And that is just the major *events* — not to mention the out-of-the-ordinary projects I also worked on this month, like prepping my message for the Island Sunday service and packing for Maine.

On this side of the calendar, I don’t really have any big takeaways. Do I wish all of those things had been crammed into one month? Not really. Was I tired and overwhelmed at points? Yes. But they are all things we chose, and I never felt alone in the action: we were accompanied along the way by friends, family, and neighbors. So mostly, I’m feeling grateful — but also ready for a bit of a quieter August :)

On my calendar:
— A week in Maine! My happiest place.
— All the back-to-school things, including a special family dinner, a TTT, and shopping + conversation dates.
— The first day of school! The last year of elementary for June and the first year for Annie, with Shep squeezed in the middle and starting second grade.

What I’m loving right now:
— While the ubiquitous Lulu was my intro to belt bags, I eventually wanted an elevated version for less-sporty adventures. Copying one of my most stylish friends, Adelyn, made the decision easy: this leopard-print Rivedroite bag. I was delighted when one of my favorite international readers commented with approving surprise that I was sporting such a niche European brand :)
— Longtime readers may remember a favorite serial audio story, On the Night Train, that my kids have now listened to several times over. We just discovered something similar — Welcome to Hope Springs — and listened to the first season on our drive to Michigan. Wanted to pass it along in case your family has a road trip in its future!
— For your own listening pleasure, I’ll offer up another episode from Tim Mackie’s Exploring My Strange Bible podcast: A Future for My Work. As always, he gave me new ideas to chew on and a fresh perspective.

As a reminder, you can find allll the things I’ve loved over the last few years neatly organized right here!

What you’re loving right now:

This is where I highlight a few items here that have been popular in the last month with fellow readers, based on my analytics. Here’s hoping this will help you find something you’ll love!

— June’s lookalike Lake pajama set. So cute, soft, and a great price.
— Our board game of the summer that’s genuinely as enjoyable with two players as it is with four.
— The reasonably-priced taper candles I’ve ordered in so many colors for dinner party decor.
— My giant sun hat, because we all know skincare won’t go too far without physical sun protection.
— This smocked tank dress, my big purchase from the spring that’s still going strong. Even though I opted for a bolder pattern, it has seen SO much wear – the silhouette is just so easy to pull on and feels like the right choice for occasions both casual and fancy. The other versions, too! Red gingham and pale yellow

Last month on The Connected Family:
— In praise of the non-optimized vacation | Here we are, together, again.
— You don’t have to go to Europe | You can, but you don’t have to.
— The best gift you can give your siblings | On negative externalities and cousin crews
— How to be present on vacation | Technology makes it harder than it should be.

What I read in July:
— Fellowship Point | From the description, this book was right up my alley: “A story of lifelong friendship between two very different women with shared histories, divisive loyalties, hidden sorrows, and eighty years of summers on a pristine point of land on the coast of Maine.” It was a bit of a doorstop, and while I don’t mind a lengthy book, I didn’t think this one earned its girth. I didn’t love either of the main characters and the writing wasn’t my cup of tea.
— The Screwtape Letters | This was a re-read after many years; I was struck again how relevant Lewis’s writing remains 80 years later. If you haven’t read this one yet, you should — it’s short, engaging (the perspective — letters from a demon to his nephew, with advice for tempting humans away from God — keeps you on your toes), and both funny and serious. I’ve added it to the list of books I want our kids to read before they leave our home.
— Teatime Discipleship | While I picked this up hoping it would have insight into discipling one’s own kids (and it does!), I left encouraged to engage people in all sorts of relationships. Sally’s writing is like a warm, grace-filled hug, and this book is no different.

My reading list for 2026! I’m 11 / 24 so far.

