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Getting dirty and sweaty working on our current home improvement project of the front and side patios.  Sledgehammering pillars and concrete (mostly B, but I did some smashing too!)  The rain has slowed our progress slightly, but its so exciting to see it all come together - even if slower than we want.

Polishing Greyson's first ever trophy from his teeball season.  And by polishing, I mean Grey is polishing it - hahaha, definitely not this chick.  He was so happy and excited about getting a trophy, it was so sweet and hilarious.  oh, that boy. 

Celebrating America's birthday at a great picnic day at our cousin's house (thanks Tausha!) We even had the chance to get a picture of Mimi and every single one of her eleven grandkids!  (4 grandkids and 7 great grandkids).  It turned out to be a beautiful weather day and the kids had so much fun playing with their cousins all day.  By the end of the night, they were completely wiped out - which is always just fine with us! hah

Saying goodbye to our sweet, dear Rosie (Gigi and Pappy's dog).  Rosie took an unexpected turn for the worst last week and we learned she had Lyme's disease but it had taken a severe toll on her kidneys.  Rosie was so sweet and lovable, it broke all of our hearts.  In the car while running errands today, Gemma called up to me, "Mumma, I'm feeling sad about Rosie."  We will always miss you Rowie girl.

Tending to our two big kids who both ran fevers this week for about 24-36 hours each.  So strange, no other symptoms, but both were sort of knocked on their butt for a day or so.  Everyone is back and running at full steam again (!) so can't complain too much about that. 

Cozying up in the warmth of our outdoor fire pit that we (finally) moved up closer to the patio.  B and I sat out by the fire twice this week after the kids went to bed and it was such a nice way to wind down.  Strange how sometimes its the smallest little changes that bring the best comforts.

Reading still A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and loving it so much. Also finishing the last couple chapters of our Inspired Readers book, Make It Happen .  Can't believe we are already almost done with our first book!  The next book (a novel) will start on August 1 - so check out our facebook group page if you're interested in joining up for next month

Enjoying Shark Week, which basically means talking about sharks only slightly more often than we already talk about sharks (which is quite a bit, probably second to Bigfoot).  We had Shark Week cupcakes (a few had hidden maraschino cherries in them and if you got one of those that meant you were in a shark attack!)

Writing towards my novel which has me really excited.  They say the more you write, they more you'll write - so I'm trying to hold myself to high expectations to get some novel writing in every day even if it seems like I don't have the time.  Hello early morning writing or late night writing!

Giggling about Violet and her little personality.  She learned her first baby sign this week ("All Done") and tries so much to talk to us and get her little point across.  It's hilarious, we are all trying to guess what she is saying (usually it's "Hi Daddy!") She absolutely loves the tractor and is going through a phase that she both wants held all the time but also not held at all.  It's very frustrating and a lot of picking up only to put back down within thirty seconds.

Finishing last minute details for tomorrow's 7th Annual Beer Olympics!

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This week in interesting internet:

This article had me all kinds of choked up about how it really does feel every.single.day at the end of the night.  Did I love you enough though, darlings?  Do you know how much it is even if I don't do a great job every single day? (thanks  to Jamie, my internet guru of happiness and inspiration)

This really funny article about people who live in tiny houses.  I would love to downsize to a Small House (like >1200 sq.ft) but we aren't quite there just yet (get.rid.of.all.the.things).  This article had me laughing out loud.

This awesome visual representation of the different kinds of privilege anyone can have.  I like the way the video asked the participants afterwards what they thought and everyone was sort of shell shocked in their responses and seemed fairly somber about the whole thing.  It's hard to look at privilege - just because you have some privilege doesn't mean that your life is easy (at all), it only means you have access to something that some other people don't.  it's only important (very very important) to try to be aware of what sort of pieces of life you are blessed to have access too, lots of times for things you had no control over.

3D printing is seriously the most amazing thing ever.  welcome to the future, people.

thought-provoking and important points in this NY times article about the next culture war. 

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Saying farewell to our butterflies this week.  We enjoyed our newly emerged butterflies for a day or two by giving them plenty of fruit and kid-picked flowers.  But after I caught Lola sneaking up on our habitat to pounce (! I moved it before she got to it thankfully) and having one butterfly die on us (!! I think it was my little runt caterpillar that has had me stressing all along!), it was time to let them fly off and make their own families and life.  Right after they all flew away, both Grey and Gem said that it was very sad that they couldn't stay with us forever (to which I secretly weeped inside my heart 'try being a mother?!') but then they quickly followed up with 'Can we get more?'

