This Day Has Great Potential: FAMILY FUN TIME -- July Blog Challenge #bloggingthroughJuly #summerchallenge

I've just returned from a children's ministry day trip to the Natural Science Museum and we had a really good time together. The heat index was 110 today, but we still managed to have a picnic, play on the playground, see the exhibits, find our favorite species in the aquarium, walk the nature trail, and find our way out of the maze.

Granted, this wasn't my immediate family, but I love these kids and count my church family as my own. I really like this picture of all of us gathered around the alligator turtle exhibit. We were trying to get him to come over and say hello. He was HUGE!

If you've visited the blog much, you know I am feeling a bit of panic as my oldest headed off to grad school in May and her sister plans a wedding (in just 8 weeks). I'm worried that we didn't DO enough to make lifetime memories with our kids. I want to make sure that my youngest two have plenty of family time and I pray I didn't mess up with the older two. The time passed too quickly and I had so many plans. We are trying to make sure to spend more time together.

For fun, we are planning a tubing trip down the Bogue Chitto River soon and I am learning to say YES to impromptu activities. I've been a "No" mom far too long. Any suggestions on fun things we can do?

On another note: We buried our sweet dog, Finleigh, yesterday afternoon and we've shed tears of sadness together. We'll sure miss that girl. She's been a part of our family for 7 years and we kind of thought she would be around forever. She had a good life and we've loved her dearly. It's hard to say goodbye.

It's a hard reminder to have fun together as we share life. Make memories this summer, my friends. And don't forget to include your pets. Hold them tight. Give them special treats. Let them lay beside you in bed and snuggle close.

Remember to put your family first and enjoy one another with every opportunity you have.