So I have been meaning to write a new post for 2 weeks now, but I kept telling myself I'd wait until I got the pictures up from our adventures and share it all at once...well, here were are two weeks later, with no pictures and no updates! I hate that I procrastinate and justify it with excuses that seem like great reasons! Not today though:) Guess the pictures will happen another day. For now, here's what we've been up to...
July fourth weekend we headed to Morton to visit my parents and see my brother Jeremy and his awesome family who had driven up from MO. We love spending time with Jeremy, Raelenna and their four kids! Each time we see them it becomes more and more evident to me that kids do grow up way too fast. Last time we saw them (Easter I think), Seth-their youngest-still seemed like a baby, but now he is so big! He follows his big brother Drew around all the time, doing his best to imitate his every action. He's still as stubborn as someone in his family :) but I love it! Stubborn people make things happen!! Drew is so verbal now, and his sweet little voice mixed with those big eyes and curly locks are going to be TROUBLE! He was very interested in Lucy this visit, who he mostly referred to as Reece (the neighborhood dog from back home). Ella, the next oldest had also grown up a lot. She's always been wise beyond her years, and the same is still true. I have to remind myself when I'm around her that she's only 5! She is so quick to pick up on things and always looking for an adventure, although she may have met her match with my parents little neighbor girl. They were quite the pair! Riley is the one who was the biggest shock to us this time around...it was as if the little girl had completely faded and a beautiful, caring, woman was beginning to emerge. I am so proud of my amazing niece, and know that this is a summer of transformation for her life. Several weeks ago she went on a mission trip to DC, and next week she'll be traveling to Africa with her parents. What an awesome experience for her! I can only imagine how much different she will seem to me in the coming months as God continues to shape her life. Can you tell we love them?!
Sadly, my other brother and his family couldn't be there this year, but they got to have 7 days of each other in Mexico, so I know their time was well spent. I love that we get to see them every week at church...hug them, watch them minister and impact people's lives in positive ways and watch their not so little anymore boys grow up!! The older I get the more grateful I am for the amazing family God has blessed us with. My parents, Luke's parents, our grandparents, and all of our siblings, nieces and nephews are people who I cherish with all of my heart.
After our family time, Luke and I took Whit to Chicago for the first time for "Taste of Chicago." It's something we've always wanted to try, and it was fun to be downtown together. The place was packed since we went on a Saturday, but we had a great time and enjoyed all the things we tried. For the "fourth" we spent the evening with great friends from our church grilling out, playing with the little ones, and watching some fireworks. It was a great night despite a few mishaps;)
That brings us to the current week...this week has been really wonderful! I have been working out a lot more and setting a goal to run several 5K's this fall. While I've been diligent in getting to the gym, I haven't always felt like I was improving. Today I finally ran the entire 5K-in 36 minutes. It was such a feeling of accomplishment and I can't wait to do it again! Next goal-1/2 marathon. Bring it on. I am so thrilled that I have this outlet where I can push myself, and work on discipline and long-term goals. I really believe it is making me a better person and I know it is improving my health.
At home this week we have been tackling the black hole that is know as the basement. This has been on the to-do list forever, and we made so much headway this week. It's no longer impossible to access our storage area without tripping and doing laundry is a much more pleasant experience. Can't wait to wrap up this project and feel like our house is finally in order from top to bottom!
Another highlight of the week was that I had the opportunity to record a song for a producer nearby!! Several months ago I sang back-up vocals for a band's CD, and the producer liked my voice. He and his friend write songs and have a connection in LA, so they were needing to make demo's to send out as potential songs for their contact to purchase. It's not a huge deal, but it was a really fun experience and I'm hoping I get to do it again soon. Making music is a great thing and it really excites me!
Today was the best day of our week-FAMILY DAY:) It's great to know that no matter what may be going on in life that is frustrating, you can have a day completely devoted to family time, which quickly snaps things back into perspective. Luke, Whit and I met my mom in Bloomington for lunch at Monical's-yum! After that, the three of us headed to Miller Park Zoo for the afternoon. It was the perfect zoo for a hot summer day! We got through all the exhibits and Whit seemed to really enjoy the animals In the rainforest exhibit he got really close to lots of interesting birds (fun pictures to come), but I think his favorite place was the petting zoo. Once he got his little hands on the goats, there was no letting go! We hit up a few stores on the way home and then had a relaxing night of nothing...it was the perfect end to a great week!
Glad to be caught up on life and I promise not to be so long winded next time!!
No comments:
Post a Comment