the traveler...

What happens when part of you heart is having an adventure on the other side of the world without you?
You try to keep up as much as you can.
And stalk Facebook when the clock says they might be in the lodge for the night and can find some wifi.

I am so excited that Camden has the chance to return to Africa.
It has been four years since we were there, and I am looking forward to hearing how his stories now compare to his memories. I hope he is travelling with his heart open wide, ready, once again to take in the world.

happy fourth!

It is one of my my favorite things... when the wind is blow strong and Old Glory flies on the breeze.
And this shot?  Taken at the beach a couple of weekends ago, so two of my favorite things.

I hope your Fourth of July is spectacular!

just... me.

I often feel that our greatest individual challenge is to close the gap

between our unflattering self-concepts and the truth of our magnificence.

To see ourselves through the eyes of those who love us.

-Jeff Brown

Working on it... a lot. And... I'm making progress.
For the first time in a long, long time, I am not cringing when I look in the mirror, and it doesn't set my whole day off kilter. I have been participating in an online boot camp, and although I have lost a little weight and some inches, I see the most difference on the inside.  I feel different. Energized. Motivated. Strong. Valuable.  And... I did 30 push ups this morning. Yes. Three-oh. That is 20 more than I could do nine weeks ago. I am a-changing... and I am grateful.

the start...

Today she starts her new job...

stole this from her instagram!

It is almost her first job- the only time she has ever been officially paid for work was a couple weeks of her volunteer camp counselling job a few summers back.  She was a really great counselor, but it was very temporary. And this time?  It is the start of her zoo career.  Her dream.  She is very excited!

This morning I had the first-day butterflies for her. I didn't ask her if she had them, too... but I am betting she did. This business of mothering never ever ends...