Our vacations plans changed in an dramatic instant (actually, two) and what's left of our summer was left a bit wobbly. I called airlines, booked hotels, made alternate plans. Nate told too many people what was none of their business. 

My nephew's new kitten, Mittens.

It turned out ok. Daniel and I spent some time alone for our 9th anniversary. I'm never happier than when exploring and doing nothing important with him. It's a rare luxury and we mostly spend it laughing and drinking too much coffee. 

I watched my son unwrap his first bike, begging the whole time to ride it now, this instant. I fussed over him, making sure the helmet was snug. In a second, he was gone, down the sidewalk, struggling with the pedals, but independent. He turned seven dreaming of his new red bike and pedaling away, further down the sidewalk, away from where I stood marveling at how much taller he looks than yesterday.

I'm typing this in a new home, one that I didn't expect to live in for another week. The view out of my kitchen is green, lush from too much rain. A train comes by several times a day and every time I go out on the kitchen porch, I watch a family of bunnies munching on the grass. It's beautiful and somehow, it's mine.

I'm a lucky girl.