I've flown many times. I've flown internationally. I've flown on one of the longest flights possible (from the East coast of the US to Australia-check a map-I'm right on that). But I'm still a slightly nervous flier. The flight from Boston to Bar Harbor has always been on a small plane, usually a US Airways plane. But now there is a new carrier. And they specialize in small planes. We're talking 8-seaters, here. I was so not prepared. I seriously had to work to calm myself the entire flight and practice my calming yoga breathing (I've not taken a yoga class in 7 years). I tried singing Christian music in my head but Prince kept popping up instead. And when I sang "Baby I'm a Star" it made me think of La Bamba when Buddy Holly says to Ritchie Valens something like "The sky belongs to the stars, and stars don't fall from the sky" and now I'm thinking about falling from the sky and I have to start the yoga breathing again. I'm not even 5'4" and my head was touching the ceiling (we were in the back, where the ceiling sloped). We couldn't even bring purses or backpacks, they had to go in the wing. There was never a second, not a single solitary second, when that flight was smooth. The entire trip was bumpy. And the pilot announced that it was a beautiful, calm day for flying. Holy cow. The only, and I mean only, good thing is its a very scenic flight (if I could have enjoyed it). The flight goes up along the coast and stays rather low so you see how the shore changes to rocky as you head north and can you imagine how gorgeous this will be for my Fall trip. I'm hoping I can fly it again. Seriously, I don't know if I can. And what was Samson doing this whole time? Sleeping! He was asleep before we reached cruising altitude, he was so relaxed. He woke once, looked around, said it was so pretty, then went back to sleep! Thanks, partner.

My baby turns 6 years old!

He's still a mama's boy. Really bad. We're talking Adam Sandler's Waterboy here (not really, but almost). He's still whiny, needy, and clingy sometimes. But these things won't last. I already see him growing out of these traits. He still makes me laugh with the crazy things he says and I truly enjoy his company (sometimes in a way only mothers can). I'm gonna go broke keeping him in shoes, those feet won't stop growing. He loves to read like I do. He is a motor mouth, will not stop talking, and nobody is a stranger. He loves to fly. He likes riding his bike and he kinda likes school. Thanks goodness he likes island living. I have been so blessed these last 6 years. I love you, baby boy.

He's about 6 months old above. Below, playing Pirate Golf on his 6th birthday

Because I'm feeling nostalgic....

Spring Visit Back Home

I learned the last time I lived on the island that I have to visit my family before I start feeling homesick. If I wait too long, then I get a bad case of homesickness. Considering how close I am to my family, it's odd that I live so far away from them. That's just how much I love living on the island, I guess. But I don't care how old you get, you never grow too old to get homesick or shed a few tears over it.

All I want for my birthday is my two front teeth! Samson with Katie

Papa is building a treehouse for the grand-younguns

Samson always misses his cousins when we leave. Can't wait til he gets more cousins!

These are their sour faces.

Giving Papa some sugar

Samson's birthday at Chuckee Cheese

He really didn't want to be hugged

Elijah Man

Another birthday celebration at Nana and Papa's

With Bailey in New Bern, NC, the birthplace of Pepsi. We visited the pharmacy where it was invented, which is now a gift store/museum. Samson probably asked for a Coke about 15 times in that place. I had to tell him to hush.

Fishing before the angry goose ran him off

Yet another birthday celebration with the Chamberlain's

With Grandmother Terry in Statesville