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so many post titles, so little time

27 January 2016

For starters (or for the more refined reader - hors d'oeuvres)

(a bellowing) hello from the other side

the phantom returns (cue joke about not knowing the title of the newest Star Wars flick and then cue meme from Star Wars fans about not caring that my Star Wars knowledge is terrible at best .... MAYBE I should get off FB?)

or the always timeless Marshall Mathers with a little: guess who's back?

If those song lyrics mean nothing to you ... get on my cultured level. And if they do: high five.

Anyway, but really -- where did you scamper off to, Phantom Patton?

Nowhere, really. I felt that sprinting off the blogging grid was the right thing to do at the time (no regrets! some regrets! maybe!) but after lots of encouragement from Simon and close (dare I say bosom? yes, I dare) friends ... here we are.

My typing and writing muscles have atrophied to sad and flabby states so bear with Stella while she searches in vain for something resembling a groove.

To say I'm excited to be back in blogging action might be a bit of an understatement and it's all thanks to you and your kind and wonderful e-communications over these past few months. I owe you. Big. Here! A photo of my offspring to illustrate my enthusiasm ...



I can't wait to fill you in on livin' la vida Florida and I'm sure you can't either but couldn't wait to to show you that we're getting scarily good at taking photos with the kids ...


best out of 38.

Sebastian is routinely mistaken for a snowbird in the above uniform from which he rarely, rarely deviates. Phoebe has grown to know and love and obsess over all of Julia's shoes (so much so that Big Foot's been known to trot out to the van in a pair before her parents can catch her - see above). Theo and Julia have perfected their peaceful picture protest pouts. Bosco has been working tirelessly on his smolder and Grace is thoroughly enjoying the winter weather that has dared to dip into the 40's. Once.

God bless Florida.

And that's a wrap on the rusty return for now.

Thank you for reading, you have no idea how much it means to me!

308 comments:

  1. So excited you are back! Really missed your sense of humor!

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  2. I actually quit blogging...but happy you are back.

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  3. SIMON FOR PRESIDENT. so happy to have you back.

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  4. Hello! Welcome back :) Holy Sebastian IS Simon!

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  5. yay! i've missed your hilarious blog so much. randomly thought to come to your site and was thrilled to see it back up!

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  6. Grace, welcome back! Hope you can hear the cheers from DC. Where there is snow and ice and it is not Florida.

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  7. Welcome back! How lovely to see you again!

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  8. So glad you're back! (Equally glad that savvier bloggers than me keep up their blog rolls and I saw that you had a new post, ha!)

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  9. I JUST READ THIS SO FAST BECAUSE I WAS WORRIED IT WAS GOING TO DISAPPEAR!! Made my day!!

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  10. I might have just shed the happiest little tear when I saw you were back! I didn't realize how much I missed your blog and archives. So so SO happy that you are Back!!

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  11. I was thinking about you today, and your precious kids (and Julia speaks). Welcome back!

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  12. Oh! I did a little double take when this showed up in my blogger feed.

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  13. YYYYEEEEESSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so happy to see you are back. Your wit and candor have been sorely missed.

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  14. So happy that you're back! Love your writing!

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  15. SO excited! I really missed your blog, even though I've never met you. But you have always inspired me to be a better mother and helped me through my motherhood challenges of having 4 very young kids! Yay!! So glad you are able to start writing again!

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  16. Missed you!!! Glad you're back :).

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  17. I'm so excited you're back!!

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  18. Yay! I was just thinking about you and your adorable/hilarious blog. I finally checked in last week and saw that it was private. Very happy to see you back and read more about your adventures!!

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  19. Missed you and your antics terribly! My internet was so incomplete without you. Thank you for coming back!

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  20. This makes me SOOOOO happy!! So many welcome backs!!!!

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  21. I really missed your humor at the end of my day! so happy you are back. and my lab puppy Patton continues to be handsome and humorous. although he did chew on the deck today and that was certainly less charming. anyway, yay!

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  22. OH HAYELLLL YES!

    I have checked your blog, like the properly trained Pavlovian creature that I am, daily since your departure. Whatever your reasons for taking some time off, I'm thrilled that you've returned. Your unique voice and great sense of humor are a joy, and you've been sorely missed.

    Can't wait to read more! Also: THAT HAIR. You look great!

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  23. Excited to have you back! Yessss!

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  24. Just the best email I have ever received!!!!!!! Thank you for coming back!!!!!!!!!

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  25. I actually gasped out loud when I saw your blog show up in my email. YAY!!! I'm glad you were able to take some time for you and your family but I'm so selfishly happy that you're back!!!

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  26. Made my morning seeing your name pop-up up in my Feedly account! Your first post back did not disappoint!

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  27. Yeaaaaa!!!!! You're back!!!! Woooohooooo!!!!!