Revisiting my July goals:
Hang backyard string lights and Annie’s curtains (We hung the string lights in 96 degree heat but we got it done!! Curtains still pending.)
Execute Annie and Shep’s birthday parties
Edit June in June
Tend to this month’s clutter spot: the attic
Host the neighborhood kindergarten ice cream social
Host and enjoy Cousin Camp
Finish writing my Sunday service message
Celebrate all of our July birthday folks well, both in our immediate and extended family

August goals:
— Edit June in June
— Finalize new chore charts for the new school year
— Schedule and enjoy back-to-school shopping dates with all three kids
— Tend to this month’s clutter spot: the second-floor bookshelf
— Film Annie and Shep’s birthday videos

As a reminder, many of these are drawn from my 2026 PowerSheets goals!

Let’s see… what does back to school look like for you this year? Do you have kids who’ve already started back, or are you the end of the month like us? Or are you just feeling that fresh-start season for yourself? I’d love to hear!

Affiliate links are used in this post!

Here, then, are a few snaps from our time in Northern Michigan this July. A little bit of background for those who are new or hoping to plan a trip:

John’s extended family owns a house on a small lake near Beulah, MI. It’s not quite big enough to fit all 15 of our immediate-extended family (parents, siblings, nieces and nephews), so we rent a nearby house (or houses) to sleep and eat a few meals at and then spend our days with the rest of the family at the family house, which is lakefront. This year, we stayed in this rental and it was wonderful.

Our days are mostly spent on or next to the lake: reading, chatting, taking out kayaks or paddle boards, waterskiing and tubing, playing corn hole, digging in the sand of the small “beach,” wading out to the float for more chatting.

If we venture away from the lake, here are a few things we like to do:

— Hike the Sleeping Bear Dunes or drive Pierce Stocking to explore the scenic pull-offs
— Glen Arbor: eat and shop at Cherry Republic, shop at M22 and Cottonseed Apparel
— Frankfort: play pickle ball, browse the shops, jump off the jetty, play beach volleyball
— Beulah/Honor: catch a movie at the Cherry Bowl drive-in theater, eat at The Cherry Hut, get ice cream at Riverside, tube down the Platte River, play at the river mouth where it meets Lake Michigan, eat at Five Shores Brewing, eat and drink on the lawn at St. Ambrose Cellars
— Traverse City: go to a Traverse City Pit Spitters (summer league) baseball game, eat a farm-to-table dinner at Farm Club

And now, here are a few photos of us doing most of those things :)

I know this post is light on the details, so if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask! You can also check out my past posts about Michigan below:

2013
2017
2022
2024

Thanks, as always, for letting me share, friends!

I haven’t used Claude much, and so was surprised by, and impressed with, the fancy packaging it created for the game. The questions it came up with were also pretty good, but I edited them to be even better — and added a patriotic song in between each round. The resulting trivia game and singalong kept us occupied for a good two hours in the car, and even though our semiquincentennial has passed, I wanted to offer it to you! Save it for your next road trip, save it for America’s 251st birthday, or do it around the table tonight.

We made this to fit our family exactly (with questions aimed at a 4-year-old, an 8-year-old, a 10-year-old, and an adult), but feel free to flex it depending on your kids and their exposure to history. And also, don’t worry if your kids don’t know all the answers — ours definitely didn’t. These are things we think are worth knowing, though, and a trivia game was a fun way to pass them along.

I’ve included the questions below in plain text, as well as the intra-round song suggestions. The link to a playlist with all the songs mentioned is here and the interactive Claude game is here! (Hopefully it works!)

Round 1:

4yo: What three colors are on the American flag? Red, white, and blue 
8yo: How many stars are on the American flag, and what do they represent? 50, the current 50 states
10yo: How many stripes are on the American flag, and what do they represent? 13, the original 13 colonies
Adult: Who is traditionally credited with sewing the first American flag? Betsy Ross

Song: “You’re a Grand Old Flag”

Round 2:

4yo: In what year did the US declare independence? 1776
8yo: What document officially declared the colonies free from Britain? The Declaration Of Independence 
10yo: Who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence? Thomas Jefferson
Adult: Which Enlightenment philosopher’s ideas on natural rights most directly shaped the Declaration’s opening arguments? John Locke (shout-out to my fellow Lost fans)

