I miss you! Writing every other week this summer just isn’t cutting it. I know it’s the right thing to do, but I’m looking forward to getting back into the swing of things with the school year!
This has been a summer of growth for me. And not in the fun way like learning a new hobby or excelling in a sport. But the spiritual kind. The kind when God takes the chisel from his tool belt and carefully and precisely refines his child. It’s the growth that come through trial that’s difficult to endure, but worth it in every way because it changes you forever.
I’ve had some struggles this summer and yet I felt God calling me to choose his gift of joy. Normally I read and study to learn new things, but this time He seemed to pour information into my heart. I wrote a post about it here. The most stunning part to me was that we are in his will when we pray for joy. And the answer to prayer within is will is always yes!
A homebody on the go
I’m growing spiritually and the kids are growing up too. They are no longer content sticking around the house all day every day. They get restless and wild. I shared in my summer calendar printable post that we’re doing themed days, and that is helping tremendously.
We’ve become people who plan out weekends. I’m a natural homebody and know that down time at home is good, but as the kids get older, Marcello and I see that it goes smoother to have a loose plan — check out free things, have people over, see new places. Are you a homebody or always on an adventure?
Instead of blogging
With all three kids home (and someone my attention every five minutes), sitting down for a block of time to write, photograph and edit a post is near impossible. And when I try it, I end up getting snippy with them for interrupting me. It doesn’t work.
So I spent more time on Instagram because it was quicker and easier than doing a blog post. It was fun! I met some new friends, learned some IG ins and outs, figured out I have no idea how to create “a following” and even started using the stories feature. You can see videos of what’s going on with my Italian in-laws, me explaining my faith posts and projects in the works.
Here is our low-key summer so far in pictures. One disclaimer though. If you just skimmed through the photos you might think our life is one peachy-keen smooth road, but it’s not. If you don’t read the captions, just know this summer has been a struggle for me. I’m pretty raw in them. Okay?
Tell me about your summer!
What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned or best book you’ve read?
I love your IG posts! I have been reading a lot this summer and it feels wonderful. A few memoirs by Kelly Corrigan and a handful of fiction.
Thanks, Anne! A couple of girlfriends and I were talking yesterday about how powerful reading is, much different than tv. I’d be curious to know what it actually does to the brain. Anyway, I’m like you and tend to read nonfiction. Thanks for sharing!!