I love alliteration. But I don’t historically love May, or Maycember as I’ve heard it referred as for the first time this year. All the end of school activities make this month just as busy as December, but in my opinion, not nearly as fun. On the day this goes live on the world wide web, my kids are experiencing their first day off for a much needed summer break. From studies anyway. Now that one of mine is headed toward high school sports, the athletic commitments never stop.
This month we have had 2 choir concerts, 2 athletic banquets, 3 year end celebrations, 2 volleyball tournaments and private lessons, a choir contest and audition, and more finals and state mandated tests than I can count on both hands. And somehow we managed to sneak in a visit from our daughter-in-law and grandkids, 2 date nights – one with another couple, and getting the kids to both sets of grandparents.
In our SPARE time, we took our special needs daughter to see DUMBO (not earth shattering, but cute), and rented The Hate U Give as a family. 
If you haven’t seen this movie, I recommend it for it’s poignant portrayal of modern day race relations, told from the vantage point of a teen. That part is important if you want a 14 year old to watch with you. And speaking of the constant search for something Miss I-have-all-the-entertainment-I-need-on-my-phone will watch and discuss with us, we have landed on Beverly Hills 90210. 
The OG. Starting with season 1. I don’t mind at all taking a trip back to the cross country move of Brandon and Brenda Walsh, but my husband is less than thrilled. He gets out voted, though, because my daughter is into it! We also wrapped up season two of Cobra Kai.
I’m not sure I can recommend this one across the board. There is more language and course talk than I usually indulge in, but the content was so much fun for this child of the 80’s. One minute a 45 year old Johnny is driving his Camaro (yes, the same one) down the highway, and the next he is daydreaming back to the All-Valley Karate Championship. So campy and fabulous.
In activities a little more cerebral, I picked up some good books. Stolen Jesus: An Unconventional Search for the Real Savior and Sacred Ground, Sticky Floors: How Less-Than-Perfect Parents Can Raise (Kind of) Great Kids 
by Jami Amerine top the list. If you have yet to discover this little gem of an author, I am pleased to make your introduction. She writes beautifully real, broken and Jesus filled words. She also blogs at sacredgroundstickyfloors.com. Do yourself a favor and subscribe. As a part of my ongoing efforts to improve this craft of writing, I devoured The Elements of Style 
by William Strunk Jr and Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
by Elizabeth Gilbert – content as different as day and night. And just in time for your light and breezy summer reading, It’s a Love Story: From Happily to Ever After
by Lincee Ray. Inside this pretty pink jacket you’ll find funny, clever and touching personal anecdotes wrapped up in a Jesus bow. She podcasts too for those obsessed with pop culture (and especially the Bachelor franchise). I’m currently working my way through The Child From the Sea
by Elizabeth Goudge. This lengthy piece of fiction is like a cross between Ken Follett and L.M. Montgomery.
My current snack obsession is Enlightened Roasted Broad Bean Crisps in Mesquite BBQ flavor.
I know, I know. What is a broad bean and how can they possibly taste good? I don’t know and I don’t know. But I LOVE them. They are low in calories, high in protein and fiber, and gluten-free all while masquerading as a delicious, crunchy carb! I’m also a new devotee of this Vitamin C Foot Cream.
As a passionate fan of the flip-flop, my feet stay about as soft as asphalt – until now. I slather this lotion on after every shower and my feet are now as supple as 45 year old skin can expect to get.
I’ll round out the wrap-up with what is most important. As God continues to prick my heart with lessons on obedience, I am listening to the audio book The Sacred Echo by Margaret Feinburg on the recommendation of my life group and studying Discerning the Voice of God 
by Priscilla Shirer with said Life Group. Both books cover the topic of hearing from God in different ways. I’m circling the Shirer book for the second time as well as God Moments: Recognizing and Remembering God’s Presence in Your Life 
by Alan D. Wright. I ordered this last one on a whim after telling a friend how ginormously it changed my prayer life years ago.
A Memorial Day weekend celebrating my daughter’s spiritual birthday and enjoying the company of family made the already-too-hot days a little sweeter. I pray in the coming week you take time for that which feeds your soul. Ready or not, summer, here we come!
Sharing is caring! If you liked this post, please share to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to make sure you don’t miss anything, subscribe!
