Hello, July!
It’s hard to believe we’re already a week in, and I’ve got about six weeks until my eldest returns to school. Last year at this time, my husband deployed for 7 months, so we are happy to have him around this summer and planning a few more things to do before it ends. The heat index has not been outdoor activity friendly — unless you are relaxing on a raft — but that is southern living. Everyone creeps out of their houses at 7pm to garden, mow, and get their exercise in. There is a photography scavenger hunt that I’ve been trying to participate in, but doing some of those outdoor activities in 103 degree weather is nice in theory. Once I step outside, it takes 5 seconds for my camera lens to fog up (inside and outside glass) and then I can’t use it for an hour until the condensation disappears.
But on to better things! That is, our June adventures in photos. It began with a trip to Virginia Beach, one of our old stomping grounds. It was a family trip with cousins the boys don’t get to see often, and was really, really fun. You know, one of those slap-in-the-face reminders that we need to take weekend trips more often with the boys. I realized that even more once I went through the photos and saw the pure joy in the kids’ faces. Sometimes you really need that emotion frozen to recognize its importance, even when you have a ridiculous amount of plans/events/obligations on your plate.
After a seven hour drive, my boys wanted to visit the ocean immediately. “You don’t have swimming trunks on. Don’t go in all the way,” I said. “Okay, that’s far enough!” I said. I forgave him after seeing his pure grin.
It was even more fun once we were swim equipped:
I even woke up at 5am to catch the sunset on an almost empty beach. On vacation. I’m anticipating “real photographer” badge to arrive in the mail any day now. That’s a thing, right?
Two weeks later, it was off to Grand Rapids, MI, to visit my sister and meet my beautiful niece! I went solo for this trip, and yes, that was a special treat. This is my youngest sister, and not only is she a wonderful host, she is the best mom. It was really fun to spend time with her and laugh (and laugh and laugh) — even about the less-than-luxurious parts of motherhood.
I was hardly settled back at home before we were rolling out of June and into July. I’m going to indulge myself and share a couple of recent favorites.
My youngest, trying to tuck Blackeyed Susans into his pocket. (They are a hardy plant, I put it in a vase and it is only just starting to wilt now.) I made my husband promise not to mow them down because I love them so much.
4th of July. At this rate, the next photograph you may see here will be of him with a loaded backpack, ready for the first day of school. Where did those endless days of summer disappear to?!