Summer Doesn't Need to Be Optimized

A May recap: lake days, forgotten laptop chargers, favorite books, and the invitation to simply live the season.

While the start of May feels like a lifetime ago, the last week of it is still crystal clear in my mind.

The last day of school brought what it always does for our family: my husband and me in wigs, the windows down, and “School’s Out” blaring through the speakers. It’s one of my favorite traditions and something I hope our kids remember when they’re older—how their parents weren’t afraid to show up as their goofy selves and, yes, embarrass them a little.

Once the wigs were put away and all the papers, projects, and treasures from the end of school were tossed into a plastic tub (to organize later), we headed to the lake.

I went into those five days with great intentions. I planned to vision cast, write, make summer plans, and generally be productive as I thought about the months ahead.

But.

The Wi-Fi was out at the house, and I forgot my laptop charger.

What came next wasn’t what I had planned, but it was exactly what I needed.

I was given a few days of rest.

After an especially full final stretch of the school year, I didn’t realize how desperately I needed it. Put me on a boat in the middle of the lake with my lakeside playlist playing, and I feel a level of freedom I can’t quite put into words.

Instead of creating a writing plan, mapping out summer projects, or organizing our family’s next season, I rested.

We played games together. I read two fiction books (keep reading!). I made breakfast every morning. I lingered on the porch with my books and journals. I took the girls to lunch at the pool, let Asher drive the golf cart, played pickleball in the driveway, sprang for afternoon Dippin’ Dots treats, took long walks, and fished off the deck.

At the beginning of the week, I thought I would come home feeling behind because I hadn’t accomplished the things I set out to do.

Instead, I felt refreshed.

Recharged.

Rested.

More connected to my family and more ready for whatever summer holds.

I realized I don’t actually need to know all the lessons we’ll learn or everything we’ll accomplish over the next few months. What I deeply desire is exactly what I was given last week: presence, rest, play, laughter, time outdoors, and the simple joy of being together.

Maybe that’s the invitation I’m carrying into summer.

Not to optimize the season.

Not to squeeze every ounce of productivity out of longer days and a more flexible schedule.

Not to create the perfect plan.

Simply to live it.

To be fully present for the popsicles, pool days, late sunsets, road trips, messy kitchens, movie nights, camp drop-offs, and ordinary moments that will be gone before I know it.

May was full of so many good things: family night with the Savannah Bananas, Mother’s Day, solo movie dates with Asher, chips and dip with neighbors for Cinco de Mayo, birthday parties, swimming with friends, end-of-year field days, field trips and awards ceremonies, last-minute coffee dates before summer began, saying goodbye to Pre-K, third grade, and eighth grade, family time, and time at the lake with dear friends.

As I put together our Chatbook, I found myself smiling at how full the month had been—not with productivity, but with people, memories, and moments I don’t want to forget.

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✿What I Loved This Month

Back and Forth Journal with Rivers

My 9-year-old daughter and I have started a spiral notebook that we pass back and forth, writing notes to each other. She asks me questions she might not want to ask face-to-face, and I absolutely love it.

There is something so special about seeing her thoughts on paper. Sometimes it’s a serious question, sometimes it’s a funny observation, and sometimes it’s just a glimpse into what’s going on in her heart. I have a feeling this little journal is going to become one of my favorite keepsakes.

Family Friend Hang Outs

It’s such a gift to have family friends—the kind where the adults and kids alike genuinely enjoy being together.

Those first hugs are tight and lingering because it’s been too long. The conversations pick right back up where they left off. You spend the first few minutes commenting on how much the kids have grown because you can hardly believe it yourself. It reminds me of the song by Drew + Ellie Holcomb, Never Gonna Let You Go.

Early Morning Walks

Get me outside as much as possible in the summer…in Texas, that means getting out early.

By the end of May, you could hardly convince me to get out of bed before the kids. But somehow summer arrives, and all of a sudden I find myself craving those quiet morning moments—to walk, pray, journal, read my Bible, and enjoy the stillness before the rest of the house wakes up.

Social Media Like Texts from Friends

Last week, three different friends texted me photos of what they were doing that day. You have no idea how happy it made me.

Show me your anniversary trip photos. Tell me about your teenager’s summer job. Let me see the project you’re working on or the state of your messy closet.

I would much rather get little glimpses into the lives of people I love through a text message than scroll past them on social media!

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✿What I Watched This Month

There were a few I really enjoyed:

Dutton Ranch (Paramount+)

Taylor Sheridan does it again.

It’s surprisingly hard for my husband and me to find shows we both enjoy, but after years of watching Yellowstone, we’ve happily settled back in with Beth and Rip. We’ve only watched the first couple of episodes, but we’re already hooked. If you’re a Yellowstone fan, I’m guessing you’ll enjoy this one too.

