Peaches and Pearls: July 2020

Wow, July 2020. You've been good. Even if you do come to us from the year 2020.

We have had one of the most memorable months of our summer.

And this week was one of the most memorable weeks!

It's those times you just want to capture in a bottle and never let go.

I wish my kids could stay this age forever.

Well, except for the constant screaming.

I could do without that-the boys are doing quite the job rubbing off on Bae🤪

My mom & grandparents came over the last part of the week, because we had imagined before school let out we wouldn't be having bible school. So my precious mom, took it upon herself to order and plan a home based bible school for the boys. I'm so thankful to have a mama like her. The boys loved it & I enjoyed her company. And always my nana and papa. They often tell me the same stories about their childhood over and over, but I don't mind. I love to hear about how life was back then. I think we can learn from those smart people back then!

Somewhere in the mix of things we trudged to football practice in the heat this week for the first time in a while (since our church VBS) and Conley Scout. I just have no words.

Does anyone have advice on how to teach a child to go to the back of the line after taking a turn?

And look at a person when they are talking to you?

Asking for a friend.

And that friend has exhausted most options😳

Skits. Pretend practice scenarios. One on one convos. Brother peer pressure.

Please tell me that I can assure that friend it will get better...

🙃

To top the week off, we celebrated Bebe's birthday.

My sister just got a job at a boutique as their new graphic designer and we are all obsessed.

If you are ever in the need for an adorable/unique find-look up Josie's Boutique (and I am obsessed with Little Josies for Baker). I digress.

KK, Baker, the boys and I had a nice day shopping for the birthday girl.

Thus all the talk about Josie's. We found almost everything we were looking for at that one stop shop.

And another fave, Bradleys.

I like finding little gems like that. Don't you?

Next, we got our family favorite cake (Chantilly Lace from Whole Foods) RUN, ate way too much yummy food (hello, First Watch + Copper Cellar) and a short lived day at the pool thanks to summer storms. I think one of my favorite parts of this time was reliving our crazy Hawaii adventure and hearing it through Joe Daddy and Bebe's eyes. I'm so glad we can laugh about some of those moments now.

You just never know where life will take you or what it will serve while you're there, huh?

It was a great time💕

All of these moments are just that more special to me after losing my brother in May.

I still can't comprehend his absence, (and though he had been physically missing in our lives for a while, we thought of him and missed him every day-you may not believe that and that's ok. It's impossible for anyone to know what the other is thinking or feeling) but I know if he were here, we wouldn't miss a moment or waste it worrying over things in this life that are trivial.

We would be cherishing time. Time doing the things that matter.

And this week, though I didn't think we were going to get to go-

we made a point to make sure we spend some time with my mom and dad.

This is really the first time since Brody's death we have all been together like this.

Though they ARE strong, and seem strong most of the time-they struggle.

I'm glad that when one of us needs the other, we aren't afraid to say so & we aren't afraid to drop everything and be there when needed.

I love my family. I pray we are training our kids to be the same.

I am blessed to have some wonderful people in my life.

Don't miss the little moments-they add up to be the big ones.

"The beginning and the end mean so little, what matters most is what's in the middle."

The Middle-Lauren Alaina

I know summer isn't "over yet," but can anyone answer the question as to how is it already AUGUST in a few days?

I feel like I have probably blindly went into the summer months, making them kind of feel invisible-

1. Because we have been in/but not exactly strictly in "quarantine" due to COVID-19.

2. Because there hasn't been an official beginning/end of summer established.

Despite that, it has been a great time to just "be" at home with the kids.

We have soaked in every ounce of "freedom" from our duties & responsibilities. I can't emphasize how great for my soul that has been. Cam is already crying about not wanting school to start...

I kind of get it. I'm not going to lie.

There hasn't been a lot of energy going in to planning trips or outings.

It's been more how can we spend this day at home, or the majority of the time at home.

