Greg took this shot hiking today…Grandmommy told us that G.G. (Great Grandmommy) calls these pictures “kisses from God”, but I think those were kisses straight from G.G.

Before I leave this space, I like to take the time to say a kind adios, but life is so rarely predictable.  Who would guess that the week prior to a family vacation I would come down with tonsillitis?  Between Mom and Greg playing backup quarterbacks to my packing, I’m fairly certain I have NO idea what is in my suitcase.  Cursory glances have shown they are 5-star packers. I know the only thing I packed was a bag of dirty clothes.  Awesome.  I told the girls to do their own packing…7 days, 7 outfits.  When I passed their room in a Codeine-induced haze, I noticed Kelly had packed 2 pairs of pjs and a monkey.  That’ll do.  The Momma with no voice can’t bark too many orders.

With Mom waving goodbye (and probably relieved that someone else has to take care of my tonsils, by LAW), we took off to meet Greg’s family in Western Maryland, and let me tell you, I AM A FAN.  Just enough shade, just enough sun, just enough water, just enough mountain, no traffic, and a pool inside the house.  It’s fan-tab-u-lous, even if I’m filled with Advil and Pencillin (and feeling better by the hour).  We have a week of celebrating Auntie Amanda’s passing of her State Boards, so that is Auntie Amanda, RN, if you so please; and a week of celebrating her boyfriend Aaron’s passing of his Pharmacy State Boards and the completion of his Doctorate of Pharmacy, so we’ll be calling him Dr. Aaron!

Forgive me if I am scarce in this space, but there is hiking, swimming, and general laziness to be achieved.  Far be it from me to let a little sore throat stand in my way.  A special thanks to Dr. Clem and Dr. Kellie, my dear friends who made a few “surviving tonsillitis” suggestions that made all the difference.  And of course a thank you to my Mom, who swooped in with no notice, disappeared with my children, and told me to gain unconsciousness until the worst had passed.  I never say enough thank you’s to Greg, mostly because he has to put up with me by LAW, but on his last day in the office before vacation, he received my mayday call, came home, and took me to the doctor (and stopped me from banging my head with a frying pan to stop the pain).  Yeah.  So I married the best guy EVER.  Wishing you a very restful week as well, dear friends…