Organizing

Today I biked to Nate's work to help him clean out and organize a storage room and afterwards we went out to lunch with one of his co-workers. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. 

Job offer!

I got offered a job today and I accepted!  Starting in 2 weeks, I will be the office manager at the Center for Transportation and the Environment- an environmental nonprofit organization that's only a mile from the house. I'm so excited!

Girl Scout Camp

Today was Korra's first day of Girl Scout camp. It's been 4 years since she last went. 

Overall, she had a really good time- archery and canoeing and passing the highest level of the swim test- even though the day had a rough start with tears and then her contact falling out. Hopefully tomorrow will be even better. 

BarTaco with Lindsay

Tonight my dearest friend from high school came to the city with her family. We walked to BarTaco for dinner, then Ben and Jerry's for ice cream and finally to Victory for drinks. It was hot but really enjoyable. 

Just a reminder, their son (far left) is only one day older than Korra. Their other son (middle) is 7. 

Distractions for a Heavy Heart

A friend came into town for an interview so we took her out to Victory for lunch (trying to claim it for both her interview and mine from Wednesday!)

In the afternoon I baked a couple of things for Korra to bring in her lunches for camp next week (chocolate protein muffins and broccoli cheese rice bites). 

And through it all, I tried not to be scared of what this supreme court decision means for the future. It's a complex issue and I know a lot of people I love have different feelings on the topic so I'm hesitant to write about it. But it's heavy on my heart and this if my blog after all. 

Ducklings

On my morning walk I saw a mother duck and 7 ducklings!

Ice Cream Sandwiches

Today we got ice cream sandwiches. Korra chose the "Cookie Monster."

Expander

Today Korra got her first orthodontic appliance- a pallet expander. It's on the roof of her mouth and is turned daily for the next month to make the roof of her mouth wider. Hopefully it will make room for all her teeth. 

It's uncomfortable and makes her talk with a bit of a lisp since her tongue can't touch the roof of her mouth. Thankfully, that will improve and the discomfort will only last the month that it gets turned (she'll wear it another 2-3 months after that). Lots of ibuprofen, ice cream, and popsicles in the meantime. 

Not as planned

First, I went to pick up the Aldi order, only to find out it wasn't ready (and likely wouldn't be ready until tomorrow). So Korra and I did the shopping. It took longer than a pick up would have, but that's the wonderful thing about summer- we have the time. 

Next, Korra and I went to her orthodontist appointment, only to learn it's actually tomorrow. 

Finally, I went to pick up Nate's prescription, only to find out they didn't actually have it ready. 

Thankfully, it's summer break and I'm totally relaxed and well rested and not at all pressed for time so none of this phased me at all. 

More pictures

 

Pictures

 

Family!

 It's crazy and loud but I am so happy to be with these 15+ people!

Fireworks, blow dart guns, kids riding little cars down the hill, eating delicious food, laughing, playing games, and celebrating upcoming weddings. 

Cousins

Healthy and On the Road

I've been worrying for about 2 weeks that one of us would get sick and it would keep us from visiting my family. It was terrible when we couldn't see family at Christmas because of COVID. I haven't seen my sister or one of my brothers or any of my niblings since last July. Missing this trip would have been absolutely devastating. 

But here it is- the day we head up to my parents to see ALL my family for the weekend! We're healthy and on our way! 

Finished Quilt!

After 5 days of hand stitching the binding, it's finally finished!

Centennial Olympic Park

It's nearly 100 degrees outside so of course Korra and I decided to have an adventure that involves water and ice cream. We biked the mile and a half to the park and then played in the fountain. 

Then we tried a new spot for ice cream- The Yard Milkshake Bar. It was amazing!

T-Rex

This afternoon we went to the Fernbank Museum to see the new tyrannosaurus exhibit. 

Longboarding

A friend of mine from high school had a longboard he was looking to pass on so Korra tried it out yesterday. 

All day at the pool

Friends from LaGrange visited yesterday. We stayed at the pool from noon until 7pm. Korra learned to do a somersault and a backwards somersault under water (something she's been trying to learn for 2 summers). Nate made Bahama Mamas. We talked and laughed and had a really wonderful time. 

Sleepover

This evening Korra is having a sleepover. They played, swam, and then ate ice cream sundaes. 

Babysitting

Today we're babysitting. Korra and I took our little buddy to the splash pad and playground this morning. 

Excellent Friday

Baked berry oatmeal for breakfast. 

Went on a 3 mile walk while listening to an audiobook. 

Sewed binding on my quilt. 

Baked soft pretzels with Korra. 

Took a  family walk to the library. 

Read, talked to neighbors, and ate pizza  by the pool. 

Had a really promising phone interview. 

Watched a good movie (Everything Everywhere All are One). 

Cloud Dough

Today we made cloud dough. 

Adulting

Since returning from our dream vacation, I've been doing a lot of boring adult tasks. I scheduled an eye doctor appointment, checked on insurance benefits, booked an exterminator, applied for a few jobs, took the car in for repairs, renewed my CPR certification, picked up groceries, and paid some bills.  Trying to throw in a few fun things with Korra like watching The Floor is Lava, going to the pool, building with Legos, and cooking together.

Back Home

It's a little surreal that less than 12 hours ago we were in Riviera Maya, lounging by the pool and now we're home facing a mountain of laundry. 

First Breakfast

I wake up earlier than Nate, so every day of our trip, I've walked to the cafe for a latte and pastry to hold me over until our official breakfast is delivered at 8:30. I've enjoyed sipping coffee, reading, and journaling on our balcony with the sound of the waves crashing. 

Beach at Sunset

Capybara and Coatimundi

I saw a coatimundi and another capybara!

17th Anniversary!

Today is our 17th wedding anniversary. 

I've ordered room service breakfast and we'll have mimosas and lattes to go with it. Then we'll probably spend the day much the same as yesterday. Reading by the pool, enjoying drinks and people watching by the pool. We're going to try the pizza place for lunch and we have reservations for the sushi restaurant tonight. We'll probably take a nap in the afternoon when it's supposed to rain. 

The food has been good (Thursday we had room service for lunch and the Mexican restaurant for dinner and yesterday we had the cafe for lunch and the Italian place for dinner- Nate's had steak at least 3 times), the drinks have been really good, and the weather has been cloudy and humid. The only disappointment has been the beach. There's been a huge wash-up of red seaweed so it's been pretty much unusable. 

We've seen some cool wildlife- lots of big iguanas, some really pretty orange birds (that were dive bombing a cat!), a huge cloud of moths, a crab as big as Nate's foot, and just this morning I saw a capybara!

My goal today is to take some more pictures- hopefully at least one of Nate and me together. 

Reading by the pool on a cloudy day

The rain had let up by the time our driver brought us to the resort. Our room wasn't supposed to be ready until 3, but it was ready when we got here at 11. We ordered room service and rested for a little bit (the room is great!) and then found a lounger by one of the pools and ordered some drinks. 

Breakfast aquired

Not only did we make it through all the lines, but we even had time to grab iced coffee and breakfast sandwiches. On the plane and ready to go!

Airport

Due to travel restrictions, EVERYONE going out of the country has to check in and print boarding passes at the airline desk. The line is long and slow moving and it's making me so stressed.