My Summer Reading List & Personal Reviews

I got to read so much this summer and I wanted to share some great finds with you! 

One of my favorite stores is Goodwill. I buy so many clothes and books from there because I know they are cheap - I don't feel bad if a pair of jeans start to fall apart because it was less than $4! Getting my library and wardrobe from Goodwill helps me to find things maybe I wouldn't have in a regular store and save a little extra. 

Below you will find a list of books I read throughout the summer and my honest thoughts on each one - they were all finds at Goodwill too!

Radio Girls by Sarah-Jane Stratford
       This book has so much history involved that I just had to get it! It is a story about a young girl who is excited to become a secretary at the newly invented and slowly rising radio company, the BBC. Some of the characters are in fact true persons that helped the BBC be where it is today and it was absolutely fascinating to read about how people were for and against the "newest technology." As the story progresses, you begin to learn about some conspiracy revolving around the company and how this new secretary finds the strength to confront it. The conspiracy/spy part of the story seemed a little rushed and chaotic; however, the little love story twist at the end does make you have to finish! The story left me wanting more, even if I felt parts of the story were jumbled, but the ending was a nice wrap-up.

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
        This was an amazing read! Starting in the 1960s it is interesting to read from the perspective of different characters and lives as the haunting decision of one night changed everyone. A doctor's wife goes into labor and has twins - a boy born healthy and a girl with Down Syndrome. At this time, children with disabilities were always sent away to an institution but the nurse keeps the child and raises her as her own. It was an amazing story that kept me hooked throughout the whole thing and it was so interesting to hear about how both families were affected by the loss/gain of a child. I wish I could have gotten more closure (but that's just me) but I love the way the story wraps up. You should give this story a try and be prepared to be a little sad and want to put the book in the freezer!

The Package Deal: My (not so) Glamorous Transition from Single Gal to Instant Mom 
by Izzy Rose
        I actually bought this book a few years ago and came across it again while moving and I was excited to try reading it. It seemed like it would be a funny little story and it actually was loosely based off of the author's real experience when she got married! It was definitely a funny story that had me locked in really fast. It's written in the first-person and the newly made mom has some funny commentary to being married and full-time mom all at the same time. I read it in a short few days and loved the growth the mom experienced throughout the story. The ending happened way too abruptly and it just wasn't enough for me though! I got so involved and curious that at the culmination I needed more...but it was still pretty funny and I would probably read it again for those funny mom moments.

The Curious Incident of the of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
        As a future special education teacher, I have always been told that this is a great book to read. I had tried reading the book several times before but was never quite ready for it I guess. The book is about a boy with autism who investigates the death of a neighbor's dog. It took an unexpected twist when you read about his parents and what really happened to his mom! It was amazing for me to see how the teachers worked with the boy and how the boy thought and processed. I can read a lot of textbooks and "understand" a disability, but this book truly helped me to better comprehend what autism can be like. It's a pretty easy read (minus the math problems!) so you should give it a try!

The Teahouse Fire by Ellis Avery 
        I have read a few books related to Japanese historical fiction and this book offered a fresh new perspective about a young "foreign" girl who runs away while in Japan. She is taken in by a family even though she looks strange and follows her years as she grows to learn the new language and cultural tea ceremony. At times it was a little confusing and maybe even a little dry, but it was so interesting to learn about a specific tea ceremony and ritual. The beginning and end had the most drama to stay entertained. I often have the complaint that books always end too abruptly because I always want to know what happens even years down the road - this book's epilogue satisfies that curiosity!

Sex Lives of Cannibals by J. Maarten Troost 
       I really just bought this book for the title and I just had to know what in the world it was! It sounded pretty funny - it's about a man and his girlfriend who travel to a tropical island because they are restless and want to work in a country that needs help. They think it'll be this romantic experience, but you read stories about how awful and hard it is! It makes it better that it was based on some true events! Some parts are definitely hilarious but it does turn more into a "documentary" type text, so eventually, the book became drier. It does make you think about a lot though and you might enjoy it.

A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon 
     I didn't even know I had two books by the same author until half way through this one! I wanted another fun read for the summer before I picked up another textbook pretty soon and this seemed like a good fit. It is structured similarly to his other book with short chapters and is also written from multiple perspectives. I, of course, wished there was more closure at the end of the story, but I was left with the feeling that everything turns out okay (even though there was an affair, wedding emergencies, and a father who thinks he's going crazy!).

