It's hot.

It is all we can do to keep cool around here!  100+ degree weather consistently is killing our poor air conditioner.  We finally pulled out the pool.  I don't know why it has taken us so long.

The Kami Birthday

It started with a cousin get together at the park.

That night I opened up my very own backpacking backpack.  I've never owned one of these before!  I am very excited.  The last backpacking trip we did was SO much fun!!  It was, however, about six years ago, but I loved it.

Thank you, Stephen, for making my birthday special for just me!!

The Birthday of Stephen and more things that I added

Yep.

Stephen's Birthday.

This year was the most different birthday that Stephen has ever had.  Hopefully the last most different birthday he has ever had.

Let me explain.

We really made the most of it, but still, it almost wasn't a birthday.

During Stephen's birthday we were still on the Whole 30.

I know.  (Gasp!)  Stephen did not get a cake or have ice cream on his birthday.  We played, had fun, opened presents, sang happy birthday, but it was a little off.  I even had a super duper birthday cake that I had been planning for him for at least six months!

Oh well.

Here's to next year.

Anyway.  For six whole days Stephen will be older than me.  I love you Stephen!  Thank you for supporting us in our crazy food decisions and being willing to even sacrifice your birthday.

Saturday, Stephen had plans that he has been working on for months.

Him and some co-workers decided to give the Dirty Dash a go.  Stephen did the Dirty Dash with Shane four years ago, but hasn't been back since.  His second run was definitely more true to the name.  Here are the pix:

Stephen & Co-workers

And they're off.  The guy said go before I realized what was happening!  I didn't get them all jumping in the mud.  I was a little sad about that one.

Waiting for Daddy....

 

 Stephen is at the bottom right of the slide.  I didn't push the button quick enough.

He's dirty.

Just before the final mud hole.

The kiddos were very leery in this picture.

And our super awesome neighbors, Steve and Stephanie Joiner.  Stephanie works with Stephen.  I am definitely their favorite. ;)

Sunday was Father's Day.  It was also Day 1 of reintroduction for us following the Whole 30.  Since Stephen didn't get a cake or ice cream on his birthday, he requested that we introduce dairy for Day 1.  I made a grain-free cake and we had it with a side of ice cream to celebrate.

That morning we also added a small glass of milk to breakfast and plain yogurt with berries to our lunch.  We were all ready to see what diary would do to our bodies.

Not surprisingly, it wreaked havoc on my body.  For two and a half days.  Surprisingly it definitely wreaked havoc on Stephen and Cooper as well.  I'm not sure about the other two, but three out of five makes me throw dairy out the door.

Honestly, I am so glad that we have done this Whole 30.  It has helped us A LOT.

Book Club

I mentioned in a previous post that I have joined a book club.  We read a book every month and we get together and discuss it.  Like, really discuss it.  I. Love. It.

The first book we read was Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington.

The second book we read was The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom.

We had our group discussion last Thursday.  I had a lot of thoughts regarding Corrie and her sister Betsy.  Those were two amazing women who knew who they were and knew who God was.

I feel like Heavenly Father is really trying to get me to step up.  I have had so many amazing experiences over the last six months that have really made me ponder my role and a mother, as a woman, and as a member of His church.

I'm ready.

I want to step up.

House/Garden Update

And here is my sweet potato!!