July Lookback

 It has been so long since I have sat down and written one of these, and I must say, I really miss it.

Writing is cathartic for me. Therapy. But I put it at the bottom of the priority list so it rarely gets done (sound familiar? Can you relate?)

But when we were commenting the other day that July went by so fast and we had to really think hard about what we even did in July, I took that as a sign that I needed to do a LookBack. Because I know we did things. And I know there was so much good. But, as time tends to do, it makes us forget some things.

So, here is our July in pictures. Whether you care or not.  But I know it's good for me to flip back through, see God's goodness in smiles, heat, humidity, long days, lazy days, crazy days, and family time. It may not all seem good at the time, but looking back, all those times fits together like a puzzle, showing one large picture of His Goodness.

 

We started the month of July wrapping up our 10 day trek out West to the Rockies. We spent a couple days in St Louis on the way back, checking out the Arch and taking it a bit slower than our hiking-packed vacation from the previous week.

 July 4th we spent the day with the Steffen-side of the family. Brunch, swimming, cornhole and just hanging out. It was a scorcher but thankfully we had plenty of pool for everyone.

 And when it's 90+ degrees with high humidity, what better thing to do than take in a ballgame and fireworks?!?

 The following weekend we spent with the Suvars. Hanging out, going for walks, Frisbee Golf, and sleeping in. Oh, and if you can't tell, this little guy has quite a fan club.....

 Thankful to have a friend who selflessly shares their pool with us. We got a few swim days in this summer over there.

 What started as a comment of "oh, that looks like there is a leak in the ceiling" led to replacing drywall, which led to getting more insulation.... Hoping this won't have to be done again for a very long time....

 In the dream of owning goats (his dream and the kids....not mine), Paul re-purposed an old storage shed that has sat on our property in a very inconvenient location the last 4 years. He moved it and got it all ready for future goats all for zero dollars. And you can bet he was pretty pleased with that!

 With excess eggs due to well-producing chickens, I decided to try my hand at creme brulee. I thought it turned out deliciously. Which is good since I have 10 ramekins full and I was the only one in the house wanting to eat it.

 We were able to be together with the Gramm family for a reunion. It was a gorgeous mid-70's Illinois day.  Lots of delicious food, family-bonding games, and catching up. There was also a corn-hole tournament where the winner took home $50. And Paul and Owen won!

 There was also a lot of Cross Country conditioning going on in July. Owen and Hannah are going to try their hand (legs?) at it this Fall. Now we have just got to convince Madeline that running is fun....

 We spent an evening at a fabulous mansion in the country, enjoying their pool and beautiful grounds with a dear, sweet friend and her kids. And the cherry on top is that she is Madeline's teacher this coming school year!!

 My business has incentives for hustle and heart. This past month I got some sweet carry-on luggage. Perfect for a few trips that are coming up in the near future.....

 Something I've never done but sure hope to do again soon: rode the River Greenway with a couple of friends. We ate lunch downtown, outside by the river, and then biked back.

 We've done a few family bike rides this summer as well. This one included a stop at the Dairy Sweet.

And something that has been a mainstay this summer: chickens. And the constant cleanup that is required with free range hens...