I love to travel. I also love my daughter. However toddlers and travel don't usually ever go well together. 

My husband and I recently took two weeks off from work and our little family of three went on vacation. It was heavenly. It was the epitome of vacation and we tried to do as little “work” as possible. Which for me meant not only stepping away from my real job, but this little blog as well. We needed to take time to focus on our family.

After vacation, I planned to write something about our trip for my next post. Unfortunately upon our return, I learned that my grandfather had passed. Coming back to reality became difficult on an entirely different level. He had been in hospice care for a while, so I knew that the time would come to have to say goodbye, but I still wasn’t prepared for how hard it would be. So instead of writing about vacation, I’d like to write about my Grandpa - Lloyd J. Hill, Jr.

My heart melts when my daughter reaches her tiny arms up to me and asks to be picked up. But when she wraps those same tiny arms around her father's neck for a giant hug, well my heart bursts into a million pieces. Nothing brings me more joy than seeing my daughter and husband together. As much as I crave her love, I hope that she becomes a daddy's girl. Speaking from experience, I know how special that relationship is and how impactful it can be on a girl's life.

I met my husband when I was 14 years old. It's crazy, but true. If my daughter tells me that she has met the love of her life at 14, I am locking her in her room. Now more than 15 years later we're celebrating our five year anniversary. We're best friends. We know everything about each other. I know what makes him tick, and vice versa. We can complete each other's sentences.

Or if looked at from another angle, it would also be true to say...we're best friends, who desperately need time with other friends so we don't get sick of each other. We know everything about each other, including things we probably don't want to know. I know what makes him tick until he explodes, and vice versa. We complete each other's sentences, also known as interrupting each other.

Sometimes I stumble across random articles, photos, videos, etc. that I find interesting. So I thought I would share a few intriguing tidbits in case others like me need some help getting through the day until five o'clock and the weekend.

This makes me nostalgic for rainy days spent building pirate ships and space shuttles. 

I thought people only went here after having a few drinks? Only in Chicago...

Lately I have been obsessed with brussel sprouts and I think it has to do with the way people cook them in butter or olive oil until slightly crispy. This recipe has opened a new door to another fun crispy food possibility. Yumm! 

Some breathtakingly beautiful photos of my favorite city. 

Jerry and Elaine together again will make you laugh.

What a creative way to reuse an old laundromat sign.

A moving message from Sheryl Sandberg reminding us that grief and love have no end.

Looking for something to do this weekend? Find a treasure here and then take a stroll here.

It's five o'clock somewhere and in my family at least, this signifies the start of summer!

And last but not least, it’s National Donut Day! Have you gotten your free donut from Dunkin Donuts yet?

Happy Friday everyone!

As I look back, it’s not hard to understand why saying goodbye is so difficult. My grandparents stand at the head of our family, leading us all by example in the selfless, caring, and Christ-centered way they have lived their lives. To say they are role models is an understatement. They have shaped our family dynamic and I know the ripple effects from their lives will be felt for generations to come.