This is a diary about everyday, ordinary life, but come October, life hardly feels “normal”. There are always so many extras—like Vail this week, for example. And I am absolutely not complaining because highlight reels have a special purpose in a life.

For example, tomorrow, Trevor and I are stealing away to Mexico, just the two of us, to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. I think 15 years deserves major celebration.

That said, the “everyday” part of our upcoming travels is how much scurrying I have to do today—sort of over-complicated by the fact that my parents are no longer able to stay at our house with the girls. The whole day has been making new arrangements and leaving instructions, contact info, phone numbers for said new arrangements, not to mention getting everyone—myself included!—packed.

Tomorrow is the reward, and it’s good to remember how much hard work is beneath those shining moments.