Song: “This Land is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie

Round 3:

4yo: What country did America gain its freedom from? England (or Great Britain)
8yo: What event involved colonists dumping tea into Boston Harbor to protest a tax? The Boston Tea Party
10yo: What famous phrase summed up colonists’ anger about being taxed without a voice in Parliament? “No taxation without representation”
Adult: Who was the ruler of Great Britain at the time of the American Revolution? King George III

Song: “You’ll Be Back” by Jonathan Groff from Hamilton

Round 4:

4yo: Who do we call the brave people who fought for America’s freedom? Patriots (or soldiers)
8yo: Who was the general who led the Continental Army? George Washington
10yo: What do we call the colonists who sided with the British? Loyalists
Adult: What two Massachusetts towns were the sights of the first battles of the Revolutionary War? Lexington and Concord

Song: “Battle Hymn of the Republic” (traditional, also a very cool version by Jon Batiste)

Round 5:

4yo: What do we see light up the sky at night on July 4th? Fireworks
8yo: What war was fought to win American Independence? The American Revolutionary War
10yo: Who was the nighttime rider who warned everyone “the British are coming”? Paul Revere
Adult: What famous phrase describes the first shot fired at Lexington and Concord? “The shot heard round the world.”

Song: “Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa

Round 6:

4yo: What bird is America’s national symbol? The bald eagle 
8yo: Finish the phrase: “Life, liberty, and ____.” The pursuit of happiness
10yo: What is the term for rights that people are born with, which no government can take away? Natural rights, or unalienable rights
Adult: According to the Declaration, from where do governments derive their “just powers”? “The consent of the governed.”

Song: “God Bless America” by Kate Smith

Round 7:

4yo: True or false: One person signed their name to the Declaration of Independence. False
8yo: How many people signed the Declaration of Independence? 56
10yo: Name three signers of the Declaration of Independence. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, John Hancock, etc.
Adult: Complete the famous line: “We hold these truths to be ___…” “Self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” (As much as you can!)

Song: “My Country, ’Tis of Thee” by Aretha Franklin

Round 8:

4yo: Who was the very first president of the United States? George Washington
8yo: Which Founder was a famous inventor, printer, and America’s first Postmaster General? Benjamin Franklin
10yo: Who wrote the words to our national anthem? Francis Scott Key
Adult: Name one (or more) of the three authors of the Federalist Papers. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay

Song: “Alexander Hamilton” by Lin-Manuel Miranda and cast from Hamilton

Round 9:

4yo: What is the name of the President’s house? The White House
8yo: What famous document starts with the words “We the People”? The United States Constitution 
10yo: In what city was the Constitution written? Philadelphia 
Adult: In what year was the Constitution signed? 1787

Song: “The Preamble” by Schoolhouse Rock (had to find this on YouTube; not on Spotify)

Round 10:

4yo: What is the name of the character with a white beard, top hat, and striped pants who represents America? Uncle Sam
8yo: What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution called, as a group? The Bill of Rights
10yo: Which amendment protects freedom of speech, religion, and the press? The First Amendment
Adult: Who is often called the “Father of the Constitution” and helped draft the Bill of Rights? James Madison

Song: “America the Beautiful” by Ray Charles

Round 11:

4yo: What is the name of our country’s national anthem? The Star-Spangled Banner 
8yo: What do we call the famous bell that stands for freedom? The Liberty Bell
10yo: In what city can you visit the Liberty Bell today? Philadelphia
Adult: What building did the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution both get signed in? Independence Hall

Song: “One Last Time” by Christopher Jackson from Hamilton

Round 12:

4yo: What do we call the leader of our country? The President
8yo: Name one (or more) of the three branches of the U.S. government. Executive, judicial, legislative 
10yo: Name the two bodies in Congress. The Senate and the House of Representatives
Adult: What system keeps any one branch of government from becoming too powerful? Checks and balances

