July Recap 2020

Well, Spring Break is finally about to come to an end for our family as we continue to make our way through the Pandemic of 2020. As I write this, school starts in a week. It's been about 5 months since we were there last. So many mixed feelings. A little nervous about starting school back up again, a little ready for a more "normal" schedule once more, and really really thankful for our time spend living under a rock. Our household was truly safe, secure, and happy just being at home. But, we knew this season wouldn't last forever. So, on with the show.

For now, let's recap our July, starting with our 4th:

We spent the day together as a family. So much outside time. We pulled the camper up to our firepit and day camped. We ended the night with s'mores and fireworks. The big kids stayed up late to watch the city's fireworks from our house. Overall, it was quiet but still so much fun for us.
In all our down time, my daughter and I have begun to really enjoy relaxing together. We have been doing some at home spa care activities. The boys are not brave enough to try but love laughing about. Payton is now thinking this mask will work as her mask requirement for school. 

Grandma came to visit and we had soooo much fun for her. Seeing guests requires a mask for our household but we still welcome and enjoy the company. We played outside, and made unicorn jello cups (thanks for bringing Grandma) and laughed all day long.

We got out to the park for the day and my mother snapped this picture of the kids with me. I'm so grateful for all life has to offer me. 

We went camping during this month, as an extra celebration for Riley's birthday. So much swimming and fishing and fun in the sun. The kids are begging to go again.

Little man with daddy. He is as happy as can be. 

Riley was so very spoiled by friends with gifts, including these books. They have been found reading books together all over the house. 

Our garden! Although we spend a lot of time here, it has just done okay this year. We did get raspberries and are hoping for cantaloupe and watermelon. We have been quite successful in turning compost into dirt though! 

One day the clouds were so vivid, I just had to snap this picture of our property. So quaint and the place that I feel so at home in. 

Early mornings you can find my boys playing together. Here they are creating maps for their treasure hunt. We try to focus on quiet activities while our daughter sleeps in, while she can. 

But once she's up, we play hard:

After getting a ton of rain, I let the kids out in their rain boots to run in the puddles. They were soaked and muddy and asked for an extra long bubble bath after. Which, of course, I said yes to. 

This boy. So happy. So, so happy even with all he's been through medically. And for that, I am so grateful. He reminds me that although we can't always choose our circumstances, we can choose our mood. I'm so blessed that God chose me to be his mother. I got out for a 1 on 1 date with him a few weeks ago and he chose supper at the park and to play:

I'm soaking up these times with my babies. And all the "dates" I take them on.

She requested tropical sno.

He did, too. 

He also requested the coffee shop for a bonus extra date and had to bring his power ranger cutout with him. 

But we are really the best when we are all together. This was taken at the park as we went to do their story walk. Not all bad things come in a set of 3.

We also got out to go fishing at the park. Both kids caught one fish and declared they were done. 

And then we find ourselves lost in our world at our house: 

Swinging.

Bedtime stories. Payton is loving reading books before bed to her brothers. I cherish these moments.

Picking apples from our trees,

and finding random pictures on my phone that my children have taken. They also make videos. It's always a surprise for me and I love seeing the stuff they come up with. 

To another good month. Back to reality in August. I'm thankful to God for this quiet season. I know that I will always look back on this time with fondness for our own household as we quietly weathered out the storm.