I’m linking up with Andrea to tell you a bit about it.
Here are a few favorites from the week:
Hadley’s recital pics came in, and I couldn’t love them more. There were so many good ones, but these are the two I ordered:
Last weekend was super busy, and all of Sunday was spent at Hadley’s dance recitals. Her studio had two recitals. The first recital was the one where she had most of her dances, so my mom, Trav’s mom, Trav’s two sisters, and Travis and Hayden came to it. She danced in the large production opening number, one small group competition dance, two ballet, one tap, one jazz, and the closing number.
For the later performance, she was in the large production opening number, her other small group lyrical competition dance, and the closing number.
I loved all the colors in the background of each dance…so pretty!
So, over nine hours at the recital venue for two recitals with ten dances and seven costumes, she was one tired girl!
Hadley was also recognized for five years dancing at her studio.
We snapped a few pics after the first recital before grabbing a bite to eat. Then, my mom and I stayed for the second recital. We were all very proud of her.
Monday I had a busy day at school, Hayden played a round of golf with friends, and Hadley was at the pool for most of the day.
My mom continued her visit and watched the kids while Travis and I took a little trip.
We spent a few days at Julep Farms in Dillard, Georgia. I’m sure I will write a whole post about it, but it was a lovely getaway.
We stayed in the Magnolia cottage…
…which had the loveliest views.
Wednesday night, we even had dinner on the property.
Since we were dressed up a bit, we did a selfie using the timer on my phone. I sure missed having Hadley to take our photos…she always gets the high angle…haha
This one turned out pretty good!
Favorite Outfit:
I think I shared this SSYS dress when I got it in the spring, but this summer I’ve used it as a swim cover-up a couple of times, but then wore it to my brother’s birthday party on Saturday. I also got this belt bag recently…I wanted one that was a little bigger than my Lulu one, and this one is perfect.
Favorite Mom Meme:
Haha…I shared a similar meme last week…but this one also made me laugh.
Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday
My sister-in-law had these cups made for my brother’s birthday party last Saturday…This “throwback” pic is too funny…
Weekly Recap
I only had a couple of posts this week, but they were fun link ups!
What are your weekend plans? Today, I’m playing catch up from being gone for a couple of days…and I need to prep a bit for the summer school sessions I’m running the next couple of weeks.
Of course, on Sunday, we’ll celebrate Travis for Father’s Day. My dad received his gift yesterday and is probably using it while watching the US Open.
I skipped April because we had pet peeves as topic for May’s Not Just a Mompost, so I saved those ideas for that post.
Around May’s link up, I shared a “Day in the Life” post, so that ended up including most of my morning routine
This month, we are looking at our best travel tips.
Well, I’m not sure I’m the one to come to for travel tips, and I guess things have changed through the years based on my kids’ age. Also, my “toxic trait” is waiting to pack until the last minute and then always over packing.
That being said, here are a few things that came to mind…
I do try to plan ahead about two weeks leading up to leaving for a trip to KC or vacation. I use my calendar to remind myself to buy anything I need for an upcoming trip about two weeks out.
A couple of days before traveling, I do all the laundry, and then put away what we don’t need for the trip.
I used to always type out a note on my phone of things to pack and then delete it after I’ve packed. Well, I still use a note, but I quit deleting it because the list includes things I never want to forget like: sound machine, Kindle, hats, purses, etc. So, now I just delete the seasonal items like swim suit or sweater and use the note as my packing list.
Speaking of packing lists, for a couple of years now, I’ve created a packing list for the kids on the notes app and text it to them to use to pack themselves. We’ve come a long way…I still check what they’ve packed, but it’s nice that they can pack themselves.
Since I am an over-packer, over the past year, I’ve made a list on my computer of what I actually needed/wore after getting back from vacation or other trips. So, if I packed four swimsuits and only wore two, then I updated my master list. Will I ever be a person who can pack in a carry on only? Only time will tell.
