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One of the things I love most about being a writer is getting to contribute to a world that has changed my life profoundly for the better: the world of books. To those of you telling stories: thank you. We are all part of this beautiful book world together.

Me, at the end of every school year: We are set for summer! Library books acquired. Sidewalk chalk stocked. Bike tires pumped. Fridge full. My kids at 10am the first day of summer break: WE ARE BORED AND STARVING Me: Welp.

My husband: What are you thinking about? Me, a birder, sighing deeply: Everyone is hanging out at Magee Marsh without me.

Our youngest now asks if she can go to bed a few minutes early… so she has more time to read.

Carry yourself with the confidence of a dude I asked to be a guest on my podcast who responded with, “No, thanks, but if you want a co-host, I could do that."

This summer is the summer I realize my years long dream of setting up a Little Free Library. The kit is in the mail and I’m euphoric.

I am once again asking airlines to not even offer me a connecting flight as an option if the layover is less than 40 minutes because are you even serious right now.

Daryl bought me a cooling blanket to help with how hot I get at night (perimenopause–not a big fan) and this is our new evening liturgy: Daryl: I love you Me: I love this blanket

Okay, who lives near Los Angeles and wants to go get murdered with me tomorrow

I can’t be the only parent out there quietly disappearing the new preachy Berenstain Bear books.

What should I read next?

Our 6th grader has a late school start time every Monday, so my husband takes the other two kids to school and the 6th grader and I take a long walk and talk. It’s become one of my favorite weekly traditions.

We are at the phase of losing a tooth where the darned thing spins allllll the way around in my daughter’s mouth and that thing better fall out today because the ick factor is HIGH.

Best part of being a pastor who birds: a good third of my emails and text exchanges with congregants are bird-related. Something cool they saw, an ID question, news of a new owl in their neighborhood. What a sweet thing to connect over.

What’s something you’re so excited about that you have to yell? MY LITTLE FREE LIBRARY KIT ARRIVES TODAY

In case it helps any other parents out there, these are the two signs we’re hanging on our fridge this summer.