Starting this post from San Juan Capistrano, where we visited for the second year in a row for a Home Exchange swap.

Finishing this post back in the comfortable familiarity of our home. One reason I love travel is the renewed appreciation I have for our home and everyday routines when we get back.

Appreciating the unique opportunity of Home Exchange, and connecting with generous people who open their homes to us. It's so interesting to get a glimpse into how someone else lives. Plus, getting ready for people to stay in our home motivates us to take care of lingering house tasks: washing the outdoor cushion covers, taking the pile in the closet to Goodwill, changing that light bulb, etc. And I find that when I return home I have renewed energy for little home projects, too.

Soaking up our family's favorite things about Southern California: beaches, fish tacos, laid back vibes, green coastal hills, the very best donuts, and abundant beautiful succulents (okay that one might just be me).

Celebrating Maeve's 5th (!) birthday early with a party this past Saturday, which had a loose bird theme (my heart!), and

Planning Dash's 12th (!!) birthday party. The invitation for Dash's party, which he picked out, says, "Bruh. Sports + Donuts. You in?" So tween.

Proud to have completed teaching my first online college course (and received good evaluations!).

Worked hard to prep for my next class which is now underway. Prepping an online college class draws on some of my favorite kinds of professional work, like editing content for flow and ease of understanding. I'm also enjoying adding my own design to my courses so all modules look cohesive.

Hopeful about sleep habits in our house! Before we left for California, we were in a run of several nights in a row of everyone sleeping through the night and until 6 a.m. I cannot tell you how extraordinary this is for us and what a truly life-changing new season it could be if it holds. Sleep was less consistent on our trip (which I expected) but we seem to be mostly returning to our new and improved normal now that we are home again. Cross your fingers for us!

Checking in on my 2025 goals as the first quarter wraps up. I've checked off two goals already! (Get new glasses and get new professional photos taken.)

Looking forward to meeting with everyone in Your Year to Shine 2025 this week to reflect on the past three months and look ahead to the next quarter.

Recommending Project Hail Mary which I listened to again with Chris during our drive to and from California. I listened to this amazing book for the first time in February and didn't mind relistening with Chris, and then some portions again with Dash as he listened (and loved it).

Making two lunchtime favorites this week: a chickpea salad and pecan pie bites.

Finding our groove using Plan to Eat–do you use it?? The app let's you load recipes, then make a meal plan, and from that generates a shopping list. It seems to take a fair amount of the mental load off meal planning which is very welcome, and I like how Chris and I can collaborate as well.

Watching Maeve learn the butterfly stroke at swim lessons. From tearful swim lessons to butterfly in 10 months! I would love, love for her to stick with swim and for that to be her "thing" but I'm trying not to be attached to that outcome. For those of you with swimmers, any tips to make my dream come true?

Celebrating that we have ONE more preschool payment to make and then we are DONE paying for childcare after nearly 12 years. Wow, wow, wow and yippee!!!

Turning on the air conditioner as we've already hit 90º this week. Booooo.

Binging the Money for Couples podcast and have requested the book, too. For fans of my old podcast Matrimoney, this would be right up your alley!

Hoping that you found good things in March, friends!

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