Teatime for the Firefly by Shona Patel 
      I have had this book on my shelf for years and I'm glad I finally picked it up. I do not know much about the culture and history of India, but this book helps to learn a lot! It was so interesting to learn about a small section of tea culture especially when I drink so much tea. It is amazing to read about a strong woman especially when you learn about her new position and changing roles. I, of course, wanted more closure, in the end, to know that everyone turned out okay, but in the midst of rebellion and war during India's history, it does make the most sense. I would definitely recommend this to anyone that is looking for a book that includes love and adventure.

Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda 
     I decided to read this novel next since I had just read another book about the culture of India - which was a great idea because it helped to understand some of the vocabulary along with the cultural aspects of the story. This book is an amazing read and even brought me to tears a few times. You learn about a family who is unable to conceive and a family who is not able to keep their daughter which is the premise of the story. You follow the biological and adoptive parents as well as the daughter as they learn to understand what family means. You get angry and emotional with each character as the story unfolds over the span of twenty years and it is difficult to put down.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
     I have always had the desire to read this book - maybe because Reese Witherspoon stars in the movie version. So when I finally found it I was really excited to get it!! I had no idea that it follows the memories of a 90-year-old man on the day the circus comes to town - I loved learning about his life and experiences of life working for a circus from working with the animals, unlikely friendships, and an alleged affair. I did not want to put it down and I would definitely recommend this to someone who wants more than a typical love story. *This may have been my favorite find for this summer.

The Dressmaker's Dowry by Meredith Jaeger
     This book has been on my list for a few months (it just came out!), I saw it in a bookstore and loved the description - I was so happy I found it cheaper! I absolutely loved this read and you should definitely give it a read! This book, set in San Francisco,  follows the story of a writer who is attempting to write her master's thesis by writing a novel which isn't working out - she finds an old article of two dressmakers who were murdered. She begins writing on this mystery that over a hundred years old. You also hear the story from the perspective of one of the dressmakers as the journalist is uncovering her story. It was an awesome journey and mystery that is hard to put down!

My shelf is a little crowded! 

What should be next on my list?

I still have a few books on my shelf that are untouched but I have a few of my favorites with me too! Maybe I should start with Austen or Bronte since I love the classics or focus on Paley because then I can see her theories and observations in practice!

11 Easy Crafts to do with the Kiddos you Nanny

DISCLAIMER: I nanny for a family that has two kids: a ten-year-old girl and a thirteen-year-old boy. I did these projects with a ten-year-old but they can easily be done with someone who is a little older or younger. I attached some of the links to articles I read for full instructions and materials. 

They are pretty fun so you should do them too! Some of them still require some adult supervision, but the kids can easily get in and help to put them together! 

HAVE FUN AND ENJOY ❤

1. Baking Soda Art

       This was supposed to be a fun and quick little craft, but it turned into two hours! It was a lot of fun forming and shaping and experimenting with how to make some sea creatures. We had so much mixture that we were able to make a lot. It takes a couple days to dry out, so once it finally dried we painted using watercolors. It was something we decided to do since we had an extra hour plus it struck up a lot of conversation about ocean creatures! Keep the glue handy though because once the creations dry out they can fall apart...

2. Tissue Paper Canvas

      Everyone should do this because it was a lot of fun and surprisingly so cool once it dried! Definitely, do some trial runs to see how the tissue paper color will transfer because some colors work better than others. Layering the tissue paper makes it pretty cool too and you'll love the way it ends up looking. She wrote a quote on top of hers and I drew a city skyline for a little somethin extra! 

3. Sharpie Canvas 

      This is really easy and fun, but be careful with the colors you choose (I recommend not choosing red because once you apply the rubbing alcohol it'll change into a rusty orange). It is a really cool way to experiment with how the colors will run together and how prominent or faded you want the colors. We ended up writing "Beautiful Oops" onto the canvas afterward since it looked a little goofy but then that made everyone like it more! Do some experiments on scrap paper first and try spreading the rubbing alcohol with different sponges or by sprinkling to see what you like best - and then hopefully you avoid any mishaps! 

4. Fluffy Slime

      Join in on the latest craze and make some slime! You can make a lot of variations by adding glitter, color, or different scents for something different. There are so many recipes out there for different kinds of slime and there are minimal ingredients. Have the kids queue up some videos for different kinds and variations - plus there are fun things to do with slime so look it up! You should also do the Blind Folded Slime Challenge - pretend you're making a YouTube Channel video and attempt to make slime while blindfolded!   

