Monday Morning Coffee

I really need to get better at remembering to snap a picture of my coffee cup before I inhale it drink it slowly, savoring every last sip. But for the record, I had medium roast coffee with three little splashes of vanilla creamer. 

Thank you so much for the kind comments on my last post. I appreciate every single one and am so thankful for this place where we share our lives with each other. Thirteen years went by like the blink of an eye. Dear Time, kindly slow down to a steady trot. I'm struggling to keep up with this record-breaking pace we're currently setting!

Now, a few photos from my camera roll to document the first week of August in our little world.

Mocha had a spa day last week. Several months ago, she got a less-than-stellar cut from a new groomer. Oh, who am I kidding? She looked like a rat! A large, cute rat. But still. Bad. Bad. Bad. As a result, I opted to forgo any grooming for as long as possible and bathe her myself in the meantime. I admit, I may have stretched that a bit far, and rather than looking like a rat, she resembled a wild cat, living in the jungle for several years. I found a new groomer who comes to the house, and he was terrific. He kept sending me updates and pictures like this one! Now she is happy and fresh and cute as can be. 

Also, last week, Madison took Flynn for a fun day filled with hair appointments, lunch, and a TV show back at her house. I cannot tell you how happy I am that my children love spending time together. The time you spend with your children having fun together also builds relationships and connections that last long after their childhood. Steve and I prioritized family when our children were young, and as a result, our kids now prioritize their relationships with each other, and it is a beautiful thing to step back and watch. 

 

I say all this not to boast, but to reassure anyone reading who is feeling sad watching her children grow, you can look forward to seeing them continue to enjoy the relationships you helped create, and watch as they form new ones as teenagers and adults. It is something I will never take for granted. I found this quote online last week, and I absolutely love it. 

We miss Peyton and Christopher, but love getting snapshots of their beautiful life, and can clearly see how very happy they are together!

Me, coffee, and a pup. Pretty much sums it up, don't you think?

Breathtaking phone pictures of a beautiful sunset after mass and dinner Saturday night.

And, a picture of these two. She rarely allows him anywhere near here, but on this night, she felt a touch of compassion. That, or she was just too tired to care.

Finally, I have resisted the temptation to jump into my season, because although it has been hotter than he** lately, I am actually learning to appreciate aspects of summer. However, as it is a few days into August, I feel compelled to ease my way into the absolutely cozy, color-filled, calm, pumpkin-y bliss that is autumn!!

Ahhh. That's better. Happy Monday, my friends. I will post the winners of the anniversary giveaway on Wednesday. See you then!

Billie Jo

(Google for the autumn love.)