Living in Munchkinland

Michael's 44th birthday was on Tuesday. I asked him what he would like to do for his big day and he said he would most like to have a ranch happy hour with sushi. I invited all the family and mom and I went and ordered several sushi platters. I worked all day making a vegan nutella ice cream pie, which turned out beautifully, but was too sweet for my taste. At 5:30 we all gathered at my mom's house and ate sushi, drank sake and/or champagne and celebrated Michael. It was really lovely. At the end, Bruce played the piano and sang and we all gathered around. I love our family so much and it was a great way to celebrate the love of my life.

Here are the first day of school pictures! Samuel started third grade this week and Davis started fifth. They both really enjoyed their first week. They have great friends in their class and both really like their teachers.

Michael and I escaped to Denver last weekend. My mom and dad had plans to go with Stacy and Lilliana to the beach and the kids were spending their beloved annual week with the grandparents. Michael gets a day off for his birthday during the same period and I had citi thank you points burning a hole in my pocket. So we went to Denver. We stayed in the Hyatt Grand Denver using cash and points and a diamond suite upgrade. The suite was stunningly beautiful, but the best perk was the Grand Club down the hall which served breakfast, snacks, and a beautiful heavy appetizer dinner in the evening all included. It was almost totally empty until our last day and we spent lots of time there. Our first day we arrived early in the morning and drove all around Denver, exploring the neighborhoods. We arrived at the hotel, dropped off our bags and headed to the Civic Center to partake of Arepas at the food trucks. Delicious! We met Michael's friend Aaron there and he ate with us in th...

We are fitting in some summer fun despite the heat. We eat watermelon on the porch almost every day. We swim at my parents house. I have a glass of wine every evening. Davis and I curl up on the couch and watch so you think you can dance. We had Tom and Odille over for a swim. We spent Sunday at the lake with my sister and brother in law and nephew and had a fantastic day. We drove over to San Antonio and rescued the most darling miniature poodle to go live with GG. I ate at Herbert's with my mom, dad, and both Uncle Mike and Uncle Larry as well as Aunt Joyce and the boys. Michael got to see Katie and the kids while he traveled in Seattle for work. We are finding joy in family and making it work. The kids are having "grandparents week" this week. They will spend tomorrow with my mom and then Wednesday through Sunday with Martha and Clark. They are delirious with joy.

I hate Texas in August. It's so hot and dry and everyone is gone and you can't play outside and the summer, once filled with promise is winding down. I drove home from Taos with my fists clenched on the steering wheel. I hate August in Texas but I love my family and I needed to come home and be with them. Things are not great around here. Lots of hard choices and running smack into realities we don't want to face. My mom says everything will be fine. So I'll go along with the party line. I want to be that accepting and positive. I love my mama more than words can express. I wish I had magic powers and could wrap her in love and light, though she would probably just hug me and say, " I love you sweety, but I don't need magic, I've got all I need right here." She is an incredible woman. Things have been hard, but I am learning patience and how to stay in the moment. I am giving love and receiving it and I am here with my family so I am truly...