5. Baking! 

      We really enjoyed baking this summer. We tried quite a few recipes including cookies, Red Velvet Truffles, and brownies! It's always fun to have a treat around the house and surprise the parent with something nice after they had a long day at work. Make it even more interesting by making a "cooking channel" video for added appeal! 

6. Birthday Cake [for the dog of course!] 

      Definitely, give this a try and your dog will love it! Maybe you might like to take a bite too because everything is edible...basically, it's meatloaf with a peanut butter frosting. It was a fun way to spend some time decorating and learning how to frost flowers! 

7. Tye Dye T-Shirts

       Michael's made it really easy to do tye-dye this summer! They sell kits to make it easy to put together. You can buy a pack of three colors (that come with gloves, rubber bands, and designs) or a larger pack. Obviously, a pack of three is cheaper but it depends on how much color you need or how many you want! Michael's also sells T-shirts right there which made it a one-stop shop. 

8. Summer Scrapbook 

       All summer I took pictures of stuff we did. I took pictures of recipes, crafts, or places we went. From the very beginning of the summer, I told the kids that I would take pictures and keep any tickets, brochures, or bracelets that we collected. Then we would be able to get the pictures printed and put them all together in a little book - I love doing this so I even brought my completed scrapbooks as examples. It's a fun way for the kids to feel independent and get creative with their layout - then you get to use stickers, colors, and go crazy! 

Michael's makes scrapbook kits or individual books and then you can purchase the extra supplies. 

9. Squirt Gun Canvas  

       This was definitely fun on a hot summer day because it got us outside! We weren't planning on keeping the artwork, so there was no pressure for how it would turn out. Plus it was fun experimenting with the different colors and how they would overlap - it was great when a friend came over to join! It helped that we had a small easel we could set up outside to really go crazy - for added challenge have someone be blindfolded while squirting! 

10. DIY Galaxy in a Jar

        This was definitely fun and easy since you have a lot of the materials right in the house. When you need to fill up an hour with something a little more relaxing then do this because the paint does end up looking super cool! We had a couple problems with the colors blending, but then that was an even better combination I think.

11. Fluffy Sidewalk Paint/Chalk 

        We used leftover tye-dye bottles instead of Ziploc bags which made it more fun for squeezing out and controlling the fluffy sidewalk chalk - plus it was a little easier cleanup! It was an awesome day to get outside and it was fun mixing it all together too since shaving cream is oh so much fun! It does wash away and keep for a couple days after mixing, so go have some fun! We recommend adding a little bit of water so that the mixture isn't as thick. 

It's My Last Day Off

...for a long time 

I will be starting student teaching in just over a week. Fortunately, my first few days will be full of orientation at school and then help to set up the first classroom. I can gradually ease into what will probably be the busiest semester of my life and career thus far. 

Earlier this week I had the realization that this is going to be my "last day off." 

True, Josh and I technically have Monday off so we plan to eat junk food and watch all the movies we didn't get a chance to already this summer. I'll have weekends, holiday breaks and a day off for my sister's wedding, but that won't be quite the same as my last day off all by myself without any homework. 

The big celebration started last night complete with a face mask, a fancy dinner for one, a workout, and a nice glass of wine! I have no plan for today other than to eventually do my dishes, eat lunch, and hang up a decoration on our apartment day. Maybe if I really feel productive then I will clean up and maybe start some scrapbook preparations. This evening I'll get to join Josh's family for a big dinner get together....but, for now, the comforts of my bed are very great. 

As I head into this last stage of my college journey I am feeling a lot of different things; excitement, fear of the unknown, God's calling, anxiety, passion, and nervousness. 

Will I have a social life? Did I work enough over the summer to pay all the bills until the end of January? Will I have to make plans to move, change phone plans, find insurance, and more if I find a job someplace else? Will I find a job? What are my options if I can't find a job? When will I get to see my friends? Will I get all the work done? 

The one thing (besides a long hot bath, a cup of tea, and/or a long walk) that seems to calm the feelings of anxiety is that I know God's got me. God has a plan and I do not need to worry. He has the best job lined up for me in the best location. My prayers are and will be answered. I have an amazing support group in my family, friends, old and new church and I can only thank God for who He has given me, but I am grateful I can also turn to Him.