I have been trying to do a lot of self-examining lately, & I'd venture out and say that I'm a pretty laid back mom in some ways. Laid back in the sense that I've always tried to adopt the philosophy of "pick your battles" and "does it matter in eternity?" -advice I've always overheard & been drawn to. That being said, I do like schedules & I do like routine. So, I'd say having a theme for the day like "Make it, Monday" or "Water Wednesday" has given us a way to spice things up & not get too monotonous with days running together allowing boredom to set in.

Cade has had to work most weekends with the sunny weather which is a bummer, because we miss him. But we do cherish the weekends he is off & try to let him rest up. That Southern sunshine is no joke, y'all!

If I havenotiecd anything this summer, it is how much my Conley Scout has grown. So tall and skinny. His lisp is still there, which I secretly hopes he never loses. Takes me back! He is finally at a preschool age (isn't it funny with different kids, how it seems to fly by and others it seems to creep HA!) and he ~at this point in time~ did not get in to our public preschools. If you have kids, I'm sure you understand the cost of a private preschool, so he will be attending Mother's Day Out with Baker until a possible spot opens up within the first weeks of school...(fingers and toes crossed). He needs it so much!

Baker however, I'm really struggling (& I know initially, she will too) thinking of her going to MDO.

It's just two days a week, but she's literally never left our house.

I left the boys a lot earlier than her with work, but it doesn't make it easier.

Respect & all the love to you mom's who do it much sooner.

I know she will be fine & it will be good for her, it's just a transition I dread.

I've been super slack in posting this summer, so here is to catching up💕

Teppy left us at the beginning of summer to have a litter of puppies!

We are "guardians" for her, so after she has three litters of puppies, she is ours forever with no strings attached. It's a neat way to give a mama dog a humane life:).

Just disregard what our human children do to her.

Our pool was closed for a while due to COVID, so we popped a hole using this pool before it opened.

Maybe it was the redneck waterslide we made on their playhouse?

I get that from my dad.

When daddy has to go finish something before the rain...the boys got to tag along this time!

This summer, we had cash on hand😂🙌🏻

Cam's last day "of school" 1st grade-drive thru to collect his things...

Mom, Dad, & Bakie date

Oh, just a collection of things from upstairs.

You know, the place we forbid food.😬

Kicked off summer with a sweaty, whiny trip to the zoo!

We turned things around when daddy showed a monkey a gummy & we arrived just in time to watch a tiger eat and a bunny escape the tiger pin just before feeding.

We found the coolest creekside picnic spot.

Watched a rocket launch with the astronaut fan club.

Conley was trying to get "daddy's keys." So he devised a plan to climb to the top of our dresser😳

This kid.

Doesn't she look like Ariel? Or is it just me.

Mom Fan Club.

We can't get enough Pelican's.

If you haven't "Stuffed" your shaved ice with ice cream...do it!

Fighting with them to clean their room, everyday.

Bae was a BIG fan of her first piggy back ride.

Camping in the backyard in NC.

Cam made it one night, Conley made it zilch.

Fun days on the lake with friends and family❤️

We made visits to Tepp to see her and her babies!

It was so sweet -she totally wanted us to see them.

She was so proud!

The fourth is always a summer favorite.

Love it so much!

We went and got a library card and try to take a trip every week.

Please see Conley's signature😭

Conley lost his facemark that he had on in the car.

Don't judge. It was 100 degrees, I had three kids solo, and Conley was about to pee in the parking lot.

Oh, the rides taken to get Baker to fall asleep!

Never forget that, ovaries! Do you hear that!?

I've been attempting to do VIP kid this summer since I don't have any speech work. It's a lot of work, for not a lot of money, and not a lot of kids. I'm sill trying!

Selfies, because, if my kids are ever going to be in pictures with me...that's pretty much how it's gonna be for the most part.

Brody loved his music. Do you see the little guitar?

So sweet of someone to place there.

My mom made him a sweet Fourth of July decoration. I bet he is having a great time in heaven.

Coffee with my mama❤️

So thankful for this picture. It symbolizes Joe Daddy's current status-healthy enough to cook a big low boil for the fourth. A lot to be thankful for...