We are home!!!!

I love going on vacation but it is so nice to be home.  It was great seeing family and friends and our childhood homes.  Wow! has the Washington D.C. area changed.  Even though my husband and I were raised there, it is like going to a foreign country.  There are so many more highways and the houses just get bigger and bigger.  In my Dad's neighborhood, they are tearing down the 1950's homes and putting in McMansions.  That's what they call them in Fairfax County.  They have no land and are huge -- 4000 to 5000 square foot houses for 3 or 4 people.  Most folks don't have more than one or two kids. My Dad told me that some children who were born to English speaking parents have to take ESL classes when they get to school, because they spent way more time with Spanish speaking nannies than their own parents.  Also, so many people are working so many hours to afford the McMansions that they hardly ever get to come home and enjoy the McMansions.  Maybe it's just me and I hate being judgmental but it seems like a lot of people are missing the point in life up there.  What happened to having time to take care of your kids and enjoy your life instead of working yourself into an early grave?  To those of you who live up there and read my blog -- I know many people up there feel trapped by the fast pace lifestyle and are trying hard to have more time. I am soooo glad that my husband and I chose a lifestyle that allows us to have lots of time with our kids.  We aren't rich in money and assets, but we are very rich in love, memories, and laughter.