My confirmation verse really sticks out to me during this time, along with a few others,

Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.  ~ 1 Timothy 4:12 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  ~ Joshua 1:9 

Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.          ~ Ephesians 5:1-2 


My excitement and anxiety ebbs and flows with the coming days. Lots of support from those around me has helped and I am going to take this last day of freedom to

                                                                                      Be Still 
                                                                                                     (Psalm 46:10)
                                 

Da Crib & Where I Live

What does it look like?!

I was always fortunate enough to have amazing roommates in college because they were my best friends! We had a running joke that we should have our own TV show because we were so funny and it could be called "Da Crib." That name has continued on as now I have my own place that I get to share with my boyfriend's sister in the Milwaukee area. 

It has definitely taken a while to get settled since there were more important expenses like kitchen supplies and then furniture. Now that I've been moved in for a couple months it really is starting to feel like home. 

This is my bedroom! I'm not used to the hardwood floors yet, so I had to get a big carpet to keep my feet warm. Courtesy of Goodwill and my hoarding tendencies since I was little, I was able to pull everything together and it matched! I've done lots of art projects over the years and received gifts which brought the room together. I would say this is an old-fashioned style room what with the artwork and eclectic pieces - but really it's just me!

The sunflowers prints I did my freshman year of school and the canvases are my favorite - the canvases are full of personally important Bible passages and meaningful quotes. I love that my room is a concoction of all things that mean so much to me ❤

This is our living room and I absolutely love it - our goal was to have the decor of anything but poor college students. Fortunately, my roommate purchased some of the larger pieces and then we got lucky with Goodwill finds! We're still deciding on which pieces to add to the walls, but I love how much it's come together. The chair is the perfect spot for reading and the couch is a great place to watch some reality TV.



We were so lucky to find an apartment that had a little extra square footage and provided us with a dining room and buffet area. You can't really tell from the pictures but the buffet is filled with books! I love that we have a formal space to entertain when I have friends over for a weekend or if Josh and I are having a more formal dinner on a Typical Monday Night.

The bathroom was the easiest set up in the whole apartment since we basically only had to get a shower curtain! Then luckily an old gift fit in perfectly too. And don't worry because there's a hallway closet that holds a ton of storage for us. I also fashioned a DIY bathtub stopper for those nights you just need to unwind a little!


One of my favorite places in the apartment is the kitchen. The lighting and cupboard storage is great, but it really was complete after my roommate found this breakfast cart. It provides extra prep space when I whip up an elaborate meal, but it's a great place to enjoy morning coffee and a light lunch. Sometimes I'll eat dinner there on my alone nights with a good book.

Well, that's my apartment! It took a while to settle in, especially since I moved in over the course of a month since it was the tail end of the school year. The excitement kept getting postponed since I only moved a couple boxes at a time - and then I didn't even have a real bed my first weekend there! And don't worry I do now!


But now it feels normal to have my room and favorite spots. There are things that I miss about not being home in Michigan, but luckily I have plenty of pictures to remember it all and family is only a phone call away. The city is growing on me and I'm fortunate to live in a walkable neighborhood with adorable shops and church is right down the road. It's strange to think how much I've grown up in these few months living in an apartment and I can only thank God for all that He has blessed me with.

My friend Bekah recently moved into her own apartment, so check out her most recent post to see what hers looks like! 

http://stepsthroughlife.blogspot.com/ 

Friends are the best decorations right?! 

"But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15 

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

My best friends came for a weekend in Milwaukee! 

It was kind of a spontaneous weekend get-together when a few weeks ago one of my friends asked if she could visit for a weekend. So we asked the whole group and everyone was able to come! Then, of course, the planning had to start between days off and traveling, food, and what we were actually doing...and of course no one would actually commit to a decision!   

Let me take some time to introduce my friends and tell you about our amazing weekend ♡

Bekah, Sam & Emma

I explained in a previous post about how I met Bekah, but I met Sam and Emma a little earlier. My freshman year I went to school not knowing anyone so I really tried to embrace the orientation activities. I went to a service event where we basically spent the afternoon weeding at a local nature preserve, but I ended up sitting next to a couple of wonderful people on the bus. I like to say that we got stuck with each other by sitting together. These people ended up becoming some of my best friends and we decided to eat dinner together every night until we felt more comfortable with school and classes. [I remember my freshmen RA telling me that after a couple weeks I would meet my "real friends" once I got more involved with my major and classes....like no way, I had already met my real friends!] Eventually, Bekah started joining us for meals too and the rest is history...We started spending all of our time together and roomed together for the next few years of college. 

