I struggle with taking time off. In fact, if I’m not working on something, I have a tendency to feel unproductive. So much so, that even when I’m on vacation, I take my writing with me. Though I still worked on editing while on my vacation, and I did write half of a chapter, I made the decision to stop and be present with my husband and thirteen-year-old son. Honestly, it was the best decision I’ve made in a long time.

This year has been a rough one. If you’ve been reading my blogs, you know that I lost my dad and grandfather within three weeks of each other. Through the process of grief, I realized I need to change a lot about my life in order to live it well. First, I want to spend actual quality time with my family, and not just sit in the same room while working on my laptop, scrolling through social media on my phone, or watching murder documentaries on HULU. Next, I know I have to change my emotional eating habits and exercise more (bleh… but yeah). And… finally…. well… I still have loads of work to do on self love. So, putting my WIP (work in progress) aside for a few weeks was tough but oh so necessary.

My son will be eighteen before I know it. I know this because he is our baby, and our other children are now young adults. Pretty soon he won’t want to go on a two week road trip with us. Pretty soon he will be far too captivated by his friends and dating. Pretty soon my husband and I will be the OLD farts he has to put up with. Pretty soon is coming fast, y’all, and I’m not ready.

So, I put my laptop aside. I listened to Harry Potter in the car with him. We ate loads of incredible food. Spent time with family and friends we consider to be family. We went to Niagara Falls, Alexandria Bay, the Hershey Factory, Gettysburg, Roswell, and so many other amazing places. We laughed about nonsensical things, told horrible jokes, dreamed about lake houses, and so much more. It was one of those vacations I will pull out of my memories and mull over when I am no longer cool to him: oh, the teenage years are real, dear friends.

These past two and a half weeks were nothing short of majestic, and I feel so blessed to have had these precious moments with two of my favorite guys in the world, but the vacation is over. It’s time to get back to work. Characters are poking about in my brain waiting to talk. Stories are twisting in my mind. Worlds must be created, y’all, and it’s time I begin again.

Tomorrow… I promise. :)

My Favorite Places and Moments:

1. Saint George, Utah where we had an awesome dinner with family who always find the time to fellowship with us and make us feel loved, known, and seen. Thank you for your constant support and encouragement.

2. Keystone, Colorado where the adults tasted incredible beer, and we all savored some of the best pizza we’ve ever had before at Steep Brewing and Coffee Company. I also got to meet a future author who has books in her soul just itching to get out.

3. Hays, Kansas where some of my favorite people on this planet live. Thank you for showing us around your little slice of heaven and for dreaming about all things books, storefronts, and bees with me.

4. Abilene, Kansas where my current romance is set. We met the raddest store owners of Ortus Cafe who gave us a tour of their building, including their personal home. I will have to launch a book there one day soon… wink, wink.

5. Cooperstown, NY where newfound family lives. Thank you for all of the memories we shared. My favorite times were chilling on the boat and listening to the water lap around me. Thank you for loving us so well.

6. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania where I realized once again how terrible hate really is, and that a house divided can never stand.

7. Knoxville, Tennessee where friends were willing to eat a really late dinner just so they could see us, again. Thank you for the hugs, laughter, and belief in my journey. Until next time…