Oh man. This summer has been NUTS. A complete whirlwind. I know things have been kind of quiet on the blog lately. Most weeks I can only manage one post. But I promise that behind the scenes is anything but quiet! I have had all the normal summer stuff like swimming, family reunions, gardening, and keeping kids entertained on top of a MILLION projects, most of which I can't show you yet. Get ready though, because very soon I will be able to start sharing all the projects I have been up to. Room makeovers, outdoor stuff, furniture makeovers, and more!
We went camping this past weekend. It was not my boys' first time this year but it was mine. I have not made it up the canyon as often as I normally do and I have missed it. Nature soothes my soul :)
We found this little guy while we were up there. He may just look like a happy lizard to you, But he had special meaning to me. My dad used to find these horned lizards while he was up the canyon and put them in his shirt pocket. He would bring them home to me and my mom let me keep them inside as a pet for a week before letting them go again. I have not seen one in YEARS and it made me think of my dad. Sometimes, even though he has been gone for many years, he feels so close.
I had another photo shoot with Better Homes and Gardens. My first one was five years ago! The prep for it was crazy and time consuming but the shoot was so amazing! I can't tell you anything else about it just yet, but I will later.
But really, the main reason things have been quiet around here is because I have spent a lot of time with these four yahoos. I LOVE having them home during the summer. We have weeded the garden (I know that doesn't sound fun, but it is when we do it together), gone swimming, had outdoor movies, roasted all sorts of things over the fire pit out back, read lots of books, and created lots of things out of cardboard and tape.
A few of you have even asked about Shane. He has been super quiet around the blog! He is still alive :) He just is just really busy with his job and when he is home he just wants to hang out with us. I can't complain about that. I have't pushed too hard for him to write more articles for now. I am trying to focus on the fact that him having a job (for almost 3 years now!) is a blessing even if the commute is a killer.
I hope you are enjoying your summer. I feel like we haven't had a check in for awhile. Why don't you comment below telling me what you have been up to the last couple of months!
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My husband commuted 54 miles one way for 12 years. Yes I know the feeling, and had to just remember he had a job. We tried to meet once a week and eat out. (7 children at home). And then things got worse! He was laid off due to the economy and after 3 months of searching statewide, he got a job 2 1/2 hours away. So, he lived in a camping trailer and came home for weekends. Kind of a sad time for us. But then he was able to work from home. Same job but didn't leave the house. Now all the children are grown and summers are still busy here. Gardening, fishing, both of us working, Alaska, etc.
Twelve years is a long time! My husband's commute is about an hour and 15 minutes but with traffic it can be up to two hours. I hope we don't have to do it for that long. As hard as our time of unemployment was, I am grateful for the time we had Shane at home with us and plus the hard times make us grateful for the good times :)
Hi Stacy!
What a beautiful family you have. Your boys are all so handsome :). I think it's wonderful that you've spent so much time with them this Summer. The blog will always be here when you have time, but your boys need you now. The camping trip sounded like so much fun! Nice you had such a special reminder of your Dad :).
My husband and I are both in our late 60's, with five grown children, so we do things with our dogs now :). We LOVE to go camping and did so this past weekend. Such fun to get out in nature. Like you, it soothes my soul - especially hearing the Loons calling at night from the surrounding lakes. That, to me, is the epitome of the wilderness. Such a beautiful haunting sound.
I retired last week and I'm spinning in circles trying to decide which project to tackle next! My husband retires in October. Then we're off in our little popup camper to discover places in northern NY and Vermont that we haven't camped at yet. Such fun to look forward to!
Enjoy the rest of your Summer, Stacy. We'll be here when you come back :) :).
Camping is wonderful, isn't it? Congratulations on retirement! I've been to NYC and Connecticut but I have always wanted to see Vermont and explore upstate NY. I hear it is beautiful!
Hey Stacy - So awesome you took time to enjoy the summer with your family. That time goes fast and the neat thing about blogging is... it's always there.... but there will be a day when you're boys will move on with there lives and won't be. So Enjoy the now!!
Excited to see all your new projects.. We've been busy getting our place ready to sell now that we've finally found new land to move towards. Summer has moved quick and as we head into August I'm finding more hours are spent indoors to beat the heat. Keep enjoying your summer!
I used to tease my Aunts when they told me how fast went by. As a kid it was a crawl. But the older I get the more I realize that it really does zoom by! I am excited for you to be getting new land! What a fun adventure :)
Glad to hear you are having a wonderful summer with your children. We went fishing (with our children) for a week in Ontario, we are from Manitoba.
It is beautiful there! Lots of lakes, trees, rocks, pelicans, ducks, and loons! It is so peaceful and relaxing! Enjoy your children while they are younger, and the blog will keep!
I have friends in the Ontario area and they say it is beautiful there. It is on my bucket list of places to see :) Thanks for your comment. The balance between kids and te blog is harder in the summer for sure.
Lucky boys to have two amazing parents. Enjoy your summer with them.
Aww, you are always so sweet. Thanks :)
We have married 2 kids within 2 weeks of each other but the wedding train started before that actually as my niece started us off in May & we are still going with my nephew getting married here shortly in Aug!! So all said & done we have had 5 wedding this summer along with buying a new house & deciding to renovate it!! Not in yet had to move the moving in back a week cause we are not quite finished yet!! Wewww!! It's been a FUN one but not for the faint of heart that is for sure!! Good thing God is in control of the whole thing!!
Wow! 5 wedding in one summer is incredible! I hope my boys space out the weddings a bit :)
what a fun Summer with your family this sounds. Congrats on what is important. Such happy faces in the pix I am sure they appreciate and love the memory making time also. Enjoy. This mama can tell you it goes so quickly.!!
I also related to your memory about your father. It is so sweet how our Heavenly Father has little things like a lizard show up to help us keep them close to us.
It does go by too fast! And yes, I love all those little moments Heavenly Father gives me to help keep my dad close :)
What's your favorite canyon? Your pics are beautiful and we're still hoping to get at least one camping trip in before it gets too cold this fall.