Summertime Bucket List

I'm not even going to lie, this post is a total rip off idea of another blogger I follow, but if anyone reading this knows me, they probably also know that I totes lurve to make me a list. I also LOVE summer and love participating in summertime activities. Plus, there is a lot going on for us this summer. Some pretty big MOVES on the horizon, which I'm super excited about.

So here ya go, my bucket list of things I really want to do this summer:

Go camping and adventuring in the outdoors (Yellowstone, here we come!)

Swim, swim and swim some more.

Avoid sunburns at all cost (for the whole family. Looking at you, Daniel)

Organize my house!

Landscape our yard. 

SELL our house! (Yup! Any local buyers interested? ;)) 

Soak up the summer heat. 

Go to the beach. (Hello, GR!) 

Make lots of lemonade. 

BBQ!! 

Have lots of picnics

Play at the splash pad

Drink lots of water - stay hydrated!!

Teach Jack to swim.

Visit the Dinosaur Tracks museum.

Tackle a life-changing adventure head on. 

Stay up too late. 

Wake up too early. 

Enjoy something about every single day.

Choose happiness. 

There is so much AMAZINGness that is happening in my life right now. I keep having to pinch myself. I constantly catch myself wondering when the shoe is going to drop. When the next downhill slide is going to happen. I just try and remind myself that it's best to enjoy these best days because it's this good feeling that gets you through the rougher times.

Happy Summertime fun, everyone!

Balance

If I had one million dollars to bet, I would bet that every single parent has dealt with the issue of balance at one point in time always during their time in parenthood.

I'm struggling. I am struggling to make sure I can do all that I have to do. Often, I get everything done with the sacrifice of myself and my own personal time. I make time for work. I make time for Jack. I make time for my husband (at least I try), but rarely do I take time for me.

There are times when I have seriously felt guilty over taking a shower every day. Seriously. True story. How does that even make sense?! Since when is personal hygiene a luxury?? But I bet there are some of you out there who can relate.

I feel guilty for working out. Exercise, people! That gets pushed so far down on my list of priorities. It's really disheartening.

There are some nights when I get home from work and all I want to do is curl up with a book or watch the latest episode of the Bachelorette (hello, guilty pleasure!) but normally those desires are pushed to the wayside in order to accommodate keeping a clean house, feeding animals, and taking care of a needy toddler.

I'm tired. Hell, I'm beyond tired. Tired is what I used to think I was after I would stay up too late at night reading when I had school the next day.

I'm freaking exhausted. And I only have ONE kid! How do you people do it, fellow parents? I'd love to hear your words of wisdom here. I'm so burnt out.

Thankfully we are going on a short trip next weekend and I am beyond excited. It'll be a lot of work still, but so fun to get away and go on an adventure for a few days.

In the meantime I am going to keep going to bed early and drinking copious amounts of coffee.

Saw this on FB yesterday and it fit me perfectly :)

Melon Days and a road trip

If you aren't from my home town you may not appreciate the wonder of a home-town festival like Melon Days quite as much as I do. Melon Days is like homecoming. Old friends and family members return to the sleepy little town for a slice of watermelon and a little bit of heaven.

It was great traveling back home to see my family and old friends. Jack even got to make some new ones! 

Jack with Grammy and baby Toryn, 5 months. He's only one month behind Javk but so much lighter!! I have a dense kid. 

Melon!!

Jack asleep through his first parade including helicopters, sirens and a marching band. 

My beautiful little sis and I at the parade! 

Rusty, grandpa and my mom at the parade.

Dan and my Uncle Jerry. Flattering shot, right? 

Jack and Grammy at the park. 

Dan and jack trying out the new 

Mei Tei carrier while at my parent's house. He likes it :) 

It was a fun weekend that came to a close too quickly. Jack and daddy on our stop at Arby's on the way back home. 

Chillaxing.

It was a good trip and for the most part Jack did great and slept during most of the four-trip both ways. On the way home we had to pull off a couple times to get him calmed down though. He was over it. 

Can't wait until we can take our next trip!

Readers, how do your little ones do whole traveling? Any tricks for keeping a wee babe entertained? 

Sunday Picnic

We live close to Zion National Park yet we never go. This Sunday we made an exception to our usual plans and enjoyed a nice picnic in the Springdale park. Aside from the ants, it was a beautiful afternoon.

Jack trying some purées. Lol

Hope you all had a fun weekend! Now it's back to the grind!