Boredom Killers

So not working during the summer has its advantages and disadvantages but it really is all how you look at it.

"There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so." -Shakespeare

I love that when I am at home I am able to keep the house clean and make good meals.  Laundry gets done and so do the dishes.  I have a lot of fun out here hanging out with the other girls exploring the town and trying new things.  Also Vivint has a women's club that we are all part of called Elevate and it helps us plan a monthly activity and usually involves prizes.  We have had book clubs and service projects and I try to stay busy.  Sometimes the days can seem a little long when Robert works from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

This month for elevate we had to put together a little service project.  We decided to do random acts of kindness.  It was a lot of fun.  We made little notes and drove around town doing different things.

Leaving a code for a Free Red Box rental

Putting dollars in the dollar bins at target

Leaving quarters in the candy machines

A free car freshener for some one at the car wash

It always brightens my day when I do something to brighten someone else's.  It was also fun seeing how excited the kids were to do something nice too.

Other things I do out here to stay busy include:

1. Blogging :)
2. Reading

Current reads

3. Going to the pool

4. Journaling

5. Trying new recipes

6. Going to the gym

7. Making posters to hang on the wall 

   (It makes the apartment walls less bare)

8. Calling family

9. And lately I have been enjoying listening to TED talks

I really think there should be no reason to be bored. Most of the time you just need an attitude change.  I love the summer because I feel like I get to grow and stretch a little.  What do you do to kill boredom?

July 4th Festivities!

So the 4th of July is my favorite day of the whole summer! Rob only works a half day, and it is so fun to have him come home long before 9 PM.  It's the absolute best! I do have to admit that I miss some of the traditions back at home.  Fireworks with the Andersons or going up to Brian Head to party. I guess it's just time to make traditions of our own that we can do where ever we end up in the country!

Kansas City is actually pretty fun the whole week leading up to the 4th of July! These people party hard. There was a patriotic celebration somewhere almost every day this week. The other girls and I weren't able to go to all of them but we did do some fun things.

We went to a Flag display in Merriam called Flags for Freedom! It was really neat. There were hundreds of flags set up which made for some super cute pictures for the other girls Kiddos! The rest of the week was filled with swimming and shopping and other fun adventures.

Of course I had to make a festive treat.  This year I made a fruit tray.  I thought it turned out quite cute!

On the actual Fourth of July, Robert got up and headed out to work and I went to a parade with Brandi and Annie.  The kids loved the parade.  We were near the end of it so they got lots of candy which wound them up for the rest of the day.  My favorite part of 4th of July parades is when the flag comes by.  I love to see everyone stand up and honor it.  They also had a bunch of Veterans that came by after the flag everyone was clapping, cheering, and thanking them for their service.  It gives you hope to see that people still care and understand how blessed we truly are.  Afterwards we went and got lunch together.

Waiting for the parade to start!

Robert was able to be off work around four! He came home and we went and ate at Cheesecake factory with the rest of the crew.  Yes, I ate out twice in one day.  It happens.

After dinner we headed into town for some fireworks at the park.   We had fun just sitting and chatting with everyone. We played catch and busted open some patriotic glow sticks. When the fireworks first started they were shooting low ones.  We were right behind a huge tree and thought we were going to miss the whole show.  It was pretty funny.  No worries though, they soon shot some higher into the air and it was actually quite a good show!

Robert and his patriotic socks

I hope everyone had a safe and fun 4th of July! I also hope you all took a minute to think about what we really were celebrating! Love you all!