I love them all so dearly and I could not be more proud of them as Bekah goes into her first year of teaching, Sam & I finish student teaching together, and Emma finishes up her last year in pharmacy school. They will always be in my prayers and my hearts. 

 

Friday Sam and Bekah came in the afternoon so we spent some time walking around the neighborhood. But don't let me forget to mention that Emma stopped by at 7:30 in the morning to drop off a dessert that needed to be refrigerated...on my day off no less! Eventually, we put the pizzas in the oven because Emma got off work and the evening was set. Our dinner consisted of pizzas, chips, Emma's dessert, watermelon, grapes, lemonade, a little wine...because calories don't count on girls weekend right? We talked a whole lot and it felt just like old times - except this time we ate at a real dining room table rather than the floor at college. Then we finished the evening watching White Chicks and laughed hysterically through it all. 

Saturday we made a plan to go get lunch and then spend the day walking around Milwaukee. But first, we spent lunch at Bayshore and then spent an unplanned hour in the book store [I found several more I need to add to my list]. We made our way down to the North Point Lighthouse and then the beach - it was an absolutely gorgeous day for the 6 weddings we saw and for a lovely walk. We were always nervous to go down to Milwaukee since we didn't know the area, but since I've been living here I finally feel more comfortable and it was wonderful doing a little exploring together. The Riverwalk was also beautiful (especially sexy according to the drunk guy that hit on Emma). Once we went home we ate another million calories that didn't count while cuddling on the couch. I think we racked up several miles which balanced our calorie intake! If you haven't seen Sydney White I highly recommend doing it - because as our go to movie it is still hilarious. The friends you make in college are for life as the movie says ♥ 

Living on my own has been a huge adjustment and moving into the next phase of my life has been a little trying at times. Spending a weekend with my best friends gave me encouragement as I was able to see how much we've grown in the last few years. I miss them already and look forward to our next trips (especially London 2K28). This girls weekend meant so much to me as I got to play hostess, catch up, laugh about silly anxieties, get advice, and more. Thank you girls and thank you God for putting these girls in my life ♡

My Life as a Summer Nanny

I have the privilege of working for two wonderful families this summer. 

I spend my Mondays with one and Tuesday-Thursday with the other. It's a wonderful setup and I couldn't have asked for a better schedule, but mostly I could not be more grateful for the kids I get to be with four days a week.

Mondays are spent with a family I have been working with for the last two years. The girl I nanny is 17 and has cerebral palsy, so mostly I am there to be a friend and thankfully I gained a wonderful friend in return. During the school year, I would go to their house once a week to be a scribe for her homework and over the summer we practice for the "dreaded" ACT as well as go for walks, play board games, read, and more.

My Mondays have been spent at their house since the spring semester of my junior year and if I am ever not there on a Monday it feels strange! I love spending my time there and the family cat has
finally gotten used to me. This family has taught me so much about advocating for disabilities, disability resources, communicating with families, how to ask questions when I'm unsure, and more.

I've gained a network of friends more than anything. They encourage and pray for me, send me ideas for recipes or homework assignments, are always eager to answer questions, and more. The girl I work with has taught me to constantly be positive and how it's okay to turn to someone when you need help - especially God. I have always had a strong faith and it helps to have such strong encouragers along side you. They have become such a part of my life that it was a "big step" when my friends came over to have a game night and when Josh met them too! I could not be more grateful for the time we have had together and the lessons I have learned - this next school year will be strange when I'm no longer there every Monday afternoon!  
(Please pray for me and the family as we make this adjustment and they find a new caregiver!) 

Tuesdays-Thursdays are spent with a wonderful family that I was able to find before the school year ended. The company I work through set up an interview with a family that was looking for the hours I was looking for and it seemed like a great fit! They have two kids - a 10 year-old girl and a 13 year-old boy. They needed someone who could drive the kids to practices, make lunch, keep them busy with activities and some summer academic things. I was up for the challenge and the girl absolutely loved me at the interview and that was that!