Travel packing cubes are still my favorite thing ever. We have a few sets in a few different colors. I use all different sizes to pack, and the kids usually just use smaller ones to hold socks, underwear, swimsuits, etc.
For travel in the car, times have changed. I used to pack all kinds of snacks, movies, headphones, books, bags with different things like coloring books or stickers. We still pack snacks, but now the kids usually just watch Netflix on their phones and have their Airpods. I do have them bring a book when we travel in the car…especially during the school year when I know they need to read for their Language Arts class.
When we are gone for a few days, I’ve started bringing a laundry bag to hold dirty clothes. There’s only four of us, but I like to keep everything together.
Do laundry when you can. If we are in KC or somewhere with a washer/dryer, we do laundry as needed and before heading home. It’s nice coming home with clean clothes.
When we get home, we try to unpack almost everything. Kind of like I procrastinate with packing, sometimes my suitcase is the last one unpacked after a couple of days. That being said, if everything else is put away (kids’ stuff, car things, gifts at Christmas, etc), then I feel ok just having my suitcase to deal with whenever I can get to it.
I have my favorite travel bag, and this past year, I started leaving the extra sound machine and a couple of smaller packing cubes in it. So, when we are just going somewhere for a night or two and I don’t need a suitcase, then I have those items handy.
Also, I leave the other packing cubes in the suitcases, so we aren’t looking for those.
I try to replenish travel size items like shampoo or hairspray when we return home, so I don’t have to scramble to buy them before the next trip.
We always leave the house picked up, so when we get home, cleaning/tidying isn’t something we have to do. If we are really on our “A game,” we schedule for our house to be cleaned while we are gone. It’s always so nice to return home to a clean house.
Well, most of these tips have to do with prepping to travel, so I definitely have a thing or two to learn. I can’t wait to see what tips others have to share.
I probably won’t have another post until Friday, so I hope you have a great rest of your week.
I’ve been looking forward to this post because I know everyone’s story will be different, and I can’t wait to read them.
While our journey to become parents wasn’t too long of a road, it did have a few twists and turns and bumps along the way.
We’d been married a couple of years when we decided to try to start a family in 2007, I wasn’t sure what to expect and I was always really private about it all. After about six months, I had an OBGYN appointment, and started medicine to help regulate my cycle and eventually started a low dose of Clomid. After six months of using Clomid as well as other medications, she sent me to a fertility specialist.
He was really nice, and I had other friends who had used him as well. The next step was a test/procedure called HSG. It’s where the doctor injects dye through the cervix into the uterus. This checks to see if the dye can move through the uterus and into the tubes. While this procedure wasn’t super painful, it also wasn’t pleasant. During that procedure, he did say the dye moved through my tubes but very slowly. He joked that the HSG test was like an oil change.
What I liked about him was that there was no pressure to jump into other fertility measures like IUI and IVF. He suggested a few more months of Clomid, and we’d go from there.
During all of this time, I was never really down. I had friends who had successfully started their families using IUI and IVF, so I felt like if we needed to do that, it would work for us too. Also, I wasn’t even 30 yet, so I knew time was on my side in that regard. That being said, there were a lot of appointments and medicines. I had a pocket calendar that I kept in my bathroom to track my cycle and medications and other things.
After a couple of months, I felt a little off…I was really tired. So, I took a pregnancy test, but it was negative. I remember feeling defeated a bit at that point. Then, it was Easter. On the ride home from Easter with Trav’s side of the family, I cried. A few people had asked when we were going to have kids, and it finally got to me. They weren’t being insensitive by an means, and I’d been asked those questions before, but it just got to me.
Well, a week or so later I was still feeling really off…so I took another test. I couldn’t believe that it was positive. So, while I was apparently “in my feelings” at Easter…I guess maybe it was hormones!
I was so excited, and showed Travis the positive test that morning. He was excited for us too.
