We're on our third day of an "Excessive Heat Warning" here in Nashville. Unbelievable - it's so hot that they're warning us about it.
I've been thinking a lot about this time last year and how much my life has changed in just 11 short months. Let's take a look at all those differences...
This time last year, I was working 7:30am-4:30 p.m. I thought that was tough to work 40+ hours a week at a desk job, scheduling meetings, making deadlines, dealing with the frustrations of corporate America and meeting a $1 million print budget. This year, I work more than 40 hours a week. Most days, I sit down long enough to check an email, I am busy making appointments for lunch dates with other friends, and being creative with a $100 weekly grocery budget. My boss is less than 2 feet tall and can't stand for me to leave the room, but she pays me with the biggest smiles and giggles when I enter the room.
A few weeks ago, I came across an old business card folder that I used to use to organize all the business cards I would collect through networking. My first thought was, "WOW that is the perfect organizer for coupons!" then as I pulled out each business card and replaced it with my coupons, I just had to pause and think about how much my life has changed. I have gotten more comments on that folder and all I can do is laugh about its original purpose.
This time last year, I remember being at our pool on the weekends with Brent enjoying long Saturdays spent lying by the pool literally All. Day. Long. This year, as I strategically plan our pool days 1 1/2 hours at a time (in between naps), get the bag ready with sunscreen, swim diapers, hat, change of clothes, float, pool toys, snack and sippy cup, I realize that I never fully appreciated the simplicity of our life when it was just Brent and I but cannot imagine ever going back to just the two of us.
We've had such a busy summer, enjoying these sultry hot days. We have a good 1 1/2 hours a day that we can enjoy at our pool across the street. If I had a dollar for every time someone has commented on how tan my child is, I'd be one wealthy little gal. I promise, I put 55 SPF on her every time we hit up the pool and honestly we're only there 1 1/2 hours at a time.
Last week, my niece Brittany stayed with us and had such a great time! I definitely lived vicariously through her remembering how much fun summer is when you're 10 years old, without a care in the world other than getting through your summer reading list. Each night, she and Brent attempted to build the greatest and biggest fort in history. During the day, she had a blast playing with Gabbie and playing at the pool.
The last four days she was here, it was vacation Bible school time at our church! I was talking to a few adult friends and we all agreed, VBS was the pinnacle of summer time when we were growing up. I have very vivid memories of VBS and so does Brent (he has a funny story about snack time - he would get in the front of the line, get his drink and Little Debbie, then run to the end of the line and go through again.) Watching Brittany during VBS brought back all those memories of VBS: making new friends, doing such fun crafts every night, singing silly songs, dressing up, and of course being constantly reminded of God's love for His children.
I'm 2 week away from Gabbie's first birthday. It has been such an amazing year and so much fun watching her grow and develop into such a fun, sweet little girl. It's incredible how fast their little lives go by, I just hope I can remember to stop and cherish every moment I have with her.

Here are some fun pictures from this past few weeks...












VBS: