Love.

By now you may have guessed that part of my beach side reading included Elizabeth Gilbert's widely popular, secular travelogue/memoir Eat, Pray, Love. I know I'm behind the times (a reality you are sure of when your copy is paperback. Mine is paperback and now mildly swollen from inadvertent splashing and contact with damp towels). I was intrigued the book's popularity, and since I plan to see Julia Robert's film portrayal this summer I wanted to read the book first. (Always read the book first, people! In my modest opinion the books are almost always better than their movies!)

Love:

If you've been reading between the lines recently, you might have guessed that these last few months have been more stressful than we thought they'd be.

Mr. Johnson's new job is loosely defined, and has a timeline less realistic than the planned 2011 pull out from Afghanistan. He's been traveling to recruit new employees. Swamped with work between two divisions (leaving one and joining another.)

The girls are all in unique stages:

A 'tween-ager (need I say more?)

A compliant middle who is gearing up to loose three close friends to repatriation

And a five-year-old who has a new penchant for whining
(hopefully a short-lived phase.)

I've felt frustrated by our present situation with our landlord, anxious about whether or not to move, and overwhelmed by the impending loss of two of my tightest girlfriends who will soon have permanent addresses on the West coast of the United States and Canada.

So, six days on the beach did a lot to help us all relax and let go.

Yes, there was sometimes a laptop poolside, and some whining, and some sibling rivalry.

But these things were largely overshadowed by laughter and smiles; swimming and exploring; eating, reading, resting, chilling. We saw how our oldest is maturing into a lady who can be both responsible and a good conversationalist. We heard our middle's quick wit. (She's often shy, and reluctant to draw attention to herself, but let me tell you that girl is funny!!) Our baby showed how she no longer really is. And how she is both tough and gentle.

We read, cuddled, and simply spent time together as a family. Is there a better definition of love?