What a whirlwind. August always surprises me with its speed.

Have you ever been to the beach by yourself? Wow.  I cannot recommend it more.  Tom sent me off the first weekend of August because he is the best.  I set out to have a weekend alone, and maybe it’s my season in life, but I dove into “alone” head first.  Saturday I walked from the beach access to the furthest point from another human and settled in.  I am sure I looked like a total weirdo, but would I do it again? For sure.

Apparently when I am alone I look up a lot more.  That makes sense.

It was a perfect close to a summer that was much more slow and full of reflection.  The Lord met me in some sweet and some challenging ways.

Also, I just walked and got ice cream when I wanted, went where I wanted for dinner (and yes I sat alone and people seemed very confused by that), slept in and ate more bagel bites than a grown woman should. Delicious.

Mamma’s return from her weekend away called for first “pedicures” for the little ladies who did so well while she was gone.

August also means Cru ramps up again and I head back to campus.  Because of that, we did our best to make the most of the days before the students returned, visiting the Museum of Life and Science, going to Chickfila as a family… a lot. My grandma got the girls matching blue jumpers and they are their current favorite items of clothing by far. Never have they been so excited about clothes – a foreshadowing I fear.

Talley Rae is on her own schedule and decided the week Mamma went to Cru’s leadership retreat for a few days was the week to potty train, drop her afternoon nap and move to a big girl bed! (Thanks Mimi for taking one for the team!) Haha, funny girl has a mind of her own and we are so proud of her. We are navigating more night waking and tired toddler afternoons, but generally I just am really happy to see her stepping into a new stage and being so brave about it. Kennedy like’s Talley Rae’s new bed as well, as it is very good for bouncing.

If you are interested in my ministry update, you can check out my prayer letter here:

https://mailchi.mp/1fadf315acf1/the-fear-of-the-lord-is-the-beginning-of-wisdom-2422737

Tom and the girls and our wonderful Mimi and Goma are troopers through the busyness of the first few weeks of classes.  In Cru’s first week, we have an event every night but Tuesday. I am so thankful for the chance to be a part of many of these festivities and to meet freshmen who are looking for answers or looking to walk with Jesus in college.

The girls joined me at the freshman pizza picnic and at the Rodeo – and totally loved it, as you can see. This is one of the treasures of being on staff with Cru – watching my girls grow up alongside this ministry that I love and believe in. I hope they will love this experience and in it see Jesus and his love for the world.

And in the middle of that madness, this guy and I celebrated 8 years of marriage.  We made our first trip to Nana’s and it lived up to the hype! This year I said something about how we could go on some trip for like our 10 year anniversary or something – as if it were some super distant goal.  It is not.

8 years with this man and I am for sure the better for it.  He challenges me in ways I never wanted to be, but I am really glad that I am.