And look up these great writers I link up with every week:
Mix it Up Linky, InstaEncouragements, Literacy Musing Mondays, Hello…Monday,
Dream Team link up, The Good. The Random. The Fun.
BloggerClubUK, Tea and Word Tuesday, Purposeful Faith,
GraceFull Tuesday Link-Up, Different Dream,
Let’s Have Coffee, Welcome Wednesday, Recharge Wednesday,
Worth Beyond Rubies, #TellHisStory Link Up, Porch Stories,
Encouraging Word Wednesday, Tune In Thursday,
Stories of Hope, Moments of Hope, IHeart Verse Link Party,
A Blogging Good Time, Fresh Market Friday, Feature Friday Time,
Friendship Friday Blog Hop, Faith on Fire, Traffic Jam Weekend,
Faith ‘n Friends, Dancing with Jesus, Grace & Truth, Booknificent
Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase anything from one of these links, I will receive a few pennies to help offset the cost of this website at no additional charge to you. Thank you in advance for your help.
Wow, Lauren, you HAVE had a busy month! I do appreciate your recap here as well as the book recommendations. I’ve found that some of the best books I’ve ever read have been suggested by fellow bloggers. Thanks and blessings for an amazing summer!
Blessings to you as well, Martha.
Dear my friend
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and savior.
I’m very happy to hear from you,
I want to partner with you and we invite you in Jesus name.
God bless.
Pastor Benson
Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I am praying for you today as you spread the love of Jesus and minister to others.
Wow! You must be exhausted after all of that. That Vitamin C lotion looks great. I will look for something similar in the UK. #GlobalBlogging
Thanks for visiting, Sophie!
Thank you for the shout out!
My pleasure! It means so much to me that you visited my blog!
So cool that you have discovered Elizabeth Goudge! I worked my way through The Child from the Sea as well, and it was so worth the effort. Beautiful.
And I just dug out my copy of Strunk and White and have been giving it a slow read. I really appreciate the refresher on so many foundational concepts.
Yes. This novel is long and at times gets slow but there is much to keep me hanging on.
May is always busy with end of year activities! I recently re-watched 90210 with my daughter too! That foot cream sounds amazing!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Who’s ready for the 90210 reboot? This girl!
Thanks for sharing what was going on in your life for the month of May. I always enjoy these posts because it helps us to get to know the blogger behind the blog. 🙂
Blessings,
Thanks for reading, Karen.
Good grief! What a wonderful, beautiful, calendar-filled May you have had! Such sweet memories of times like that. My kids are grown now but I loved those hectic times. Now don’t get me wrong , I love my calm days as a empty nesters as well. 😂👍
God gives us joy in every season doesn’t He?
Our book club read The Hate U Give and I really liked it. I think I now must see the movie. Thanks for the recommendation.
It’s not an overstatement to say I had a visceral reaction to it. I highly recommend.
May IS a CRAZY month!!! How’d it get that way? I felt like I was running from one event to the next. LOL I love the idea of Maycember! Never heard (or read) that before, but it’s so appropriate! Personally, I’m glad for a little bit of respite in June! Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
Unfortunately, June has started just as busy for me. Sigh.
Wow, what a full month!! I’m sitting here next to my copy of Discerning the voice of God. Haven’t started yet but I am looking forward to it!
Lots of goodness there, Aryn.
Loved your May recap! How did you get all that reading in with all those activities! 🙂
I’m going to have get some of that Vitamin C cream. I was just hearing about how important Vit. C is for the face; now I see I need it for the feet, too!
The Child from the Sea sounds so interesting – anything close to L.M. Montgomery is a plus in my book.
I listen to audio books while I drive and chore. Otherwise I would never finish anything! I love LM Montgomery too. The Emily series is my favorite.
So much going on for everyone – then you say in my “spare” time – what spare time? Interesting post and I hope your family has a great summer.
I know. Spare is rare. Thanks for reading, Carol.
Oh I remember those May days! Thanks for sharing at the #WednesdayAIMLinkParty 38
Thanks for reading, Sylvia.
Sounds like a busy month, I still haven’t been to see Dumbo. #GlobalBlogging
It was, Heather. And summer isn’t slowing down so far!
That was a busy month! Hopefully June has proven to be a bit slower so far!
That is the illusive dream. I miss the lazy days of summer when my kids were younger.