Carpool Book Club {July 2017}

It's time for Carpool Book Club!  I'm joining Narci to talk about books we read in July.  I read two books this month, one non-fiction and one fiction.

I loved Shauna Shanks' first ever book entitled A Fierce Love: One Woman's Courageous Journey to Save Her Marriage.  I read it in less than 48 hours while we were camping and it was such a gift.  We didn't getting any cell phone service from our cabin and it was actually really refreshing.  At least one of my kiddos also slept in super late the first two mornings, so I had lots of time just to read.  This book was profound for me and really encouraged and challenged me as I grow in my relationship with the Lord.  While the author shared the story of her marriage, this book was more about her relationship with God.  I highlighted my book right up with words that hit home as well as so much wisdom and scripture I want to remember.  I especially like the idea of loving others through the lens of 1 Corinthians 13, which Shanks coined the love filter.  This was the July book for The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey summer book club.  I've loved being a part of this fun group.

The Identicals is my fourth Elin Hilderbrand book.  I've also read her Winter Street trilogy, which I loved.  This book is a light summer read set in Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard about estranged identical twin sisters who switch islands because of family circumstances.  The characters were easy to love and I was rooting for their relationships throughout.  I would love to visit these islands someday.  They sound so quaint, beautiful and romantic.

Happiness

This week we've gotten to spend time with some of my brothers and all of our nieces and nephew.  We got together with some very dear high school friends who we don't get to see often enough.  And we've spent lots of time playing ball.  Life is good.

Cousins!  These kiddos had fun playing together Monday at our home.

Love my brothers.

Davey had quite the cheering section at his game Monday.

We hopped over to Milky Way after the game.  Daniel took these two pictures.  I love having photo and video-minded siblings.

Tuesday we got together with the Chase's and Albert!  Clara and Davey played and watched Toy Story with Caleb.  I love how Clara is holding Jessie, Caleb is holding Woody and Davey is holding Buzz Lightyear.  So sweet!

So wish Natalia could have joined us!  It made my heart so happy to get to spend time with these high school friends.

We cheered Daddy on at his softball game Tuesday night.  I love the atmosphere at softball/baseball games and it was especially fun getting to watch Michael play.  He's still got it. 😉

Clara played T-ball tonight.  We're spending all our time at the ball fields lately and we love it!

T-ball and Cousins

Sunday swims are our favorite.

Clara loves this 100 piece puzzle.  We got it for her as a prize for learning to count to 100 during kindergarten.

I guess her morning scrambled eggs weren't enough, ha!  (I was cleaning out the cupboards and had the bread sitting on a chair.)

T-ball season started July 10th!  Davey and coach Daddy were warming up.

Davey's best buddy Brecken is on his team, so that's super fun!

Davey did a somersault onto first base after his first hit.  Such a goof!

Clara is the best little mama.  She helped keep Emma happy during the game.

I LOVE her scrunched nose cheesy smile so much!

We were so happy to get to hang out with cousins and celebrate lots of birthdays this past Wednesday!

Reunited and it feels so good!  Loved catching up with my cousin.  Arizona looks good on you, Laura!

Davey said he wants Isaac and Jase to come to his birthday party, too!

the sweetest girls!

Kierstyn and Clara were pretty inseparable.

Emma and Kennady are just 5 weeks apart. 💜

💜💜💜 

So excited to celebrate Gretchen and Matthew getting married over the next few months! 

picnic at the park

Clara's first ever T-ball game.  I love watching Michael coach our kiddos' teams.

playing first base

We played at the park after swimming this past Sunday.

We were spotting Emma down the slide and she kept saying "weeee" as she went down. 😂