Summer!

Whew, it's always so amazing to me how quickly the summer goes by.

Since I work at a school, I have some time off through the summer and
almost always have quite a "to do" list made for myself. Sometimes I actually
do get some of the things done off of it! This year I did have a list, however
I decided in May, that I was going to make sure I made time to just enjoy things
while I was off and I'm so proud I have (for the most part) done that!!

I got to go on a day trip Amtrak ride with my grandson! The look on his little face as he looked out the window and kept saying, "I can't believe we're really on the train" was so great! (now I am thinking I would enjoy getting on one and traveling several days just seeing the sights and new places!)

I have also taken him several times to the little waterpark near where they
live. It is such a fun time and really does make me feel like a carefree kiddo when
I'm with him!! (we even let his parents tag along sometimes!!)

I have enjoyed the flowers in my yard again this summer. I plant zinnia seeds
all around the flowering bushes and it's so fun to watch them blooming and see all
the butterflies around them. It's like an encouragement to me, the flowers and the
butterflies!

We were able to take the kiddos to the lake in the boat this summer and it only took one trip for Caleb to become a fan! It was a totally relaxing, fun day and we're planning to do it again before long!

We got to go to Hot Springs, Arkansas for a vacation trip and it was such a great, relaxing trip. We got to stay at Lake Catherine State Park in a cabin where the back porch swing was looking right over the lake. We cruised around the lake on the jetski and although we did encounter a thunderstorm during one of the times out, we had so much fun! There was a mother duck and 7 babies who made it part of their morning routine to come to the back of our cabin for me to feed them cheerios! I think I got more pictures of the ducks than anything else!! We got to go to ride on the Belle Riverboat ride at Lake Hamilton also.

I've gone to the nearby lake to fish off the dock several times this summer, which is something that I love to do. It's very relaxing to me and a great place to enjoythe beauty of the water and peacefulness.

I enjoy working in the yard and think it's theraputic to me to keep it done.

I am so thankful for all the opportunities I've had this summer and all the things I've gotten to enjoy! I'm planning to continue to remember to take time to enjoy such things as these in my day to day life. Next week I will begin work on preparing for a new school year and plan to remind myself to count my blessings daily - there are SO many there each day!

~Bonnie