Vacation and Family

It's that time again....yes...vacation time.
We try to take the kids once a year to see our family "back home".
It's not home anymore. It hasn't been for the past 15 years. In the past 15 yeaers of being a military wife, I have learned to not put much emphasis on a specific place. There are places that will always be special to me, but home now has a different meaning. Home to us is where me and the kids are...and where ever my hubby is.
It is great being able to visit the family and friends that i dearly love. My parents are the only ones that ever travel to see us. My grandparents just aren't able to travel anymore.
Now when i say vacation...it's not really a vacation. We are pulled in so many directions when we visit that it is frustrating. I know that we only visit once a year but I have the attitude that the road goes both ways. If you really missed us that much then you could have traveled to see us in the past 15 years. Right??
That being said, I am excited to see my best friend of about 32 years and her kids. It's really hard to have a relationship with a small child that never gets to see you or rarely gets to talk to you. I think we do the best we can. We all have lives to live and stuff going on. I do not hold grudges against the ones that never call or that seem to not care about my kids. They are the ones that have to live with their decisions.
I am sure the kids and I will have a wonderful visit...although my hubby can't go. He rarely gets to go with us so it's kinda the norm. I think I'd be more shocked if he WAS able to go! Ah...the things we get use to...