So now, let me tell you about Front Royal. I've told you about Skyline Drive and how it took my breath away. I've told you about the quiet, winding roads, and the deer. Well, the downtown is just as precious. Julia and I ate dinner at The Mill and had amazing comfort...
Family
Leaving for College – Part two
We woke up the next day ready to take on the world... But first, the book ordering. There were so many. We were going back and forth between emails and class lists and professor recommendations. Painful, long, expensive... I think we were almost both in tears. I was...
Leaving for College – The Bridge
Like every good song, even goodbyes have a bridge. It compares and contrasts and prepares us for the return of the verse and the chorus. Did you know the bridge is also called a release? So fitting. You know when you are listening to a really good song, then you hear...
Leaving for College – Part one
I've been putting off writing this as I processed so many thoughts and emotions. I'm going to fast forward through the rest of summer and go back later to write it. That's ok, right? You guys don't mind, do you? Well, everything they've said about leaving for college...
Hitting Pause {The Annual College Roommate Get Together)
Every year my college roommates and I try to get together. With two continents and nineteen children between us, it can be difficult for everyone to come. This year, my best friend Jen was on home leave from Africa. She was going to be traveling through Arizona for...
The gift of Sebastian
When you tell people that you had a baby at 43 years old or that you have an 18 year age span between your children, you get a lot of questions and even more looks of concern. If you know our story, you know what an absolute blessing and surprise Riley, Mary Alice,...
Campbell Mesa Loop Trails in Flagstaff
We had a beautiful afternoon free and took an easy hike at Campbell Mesa Loop Trails. “I knew when I met you an adventure was going to happen.” ― A.A. Milne This summer, road trips were so great for our family. It got us out of the heat. We were away from laundry and...
The Fourth of July – Flagstaff
Fourth of July was always a huge event when I was growing up. We looked forward to the parades every year. Sometimes it was Plano, Texas and sometimes it was Mansfield, Texas, but it was always fun and huge. The first year we moved to Phoenix, I couldn't believe that...
Before you go. An Open Letter to myself before you leave for college.
When we were at Huntington Beach, you asked for a mini photo shoot. As we left the hotel, I grabbed my camera and the cooler to head to the car. I decided to empty the cooler of the water from the melted ice the day before and hollered something about someone grabbing...
Tonto Natural Bridge
Road trips are keeping us all sane somehow. It's hot. We are together a lot and heading up north to make memories makes a lot of sense right now. As we drove, we noticed signs explaining trail restrictions. I was hoping the trail I had chosen wouldn't be closed, but...