Cooling off this week in all sorts of ways.  We pulled out the slip 'n slide much to the kids' delight and then spent an afternoon at the Ebensburg Public Pool with Aunt Uch too.  We had never been ,but will definitely be visiting again this summer!  I've seemed to 'win' the AC argument this week which means we're 'sweating' it out (hahah).  So we've also been enjoying meals outside and by candlelight at the dinner table (to keep the lightbulb heat down).

Reading Make It Happen by Lara Casey with our Inspired Readers book club.  If I'm being fully honest, the book on the whole is a heap more religious than I am personally, but I am keeping my focus on all the pieces of inspiration that shine through about reflection, naming my goals and fears, and starting to consider what my life could look like if I wasn't afraid to change.  As I talked about in our group - the book has helped me see that maybe part of a my fear (a big part?) is that success could mean a change to the way our life looks now - which is a life we love - so thinking it could change (even if because of something great happening) is a scary thought.  Also still reading Their Eyes Were Watching God and listening to The Husband's Secret on an audiobook on my jogs with Bullet.

Finishing up Grey's very first teeball season this week.  What a great first introduction to organized sports we had and we were so grateful to Grey's Coach Jeff for being the very first coach to our son.  Grey had so much fun and really did learn a lot about the rules and vocabulary of the game - which will certainly serve him well as we've been informed he'll be moving up to machine pitch next year.  Grey's favorite part (besides the action) was his new friends he made and he's hopeful that some of them will be in his kindergarten class this fall!

Gratefully surprised to get a notification that a a friend of mine tagged me in a beautiful passage about being an artist on instagram. It was a passage from The War of Art by Steven Pressfield and I loved the whole passage, but especially, "Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor.  It's a gift to the world and every being in it.  Don't cheat us of your contribution."  It was doubly wonderful because the friend that tagged me (hi, Sarah!) is someone that I've only met in real life once or twice but somehow in the way humanity and magic works - that's all it took for us to recognize some common thread in our souls and maintain contact via social media and inspire each other.

Planning some of our summer fun trips including our Grandma and Kid annual trip (switching it up to a new city this year!) and our summer AKT play date with my best friends and their kids.  We also have the 7th annual Beer Olympics, a wedding, and three family reunions on the horizon.  Bring it on summer, I'm ready :)


This week in interesting internet:

This article about the hypervisibility and invisibilty of black children was both fascinating and informative - especially following my viewing of the McKinney video with open-mouthed horror.

Happy to read this article about how Free Play is fundamental to teaching kids independence and self regulation.  Thank goodness as my interest in doing home preschool has severely waned in the past few weeks.  Oops.

I feel passionate about the topic of giving kids information and education about their own bodies, relationships, and safety  - so I enjoyed this article about Pre-school 'sex' education in the Netherlands and the good it is doing.

A negative article was released about my hometown (of which I am vocally proud of) that stated that our town is the 'poorest' in the state of PA.  After watching many people take it as an opportunity to post unkind things about this city - I responded on our local news facebook page with my thoughts.  Much to my surprise and pride, many people responded to my thoughts with solidarity and positive feedback.

This article about the wild and confusing situation with Rachel Dolezal helped give me a stronger foothold in where my thoughts have been trying to reach about race and privilege and media.

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some of the non-digital photographic treasures I found this week!

Tracking my days in my planner by mood.  I've been feeling in a rut lately and for the past two weeks, I've been tracking my overall feelings by giving each day stars in my planner; up to a five star day.  I'm trying to see any patterns to what makes my days a two star day (bleh) versus a four or five star day.  I'm noticing some interesting trends from doing something creative, to the weather, to my own screen time, to the length of time I get in the morning before the kids wake up.  I'm planning on doing a full post to update with my findings but it's been interesting and I like the level of self reflection it brings with it.

Reading (still) Their Eyes Were Watching God and now starting our first Inspired Readers book club book Make it Happen by Lara Casey.  If you're interested in reading along, join our facebook group!  Already, our book club book seems to be inspiring to move towards getting out of my rut (above) and that makes me excited, especially to dig deeper into conversation with all the other readers!

Digging up patience from way down deep in my soul.  It was been one whiny week over here with lots of teasing between Greyson and Gemma.  If I say, "mind your own business" one more time this week, I think I might scream.  Grey has been trying to control all things Gemma does or doesn't do which just makes her whine and cry.  I've been attempting to remind him that she is three (a challenge in itself) and that when he was three he also said made-up stories, and wanted to do everything himself, and tried to be a big kid.  As much as I'm sad about him going to kindergarten this fall, I think the separation for them might be a really good thing.  Give them a chance to miss each other a little.

