I don’t really have the words to write a compelling introduction to this post at the moment. Instead, I’m going to let the photos and the experiences from a well-spent weekend with my sweet boy create the narrative.

I will give you this reading that I shared with my yoga class this morning as I taught for the first time in over two weeks.

“Only two more weeks until vacation,” we say. “Two more weeks until I can relax.” Then we return to our stressful lives of running here, hurrying there, and scrambling to get this or that done.

Why wait? Why not relax today? Part of living fully in the moment is taking a break when you need it. If you are tired, take a nap. Plan an afternoon away from work. Go to the park on a Saturday morning by yourself. Take a bubble bath; order dinner out; take the kids the zoo.

So often we feel that we are running, running, just trying to keep up with the rest of the world. It’s an illusion. Much of the time we’re running in place. Stop. The only one keeping you on the treadmill is you. Yes, we all have responsibilities. But taking time to take care of ourselves is one of our responsibilities, too.

God, grant me the peace and grace to listen to my own needs.

FRIDAY

After a low-key morning at home with the pups, Finn and I had a fun and active Friday afternoon. It started with a trip to Park Road Shopping Center for new books at Park Road Books and a sweet treat at Suarez. We also picked up a new swimsuit for Finn at J. Crew Factory and two new pairs of shorts for me.

• We discovered the Elephant and Piggie books for the first time and quickly fell in love with this cute, funny and sweet series that is written in comic book/conversational style with a focus on friendship. We read three of the books in store and picked one to take home. Finn was literally laughing out loud at the books as I read them to him. Definitely recommend.
• There is a J. Crew Factory store at the shopping center we were at so I grabbed two pairs of the linen drawstring shorts that I’ve been eying because they were on sale for $19.95. For whatever reason, I’ve been all about drawstring/elastic shorts this summer over jean shorts. Probably the same reason I prefer leggings over jeans in the summer! 😉
• I also wanted to get Finn one more bathing suit for the summer so I picked up this seersucker number which looks great with his little tan! Also on a great sale!

Friday ended with a trip to the pool. Late afternoon/early evening has quickly become my favorite time to be at the pool. It’s just the best and most relaxing way to wind down the day in the summer and the sun isn’t so hot and strong.

Snacks are life. (He probably had 6 of them over the course of Friday and I refused 3-4 more asks LOL.)

SATURDAY

As I mentioned in my last recent eats post, I was determined to make it to the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market on Saturday morning for all the summer produce. Finn and I ended up sleeping in until 8:15a so I was worried things would be picked through by the time we got there at 10 but the market was abnormally uncrowded.

Here’s what we came home with!

• Eggs, ground beef, Italian sausage and short ribs from Windy Hill
• Carrots and potatoes from Hoffman Heritage
• Cucumbers, squash and tomatoes from A Way of Life Farm
• Kale from Bluebird Farm
• Mac’s Pride South Carolina Peaches

Of course I came home and quickly enjoyed my first tomato sandwich of the season for lunch. Sourdough, basil, sliced tomatoes and sea salt.

I pushed Finn in the jogging stroller for a four-mile run on Saturday afternoon and WHEW! Tough stuff! I always look forward to the stop at the kid’s little library that comes about two miles in so that I can catch my breath.

It was my first stroller run since having back-to-back respiratory infections so I took a bunch of breaks. It’s also just hard to push almost 40 pounds of little kid in a stroller but he’s the sweetest little cheerleader and it’s worth it for how I feel after getting the run in.

Finn’s Saturday ended with a birthday party for two of his friends who are twins. One of the party activities was tie-dying shirts. It was his first time and he loved it!

SUNDAY

Our Sunday was super low-key. I attended my friend Aaron’s memorial service on Zoom. I was worried about how that would go with Finn being home. I had set him up with kinetic sand but after 10 minutes of that he crawled into my lap, asked if I was okay, told me he loved me, gave me a kiss, closed his eyes and fell asleep for the duration of the service. Finn rarely naps and I think he just knew that I needed the quiet and the comfort.

Aaron’s memorial service was an amazing tribute to the amazing man that he was. It was incredibly moving and I left it feeling so inspired to live more like Aaron…to seize the day, to love people and to be of service. What a truly impactful legacy that he left behind.

Finn and I stayed close to home the rest of the day. Virgina came over for a walk and we played in the yard. I got in bed early when I put Finn down and stayed there for the night.

MONDAY

Finn spent Monday morning with his nanny and her sweet nieces and nephews (permission given to share photos). Finn loves his nanny’s family and was overjoyed to get time with them since they are spending most of the summer at the beach. They swam and watched Sing 2.

While Finn was gone I worked, taught yoga and worked out. I picked him up on the way home from the gym and we spent our afternoon doing things around the house like cooking, baking and laundry.

We did venture out to to Park Road Shopping Center so that Finn could get a much needed haircut. We saw Robin at Snip-Its and she gave him an awesome summer cut! And yes, Finn is wearing the same dino tank from the photos on Friday because he loves it! It’s only $4 and a total steal for hot summer days.

Monday dinner was homemade spaghetti and chocolate chip cookies for dinner and dessert.

And our evening ended with reading books and doggie snuggles. I’ve mentioned this before but Finn has to have both dogs in the room with him when he goes to bed and gives both of them a goodnight kiss and hug before getting in bed. 🙂

And with that I am off to eat a chocolate chip cookie and read Book Lovers. I pray that we all find the peace and grace to not only listen to, but deeply honor our needs this week.

xo,
Jen