What we’re eating this week: Well, Josh and I started another round of Whole30 on Monday, so our meals are looking decidedly healthier than they did last month. Coming off of three weeks of vacation {and too many indulgences after we got home} was a shock to my system for sure. Josh has been eating about 75% clean since January and I’m more than a little jealous of his results. I decided to jump on the bandwagon and tackle my first Whole30 of the year {I started two other times in 2015, but didn’t exactly follow through}. I’ll be sharing an update at some point later this month, but until then you can follow along with my Whole30-exclusive Instagram account.
What I’m reminiscing about: The beach. I mean, how can I not? I’ve been editing and uploading photos to share with you next week and it just makes me want to go back. My parents really spoiled the girls with three full weeks this year and I’m not sure they will ever recover. We are trying to figure out how to fit one more camping weekend in before school starts and we even left the trailer on the coast to force our hand. I know that three days will never measure up, but it will be a nice little farewell to summer.
b>What I’m loving: Summer. Even though I have a full time job that does not get summers off {like pretty much every other person in my life}, I am trying to squeeze the life out of these pretty days while I can. I’m keeping a swimsuit in my car so that I can enjoy the afternoons with the girls at my moms and we are taking advantage of every weekend that isn’t over-planned. Both girls have made huge strides in their swimming abilities this year and Ella has both mastered the dive and figured out how to swim the length of the pool without taking a breath. Josh has joked with me about returning to the real world, but I’m trying to avoid real life as long as possible and pretending that my evenings are a little bit more summer vacation.
What we’ve been up to: Working and swimming and cooking and dancing and reading. That’s pretty much it. We are still trying to get the house on the market this month {even though we were really trying to do that last month} and we only have a few more projects to wrap up before it’s official. We are so ready to move on and move in, but we’re being patient and taking things one day at a time. My Pinterest board is in full swing, so at least I’ll know exactly what I want to do to the “new house” when the time comes!
What I’m dreading: School starting back. are you sensing a theme here? I know we still have several weeks to go, but Sophie is going to be in kindergarten and Ella is going to be in the THIRD GRADE. Y’all, we’re about to start the last year of single digits for her. When did that happen?! I’ve already started back-to-school shopping and registration is on my calendar for this month. I’ve got dentist appointments and annual checkups and school supply shopping to do. Exactly none of that sounds like a good time.
What I’m excited about: This is a tough one. We don’t have anything “big” on the horizon, so I’m not really amped up for anything in the near future. We do have Taylor Swift tickets hanging on the fridge, though, and the girls are excited about that. They are still tearing links from our paper chains and counting down the weeks to go. And yes, even though Josh and I have seen Houndmouth twice this year, we are seriously considering a road trip to catch them in Mobile one more time. How could we not?!
What I’m watching / reading: We aren’t watching much right now, but I think that’s more a product of summer than anything else. We’re all caught up on Game of Thrones and Peaky Blinders, we’re anxiously awaiting the Walking Dead spin-off. I’m trying my best to ignore the Bachelorette, but sometimes I still watch it. I have Beach Flip and Fixer Upper piling up on the DVR and we are currently watching season two of both Tyrant and True Detective. Are there any shows I need to add to my roster?
My reading has slowed down a bit since our return from the beach, but I’m still trying to spend a few minutes between the cover of something everyday when I can steal a few minutes away. I’m reading Against All Grain: Meals Made Simple for some Whole30 / Clean Eating inspiration, I picked up Leaving Time, Eleanor & Park and Me Being Me is Exactly as Insane as You Being You while I was at the beach and I’m looking forward to digging into those as soon as I can find the time.
What I’m listening to: I’ve told you a hundred times, but one of my favorite things is when my husband texts me new music. We downloaded this album a few weeks ago and the girls already request it pretty much every time we get in the car. I can’t help but smile when I hear them singing along to some of our favorite songs. Otherwise, I’ve been on a podcast binge again. I seriously LOVED Serial back in the fall and now I’m entranced with Undisclosed. I recently discovered the Serial Serial {a podcast about the podcast} and I caught up on it this morning. Obviously I need to branch out a little bit, so please tell me if there is a podcast that you love! I’m sure I am interested in comedy, but I’ve been loving the true life / non fiction aspect of these.
What I’m wearing: Unfortunately, beach attire has been retired and I’m back to wearing business casual and heels all the time. I did go shopping with my mom and sister on Sunday {happy birthday, K!} and picked up a few new things. Mostly they were boring {skinny jeans and leggings on sale!!}, but I did pick up a super cute floral denim baseball cap. I lived in my monogrammed one at the beach and I’m thinking baseball cap + beach waves might be my new go-to summer look.
What I’m doing this weekend: We don’t have big plans for the weekend, but I am hoping to squeeze in some house-cleaning, book reading and pool gazing if at all possible. Ella is dancing in a flash mob on Saturday, so I’m looking forward to that. I’ll be sure and share a video of how it all goes down sometime next week!
What I’m looking forward to next month: August is always nice because it’s my anniversary and this year is the big THIRTEEN! The past several years we’ve been traveling for our anniversary, but we haven’t made any big plans this year. I’m not sure if we’ve decided to take a year off or just be spontaneous later in the fall or if we’ll end up moving before the end of the year and decide it isn’t financially responsible this year. Either way, I’m sure we’ll do something fun to celebrate! Otherwise, we’ll be headed back to school, welcoming football season and celebrating Belly’s birthday a few weeks early.
What else is new: I’ve been seriously missing Bible study this month {and my fabulous group of Bible study girls}. I think we’ve pretty much decided that we can’t get it together during this season of life. We are just all so involved in different things and haven’t been able to get our schedules to coordinate. Jen and I had dinner one night last week and I told her we should do that a few times a month and just tell our husbands we’re at “bible study”. Isn’t that terrible?!
A few of the girls from my regular group have started a mentoring program that I am loving. I’ve only gotten to attend twice, but I’m hoping it will be a regular thing. We have a huge number of young / teen moms in our area and we have been pairing up with them for support. We met last night and had double-digits!! You should have seen us all trying to man two babies each while their mommies ate dinner and had some time to fellowship. I’m not going to lie, I have completely forgotten what it’s like to take care of a little one!
Okay, it’s your turn! What’s up with you today?
