How cute is this?

(Updated for 2015!)

My oldest would be so sad if we had one and he couldn't fit in it.

Blindly driving through the night

I'm having vision issues. Easily rectified, I assume, but that in combination with wonky headlights does not make for relaxed non-daylight-driving.

As I headed into the office in the wee hours of the morning, I caught sight of two branches JUST in time to swerve and avoid them. That's when I realized that I tend to "blindly drive through the night assuming that the paved roads ahead will be clear of debris."

But don't we all do that?

Doodles by a 16 year old

Okay. So I'm a little late. (I'm SO nowhere near 16 years old!) And maybe they're more like something a 13 year old might doodle...

For the past year or so I've been admiring various simple illustrations of girls. I've purchased a few original works from Etsy artists that I admire (like TheBlackApple, MarmeeCraft, and CraftyFolk), but I also want to create one myself. The problem is that I canNOT draw. So I'm practicing. I mean. "Simple" is my criteria. Eventually, and with some practice, I should be able to create "simple." Yes?

p.s. The girl on the far right is inspired by a sketch drawn by the talented owner of  http://aprintaday.blogspot.com/. I'd link to the original image, but I couldn't find it.

To my friend Claudia

When I think back to my college days with you, an image of me half-doubled over with laughter as we cross Landis Green always comes to mind. (I distinctly remember talking about "my roommate" with someone and that person responding, "You mean that girl you're always laughing with?")

Thank you for being my friend. I'm an oddball in a such a non-traditional-oddball-kind-of-way that even oddballs think I'm odd. It takes a very special (and rare) type of person to be comfortable with me. I am grateful to have met you.

Working mom guilt

Well, not really. What I experience on a daily basis is a longing to be with my kids. I don't feel guilty about being at work because I understand that it's what I have to do. Now, if I wanted to be at the office, and chose to do so rather than staying home...then I would feel guilty. So, instead, I'm just a little bit heartsick everyday.

Last night's smile

Cool evening. Boys are sleeping with their windows open. I think how lovely it must be to hear the fountain tinkling away outside.

Suddenly Oldest Son says, "Omigosh, that fountain is making me have to go pee!"

Dollywood and fingersnapping

Why is it easier for me to record thoughts here than on paper? One would think I could more quickly find the time to pull out a pen and paper...

Last week (July 19 - 24) we took an official family vacation and went to Pigeon Forge, TN and Black Mountain, NC. Originally, I was just organizing a hotel sleepover for Mason's birthday present (as he requested). Then plans grew from there. It turned out to be an absolutely wonderful experience---lunch in Murphy (NC), Fontana Dam, Cades Cove, Inn at Christmas Place, Dollywood (and the Kratt brothers!), Biltmore and property, Black Mountain.

And with so many hours on the road, Youngest Son practiced and practiced...until he learned how to snap his fingers. He was very, very, very proud of his accomplishment that week!