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Arrived at our Spring Break destination Saturday afternoon and ended up in Savannah’s Children’s ER at 4am this morning. 😩 Turns out little homie’s vestigial organ is being problematic and must be removed. 🔪 🩸 🩹 #OutWithIt #SpringBreak #ScarsToProveIt #ByeBye Appendix https://www.instagram.com/p/CqA-YdYOLWF/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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We saw @hamiltonmusical today for the 8th time. And every time I see it I am so moved. It’s easy to assume it’s about Alexander Hamilton, but once you’ve seen it you realize he’s the main character, but he’s not the point of the story. The point? What are we going to do with the time we’ve been given on earth? I’m grateful for the reminder. It was in June of 2020 we told Ashton that, because of Covid, we had to cancel all of our plans for her 10th birthday NYC trip. When we told her I remember her lip trembling, her beginning to cry, but then saying, “I understand.” I was so moved by her grace and maturity. These past few days in NYC we’ve got to celebrate Ashton’s birthday in so many wonderful ways — amazing food, she got to meet @alroker and @hodakotb, and we got to see beautiful works of art at the museums. Today we even ran into our friend @roddy_rodiddy on the street which was totally unexpected. And the things that have made this trip so special are the people we’ve encountered, either through their emotional generosity and / or legacy. Again, I’m reminded of the point of the story — what are we going to do with the time we’ve been given on earth? Let’s be generous, and kind. (at Richard Rodgers Theatre) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co3MxpwsVRl/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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We got to meet the legendary @hodakotb today, and y’all, she gives legit hugs!!! ❤️ (at The Today Show) https://www.instagram.com/p/CourpDHuC1o/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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February 2023 & January 2019 — @kevinschatell making the kids’ @todayshow visits so much fun and memorable. Thank you, Kevin!!! (at The Today Show) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoufX_ruZL8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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@alroker autographed Ashton’s sign!! @todayshow @todayplaza https://www.instagram.com/p/CoudgGmuJnl/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Ashton got to meet @alroker!!!! She has had a crush on him for as long as I can remember. He’s was so nice. Thank you, Al!!!! @todayshow @todayplaza (at The Today Show) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoudVdfOwS8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I just fist bumped Kareem Abdul-Jabbar @kareemabduljabbar_33 at the @todayshow!!!!!!! So cool to see him in person. (at The Today Show) https://www.instagram.com/p/Coucg7CugpO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Tune in to the TODAY Show to see Ashton with her giant Al Roker head-sign!!! @todayplaza @alroker @savannahguthrie @hodakotb @craigmelvinnbc @dylandreyernbc @carsondaly https://www.instagram.com/p/CouOxGkueW5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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It’s been 20 years since Heather and I had an indoor cat. And, years ago, we found out that one of our kids has really severe allergies. But after a few years of injection therapy, and another kiddo, begging us to get a cat, we started researching and decided maybe we’d give it a try. But if you’re going to jump in the water, you might as well make a splash, right? So, instead of one kitten we got two — brothers. They were born in a litter to a feral mom who pulled them out of last summer’s Tennessee floods when they were just a few days old. Someone found them wet, and behind a building. So they shipped off the whole family to a rescue in Wisconsin. And after my research for “Manx” kittens we found these two, and our search was over. Introducing Dwight & Michael (Michael, the black one, is a Manx). #blackcatlove #silvertabby #manx @underdogpets @romeosmomma #Michael #Dwight #theOffice https://www.instagram.com/p/CnfHIvLuEBQ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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On January 8, 2009 at 1:40pm this beautiful baby came into the world. She is light and laughter and joy, and theater and literature and art. She is observant, thoughtful, and compassionate. She catches us off guard with her wit almost every day. And she can quote “The Office” better than anyone I know. Happy 14th birthday Aidan Grace, we love you!!! https://www.instagram.com/p/CnLMX8RtwDX/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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To be known is to be loved. She got me lobster pot pies, y’all!!! Happy New year to me (and you)!!! #lobster #lobsterpotpie #HappyNewYear #HappyNewYear2023 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm45LI2O7pW/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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From the Mrs: The first Christmas card we ever sent was in 2004, I had just graduated med school and Chip was starting seminary, it was just the two of us and our dog. We both were very skinny and had zero gray hairs! I sometimes wonder what my 26 year old self would think if she could see her future Christmas card, mainly, “Are we the parents of all those teenagers?”

Aver is 15, she’s working teaching swim lessons and beloved by all the little kids. She’s driving now and is a careful, conscientious driver, as she is with everything. High School swim season has started again, it’s exhausting, and she LOVES it. She loves math, but has no future plans yet beyond what we are ordering for dinner. Aidan is almost 14 and you will find her in her room constantly working on a new novel. She has enough book ideas for a lifetime! This past spring she was in her school play, and she’s taking drama classes. She is still playing bass for orchestra, although she had to size up as her old bass was looking like a cello since she’s gotten so tall.

Ashton is 12 and has had her dream come true recently when we adopted 2 kittens (Michael and Dwight – she named them). She has been begging for a cat for years. She’s an excellent mother to them. She has moved up to the hardest swim group before high school, and just watching her practices makes me exhausted. Cash is 11 and still the most sweet, gentle-natured boy I’ve ever known. He loves “just relaxing” and asks often if we can cancel plans and just stay home. He’s also still swimming but makes plenty of time for video games as well.

Covid has been hard on all of us. Medicine is irrevocably changed. My job is harder and requires more of me than ever, but the rewards are maybe even sweeter. Life is such a miracle.

Chip says, “Ditto to all of that”. 

Merry Christmas!!! https://www.instagram.com/p/Cml_ur8u31W/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Aidan, October 2022 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl6zCqWO7bg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Cash, October 2022 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl6zNGSOY-k/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Ashton, October 2022 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl6zIUduAVc/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Avery, October 2022 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl6y9qNu7f8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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The babies are growing up. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl6y2csOlPQ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=