Ten.One Thousand, Three Hundred & Six

1. I forgot.

2. Sometimes the universe tests your truth by presenting things that look like opportunities but are not aligned with your values.

3. The sound of swishing water in the washing machine.

4. Finally, alone. Soaking in the silence while it lasts. I take a picture.

5. I move upstairs so that I have a little bit of privacy while we talk. So good to see a familiar face. We talk about goals and routines and Bridgerton and how toddler tantrums are not much different from teenage tantrums.

6. The sound of rain. The wetting of the deck. Looking up toward the trees.

7. I admit to him that I’m worried it won’t work out. “Look at where you are. Look at how many people told us this would never happen.”

8. “What’s your Lexile score?” big brother says to little sister. “I don’t know,” she says. “What is it?” he says again. “What’s yours?” she replies. “No, what’s yours? I asked you first.” “I don’t know! Tell me. What’s yours?!” “1245,” he says. “1247!” she laughs. We all laugh. So hard. I am relieved.

9. Again, the frogs.

10. Ice cream with caramel sauce. I may regret it in the morning, but I do not regret it right now.