Days in My Life | Summer Edition

Hi friend!  I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  Brian and I went to his company’s camp and it was so good to get away for a few days – especially after all the craziness that is the Nordstrom Sale and Amazon Prime days.

I was starting to feel very worn out and as soon as we started heading into the country, I could feel my body relaxing. It’s a good 4-hour drive, so we had a chance to just talk in the car and of course stop at Bucee’s for treats.

There were several couples and customers at the camp and we all got up super early to go fishing in the bay.  I had beginner’s luck and caught my limit- including a trout that was so big we had to throw it back and a big flounder.  Brian’s a great fisher and so fun to be around.

Hat • Sunnies • Swimsuit • Rashguard

I took a huge nap when we got back.  It’s also awesome that they have a chef on property who cooks delicious meals each night.  Such a treat!

Back at home, most of my days still start out with a cup of coffee, a book and my journal on the couch.  I’m starting this book now.

Throw Blanket • Walgreens Journals

I’m finishing my last journal and super excited to start a fresh, new one.  I started journaling consistently in 2018 when I was going through the roughest time of my life.  My friend Trisa mentioned to me that she journals and it really helps her, so I gave it a try.  Since then, I’ve kept at it, usually writing at least 4-5 times a week.

It’s helped tremendously in getting out my feelings on paper and processing my emotions.  I just write stream of conscious style and also make notes of things the kids did, work issues I’m struggling with or creative ideas, also my relationships, goals, and sometimes take notes on books I’m reading.

I find it so incredibly rewarding to reflect on previous years and see how much I’ve grown and healed.  I highly encourage a journaling practice if you don’t have one.

Living Room Tour

It’s been so hot here lately that I’ve traded my hot cup of morning coffee for an iced coffee.  I make a homemade version of Starbucks iced brown sugar oak milk shaken espresso and it’s delicious!

Sometimes, for a change of scenery I’ll take my laptop and head to a local coffee shop to work.  It helps when I have a lot of computer work to do and don’t want any distractions of home.  The laundry can seen awfully appealing when I don’t want to do work.

The bookstore is a favorite place to spend time too.  I love browsing books and just looking around, it always gives me creative energy.

I didn’t know whether to be giddy or scared when I recently saw the 2022-23 planners.  Which reminds me I still need to buy the kids’ school supplies.

I can’t believe how much the kids are growing.  Most notably, James’ voice has really changed and has gotten deeper.  It’s WILD to hear him sound different!

Tee • Shorts

Dress • Tee • Shorts

He and Jordan are just so cute, but they definitely have their sibling bickering and get-on-each-others-nerves moments.  I was so surprised she liked this dress- she normally wants to wear “boy” clothes.  Perhaps when she was younger, I had ideas about how she’d dress, but honestly, it’s not something I’m too concerned with now.  I just want her to be happy and confident in her own skin and she is. She knows what she likes and I’m good with that.

Dress • Tee • Shorts

She does want to grow her hair back out now, so we’re doing that.  I’ve loved it being short- so much easier to take care of!

Dress

1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12

The women’s styles at Walmart and cute too- and won’t break the bank!

I’m still running, but only in the morning and only about 3 miles.  I go super slow, keeping my heart rate at Zone 2, which means I sometimes have to stop and walk.

I signed up for a half marathon on October 30, so I’m looking forward to picking up my running schedule again more seriously in August.  Then, the Houston marathon is in January and I really want to go for it!

But, for now, since my runs are often walks, I love to take in the scenery and look at the different plants, trees and flowers along the way.

Dress • Earrings

Brian and I are doing awesome!  We’ve been dating almost 2 1/2 years now and we’re in a really good place.  I’m so thankful that our kids get along and his daughter Ana even came to Nordstrom with us this year to shop the sale.  Our date nights have been a little bit less consistent with the kids and summer schedules, but we see each other as often as we can and are always in touch.

We tried this vegan restaurant recently and can you believe these are vegan nachos?  Really yummy!

We also love Common Bond, especially for brunch.

Jordan and I visited the Houston Farmer’s Market recently and it’s massive (18 acres) with all kinds of veggies, produce, herbs/spices, baked goods and more.

We bought the dragon fruit to try, but even though it looks intriguing from the outside, it doesn’t have much flavor on the inside.

Sunglasses

Especially with how hot it’s been here, 100 degrees and so humid, we’ve been going to the pool often.   I took Jordan and her “boyfriend” they other day and they had a blast.

Pool Tote

Water Balloons

We’ve also had fun in the backyard with water balloons.  I love how easy it is to fill up these guys!  Where were they when I was a kid?!

Me and Brian took the kids to Typhoon Texas and that’s always big fun.

Patio Tour

A few evening we have grilled outside and that’s been nice.  Now I’m excited to grill the fish we just caught.

When we’re inside, it’s been puzzles and legos!  I got James a few massive sets thinking that would keep him busy for weeks, but he finishes each one in days!

coloring book

And Jordan and I like to color together.

One day while Jordan and I were at the bookstore, she picked out this Baking Cookbook and we’ve made a few of the recipes already- starting with this rainbow cake.

kitchen tour here • Top • Jeans • Heels • Butterfly Necklace

James and I went on a very special mother-son trip to Minnesota right after school ended, and that’s our trip for the Summer.  It was so fun to get away just the two of us. We went to two baseball games, explored the city a bit and just hung out.

Another vacation isn’t in the budget right now since I just bought a tree for the front yard.  I’m so excited to get this GORGEOUS, fully grown Magnolia tree planted in our front yard tomorrow!

I’ll share the process on Stories, so be sure to follow my Instagram!

And while the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is a lot of work, it’s more fun with Ali-Shaun and something we look forward to every year.  It’s a longtime tradition for us to shop the sale together and you can see what she bought here.

I hope you’ve been having an awesome summer!  Are you enjoying it? Ready for school to start? Wish Summer could last forever? Summer is halfway done and it’s easy to get in a slump.  The daily grind is coming soon enough, but I still want to enjoy the time we have left at home.  I’m sure I’ll be ready for school to start when it’s time!

Now let’s go kick Monday’s booty!