I called the fertility doctor, and they had me come in for blood work. When the nurse called to confirm I was pregnant, she said my numbers looked “really, really…really good.” I thanked her and set up the appointment to see the doctor.
We went to the appointment the next week, and apparently I was so excited, that I misunderstood, and we were a week early! They still had me see the doctor, and when he walked in, he said, “Let’s see how many are in there!” We just nervously laughed, but I guess from my hormone levels with the blood work, he knew we were having multiples. Fun fact about Clomid: while taking it, the chance of having multiples is 5-10(ish)%…and we fell in that percentage.
As soon as I looked at the screen, I could see the two sacs. Obviously we were shocked. The first thing I wondered was if we’d have to buy them each a car when they turned sixteen. haha –I’m not sure why I skipped over things like sleepless nights, changing diapers, and more…
Since I was early in my pregnancy, only baby B (Hadley) had a heartbeat. He told us not to worry and come back in two weeks. We did, and baby A (Hayden) also had a heartbeat. We saw the fertility doctor one more time before being released to my OB.
We told family pretty early on, but waited a bit to tell others.
Throughout my pregnancy, we had many doctors appointments. One of my best friends was pregnant at the same time I was with a singleton, and she, I think, only had a couple of ultrasounds. We saw the kids at almost every appointment.
At our 14 week appointment, we found out that baby A was a boy and baby B was a girl.
Back then, there were no gender reveal parties…not sure we would have gone over the top, but feels like a missed opportunity for me to have a party. Haha
Whenever I see these sonogram photos (from later in the pregnancy,) I’m always blown away at home they really do look like the kids!
I also saw a high risk doctor throughout my pregnancy. My OB always sends pregnant women with multiples to a high risk doctor.
There was a point in my pregnancy where the high risk doctor had some concerns about Hayden. That was a stressful time for us…but especially for me. Around that time, we were meeting with pediatricians. The doctor that we felt the most comfortable with is who we still take the kids to. During that time in my pregnancy, when I felt stressed, both the doctors in the practice reassured us that they thought everything would be just fine.
I was due on December 18th, but by 36 weeks, I was so tired and Friday, November 20 was going to be my last day of work. Honestly, I was so excited for a week or two at home before the kids came…and we had big plans to go to a movie and Cracker Barrel for Thanksgiving the next week.
On November 19th, I wasn’t feeling great, and I finished up some things at school and called the doctor. They had me go to the hospital, and Travis took me. They checked everything out, and we were there for a couple of hours. They sent me home.
There was a basketball game on that Travis wanted to watch, so we picked up dinner and headed home. He said my car needed gas, but he’d get it in the morning…
Well, surprise…my water broke that next morning! We called the doctor, and I showered while Travis went and got gas in the car. I was exactly 36 weeks, and there was no turning back. We arrived at the hospital, and I had a c-section. Funny story — in the operating room, Travis had on the gown and kept mentioning how hot he was. The anesthesiologist asked him a couple of times if he was ok…and he said yes. I could tell he looked a little pale and told him if he fainted, I’d be mad…this was my moment. 😆
The nurse gave him some water, and he was just fine. The kids arrived at 12:08 and 12:09 pm.
Hayden was delivered first, and as soon as they showed him to me, I got tears in my eyes. He looked like Travis from day one. When Hadley was born, they only showed her to me briefly…and then rushed her off to take care of her. Travis went with them while the doctor finished with my c-section.
I could tell that something was going on with Hadley. When they said their weights — Hayden was 4 lbs 7 oz and Hadley was 4 lbs, I remember thinking that couldn’t be right because at my 34 week appointment, they were estimated to be over five pounds.
While in recovery, Travis and the NICU doctor came to see me, and they said both kids were doing fine, but Hadley would be in the NICU for 12-14 days.
I could probably write a whole post about those two weeks when she was in the hospital and we were home…but I need to wrap this up.
We stayed four nights in the hospital, and the kids were reunited for a couple of photos before we headed home.
