Author: Cami Grace

2024 Summer Bucket List

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Happy Friday! Today I’m sharing our summer bucket list. I can’t believe we have just 3 weeks left before school starts! We’ve done a few fun things by now this summer but I’m excited to see how much we can check off our list before the end of the month!

Here’s our list this year! We have some oldies but goodies on here which is turning into tradition, but we added some new things too!

Food & Drink

  • Make lemonade popsicles
  • Make sun tea
  • Bake a pie
  • Eat fresh fruit outside
  • Go out for ice cream
  • Have a BBQ
  • Make peach cobbler

Out & About

  • Go to the zoo
  • Go to the aquarium
  • Go to a farmers market
  • Visit a new park
  • Go to the fair
  • Go to the library
  • Go garage sale-ing

Fun in the Sun

  • Have a water balloon fight
  • Have a picnic
  • Play Frisby
  • Clean up our backyard
  • Run through the sprinklers
  • Plant flowers
  • Go on a nature scavenger hunt

Rain or Shine

  • Go puddle jumping
  • Week night movie night
  • Mail a postcard
  • Play a new board game
  • Make a summer scrapbook
  • Do a photo challenge
  • Make a summer craft

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So there you have it! I’m looking forward to doing a recap at the end of the summer to share all the highlights and details! I hope you are all doing well! I would love to know – what’s on your summer bucket list?

Much Love,

Cami

Currently – July 2024

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Hello!!! I’m still here!  Due to the chaos of life I unfortunately had slipped away from blogging again. Behind the scenes I have made several attempts at a comeback, but life has a way of throwing a lot punches. BUT I am finally here! My try, try again, approach is finally paying off.

To catch up since my last post (refresher – I was in the middle of job hunting this past October), after 9 job applications, 4 no responses, and 7 interviews later, I finally landed the job I was praying for!  It’s amazing to see the answers to my prayers on so many different levels!  God took care of each and every one of my worries, concerns, hopes, and dreams. Anywhere from finding a job locally (most jobs I was looking at were about 30 minutes away in a difference city), to finding a place that would understand and work with my family’s needs, to finding somewhere that would provide growth opportunities, and more.  I just couldn’t be more grateful.

After starting the job we were soon in the thick of the holiday season, a big learning curve with work, and what seems like never ending cold and flu bugs within our household. Changes and life events have continued to roll in and I continue to learn how to “go with the flow” and take the time I need to adjust.  Thank you to anyone who is actually still here!

Jumping right in, here is what we are currently up to! 

Currently Watching

The Olympics!

I am pretty much hooked on the ladies gymnastics and have been ever since I was a little girl. They have all done amazing!! It’s been a lot of fun to watch.

Currently Reading

Oooh I have a lot to update on this section! My reading life has finally picked up! I’m not going into detail on these but hopefully I will get better at book reporting on future posts. I’m starting with the book I am currently reading but also listing all the books I’ve read since my last blog post too.

Currently Reading “Eragon” by Christopher Paolini

So this is a curve ball from the types of books I typically read, but I was looking for something different and this checked that box. I am a little over half way right now and it’s been nice to escape into a fantasy world for a little bit.

Finished “Help, I’m Drowning“ by Sally Clarkson

This was a good read. It was difficult for me to read cover to cover which is why it took me forever, but I’m glad I have this book for when I need encouragement and uplifting.

“The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah

This is a historical fiction book based in France during WWII. This book was intense and so, so good! With that said, I’m also really sensitive and I had to put this one down at times because it was just so much. 

“The In-Between” By Hadley Vlahos

Wow, what an eye opening read! Hadley is a hospice nurse and shares stories and life lessons she’s learned along the way. Her stories have changed my perspective when thinking about those nearing the end of life and how I feel it about it regarding my own life as well. I hope she continues to write more!

“Atomic Habits“ by James Clear

Ok…this one is still here. I took a loooong hiatus on this one. I can only read so many personal development books at one time, but as back-to-school season is nearing I am feeling more ready to pick it up again.

Currently Making/Baking

Healthy Choice, Grilled Chicken Marinara for the win!

