Goodbye to July

July 2016 may go down as one of the toughest months I've had, and I'm not sad to see it go.

The first week of the month Ryan and I had planned an early anniversary getaway to Chicago.  I was so excited because we hadn't been able, just us two, to go anywhere for a few years. A few days before the trip my mom called and said that Dad's condition was getting worse.  Ryan and I decided I needed to get to Houston to see him as soon as I could.  Obviously our trip was canceled, and instead I flew to Houston to see Dad.  I'm sure glad I got to go, because while I was there I was able to say my goodbyes to him, and he then passed away early morning the day I flew home.  Between his death, funeral planning, the funeral, lots of emotions and being exhausted, it was s tough month.  In that time Ryan and I had our 13th anniversary, then my birthday.  Even though they are always special days I look forward to each year, this time around they didn't seem celebrated as much.  That was hard, but understandable.  We spent two weeks in Houston with my family and Ryan's, and it was great seeing them.  We did have some fun though.  

I'm really glad August is here and we can now look forward to school starting along with a routine for everyone.  

Geocaching

The other day Addyson searched for "Boredom Busters" online because apparently she was bored. I get it, it's Summer, and life always slows down this time of year.  I'm not complaining, but it drives the girls crazy.  Anyway, Geocaching was a boredom buster listed so we thought we'd go do it.  We'd heard of it a while back, but never found out more about it.  Basically, you download an app, find your area, then it tells you all of the Geocaches near you.  It gives you the coordinates on a map then you go out looking for them.  Once you find your "cache", it's usually some sort of a container that holds a treasure of some kind like beads, Legos, erasers, pretty much any small trinket.  You're encouraged to leave the contents in the container, but if you take something, you need to leave something of equal value.  We thought it'd be fun to put a sticker in each cache we found, then leave a small sheet of stickers, too.  It's been so fun doing this with the girls.  What kid doesn't like to go on a treasure hunt??

Grateful

When we first moved to Ohio I was really sad, and maybe a little mad, that Ryan moved us away from Texas and everyone we knew.  Almost four years later I couldn't be happier with our home, friends, church, and beautiful surroundings.  I'm not sure I'd want to leave.  I took this picture at the Spillway in Hinckley last week when I met my friend Jessica for a 7 am walk.  Just breathtaking!

VBS

Lane just finished up Summer number 3 of Vacation Bible School and she had a great time.  I keep thinking one of these Summers she'll say she's done, but after each session she asks if she's going the next year.  I love that she has such a fun time with it, but it really is right up her alley.  Games, crafts, outside play, new friends, and signing are her most favorite things.  Plus, obviously it's Bible based, so it's a win!  I always had fun going as a kid and I'm glad she loves it like I did.

A Happy Father's Day

I hope Ryan had a great Father's Day this year, because we tried everything we knew how to try and spoil him. We gave him some Book of Mormon socks, some running compression socks, and running shorts.  All things he needed!  I was up early Sunday morning making some of his favorites before we went to church.  Roast with potatoes and carrots, fruit salad, deviled eggs, and chocolate chip cookies to make homemade ice cream sandwiches.  After church we ate, then got in the spa for a bit.  Hopefully it was a relaxing day for him because that was the plan!

Utah!

After finding out that Kyle and Mandi got engaged and planned a June wedding, it was assumed we'd head to Utah.  We love going because it's great time spent in Logan with family and we love the weather and those beautiful mountains.  This trip in particular was amazing!  We flew in the day of the wedding rehearsal so we were able to help with some of the food/serving preparations.  The next day the bride and groom were sealed in the Logan temple and it was wonderful being part of that.  The next few days were spent have family dinners, going on likes, getting ice cream at A&W, lots of good talks and laughs, and plenty of volleyball matches at the high school.  I'm so grateful we got to go and be part of  such a special occasion, and at the same spend time with our family.

Piano Lessons

I've been looking for a new piano teacher for the girls and I finally found one...Terry Bingham came highly referred to me by my neighbor who's girls have been taking from her for years.  There aren't many members of our church up here in Ohio, but Terry is, so it's been fun getting to know her.  The first lesson was today and already the girls learned a lot.  I knew things had gone well when we got home they were arguing about who was going to get to use the keyboard to practice first.  Let's hope that lasts!  I have a good feeling for sure.