I am back in my home state of Michigan and happy to be here.

Driving six hours with an eleven month old in the car is a bit of a challenge, but we made it up here safe and sound.

I thought my BlackBerry was going to catch on fire as the emails burned up the wires.  As I was was leaving Ohio McCain was heading to Dayton to announce his VP pick!  Lisa agreed to drive so I could read email.  Speculation was followed by amazement followed by debate and discussion.

Once we arrived Ella wanted to swim right away and I joined her in the water.  We then had a lovely meal and peach gobbler for desert.  Then finished out the night with a soak in the hot tub.  Ah, vacation!

Hard to believe that college football has started.  I will nervously be watching the University of Michigan Wolverines game against Utah this afternoon.  I am hoping that they can get off to a better start than they did last year!  The start of the Rich Rodriguez era will finally be under way.

Hope all of you are having a great Labor Day weekend.

The weather here is gorgeous and we have had a great time already.  Once my dad got it running we took the pontoon boat out on the lake.  It was windy and cool but beautiful.  While he was getting the boat ready I took Ella for a paddle boat ride and dipped her in the water a couple of times.  Each time she was surprised by just how cold the water was.  She is attracted to the idea of swimming but the reality of the cold is just too much.  But the idea of swiming makes summer real and an exciting prospect.

Each time I return to Michigan and to the lakes I contemplate living here.  But outside of the financial challenges – lake houses aren’t cheap obviously – there is the matter of leaving a town where we have a church home, friends, and stability for our children.  Hard to give that up.  Which is the very reason we decided not to move to Texas last year.

Still, the state of Michigan calls to me every time I return.  I envision life on the lake and I can see myself staying here a long time.  I guess I have a goal for retirement . . .