I’m back with another camera catch up post! I have pictures. I have thoughts. Let’s chat!
Summer is winding down. I’m not ready to let go of summer. It has been such a great season for our family. I feel like we hit our stride with three young kids (as much as you ever can 😜). We enjoyed days at the pool, time outside, an amusement park, fishing, and all sorts of activities. I think change is just hard for me. The change in seasons and new routines will simply be different. We always find joy in all seasons, but summer has been especially sweet for us!
Back to school season is upon us. Since we homeschool all year, I feel like we don’t deal with the big changes of starting a new school year in the fall. I don’t mourn the kids leaving me to attend classes because they’re with me. It feels like the biggest privilege in the world to be able to keep my kids tucked under my arms on the couch each morning as we read, sip our warm coffees and hot cocoas, and learn together.
A few things I’ve baked lately: strawberry pie, cherry pie, and granola for Etsy orders!
Etsy is slowly picking up. I reopened my Etsy shop within the past couple of months and orders are slowly trickling in. With each baby we’ve welcomed, I’ve wondered if I should just close up shop. But I always make myself wait before making any big decisions. I usually get the itch to create and share again within a year as I find my footing with our new family dynamics. I’m at the point of feeling more like myself creatively again and it’s wonderful. I set a goal for myself to hit 1,000 Etsy orders by the end of 2026 (I’m at 951 orders as I type this!). Hopefully the holiday season will get me there!
The kids are doing well. I can’t tell you how many times a day I just stop and thank God for our three happy and healthy kids. Like He chose to give Jimmy and me three kids?! How did we ever get to be so blessed? And they’re all so vibrant and joyful and alive? How could I ever feel discontent? Of course we have our moments. There are challenges but the blessings abound.
I’m thinking about fall. I’m not ready for it, but I’m thinking about it a lot. Mostly decorating, a potential camping trip, upcoming festivals, and what this season will look like for our family. I always dream of having a really cute fabric table runner, a tiered tray with decor, and candles lit… and then I remember we have little people who love to touch things (and they should be allowed to in their own home!) and I remind myself that the little hands will grow before I know it and I’ll miss these days. The fancy, breakable decor will come. For now, I am perfectly content to dodge the soft fabric pumpkins the kids throw and trip over pillows that somehow always make it off the couch and onto the ground. These are the days.
Our hot tub? It’s still one of the best things we’ve spent money on. We all use it—sometimes multiple times a day—and absolutely love it. Niva loves to sit on our outdoor grill counter (photo below!) and watch us. 😂
Becoming a pit master?! My sister lent me her electric smoker and I found a new obsession. I smoked brisket, baby potatoes, and chicken thighs. I’ve found myself researching wood chip types, pork belly, and spice rubs. It’s so fun to learn new things!
Vacation! We’re on vacation and it feels weird! All the local kids are beginning the new school year and we’re soaking up the last days of summer at the beach. Leading up to our trip, I was so nervous about hurricane season (we’ve been evacuated in September before!) but this year’s El Niño weather pattern has worked in our favor. I’m curious about what winter will look like with El Niño. I’ll never understand it, but it sure is interesting!
Cupcakes. Most of my local baking orders come via word of mouth. I baked Bluey-themed cupcakes for my sister’s neighbor’s birthday party and had fun working on that order. Cupcakes seem to be my local baking niche and I love it. It’s always an honor to be a small part of someone’s celebration.
Speech therapy thoughts. Dakota’s first speech therapy session went well. The therapist asked me if I know and use sign language with Dak and I sheepishly admitted I’m almost fluent (Jimmy knows a ton, too!), but have been lazy about using it! So, we’re incorporating more signs to help with communication struggles—mostly around eating and drinking—and she’s catching on quickly!
Other Notes and Thoughts 📝
- Scripture I’m loving: Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6 🙏🏻
- This is a random, possibly unpopular opinion, but I kind of hate voice memos. I always end up reading them instead of listening! I’m the same with learning things—I would rather read a book about something than watch a video. 🎤
- Recipes to try: banana zucchini bread and cinnamon rolls for dogs! 🐾
- Dakota does this adorable thing where she pretends to be asleep in her carseat when we go to get her out of the car. She pops her eyes open and smiles so hard when we say “Oh, Dakota’s asleep!” and I never want to forget it. 🥹
- I finished reading this Nora Roberts novel and now I’m rereading Ina Garten’s memoir! 📚
Living My Full Life 