what's up wednesday (july 2023 edition)

  

Happy Wednesday friends! I am excited to join in on the What's Up Wednesday posts again this month! 

If you are like me then I truly am literally in shock that it is the end of July. I do not believe that I have had a summer go by so quickly since I was a kid. It has just been flying. I am treasuring every single moment and looking forward to a couple of more months at the cabin and hope that they go by slowly.

What We're Eating this Week... 

Black raspberries. And more Black Raspberries. 

While I work hard to get lots and lots of different fruits and veggies into me, it not a secret to those who know me how much I love fresh black raspberries. This berry is simply incredible and it is so so good. I purchase extra to freeze during the winter and slowly portion out the amount throughout the whole year to get me to the next fresh ones. They are delicious! 

What I'm Reminiscing About... 

All the back to school prepping things as a teacher and room F112. 

As I am working on final edits and pages for my upcoming book, The Opportunity Cost of the Sun (releasing December 1st!!), I have been remembering the absolute precious times in that classroom above. And during this time of year, not going back into the classroom, my heart honestly grieves where I long to be. It is not the season for that right now, but my heart truly grieves that in many ways. 

Interested in keeping up to date with the book release? You can read more HERE and sign up for updates (on the book and other fun projects) by following along by signing up with your email HERE!

What I'm Loving... 

Any dry evening at camp. *smiles* I am somewhat joking, but with all of the rain we have had we have treasured even more any evening we have had the opportunity to sit out on our favorite place and look out at the lake.

This is also a place that I find myself spending hours upon hours in prayer. For years I was too sick to leave this porch and now I find myself in a different season... facing huge decisions, looking for huge answers to prayers and miracles and I am grateful to be at this place that is surrounded by so much beauty to have a place of peace and rest to pray and process.

What I've Been Up To...

LOTS and lots and lots of creating for the December Caravan shop!! The back to school collection (seen above, click HERE to go directly to it) went into the shop on Monday! It is hard to believe but next week we are going to be putting in the fall collection!!  

Are you a teacher and looking for an easy way to keep memories throughout this year? Check out the teacher collection HERE!

We are working like busy bees and we are now focused on creating our Christmas collections which will launch Friday, August 25th!! If you would like to receive updates on when this is live (or other new additions so the shop you can click HERE!) 

This shop has so many dreams and plans with it and your support means SO very much. Thank you so much for your support and for purchasing our Key Chain Junk Journals! Each and every purchase means the world to small business owners. You can go directly to the fall collection HERE or the entire shop HERE!

I have also been working so hard on re-branding and updating the Caravan Sonnet Teachers Pay Teachers Shop and adding tons of new resources for the start of this school year! 

This shop is filled with creative, colorful, and educational history, government, and personal finance items has been so lovely to work on. 

I miss being in the classroom.

 I really really really miss it. 

It is literally an ache many times. 

Creating for Caravan Sonnet Shoppe is truly a blessing and I hope that it helps other teachers who are currently in the classroom right now. If you are looking for these types of resources or know a teacher who is or a homeschool mama please share the link to the shoppe HERE!

On Monday I shared one of the newest additions to the shop are these personal finance posters which make perfect classroom decor or decor for homeschool mamas! You can read all about them HERE!

Before I leave this topic... I do want to say that I remain speechless at how far I have truly come in this healing process. For the last "What's Up Wednesday" post I wrote (back in 2018!!) I shared that I was studying and studying for all of the teacher certification tests. It is overwhelming to think about those first few baby steps of getting back into the classroom. *tears* At the time I knew it would be a slow journey, but to see where I am now... I am truly overwhelmed. Thank you to everyone who has supported me over so many years with so much love! 

What I'm Dreading... 

Honestly absolutely nothing. This summer has been a true answer to so many different prayer requests for the last 15 years. Last summer we were dreading my mom's complicated surgery and to see where she is at this year... we honestly just are grateful for each and every moment. 

What I'm Working on... 

In addition to the shops and editing, I am working on cleaning out and truly embracing more minimalism in so many different areas of life. It is a long process, but one that I have been truly working on recently and a focus this summer.

What I'm Excited About... 

Still enjoying this summer. 

Thankful to have still a couple of months at the cabin. 

Treasuring every single moment.

What I'm Watching/Reading... 

I have been reading a ton of books here at the cabin and honestly... I am working my way through this one again. I have said this almost at nauseum but there has not been a book that has impacted my faith more over the last 5 years then this book. I need to do an entire blog post on why, but for now, my tender heart will just say that if you are living in a season of broken dreams and spending lots of time weeping... this book is for you. You can find it HERE.

What I'm Listening To... 

I shared this last month, but on my morning walks I have been listening to different sermons and a recent one I have listened to again and again from Joel Osteen was on Supernatural Provision. If you are looking for an encouraging and uplifting message during a difficult season, this message from Joel Osteen has been incredibly encouraging and I have listened to it on repeat this week!  You can find it HERE!

What I'm Doing This Weekend... 

We are SO excited to hopefully be putting in our little boat!! Y'all. ALL the emotions. Growing up I spent every single day on the water while we were at the cabin. Grief and loss ... they reach into every single area of life and this has been a major change for us. We are so grateful for all of the help to help make this possible. I am definitely going to keep y'all updated!

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month... 

Believing that this next month will see tons of answers to big prayers that we have been praying, crying out to the Lord for in miraculous ways!

What Amazon Purchase I loved this Month... 

Y'all- I have shared this now several times, but if you haven't purchased these yet- you need to. They are less than $8!!! They also have over 40,000 positive reviews so I am NOT alone in this! These magnetic hooks are perfect for the home, refrigerator, etc and come in all different colors! We purchased the white ones and have LOVED them. If you are looking for an affordable and cheap organization solution (we used them in our kitchen) you can find it on Amazon HERE!

Also- did you know that I have an Amazon storefront? You can go directly to it HERE! I put all of my favorites there and it has so many fun and cozy things you should check it out! Click HERE!

Finally, after taking a couple of years away, I am back active on Pinterest. Are y'all on Pinterest still? If so, leave your name below and I would love to follow along! You can find me HERE! 

 Happy Wednesday friends!