Song: “Yankee Doodle Dandy” by Gene Autry

Round 13:

4yo: What color is the Statue of Liberty? Green-blue
8yo: Which country gave the Statue of Liberty to America, as a gift celebrating friendship and freedom? France
10yo: Name one of the Founding Fathers who served as Ambassador to France. Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, or James Monroe
Adult: Which French figure played a key role in the Continental Army and American Revolution? The Marquis de Lafayette

Song: The Armed Forces Medley by the United States Army Field Band

Round 14:

4yo: What is the capital city of the United States? Washington, D.C.
8yo: True or false: Abraham Lincoln was a Founding Father. False
10yo: What’s the nickname for the American flag? Old Glory
Adult: In which city was the Declaration of Independence signed? Philadelphia, PA

Song: “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver

Round 15:

4yo: What do we call the day America celebrates being born as a free country? Independence Day 
8yo: How many years of independence did the U.S. celebrate on July 4, 2026? 250
10yo: Which four presidents are on Mount Rushmore? George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt
Adult: Two founding fathers’ deaths are remarkably linked. Who are they and what is the link? Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years to the day after the Declaration of Independence was adopted.

Song: “American Pie” by Don McLean

How’d you do on the grown-up questions? :) I’d love to hear!

The one drawback? The adjustment back to normalcy seems more challenging than if I had kept one foot in the digital world. And there’s been no easing in: I’m coming back to a full-court press of logistics, with VBS carpool arrangements to be made, a birthday to celebrate, a birthday party to throw, a kindergarten neighborhood ice cream social to host, a sleepaway camp to pack for, and a houseguest to welcome — and that’s all just this week. (Whew.)

But the week’s reprieve was worth it, and I’m grateful. On to what’s next!

On my calendar:
— Annie, John, and Shep’s birthdays! Lots of number balloons, special dinners, and celebrations in our future.
— June’s two weeks at sleepaway camp — a highlight of her year, every year.
— Cousin Camp! After a skip last year, we’re thrilled to host our two NC cousins again for a week of sleepovers, bike rides, and bake sales.

What I’m loving right now:
— June recently requested a pajama shorts set that was less form-fitting and in the style of Lake. After a little searching, we went with this pair in the blue stripe for the stunning sale price of $10 and they are SO CUTE in person. Very much a Lake look and feel if you have a little lady in your life who wants to coordinate! (This set is also very cute!)
— I always enjoy The Atlantic’s cover stories (and appreciate reading them in print, because they’re often 20,000+ words!), but this recent one on online gambling (gift link!) was especially interesting, since it’s not a world I know much about. Worth a read — we’re actually discussing it for Articles Club this month.
— Speaking of Articles Club — when I host, I usually line the table with taper candles. These are some of the best I’ve found at a reasonable price and with lots of color options. (And this and this are the newest additions to my tablecloth collection — a weakness, but at least I do use them all regularly!) 

As a reminder, you can find allll the things I’ve loved over the last few years neatly organized right here!

What you’re loving right now:

This is where I highlight a few items here that have been popular in the last month with fellow readers, based on my analytics. Here’s hoping this will help you find something you’ll love!

— My giant sun hat, because we all know skincare won’t go too far without physical sun protection.
— The pastel snackle box we used for Teacher Appreciation Gifts this year. Perfect for pool trips, picnics, and beach days, too!
— The cleansing balm I’ve added to my skincare routine. I’m now a double cleanser and I’m not mad about it. Easy to travel with, too!
— This smocked tank dress, my big purchase from the spring that’s still going strong. Even though I opted for a bolder pattern, it has seen SO much wear – the silhouette is just so easy to pull on and feels like the right choice for occasions both casual and fancy. The other versions, too! Red gingham and pale yellow
— Our board game of the summer that’s genuinely as enjoyable with two players as it is with four.

