Whew, July is flying by! We’ve officially hit that stage of summer where everything feels like a wild blend of endless sunshine and last-minute planning before school starts. Over here with Just Me, Him & The Dogs, we’re juggling life with a soon-to-be senior, and let me tell you—it’s a ride!

Let’s start with driving. Our girl is deep in the learning phase—she’s overthinking like only a true perfectionist can—but she’s getting there. She probably won’t be driving solo by the first day of school, and that’s okay. We’ve adjusted our goal to have her licensed by Christmas, and we’re good with that. Her safety, her pace, her journey.

The best part? She’s showing amazing judgment already. While working at camp, she’s had to carpool a bit and has made it very clear who she will and will not ride with. As a parent, that’s such a win. She knows the difference between responsible drivers and reckless ones—and that tells me she’s thinking through more than just passing a test. She’s thinking about life.

Speaking of life, it’s almost FFA season, and we are gearing up! This year, we’ve decided to stick with goats only. While we flirted with the idea of adding a heifer into the mix, our girl made the smart call that it would be too much to manage. So it’s full steam ahead with goats:

2 for big shows

1 for the County Fair

And (hopefully) a doe for jackpotting

We’re also officially truck shopping, because next up: trailer practice! 

This is our girl’s rodeo—literally and figuratively—and we are just here to support, cheer, and (let’s be real) chase goats when needed. 

Watching her evolve this summer has been such a reminder that growth doesn’t always look perfect. It’s sometimes slow, sometimes chaotic, but always beautiful. We’re so proud of her ability to think big, dream bold, and still choose practicality when it matters.

Here’s to savoring what’s left of summer, prepping for senior year, and living through all the learning curves that come with raising a teen. Thanks for being here with us on the journey. We wouldn’t have it any other way.