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So, it’s Summer

Wow, July already. I’ve been thinking for a while now I wanted to sit down and compose a post…but we really have been all over the place this summer and I think if I were to try and catch you up…you’d be reading and reading and reading. Let’s just say this…our summer is going swimmingly.

Here are a few highlights:

Meghan came down to stay over and we took her to Ankeny SummerFest. Aunt Emmy rode on a LOT of rides with her. Aunt Emmy is a BIG chicken when it comes to heights. Meghan, on the other hand, cool as a cucumber. We had a blast though, taking her to the carnival, treating her to yummy summer treats…and she was good as gold. My heart…oh, it swells when I think of that little girl. I hope she will always want to come and stay with us.

I ran another 5K and Meghan was there to cheer me on with Matt and George…FUN! Running in the drizzle…NOT FUN! But it’s good practice for Florida humidity, I’m sure.

We’re on a softball team! Together with an awesome group of folks from church we are playing on a slow-pitch team. We are not…well…great. But what we lack in skill we MORE than make up for in enthusiasm. We’ve got lots of fans coming out to cheer us on…and it has been so much more fun than I could have imagined. Last week we had a bye week and we invited the team over for hot dogs and quality hang out time…it was great! Making new friends…Good stuff!

We went to the Good Guys car show again over the July 4th weekend and had a great time! We spent all day checking out the cars, Matt was able to ride through the auto cross with Blake a few times in the Cobra, we visited with Aunt Beth & Uncle Rick a bit, we ate some good Fair Food, and capped off the evening with a wonderful fireworks display…my favorite.

I was able to spend a day up in Webster City with Amy and our friend Julie – who is staying there with her parents while completing a round of radiation treatments. We spent the day laughing, talking, and floating in the pool. Whenever I’m feeling a little out of sorts…I think of Julie and all she is going through and has been through. She’s a tough cookie and I admire her so much.

The boys have been busy tearing into the Chevette project! The old engine is officially out and gone! The new engine has been cleaned and painted and this weekend they plan to talk ‘strategy’ one what their next steps will be for putting it all back together. It’s been fun watching the progress and I can’t help but smile when I walk into the kitchen and hear them out there laughing, talking, and working.

We celebrated anniversary number 12! Amazing…TWELVE years! We went out for dinner with Blake & Amy (as usual) and had a great time (as usual). The meal was yummy, the company was familiar and good. Celebrating old friends…Good stuff!

The training is going well for the ½ marathon in October…though the running part will never be A) easy or B) fun. What has been easy is raising the funds necessary to participate in the program. We have AMAZING…repeat A M A Z I N G friends and family who are so supportive…we are humbled by the response and excited for the trip! Each time I’m out there shuffling along in the heat, I try to remind myself why I’m doing it…not just because it’s good for me…but because I CAN. So many people can’t …my own sweet husband…I do it for him…for those who can’t.

So far the summer is flying by – but we’re doing out best to love every part of it. The yard is thriving, the morning glories are growing up the new pergola, the dogs are happy and healthy…things are good. And so are we!

OH, and we went to a ICubs game too. FUN! (Awesome fireworks!!)

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