Last month on The Connected Family:
— TCF Review of the Mighty 3, a kid-friendly, screen-free music player | Stepping up the ladder of technology
— The 2026 TCF Summer Reading Guide | Or, just give them a book
— 65+ life skills we’re teaching our kids | And how we’re going about it
— Finding time for each other in middle childhood, paying for daycare, whether I’ve ever considered being a stay-at-home mom, and more | Our twice-yearly audio AMA

What I read in June:
— The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Volume I | I am on the bandwagon! My many friends that have read and loved this series warned me that it starts slow, so I wasn’t put off by the leisurely pace. I enjoyed meeting the inhabitants of St. Albans and look forward to picking back up with them in Vol. 2! These are light, delightful, wholesome reads.
— Lady Tremaine | Okay — I enjoyed this book, but I don’t think it will be one of my favorites from the year. This is not because it wasn’t good — it was! It was clever, elegantly-written, it had some sympathetic characters, and the plot left me reading longer into the night than I should have, especially in the second half. It’s more of a me-thing, a quirk of my contrarian streak: I can’t help but think that the enormous popularity of revisionist fairy tales right now is entwined with our current culture’s pervasive relativism, something I disagree with. So I guess I’m just not rooting for this book, you know? Feel free to disagree in the comments :)
— What Editors Do | I am reading this collection of essays at work in prep for some upcoming responsibility shifts; it is decidedly not a universal recommendation, but as a professional editor and writer, I’m really enjoying it!

My reading list for 2026! I’m 10 / 24 so far.

Revisiting my June goals:
Hang string lights, curtains, and, height ruler with my Dad’s help (We got to the ruler and made some progress on the string lights!)
Film June in June
Book our 2027 Yosemite trip (Done!! Can’t wait!)
Tend to this month’s clutter spot: the attic
End the school year and begin summer well
Prep for sleepaway camp (Some prep completed, and some more to go)
Organize the hot sauce bar at church for Father’s Day
Celebrate Annie’s Walk Around the Sun
Continue planning for the neighborhood kindergarten ice cream social, Annie’s birthday party, and Shep’s birthday party, all in July

July goals:
— Hang backyard string lights and Annie’s curtains
— Execute Annie and Shep’s birthday parties
— Edit June in June
— Tend to this month’s clutter spot: the attic
— Host the neighborhood kindergarten ice cream social
— Host and enjoy Cousin Camp
— Finish writing my Sunday service message
— Celebrate all of our July birthday folks well, both in our immediate and extended family

As a reminder, many of these are drawn from my 2026 PowerSheets goals!

Let’s see… any buzzy book you’ve got a contrarian opinion about? Is there a particular month with tons of birthdays in your family? Have you just returned or are ready to head out on vacation? I’d love to hear whatever’s on your mind as we move into the second half of the year!

Affiliate links are used in this post!

On my calendar:
— The last day of school! Currently plotting details for our kick-off-to-summer celebration dinner and TTT.
— A beach weekend in Emerald Isle. We’ve loved exploring different coastal towns in NC for the past few Junes and are crossing our fingers for the same excellent weather we’ve enjoyed in recent years. (A few past trips here: Bald Head Island, Beaufort, Swansboro/Hammocks Beach)
— Father’s Day! I’m organizing a hot sauce bar for the men at our church and celebrating my own wonderful husband, Dad, and father-in-law.

What I’m loving right now:
— This is admittedly niche, but in light of last week’s ode to neighborhood swim team, I thought I’d share. One reason my kids love swim is because they get to be part of a team but also compete against themselves. To track their improvement over a season, I made simple charts in Canva, and they love marking off progress after each meet. Feel free to steal and adjust for your own fridge!
— This smocked tank dress was my big purchase this spring. Even though I opted for a bolder pattern, it has seen SO much wear – the silhouette is just so easy to pull on and feels like the right choice for occasions both casual and fancy. A few other versions: red gingham and pale yellow.
— John’s sister and brother-in-law brought this board game with them on a recent trip and the same day they left we bought our own copy at Barnes & Noble! While it is one of those complicated games that’s tedious to learn, it’s not hard to play, and it’s genuinely as enjoyable with two players as it is with four.

