Happy June (almost July!) fellow Joysters!
I saw the cutest joke yesterday, and I have to share it with you! "You’re telling me June is about to be over?? No way dude, Julying!!!" To know me is to know my love for punny jokes, and this one hit the spot.
Gonna be real with my Joyful Journal for this month. Call it a little vent sesh, maybe even a “I see you mama” email, but whoa….summer! I’m so proud to have graduated into the stage of motherhood where I don’t dread summer with little bitties! It was hard. Home all day, trying to keep them all busy while on nap schedules, and getting anything done! There was no rest and the days were long!
With older kids (14.75, 12.5, 8.5), the enjoyment level has increased significantly, while the busyness and ‘all the moving parts’ level has also increased. How does one get 3 kids to where they need to be all at the same (or similar time) while working, running a household (we need to eat, right?), working, and attempting to take care of yourself!
Summer stress is legit. It’s different and validated, and I just want to give you a hug if you feel anything like the overwhelm I feel some days, high five you and remind you that YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB! And then remind you to ask for help. It’s impossible to be everything for everyone all alone, and you’re worth having someone help you lessen the mental & physical load.
Now, let’s dig into some fun summer things I’ve had my eye on that fill my color loving heart and my cart!
STRIPE GIRL FOR LIFE
No new news here, but I’m a stripe girl for life. I love how this cooler has summer fun vibes and is perfect to counter the YETI, man cooler world. It’s light and bright and would look amazing filled with wine, sparkling waters and a chilled bottle of tequila! Super into this tote/beach/travel bag, too! The shades of stripes are just my speed! As always, these would make such fun gifts!
I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM, WE ALL SCREAM FOR SUNSCREEN!
Sunscreen is a MUST in this Texas heat, but let’s make it fun and colorful. I love the look of this brand, and pairing it with a bottle of wine or a cute towel would make a fun hostess gift (if you have a pool and kids, you can never have enough sunscreen). This towel is a fav for gifting!
ART = SELF CARE
I love art! I also dream of painting one day, so for a bit of self care/summer fun, I signed up for one of my favorite artists classes. Carving out a little me time during the summer months to play with color and learn! 10/10 Highly recommend! I have also purchased this and this to keep my creative juices flowing over the summer months!
BUGS BE GONE
With Texas heat, our summer nights include pesky mosquitoes. They LOVE ME! I don’t love them back, but I have found a couple of ways to keep them away! This DIY adds beauty to our outdoor space and provides a fun craft, while this is my OG, go-to, very favorite brand to keep those bugs away.
ALONE TIME = THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING
There is nothing better than a 5 star beach read and a glass of bubbly! If you don’t follow Katie of Beach Reads & Bubbly, YOU SHOULD! I took a note from her playbook and poured a chilled glass of bubbles, my favorite summer read and the cutest felt coasters and took a minute for myself. I highly recommend carving out time to go on a run, a walk, play tennis, snuggle in with a good book and make time for YOU this summer. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. Fill up that cup, mamas! You gotta be able to pour out the good stuff, but it’s really hard to do if that cup is empty!
Cheers to a fulfilled and fun rest of summer!
