Around Here Week 26: 06/25-07/01

 A glimpse into what it is like to live in our home just this moment. 

photo cred: Eva M

Intentional Outdoor Hours: 277+ hours (of 1000)
Ugh, the air quality has me a little anxious this week. We were still outside, but not as often as normal because it is so hazy and smoky. I was worried for the baby goats, but my goat owner mentors eased my fears; I'm just keeping an extra close eye on them.

Reading Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. I'm so close to finishing but already sad that it will be over! 

Trying to protect a baby bunny nest. Why the bunny momma thought a nest in our front flower bed was a good idea when Osa is lurking about 24/7 - I have no clue. B put some cornhole boards up as a barrier but still a spot for the momma bunny to get in and out. When the little ones have hopped out, we've used a glove to put them back in, but I am still a little worried that the mom will abandon them. Ugh, the brutality of nature sometimes just busts my vibe.

Car hunting with B in Greensburg. Sorry to say that Sheila is on her literal last breath. That chick (our van for the past 7 years) has put in some time with this family; she has been beloved. We will be sorry to see her go, but at this point she isn't even really a trade-in (lol), more like on the way to the scrap yard; poor old girl. B and I did a little test driving and found some ideas of things we like - but technically we still have two vehicles (his truck and our 12-passenger van Lucille) so no car for us just yet - going to wait and watch until the price is right - but it was sort of fun to have a little day date and get better thoughts on what we are interested in. (must haves: 7 seats, bench seat in the middle, sunroof -bonus if its a pano sunroof!)

Releasing our Painted Lady butterflies. We had 8 butterflies to send out into the world (two chrysalis formed wonky and they never hatched). They were beautiful and ready to get on the move. They only sat on the kids arms and noses for a moment or two (barely enough time to even capture a photo!) 

Skunked dog cleaning. It's always at 10:30p at night, isn't it?! Osa tried to make a wild friend, but got sprayed right in the face. 

Saying goodbye to a family friend. Our goddaughter Mallory's grandpa passed away this past week so we loaded up the whole family and headed out for the viewing on Wednesday night. It was important to us to bring all the kids because being their for our family and friends in times of both celebration and grief is something we want to teach them. It's easy to celebrate with those we love, but it is equally important to be there in times of sadness (even if it is sad, scary, or uncomfortable). We love you Burgh family, we are wrapping you in our love right now and always.

Pop up visit with the Kochs. A much needed pizza and wings surprise visit with our besties. Thanks for always being up for the most last minute plans. We love you guys.

Picking out glasses for Grey. He was very reluctant, but after some chatting he got on board (mostly because of sports performance, hah). He picked out his glasses this week and next week will be the contact appointment. 

Baby goat visits with friends. We had some various friends swing by to check out our sweet kids Juniper & Hickory. This week we visited with Mrs. McCall and her daughters (they also dropped off hand-me-downs - thank you!!) and then Coach Thomas, his daughter, and his two grandsons stopped by another day. Our Red and their Nash will go to kindergarten together in two years and Reddy was so excited to meet a new friend! 

Summer playdays. Gem and Rust had a sleepover at Abba & Chum's house after mum came to do some cleaning at our house (thank you! xxo), Violet had a swim & horse playday at Bria's house (most fun! thank you!), and Grey spent the afternoon at Hufftime's house after weightlifting on Friday. 

Giving B a big hug on his last day at NS. It is a bittersweet ending; he is so excited to move into his new school and get started and definitely pumped about coaching...but leaving his office and familiarity of the last seven years is hard and sad. Thank you so much to our NS family for always being so kind, patient, and generous with him and our big family. We have been so very blessed by you all. 

Broken phone girl after Olive pulled my phone down off of the counter and it landed front plate first on the tile floor, it turned all green and black and clearly broken. Then it called emergency and I tried to explain that everything was fine but I can't see my phone screen at all and sorry, but she was like - yeah, we still have to send the police, so then the kids are shouting, "Mom! The police are here!" LOL forever. Grateful they take it seriously and came to make sure everything was okay, but in the moment we were grabbing dogs and I had to put on a shirt that was less revealing from mowing in the summer (good grief, what a circus this is). I really don't want to buy a brand new phone, so I'm working on options to just get it repaired. I will probably be out a phone for a little while since it's the weekend and then the holiday. But I'm in need of a little phone detox anyway - so good riddance I guess. 

Organizing the first Friday Night Lights Executive Committee meeting! This has been a community-based heart dream of mine since B got the head coaching job. First, I invited all the people that make Friday night home football games go off successfully: football coaches, band director & drum major, cheer coaches, football boosters, band boosters, athletic trainer, school AD, and two local restaurants that are on the road to our high school. Then this week, we met up with snackies and all had a chance to introduce ourselves, talk about what role we play in home football games, and brainstormed ways we can work more collaboratively. It was amazing and my heart and soul is abuzz with all the ideas that were thrown out there but most of all that everyone was so willing to get together and see the vision that lives in my community-based heart. 

Getting in my 40th birthday miles! Mile 2 with Violet and Mile 3 with Reddy (in the rain! hah! he loved it) 

New porch swing sittin. I took advantage of Wayfair's fourth of July sale and ordered everyone new bed sheets (yay!), an ottoman for the living room (with storage for blankies!), and a porch swing for the front. I am so happy to wake up in the morning and take my cup of coffee and my book out and swing away! 

Cheering for a new baby boy cousin! We spent the afternoon at Butter & Becky's house for their gender reveal party where we found out our cousin Logan will be getting a little brother! So happy for them (and always grateful for more family!)

Sporting with a summer league basketball game for Gemma while Grey had his last 3 summer league basketball games this week and one city pony league baseball game. I set up my cheer Remind app for the Majors cheer squad this year and Coach Brittany sent over our halftime music and I am obsessed (thank you! so pumped!) B and I had our co-ed volleyball game on Friday (rain rescheduled) and then we went out for team dinner at the Crow's Nest which is a favorite tradition with our Cats team! And of course the Friday Night Lights Exec Meeting too! 

Making copycat KFC chicken bowls, beef & veggie stew, spaghetti, take-out pizza, and build-your-own toast bar. I made a snack charcuterie board for our Friday Night Lights Exec meeting (with Fiesta dip - so yummy!) I braved four kids at Denny's for breakfast after everyone was well-behaved at Grey's eye doc appointment too! I've hit a little bit of that summertime slump of meal planning/making...like seriously - do I have to feed these kids three times a day?! I'm trying to push through and focus on just making the simple favorites, but ugh.