Summer Treasures... June - Part 1

So much catching up for this online journal space of mine.

Ah... summer. 

Road trips, friends visiting, the juiciest fruit, a relaxed schedule, swimming, thunderstorms, Vacation Bible School, church camp, smores, bonfires, and smoothies.

Our 1st road trip was to Pensacola, Florida, for Alisa to spend a week with one of her dearest friends, Estoria, (whose mom is one of my best friends!). And Since Cora is my right-hand-cutie and goes just about everywhere with me, she got to go and was pretty excited about the giant gummy spider she bought at one of our gas station stops. Once we arrived in Pensacola, it was time to swim in the pool. Or should I say "Aunt Trish's Resort!"

Savannah, Alisa, and Levi served at Zone Takeover & ZONE Summer (our church's Vacation Bible School). Early mornings, but the most full hearts when they pulled in the driveway every day. Joshua participated and loved learning about our Creator, who made us to "create!" Getting to play King Saul on the "Blue Screen Bible" was another highlight for Joshua!

I spy 3 of my cuties in the middle of the stage.

We love Miss Rachel & Miss Delaney!

We've spent some fun mornings at our base pool (our last summer to call MacDill Air Force Base "home".), but the storms rolling in shortened the visits. Nothing like walk/running home as fast as you can, praying the lighting stays "5 miles away" according to the intercom. 

June was a very busy month for Savannah, working at "Extreme Juice" (and traveling and serving and young-adulting!), so she wasn't able to enjoy the downtime of the pool and beach much with us. All of us loved when she would bring home smoothies though! My favorite is the Peanut Butter & Jelly!

Tony planned an epic "guy weekend" and "father-&-sons-time" for our boys and some great friends. A wild boar hunt in Northern Florida... as our children get older, having "guy time" and "girl time" separately, has become really special. It also makes me cherish the time we are all together (as a family of 7), but watching my Hero with our young men and then me getting to do "girly" things alone with our daughters is really the best! 

We were thrilled to have friends we were stationed with in Stuttagart, Germany, visit us here in Florida (I think that is a staple in our family. Life-long-friendships made both times we were stationed in Germany)! There is something priceless about those relationships that you can pick right up where you left off. Grateful for the time with this incredible family.

The boys wanted to camp out indoors one night. I'm not sure what their evening entailed, but I know they were up wayyyyyy past bedtime, watch movies, and then the cutest little rooster, Cora, woke them up bright and early! Bless their hearts.

Although we took a break from official homeschooling, my hope is always to weave learning throughout every day. We used this activity sheet for some giggly fitness fun and learned to make several new smoothie recipes for breakfast!

Part 2 of June is up next, but one of the best summer celebrations is always "Father's Day." Below is my Instagram post, but words could never begin to say how thankful I am for the man I am married to and the daddy Tony is to our children. And in this new season of life (he's almost officially retired!), it's a gift to have him home with us more often. We are all soaking it up!

“Daddy!”

They run to the door when you come home from work. 

You hold the small ones, hug the tall ones, and give them each your eye contact to remind them they are top priority in your day. Every day.

You listen to their hearts.

You love them fiercely.

You speak life over them.

Unyielding, protecting, and full of grace. 

You lead by example, inspiringly our 5 children to live for Christ, to sacrifice for others, to explore God’s amazing creation, to give thanks for each day, to stand up for truth, and to be young men and women of integrity.

And although they run-like-the-wind when you start kissing me in the kitchen, I know they are thankful to have a daddy who loves, cherishes, and flirts with their mommy so much!😘

Happy Father’s Day! I love you forever & ever!