Family
7/29/25
We didn't do anything especially grand. I worked several days from my dad's office and admired all of the tchotchkes and books on his shelves, and noticed all of the supplies he's gathered for his hobbies. We took the kids to the splash pad and fed them crackers and fruit snacks. I let the kids take pictures on my phone, resulting in the masterpiece above. I took my mom shopping and she hemmed my brother's pants. We took the kids to Dig World to play on construction equipment. I played swords and shields with my nephews and we pulled out Canasta after the kids went to bed.
I was perfectly at ease the whole week.
That's basically always how I feel at my parent's house, and I feel so grateful that that's the case. It's a place I know well, even though they haven't lived there long, and routines that I remember from growing up. My parents are just wonderful and I love getting to visit them. Every time, it feels like a relief to walk through the doors.
That's what I want for my home as well: to feel it is a relief to be there.
While I'm working on it, I'll savor every visit to Mom & Dad's.
11/25/18
This morning, I got back from taking my brother to the airport, and now the house is too quiet.
I hosted my parents, brother, and sister for the Thanksgiving holiday. I have an absurd amount of leftovers and groceries in my fridge and pantry. I've just finished washing all the sheets and putting away all of the blankets.
And I'm terribly sad about it.
I had never hosted a lot of family before, and while it wasn't perfect by any stretch, it's a holiday memory that I'll cherish for the rest of my life.
image via
3/10/17
Yesterday morning, my sweet grandmother Colleen passed away.
My dad always says that we never new the mother that raised him, and so I'd like to tell you about the grandma that I knew. The Grandma I knew loved the color blue and finished every meal with ice cream. The Grandma I knew wore bright pink lipstick and loved Cinderella. The Grandma I knew loved God and Christ and once sat with me for ages and ages watching Bible videos on the Mormon Channel. The Grandma I knew loved her family - her parents, her children, her grandchildren. The Grandma I knew was lovely and told me I was beautiful.
I'm so grateful to be her granddaughter and to have had the chance get to know her in the last several years. My life and my family's life has been enormously blessed because of her goodness and love, and I can never thank her enough. I loved her very much, and I'll love her forever.
Until we meet again.
1/7/16
This is Mark.
He's my little brother. And he's 8 inches taller than me.
He loves country music, my mother's cookies, the Florida State Seminoles, and when you run your fingers through his hair. He wears dad shirts, but he doesn't look like a dad. He will serenade me with Phil Collins songs. He likes to play Rook. He speaks in song lyrics most of the time. He calls me
Little Sister.
This year for Christmas, he bought me a book and a Target gift card for $12.34.
Mark is a gem. I'm glad he's my brother.
He's my little brother. And he's 8 inches taller than me.
He loves country music, my mother's cookies, the Florida State Seminoles, and when you run your fingers through his hair. He wears dad shirts, but he doesn't look like a dad. He will serenade me with Phil Collins songs. He likes to play Rook. He speaks in song lyrics most of the time. He calls me
Little Sister.
This year for Christmas, he bought me a book and a Target gift card for $12.34.
Mark is a gem. I'm glad he's my brother.
11/28/15
I don't know how I got so lucky to be a part of my family, but I will always be grateful for it.
My mom came to visit me this month and there were a few moments where I found myself struck with how grateful I am that I get to be her daughter. Over Thanksgiving, I got to spend time with my brother and sister-in-law for what felt like the first time in a long time. These two experiences got me thinking a whole lot about how lucky I am.
I'm grateful for a family who love each other very much. I'm grateful for siblings who ask my advice, who remind me to be brave, who make me laugh, and who quote movies no one else has seen. I'm grateful for parents who love others and are kind, who taught their children truth, who always set a wonderful example for us, and still like to do fun things with us.
I am well aware how fortunate I am to be surrounded by this family of mine, and I'm thankful for it every day.
7/7/14
Two weeks ago I went to the Diplomatic Reception Rooms at the State Department. Pictures will be up soon (I've been planning to put them up for a long time.....I'll get to it)
I'm currently at a family reunion in North Carolina and let me tell you my family is pretty great.
My car started making a noise and I'm not sure what it is.
I finished reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and picked up the audiobook the next day for my drive down to NC. I am obsessed with it.
Barack Obama showed up at my office building on Thursday to give the jobs report. I was sitting at the front desk when the president of the coworking space we partner with came to my desk and told me that the President of the United States will be here in 45 minutes. We went up stairs, got wanded by security, and then President Obama walked in the room. It was insane and definitely one of the coolest things that has ever happened in my life.
The Fourth of July was wonderful. It's one of my favorite holidays and this year it was the first day of this family reunion. We went down to a street fair, danced in the street, and watched fireworks. I just love America.
I've solidified my plans so I'm moving to a townhouse in about 3 weeks. All I've got to do is buy a bed. Never been mattress shopping before, but I'm pretty excited.
image via
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