The summer ended with a glorious trip to see my dear friend Nancy at her little cabin in the woods.

The kids would have stayed forever if I let them. All seven kids (just her younger four and my youngest three) played together beautifully. Being around her family is effortless and easy. We entertain, eat, and discipline in very similar ways which makes everything so easy.

Our journey with RAD (reactive attachment disorder) can be messy and uncomfortable. Nancy gets it. She is an adoptive mom of four, so this is not new territory for her. She is supportive and gentle with me as I navigate how to balance a discipline foreign to most parents.

The biggest lesson I learned this summer was that Riley, Mary Alice, and Sebastian love to travel. They love to explore and hike and throw rocks into streams. I love seeing them smile at one another and feeling my shoulders relax for a few minutes.

There is something about not being home that is enough distraction to keep everyone being a little kinder to one another.

The afternoon showers, the evening walks, the excitement of endless playtime with friends, and the hours of bike rides were heaven for them.

Thank you, Nancy, for having us. It was perfect.