No JU-lying, Summer is Flying by!

Sometimes when I'm struggling to do something, I start with the hardest thing first and then it seems like the rest just gets better.  Well, on July 19th, we had to say goodbye to Chukar.  So when I look back at July 2022, I will remember these were the words I didn't want to write, the emotions I wasn't ready to relive, but the memory that I never want to forget.  As broken as we are today, I am so thankful for the almost 13 years of LIVING we got to do with this boy! A few fun photos from the adventures he had and memories we will always cherish.

Of course, I was pretty sure you’d be with us forever and I can’t imagine life without you here. I know that you were ready and have just been holding on because we weren’t ready to say goodbye. Our house is so much quieter without you and our hearts are a lot broken! You taught us so much, brought us so much joy, irritated us with your crazy antics and will forever be in our hearts Chukar!!! Now where can we mount the bronzed Chukar, we love you buddy!!!

July kicked off with a belated birthday celebration for Millie...since we were all over vacationing on her actual birthday!

Happy 4th of July...Millie was part of the parade and we went and enjoyed the parade!!

What's summer without a trip to Tipsy Cow?!?

This guy asked for a night walk with me...I jumped at the chance.

Goodbyes are never easy and these 2 have a special bond...so we won't say goodbye Addy, but see you soon!

Fun Saturday at our friends Lake House...birthday fun for G's friend, tubing for the kids and just a ton of Laketastic fun.

Summer is meant for BBQ with friends and this Saturday night did not disappoint.  The ice cream truck even swung through the cul de sac.

 

So we did a thing...and we have had SOOOO much fun at the pool this summer! The kids have started to love swimming and it's so fun to break up the evening with a quick dip!

Summer Birthday party fun for one of LJ's friends!

And then it was Summer camp for the GIRLS...

Last night as a fierce threesome before big bro went to sleep away camp.

All smiles and fueled up with Tacos!!!

And then Griffin went to SLEEP AWAY church camp for 4 nights...and had a blast!

We got videos each day and even some pictures...the boys all had a BLAST!

When it's just the girls...we play, play, play (but I mean, that's what we do with all the kids). It just was a little special time with just the girls the week G was gone.

 Back from CAMP and he had am EPIC adventure.

We celebrated with Tacos...of course.  Tacos as a goodbye and Tacos as a welcome home!

And then it was 13 years married to this stud!

It was never luck, it was His plan and it’s better than I could have ever wished for. He has provided, He has guided and He has guarded us.

Seems like the challenges we faced this year helped us not only turn toward each other but forced us to turn toward Him for strength, wisdom, guidance, love and HOPE. His plan is better than I could have ever planned for or prayed for! Blessed for 13 years as his wife!! I thank God for him as my husband, my partner, my one true love!!!

Evenings at the pool...just chilling!

Even a fun afternoon with friends at the pool...loving the sunny days and tons of fun.

And then our sweet boy was gone. 

Some mornings you need a sign...this morning I was crying making coffee because I didn't have Chukar to feed...and then, the sun showed up, He was there.

Off to the lake we go....Dad was driving...then Mom drove!  Say what?!?!

My. Happy.  Place.

Woot Woot...the restaurant at 7bays is back!!!

How do we transport the tube when we aren't using? Get creative!!

Proof of Mom...but come on, there is always proof of mom.  These kids know I love them and I'll do just about anything crazy to show them!

Lake Days are so fun...the kids are at the age where we just go and hang!  Throw some food in a cooler and chill!  Don't wait, make the memories NOW!!!

Meyer Bay and the kids played for hours while Rich fished around, I read a book and we just hung! Take me back NOW!

Cheers for Ice Cream on a SPICY hot day!

My little boaters...Lake is Life :)

Breakfast Donuts for "not so sunrise" fishing!

They say you never know the last time you will pick them up...so I'm just going to keep doing it so it NEVER stops!!!

And here is our YEAR 13 photo!!! Appropriate...a little worn, but above water and so content with where we are!

Everyone should get to captain a ship...these kiddos too!!!

That's a wrap...until we are back (in 18 days).  The last trip before our place is "placed"!

Getting these kids cleaned up...

So fresh and SOOO clean!

Hot days call for afternoons with friends!

And then a fun little BBQ with the O'Staceys!

Thanks for the birthday wishes!

Birthday brunch with BAE (haha!)

Step 1: Get your swimsuit on and run to the lake as fast as possible.

Step 2: Stay in the lake for hours until you are so tired you are forced to get out.

Step 3: Hydrate, Eat and Jump back into the lake until the sun goes down!!!

Even the MOMS got a little crazy!!!

Fun evening spent at the Conard Cabin to celebrate summer with our Life Group!  I told Rich, but I writing it here to remember too...God sure knew we needed these people in our life and I'm so glad I finally listened. 

Now that was a birthday WELL spent!!! What am I going to do with all the time ahead of me? Trust Him. God is going to do more than I could have ever imagined, so I’m going to lean in, love more, pray more and be content. This is 43!!!

That's a wrap JULY!!! We had some firsts, we had some lasts, we laughed, we cried and we trusted in HIM that we are exactly where we are supposed to be, CONTENT.