen and moody before, I just felt... different. Better.

I also got my pet fix for awhile. Four dogs and two cats jumping all over you at every available second tends to make you think twice before buying a leash and litter box.

Maybe the highlight of my trip home, though, was the perennial favorite. Brooks's BBQ. I would kill to have a Brooks nearby. Sure, you can buy the sauce and spices from their online store, but it's not like having it all cook slowly over an open pit. Mmmmmm. Man I love that place. Seriously. I'm getting sad just thinking about it.

No, I don't miss Brooks as much as I miss my family.

Not much at least