So I have to admit, "reentry" after this trip has been harder than most. There was just something about the peace, the beauty, the utter lack of distractions in Tuscany that captivated me. I loved the walks and the time with Scott doing something that was challenging and breathtakingly beautiful at the same time. Several days in, I realized I had no idea what day it was. I'm not sure I have ever been so present in the moments that I lost track of time for days. And then there were the amazing sights and experiences with Rob and Laura, not to mention the laughter and the play and the food!!

On Saturday Zack called and mentioned we must be busy unpacking and getting back to normal. I chuckled and said, "Well, we're off to buy a few flowers and some birdseed. You know, the mundane things of life." He laughed and asked, "Mom, isn't it all mundane after a trip to Italy?" I said, "I guess so." It was how I felt in the moment.

But as Scott and I headed out to accomplish the 'mundane', I was deeply convicted about my attitude and I started thinking about what I had done since we got home. We had dinner and a wonderful conversation with Mackenzie on Thursday night. On Friday, sweet Wes came running when he saw me and we celebrated the son in law of our dear friends who graduated from seminary. On Saturday we got to buy flowers and birdseed. And Sunday, we worshipped at our church that we've been at for 25 years. We were surrounded by friends who have walked with us for many years. And then we spent the afternoon with our kids (except sweet Abby who is at school), our grandkids and my mom.

Italy was amazing and hopefully someday we'll do another walk there. But I'd like to re-answer Zack's question, "No, it's not all mundane after Italy." Love, family and friends are never mundane and we are so incredibly blessed. Today, we pulled out all of our flower pots, figured out where they would go and created some of the flower pot gardens we loved so much. Now, inspired by the beauty we saw, we have our own little piece of Tuscany that we can see every day until we get to return someday. Vacations are wonderful but there's nothing like coming home.