.We went to the zoo and...

... had a blast!  

With our summer break ending, we decided to take a day trip to the zoo and get a real look at these animals we are always reading about with Dylan (especially in this book).  None of us had ever been to a zoo, so I think G and I had just as great a time!  Although it was sweltering outside, there was a lot of shade and mist fans to keep us four happy between seeing some pretty cool animals and the picnic lunch we shared.

elephants!

their tongues!!

Feeding the giraffes was definitely a high point, especially for G; he was practically giddy.  Dylan's favorite part was the swings at the playground... there's toddler logic for you.  It was a really good day and we were impressed by what we saw.  The only thing Dylan didn't get to see from her book was a camel, so I call the trip a success :)

.Another path.

As I end my maternity leave, I think about another path I could have taken.  I have not taken this summer for granted as this may be the only summer in the near-future without the obligations of work (you lucky teachers!).  If you would have asked me years ago if I ever wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, I would have excitedly discussed my career plans, and while yes, I would like a family 'one day,' no I had no plans to stop working.  That was until I met my kids.  Now I wonder how life would be if I had chosen differently...

Because staying at home with my girls is always fun, never dull, and more fulfilling than I could have imagined.  It never gets old to get to experience and see things from their eyes, and while it's a lot of work (hats off to you stay-at-home parents!), it's the kind of work you don't mind.

Yes I love what I do, and I don't regret my decisions, but it's interesting to realize that you never really know what you think you know.  I knew being a stay-at-home mom wasn't right for me... until I didn't.   For now, I work to enjoy it all and constantly do that common self-reflection and evaluation where you consider your priorities and what really matters, and what will make you the happiest.

Because that's the beauty of happiness.  It's ever-changing, fluid, and unpredictable, so there's always the possibility of more.

.Sisters.

I never grew up with a sister.  And while I have a precious one now, I'll never know the bond sisters can have in growing up together.  So what do I hope for you as sisters?

I hope that you never feel alone; although you will always have your dad and I, sometimes it just won't seem like we understand, and I hope you look to each other for comfort.

I hope that you embrace your differences, but always know that there is common ground because you're in it together.

I want secrets shared, and trust built.

I hope that your fights are few, and the laughter between you great.

I hope you make each other brave, and become adventurers together.

I hope you protect each other the way your parents would, and realize that loyalty is what gets you through some of the hardest of times.

I hope that there is always respect for each other, and accountability in being kind, smart, genuine people.

I know you may not always get along, but I never want you to take each other for granted.

I want you to be each others' biggest encouragers, and the shoulder to cry on when things get tough.

I want you both to be fiercely independent, but also take care of one another.

I hope you never give up on each other, and make each other proud.

But mostly, I hope you carry the stories and lessons learned of our adventures together with you when you're on your own, and protect what it means to be a part of this family, and feel proud and confident in the steps you take through life.

Life is hard work, but you girls have some good people in your corner, especially each other.

.It's official!

When I am feeling snarky, I can now ask people to call me "Dr. Tyler."

Or when making reservations obviously.

Just don't get all 'medical emergency' on me.

Because then I'm pretty much useless and you will want to seek an actual doctor.

But major things related to counseling, human behavior, and studying for the majority of your young adult life, and I'm your girl.

But really, congratulations to us.

I couldn't have done it without you girls.

I'll be honest, 

G, you were sort of a distraction through this whole process.

But thanks to you too,

for feigning interest in topics you clearly could care less about.

And for letting me try my counseling techniques on you.  :)

Now what to do with all of our spare time?

P.S. A few [now] funny reads through the doctoral process: One of us, Ad Fin, unplugging, and our first semester.

.Five is wood.

Today is five years married, and there's a book of Dylan's that I think sums up a great deal of our relationship in a simple and beautiful way...

A few excerpts...

I like you and I know why
I like you because you are a good person to like

When I think something is important
You think it's important too
We have good ideas

And I really like you back
And you like me back
And I like you back
And that's the way we keep on going every day

Sometimes we have good luck
And sometimes we don't

I like you because I don't know why but
Everything that happens is nicer with you

I can't remember when I didn't like you
It must have been lonesome then

I would go on choosing you
And you would go on choosing me
Over and over again

That's how it would happen every time 
I don't know why
I guess I just like you
Because I like you

* From the children's book that's strangely applicable for adult life, I Like You.

P.S.  Thanks to growing up at the start of social networking, there's embarrassing pictures on the internet for DAYS.