I always wish we had a family photo in the hospital, but we finally got one when Hadley came home, thirteen days later, on December 3rd.
It’s so crazy to think they were ever this little.
I received quite a few “bless your hearts” when we were out and about. 😂
If I thought I was tired back then…
Oh…the things I could tell that new mom now!
This post could have been so much longer, but I’m typing it really late on Sunday after a really busy day….Hadley had two dance recitals, so we were gone most of the day.
If you wrote about how you became a mom, we hope you’ll link up with us.
Also, I’m pretty sure my “target audience” is in the throes of motherhood, but please know that I know how it feels to want to start a family and be a mom when it wasn’t necessarily easy. I always have extra prayers for those who are struggling with infertility.
Next month we are sharing Top 5 Favorite Family Activities
Make sure to check out the other ladies’ posts! Have a great week.
Why do the summer weeks already feel like they are flying by? Probably because these first couple of weeks of summer have been busy.
As always, I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites.
Here are some favorites from the week:
At the end of last week, Travis and Hayden traveled to St. Louis for a race that Hoka put on. Hayden ran in the middle school mile, and ran a great race. The winner of the middle school race that Hayden was in ran 4:22! There were some of the best runners in the nation there, and it was good for Hayden to end his outdoor season on a “high” note.
I think Travis and Hayden were most excited about watching the professional races, and then Hayden got autographs and met some runners that he follows on social media.
It was a good “guys” trip, and I was glad to see Hayden smiling.
Last weekend was busy around Lexington/UK with the Railbird festival along with high school state track meet, and Kentucky was hosting the Super Regional for baseball.
On Saturday, Travis and the kids went to the high school state track meet. Hayden wanted to see the mile, and Hadley wanted to see the 400m race.
Then, Hayden went with friends to the UK baseball game Saturday night. Then a group of them went to both Sunday games with a trip to the pool in between. After the loss Saturday night, UK won both games on Sunday and then on Monday night too. Travis and Hayden went to the Monday night game.
On Sunday, Hadley had pool time with her friends and then went to the UK volleyball serving camp on Tuesday. They all had lots of fun as well.
I finished another Bodi program…Sweat and Sculpt. This was one of my favorites that I’ve completed in a while. I’ve mentioned it before that it’s probably not one that I would do in a class, but I loved being able to do these workouts in the comfort of my basement.
I have a couple of Trader Joe’s favorites from the week. This candle and body wash both smell so good. I’m bummed that I missed out on the body butter. I think my store put out what they had, and it was gone by the time I got to it.
These Peanut Butter Crispy Rice Bites are a sweet little treat. I’ve shared this recipe before, and they remind me of those….without the butterscotch flavor.
The weather has been really great this week. I’ve eaten most of my lunches on the patio, and we’ve eaten a few dinners out there too.
Hadley and Homer had patio time as well. she was listening to some music and said they were having their own “mini Railbird” festival. haha
Speaking of Homer, his 4th “gotcha” day was yesterday. So, of course, he got a scoop of ice cream and a picture in his birthday bandana.
Hadley had recital pics yesterday, and of course her least favorite costume is my favorite.
Favorite clothing item:
We had a little bit of pool time this week, so I was able to wear my new favorite cover up from Shop Style Your Senses.
Favorite Mom Meme:
Bahaha…this one made me laugh and is very relatable.
Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday:
Since we are celebrating our “Homerversary,” I’ve always loved this pic of him with the kids in 2019 after we first got him.
On Monday, we have our monthly Not Just a Mom link up.
We’d love for you to link up with us. I can’t wait to read everyone’s posts about how they became a mom.
What are your weekend plans? We have some family things going on and Hadley’s dance recital….but first ortho/dentist appointments for the kids this morning. Why do I always think early morning appointments are a good idea when I schedule them?
As I’ve gotten a bit into “summer mode,” I’ve taken note of some of my “must haves” for summer. I’m sharing those with you today!