It’s been easier these days for grab-and-go meals for my work lunch and this one is I feel good about. It couldn’t be easier, I just pop it into the microwave at work for 4.5 minutes and stir it all up. I’m looking forward to trying some of their other meals.

Current Favorite

My window plants!

I don’t usually have the best luck keeping house plants alive, but look at these guys! They’ve made it a whole year! I got the spider plant from a grand opening at a plant nursery when it was just a small little sprig…I still can’t believe how big it’s gotten! I caught myself eyeing another plant at the store the other day and I might just have to cave and get another one.

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It feels good to be back. I hope you all are doing well and are having a wonderful Summer!

Much love,

Cami

Currently – September/October 2023

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The last month and half has been interesting to say the least (do I keep saying that??). For those of you who don’t know, I have been searching for a new job. And let me just say, job hunting is not for the faint of heart! I left my last job on good terms, but finding another place has not been as easy as I was thinking/hoping it would be – at least for the administrative rolls I have been searching for. The job market in this area is pretty competitive and apparently quality workers are not very hard to find here (I’m sure this probably depends on the industry).

I will say, my application to interview ratio is pretty strong. The reasons I have not received a job has ranged from not having the direct experience they are looking for, being overqualified for a position (assuming they thought I would be bored and not stay long?), or it’s been completely circumstantial on their end. However, I still know God has His hand on this. Had I received one of the positions I was pretty confident I would be offered, I would have ended up calling out sick for an entire week and a half because our family got completely nailed with one of the worst, long-lasting colds ever.

With that said, I had another interview this week for another position, and while I’m not sure which way it will go right now, I do know God’s got a plan that I can fully trust in him for.

So anyway, with that update…here’s what else we’ve been up to!

Currently Watching

“Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones” on Netflix

I really enjoyed this documentary! Not because I’m necessarily interested in living to 100, but I love learning about other people’s lifestyles, especially with older generations and I found this to be fascinating and well done. It was insightful and made me realize some of the generational traditions are not being passed down with the changing of our own modern day lifestyles, even in my own family. It has me thinking about the meals my grandma cooked that I haven’t made because it’s time consuming. However, in order to keep those traditions alive, it takes action and it’s up to us to keep it going. Definitely food for thought.

Currently Reading

“Help, I’m Drowning“ by Sally Clarkson

I’m only 3 chapters from the end but I’ve been savoring this book. For me this isn’t a binge-read. As the storms in my life continue to keep coming I’m very appreciative of this book right now and so I will continue to slowly work my way to the end.

“Atomic Habits“ by James Clear

I haven’t made any progress from last month but working on picking it back up. As I’m rethinking some of my routines I know this book will be helpful!

Currently Making/Baking

These Easy Blueberry Muffins by Carrie from Eating on a Dime!

A couple months ago we somehow accidentally ordered 6 huge cartons of blueberries on our grocery order. I gave some to our neighbors but I also froze quite a few and I am so happy I did! These have been quick and easy to make and enjoyed by everyone in our family.

Current Favorite

Rest. The biggest blessing in the past month and a half is that for the first time in years I finally feel like I’m getting deep rest. I have thoroughly been enjoying being able to sit with my coffee and soak in my Bible and time in prayer. I’ve been able to catch up on house work and evaluate the systems/routines that are working and not working for us. I’ve been able to take care of my sick babies and myself without the worry of losing a job over it or wondering who I’m letting down because of it. I knew I had been burnt out…I just didn’t realize the extent of it.

I think the best way I can describe it, is that I feel like I’m a plant that is getting some much needed water and sunshine after surviving in less than ideal conditions. I’m very thankful for this time.

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I know life is crazy for many of you and everyone is going through different things right now. Just know someone (me) is out there praying for you.

Much love,

Cami

2023 Summer Bucket List – Recap!

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This summer didn’t go like I hoped or planned at all, BUT, we still managed to accomplish some things on our list and we even added a couple items (so stay tuned for next year’s list because those things are definitely getting added!).

So here are the activities we DID do!

~ 1.) Went Swimming!

We went swimming a couple times in our little backyard pool but we also went to the big pools too!