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  28. This makes me giddy! I've missed you more than one should miss someone they don't know. So happy you are back!

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  29. Welcome back,we sure missed you...

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  30. HALLELUJAH!!! So, so, so, so, so glad you're back!!! The internet wasn't the same without you.

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  31. Missed you so!! Welcome back!!! Made my day!!

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  32. Yay!!! The chronicles of Graceland is back! Thank you!!!

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  33. Sooooo happy you are back! I was beginning to worry what I would read one this baby comes-I'm 8mo/forever pregnant. I've missed your writing!

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  34. Shut up! So glad that you've decided to Grace (ha!) us with your presence once again! And also relieved that you didn't have to shut your blog down because of some scary stalker action. Welcome back!!

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  35. YAY! Best surprise I have had for a long time - So glad you are back, you were missed!!

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  36. Love your blog. Highlight of my day. So glad you are back!!

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  37. yay! hooray! fantastic to see you!!

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  38. You have no idea how happy this post made me! I often click on your blog in the hopes that there will be another post! So excited to have you back and I can't wait to hear about all of the Patton adventures! So many exclamation points.

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  39. I have missed you so much! I could not believe my eyes when I saw you in my email this morning. Totally made my day. Welcome back!!!

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  40. I had been working up my nerve to email you to ask for access...I am expecting my first child and I NEED your hospital posts :). I have missed you, welcome back!

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  41. So so so so happy you're back!!!!!

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  42. Oh my goodness how exciting?!?! I am assuming my latest e-mail plea is what put you over the edge and brought you back (insert winkie face emoji here)

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  43. YOU'RE BACK!!! Thank you!!! So excited to get back to reading and watching the many adventures of the Patton babes. -- Bosco -- what a cutie!!

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  44. Happiest of email checks this morning!! *all the dancing lady emojis*

    Too excited to see you back, love the look of your space!

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  45. Missed you! Dealing with my husband's first year of residency has been hard without you ;)

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  46. So so so excited that you're back!

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  47. yay!!! i'll add my voice to the chorus - i'm glad you're back! i've missed your blog! and i kept your link on feedly just in case you'd return. so glad you did!

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  48. Welcome back lady! Hope you had a great break :)

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  49. This makes me just as excited as the return of Full House! YAY!!!

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  50. I'm so happy to have you reappear in my feedly!

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  51. so glad you are back, Grace!! I've missed you!!

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  52. What a delightful surprise to fine in my feed this morning! :)

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  53. Welcome back!! So happy to have your posts to look forward to. Also, LOVE the newly redesigned site!

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  54. This made my day!! Thanks for starting back up again! Your blog is absolute favorite :)

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  55. So happy to see your writing again! Your voice has been missed! Much love and well wishes on this next writing path.

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  56. Yay!! I'm so happy you are baaaack!! :)

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  57. Hooray! So glad you decided to return - your blog has always made me smile. :)

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  58. Ah! I'm so excited! I really wanted to be emailing you on a daily basis to see if you would start back up, but I resisted because I didn't want to seem like a total psycho.

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  59. I am so excited you've returned! I love your blog - it's consistently funny, you take great pics (I was going to say you have a good looking family, but that sounded realllll creepy), and your blog posts often brightened my day in the past. So, welcome back and I hope Florida is treating you well!

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  60. WooHoo! ... Your blog is one I was sincerely sad about leaving. I can't wait to read your wonderful words again.

    I've also wanted to share this with you. I know blogging can be difficult, especially with children and a busy life, I tried and failed miserably. And often times bloggers start to question why they are even blogging in the first place. But there was a post you wrote one time that spoke about a certain pillow you used, and you raved about it. (Back story) I used to have chronic headaches. I would wake up almost every day with a pain-stabbing force in the crown of my head. (Present story) I decided I needed a new pillow and after reading your reviews I purchased said pillow off Amazon. And holy game changer! I rarely, if ever, wake up with headaches now. To say you pretty much changed my life is an understatement.

    So thank you very much for your blog, I am a testament to how it helps others. :)

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    1. OK, now I need to know what this pillow is! Lol.

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  61. I am so glad camp patton is back! I miss reading about your daily adventures! I hope the Florida winter is treating you well...I am struggling in this Kansas winter--which our family tells us is "a mild one".

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  62. I'm so glad you're back. As a long-time reader who never commented I have missed your blog tremendously! Glad to see that Florida winters are treating you well! I'm looking forward to all the blog posts to come. :)

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  63. Day. Is. Made. I'm ridiculously excited you're back.

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  64. The amount of joy I experienced when I saw your blog was back was slightly pathetic. So happy you and your kittens are back!!!

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  65. Hooray! Hello from Des Moines and a ISU Cyclone fan! Welcome back. I missed the blog!