I picked up this pool bag from Walmart this spring, and I have zero regrets. I’ve used my Scout pool bag for at least five years, but picked up the one at Walmart to use when I just need to pack a few things. So far this pool season, it’s the only one I’ve used as the kids tend to bring what they need in their backpacks…or if you are Hayden, you just throw the towel over your shoulder, and that’s all you need.
I’ve had these sunglasses since last year, and they are the ones I tend to use the most.
This cover up is absolutely one of my favorite Amazon finds last season. I have it in light blue and navy.
I bought this pair of Turkish towels last year, and they are perfect. I bring them to the pool the most over any towel because they are long enough to cover the whole lounger, and they dry quickly.
Of course sandals are a summer staple. While I have many sandals, I love my rose gold sandals (and Hadley has them in white). I also picked up these “comfort slides” a couple of summers ago. I have them in pink and white and wear them often. They are perfect for the pool, hot baseball games, and yard work. Plus, they are comfy and cute.
(I did size up a full shoe size in both.)
While I will often wear a ball cap, I have a couple of hats that I love. I got the hat below from Nordstrom almost three years ago. It doesn’t appear to be in stock, but I’ve had this similar Amazon one saved for quite some time.
I did order this one last year as another option, and I like that it has a strap if needed. I keep it in my pool bag.
It’s also perfect for a day on the boat.
It’s no secret how much I love my Kindle. It’s always with me poolside.
I went to the pool on Monday and had so many of my summer staples with me.
What are some of your “summer staples?”
{This post contains Amazon affiliate links…Thank you for supporting my blog!}
Who knew when I started this “Blog Challenge” six months ago, I’d still be trucking along? Well, I’m almost to the end of the topics, so I’m going to keep going. I’m picking up where I left off….
Today, I’m going to cover topics #25 and #26.
25. Best Physical Features
Well, this is a tough one…I always laugh at my girl Heather McMahan’s line “thick neck thin ankles.” I have pretty good ankles…actually, from the knees down I’m doing alright. I know we’re probably our own worst critic, and I have my insecurities. I am trying to embrace getting older and fighting gravity where I can.
I’m almost finished with phrase 2 of my Invisalign…maybe in the next year I can say my best physical feature is my smile. 🙂
26. Five Favorite Blogs
Well, I don’t know if I can limit to five…I’ve shared before but the blog that “started it all” with my blog reading was Bev’s blogyears ago! Then I stumbled upon Shay’s blog, and then started reading Erika and Andrea’s blogs too.
I wrote a post in April 2020 about favorite blogs, and then the Not Just a Mom crew wrote about favorite bloggers in January 2022 and I added more to the list.
I read the NJAM blogs…
I also love reading Jennifer’s blog too! (She just shared her newly designed blog, and I love it.)
Like I say with almost every post about other blogs, I never want to forget one or leave someone out. I know the time, effort, and heart that goes in to sharing in this space.
Reading blogs while enjoying a cup of coffee is my favorite way to start my day. There are some blogs I read daily and others that I catch up on the weekend…There’s no real rhyme or reason…mostly just when I have time to read. I could spend an hour a day reading my favorite bloggers…and I wish I could commit to that. I really do feel the sense of community with all the others bloggers out there…both big and small.
What are some of your favorite blogs to read? If you haven’t read many, I highly suggest the bloggers I’ve shared through the years.
Well, now that we are getting into “summer mode,” I’m sharing my answers to a fun “this or that” that I saw on Pinterest.
This or That:
Beach or Mountains:
We are definitely beach people in the summer…That being said, I’m probably the only person in my family who really enjoys the beach. Travis likes to be active, and the kids love the pool.
Travel or Stay-cation: We always go on a vacation in the summer. That being said, this summer we’ve had trouble figuring our travel out because Hayden’s going to South Carolina with a friend, and both kids are going to camps…but of course, they are going at different times.
Ocean or Lake: Both! We usually go to the beach/ocean, but last summer, we also went to the lake twice!
