thank you July

Thank you July for....

• the soul recharge that comes with over 140 hours of outdoor time logged this month alone!
• a weekend of tent camping with cousins that filled up our souls with fresh air, campfire scents, laughter, and memories. 
• our nation's birthday and sparklers
• the sunrise coming over the mountains and the fog lifting off the water on my two sunrise kayak trips on the Que and again on my early morning run with Loni
• fresh picked blueberries straight from the bush and baked into blueberry muffin bread, sprinkled on top of yogurt as an afternoon snack, or right into our mouths! 
• the two day sleepover at our house with my goddaughter Mallory
• Gemma's confidence that shined out of her as she spent the week rehearsing, dancing, and singing with new friends at her theater camp
• the way Violet smiled and beamed when Gemma taught her the dances and songs from her musical
• the magic of a drive-in movie on a summer night
• the ambition to register for two races this fall; the Que Classic 5K with Greyson and the End of the Road half marathon with Loni
• the 18 miles run on my own two feet this month for half marathon training
• our new hammock and the giggles and snuggles as the kids all take turns laying in with me as I read
• many trips to local spots with the kids, having mini adventures and coming home with sun-tanned cheeks and dirty feet
• friends and family who participated in writing secret emails to help celebrate the 40th wedding anniversary of Gigi and Pappy. How fun it was to surprise them after spending a lazy day at their house with them. (thank you all so much.) 
• the bittersweet ending to our volleyball season with these teammates we love so much. 
• the closing of all-star baseball for Grey; he learned so much and grew a lot in the sport, but it is also a blessing to finish up baseball season that lasted February (pre-season) to the end of July. I love you baseball, but #byefelicia 
• Miss Hannah, our very own Mary Poppins who our children adore and who is always so gracious about coming last minute and helping however we need her (we love you!)
• two family reunions where our kids got to spend the day playing with and talking to extended family who share the bone structure and mannerisms of my grandparents
• two weeks of pet-sitting Violet's bestie Hemelia the hamster and seeing how much joy that little creature brings to Va-vi
• watching Greyson's big brother instincts kicking in as he alternated riding both little kids on his bike spokes on the hiking trail when they were too tired
• visiting my classroom and the start of the back-to-school sensation in my veins that has me excited and inspired like only post-its, sharpies, and a new planner can give me

July, 

you were so bright

with your sun shining and blue sky days

you were also calm and awe-inspiring

with your star shining and ink black sky nights

You stretched out and allowed us to make memories

and bask in the freedom of little responsibilities

My quote to live like the seasons for summer is from John Mayer's' song Wildfire

"Cause a little bit of summer's what the whole year is about" 

and that was you, July. 

thank you for the memories

i love you

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