It has been my second month of Sundays, but I’m still here, still writing, and still refusing to let long pauses convince me otherwise. Life gets busy. Breaks happen. But I always have stories simmering on the back burner, waiting for the right moment to come out. And right now seems like a good time to catch everyone up on life.

This summer has been a good one—maybe one of the best in a long while. It was my first summer in several years without classes hanging over my head, and I soaked up every bit of it. At the end of June, we took a wonderful trip: our first cruise. The girls absolutely loved it, and Jenn and I enjoyed it just as much. There was something special about watching the girls take in the ship for the first time—the way their eyes lit up at its sheer size, the way they bounced from one activity to the next, as if trying to take in every ounce of magic at once.

One of my best moments was being on the deck at sunset, the sky melting into oranges and pinks over the Western Caribbean. The girls were still energized from the day’s adventures, and Jenn and I just stood there for a minute, taking in the quiet. It seemed like the kind of moment you tuck away and keep. If anybody has questions about cruising, feel free to reach out. We sailed on the Disney Destiny, and it lived up to its name.

Yesterday was Caroline’s 10th birthday. Double digits. It’s hard to wrap my mind around that. She’s grown so much this past year—not just taller, but more confident, more curious, more herself. She spent her birthday bouncing between eagerness and pride, reminding us every few minutes that she was officially ten now. This is her last year in elementary school, and next year she’ll be walking the halls of middle school. Time really does move fast. I’m proud of her, and I’m also holding onto these last elementary school moments while I can.

Two days ago marked the 12th anniversary of losing my best friend. Twelve years. It doesn’t seem possible. I still think of him often, and this year has been no different. There are days when a memory hits me out of nowhere—something he said, something he’d laugh at—and it feels like he’s right there for a second. His oldest son, Cade, started college this fall. Danny would be so proud of the man Cade has become. He carries himself with a strength that reminds me of his dad. And Haddon is doing just as well—thriving in middle school with Julie. Watching those boys grow has been one of the quiet blessings of my life. It’s a signal that even when someone is gone, their impact keeps moving forward.

At the end of July, I hit the six year mark of my life saving surgery. Six years of major changes, six years of learning to live differently, and six years of being alive. When I was diagnosed, I was given only a 38% chance of making it five years. Now, being declared cancer free since October, I consider every day bonus time. There are moments—simple ones, like sitting on the porch in the evening or hearing the girls laugh from the other room—where I feel such gratitude settle in. I don’t take any of it for granted.

Summer break has ended, school has started back, and fall is creeping in. I’m more than ready for cooler weather. The school front has been the one area with bumps in the road. I had hoped to land a full time teaching job, but that didn’t come together. By early August, I was feeling discouraged. It’s hard when you pour yourself into something and the timing just doesn’t line up. But what started as disappointment has turned into excitement.

In mid August, I was offered the chance to be a long term substitute for a wonderful teacher in one of my favorite schools. The gig started this week, and I think it’s already going smoothly. I’m working with a great co-teacher and seeing a lot of familiar faces. Since it’s an 8th grade class, I’ve known some of these students for four years—dating back to my time as a parapro at Ringgold Elementary. Seeing them now, taller and older and full of opinions, feels like watching a story unfold in chapters. There’s something meaningful about being part of their journey again.

I’m confident the perfect full time teaching job will open when the timing is right, and when it does, I’ll jump in with open arms. Until then, I’m grateful for where I am and excited for what’s ahead.

As I look back over these past few months, I’m struck by how much life can hold at once—joy, loss, growth, uncertainty, gratitude. This summer gave me time to breathe, time to celebrate, and time to remember. It reminded me that even when the road gets bumpy, there are still sunsets on cruise decks, birthdays with double digit smiles, old memories that warm the heart, and new opportunities that show up right when you need them. I’m grateful for the bonus time I’ve been given, grateful for the people who fill my days, and grateful for the chance to keep moving forward. Fall is coming, and with it a fresh season. I’m ready for it. I’m encouraged by it. And I’m walking into it with open arms.