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  66. Omg, welcome back Grace!!! I've missed you! Although I've kept up via instagram. Now I need to read you post!

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  67. This made my WHOLE DAY!!! Now I won't have to do things like pick out my own shoes to buy (I'm being serious...I've bought almost all my shoes per your recommendations for the last couple years...) WELCOME BACK!!! :D

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  68. YES!!!! Order has been restored! So happy to have you back!!!

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  69. PRAISE BE TO JESUS CHRIST IN HEAVEN ABOVE! Thank you for coming back! I feel like it's mini Easter.

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  70. Welcome back!! The blogosphere rejoices!! Life was not the same without a little bit of CampPatton humor pick me up!!

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  71. Woooooo! Thanks for a post - glad to see your back :D

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  72. 🎉🎉🎉🎉 I thought the Camp was gone for good - happy that's not the case!!

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  73. Aww; welcome back! Missed you lady.

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  74. So glad your back! I have missed your humor over the last few months.

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  75. Yayyyyyyyyyy!!!! I love that you're back!

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  76. Yay! So GLAD you're back!!!!! We've missed you!

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  77. God bless the blogging stars that aligned to bring back the blog (Insta helped with withdrawals). Most missed reading ever.

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  78. Thank goodness!! I was seriously missing out your quick-witted blog updates. AND now that I'm expecting my first child, you have no idea how many times I've wanted to search through your past posts to figure out what exactly I'm supposed to be doing and how to prepare for him/her. Thank you for your much anticipated return!!

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  79. Welcome back!!! I am so excited you're back open for blogness - just in time for my maternity leave (I know you did that on purpose).

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  80. Yay! My favorite Floridians are livin' inbloglanf again. Welcome back, good to see you. Been praying for you all.

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  81. You're back...yay yay yay!! Can't wait to read more updates on the Patton clan.

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  82. Welcome back, Grace. Glad to see your little corner of the blogging world lit up again.

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  83. Yay! She's back!! The blogging universe has righted itself. ;)

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  84. So so excited to see you are back in the blogging action!! Love your humor and wit!

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  85. I am wildly excited that you are back! Thank you!!!

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  86. Yay...so much Yay! Thank you, Grace! To say you've been missed is a huge understatement. 😀

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  87. Yay!! So so glad you are back!

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  88. So happy to see you back! Hope you are enjoying the Florida sunshine. We are all suffering from vitamin D deficiency here in the STL area, as usual.

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  89. This is the best news I've gotten in awhile! So happy you're back!!

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  90. My favorite blog is back! Yay!

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  91. Grace I really can't express my excitement at your return to the blogosphere! Welcome back :) The new look is super chic (on fleek, as they say), and I am excited to follow along the Phoebe and rest of Patton adventures! (and I know my husband is excited too...because I am). Glad to have you back! Happy blogging :)

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  92. Thrilled your back! I've always appreciated your writing, recommendations and stories. Many hugs!

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  93. You just made my Thursday!! Yay!!

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  94. Oh I squealed when I saw your post. Happy, happy, happy!

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  95. Yay! I missed reading your blog so much! So glad you are back!

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  96. Yay!!!!! Welcome back, Grace. You've certainly made my Thursday :) Now to remember all the archive posts I wanted to refer to during your absence....

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  97. I had my 3rd kid under 3 and you promptly stopped blogging! No I'm not yelling at you! Ok maybe a little! I'm gonna stop with the exclamation points, that will probably help! Stopping. I managed most of my maternity leave without the crutch of the Camp, but so glad you came back! Insomnia, boy toddler jumping off (insert any absurd noun here), and (now) threenager throwing fits about pants and socks and shirts and shoes (and and and). I know your blog posts with have answers. Haha!

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  98. Hip hip!! So glad you're back, Grace!

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  99. ooh yay!! you're back. can't wait for more!!

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  100. Grace, for whatever time you choose to come back to the blogging world, we will support you! I got an email from a co-worker, and all three of us were soooo excited you started writing again. Your words are a delight to read, and we are grateful to you for sharing - you make our worlds a better, happier, more real place :)

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  101. You made my stay at home mom day. 😅😂

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  102. Happy Day to ME!!!! Holy Moly was I excited to see this post in my feed, I could barely breathe for a second! I have missed your writing so, so much! I mean obvs I follow you on the snap and IG but this right here is the best day of my week by far!!! Yay for the Camp being back!

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  103. Day. made. Gonna go climb back in bed cause it's only downhill from here.

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  104. So so glad you are back! Day made!

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  105. I'm so glad you're back!!! Missed you (and your cultured level).

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  106. Hurray! I've never commented but your blog is a breath of fresh air and I'm delighted to read it again. Also please tell us where you got that adorable pink coat. I must know!