As a reminder, you can find allll the things I’ve loved over the last few years neatly organized right here!

What you’re loving right now:

This is where I highlight a few items here that have been popular in the last month with fellow readers, based on my analytics. Here’s hoping this will help you find something you’ll love!

— The magical, shape-shifting puzzle we took on our spring break road trip
— My giant sun hat, because we all know skincare won’t go too far without physical sun protection.
— The pastel snackle box we used for Teacher Appreciation Gifts this year. Perfect for pool trips, picnics, and beach days, too!
— The cleansing balm I’ve added to my skincare routine. I’m now a double cleanser and I’m not mad about it. Easy to travel with, too!
— The book we have June’s teachers sign at the end of every school year. More on this tradition here!

Last month on The Connected Family:
— How do we become wise in the age of the bottomless scroll? | An ode to Reader’s Digest and the commonplace book
— Plan a low-screen summer with me! | Boredom, a kindness challenge, and a fill-in worksheet for kids and parents
— Plan an analog summer with me — for you! | Strategies for putting down the phone and picking up real life
— The best activity you can do this summer | It will take over your life for eight weeks and you’ll be nothing but grateful.

What I read in May:
— Meditations for Mortals | This book is akin to a secular devotional based on the author’s previous book, Four Thousand Weeks, which I read a few years ago. Though I took issue with some of his ideas in the original, he also genuinely changed my thinking and behavior as it relates to productivity and time management in lasting ways. I’m reading one (brief) chapter a day and enjoying the refresher.
— The Correspondent | I finally read this incredibly buzzy book — and it was worth the wait! (Speaking of wait — I was number 1,364 on the hold list for this book at my library, by far the longest wait list I’d ever seen. I eventually borrowed a copy from a friend to bypass the list!) This epistolary novel, containing letters written by the aged protagonist Sybil and her correspondents, unfolds with richness and surprise. Because Sybil reminds me SO MUCH of my maternal grandmother – rigid, gruff, but also caring and generous – I know this novel will stick with me for awhile. For more on the author’s unlikely story, don’t miss this WSJ feature.
— Isola | On to the next buzzy novel! Based on an incredible true story, Isola is the tale of a 16th-century heiress who finds herself abandoned on a tiny island off the coast of Canada with her lover and her nursemaid. As the weather turns bleak, she fights to survive — and finds new dimensions within that will change the course of her life. Recommend!

My reading list for 2026! I’m 10 / 24 so far.

Revisiting my May goals:
See our renovation projects to completion (Done! They finished the final details the day our weekend houseguests were set to arrive!)
Hang string lights in our backyard (Lights were purchased and we will hang them with my Dad’s help this weekend.)
Edit Annie in April (Done! So cute!)
Refresh our plan for summer days at home (More here!)
Tend to this month’s clutter spot: the attic (Switched the spot to our master bathroom as I prioritized organizing our new space, so calling this good!)
Get ahead on summer TCF newsletters (A little bit, though not as much as I’d have liked.)
Block out birthday party details for both Shep and Annie, our July babies (Done! Annie is having the most low-key party possible and Shep is having the most complicated, over-the-top party possible, ha. Looking forward to them both :))
Complete the first draft of my Sunday service (No progress here.)
Hang curtains for Annie (They haven’t arrived yet, so no progress here!)

June goals:
— Hang string lights, curtains, and, height ruler with my Dad’s help
— Film June in June
— Book our 2027 Yosemite trip!!
— Tend to this month’s clutter spot: the attic
— Film June in June
— End the school year and begin summer well
— Prep for sleepaway camp
— Organize the hot sauce bar at church for Father’s Day
— Celebrate Annie’s Walk Around the Sun. This is a very Montessori tradition that we’ve never participated in, despite having Montessori preschoolers for many years now. Looking forward to wrapping up our time in the Montessori tradition with this sweet moment!
— Continue planning for the neighborhood kindergarten ice cream social, Annie’s birthday party, and Shep’s birthday party, all in July

As a reminder, many of these are drawn from my 2026 PowerSheets goals!