~ 2.) Went Garage Sale-ing

We scored some books, dress up clothes for the kids, Pokemon cards, a decorative clock, a super cozy reading chair that I posted about here in the favorites section, garden kits, and more! We definitely found our new summertime hobby. ;)

~ 3.) Planted Flowers

Our sweet Kahlua smelling the pretty little petunias

I was hoping to plant a real garden this year, however, the backyard went a bit crazy with weeds. Once we have that under control we can get started. It is very hard to keep up with when you have a little one! Hopefully next year! At least the petunias made our front porch look pretty!

~ 4.) Went To The Library

We did not go nearly as much as I was planning, but thankfully this is a year-round activity!

~ 5.) Visited A New Park

No picture to show for this one, but I took Gryffin to meet up with a friend and chose a park we hadn’t been to.

~ 6.) Went On A Picnic

I made a couple mom friends when Gryffin went to Kindergarten last year, so we all met up and had a fun time having a picnic together on a Sunday afternoon. Londyn makes new friends everywhere she goes as the big kids LOVE having her around ;)

~ 7.) Went On A Nature Walk

I took Gryffin out for a walk one sunny afternoon and did a scavenger hunt along the way. He always has fun doing them!

~ 8.) Fed The Ducks

We didn’t go to the pond I was originally thinking of with all the ducks, however, we came across a momma with her big babies on one of our evening walks at a different pond and did feed those ones. They were super sweet!

~ 9.) Went To The Beach

Ok, so this only gets a half point as we did this at the end of May. It was a little exhausting taking Londyn to the beach as we spent most of the time trying to keep her from drowning and eating sand lol. Still fun but not quite the relaxing experience I look forward to when going to the beach.

Extra things we did that didn’t make it on the list…

~ 10.) Went To The Zoo!

I posted a little about this on my last “Currently” post, but we had a really fun time getting away for the day and seeing all the animals!

~ 11.) Carnival At The Carousel!

This was a fun little event we went to. Both kids love riding on the carousel and Gryffin had a fun time playing the games. And, yes, there was even a llama!

We didn’t get to do all the fun summer things on our list but we made the best of what we could and had a fun time doing it!

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I hope you all had a wonderful summer! I would love to know – what was your favorite thing you did this summer?

Much Love,

Cami

Getting Through The Sickies

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Last month held our annual “let’s all get sick” month.   I was hoping we would somehow skip this trend but the month started off strong with strep throat for both of my littles.  Next in line was my husband, and while he didn’t have strep throat, he did have a nasty cold.  Of course I was next and got the lovely cold my husband had.  Thankfully it knocked us down one at a time instead of all at once. 

In honor of this lovely event and because the Fall season is quickly approaching, I am sharing my go-to tips for getting through the cold sickies. 

~ 1 ) Green Tea with Honey

There is nothing more soothing to me than a hot cup of green tea and honey when I have a cold. It warms my throat and eases body aches. It’s usually my first go-to step when I feel like I’m coming down with something as the antioxidants also help.

~ 2) Hot Bath or Shower

I looove relaxing baths. While it won’t cure your cold, it definitely eases your body and clears congestion. If I’m feeling extra congested I tend to choose a shower over a bath as the extra steam can help clear the sinuses and pressure.

~ 3) Warm Compresses

If your sinuses are giving you extra grief, a warm compress with a washcloth (or whatever you have available) can help ease the pressure.

~ 4) Humidifier

I find this especially helpful when you have a cough, but it also helps with congestion. We have this one. I love the little compartment for the VapoPads!

~ 5) Healthy Foods

Chicken noodle soup for the win here! The more homemade the better, but there is nothing wrong with canned store brand either. Sometimes healthy food just doesn’t sound good when I’m sick and I crave the cozy, carbs of comfort food, but it’s not always the best option. Fruit and vegetables high in vitamin C are really key, even if all you can manage is orange juice.

~ 6) Sleep/Rest

Really, this is a bonus.  It does so much good for you and helps our bodies get through it.  However, I know that life circumstances, such as having small children or other life responsibilities can get in the way of this.  I’ve been there when rest just wasn’t possible and seeing advice like this would just make me frustrated.  So if that’s you, I completely understand and hugs to you…it will still be ok.

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I hope you are all doing well and staying healthy!

Much Love,

Cami