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  107. Yaaay! I'm celebrating all day long in honor of start of easier scedule, but this wins everything of it! I'm so happy you are back! :)

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  108. Is it sad how excited I am/was to see your blog pop-up on my reader today?! I am going with NO! YAY you are back!

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  109. I am so glad you are back! I have followed you on Instagram, but it just isn't the same. Your family is just wonderful!

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  110. So, so happy you are back. I had gotten to only reading your blog, and I realized recently that I'd stopped blog reading altogether after yours was gone - something I was way into for many years! But b/c you're back, I'm back! ;) Seriously, you're a gem! I know it has got to feel really exposing at times. Thank you for being open with us!

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  111. You're back!!! This made my day!

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  112. Your sweet family is looking great! Thanks for coming back :) it's so encouraging (with 5 littles myself) and entertaining to read your blog!!

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  113. I am so glad you are back! I so enjoy your blog!

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  114. Along with everyone else- I am SO happy you are back to writing!!! Yay!!!

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  115. Oh thank goodness, from a new mom with a 7 week old and a full grown husband in his first year of residency!

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  116. Oh thank the stars you are back! this really re-energized my Thursday afternoon at work!

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  117. So happy to read you again, Grace! Some of your posts helped me survive the first few months of having two kids. Keep em coming!

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  118. I was so excited when I was reading comments on your Instagram account that your blog was back in biddness! But I was concerned that it didn't show up in my Bloglovin feed. Welcome back!!! You have been missed!!!

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  119. Woot woot from Phoenix! Welcome back Grace! I've missed all the chuckles!!!!

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  120. it's crazy how happy this made me! I'm prego now and I've been dying to read all of your past prego posts. I'm sooo happy!

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  121. "Grace is back?!" She quickly drops everything to go read...thank God the baby isn't here yet.

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  122. Grace! You're back!! Hooray!! So excited that you've decided to return. Things got crazy after you left, and everything is totally different. Jkjk but for reals, so happy you're writing again.

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  123. Oh Huzzah! My mom and sister and I were all squealing with excitement via text today. We're super cool.

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  124. YAY!!! So very happy you are back!

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  125. Welcome back!!! The Internet (and my mom's group with your blog recaps) have not been the same!

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  126. BEYOND trilled!! So very happy for you my friend. More blackberry jam for Simon!! He's da bomb!!

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  127. Word travels fast- welcome back!

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  128. best day ever! so glad to have this humorous and encouraging corner of the Internet back in action. 😊

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  129. So glad you are back! I missed reading your blog so much!

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  130. I'll chime in with the rest and say that I am SO glad you are back! You're wit, humor, and real-life outlook is quite possibly the most refreshing thing out there.

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  131. This may or may not have made my week to see a post from you again! Yea, these, uh, aren't tears, they're, uh, allergies. Or something.

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  132. My day has been made! So excited to journey along with you again!

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  133. This made my day. So happy you're back!

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  134. Yay!! Just another voice to chime in, if you're not convinced already, that we are glad you're back!!

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  135. Yes, yes, yes!!! And love the look of the blog!

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  136. Your return has made my month! So glad you're back!

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  137. YAYYYYYYYYY 😄😄😄😄

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  138. Welcome back! You were missed!

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  139. Yay! You are back! Favorite blogger ever. Please never go away again. Ever. Please.

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  140. Yay!!! So glad you're coming back to blogging... I have missed this!

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  141. I feel the entire internet has let out the happiest sigh. You! Are! Back!

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  142. It has been extremely tedious trying to get through life without you. Never leave us again.

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  143. Oh my goodness, I am so SO glad you are back! I loved your blog so much in the last two years and was real-life sad when your blog disappeared. Can't wait to read more!

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  144. WooHoo! I'm so glad you have returned! I have missed hearing about your family and life in Florida.

    Welcome Back and can't believe how much the kids have grown!

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  145. YAAAY! Welcome back! Bosco in that last picure! !

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  146. Seeing this just made my night -- oh how I have missed your blog! So glad you're back!

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  147. I am so beyond excited that you are back!!!!!!!!

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  148. Missed your blog a ton!! your kids are cute as can be!

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  149. So nice to see you blogging again!!

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  150. Yay!!! Let me add my voice to the multitudes - so glad you are back!

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  151. So glad you are back! This just made my day!

    -Elise

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  152. Glad to see you back!! Missed reading your blog! Kids are adorbs as usual!

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  153. SOOOOOOO glad you came back! I resisted the urge to mention how much I missed your blog on every Instagram post. Can't wait to read the latest from Camp Patton

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  154. This made my night! So happy you're back.

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  155. I had stopped opening my blog reader since you shut down shop. Apparently I only went there for my camp fix. SO glad to see you are back! Yay!

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  156. Looking forward to following!!! :) I can't figure out how to add your blog via blog lovin? Any tips? p.s. I'm thinking we might have studied in Austria together, Spring 2003?

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