Hello, Summer 34!

 Hello, to my 34th summer-but just a special reminder... I am *only* THIRTY THREE!

I'm at the age when it isn't cool to round up!😂

I don't know why I said that, it makes me feel old!  Old, but appreciative.  Maybe that's why I said it!🙃

When you think of summer, what memories flashback through your mind of summers past?

I vividly remember camping at Cades Cove, pool & lake days, playing outside with my little bro while my mom worked in the flowers and gardens, helping break beans (for all that fresh garden cooking!), orange creamsicles, fireworks, Bible School, & beautiful sunsets with the aroma of fresh cut grass all through the air.  I remember the excitement of beach trips & dressing "fancy" for going out to eat & shopping.

I've heard it said, "memories are all we have" or "all we're left with"...but man, even so...they are sweet aren't they?

And it makes me nostalgic (one of my favorite feelings and words) as well as excited for all the ones I am experiencing my own children capturing.  Maybe that's why this summer is giving me all the feels.  I am so thankful to get to enjoy most of it with the kids.  We worked on a summer bucket list the first day they got out of school & I love that little tradition...we tend to do it on our chalkboard but this year we have more of a keepsake on paper! (Conley drew his😭)

I'm looking forward to everything the boys came up with. We tried to think of one "summery" local trip to take a week, mixed in with home time, pool days + dollar movie days.  I turned their lists into a real calendar on our refrigerator.  To start the summer, we had a what felt like the best kick off to summer with Memorial Day with family & friends in North Carolina.  The first memories of the summer made❤️

 MY BABIES

Conley Scout is on a mission to let us know loud & clear he is not going to be able to go to school anymore.  He continuously coughs and sniffs & says, "I feel so sick!  I just don't think I'll be able to go to school, Mom."  Well, it's a good thing school doesn't start until AUGUST, Con...He is growing up so fast & as the middle child, it has really snuck up on me.

This was his last time picking up Cam from the carline (next year-we will be picking him up, too!😭)

Bake is all about "buck buckin'" (buckling buckles), choc choc (chocolate), & puppos (dogs) in that order.  She is at such a fun (but demanding) age.  She is always on the go & never slows down.  I, however, DO want my baby to slow down.

He got the game ball last week!  So proud of him.  

Cam is (as always, being the oldest) at a new stage of parenting for Cade & I.  Everything is totally more emotional with him-(because it's the first time we've ever been through the stage).  He is reading & writing WELL meaning you can get very little by him these days.  He seems to be occasionally developing a sense of teenage-itis even though he just turned eight!  He is very sensitive & very clever-sometimes TOO clever, know what I mean?  I'm proud of his heart & his kind nature.  He is a great helper when he sees that I need help & he isn't in one of his wild animal spells.  Does anyone else have an amazing kid that randomly goes through like a velociraptor morph where they scream & lose their mind every now & then -making you wonder if they have lost their mind?  Asking for a friend.  Haha-all of that being said, we are loving, but scared to death, of the challenge he presents of raising not just a good kid-but future adult.  That's a game changer.

FAITH

I'm going to be honest, the busyness that has been life lately has really messed with my quiet times in the  mornings.  I notice that void it in every aspect of my life & always struggle when I neglect that time.  I'm thankful God never leaves me or forgets about me like I do Him!  Grace is an amazing thing but I never want to take advantage of it.

ENTERTAINMENT

Who has time for entertainment?   I swear, if I ever get everything done by 9 pm & sneak downstairs to blog & watch an episode of Emily in Paris ...(like tonight) Cam & Con never fail to come down about 10 minutes later with some ridiculous explanation as to why they are still awake🤪

HOME

I am really loving deep cleaning tutorials on YouTube.  So satisfying.

And also a "say you're a 30 something, without saying you're a 30 something" type of vibe.

I may or may not also love stalking the Sams Simple Savings Instagram stories.

HOLIDAYS

Memorial Day Photo Dump...I'm thankful for our military & their families- those that have given their lives so that we can have special times such as this...

MOM LIFE

I'm somewhat of a mess this week.  We've had so much going on & it never fails, when I have to pack everyone a suitcase for a couple of days-I lose a few brain cells in the process.  Is it the laundry?  Totally blaming the laundry.  I guess you could say that I'm slowly getting back to normal on day one of being home again.

LOOKING FORWARD TO...

Cade mentioned doing some things around the house this weekend, so that always makes me excited.  I'm also looking forward to our "field trip" day tomorrow.