---I had a birthday; I'm not too old to have forgotten that! I turned 31 and celebrated with a dinner at one of my favorite restaurants (Bonefish Grill) with family and friends. As an added bonus, my actual birthday fell on a state holiday, so I got the day off. The girls spent the night with our cousin Lindsey again (and stayed up waaaayyyy past their bedtime!) so that I could have a day to sleep in. Addison helped Jeremy pick out my present, including a coffee mug that says "My Mom is My BFF". It's pretty much my new favorite thing. (On second thought, I think the mug was from Mother's Day, but I'm leaving it in here because it really is one of my favorite things. I don't want to forget that she picked it out for me.)
---Jeremy officially moved to a new division in June, meaning he works normal daytime hours (for the most part)! This is literally the first time in more than six years that we have been on the same schedule. It is SO nice having him home in the evenings, to play with the girls while I cook supper, to trade off baths, etc., and just to be here and be able to enjoy the evening with us. I hope I don't ever take it for granted. Yes, we both mourn the loss of our 'alone time' occasionally, but we are adjusting well, I think.
---J had a class in Nashville in late June. It's rare that he gets to attend one by himself (i.e. without sharing a hotel room with a coworker), so I tagged along and we made a trip of it. We shopped and ate and binge-watched episodes of Revenge in the hotel room. While J was in class, I ran on the hotel's treadmill (I RAN ON VACATION! That should equal an extra five lbs. lost right there.) and lounged by the pool with a book. On Wednesday, my mom and aunt brought A & M up to stay the rest of the week with us. The girls were pumped about staying in a hotel, which they have only done a few times. We swam, ate, walked around, and visited the Frist Center for Visual Arts. (I highly recommend that place if you find yourself in downtown Nashville--it's free for kids and has a great hands-on art section on the top floor.) It was a fun, fun week, and a nice getaway in the middle of summer.
---We had a very low-key 4th of July. It rained steadily for most of that long weekend, but we made the most of it. The girls spent two nights with Jeremy's parents, so he and I enjoyed a couple of date nights. (It seems like A & M spent a lot of nights away from us, but it wasn't all that much. It does tend to happen a little more often when they aren't in school!)
---A & M attended Vacation Bible School at our church, and loved it, of course.
---We went to a wedding, and everyone bragged on how well-behaved the girls were (I will never get tired of hearing that!). They were so interested in every detail of the ceremony.
---J and I went whitewater rafting with a group of friends from church. I'll admit, I was not too excited during the week leading up to the trip, but I ended up having a blast. I haven't been rafting in about 15 years, but I might be willing to repeat it again next year.
---J and I rounded out July with a Braves game with two of our good friends. They are Cardinals fans, but the Braves pulled it out to win the series, so Jeremy and I were the happy fans on the drive home! : )
Books Read in June: 4
The Perks of Being a Wallflower--I have heard so much about this book over the years, and then....it sucked. Maybe I missed something; maybe it was just me, but I really did not like it at all. (Am I alone?)
Will Grayson, Will Grayson--This was the perfect book to read after Perks. It restored my faith in smart, unpretentious YA.
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks--More smart YA. I have heard a lot about this one, too, and I was a little afraid I wouldn't like it (there is a lot about prank wars, etc. that are not always my cup of tea). I was greatly relieved to find that I liked it a lot, actually.
The Exiles--Not a bad book; especially since I read most of it by the pool in Nashville. Reviewed here.
Books Read in July: 5
A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet--This is Sophie Hudson's debut book, full of stories about faith, family, and life in the South. Sophie writes her book like she writes her blog, with much humor and heart, and I enjoyed her book quite a bit.
The Last Winter of Dani Lancing--Well, there had to be a dud in here somewhere, and this one was it. Intriguing premise, but the author just didn't quite pull it off. I kept reading to find out the solution to the mystery, which was rather disappointing as well.
Looking for Me--A little slow, but a nice, enjoyable story. I'm a sucker for a Charleston setting. I was afraid the ending was going to be unresolved (which I HATE), but it was done in a way that I thought worked out nicely.
Hungry--I have a review of this one coming early next week, but this was by far my favorite nonfiction read of the year (admittedly, I haven't read many, but still....). Very good!
Me Before You--It seems like everyone is reading this lately, and for good reason. I stayed up until 4 a.m. to finish it, then went to bed with swollen eyes and a stuffy nose from all the tears. (Despite the tears, I do recommend it!)
Etc...
I'm down about 9 lbs. since beginning Weight Watchers in early June. I am exercising regularly, thanks in large part to J being home at night. I try to run at least three times a week and do yoga or some other type of light workout at least twice a week. I need to get another link removed from my watch because it's now big enough to twist around my wrist...so things are going pretty well!
J and I saw The Heat on one of our date nights, and oh my goodness, I have not laughed that hard in a long time. Lots of language, but so hilarious.
I have been painting a dresser for the girls' room for about three weeks now. It is the largest piece of furniture I've painted so far, and I'm rather pleased at how it has turned out. I still have to put a clear coat on top and get some new knobs, but the end is near. I'll share a picture when I'm finished.
Books Read in June: 4
The Perks of Being a Wallflower--I have heard so much about this book over the years, and then....it sucked. Maybe I missed something; maybe it was just me, but I really did not like it at all. (Am I alone?)
Will Grayson, Will Grayson--This was the perfect book to read after Perks. It restored my faith in smart, unpretentious YA.
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks--More smart YA. I have heard a lot about this one, too, and I was a little afraid I wouldn't like it (there is a lot about prank wars, etc. that are not always my cup of tea). I was greatly relieved to find that I liked it a lot, actually.
The Exiles--Not a bad book; especially since I read most of it by the pool in Nashville. Reviewed here.
Books Read in July: 5
A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet--This is Sophie Hudson's debut book, full of stories about faith, family, and life in the South. Sophie writes her book like she writes her blog, with much humor and heart, and I enjoyed her book quite a bit.
The Last Winter of Dani Lancing--Well, there had to be a dud in here somewhere, and this one was it. Intriguing premise, but the author just didn't quite pull it off. I kept reading to find out the solution to the mystery, which was rather disappointing as well.
Looking for Me--A little slow, but a nice, enjoyable story. I'm a sucker for a Charleston setting. I was afraid the ending was going to be unresolved (which I HATE), but it was done in a way that I thought worked out nicely.
Hungry--I have a review of this one coming early next week, but this was by far my favorite nonfiction read of the year (admittedly, I haven't read many, but still....). Very good!
Me Before You--It seems like everyone is reading this lately, and for good reason. I stayed up until 4 a.m. to finish it, then went to bed with swollen eyes and a stuffy nose from all the tears. (Despite the tears, I do recommend it!)
Etc...
I'm down about 9 lbs. since beginning Weight Watchers in early June. I am exercising regularly, thanks in large part to J being home at night. I try to run at least three times a week and do yoga or some other type of light workout at least twice a week. I need to get another link removed from my watch because it's now big enough to twist around my wrist...so things are going pretty well!
J and I saw The Heat on one of our date nights, and oh my goodness, I have not laughed that hard in a long time. Lots of language, but so hilarious.
I have been painting a dresser for the girls' room for about three weeks now. It is the largest piece of furniture I've painted so far, and I'm rather pleased at how it has turned out. I still have to put a clear coat on top and get some new knobs, but the end is near. I'll share a picture when I'm finished.
wowzer, what a lovely long, meaty post - I keep meaning to do a books read one -0 I'm actually going to do one right now! (to post later)
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