What I Learned in July

July was a big month in the scheme of things - we went to Florida on vacation taking two of our daughters and the twins with us, Jim turned 60, and I got my first iPhone.

Whew! It's a good thing every month is not big.

Here is some of what I learned:

1. Do not drive straight through to Florida with 13 month old twins. Just don't do it. Especially don't do it on the way there AND the way back. In the interest of fair and accurate reporting, I must add that the twins rode in their mom's car, not mine. But I really felt for them. I mean ... all that whining ...

2. Do not take twins thrift store shopping. They won't enjoy it, and you won't enjoy it.

3. I cannot be trusted to keep up with my own camera.  I thought I lost it when we went to Clearwater to the fireworks on July 4. I thought it had fallen out of the car when we were out shopping. It was hard to set that thought aside and enjoy the rest of the day. I did get something out of the evening, though, and wrote about it here. I got back at Mom's that night, found the camera, laying underneath mom's dining table tucked up on one of the chair cushions. (?) I then promptly misplaced it a couple days later and Janae ended up finding it for me in the floorboard of one of the cars.

Which brings me to the next thing I learned in July ...

4. iPhone cameras are better because you have them with you wherever you go. Here is one of my first iPhone pictures that I have shared (which actually was August 1, but why quibble on dates?):

A photo at dusk at a lake in Illinois.

5.  Jim's birthday happened while we were in Florida.  We did not make a big deal of him turning 60 but reserve the right to do it at 65. Or not. Because we are not big on celebrating with black balloons or gag gifts of Geritol and Hemorrhoid cream.  Hey, we are just thankful to be alive another year.

Plus, I will turn 60 in a few months myself and don't want the favor of an embarrassing party returned.

6. Speaking of revenge, I learned that although it is sometimes slow in coming, God does take care of things in His timing and in His own way. I'd tell you about it, but it is confidential information. Just know that He is on the throne, and He does take care of His own.

7. After a year of study, I concluded my Wednesday night bible studies on 1 and 2 Peter on July 15. I just feel a momentous occasion like that should be acknowledged.

8. Just so you know, I'm now on Instagram. You can find me there as "jerralea.' This may or may not be a good thing.


July was a month of  taking great photos and reading many thought-provoking articles and quotes. I can't share them all with you - it's already August and I haven't posted my July learnings yet - but I will share a couple with you. (You can find more on my weekly daybooks and Friday's Fave Fives.)

Worry is a sign that we are not yet convinced of our value to God.… Barry Adams at Fatherheart.tv

Ouch! Did that step on your toes like it did mine?

Also, a thought-provoking quote about clutter:

You should visit Mary at MaryOrganizes. She is running an organizing bootcamp at the moment.
And of course, a few July photos of my grands and my girls ...

What did you learn in July? I'd love to know! Leave a comment, or link up your own post at emily p freeman.com