It's over. Absolutely, positively over. The good news: we rocked this summer. I was nervous. And then I changed my attitude. And it's been great. It's actually been mostly pleasant and surprisingly fun. The bad news: we peaked too early. To all of you who have already started school, as I begrudgingly like your pictures on Facebook, I'm not-so-secretly envious of you. It's the last week of summer for us, and I'm done. Checked out. The positive attitude, the creative ideas, … [Read more...] about it’s over
My Blog
everyone will get what they need
It's getting old. Really old. Have you ever noticed how our culture tends to typecast modern parents into roles that don't reflect real life? Moms are portrayed as pulling their hair out trying to keep everything together while dads wander around with an aw-shucks look on their face like they don't know the first thing about their own children or how to function. It's so weird to me because this doesn't reflect the world of families that I see around me. Most of the families that I … [Read more...] about everyone will get what they need
a little bit of grace
There's a little bit of grace in this blog. Just when I think I might be done, that I might have nothing left to say, that I might have lost my focus or purpose or be flailing a little, I get a message or an email or someone tells me in person how much they enjoy it. How it makes them think. Makes them laugh. Helps them gain perspective. It feels like a gulp of air after being underwater too long. And so with a renewed spirit and a full heart, I keep going. But let's be clear. I … [Read more...] about a little bit of grace
the hotel life
On our way back from a family visit in Florida, my husband and I spent one night at Amelia Island Plantation to celebrate our eleventh wedding anniversary. Now we are back home and I'm plotting when and how I can check back into a hotel. I'm not thinking about marriage or why alone time with your spouse is important or how magical poolside margaritas can be for one's spirit. Today I am thinking about hotels. And how much I love them. Last year during our relocation, we spent a lot of … [Read more...] about the hotel life
confession: i hoard travel magazines
My passport is expired. I haven't left the country in 12 years. Yet, I have subscriptions to five different travel magazines. A few years ago I had some extra airline miles so I cashed them in for magazines. Travel magazines. (This is how I get the majority of magazines that arrive at my door. If you love magazines, you should totally look into it.) At the time I had this unspoken idea that I could transform my career and become a travel writer focusing on family travel. In the name of … [Read more...] about confession: i hoard travel magazines
things that no one ever says to me
Things that no one ever says to me: You're so tan! Did you just get back from the beach? Don't worry about the bathroom, I'd love to clean it. You look so well rested. Can I not play on the iPad? I have so many clean clothes, I don't know what to wear. I already cleared my dishes. I know exactly where my shoes are. But we already have so many pictures of you. Can we just sit around and read today? You don't look old enough to have two boys that age. What are people not saying to you … [Read more...] about things that no one ever says to me
on my nightstand
I've been cranking out the reading lately. In theory, life in summer slows down. And yes, the days can go by slowly, but overall we're moving from one thing to the next at a pretty steady pace. My theory is if we keep moving, there's less time to bicker. But even with an uptick in our schedules, I refuse to be too busy to read which is my all time favorite past time. I read standing up eating breakfast. I cook dinner with a book in my hand. I sneak a few minutes while the kids are outside … [Read more...] about on my nightstand
the lifestyle trap
Have you ever needed an idea or some inspiration and jumped on a food blog or Pinterest or a design site to get your creative juices flowing? Maybe find a little inspiration? That's something I do on a pretty regular basis. I poke around looking for an idea, but most of the time I end up feeling more uninspired and overwhelmed than ready for action. The problem is I have a love/hate relationship with the concept of lifestyle. I define lifestyle as any content from web sites to blogs to … [Read more...] about the lifestyle trap