This week

It's been a great day. I slept I until 615 then got up to get to work. I had a conference call from 7-8 am, ate breakfast with the family then got back to work. I worked until 1230. I picked up the girls from school and took them to the pool. The best part was that I could get wifi at the pool! I worked and even watched a show while the girls played happily together. The weather was perfect - not too hot. 

We stayed 2.5 hours, I gave them a shower and headed home. I feel so blessed to work how I work. Sometimes it feels like too much - work, family, church .... But I always remember just how blessed I am to do what I do, from home, with flexibility. We love the ashby pool - it's like the perfect pool. I could come here everyday. The lord has really blessed us with a great community. 

We have one more week before we head to Utah. Traveling always gives me hives but the girls are so excited to see grandmas and cousins. It's also the first year that both are potty trained and talking and older. 

One thing I am noticing about Sydney is her leadership skills. She gets in situation and instantly gets a game going. Right now she is starting races and giving ribbons with some other kids at the pool. She loves saying "ready set go". Sydney loves to be around people and to organize them. 

Our summer so far

We have been loving this summer. The funny thing nothing super special is happening. 

I know this sounds so cheesy, but having our lawn installed in the front has made SUCH a huge difference. Our house looks totally different and feel so amazing. 

We are loving our random get together's with our neighbors. Memorial day weekend felt so special because we were able to really be outside and see our neighbors. After that, it feels like every other day we are out there just talking to each other. 

On Sunday the Blakely's came over and then the Zandees and Matt were outside, then they came to our front yard. Within 10 minutes everyone was outside on our bench. Our beautiful tree gave us shade, the cotton was swirling in the air, the kids were playing in the yard with all their friends ... it felt so magical. I don't know why, but I felt like we belonged and mattered. I felt loved and watched over by those around us - its an amazing feeling. 

I love that my girls have kids to play with right outside our door. I love that Tyson has guys that he can talk to, watch sports with ... right outside our door. 

I remember I read a blog once about a community where everyone put their grills i the front yard - so that all the neighbors can come over. I remember reading that and wanting that sense of community so badly. When we first moved to  Colorado I thought you had to have a nice house to have people over - then I met the Hammonds in our ward. They had a small house - probably just a little bigger than ours, but they constantly had people over. I learned that what draws people is an open heart and a real invitation. 

Then there's minimalist. Man I know I talk about this a lot, but for ME, being minimalistic is a huge reason I can open my home. I am proud of my simple home. It's open, wide and clutter free. I don't spend a ton of time maintaining it and so I have the energy to open my heart and home to those around me. 

I feel so blessed. 

A tenant at Tyson's store was getting rid of some stuff - and he gave Tyson a closet system. It was banged up and it did not match all the way, but it was perfect for our closet. This weekend we put it together. In my eyes, it's the most amazing closet. 

I feel so blessed. Tyson and I have really tried to look at what is good in our lives and how blessed we are. It's been paying off. 

We are loving our summer! Can't wait to explore more!