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So much to be thankful for, including a whole day

So much to be thankful for, including a whole day with the six of us in Montreat and time with the Thomas side at the lake. Plus, cousin squads, autumn porch time and the joy of seeing “Wicked” with Caleb. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

This will be my fourth election as a poll watcher

This will be my fourth election as a poll watcher and I still get nervous. It’s usually a fourteen-hour day and it can sometimes get overwhelming, but I’m always so grateful for the opportunity to participate in elections in this way. The voters and poll workers and election officials are just so EARNEST and I find that incredibly moving. After our extensive training, the Democratic Party of Georgia wished us a “very boring” Election Day. Please vote, y’all!

A week of riding and writing was made even more in

A week of riding and writing was made even more incredible by the brilliant women (and dreamy horses) that I met at Zapata Ranch! So, so tired and grateful and energized and hopeful…

Oh my goodness, this place is so beautiful! I’m sp

Oh my goodness, this place is so beautiful! I’m spending the week at a writing and riding (✍️&🐎) retreat at the Zapata Ranch in southern Colorado. The riding (🐎) is super challenging, but I’m super grateful for the gift of this time away!

Thanks to everyone who has reached out about Montr

Thanks to everyone who has reached out about Montreat. We had renters at our house, who were safely evacuated at 5:30am Friday. We haven’t heard yet about the condition of our sweet cottage on Flat Creek, except that it is still standing! There are so many bridges and roads that are washed away—it is going to be a long re-build for the town, college and conference center. Mostly, we’re praying for the search and rescue workers, for residents who are trapped and don’t have power or cell service and for the people who have lost their homes. Sending everyone in this storm’s path so much love!

Why does August always feel so roller-coastery? Ev

Why does August always feel so roller-coastery? Even though it was dizzying, long and hot, August was also full of goodness, including the twins starting 10th grade, the big kids moving, some fun last-minute adventures and the wonderful surprise of all six of us being together for a few days in Athens! Caleb flew to upstate New York today for a role in a country musical show before he moves to the city. I told someone yesterday that “I have two kids in high school and two who have finished college. My older kids live in New Orleans and New York and I can’t wait to visit them.” It sounded so weird to me, but this is our new era. And it’s pretty wonderful.

McArthur family update: the twins start school tom

McArthur family update: the twins start school tomorrow and will be attending the Career Academy this year for half of their classes and CCHS for the rest. Elizabeth is studying Early Childhood Education and KD is in the EMT/Firefighter program. The big kids are both great: Caro is in NYC for a month training with JP Morgan before she starts her job as an analyst in New Orleans. Caleb is opening his final play (Beautiful) at Wagon Wheel tomorrow. He has another show in Michigan before he moves to NYC this fall. Bryan’s work, bees and biking are good. Just last week, I finished the chapter edits for my book and we’re moving into design details (I can hardly believe it’s real!!!) It’s been a full summer and we’re ready for an awesome fall!

Such a fun week in beautiful Colorado! It was so w

Such a fun week in beautiful Colorado! It was so wonderful to see our family, enjoy the cool weather and celebrate the 4th together!

Another quick trip to Indiana as part of Caleb’s u

Another quick trip to Indiana as part of Caleb’s unofficial fan club, this time to see him in “Kiss Me Kate!” (Bryan is coming to the next show!)

28 years is a really long time to be married, but

28 years is a really long time to be married, but not when it’s to my kind, loyal, tenacious, loving and handsome Bryan.

Happy 22nd birthday to our Caleb! We’re so incredi

Happy 22nd birthday to our Caleb! We’re so incredibly proud of the young man you’ve become and can’t wait to watch you soar into this new chapter of life!!

What an incredible weekend we had in Ann Arbor wit

What an incredible weekend we had in Ann Arbor with Caleb, his friends & their families! The SMTD graduation Friday night was inspiring, the Big House graduation Saturday morning was triumphant, the Musical Theater celebration Saturday night was joyful & the Senior Showcase Sunday was stunning & hope-filled. I am in awe of the MT Class of 2024 and am so very thankful for their professors and mentors. What an honor it has been to witness Caleb’s growth these past four years. The future is so bright for these new alums! Go Blue!

I’ll post more tomorrow about this incredible grad

I’ll post more tomorrow about this incredible graduation weekend, but one of the highlights was the Musical Theater Class of 2024 singing “Hail to the Victors,” impromptu on the stairs after their graduation ceremony. Such joy, talent and sweetness! Go Blue!

We’re on our way to Ann Arbor to celebrate Caleb’s

We’re on our way to Ann Arbor to celebrate Caleb’s graduation!! So incredibly thankful for his time at UMich with amazing friends, devoted teachers and so much growth. Go MT Class of 2024 and Go Blue!! 💙💛💙

Caroline +Sweden + lots of pastries= one happy mom

Caroline +Sweden + lots of pastries= one happy mom!

Happy Home Day to our twins! We celebrated a littl

Happy Home Day to our twins! We celebrated a little early this year because I was going to visit Caro, but we did keep our tradition of Low Country Boil and giving thanks that these amazing young women turned us into a whole new family. When we brought them home 16 years ago today, we had no way of knowing that they would bring so much joy and courage and laughter and big-heartedness into our lives. Thankful today and always!

It was such a gift to visit Caleb in Ann Arbor for

It was such a gift to visit Caleb in Ann Arbor for his last show at UMich! He played Whizzer in “Falsettos” and was incredible (in my unbiased opinion as his mother.) Congrats to the whole cast and crew on such a lively, devastating, funny, tender and memorable show!

Happy 16th birthday to our beautiful twins, Elizab

Happy 16th birthday to our beautiful twins, Elizabeth and KD!! These two bring so much laughter, goodness, courage and joy to our family. Thankful to God for these amazing girls…

Decided that I would practice having an even more

Decided that I would practice having an even more wide open heart during this Lenten season and wanted to share some really bright spots from the past few weeks!

Last week, I wasn’t handling the weather—or just l

Last week, I wasn’t handling the weather—or just life—very well. So, like a Victorian lady, I took myself to the seaside for a few days. I was a sleuth for sunshine and it made all the difference. I don’t know why my brain is wired this way and I’m also not sure why I feel blindsided every winter. (I said to Bryan, “Who could have seen this coming?” The correct answer is everyone. Everyone saw this coming.) I’m so thankful for my little getaway and am back home and ready for a great February!

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© Anna McArthur. Pictures by Sarah Wise. Site by Micah J. Murray.

© Anna McArthur.
Pictures by Sarah Wise.
Site by Micah J. Murray.

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