Nantucket Nights

It's a 15x9 mile sandbar left behind by a glacier in the middle of the ocean and for the last two summers it has been a second home. It used to be the center of the world--it's whale oil lit all the corners of the all the kingdoms. Now it is a cozy, classy vacation and second home destination. At least it has been for the McMillian's for the last 20+ years. I am happy to be here with them for their last year here--even if it is a crazy summer flying back and forth for school. I came home a week ago, but the ten days I spent out there were wonderful--stressful at times but worth it all the same.

 watching the world cup

my baby girl

Anna Marie is like having a 5'4" two year old girl. The things that make her angry, the things that make her excited, how she slowly tiptoes around holding on to everything, how anything on the ground or within grabbing reach ends up in her mouth, the mischievous look in her eye, her nonsensical chatter, her "pretty dresses" and "big girl panties" we dress her in. I sing her lullabies, I clap with she counts to five or tells me that cows say "moo," and I hold her hand whenever we walk anywhere. I hold her when she cries and put her down for naps and tuck her in at night. She likes sparkly pink things and wants to do things "all by myself." We are potty training her, we use childproof gates on the doors and stairways, and we sleep next to her baby monitors. And you know she is up to no good if she is being quiet.

Some moments are so hard. Some days are longer than others, but then I have these moments where I am the only one who can make her smile, or she tells me she loves me when I take her to bed at night, or she calls me her beautiful girl. And watching her get so excited when we tell her how pretty she is or having moments with her where she suddenly starts to celebrate Germany winning the World Cup--it is so rewarding. And I have found that it is the moments where I am spoon feeding her or rubbing her back while she cries that I love her the most. She means so much to me and I know that no one really understands what it is that I do. They look at how much I get paid or all the other perks to this job and they think I am so lucky. And I am! I am the luckiest! But not because of all that, but because I get to love and be loved by someone like Anna Marie, not because I get paid well or get to eat at fancy restaurants and go on fancy vacations.

I love Anna Marie! I hope, at the end of the day, that she knows that--that she can feel it somehow! I love that I can take care of her and make her happy. I love that I know how to help her. I love that I can be there for her right now. I know it is exactly where I am suppose to be.

I've been feeling 22

Well. . . I had a birthday, started a new semester of school, spent a weekend in the hospital (not for me but for my darling Anna Marie), celebrated our country's birthday in Sun Valley Idaho, and traveled across the country for a "business trip."

And, of course, I have taken a lot of pictures :)

My birthday was really great. I spent the morning up in Park City with John and Anna Marie. I have spent a lot of long, quiet days with this cute couple out on their back porch. I love these moments with them. We are all in Nantucket now, but I was happy to be able to have this time with them. After stopping by on my birthday my mom and I spent the day in SLC shopping and having lunch at blue lemon. My sister and her husband sent me this from the Cayman Islands:

Then my cute friends Kara and Michael took me to dinner, except it ended up being a surprise dinner and a lot of my friends were there. I just love them.  

We had WAY too much fun taking pictures!

I just love those girls.

I also love this girl, and she got really sick. I was worried it was going to ruin her summer plans, but she fought back like a champ and was back on her own two feet really soon. 

It was really sad being in the hospital with her while she was so weak and out of it. She hated her shots. But it meant a lot to me to be able to sit by her side for a while and just watch over her. I love her so much more now and I did not know that was possible. She was so cute cuddling with her little dog.

My friends Fran and Bryan came in to town. We had a BBQ with everyone and put together a silly music video! Seeing Robbie was the best! He asked me to sit by him and kept bringing me food and water. I love that boy! 

 My friends are such good listeners. I am so glad they are concerned about my welfare... (you should hint the sarcasm...I am doing just fine. Just because I'm not married, doesn't mean my life is falling apart. but they seem to think so and they wanted me to know they are there for me hehehe)

This is one of the happiest places on earth
So many memories in this backyard!

I have been spending a lot of time with my family. Ever since I have moved out I have loved them more and more and I love going and spending time with them. Even if it is just mattress shopping. I figured that since most of us end up sleeping in their bed when we are home anyway that we might as well all have a say in which mattress they buy. Am I right?

 We went and got our Nantucket Nails done :) Anna Marie was so excited.

Here's a few snaps of our quiet fourth of july getaway:

I went on a roommate adventure with these two best friends of mine

Then I took a red-eye flight back east to celebrate the 88th (I mean 61st) birthday of this wonderful man! I am so glad I got to be there to celebrate.

The next day we let the air out of the tires and drove out on the beach and had a picnic. It was the most wonderful time! By far my most favorite day I have ever had out here in Nantucket.

I love this crazy couple right here:

Until next time!
I have 8 more days in this East Coast paradise!