Summer Lovin' ...Had us a BLAST!

As I write this, I'm on my last official week of summer and of course I'm a little nostalgic looking back at all these great moments that we had. This summer was the shortest break we've had in school history. The kids and I didn't finish until June 22nd and Chris and I start back on Monday, August 9th.  But we sure did pack A LOT into these 6 1/2 weeks. Here are just a few of our highlights:

I got to have a Mother-Son Date Night with Rilley this past Thursday. We split a Sushi for 2 Boat at Akahana in Fort Mill before heading to the outlets to do some shoe shopping (which by the way...we bought boys size 7 and MEN'S size 8 shoes). I got to talk with my sweet boy about the transition to middle school, his hopes, dreams, fears, his faith, friends, and feelings. It was awesome! I need make 1:1 time (with the kids and Chris) even more of a priority because it gives me such a precious glimpse into each person's heart and soul. 

  

I got the "opportunity" to attend a New Teacher Institute in Rock Hill this past Wednesday and am super excited about starting my new position as a Math Interventionist at Oakdale (more about that later). That evening, we got to surprise Chris with a special guest (Brian/"Boss") as we took him to Lupie's for his traditional birthday dinner of Chili Mac. It was so great to catch up with him! 

Speaking of celebrating Chris...this fella turned 50 this year!! It feels like just yesterday we were doing a Whitewater Rafting trip together and then having a surprise party for his 40th. For this milestone though, Chris wanted to have a camping trip with a bunch of his buddies in the mountains. So he and some guys from work and QCP took off to Hot Springs, NC for a couple of days. When Chris got home, we got to show him a slide show that we had put together from different words that people contributed. 

The kids got surprised with some Christmas in July stocking stuffers. 

I LOVE making our Fisher Family Summer Bucket List and this year, blowing giant bubbles was on the list. Such simple joys and beautiful memories! 

We had a combination of playdates, back to school shopping, pool hopping (between Shiland and Laurel Creek) and "earning screen time" on the few weeks that we were in town this summer. 

And we also made good use of our Carowinds Season Passes that rolled over from last year since we weren't able to use them due to COVID. We hit the jackpot on June 22nd when we went right after the last day of school and the kids were able to ride a TON of rollercoasters and water slides without any lines at all. They even rode the Copperhead Strike (twice in a row) as you'll see from a later picture. 

While the kids were engaged with VBS at Oakland Baptist one night, Chris and I snuck in a date night to Old Town Kitchen which is a new restaurant we'd been wanting to try. The food was great. The Moscow mules were tasty, but the fellowship was even better. :) 

Riley went away for an ENTIRE week to Scout Camp at Camp Barstow in July. He had a blast and was able to rank up to Tenderfoot and earn his swimming merit badge. Meanwhile, Maggie attended Drama Camp at Showcase and helped write a script in which she played a doctor with a secret potion to help the Spy Kids. It's so rewarding as a parent to watch your children express themselves in different ways and really shine as individuals! 

 Maggie and I hosted an afternoon tea party one day while Riley was at camp and we had such fun creating some yummy snacks and using Mommaw Woolen's "fancy dishes". I enjoyed catching up with my friend Darra Dane and her three daughters too. 

Mom and I got to snag some 1:1 time for her birthday at Le Peep in mid July and just a few days before that I was able to catch up with CSTALCK girls for a weekend away in Beaufort. It really is amazing to have time to connect with others. Friendship and relationship tending are so important!

I am especially grateful that I got to catch up with my brother and Roe face-to-face after what feels like FOREVER (due to COVID) when we went to Asheville in July. I got spoiled on my birthday with delicious foods like White Duck Taco and the Chocolate Lounge and then later with yummy beverages from breweries and Indian food for dinner. It was such fun to play games, talk, hike, and just enjoy being around each other again. Distance truly does make the heart grow fonder! I've missed the mess out of this boy and his sweet wife! 

We got to celebrate 4th of July with Mom and Dad at their friend's neighborhood block party. It was quite a unique experience. Maggie and I ended up watching most of the fireworks from the car because there were sparks, ash, and Roman candles flying in every direction. Riley enjoyed the thrill of it all though. 

We were supposed to go to a Knights baseball game for Father's Day but it got rained out, so we went July 3rd instead. It was a great game (and it helped that they won). The kids loved doing the wave, eating snacks, and trying to get on the megascreen camera. 

