Hello, hello, hello!

Hey, y'all!  I'm back and better than ever!  Or at least, I was until I got back. It's been a crazy week.  I had all these plans of getting back and forcing all of you to look with jealousy at my pictures from Paris.  Unfortunately, it's been run-run-run since I got back.  We replaced my car battery Sunday and then finished up all our preparation for the first day of school.  Monday I dropped the kids off at school and discovered I had a very, very, very flat tire. 



Bullshit flat tire.  It started raining too.



Luckily, a good samaritan helped me out.  While trying to put on the spare, we discovered that I didn't even have a spare.  Let me tell you how defeated I felt.  I hadn't even been back in the country for 48 hours and it seemed like I was having the worst week of the year.  This very kind man and his wife helped me out.  The husband took off my tire and took me and George to a tire shop to get it replaced.  Then we brought the new tire back and he put it on my car while his wife gave us bottles of water.  Kindness seems to be overflowing and I'll definitely have to pay it forward.  As we always say, "If this is the worst thing that happens to us, then we're doing okay."  Then I lost a hearing on Tuesday, dealt with the aftermath on Wednesday, and this morning one of my brake lights went out.  Again, I remind myself, "If this is the worst thing that happens to us . . ." 

On a bright note, the kids are back in school and loving every minute.  George was the most anxious to get back to school.  I'm so glad he enjoys it as much as he does.  He even went to a new classroom and got a new teacher.  He walked in, showed her his new lunchbox, told her it was a Mario Brothers lunch box, smiled and winked at her, and she practically swooned on the spot.  And just like that he won over another fan.  It's a bit ridiculous.



George's first day of school.



Luke and Evie's first day of school.  Third and First Grade.



So, I'm fully engaged in the beautiful reality of my life.  Paris is becoming a lovely memory.  I will definitely share my trip with you as soon as I gather all the wonderful pictures together and find a minute to upload them.  It was absolutely fabulous.  I cannot possibly find the words to describe the beauty, the relaxation, the fun, and the joy we had together and with friends on this trip.  It was our 15th wedding anniversary and while we spent most of our trip on our own, gazing into each other's eyes and sighing, we also were blessed to have Lindsey (our first au pair and dear friend) and her mother and grandmother join us for a couple days.  It was lovely to see Lindsey and to meet her wonderful family.  I'm so glad she met us there and that they made our trip extra special.

Here's the proof that we were there.



Champagne Thursday in Paris!



Random view of the Eiffel Tower.



The Seine and some palace in the background.
A couple blocks from our hotel.
The Louvre is on the other side of the river.



Handsome husband at our hotel with a picture of Audrey Hepburn in the background.
I don't know why.



So that's the report.  There is more to come.  Life is speeding by, but we are loving it.  Just hope we can keep up our stamina.