Category Archives: Journal

When 69,655 Voices Sound Like One

Some sporting moments stay with you because of the final score. Others stay because of everything that happens around it. The Round of 32 match between Norway and Ivory Coast gave me one of those days. The experience started long before kickoff. Getting to the stadium meant joining a river of people walking toward theContinue reading “When 69,655 Voices Sound Like One”

Father’s Day Weekend – Chasing Sunsets, Dinosaurs, and a Few Surprises

This Father’s Day weekend, we packed up the car and headed toward Palo Duro Canyon, ready for a few days of adventure, family time, and hopefully some great views. On the way, we stopped at Wichita Falls. I’ll be honest, it didn’t quite live up to the expectations we’d built in our heads. Sometimes placesContinue reading “Father’s Day Weekend – Chasing Sunsets, Dinosaurs, and a Few Surprises”

Memorial Day Weekend – Salt in the Air, Joy in the Little Moments

Some days feel packed with activities. And then there are days that somehow become memories while you’re still living them. Galveston gave us one of those days. The morning started with the beach. There’s something about an early swim in the ocean that resets you completely. The water was cool, the breeze was perfect, andContinue reading “Memorial Day Weekend – Salt in the Air, Joy in the Little Moments”

Mother’s Day Weekend – Niagara Falls

There are some reunions that feel almost unreal when they finally happen. You talk for years about “one day,” exchange birthday wishes, react to family photos online, promise to plan something properly, and somehow life keeps moving faster than your intentions. Then suddenly, after nearly two decades, you’re standing beside each other again, not throughContinue reading “Mother’s Day Weekend – Niagara Falls”

A Little Birthday Getaway: Austin to Fredericksburg with Our Birthday Girl

There’s something special about celebrating a birthday with a little trip, and this year, Keanah’s birthday gave us the perfect reason to make some sweet family memories in Austin and Fredericksburg. We started off by heading to Austin on Keanah’s birthday, and honestly, it already felt like the perfect beginning. We got to spend theContinue reading “A Little Birthday Getaway: Austin to Fredericksburg with Our Birthday Girl”

A Night of Harmonies, Memories, and Gratitude

Some concerts entertain you. Others stay with you. The Pentatonix concert we attended—on the very last night of their tour—was firmly in the second category. Going to a concert with my mother-in-law made the evening even more special. Music has this quiet power to dissolve age gaps and preferences, and Pentatonix proved, once again, thatContinue reading “A Night of Harmonies, Memories, and Gratitude”

Thanksgiving Weekend, Houston

Thanksgiving weekend took us to Houston this year—a short getaway with no packed agenda, just time together and room for surprises (both good and not-so-good). We kicked things off the way any holiday weekend should: with a comforting, indulgent dinner at Maggiano’s. Big portions, familiar flavors, and that cozy buzz of families doing exactly whatContinue reading “Thanksgiving Weekend, Houston”

Weekend on Fast-Forward: Music, Animals & a Little Magic

Some weekends feel slow and lazy. And then there are weekends like this one—where you blink and suddenly it’s Sunday night, your feet hurt in the best way, and your camera roll looks like three different people lived your weekend for you. It kicked off on Friday with Maroon 5 absolutely owning the stage. There’sContinue reading “Weekend on Fast-Forward: Music, Animals & a Little Magic”

Our Weekend in New York

There’s something about waking up in New York that makes you feel like anything’s possible. The city hums even before the sun fully rises, as if it’s whispering, “Come on, there’s so much to see.” Day 1 We started our day at Rockefeller Center, where the morning chill made the ice rink sparkle. Watching skatersContinue reading “Our Weekend in New York”