Not really sure how to do a half-year catch up around here. So I decided to just share a few phone pictures from February through June, no July. Ahem. Sadly, I haven’t been picking up my big camera much either. Need to get back to that as well.
Let’s start with July and work backwards…you know the whole start where you are thing.
July so far:
That might have been the end of June but my Bee Balm did spectacular this year. Lots of happy bees (not pictured)!
J and I took a trip to Saint Louis over Fourth of July weekend to the International Barbershop Society Convention to watch the finals. (No he doesn’t sing, just a fan of the music style) We watched the chorus finals and the barbershop quartet group finals. 
I upgraded out hotel room for a little extra fun as well:
Lots of great groups and the fun part was that a female group (they only started allowing female groups to compete in 2018 (!!) ) won the quartet contest for the first time ever! Here’s a link to their page, their winning song is there at the bottom (warning: grab a tissue!). They definitely deserved to win, so good:
GQ, the winners of the contest
June Happenings:
We had a bit of weather here and there but thankfully, everyone stayed safe. Most of it wasn’t really near our house though we heard the sirens.
Girlfriend trip to Hannibal, Missouri. This window is from the Rockcliffe Mansion that we toured. I didn’t even really want to do it but it ended up being one of the favorite things we did for me. Definitely, worth it if you find yourself in that area.
And back at home, there were a few animals: 
This sweet girl showed up on the playground at school and I took her home for a few days (she wouldn’t leave the kids or teachers alone, and allergies so home she came with me one morning). Turned out to be a fiasco but one thing we did learn, we are not quite ready for a new cat.
And on a happier note, we had a rare bird in KC! So I did get the “real” camera out for this one and we drove to the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Center (which is oddly near the plaza and in quite an urban area) to view our guest:
The brown footed booby! I just checked and it appears he left our area sometime in late June and hopefully, is safe and sound back at home somewhere near a tropical ocean.
April and May
Honestly, I barely remember April and May. I know Easter was in April and J played at church. May was all the teacher things, appreciation week (felt very appreciated, lots of kindness) and preschool graduation, went well. Also, G’s birthday, he turned 25! Here’s a sunrise and a random store picture of jelly beans that I have no idea why I took it, maybe the price? 
January and February:
January was not great, we lost our cat, good friends of ours lost their father. Too many endings at the beginning of the year. I guess we did randomly eat some vegetables at some point though. 
Still did Galentine’s Day which was our traditional fun at the Cheesecake factory and with cute gifts. 
And we had a great horned owl visit the backyard in February, this is the best photo we managed, my husband got this with his cell phone: 
It’s about time to wrap up this post:
I saw this clock/thermometer at Menards and I really want it! So, of course, I did the next best thing, took a picture of it! Does anyone else do that? Maybe someday when I have a big, beautiful backyard garden with paths and all the things, I’ll get it.
So, basically back to today, I’m working on this post because I said I’d do an update. Also, it’s a million degrees outside (okay, not quite but the feel like temp is supposed to 111 or something). I’m still working full-time at the school, trying very hard to honor my word of staying one full school year but I’ve struggled the past couple of months. And it’s definitely not the kids. Enough of that. Husband is still working, boys are doing well. Garden is actually doing not bad. I call it my hobby that I’m not good at but still enjoy.
And if you’re still here reading, thank you! I really am planning to be in this space a bit more. Like I said in my post last week, trying to find my way back.