The end of another June

June has absolutely flown by, which I suppose it does nearly every year.  This weekend though, has not flown by (I've been off since early Thursday afternoon) and for that I am very grateful.  

I'm grateful that work has been fairly uneventful since I returned from vacation.  I'm also grateful that we are closed for this entire week.  This was my idea three years ago, and it is really one of the best decisions we've ever made.  If we were open, one of admin (and probably only one) would have to be working and would be resentful (at least I would be).  This way, ALL of us can be off, and none of us feel like we are missing anything.  I'm going in a bit here and there to bring in mail and check on the plants, but overall it a good amount of down time.  I certainly don't need to water the plants, by the way, because although we are in a heat streak that is absolutely miserable, we are having daily monsoon downpours.  They tend to come up out of nowhere...just increasing my desire to remain indoors. 😂

Summer break is almost half over...but it's been a great first half!

Mid-June

I am off work today, and I've enjoyed the quiet.  I don't get much alone time in my house in the summer, and I'm cherishing this opportunity.  Catherine is home from work, but is taking a nap in her room.  I should be more productive, but I'm listening to our sink drive (ugh!) and enjoying our cat, Maudie, who is insisting to be right up against me (it's a little warm, but sweet).

Tuesday, Andrew hit the road again, God love him.  Our original plan for the summer had been to take a trip to Vermont at the end of July and to take his mom with us as it was a visit to Andrew's aunt who is 92.  However, the week before we left for vacation, a phone call came explaining that Aunt had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  Treatment would only extended the inevitable, and at 92, well...I think you understand.  It was decided that Andrew and his mom would make the trip right away, and unfortunately it meant I couldn't go.  I'm so, so grateful though, that Andrew and his mom are able to do this.

I've also been spending day looking around at my house.  I love photos.  I love having memories literally staring at me.  The hard part?  I can't cover every single wall space and flat surface with photo frames.  In the last six weeks, we've had two big photo-worthy events in the wedding and our vacation.  As I said, we took a TON of photos on vacation.  I'm trying to not have a cluttered house, while also having these memories surround me.  They truly bring me joy.  

I am so grateful for this summer and the slower pace of life!

It was the best vacation ever

There is no doubt in my mind...this is the best vacation I've ever taken.  While I hope that I have many fabulous vacations as I continue to grow older, this one might not be topped.  Having Thomas and Catherine and their "others" join us was such a gift, and of course my mother-in-law was with us as well.  The house had amazing views of the sound, and there was a view from literally every window.  Our bedroom had a private covered deck, which of course had a view!  I sat there Saturday afternoon, our last day there, and there was a nice breeze, the sun was out, there was some activity in the cul-de-sac, and I just soaked it all in.  I was so grateful for the week we'd just had and for the afternoon we were having.

We had some really good meals, especially the Friday evening meal.  We ate at this huge restaurant that had water views from just about every table.  We had drinks, meals, and even desserts.  Our afternoons were generally spent at the house just hanging out, and I even got to read TWO books!  Because we eat early, our evenings were spent at the house hanging out some more.  Early in the week, especially, we would all sit out on the back deck and enjoy the water.  The full moon was absolutely gorgeous as it lit up the sound.  I loved the fact that the kids wanted to be out there with us.  We laughed so much on this trip.  Thursday night was designed game night, and we laughed even more.  Friday we finally got to show Andrew's mom the movie The Princess Bride.  She had never seen it before, and we laughed some more.  I was so, so grateful for how much time the kids wanted to spend with us.  I loved how the kids not only humored me with family picture after picture, but they wanted to make sure we all shared them so everyone had access.  It wasn't all perfect of course, as there were seven people with seven personalities, but honestly, it doesn't get much better.  I truly don't have the words for how wonderful it was and how grateful I am!

Our vacation has begun

Our amazing vacation has started.  Honestly, this may be the one where I leave the house less than any other vacation ever.  Well, at least the property.  The house is located at the tip of an island peninsula, with water views at every angle.  The living space on the top level has a completely unobstructed view of the sound, and it is absolutely gorgeous.  This is also the nicest house we've ever been in when it comes to cleanliness and maintenance.  We could not be more thrilled.  It is truly the perfect house for our family for this week.

We brought in pizza last night for dinner and tonight is the first night we are actually going out...the best part of our vacations!  We just found out today that the place we eat on every trip is no longer in business.  It had been around since the 1940's and was the very first meal Andrew and I ever had on the Outer Banks.  We've eaten at this restaurant on all previous seven trips, the only restaurant we can say that about.  Our kids even had great memories, even if they weren't all food related, and we were sad to hear that it was sold 18 mos ago and then suddenly closed earlier this year. 

So nice to know this trip is just getting started!

Ready for vacay

In about 17 hours (hopefully), we will be out the door for vacation.  It's a 13ish hour drive to our place at the Outer Banks, and I'm so excited.  My MIL is here, and the kids are all coming with us as well.  I'm calling this the last "big vacay".  I truly hope that we get to take other vacations as time goes along, but this is the last one I'm paying for almost everything.  I'm so, so grateful for this opportunity and the memories we are going to make!

A lovely May ending

Yesterday, Andrew and I had several plans.  The first one ended up being cancelled though, as there was a mechanical failure on a volunteer project Andrew was supposed to work on.  We then headed north to my hometown for a graduation party for the daughter of dear family friends.  My sister and mom were there as well.  It was a very nice visit with family and friends.

Then we decided to go shopping.  I detest shopping.  But, there were a few things I wanted to purchase, and Andrew had a few thoughts as well.  The nice thing was that we didn't just walk around browsing.  I knew where I wanted to shop and Andrew knew where he wanted to shop.  Then we had a wonderful dinner with a drink, hit one more store on the way home, and were home by late evening.

I am so grateful for yesterday.  The weather was gorgeous, and it continues to be today.  Before Andrew started mowing, the animal sounds from our backyard were so serene and peaceful.  A week from today we are headed to North Carolina, and I know our blessings are abundant.

Delightfully unexpected company

This morning I received an email from a dear friend who was going to be passing through town.  We were able to rearrange things on our end and meet for dinner.  Catherine joined us as well, and we invited her boyfriend to come along also.  Thomas was disappointed he couldn't attend as he would have loved to introduce Lyndi.  It was a short evening, but absolutely delightful.

It was especially appreciated in the midst of this very long week.  As I told someone today, once I get through this week I should be fine.  Then I laughed, because I feel like I've been saying that for weeks now.  It was nice to have a break from work and enjoy company!