A couple weekends ago, my parents flew down from Michigan to visit Alex, Linley and me. While it was a short trip, it was a lovely weekend and we were all sad it flew by so fast.
I often share how challenging my family dynamic can be – and it still is – but having a good foundation with my parents means so much to me. Even though I may not be close with other family members at the moment, it’s nice to have them at a phone call or quick flight away.
Telling Linley that we were going to the airportPicking up “Grams and Gramps” from the airportCaught in a rainstorm, hiding for coverage!A wet Linley on my mom at lunchtimeLinley was a lot salty sitting on my lap!Seeing the “Cat Man” on the Beltline at dinner
Linley admiring himself in the reflectionLinley scarfing down his egg at breakfast
Linley’s lookalikes at breakfast!Linley showing Grams and Gramps all his toys
We’ll be in Michigan for a week during Linley’s Gotcha Day, and we’re looking forward to making more memories and having more quality time.
Media taken Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9, 2026 in Atlanta, GA.
Last weekend, Alex, Linley and I spent time in the Chattanooga area with my French tutor, her husband Jon and their dog Buddy. Janet and I have been working together virtually since April of last year, but we’ve never had the opportunity to meet in person until last Thursday evening.
What I love about language and travel isn’t *just* the language and travel; it’s the people. The people you meet along the way make experiences so much more fulfilling, and Janet has embodied that and then some for me. Janet holds me accountable, is an expert in not only learning French but five other languages too, and is my biggest cheerleader when I can’t find the right words or when I accomplish something difficult.
Everyone learning a new language needs a Janet, and every traveler needs a Geerlings family. I strive to be like Janet with my ESL students and change coaching clients alike: by cheerleading and holding others accountable to achieve their goals.
Thank you to International Language Cafe and The Chattanooga School of Language for bringing Janet to me!
Here were some highlights from our weekend together:
Linley sleeping in Alex’s spot of the bed
Alex carrying Linley down the stairsChecking out Bald River FallsThe best selfie we could takeJanet is the best!Cuddling up with LinleyBuddy loving his new toysLinley seeing a cow on the farmRiverwalk and art gallery in ChattanoogaLinley being filmed for a restaurant’s dog month content, like the celebrity he is!
Linley snuggled upThe Tracey Trio car selfie per usual!
Not pictured: Linley and Buddy playing non-stop, Linley trying to jump in the Guinea Fowls’s crate, all the laughs while playing cards and all the memories around the dinner table. 💛
Media taken Thursday, July 30 – Sunday, August 2, 2026 in Chattanooga, TN
Two years ago, I was living some of my hardest days. While the hardest chapter of my life was 2020 – 2023, August of 2024 was a close second. I was still recovering from a horrible back injury that inflicted excruciating physical pain, which led to emotional and mental scarring, too. And while that was going on, we found out that Linley had a tumor in his lung that needed to be removed ASAP. While I was in PT for 10 months and getting spinal epidurals, I was also worrying about whether I would lose my son and best friend (yes, Linley is my baby boy, don’t judge me! 🤣)
Fast forward to August of 2026: Linley and I are both happy and healthy (thank goodness). But now I’m finding myself “needing” to make up for lost time, wanting to do all the things and rushing my way through the summer.
This is my reminder to all of you, and to myself, to slow down! We can’t do all the things at once. We can’t commit to every invite or constantly run ourselves to the ground. Sometimes doing less is more, and I’m *slowly* unlearning that going a million miles a minute is the only way to survive.
Here are photos – both beautiful and tough – from August of 2024. What a rollercoaster that time was, and I’m glad I’m off that ride!
Shoutout to Piedmont for getting me in touch with the best PT and specialists around, to Blue Pearl Animal Hospital for saving Linley’s life and to all our friends at Bantam who rallied for Linley (and me!) during that time. 🫶
While Alex, Linley and I roadtrip, we always like to take selfies! Here are some of my favorites from our recent travels:
In Atlanta as we left for the east coastIn Georgetown after the Fourth of JulyWe had to take a kissing one!In Alexandria Bay, New YorkCheesing in Portland, MaineLeaving for home from VirginiaFrom our recent trip in Chattanooga
It’s been a few weeks since we left Portland, Maine, and I’ve been missing it so much. From all the great food, tons of laughs, strolling around downtown, swimming in the ocean, driving with the windows down and enjoying all the views, Portland was awesome. Everyone was super friendly and welcomed us with kindness. I can’t wait to visit again soon!
Linley enjoying the driveThe boys downtownLeaving the Linley stickers around town…and Linley leaving his mark!The golden hour at our favorite parkEnjoying some beach timeFinding clams on the beachLinley taking it all inMe taking it all inGreat stickers!Sunshine selfies with my boyA bachelorette party’s dog sticker for me!
Our favorite spot on the dock
…and the seagull’s favorite spotAn after-dinner strollA bay Alex took us toTaking it all in before heading home
Having fun at our AirBnB
Media taken Friday, July 10 & Saturday, July 11, 2026
For some reason, in the fourth grade, I had a dream I lived in Portland, Maine. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to visit Portland so badly. Now that I have visited, I can say it’s because of not only the energy and beautiful scenery, but also the incredible food! Being celiac and pescatarian makes eating while traveling exponentially harder, but it felt like Portland, Maine was made for me.