To close, I would love to hear one thing you’re doing to prepare well for summer! No matter what season of life you’re in – whether you have kids or not, a job that shifts or not – a new season on the calendar always feels like an opportunity to be kind to our future selves :) It could be putting books on hold at the library, deciding on a lunch you can repeat, planning now for a trip, or resetting toy storage… the smallest things can make a big difference! Please share in the comments, if you’d like.

Affiliate links are used in this post!

Here is what we’re variously calling the piano room, the library, and the study — even though it currently has no piano and no books. Eventually, I would love to replace the keyboard with an actual piano and hang John’s guitar on the wall nearby, maybe put a little chaise lounge reading nook in the window corner.

You might recognize this rug from our previous foyer. (This whole tour is going to be a bit of a Where’s-Waldo situation for longtime readers!) I don’t know that it will stay here forever, but it keeps things cozier for now. The classic wooden hutch is new to me, from Facebook Marketplace: I sold my navy desk because I needed something taller for this narrow space between the windows and pillar, and I love it. Hilariously, everyone who visits says, “my parents have one of these in their house,” ha. I keep desk supplies, stamps, envelopes, stationery, candles, notebooks, paper napkins, and more in the drawers.

Moving a little further into the room, we have the second half of this space. Same sofa, armchair, chest, bookshelf, etc. from our last house. We are considering whether to do a sectional here, but there is more considering to do. (Plus, that tan beauty, circa 2011, is the comfiest, sturdiest, and most resilient sofa a girl could ever hope for; I’m not sure I could ever part with it.)

I know some of you will love this fireplace, and I love that! Alas, it was too modern for my taste, and as the centerpiece of our home, I knew something that better reflected our style would change the tenor of the entire downstairs. Spoiler alert: it has! Plus, we needed more storage for books :)

Moving around the corner, we come to this sunny nook. I took these photos over the last few months, but happily kept my – ahem – winter garland up long past Christmas. I just loved looking at the happy faces of our loved ones! We’re not sure what we’ll do long-term with this space – maybe a little breakfast table and pair of chairs? – but right now the other comfy armchair is working great. I keep my planner open on the bench for quick reference, with more books underneath.

Next door is the kitchen. The previous owner reworked the layout, replaced the cabinetry, widened the door into the dining room, etc., and I mostly like her choices — except, of course, for the dreaded chevron. It will go one day, but I can be patient :) The light pouring in across the whole back of the house is just my favorite.

Finally, the dining room! I hung the exact same chandelier as in our old house because I love it so much. Though I’m grateful for the sideboard storage in here (it held our TV in the old house), I think I’d eventually like to build a corner hutch and move it elsewhere to make it a little easier to navigate around the table. And maybe wallpaper, though our bathroom wallpaper saga has possibly sworn me off the stuff forever.

There you have it! If you have any questions about sources or anything else, just leave a comment — I’m more than happy to help.

Back with the upstairs in a bit!

Our teacher graduation book signing tradition (2025)
Our Google Docs family packing list (2023)
Marvelous Money: The financial implications of having a third child (2023)
I am the standard (2018)
Marvelous Mama Beth (2017)
On turning ten (2010)

With many more Mays to come! And here’s what’s going on this particular May:

On my calendar:
— Teacher Appreciation Week! Our main gift for all classroom teachers is this snackle box filled with some of their favorite treats and a gift card to a local business.
— A father-son camp weekend for John and Shep at the brother camp of June’s camp. I hope they love their parent-child weekend experience as much as June and I did!
— The start of neighborhood swim team! Our family has volunteered to move the “swimmer of the week” signs around every seven days (as instructed by the coaches!) and the kids are so excited to get to be the swim team elves :)

