Summer Fun!

 July is my favorite month of the year because it is completely free of school and is usually filled with pool days, beach days and family fun. I also love July 4th and I really love fireworks. I am sad today is the last day of July and summer goodness will be coming to a close soon but I'm grateful for all the fun we've had this month. 

When we got home from the beach we watched the Cox girls for two days while their parents were in the hospital welcoming baby brother. Lily babysits for them a lot so she took good care of them and I filled in when needed. Little kids are a lot of work but they are sweet and cute and we were happy to help. I remember how stressful it was to not have anyone to watch Lily when Curtis was born so it was an honor to help them as their family grows. We went to the library and and Lily danced and we picked up groceries and then I went to book club that night. There were just three of us but we still managed to talk until 10:30pm! 

Wednesday I went to the gym, Curtis went to Noah's house, I taught piano, the Wiests stayed for dinner, we had youth activities. Thursday we went to Six Flags and it was such a fun summer day. We did the waterpark and were there for six hours before my kids decided they were done. We changed, a crazy rainstorm came through and then when it stopped we decided to ride a few rides since there were no lines. We got home at 9pm and the kids were exhausted. I love that about summer days playing outside in the sun and water. It was really cute to see my kids all do stuff together and bond and we had so much fun playing together all day. There was a moment the four of them were walking off to ride a waterslide all together and I just was overwhelmed with love for them and gratitude that they have each other and for what good kids they are. 

 

 

 

Friday we went to the library, the Hendersons to pick some blackberries and then to the beach to hang with friends all day. The jellyfish made them scared of the water so there was more kayaking than swimming and the flies were annoying but it was fun to be with friends and enjoy the beautiful day. That night Josh and I went to see the Elvis movie and it was so fun. Saturday we decided to go see another movie so the kids went to the Minions movie while Josh and I went to see Where the Crawdads Sing. We really enjoyed it and I was impressed with how closely it stuck to the book. I'm not sure it built up the drama enough of the court case but it was good. Then we went to the pool and family swim time is the best. 

Sunday Josh spoke, the kids both taught in their classes and then there was a linger longer after church. We also had Rob over for dinner that night, which was fun, then Josh had a stake meeting. Busy but wonderful Sunday. 

This week has been pretty chill. Lily did dance and the kids had some friend time but we also had a lot of down time, which in our house means lots of reading. Curtis is almost done with the 12 books I gave him to read for the summer and Emma is re-reading all of the Harry Potter books and is already on five. Friday I did throw a surprise birthday party for Michelle so we did a lot of cleaning and shopping and game prep too. I was pretty nervous about it but she told me later she felt loved and that was all that really mattered. She is always serving and helping others and it has been a challenging year and I just felt a few weeks ago that I really wanted to make sure she had a happy birthday. I could hardly get to sleep that night thinking of all the dumb things I said throughout the evening and how I could have run the party better but overall I think it went well and everyone had fun. I only remembered to take one picture and it was after Drew and Amanda had left. 

Saturday we were all so tired and we had nothing planned so we slept in, had a very late big breakfast, talked, and were in no hurry to start our day. It was really nice and I'm always happy to see Josh actually relaxed. I took Lily to Target to get snacks for FSY this week and she packed and we had brats and pasta salad for dinner before going to the Blue Crabs game. The library gives out free tickets and so we go every year. It was so fun; my boys were totally into the actual game and it was a fun one to watch even though they lost 10-12. It is fun when they throw t-shirts and all the silly races in between innings and singing Sweet Caroline and Take me out to the Ball game. Baseball is not my favorite sport but being at the games and the whole environment is just fun. There were fireworks afterwards and they were so great! I really do love fireworks so much; not sure why they make me so happy but they totally do. The Wiests came too so it was good friend time and we got ice cream and even convinced them to stay for fireworks even though Petra hates them. She sat on my lap during the show and I think my joy was contagious because afterwards she said she enjoyed watching them! Victory! It was another summer fun moment that just filled my soul. 

 

 

Church was lovely today. We finally were able to pull the musical number together and I think it sounded nice. I love the song Faith in Every Footstep and hope our ward family felt the pioneer spirit and a desire to be a part of the work of the Lord. We talked about temples and missionary work today and I felt the spirit. I am so grateful to be able to go to the temple and I'm grateful I was able to serve a mission and for how it changed me. I'm excited for my kids to have those experiences too and felt again the importance of teaching them the gospel and preparing them for these special opportunities. It is a blessing to be a part of the Church of Jesus Christ and get to participate in His sacred work!