Great Grandpa Came to Visit...

Last weekend, my grandpa came up from Tampa to meet Adrian, hang out with Riley, swap stock quotes with Shawn, and treat us to Olive Garden. We had a wonderful time! Thanks for coming to see us. It was awesome hanging out. We love you!!

How to go back to work...

1. Fly back into town at 10pm the night before.
2. Take kids to two different daycare/preschool places.
3. Pump three times at work in between classes.
4. Have make-up duty after-school.
5. Have husband's open house at night.

So now I am a bit tired and pumping again...

Here's to the start of another school year!

My Sleeping Babies...

A Fresh, New Fall

Here's the quick run-down:

Shawn: started teaching and coaching last week. He's also back to bowling, too.

Riley: started preschool last week and gymnastics again. Loves gymnastics, not such a fan of preschool yet. Her favorite part of the day is when we come pick her up! This week is better than last, so there is hope... Otherwise, she is awesome - talking more and more, helping out with her brother, and just being really cute.

Adrian: rolling over, just about sleeping through the night, enjoying time with Mommy during the day for one more week! What can I say? It has been great being home for some one on one time with my little man. I feel so much closer to him now! He is such a smiley, sweet baby, and now he is getting so big!

Me: last week of maternity leave, then back to school full time and thesis work. Really, my two weeks of maternity leave have been awesome for Adrian and I. And, I am looking forward to seeing my students and teaching again. Writing for my thesis is going well so far. My first deadline is at the end of the month! Wahoo! Oh, and I have still been rocking Insanity (just four days a week)! Let's see how long that lasts!

Okay, that's all for now! Enjoy the new pictures!!

I have an amazing family. After a day at the beach together in Jacksonville, I feel so full - full of memories, smiles, laughs, stories, love, support, generosity, kindness, togetherness, joy, and inspiration. For a little less than a full day, our ever-growing family was together. We are a crowd now, two hotel suites full of bodies, and I couldn't be more happy, knowing I am part of such a fun and loving group of people. Sure, we have our looks, our disagreements, our tension, our political discord, but that keeps our time together real, at least entertaining. The day was fast - hotel check-in, lunch, beach, shower and rest, dinner, dessert and videos, sleep, and breakfast - but it was enough to make me realize how fortunate and lucky I am to have a family I am so proud of and so moved by.

I think one of the things that really struck me this time was how much my children are loved and cared for by my siblings and my parents. The bonds are so instant, inherent, undeniable - and, I almost want to cry when I see Riley picking shells on the beach with my dad and mom, my sisters holding Adrian in their safe arms, their smiling faces, my brother romping on the bed with Riley, playing like only an uncle and niece can. God, those are great sights. Powerful. Beautiful.

And all I can say is thank you. Mom, Dad, Allison, Brendan, Claire, CE, Shawn, Riley, and Adrian: thank you for a wonderful visit - and, more importantly - for filling my life, for being my support system, for being my friends, for showing my kids what an amazing thing family is, for loving me, for giving me that vital knowledge that I can be and do anything.

I miss you already.

Today is a great day!

Why? Because six years, ago, Shawn and I got married on this date and this day of the week. It is amazing the substance of six years: two kids, two homes, three cruises, six school years, four summers in Sewanee, countless movies, a trip to Oregon, endless rounds of blockus, scrabble, and Upwards, two marathons, and the commonness of daily life - dinners, baths, bedtimes - made special and new with Shawn and now Riley and Adrian in my life. I am one lucky, lucky girl.

Shawn, I couldn't ask for a better partner to create a family with, to go through life with. Each day is an adventure! Thank you.

Summer Adventures...

Well, we are back in Gainesville! It has been a summer of adventures, traveling with two kids from Florida to Sewanee to Virginia to Pittsburgh to Western Ohio to Virginia and finally back to Florida! We had a great time every step of the way, and I attribute that to two things:

1. My husband is awesome! Really. I am pretty sure most of the women in my program had a crush on him because he is such a great dad. Shawn was awesome with the kids, made dinner every night except for one in Sewanee, did all the laundry, and drove all summer long (except for the final two hours of the return ride to Gainesville). I am very lucky!

2. My kids are awesome! Really. Riley listens so well, helps out when she can, and loves her baby brother. She was terrific in the car and throughout our travels, adjusting to new situations with ease and hugging all of her new friends! She is growing up so fast. And Adrian, he is smiling all the time now. Such an easy-going, pleasant baby! He eats, sleeps, poops, and smiles. We couldn't ask for two better kids!

Enjoy the pictures of our adventures! I will probably do another photo update once I get some more pictures from my dad (aka Mr. Photographer-of-grandkids).

To everyone we saw on our adventures - thank you for an awesome summer!

Mom and dad: It was wonderful spending time with you on and off the Domain. More than ever, you are both my role models. You are both terrific grandparents. Thank you for everything! We love you!

Alli and CE: The fourth was awesome, as was our date night to Boylan's and Arches. So much fun!! We are already looking forward to our next one.

Brendino and Claire: Our week together was great! Name game and popcorn. That's all I'm saying...

Paul and Jamie: Thanks for being our home base! It was great spending time with you, and we cannot wait to meet your little girl!!

Clay and Krista, etc.: J&T's and the Children's Museum = fun!! Can't wait to hang out in Denver one of these days...

Uncle Rob and Aunt Judy and Paul: Thanks for a great lunch and even better company!!

Heather and family: We had a great time hanging out and venturing off to Whippee Dip! Allison is awesome! Thanks for having us!

The Fords: Our visit was too short! Thanks for the great food, great conversation, and all the laughs.