What Happened to July?

June ended with a kind of fog rolling over our journey. If we were still in California, fog rolling in in June is called June Gloom!

Keeping our balancing while juggling on a unicycle going across a tight rope, describes how it has been feeling.

To catch up, I'll begin by spinning off the prompts from FMF that I missed while figuring out some of the paths to take on an adventure that literally just fell into our laps.

Like this adventure that was surely a blessing to find this teeny tiny kitty, near death in my drive way.

Had I not found her that morning, she wouldn't have survived the 115+ degree day we had. She was called Faith! There was a reason she was where she was and where I was for this to all turn out like it did. She was one very sick kitty. Given a 50/50 chance of surviving the weekend. We didn't get to bring her home for another 2 weeks after it looked like she was going to be okay. She is surely creating some comfort around here. For two weeks she was loved on by this little girl and since by this little man.

I also had the pleasure to watch these six play around for a full week. These kiddo's created some incredible memories that will stick with them for years to come. I can't believe how fast they have all grown. The oldest ones are in the middle of their high school years. The young ladies are ending their last year at middle school or junior high. While the two youngest are very eager to begin the 1st grade.

Of course, we were missing four others that fill in the last of the grammar school years as well as the middle school gang. Let see, all that adds up to; 3 - 1st graders, a 4th grader, a 6th grader, 3 - 8th graders, a 10th grader, and an 11th grader. Wow! I did have the opportunity to see them briefly for an afternoon the beginning of July. We will get to see them again next month, too. Knowing when always brings me comfort! Try as we might, getting schedules to coincide with everyone has been near impossible. Fortunately, we have a plan. Something else to look forward too and brings even more comfort.

If you think raising kids can go by fast, watching your grandchildren grow up seem to go by even faster.

With so many blessings and the comfort knowing God leads the way, allows us to collect so many memories while we continue to take some time to play on our journey through life!

And play is just what we did at the beach with this little man!

It was a much-needed escape from our hot days, even if just for the afternoon before it was time to pick up his brother and sister. I have wanted to check out the sandcastle competition in San Diego for a few years now. We went a long time ago when our kids were teens and have been wanting to get the "Grand's" to it someday. That day finally came, but it was with only one! Insert a sad face here.

While exploring Imperial Beach, we found a few options that just might work for future visits. It also allowed me the opportunity to find many items on the 9th Annual Scavenger hunt that @Clickinmoms does each July. I posted some of my photos on my 365 Days a Year page. Other's are on my Instagram page.

Like any "Grand" time a "Grand" Finale is needed to celebrate the wonderful time we had.

 Oh and what about that new addition to our family?

In the beginning, Bella just nosed and licked her a lot. Now they are best buddies! It's almost like Bella has a baby she never had, and Faith has a mommy she never had.

That pretty much covers what's been going on around here. Other than catching up on the yard work, our first week back to normal, well as normal as it can be for us, was just as busy as it had been all summer.

School started this week for the "Grand's" in town which means Grandma Wednesdays resume. I can't believe how fast July went. Or the year for that matter? Is it too early to say Fall is just around the corner? I am looking forward to the weather it brings and giving my dead garden some new life. Each year I learn something new about gardening in the desert.