Sunscreen or Tanning Lotion: I learned a long time ago the importance of sunscreen! I have treated myself to a few spray tan sessions since spring break to keep a little color though.
Ice cream or Slush: I love ice cream…especially mint chocolate chip.
Early mornings or Late nights: I still go to bed at a decent time in the summer. Instead of 10:00, I’m usually in bed my 10:30 or 11. I usually get up 7:30-8 rather than 6 am, and that’s still earlier than the kids wake up! It’s nice staying up a bit later knowing I don’t have to set an alarm. I’d say during the school year, my answer is more “early morning,” whereas in the summer, it would be “later nights.”
Camping or Pool Party: We are pool people.
Sundress or Overalls: I definitely wear more dresses in the summer (when I’m not wearing a swimsuit/cover up or workout clothes…haha). That being said, I just ordered a romper and will let you know how that turns out!
Water balloons or Slip n Slide: Oh…I remember having so much fun with Slip n Slides when I was a kid. The summer of 2020 when we were home more, the neighbors ordered one, and the kids had so much fun.
Sun tan or swimming: I’m all about the sun tan. If I’m at the pool, 9 times out of 10, I’m just sunning in the lounge chair (I wear sunscreen and a hat!) talking to the other moms or reading. I usually try to find a lounger with an umbrella nearby, but I do get in the pool when I get hot. I’m not much of a swimmer though.
So far, the temps have been really nice, but I’m sure the “dog days of summer” will be here soon.
What are some of your answers? I will post this to Instagram. Let me know what you think!
Mondays sure hit different in the summer…in the best way possible.
It’s the first Monday of the month, so I’m linking up with Tanya to share my Amazon purchases this month.
Here are my purchases this month:
Well, this dress arrived in early May but after May’s Prime Purchase link up. I wore this dress to Oaks, and I love it so much. I ordered a medium and a large to try. The medium fit, but I felt the most comfortable in the large. It comes in quite a few colors, and I know it’s one I will wear more than once.
I already have this workout tank in pink…
…but picked up another on in purple. It’s such a soft material and a good price point around $20. (Some colors/sizes are even less!)
I shared these sandals last month in leopard, and then ordered them in gold.
The one time I don’t unload the dishwasher, and no one can tell me where the small colander that we’ve had for years went…
I can’t believe I bought ankle weights, but I sure did. I’ve been loving the Sweat and Sculpt workout program on Bodi, and she uses ankle weights during some of the workouts. So, I picked up these two pound ones, and I can definitely feel the difference during my workouts.
It seems that every summer Hadley “needs” a new pair of sunglasses. She found these, so I ordered them for her…
She opened the package while I wasn’t home, and sent me this pic…
I guess she approves!
May was another pretty light Amazon month, but like I shared in my Share 4 Somethingspost, I hit up a few summer sales recently, and I took Hadley with me to Target the other day, and she ended up with a couple pairs of shorts and a new swimsuit. So – other places have been getting my money!
What’s been your best Amazon purchase this month?
This post contains Amazon affiliate links…Thank you for supporting my blog!}
How as your week? We had a good one even though it’s been a busy start to summer.
I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea for this week’s Friday Favorites.
Last Friday was the last day of school, and we went to our neighbors/friends’ house to grill out and catch up. One set of neighbors moved a couple of years ago, so we don’t see them often. Also, all of these kids go to different schools, so it’s nice when we all get together.
The moms really wanted the kids to recreate this pic from 2020…
I’m not sure why we do this to ourselves. haha
They are all so grown!
The moms got a pic too.
We spent all of Saturday at the middle school state track meet in Louisville. It was an overcast day, but pretty good running weather.
Hadley ran in three relays and had a PR in the 400. Hayden ran in the 1600 and 800. He was frustrated with is performance, but of course, we were proud of his effort.
