My Birthday

Yesterday I turned a new number that I'm not really liking but hey...I'm still here, right? I started my day with an early breakfast with Julia at First Watch...

and ended the day with dinner at Izumi with Danny, Nicholas and Julia (Gianna had to work). 

Just look at all the beautiful heartfelt gifts I received from my little family! Such pretty flowers from Daniel...

Gianna gave me this beautiful mug! She knows I love yellow and the word "joy". Just so thoughtful! She's also getting me some lash serum which I so desperately need at the moment. 

This made me cry (of course). It represents the butterfly that came to me that beautiful summer morning...

My girls know me so well...

And so does Nicholas! He gave me a target gift card, M&M's and a funny card. Love my boy so much!

Julia also gave me this watercolor paint set! I'm so excited!! And a crackling candle that smells sooooo good and some yummy jelly belly candy : )  She knocked it out of the park this year! 

My sisters also got me some really fun gifts! Kimmy got me a new miniature house to build! I can't wait to work on it...

And Kerry got me these. I'm not sure what they're called but they're kind of like Colorforms. It's relaxing and fun!

And CeCe got me this to hang in a window...

I also received lots of texts and phone calls from family and friends. I feel so loved : ) 

Nicholas turns 25

Oh my Lord...I'm officially old now that The Boy is 25!! He's still my sweet boy...

Ogunquit

I spent last weekend up in Ogunquit with my sisters. Kimmy's home and yard are so peaceful and relaxing. Around her home there is a theme of birds...and wouldn't you know...Kerry gave me a card with birds! Just by chance!

My Mom wrote "love" on this chalkboard years ago and it's still there...

Around her yard...

We had so much fun doing watercolor. I'm a true beginner but whatever...

My blueberries came out a little better...

A yummy healthy lunch at a local restaurant...

and then ice cream for dinner! Nothing better...

and I bought this encouraging book of JOY at a local bookstore...

Such a relaxing weekend! 

Always remember...

 I should just listen to myself sometimes. 

July

Welp...July was a bit of a bust. That's what happens when you're saving your pennies to pay for that last year of an expensive college. Ugh. We took last week off for a staycation and it literally was cloudy and rainy all week. We did sneak in one day at the beach though. Unfortunately, that beach which is usually so perfect was filled with seaweed and small rocks that hurt. Ugh again. I ended up working most of the week as there wasn't much else to do. So I wouldn't consider that a vacation at all. 

But Julia went to the Cape with some friends and had lots of fun. She's a beauty...

She has a new beau so we don't see that much of her these days. 

What else...hmmmm....my two kitties are very cute and have been keeping me company...

I love Eli's feet...

That's Eli's favorite spot under the window...

I miss Mikey so much it hurts. I still cry just thinking about him. Ugh. Just so unfair. Look how cute...

Love Island was sooooo good this summer!!! It kept me entertained every night! It was so good that I watched all 30 episodes for a second time. Haha! That my friends just shows how little is going on in my life at the moment. The winners...Trinity and Bryce...my favorites!! Genuinely such nice people. Wishing them the very best... 

Sadly, my Uncle Chauncey (my Dad's oldest brother) passed away on July 25th at the age of 96. He lived a very long fulfilling life. I knew he was going to pass soon but of course I didn't know exactly when. But me being me...I just happened to think of my Dad that morning and the thought crossed my mind how happy he was going to be having his brother back with him. Then didn't I get a text that afternoon from CeCe telling me that he had passed that very morning. So crazy. I have lots of memories of my Uncle but one core memory is how he would jingle his change in his pockets. Silly I know. 

Gianna left today for her very last UDA camp in Philly. She is beyond excited that it's the last one! Just not her favorite thing...at all! I've already been getting the "I miss you" texts. Haha! She's so cute! I miss her too. A lot. 

Then lastly, my right eyelid is really swollen, sore and very red. I ended up going to urgent care and found out it's called a Chalazion. Ugh. I hope it gets better soon. 

And that folks just about sums up my rather slow and somewhat dismal July. Although...I really should stop complaining because I love being home and have so much to be grateful for. Right? : ) 

Now moving on to August. Let's hope it's a little better than July. I do have a couple weekends planned with my sisters and girlfriends. That should help with my mood! 

Porch

I'm loving our porch these days. It's so much nicer with the comfy furniture than the way we had it before with that big table. We still have room to eat meals together. I love to sit at the table with my tea and work on the cool mornings...

We're able to watch TV now in comfort...

Graduation Party

We had Nicholas' graduation party on Saturday. It was beautiful day! The weather couldn't have been better! 

I literally took four pictures the whole day. Who was there? The five of us, Haley, Kerry, Dena, Kimmy, Paula, Diane, Breanna and kids, Peter, Geralyn, Patty, Fran and Kymm. CeCe was on a cruise so she couldn't be here. Then around 5:30 a bunch of his friends showed up. Then a different kind of party happened : )  I am so happy he had a great day and his family and friends showed him so much love! 

Alex made all the food...

Julia and I took care of the desserts...

Only one more graduation party to go! Same time next year it will be Gianna's turn. Three college graduations in a row!!!

Little Blessings Preschool "See You Later Alligator" Graduation...

Little Blessings Kindergarten Graduation...

Middle School Graduation...

High School Graduation...

College Graduation...

I wish I could have told my younger Mom self not to worry so much about The Boy. Just look at him now!