I know exactly what all of you feel! I am a teacher too so that gives me the opportunity to take a long trip every summer (last summer, though, I stayed home and planted a garden and enjoyed my city).
Our visits are two-fold. First and foremost, my husband's whole family is there, he is the ONLY one outside of Spain. Next but for myself, it's that I truly love Spain and envision a life there one day, I don't know if it will be next year, in 10 years, or when I retire, but I will be there permanently one day, in my future!!!
I also really want my Americanized daughter to know her Spanish heritage and family !
In the meantime, we have satellite t.v. with TVE, perfect the art of Spanish cuisine, made a paella oven outside, have Spanish friends, take daughter to flamenco lessons, and of course, enjoy all of you on MM message board@@@!!!!!!