On Monday, we went to the pool for a bit. One of my friends brought Racko which is a fun game. It was nice to feel like we were in “summer mode.”
On Tuesday, we went out to dinner with my brother’s family for Layla’s birthday. This girl loves unicorns and rainbows like no other. We can’t believe she’s 6!
I’ve been able to spend a couple of mornings on the back patio which is one of my favorite ways to start a summer morning.
I love going to graduation. Listen, there are some days I walk the hall shaking my head at some of the things I hear or see…haha
That being said, it is always so amazing to me to see over 500 seniors come together all dressed up to cross the stage and receive their diploma. It reminds me that the future it bright.
Another amazing thing — graduation only lasts an hour…even with a few speeches, a couple of musical performances and that many graduates.
I loved my graduation “fit.” Avara is one of my favorite online shops to buy dresses. They had the “Marissa” dress in pink, blue, and navy, but it looks like navy is all that’s in stock. I picked up these wedges on sale at Old Navy. They seem pretty comfy.
No pics but this week, the kids have already been busy. Hayden and friends played a round of golf on Tuesday, and he also went my school’s basketball camp. Hadley has been to the pool and UK volleyball camp.
While both kids were busy yesterday, I spent a couple of hours at the pool. It was my first pool reading time of the season.
Favorite Mom Meme:
They see me fold laundry, put dishes in the dishwasher, and put away Cheezit boxes…haha
What are your weekend plans? Well, today is the first day of summer that I don’t have to set an alarm. Then, we actually don’t have too much going on. We really do need to do a few early summer things like clean out backpacks, go through clothes to make a donate pile and run some errands I’ve been putting off.
Well, my first official day of summer was spent taking Hadley to the dentist at 9am and then shuttling the kids to the pool (Hadley) and basketball camp (Hayden) followed by graduation.
The kids are busy today too, but I think tomorrow I won’t have to set an alarm.
Anyway, it’s my most favorite time of the year…summer reading! There’s nothing better than reading a book while lounging by the pool or sitting in the shade on the patio.
I started making summer reading lists two years ago. I don’t want to be tied to a list, so I will read other things, but it’s nice to be intentional about what I want to read when I have more downtime to do it.
This was my list in 2021…
That summer, I didn’t end up reading either of the books by Jennifer Weiner.
I had eight books on my list last summer…
I never read The Boardwalk Bookshop or Out of the Clear Blue Sky. I did just place a hold for the The Boardwalk Bookshop, so maybe I will get it read this summer.
Here’s my 2023 list:
While last summer I had eight books on my list, but only read six, I decided to go with eight again since you just never know when some books will be available and some books aren’t out until later in the summer.
Endless Summer by Elin Hilderbrand (I can’t let a summer go by without reading one (or two) of her books.
Meet Me at the Lake. I loved Every Summer After by Fortune, so I’m hoping to love this one too.
All the Days of Summer. Nancy Thayer is another one of my summer reading authors.
Hotel Laguna. I’ve come to enjoy historical fiction, so I thought this one might be a good one. (Available June 20th)
Summer Stage. I’ve been wanting to read a book by Meg Mitchell Moore, so I thought I’d start with this one.
The Summer of Songbirds. I’ve read six books by KWH, so I can’t wait to read this one. (Available July 11th)
The Five-Star Weekend. Another Hilderbrand book. I hope to get to Nantucket one day. (Available June 13th)
The Block Party. Now I can’t remember whose blog I saw this one, but it caught my attention. I love a good mystery, so I’m going to give this one a try mid-summer. (Available July 18th)
Reading Challenge
I feel like I’ve made decent progress in my reading challenge. I’m not sure how much progress I will make this summer because some of the titles above I’ve already read books starting with the same letter.
That being said, since the end of June will be the halfway point, do you have any suggestions on books I should read…especially U and then V, X, Z anywhere in the title and color in the title. Thanks, in advance, for any suggestions.
What books are on your “to be read” list this summer?
showmeandsweettea.com 