 

We kicked off our summer with a trip to Garden City beach near Myrtle with just our family for 2 nights. It was short and sweet, but just what these tired souls needed after a stressful teaching and learning year. The hotel wasn't much to look at it, but the sand and surf were beautiful. We tried our hand at some trick photography, body surfing, miniature golf, and shell collecting. We saw a huge shark off the side of the pier on our way home from getting ice cream and we feasted on great seafood from Lee's Inlet Kitchen. 

Chris and I celebrated Year #16 of being married. We exchanged traditional and modern gifts (wax and silver tableware) gifts with each other which are always a challenge and excitement to buy and open. We took the opportunity to grab drink at Amor Artis (and Chris was a good sport and played Spouse Scattergories with me), eat at one of our favorite restaurants (Persis) and then head to the Whitewater Center for an outdoor concert. I loved spending time with my #1 Honey! 

Riley was a trooper and braved having a Herbst device added to his braces on June 23rd, so we celebrated with a sweet treat afterwards!

To mark the end of Riley's 5th grade career and A/B Honor Roll for both kids, we got REAL fondue at Melting Pot. It was delicious without a doubt!

We had fun celebrating our "Fun Guy" for Father's Day and making him a special breakfast. We hope he knows how deeply he is loved every day of the year though. 

It was bittersweet having to say goodbye to my Riverview Elementary friends and to clean out my classroom, but I was absolutely in awe of how God was able to provide me with so many amazing leadership and growth opportunities this past year. I met some awesome co-workers and students and I truly felt like God placed me on this "mission field" for a reason. I was super excited to find out before school ended though that I had been hired (AGAIN) as the Math Interventionist at Oakdale Elementary. After 13 interviews, 9 rejections, and 4 offers over the course of a year and a half, it feels so nice to land my "dream job" and know that God has me exactly where He wants me!  

Maggie WOWed us with her Hip Hop and Jazz performances this Spring and we were so impressed that she earned the Most Improved medal and a free month of tuition for her hard work this year!

 I have been richly blessed by attending this women's group called Saturated-Rock Hill. A friend invited me last minute in May and it has truly empowered, enriched, and equipped me in ways that I had been asking God to do. I LOVE when He knows my heart's desires and finds ways to provide for them that I never knew about or thought of. This group gathers at a friend's house for a time of testimony, worship, teaching and prayer. I love that it includes women from all kinds of different churches and backgrounds as well as ethnicities. Having diverse relationships has become so important to me and one of the reasons why I started a Be The Bridge Marco Polo group with women who are interested in racial reconciliation as well. 

This is one member and friend that I'm so thankful for who is in our lives...Carol Long...Maggie's hairdresser and a woman who has a fierce faith and instills a lot of confidence in my girl! 

"DONUT" you know, this sweet girl is now 9 years old! We had a pool party with some of her friends to mark this momentous occasion! :) So thankful this bundle of energy that blesses our lives on a daily basis!

Nan and Pap stopped by in May to celebrate Memorial Day and birthdays with us too. Nan got to go with Maggie to Claire's to have her get her ears pierced for the first time. We loved meeting Cleo too! 

I can't believe this awesome boy is now 11! He wanted to commemorate his birthday with a video game party with his buddies. It's so neat seeing some friendships that Riley has kept since Kindergarten still flourishing and it's crazy for me to think about how quickly time seems to be flying!  

I felt dearly loved and celebrated for Mother's Day too with sweet cards, a brunch at Sweet Caroline's, and a scratch off Adventure Family Book gift (Chris knows me so well). 

I'm going to miss all the popsicles and ice cream as well as the sweet extra time with friends that summer allows! Getting together can still happen, it'll just take a little more intentional time and planning.

 Maggie caught her first ever fish at Lake Glenwood when we joined Tim and Jen for their family vacation in late July. Tubing on the pontoon boat, cooking s'mores over a fire, playing ping pong, climbing up and down 70 stairs from the dock to the living room, filling our bellies with good food and drinks, and having lots of laughter and conversation along the way were just a few of the precious memories we made. 

As we set "sail" into a new season and school year, I pray that our sights will not be on the storms that may pass by, but in a rudder of faith that can steer us towards beautiful destinations each and every day!