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.

Seven weeks and counting...

Seven weeks is unbelievable. In seven weeks, my baby boy has become an infant. In seven weeks, my little girl has become capable of dissertating and monologuing on just about anything. In seven weeks, we have journeyed to Sewanee for our final summer and have arrived almost at the end. A week from now, my last paper will be turned in, our packing will be almost complete, and I will be at once full of Sewanee's energy and magic and sad, so sad, to leave. For now, I will cling to what I have a week left to enjoy: my School of Letters friends, the Domain, Stirlings coffee, Shenanigan's porch, Lake Cheston, and all the places in between.

Okay, enough early morning sappy reflections while I wait for Adrian to wake up...enjoy the following pictures of Riley's wall of art, her bucket-head, and our rapidly-growing baby boy...

Second Story of the Summer...

Another story of mine was recently published in Wilderness House Literary Review's summer issue. If you get a chance, check it out!

The story is called "Beyond the Field of Vision."

Thanks - and, enjoy!

Talkative Two-Year Old...

Wow, can Riley talk! I mean, really talk. Like all the time. Shawn and I just look at each other and shake our heads. Here are some of the statements, questions, and words we are hearing these days...

1. That's enough! (usually after we put a handful of cereal into a cup for her to snack on.)
2. Chocolate milk.
3. I go buy gas...and snacks. (This is what she says while holding a credit card she has taken out of Shawn's wallet.)
4. I cold...I need dress. (This is usually quite dramatic...even with some mock shivering.)
5. Your show's over...my turn now. (her attempt to regain control of the TV to watch more Dora)
6. Six, seven, nine! (Riley's version of counting...she is not a fan of eight! We've tried!)
7. I don't like it vs. I want more. (her way of sharing her opinions on meals and different foods)
8. I push play! (doesn't matter what type of button: elevator, electronic door...)
9. Marshmallows (she cleaned out a box of Lucky Charms...)
10. I need band-aid. (though sometimes it comes out as headband...and she can even open the band-aid and put it on all by herself.)

Brothers and Sisters = Awesome Weekends!

Brendan, Claire, Alli and CE joined us in Sewanee for the holiday weekend - and, we had a terrific weekend on the Domain, enjoying a Southern small town 4th of July. Sewanee sure knows how to do the Fourth of July right. We enjoyed a street fair, children's games, a barbecue lunch, kettle corn, funnel cakes, a parade, and fireworks. We strolled around campus and town with the double stroller, taking turns pushing the kids, shopping, and eating.

On Sunday, we spent a couple of hours at Lake Cheston.

At night, we played the name game and the movie version of the name game for hours - and, watched a couple of episodes of Prison Break, once the kids went to bed. Oh, and we snacked. And snacked. And snacked!

The weekend was full of funny moments, lots of laughs, very little school work (whoops), and just the sheer joy of all being together as a family. It is times like these when I want, more than anything, to have a big family, too. Yeah, sure it will cost a lot, but we'll find a way to make it worth, and it will be worth it in the end.

Thanks for a great weekend, Clairese, Brendino, CE, and Alli!! We love you guys, and miss you already!! I am so lucky to have brothers and sisters like you!!