Farmer Wants a Wife (Fox)

This show is undeniably cheesy, but it’s exactly my kind of cheesy.

I’ve been recording it weekly, and it has become a Saturday morning tradition for Rivers and me. We cozy up in my bed with blankets and watch together while everyone else slowly wakes up. Will I remember every couple from this season in six months? Probably not.

Will I remember Saturday mornings with my daughter? Absolutely.

Noah Kahan: Out of Body (Netflix)

I’ve been wanting to watch this documentary for a while, and I finally did so at the lake last week. If you’re a Noah Kahan fan, I think you’ll enjoy it. Fair warning: there’s quite a bit of language.

I’ve always loved hearing the stories behind songs and getting a glimpse into the creative process. (Basically, I wish I could play an instrument so I could be a songwriter.)

I especially loved getting to know Noah’s family throughout the documentary, which made the clips of them joining him on stage at Fenway Park even more delightful.

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✿ What May Taught Me

People matter way more than anything else.

Sometimes the best plans are the ones that never happen.

Summer doesn't need to be optimized. It needs to be lived.

Traditions are worth keeping.

Getting lost in a story is worth staying up late, and waking up early for.

Prayer is essential.

There is never a perfect time for a puppy, so you might as well bring one home in the middle of summer. *Can’t wait to tell y’all more about our Golden girl! She comes home in a few weeks!

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✿Books You Should Read!

The Shippers by Katherine Center

My first rom-com of the summer did not disappoint! Katherine Center is an auto buy for me, and I pre-ordered this one from our local indie bookstore. It had me laughing, crying, and smiling so hard. Really cute fake dating troupe story with a happy ending. Make sure you read her “author’s note”; it’s often one of my favorite parts of her books. I love that she loves writing love stories with happy endings.

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

It’s been a long time since I both stayed up late and woke up early to finish a book - but this one did it for me. The first 50% was pretty slow (but it was our book club book, so I pressed on), and then I hit a sweet spot and couldn’t wait to see how it ended up. It was such a unique book, honestly, still wrapping my head around it. Book club discussion will be interesting!

We Might Just Make It After All: My Best Friendship with Kate Spade

This was a Libby listen! Listening to Elyce talk about her longstanding friendship with Kate Spade kept me company while I decluttered closets and rooms before the summer hit.

The Highly Sensitive Child: Helping Our Children Thrive When The World Overwhelms Them

Our child psychologist recommended this book, and it turns out I already had it on my shelf. The past few months I’ve been slowly reading the physical book (and marking it up so much) while also listening to the audio, and I’m loving that combo. I find it totally fascinating and very helpful. It’s one I have already shared with mamas of HSC (highly sensitive child).

✿I enjoyed these books, but they weren’t my favorite.

The Night We Met by Abby Jiminez

I read this one pretty quickly while at the lake, after I finished The Shippers. It’s confusing because I read it in two days and couldn’t put it down, yet I didn’t totally love it. I am all for pretty much anything Abby writes, but this one just didn’t do it for me as much. Maybe because the topics were a little heavier than usual, or I didn’t fall in love with the characters. I will, however, still “check it out” to friends from my summer library!

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This one has been on my TBR for years, as I have really enjoyed so many of TJR’s other books. It came up as a Libby read, and I thought it was the perfect time (summer) to dive in. Must like Abby’s book; I read this fairly quickly (and listened to some on audio - Julia Whelan narrates!), but it wasn’t my favorite. I forget how much language, drugs, and sex are in her books. The Riva family kept me guessing, and I wanted to see it til the end. The last chapter really got me in my feels!

✿Currently Reading

Capable: How to Teach Your Kids the Strengths, Skills, and Strategies to Build Resilience by Sissy Goff and David Thomas

This is my summer parenting book! As I have been thinking about our “theme” for summer, the word that keeps coming up is capable. It’s something I want to instill in my four children, and something I want to feel as a parent too. I’m listening to this on Audible so I can go back and re-listen. So far, 10/10

Dolly All The Time by Annabel Monaghan

This is another auto-buy author for me! I think there’s only been one AM book that I didn’t fall in love with. I ordered this at our local indie bookstore, and my treat to myself is after I finish packing the kids for camp and finishing this email - I’ll start it! By the time you read this, I hope I’ve started it last night!

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✿ A Final Thought

May was full for pretty much all of us (amiright?) It’s so tempting to finish up the marathon that was May-cember and roll right into summer, especially if we think we need to bring the same pace.

My hope is that you have some time to unwind and de-stress, get up early to see the sunrise, spend time with your kids 1:1, and enjoy the slower pace of the season.

Thanks so much for reading!!!!