Here are some of the best meals we had during our time in Maine:
Gluten free lobster, crab and shrimp rolls at Luke’s LobsterAlex enjoying his cocktail and chipsFound a salty lobster on the beach; did not eat!Alex’s lobster roll at The Bait ShedLinley trying to eat said lobster roll…Alex before…Alex after…Lobster bisqueMy fresh oystersFully gluten free Orange Bike Brewing beer!The birds outside Orange Bike didn’t like Alex’s Mazda…Our last evening out; cheers!
Photos taken Friday, July 10 & Saturday, July 11, 2026
Before heading east, one of my clients said I couldn’t pass through Vermont and New Hampshire without visiting the White Mountains. I felt super ignorant, but I didn’t even realize the White Mountains were a thing! Apparently, we have a mountain range on the east coast that looks exactly like the Alps and I had no idea until a couple months ago…
Needless to say: I’m grateful for the recommendation and it was worth the extra day of the trip!
After our Franconia Notch hike, we cooled down with a drive up Mount Washington. We could’ve hiked it; however, to our surprise, it’s the most dangerous mountain hike in North America. While only slightly above 6,000 feet in elevation, the weather can change on a dime and people constantly get stranded, blown off the mountain from a wind gust or get hypothermia from the drastic changes in weather. I love Alex and Linley too much to risk anything crazy happening! It was smarter to drive, especially after the “moderate” hike we’d already done that morning.
The drive up was beautiful and I soaked up every moment of it. We saw the temperature drop from 85° to about 59°, and saw the Sunny sky turn to an ominous fog. Even though I’ve jumped out of a plane at 18,000 feet, there was something about the foggy drive up that made me feel like we were going to fall off the edge (Alex is a great driver though!)
Once we got to the top, we parked by the couple and their dog we’d seen at dinner the night before. Great minds think alike! We enjoyed some photos and videos of our 360° views around us. It really did feel like I was back in Norway or somewhere else in Europe when we were up there.
Yes, Linley was begging for food at the top!Double trouble!Bumper sticker we received on the way up
The drive down was absolutely stunning as it warmed and cleared up. I took much more videos then, as Linley was loving the fresh air and as I was comforted by us using lower gear…
Toys for Linley we bought on the way down: Douglas and Tanner!
We will definitely be in the area again while we travel to upstate New York next summer!
Media taken Friday, July 10, 2026 at Mount Washington Summit
The views we saw in New Hampshire were worth the steep and hot hike, that’s for sure! Before we drove up Mount Washington, we wanted to move a little when the rained cleared. Alex found a “quick,” “moderate” hike that really turned out to be a difficult, long one – but it was worth every second. Navigating through tree roots, embracing the post-storm heat and sun, and crawling up parts of the trail were unexpected challenges. Luckily, Linley had been through agility training recently, so he was extra ready to jump over and walk under things!
At the top, we met a kind couple from Rhode Island who recommended we camp there next time we visit. I’m going to follow through on that next summer, and maybe with kayaking and a stroll around the lake. 😌
After a bittersweet goodbye to Alex’s family, we hit the road toward Maine. I was sad to leave Clayton, Alex’s family and all the memories from Linley’s and my second visit, but was excited to have a “Tracey Trio” part of the vacation.
Driving through Vermont and New Hampshire, two states none of us had ever visited before, was absolutely beautiful! Taking in the Green and White mountain ranges were gorgeous and transported be to a new world.
I can’t wait to spend more time on the east coast next summer!
Taking the ferry from NY to VT!Burlington, VTLin leaving his tracksA peaceful night in NHLin was salty that I took his photo!
Media taken Thursday, July 9 and Friday, July 10, 2026 in VT & NH!
From strolling around downtown, to lazy mornings looking at the water at our rental, and swimming at the lake house, Clayton never disappoints. As sad as we were to miss the family trip last year, it was certainly worth the wait.
We’ll be back next summer, Clayton! ✌️
The swans said good morning to us
Lin exploring by the waterThe star of the show!Our last sunset from downtownLin doesn’t appreciate the sunset like we do…View from our rental homeReminds me of our Chicago dog beach days!
Lin got the zoomies!
Good morning from Lin!Our favorite morning spot!Ship from the main rental homeA great afternoon in Alex BayFloating on the St. Lawrence RiverAn afternoon napThe best view aroundOne last photo before hitting the roadHad to!Lin taking in the view before the drive
Media taken Tuesday, July 7 – Thursday, July 9, 2026 🌊
From being bullied and ostracized by blood relatives to being accepted and loved by TWO families? Priceless!
I’m grateful to have Alex’s mom’s side of the family here in Georgia, and Alex’s dad’s side in upstate New York. I never thought I would be lucky enough to have one group to call family, and to have two means the absolute world to me. My inner child is healing and I love Alex’s family so much!
I not only had the honor to take surprise engagement photos, but also family photos a couple days later. I can’t wait for next year’s family vacation already!
Linley, of course, had to add some saltiness to the sweet photos…
Lin refused to move, so Grandpa Bill had to pick him up! 🤣
During our family vacation in New York, Alex’s cousin Matt texted us with very exciting news: he was going to propose to his girlfriend, Laura! I never met Matt but was so excited and honored that he told us. He also asked if I wanted to photograph the moment, and I obviously – and excitedly – said yes. While Matt didn’t propose to me, I feel like my being asked to photograph the big moment was just as big as him asking Laura to be his wife 🤣
Here are some moments I captured:
Matt asking me to take a photo of them on the dock, to which I obviously said, “sure thing!”Waving to the neighbor who cheered!A quick photo before giving them privacy…
Congratulations to the newly engaged couple!
Photos taken Monday, July 6, 2026 at the family rental home in Clayton, New York. 🥂
