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Hello, Friend.

It's been pretty hot outside in Texas the past few weeks, with temps spiking to 110 degrees. Consequently, my kids have sought the refuge of the air-conditioned indoors more than usual. But they've also been spending more time on digital devises than they normally do.

To be honest, we all have.

Isn't that what most people do when they have a few minutes of downtime these days? Reach for their phone? But just because being online is a convenient antidote to boredom doesn't mean staring at a screen for extended periods of time is a healthy habit or one we want to cultivate.

To the contrary. It's a habit I fight hard to break, both in myself and my children. So, in case you feel like digital devises are eating up too much of your family's time, too -- and in honor of the fact July is National Anti-Boredom Month -- this week's link list is full of more fun, constructive ways to fight boredom. Enjoy!

Free resources for you this week:

• ​10 Tech-Free Things Kids Can Do - brainstorm within these broad categories
• ​Unplug - use this free checklist to ensure you & your kids are accomplishing off-line goals
• ​Write a Book - it isn't as hard as you think (here are 6 places to find inspiration)
• ​Do a Craft - revisit an old creative pursuit or learn a new skill
• ​Color a Picture - we have a library full of free coloring pages you can download
• ​Read a Book - peruse my recent reads posts for some good recommendations
• ​Start a Blog - okay, so you'd have to get back online for this one, but you'd be using your digital devise as a creator, not a consumer, and there is a difference!

What I'm reading this week:

I made a quick, overnight trip to Colorado last week, and during the flight there and back I finished one of the most encouraging, inspiring, and personally convicting books I've read in months: Adorned by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth. It's been on my "to read" list since it was first published, but I kept passing it over, mainly because the title didn't do much to pique my interest. However, once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down.

The book is written for women, both young and old, and discusses what the Titus 2 mandate should look like as it's played out in our lives. As usual, Nancy delves deeply into scripture and pulls up nuggets of absolute gold. I would heartily recommend this book to any woman (of any age) who wants to live a life adorned by grace that points others to Jesus.

What we're watching this week:

The girls and I stayed up late watching Dear Frankie a few nights ago on the recommendation of one of my older daughters. I really liked it. The film reminded me a little of Life is Beautiful (another family favorite) in that it depicts the extraordinary lengths to which some parents will go to shield their children from unjust circumstances, even when it means they must shoulder the burden alone.

Progress on last week's goals:

I completely finished one of my tasks from last week and made good progress on the other three, but I'm ready for a break from all the unpacking and organizing. Thankfully, I'm about to get in the form of a 2-week trip to the east coast. Hooray!

My goals for next week:

• sew a new colonial dress for my daughter, who's outgrown the one she wore last time we visited Wiliamsburg
• attend two going away parties: one for our son's family and another for some close friends
• print some sort of booklet for my kids to collect state capitol stamps in
• pack our bags
• make some wonderful family memories on what may be my 16-year-old's last long road trip with the family, as he's beginning dual credit classes in the fall. (College schedules have traditionally brought an abrupt halt to my kids' flexibility with off-season travel 😢)

Another poll for you:

Thank you for all the wonderful tips you sent me for traveling light while still being prepared. I plan to adopt several of those when we start packing this afternoon.

This week's question: I know we aren't supposed to judge a book by its cover, but sometimes my reading choices can't help but be influenced by the cover of the book in question. Have you ever read a book that was much better than the cover led you to expect? Ever been disappointed by a beautiful cover that didn't deliver? Hit reply and give me the details!

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