I started August as a hot mess but I feel like I’m ending it with my lungs full of air. July was just scrambling under the weight of a new calling and being super done with the heat and stress of summer. Have I mentioned that since having kids the soft, blonde hair on my legs is now thick, dark, jagged, and pretty much comes all the way down onto my feet? Sorry. I just feel like you need to understand why I tire of summer so quickly. Keeping my legs dress- and swimsuit-ready is basically a part time job.

August was busy, and I alternated between crazy days and comatose days. BALANCE. I’m proud of August. I can stamp my name to it and close the chapter.

Speaking of chapters, one of my goals for September is to write more. This blog/any extra writing is the first thing to go when I’m stressed or overwhelmed or just simply busy. I don’t regret it, but I have missed writing this summer. I’m excited to get back on the wagon. I have lots to share 🙂 🙂 🙂 Have you missed my ill-informed, obnoxious opinions well buckle up.

Good

• We took an impromptu St. George getaway and I could actually feel my batteries recharging.
• I started ~another book club – this one for my Vineyard community – and we had our first meeting! We read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, which was incredible. It was so fun to meet some new friends, get to know some acquaintances better, and talk about a great book.
• Reese started school! #blessed to have MWF afternoons with my Loney to run errands and play.
• I bought a ton of school supplies. Some for Reese, most for me. Reese is confused about what “school supplies” means because she threw a bag of marshmallows in the cart and said “Mom deez are my school suppwies”
• I went to a super fun dance party with a group of girlfriends that just make me feel cool and inspire me to be better.
• MINISTERING. The one good thing that came out of me having strep was that I was forced to stay home, dedicating hours and hours to organizing ministering in my ward. We also had a ministering kick-off as my first real activity as RSP and it was AWESOME. Just feeling so good and lucky to have the team I have.
• DO YOU SEE THOSE RED/ORANGE DOTS ON THE MOUNTAIN DO YOU SEE THEM
• I hit my 2018 reading goal on August 10th! Pretty cool!!!

Bad

• I was all revved up about getting back to exercising and then just sucked.
• The other day Ryan asked me to help write some content for one of his programs. Sure, I said. No big deal, I said. I’m a ~writer. So then why was I struggling? I couldn’t think of the words I wanted. I was stumbling over phrases. What???? Is????? Happening??????? OH. I’m RUSTY. Since quitting my job in mid-June and getting called as RSP in July I have done almost no writing. I’m sad that I let that muscle atrophy. Gotta get it back.
• I’m gonna go ahead and blame this on going back to school but REESE. She’s been totally nuts lately.
• I’ve made mistakes this month that have really revealed the weak spots in my character. Being selfish, vain, gossipy, prideful. Trying hard to be better for this calling has also identified where I’m failing.
• Must. Stop. Shopping.
• I am still in such a podcast rut!!!!
• Loney turned 18 months on August 13th and I’ve done absolutely nothing to acknowledge it other than dancing through the church halls after taking her to nursery.

On My Brain

• Ryan sent me this video and it’s just so crazy I loved it. It’s telling the story of a lady who won a million dollars at a major league baseball game because a totally statistically improbably situation occurred.
• I loved this post by one of my favorite bloggers about quiet time. Reese dropped her nap before two and Loney is threatening to follow suit, but we are committed to quiet time! This post was a good reset button for our fall routines.
• I decided not to enroll Reese in any “extras” this semester. I think we all need the break, and we also have several trips planned. And busy AF. And she’s 3.5 years old. Hopefully this doesn’t ruin her chances of being a ________ prodigy if I don’t enroll her in dance/tumbling/music/art/whatever. We have plenty of time. We have a whole life of extracurriculars ahead of us.
• I started a book about the Danish concept of hygge and I have several more on hold. I’m loving it. It feels like exactly what I need going into this fall/winter.

In September I’m prioritizing free time. I’m ramping up fitness so I can dominate a week at Disneyland. I’m gonna write EVERY DAY. I’m gonna practice hygge!!!!! Bring on the fall. I already have my Bath & Body Works candles.