a happy list // volume 1

Happy July!

It's insane that the summer is already almost halfway over, and that truly makes me sad, but I'm loving soaking up the time with my family and friends this month. I've seen these posts (happy lists) before and just thought I'd give it a go! I'll share some things that are going on in my life while also inspiring you to be grateful for all the little things in life that make me so happy.

• sunny mornings with that summer smell in the air

• singing at church

• bear hugs from Dad <3

• our 2025 Boston trip (one of my favorite cities ever! We walked around 25 miles, indulged in amazing food and coffee/matcha, went whale-watching, and I just loved taking in the gorgeous architecture and capturing the perfect photos! I am so glad we were blessed with that trip.)

• seeing a humpback whale!

• getting added to an epic writer's group chat

• our house getting painted!

• clear skin!

• the time of day when the sun is just above the hill on the horizon, pouring its golden light into our home

• journaling my thoughts and prayers after a beautiful day full of laughs and family

• movie nights! (Napoleon Dynamite, baby!)

• yogurt bowls!

• G's Frozen Custard!! (best custard in the world. Seriously.)

• the feeling after a good Caroline Girvan workout (I love and hate her, haha)

• the best nutritious summer meals (my mom is the best cook)

• humid evening workouts and sprints at the track with my fam

• rainy summer days full of writing and coffee

• receiving a crisp handwritten letter in the mailbox

• Ice-cold Poppi sodas 🤤

• coffee dates with the fam

• smell of dried lavender

• driving around with the windows down on the Fourth, listening to music (current fav = Dylan Gossett)

• new shoes! I have a shoe obsession and just got a pair of light pink Nike sprinting shoes

• new jeans from Levi's + a cute shirt from Nordstrom Rack in Boston

• no school!

• regular workouts!

• little Alice's snuggles

• Bible studies and talks with the fam

• having time to pray

• texting my best friends

• Fresh tomatoes from the garden

• chocolate croissants

• my 17th birthday

• cool evenings on the back deck

• starry lit skies

• the best iced vanilla matchas from CoffeeHead

• being a regular @Circle

• skies full of fluffy clouds

• laughing uncontrollably

• awesome movies

• spontaneous trips to downtown Lawrence

• burgers!

I hope you enjoyed this post! I'd like to do a happy list every month, so stay tuned. What are your favorite parts of summer?

xoxo,

bylilyjohanna