GETTING OUR SUMMER GROOVE: PROS & CONS

Getting ready to go to Rwanda, going to Rwanda and getting back from Rwanda have consumed a LOT of our time and energy this summer.  And it was absolutely worth every bit, but as I've gotten back, it's been a little difficult to figure out what I do in life. 😅 In the summer.  With half of my kids with me most of the time.  So, we've had to find a summer groove, which we are just getting into as summer is drawing to a close in the coming weeks.  Everything goes absolutely as fast as everyone says it does. Except for the bad things - those tend to creep by at the pace of dripping molasses, but I think we learn stuff from the bad things? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Anyway . . . here's what our summer groove has looked like.

▪️Lots of trips to the library.  Pros: air-conditioning, easily accessible restrooms and so many books.  Cons: the need to be not super loud. 🤦🏻‍♀️

▪️VBS. Pros: free, Bible-based child care.  Cons: an evening program that one of my 4 year olds could not possibly sit through.

▪️Trips to the pool.  Pros: Giant inflatables, everybody likes it, and it keeps us cool in the sweltering July heat. Cons: The pizza delivery man has a hard time finding it and always has to call and get directions. #epitomeoffirstworldprobs

▪️Twins at preschool. Pros: They love going (*most days) and are learning a lot each day. Cons: Getting up every morning and having to say goodbye to this year's teacher. 😭 

▪️Ice Cream at the new Loblolly Scoops. Pros: They always have six DAIRY-FREE options! And lots of other really great flavors. Cons: Family ice cream night has no cons.

▪️Trip to the Wonder Place. Pros: So many options for playing, and no clean up for me. Cons: Feeling like other parents are judging me for playing on my phone instead of being fully engaged with every moment of my children playing. 😬

▪️Doing a few fireworks. Pros: We always love a good sparkler. Cons: We missed the actual day to do this, but going on safari was worth it. 👊🏻

▪️Trip to the Alligator Farm. Pros: Fun with friends + getting to see and feed animals. Cons: Goats escaping their pen, and me laughing too hard to be able to do anything about it.

It's been good! And hot and everything in between cause it's real life, y'all.

SEE YOU SOON, HAGUES!

Over the last four years, we've gotten to know the Hague family in our small group at church, and it has been a joy and privilege to "do life together" during that time.  Sadly, we all have to put that on pause as they head to Montgomery, AL due to a job assignment for Jeremy for at least the next 10 months.  We decided to send them off with a pool party last Monday night, and in a small summer miracle, everyone from our D-group was able to be there!


(as you can see, this is no small feat!)

We had rented out the pool, but even with just our group, we have 26 children, so it certainly felt like a party from the word go.  Also, I convinced John to buy several giant pool inflatables, which we then had to blow up. 😳😵  Our kids' exact words about these were, "I can't believe you are letting us have these! You never let us buy stuff!" 😂😂😂👊🏻



We had pizza for dinner and spent the rest of the night playing in the pool before wrapping up the evening with cake.

(Isn't Lizzie delicious?!!!)

Truly, we are so thankful to have had these years with the Hagues.  I have learned so very much from watching the way they follow the Lord, and it has been an extreme privilege to know them up close.  Lynn and I traveled to Rwanda last fall, and there are so many other little cherished memories!

We'll miss you and your kiddos so much and are praying God's best in this next phase! It's not "goodbye," it's "See you soon!"


And, in case you were wondering, there is not enough room for all three giant inflatables, all four kids and all of our normal swim stuff, so here is our Swagger Wagon with a cherry on top.