This past week was all about change and decisions. Two things I don’t know much about and don’t enjoy. But one particular decision I did really enjoy! I pretty much got to look at a map and pick ANY place on this earth to go and visit. Just let that sink in for a moment. ANY place on this earth (that’s accessible by commercial airplane). So I sat there for a long time picturing myself looking at ruins in Greece, laying on the beach in Thailand, riding a gondola in Venice, and eating authentic pizza in Italy. What!?! How could I choose? This decision was getting harder than I thought. Maybe I would set up a map on the wall and throw a dart and wherever it landed surely I would go there. No…. that just wouldn’t do.  So I closed my eyes and pictured myself in a place, a place where I have always wanted to go, a place I had heard about so much growing up, a place that if I didn’t take this opportunity I might never get to go again.  And while I have always wanted to go to Greece, Israel, and a myriad of other locations I know in my heart my travel days are NOT over, nor will they ever be, and eventually I will get to those places. But this location… This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!

So I’m curious… if you had this opportunity- where would your dream locale be? Please leave a comment in the comments section- but don’t be too convincing because my mind is made up!

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I met Reid six years ago at college. Summer love really is what it was- although it quickly blossomed into more. Then he left. He left me dazed and confused stuck in a world of college textbooks, crazy roommates, and sad feelings. But, we soon discovered why he was meant to leave me alone for a few semesters. He left me to be with her. And although he worked crazy long hours and saw very little of her, I know in some way it helped.  He couldn’t take away the pain and sickness associated with the treatments, or unsurety of it all, but he could just be there. I was glad to sacrifice because it was scary and even though I had just met all of them- I quickly loved them as my own.

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Hilarye in front of the Golden Gate Bridge, December 2008

It’s been two years since we launched Dotting The Map and it has been two wonderful years. We have enjoyed sharing our travels and tips with you and look forward to continuing to do so for many years to come! In honor of this momentous occasion we have gathered up a few of our favorite trips (for a comprehensive list of places we have visited check out the destinations page) we have taken to recap and celebrate the past two years.

Washington DC, May 2008

Anchorage Alaska, May 2008

San Francisco, California, December 2008

Oregon Coast, April 2009

Louisville Kentucky, June 2009

Pismo Beach, California, July 2009

San Antonio, Texas, August 2009

Maui, Hawaii, January 2010

Machu Picchu, Peru, April 2010

Thank you for your continuing support! Look for more fun surprises this month as we celebrate Dotting The Map’s Birthday!

Grandad Remembers

We stepped off the bus and started towards the path that would lead us to the World War II Memorial. The path was lined with trees and squirrels darted back and forth in front of us as we made our way. I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in his mind as we got nearer. Known to many as “The Greatest Generation” my Grandad was a hero in his own right. A hero to the nation, to his soldier companions and to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  They all were/are heros. Upon his head he proudly wore his World War II Veteran hat and I fought back tears thinking how thousands of these great Americans are leaving our world each day. My heart ached even harder knowing my children wouldn’t get the opportunity to get to know them and learn from their wisdom.

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Do you ever have those days where you wonder what in the world you are doing with your life, how you got here or what were you thinking? I have those days often. More and more lately as I am uncovering the challenges of being a work at home mom with an active 6 month old, an always-growing pile of laundry and dishes, dust bunnies in every corner and goals up the wahzoo but little to no time to accomplish them.

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