What I’m loving right now:
— June and I started these five-year journals on April 1 and are enjoying the practice immensely! The cover is beautiful, the paper quality is great, and the writing space is just the right size. It’s crazy to think about the life change these journals will hold over the next five years.
— John is a loyal listener to the Knowing Faith podcast and will occasionally send me episodes to listen to, including this one (“Is Retirement a Christian Concept?”). It was thought-provoking and encouraging and I recommend it no matter your background!
— My product fairy godmother Kristin recommended I start double cleansing after reading my skincare routine, and since I was still wiping off makeup with my toning pads even after using my beloved charcoal soap, I decided to give it a try. Instant convert! This balm (which I smooth onto dry skin, lather, then wipe off with a washcloth, then follow with the bar soap) leaves my skin SO soft and clean.

As a reminder, you can find allll the things I’ve loved over the last few years neatly organized right here!

What you’re loving right now:

This is where I highlight a few items here that have been popular in the last month with fellow readers, based on my analytics. Here’s hoping this will help you find something you’ll love!

— The magical, shape-shifting puzzle we took on our spring break road trip
— The embroidered floral cross from Annie’s Easter basket, now hanging over her bed
— Our favorite summer swim goggles for kids. No hair pulling (praise!).
— Annie’s little tie-dye velcro sandals. She is obsessed!
— My giant sun hat, because we all know skincare won’t go too far without physical sun protection.

Last month on The Connected Family:
— A super-simple way to build community and encourage tech-free play | An antidote for the screen-based childhood
— June’s milestone tenth birthday trip | Identity, belonging, and connection — all in one weekend
— 14 things to say to your children | And a call-and-response we use at bedtime
— True influencers | An incomplete list of the people who have shaped me

What I read in April:
— This is So Awkward | I picked up this book — “a modern guide to puberty” — to brush up on my facts as we wade into those waters. While I don’t regret that I read it, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it: First, I think it goes into way more detail than is needed for the average person, though I could see using it as a sort of reference book if you wanted to do a deep dive on a certain topic. Second, it was published in 2023, which means it was being developed in the chaos of 2020… and it shows. Third, they presented certain changes or behaviors as unavoidable that I simply refuse to believe are inevitable. (Mostly around technology, if you can believe it ;))
— The Glassmaker | I will always have a soft spot for Tracy Chevalier, as Girl With a Pearl Earring was one of the first “grown-up” novels I read. (It was published when I was a freshman in high school.) I haven’t kept up with many of her later releases, but enjoyed dipping back into her world of talented artists in richly-drawn historical settings with The Glassmaker. It is an intriguing premise: we follow one woman and her close family members and friends through six centuries, skipping ahead 70, 80, 100 years at a time. Recommend!
— The Library of Unruly Treasures | June requested I read this middle grade novel after she finished it, and I was glad to oblige. The newest offering from the author of the Penderwick series, it is a perfect example of how a novel can exist at the level of a 10-year-old and yet still be written with excellence. A delight!

My reading list for 2026! I’m 6 / 24 so far.

Revisiting my April goals:
Write the first draft of my Sunday service (2/3 of the way done!)
Film Annie in April
Hang string lights in our backyard (Made some progress but not done yet!)
Research outdoor movie set-ups and choose date for first movie
Tend to this month’s clutter spot: the third floor bookshelf
Choose a new wallpaper for the bathroom and otherwise continue to manage our renovation projects (Wallpaper has been an absolute nightmare… but we are (hopefully!) inching closer to completion!)

May goals:
— See our renovation projects to completion
— Hang string lights in our backyard
— Edit Annie in April
— Refresh our plan for summer days at home
— Tend to this month’s clutter spot: the attic
— Get ahead on summer TCF newsletters
— Block out birthday party details for both Shep and Annie, our July babies
— Complete the first draft of my Sunday service
— Hang curtains for Annie

As a reminder, many of these are drawn from my 2026 PowerSheets goals!

Grateful for you, friends! Please feel free to comment on anything I’ve mentioned here or anything else on your mind!

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