I’ve been pretty quiet on the blog front. I’ve been really enjoying having my kids home for the summer. I’ve been enjoying picnics, watermelon, sunscreen, visits to the water park, and taking lots of pictures. When I look through the lens of my camera, I see life with different eyes. I see what I am, and should be grateful for and I see stories being lived and told.

This past month, I’ve probably told my kids 50+ stories from when I was a child and young adult and I find them asking for more. They now have started asking Jeff about his childhood as well. It has warmed my heart more than words can express.

Here are my pictures from this past month. I’m looking forward to seeing your stories through your lens. Remember this isn’t a photo critique and any type of camera is welcome. The important thing is to always tell your story, no matter how ordinary or extraordinary you view your life and/or circumstances. I believe there is a bit of magic in each of our lives.

Something you can’t live without.
 

 
I live in Phoenix where it is extremely hot, and our family doesn’t have a pool. So for 10 years now, Jeff and I have bought family water park season passes each Christmas. Today it was 108 degrees and I know that I could not live without the relief of cool water, the smell of sunscreen, the sight of blond curls and yellow rain boots, and the sound of giggling children. Instagram with the earlybird filter is a close second to something I can’t live without. So when I took this picture I knew this was perfect to tell my story.
 
A favorite snack
 

 
Welcome summer and voracious appetites. So the bottomless pits known as Rebecca, Ben, Emily, and Sam have been introduced to the daily muffin snack tray and it’s been a hit. I know what they are snacking on and make sure enough fruits and vegetables are being snacked on. Rebecca and Samantha are crazy about rice crackers and Trader Joes roasted garlic hummus, Emily loves bananas and toasted almonds, and Ben is loving pistachios and strawberries.
 
Your ride
 

 
We traded our F-150 truck in for an Expedition 2010 XL in the fall. We bought the F-150 truck right before finding out we were pregnant with Samantha. The truck really only fit 5 people safely so it was time to trade it in even though I LOVED my F-150 (her name was Nellie). The kids love the Expedition, especially the rear air conditioning and sitting in the back at the water park while eating our packed picnic lunches.
 
Weekend routine
 

 
Every Saturday morning of my childhood, my dad bought cinnamon rolls for my sister and I. As part of our weekend routine, we now have donuts from Rainbow Donuts with scrambled eggs or Jeff makes Challah bread french toast. I love the similar tradition but also adding our own spin to create a new tradition.
 
A place you get your food
 

 
I shop at Safeway, Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, and Whole Foods. Safeway is closest to my house and seems to be the store that I default to the most. This is part of my story that I am wanting to change as I love shopping at Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods more but takes more planning and budgeting. A farmer’s market has also opened up close to my house on Saturday mornings and I’m wanting to make that a part of my routine. I’ve also switched to shopping with my own recyclable grocery bags, but I need to leave them in my car because I often forget. My house is slowing being overtaken by grocery bags.
 
I hope you join us and link up! Please link up to your post with your pictures instead of just to your blog. I’m looking forward to looking at them. And please encourage one another by commenting on each other’s posts. We can learn so much from one another.

Next Friday’s linkup will be about gratitude. You can see my last gratitude post here. The linkup will again be fun, simple, and fuss free. It will be a great way to learn from one another.

Telling Your Story in 5 Photos July Edition will be on Friday, July 20th:

1. A favorite outfit
2. What and how you read
3. Something round
4. First thing you see in the morning when you wake up
5. Your workplace (we all work even if we are stay at home moms, retired, volunteer, hobby, etc)

This linkup will be live until next Thursday. So if you forgot, no big deal. Just take a photo walk this weekend and post your pictures. If you don’t have a blog, please send me some of your pictures to jenny@jennymeyerson.com and I can post some examples on my Facebook page.

Blessings sweet friends – Jenny

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