A Heart Full Of Summmer

A Different Kind of Adventure

I don’t think I expected to love this season of life as much as I do.

My new job with the state has me driving from daycare to daycare, meeting incredible people and seeing so many different ways they care for children. Every center has its own personality, and every visit teaches me something I’ll tuck away for the future. Whether it’s a classroom setup I love or a system I’d do differently, I’m constantly making mental notes for the day I get to open a childcare business of my own.

One of the biggest surprises has been my coworkers.

I’m easily one of the youngest on the team, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. Most of our conversations revolve around retirement, travel, and stories about grandkids, and somehow I never get tired of listening. It reminds me so much of my days at Hallmark, where I was also the youngest employee. Back then, I spent my shifts hearing stories from people who had already lived through so many of life’s chapters. Looking back, those conversations taught me more than I realized.

Life has a funny way of preparing you.

From working in childcare, to becoming a daycare director, and now visiting centers across the state, each experience has added another piece to a dream I’ve been carring. I’m not building my own business just yet, but I can feel myself collecting the knowledge I’ll need when the time comes.

For now, I’m simply enjoying the drive.

An Afternoon Well Spent

One of my favorite memories lately was spending the afternoon at Jamin’s house with Ash, Lauren, Cisco, Freddy, and Jamin. We spent the day swimming, eating good food, and simply enjoying each other’s company.

There wasn’t anything particularly extravagant about it, and I think that’s exactly what made it so special. We laughed until our stomachs hurt, attempted backflips into the pool (some more successful than others), splashed each other, and acted like kids again. It was one of those days where no one was in a rush, and everyone was just happy to be together.

After drying off, we headed down to Salt Lake City to meet my mom and dad for dinner, which was the perfect way to end such a fun day.

I’m learning that some of my favorite memories aren’t made on big vacations or during exciting adventures. They’re found in simple summer afternoons with the people I love most—sharing meals, laughing until we can’t breathe, and making memories that I’ll smile about long after summer is over.

Here’s a more story-like version that matches the warm, reflective style of your blog:

Saturday Adventures

One Saturday morning, Ally and I wandered through the local farmers market, taking our time exploring each booth. We sampled all kinds of delicious treats, admired the handmade goods, and smiled at the countless dogs and energetic little kids running around. There’s something about a farmers market that always feels like summer to me, slow, cheerful, and full of life.

One of our favorite stops was saying hello to Jamin, who was there selling his photography prints. It was so fun watching people stop to admire his work, and I was especially excited to see that business was going really well that day. Seeing someone you love pursue something they’re passionate about is such a rewarding feeling.

The day didn’t end there. Later that afternoon, I joined Jamin for a family birthday party before we headed to a car and airplane show that he had been invited to. It wasn’t something I would’ve planned for myself, but I ended up having such a great time. Sometimes the best days are the ones filled with a little bit of everything, good food, meaningful conversations, unexpected adventures, and time spent with the people who make ordinary moments feel special.

Chasing Sunsets

One evening, Ash and I decided to head out on a sunset hike, hoping to catch the golden light before the day ended. Everything was going perfectly… until a rattlesnake decided to cross the trail right in front of us.

Needless to say, we took that as our sign to find a different path.

After our little detour, we found a quiet spot to sit and watch the sun dip below the mountains while enjoying the Chick-fil-A we had packed for dinner. Between the beautiful view, good food, and laughing about our unexpected wildlife encounter, it turned into one of those evenings we’ll probably remember for a long time.

Sometimes the best adventures are the ones that don’t quite go as planned. ♡

A Weekend Above the Clouds

One of the highlights of the month was getting to go on a night flight with Jamin. As we climbed higher into the sky, the world below slowly transformed into tiny glowing lights. It was already beautiful, but then we wen’t out again for the fireworks.

Watching fireworks from an airplane is something I’ll never forget. Instead of looking up at them, we were looking down, watching bursts of color light up towns all across the valley. It felt surreal, quiet, peaceful, and unlike any Fourth of July celebration I’d ever experienced. It was one of those moments where you stop talking for a while because you’re simply taking it all in.

The adventure didn’t stop there. We spent the weekend in Bear Lake, soaking up the sunshine and slowing down from the busyness of everyday life. We spent time out on the jet skis, laughing as we raced across the water and enjoying the cool lake on such a warm summer day. Between the beautiful blue water, good company, and time to simply relax, it was exactly the kind of weekend I needed.

Before we knew it, it was time to pack up and head home the next day. Even though the trip was short, it reminded me that some of the best memories don’t require weeks of planning or faraway destinations. Sometimes all you need is a spontaneous adventure, a beautiful view, and someone you love to share it with.

I’m so grateful for these little moments that make an ordinary summer feel unforgettable.

Celebrating Dad

This month, we celebrated my dad’s 53rd birthday together as a family. We kept things simple and went out for Mexican food, one of those meals where the conversation lasts just as long as the food.

There’s something special about getting everyone around the same table. Between sharing stories, laughing over memories, and celebrating another year of my dad’s life, it was such a sweet evening. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that birthdays become less about the presents and more about the people you’re surrounded by.

I’m so grateful for my dad and the example he continues to be for our family. It was a wonderful night spent celebrating someone we all love so much.

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Jamin and I celebrated six months together, and he completely surprised me with reservations at a beautiful restaurant in Park City. Honestly, it was the kind of place I never would’ve imagined myself eating at. As we sat there enjoying incredible food with live music playing in the background, I couldn’t help but smile. It wasn’t just the restaurant that made the night so special—it was knowing how much thought he had put into it. Sitting across from him, I realized I didn’t need anything extravagant. I was simply grateful to be there with him.

That weekend, we also spent an afternoon at the aquarium. We wandered from exhibit to exhibit, watched the fish swim by, and even got to touch the stingrays. It was simple, peaceful, and so much fun.

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One thing I’ve come to love about our relationship is that it never really matters what we’re doing. Whether we’re watching fireworks from an airplane, hiking to catch a sunset, spending the day on Bear Lake, or walking through an aquarium, I always leave feeling grateful for the time we get to spend together.

These past six months have been filled with so many sweet memories, and if they’ve taught me anything, it’s that the best moments in life aren’t always the biggest ones. They’re the quiet dinners, the long conversations, the spontaneous adventures, and the ordinary days that somehow become your favorite memories.

As I look back on these past couple of weeks, I’m reminded that life doesn’t have to be extraordinary to be beautiful. So much of my joy has come from ordinary moments—long drives, sunsets with friends, family dinners, spontaneous adventures, and quiet evenings with the people I love most. I’m learning to appreciate this season for exactly what it is: a collection of small moments that, together, are becoming some of my favorite memories. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the summer has in store.