It's Monday. Aren't Mondays Beautiful?

What a whirlwind and tiring past two weeks I've had! Thanks to all of you who have kept in touch, and sent me encouraging notes and thoughts lately. I sometimes wish Tim didn't have to travel for work -- that we could live the life we want without him having to be so far away, so often. And I wish all my family and friends lived down the street, so we could be together all the time. Or at least that dog boarding wasn't so expensive (seriously, it's not the plane tickets, it's making sure our fur babies are taken care of). But here we are ... in Colorado ... a place we love ... and we will be fine! So, as always, thanks for the kind support. It means a lot to me, and I'm grateful.

In other news, it rained here on Saturday evening. "Uh, big deal!" you're thinking. But it is a big deal here. We're in a horrible drought, and it was so wonderful, I wanted to go outside and just stand in it. Our two dogs all but insisted on going out to lay on our back steps; I certainly wasn't the only one feeling a sense of calm and relief. So, I opened a few windows, filled my nostrils with the scent of the rain, and my ears with the sound of its gentle, steady fall. I want to vacation somewhere lush.

Also, we have the rest of our year all but planned. Is it just us, or does anyone else have to do this? Go back and forth between which trips will make the cut? Do we want to take a family vacation somewhere new and exciting, or do we want to spend time with our loved ones in mostly familiar places? Be a typical suburban Denver family that takes Maile to Rocky Mountain National Park, or skip Christmas presents and expand our international travels? And who are these people who live in our area that do all of that and more? There's a reason two-income households are "winning" these days, across America.

Next month, we'll be taking our first family flight since last August. Needless to say, Maile is a completely different little person now. People always tell us to give her Benadryl, or bring the iPad. But I will not unnecessarily medicate my child to fly (Do people really do that?), and we don't have an iPad. Maile has flown a lot, and has always been a good flyer, but do you have any magical tips for toddlers and flying? (She'll be on our laps, if that helps.) Please share!

Yes, today is Monday. It's funny ... SAHMs really don't have Mondays in the strictest sense. But we have Mondays. Trying to balance family, and family fun ... long distance marriages ... terrifying travel plans with a toddler. But it's a beautiful life. And we'll be fine.

xo