Life is Like a Bowl of Cherries

Before the summer swings completely by, I wanted to document some of the things I really loved about this summer. The highlight of the summer was all the outdoor activities I did. From hiking, to paddle boarding, to kayaking, to sailboating, to natural springs, to biking, it definitely was a summer for outdoorsieness and I loved every second of it.

Another huge event this summer was Justinbustin's volunteerism and camps. He volunteered for the A*stin D*saster Reli*f Netw*rk, psychological crisis response training, vacation bible school, the children's ministry, in addition to going on two of his first week long camps - one with boy sc*uts which was seven hours away, the other with his youth group which was two hours away. He also went on his first tubing trip, and all by himself, too. Fifty middle-schoolers and three adults.

Shawners got two new pets this summer - I forget their names, but they are two newts. His collection is up to five now. He really wishes he had a different small dog, though, because Star Bear is a bit of an old lady, and is very submissive as she is a rescue dog which means she turns on her tummy anytime she doesn't want to do something. Submissive, or really smart, I guess - how can you get mad when she's on her tummy? It makes me kind of sad, but at the same time, she broke us in to having a small dog, so I could totally see getting another one. He has also revived his garden after it nearly died on our deck that gets full afternoon sunshine. We have moved it in front of the garage, and with healthy watering, it instantly revived into full bloom flowers and greenery. He has morning glory, a flowering plant that I'm not sure the name of, parsley, strawberries, a ground covering fern, and two new ones he planted that I have no idea of what they are yet. The parsley and the morning glory have been around for a few years now, which is exciting.

Brando continued his photography business over the summer as official photographer for the boy sc*ut troop, and did a few family and pregnancy shoots on the side. His b*nk got r*bbed this summer while he was there, and we spent an intimate night with his coworkers partying and celebrating life, especially as the r*bber sh*t himself afterwards. This was the first time Brando partied on S*xth Street and we had a blast. We went to Hula Hut, Shakespeare's, Rebel's, and Beso Cantina.

This summer I really have started to notice that I'm aging. The whole nearing 30 stage has really hit me and I'm struggling with acceptance. My hugest issue is my forehead. I feel like there is a dent from the hairline to the middle of my eyebrows that I hadn't ever noticed before. Part of me blames school and the stress it has brought, but part of me hopes school really isn't making me age worse. I've been obsessive about it.

Ten things I loved about this summer

*Kayaking with Li, KT, A, and Justinbustin

*Paddle boarding with Li and A

*Finally going to the Blue Hole in Wimberley with the family

*Renewing my vows in Cali

*Taking a road trip to Orange County with Brando

*Watching Justinbustin turn into a little man via volunteering

*Sailboating in the Monterey Bay

*Watching Shawners put on scuba gear and attempt to scuba at the M*nterey Bay Aquarium

*Having both of the boys surf and getting on their boards, then actually being able to watch Justinbustin

*My fantastic birthday which included boating and ATVing.