Since I am there three days a week we get to play around a lot and I feel like I am an older sibling (but don't worry I'm not mean!). We goof around while eating lunch and I could not be more thankful that I get to work with older kids rather than chasing 4 year-olds around all day! Both kids are pretty active between gymnastics, baseball, golf, and softball practices throughout the summer and the girl and I have done several craft projects *stay tuned for a future post about those*. Sometimes we go shopping for a new recipe (the boy loves being our official taste tester!) or craft supplies, get ice cream, play in the sprinkler, play outside with scooters, make a fort, run to the library, jump at the trampoline park, and go play putt-putt golf.

It has been so much fun being a kid again! I get to use my strengths to make sure our days run smoothly and planned, but also count on them for wonderful ideas and comedy during my days.

But it hasn't always been perfect because Day 2 working with the family I had a nanny's worst nightmare... The boy broke his arm at the trampoline park!!!
I was called to the front desk at the facility thinking "Oh boy something is wrong with our waiver forms and I'm going to have to get the kids to go home early" but I ended up finding out the boy had a bad fall on one of the trampolines and thought his arm must be broken - like what?!

Luckily, the mom of the family didn't work too far away and we were able to visit her during this crisis and have everything taken care of. It definitely became a team effort and I was welcomed into the family through some extreme circumstances - but fortunately now the cast is off just in time for us to enjoy the rest of the summer! I was so nervous I would get fired or there would be awkward tension for the rest of the summer but we were all thankfully able to laugh after the initial situation had passed. Nothing like a broken arm and emergency situation to bring a family together right?

Both families have been more than good to me. 

I love that I can come into these family's homes and feel right at home. I have seen how good families work and I only hope that I can emulate some of what I have seen in my own family one day. And hopefully my kids are also just as wonderful ❤  

This has been an amazing summer so far and I cannot wait for the last few weeks and what we have planned - Thank you God for placing me with such wonderful families who I can learn so much from! Hopefully I can hold back my tears during the last week ♡

Typical Monday Date Nights

Josh and I have been together almost a year and a half!

This summer has been amazing for us! 

When we started dating it was close to the end of the school year which means I went home to Michigan for three months! We made time to visit, call, and FaceTime which was wonderful of course. Then school started up and I was in Wisconsin once again... 

Now if you've read my last post about how I'm a planner then you get a glimpse of how stressed and organized my schedule is. My planner is ultra color-coded and I always had to "pencil in" time for the beau. It felt a little ridiculous, but I loved that we had an understanding when we would visit each other during the week - I would do homework until a certain point and then make sure we had some time without me doing homework. When I knew summer was getting close and I would be in Wisconsin and able to see Josh multiple nights a week, I started to get nervous. I was worried that once we started spending so much time together we wouldn't know how to handle it! Homework was always an obstacle for us and I'm so impressed that he was able to handle me through all of it - Josh was always an amazing supporter and encourager. When I was utterly stressed out he would pray for me and help me get through the rough spot. He would also do a wonderful thing and make sure we had a special date night about once a month. He is wonderful and I am so lucky but that didn't stop me from getting nervous that we would be together so much all of a sudden! 

But boy was I silly for worrying 

After a couple weeks, our Monday nights became special. I usually make a big dinner, we go for a walk, play a quick board game, and then watch the Bachelorette. One night we had ice cream for dessert it was so cute because we had a little flow. I grabbed the bowls and spoons and Josh immediately grabbed the ice cream - it was like we were dancing and I couldn't keep from smiling. Some nights we walk really far and then we both get really hot and need to sit in the direct line of the fan, but it's fun. We like to look at the houses and find all of the neighborhood dogs. Some of the lawn ornaments spark up some funny conversations! Our board games get really competitive (Josh has a million board games so we always have a fun time playing something new) and our show is full of hilarious commentary. Josh can be pretty quiet sometimes so it's funny when he gets into a game and starts talking about his favorite guys on the Bachelorette and telling me how excited he is to watch. Thank you, God for pairing me with someone who can be my friend and partner.

It's been so much fun continuing to date Josh this summer. Even though we have been together for over a year, it feels like we have finally found a rhythm and I love it. I am still often surprised and I can honestly say I am never bored of him or of being with him. Even the nights that I'm tired and a little annoyed, I look over and can't imagine spending my evenings with anyone else. It's fun when we have movie nights, go to museums, walk around Goodwill, spend time with family, go to Brewer's games, and all that! Thanks for always planning our date nights Josh and making me feel special!

I cannot wait for the rest of our dates this summer and as we head into the school year. Hopefully, I don't worry about "our time" as the school year starts ❤