We aren’t rich enough to be here.
It’s an insecurity that crept in throughout our visit to Aspen, Colorado – arguably one of the most beautiful places in the world. The Land Rovers, lavish jewelry, and perfect complexions are hard to ignore.
But there is something significant that everyone who frequents Aspen has in common. They love recreation and the natural world.
Continue reading “The Great American Family Road Trip [2017]: Day 8”
“Two boys and one girl is my ideal.”
I couldn’t help but eavesdrop. You don’t see two grown men discussing fertility over dinner very often.
But such was the case last night.
Meanwhile, my husband and I were body-blocking our children from leaping to their death from the open second floor window.
Ah, dinner in Snowmass Village, Colorado.
Continue reading “The Great American Family Road Trip [2017]: Day 7”
I think the greatest fear on a road trip with small children is that you will somehow scar them for life.
They’ll get abducted.
They’ll see locals smoking weed.
Or Mom and Dad will have a complete meltdown – potentially in public.
The last one, I’ll admit, is the closest to reality.
But I’m happy to report that none of the above have occurred on our cross-country road trip.
Continue reading “The Great American Family Road Trip [2017]: Day 6”
“I think it’s going to rain more!”
We should have listened to our oldest backseat driver. Eerie foreshadowing.
But my husband and I wanted to execute at least one idyllic family picnic during our trek across the country. And what better spot than Rocky Mountain National Park?
Except, of course, we knew the storm was coming.
Continue reading “The Great American Family Road Trip [2017]: Day 5”
When you get married, you don’t consider all the things that can go wrong – the things that WILL go awry.
In many ways, Karen Carpenter was right: You’ve only just begun.
And little did I know that – just before our eighth anniversary – my husband would be driving me up a steep mountain road in the pouring rain with two excitable children in the backseat…thousands of miles from home.
Thanks, Expedia.
Continue reading “The Great American Family Road Trip [2017]: Day 4”
Some moments take your very breath. Most often they are unplanned.
Such was Day Three’s first adventure.
Continue reading “The Great American Family Road Trip [2017]: Day 3”
Human beings are funny creatures. Even at 10 p.m. on vacation, I found myself running on a treadmill last night.
In my defense, we spent most of our second day on the road in the car. Again.
But in the 20 minutes I spent exercising alone, I enjoyed the kind of reflection that comes when you don’t hear a child breathing (i.e. whining) for the first time all day.
Continue reading “The Great American Family Road Trip [2017]: Day 2”
“I can’t find it!”
Two doodle pads. Really, I thought this would be our solution to the endless backseat rivalry.
But, within one minute of my son entering the vehicle, a special feature of his brand new toy had been lost: a cat face magnet.
And – to no one’s surprise – two preschoolers now fought over the newest doodle pad.
This was the beginning of our epic first road trip as a family of four.
Continue reading “The Great American Family Road Trip [2017]: Day 1”
You’re f*cking crazy.
It’s the response my husband and I receive when we share our summer’s greater aspirations: a road trip with our 1-year-old and 3-year-old from Georgia to Colorado.
Continue reading “The Great American Family Road Trip [2017]”
Is there a Millennial who survived teenage angst without Linkin Park?
The world is currently mourning the loss of the talented Chester Bennington. I am, too. And, ironically, last week I completed suicide prevention training.
The question feels as urgent as ever: How can we prevent suicide?
Unlearning 