i stand outside here in montrose, south dakota and there aren't any mountains on the horizon. the grass is brown instead of lush and green. i can't smell the pine trees or hear the rush of the river. but mostly, i can't hug my family or kiss my adorable little niece (she looks like me, i don't care what they say) or be around for the every day stuff that happens. i get this way every time we come back from a visit. it lasts for a few days, and then i get caught up in my life and the pang goes away.

i guess you could say i'm homesick.

i can't tell you how many times i fall in love with colorado when i'm there. i love the lifestyle. i love the people. i love the scenery. i love the way people treat their pets. i love the funky little restaurants and the music and the way the air gets cool enough to wear fuzzy sweatshirts at night in the summer. i love the fact that people bike to work. i love the way the wildflowers grow, and how all the colors are just somehow brighter. i love the outdoor festivals and the healthy way people look. while i was there, i had the opportunity to wake up at 5:45 am and ride a bike along a mountain path while the sun came up. i got to fish in a mountain lake where the water was clear and fresh. i was able to be with my grandpa in the hospital, and i got to have good talks with both my grandmas. my youngest son was amazed when we drove through a cloud at 10,000 feet, winding through red mountain pass, possible one of the most beautiful places in the world. when we got to durango, the beauty and peace of mom and chris's acreage kept us outdoors as much as possible. with horses, four-wheelers, a hot-tub and plenty of land to run around on, it was a playland for us adults as well. my favorite part is just spending time my family...i miss my mom a lot. i miss all of them.

and more than ever, today, i just want to go back home.