Reminiscing while I put together our individual memory boxes (100 small things item #18 ).  I had already started on the kids' boxes, but this week I pulled the HUGE box of memories and mementos down from the attic and finally combed through it to pull out only the things that Brandon and I want to hold on to.  Sort of like the limited collection of items that someday the kids can look through and say 'this is what my parents were like.' (and then totally trash it all afterwards if they want - we don't want them to feel an obligation to hold on to any old stuff).  What a walk down memory lane to see so many pictures (many of Brandon and I from high school, hahhah) and read through old high school notes (!) and cards from my grandparents (all since passed). What a relief to finally go through all that and get it more organized and pared down!

Playing!  We had a play day with our cousin Caleb on Wednesday and the kids had so much fun together. And then we had a play day with our favorite friends the Fiores yesterday and it turned from just playing the afternoon into a full day of playing followed by dinner together too!  It was so  nice spend the day with Kate chatting and laughing while our babies played and giggled.  What a fun week!

Cleaning up all the floors and low shelves:  Violet Mary is on the move!  She started crawling midweek (I'm calling it officially) and thankfully she is finally happy again. It's been a frustrating past week for her as she wanted to so bad to be and see everything that's going on.  She is delighted to be moving around, getting into everything she hasn't been able to before, and explore our home.  She thinks she is so funny and big now, shout-babbling and trying to talk to us.  She has us all cracking up with her little personality.

Celebrating our community as the Valley Girl's Softball team is killing it in playoffs!  We've had to miss their games this week (boo!) but we've been refreshing facebook constantly to get updates from the parents and fans posting the score live.  I was whispering to Brandon while he was on the field at Grey's teeball game the score updates on Monday! They just won again yesterday in the quarterfinals and had an emergency vehicle escort parade back into town last night!  #bluejaypride forever.

Planning the upcoming Conemaugh Valley Alumni Association's 5K and family fun run/walk as we are now only three weeks away.  I am lucky to be working with such an great group to get the plans all together and organized (thank you!) We've had awesome donations secured this week, the scavenger hunt list for the family walk/run completed, and prizes ordered!  It is all coming together and such a relief for me that the next two weeks will be mostly about organizing and double checking!  Keep those registrations for the 5K coming in!

Thinking ahead to summer plans.  We've got a packed summer over here (what's new?) including weddings, family reunions, 7th annual beer Olympics, Grandma & Kid trip to the city, AKT summer playdate in VA, graduation parties, and local festivals.  There are lots of double checking of open dates, booking hotels, and making travel arrangements.  It's both exciting and overwhelming - but that's how we like to roll.

This week in interesting internet:

Obviously a lot in the social media world this week about Caitlyn Jenner.  Regardless of your thoughts on her decisions on how she lives her life, this was an interesting read on sharing things on the internet without researching first.  I commend the guy for owning up to it instead of just ignoring his findings.  karma and irony can be really cool sometimes.

Here's another example of how each of us can decide to spread love and kindness on the internet or divisive hatred and garbage.  This guy had his wedding photos meme'd (without his consent) and he responds in the classiest, kindest (even though they don't deserve it) way.  Putting good in the world, one drop at a time, people.

This Scary Mommy article had me laughing and sort of smacking my former self too about the realization that comes to first time Moms of all the senseless pre-Mom thoughts they had about motherhood.  I think at least twice a week how I wish I could speak to my pre-Mom self and let her know how clueless she was.

I'll be the first to admit that I don't know everything about feminism and I'm still learning constantly about how me and my life fit into the picture:  Can a stay-at-home Mom be a feminist? the answer appears to be yes.  Can I still believe in romance and chivalry and be a feminist?  that answer also appears to be yes.  Articles like this one talking about how women spend time in their life making plans on how to hide their unopened tampons on the way to the bathroom and this video on if buying condoms was like buying birth control remind me of how weird society can be about gender-based things.  Like men don't have to think about this at all and actually probably don't even know this is a thing we have 'plans' for.  (Hello tampon up the sleeve as my go to maneuver). I've started to learn that being a feminist is simply thinking about the world through eyes of equality.  What can the world look like?  What do I hope the world looks like for our kids (our girls AND our son) when they grow up?

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Relaxing with family and friends last weekend over the Memorial Day holiday.  We spent most of Sunday at Prince Gallitzin campground with our friends, the Stifflers.  We had a great day and the kids are already asking when we can go camping with Maggie and Tommy again.  They rode bikes and even went swimming in the water despite it being freeeeezing.  It was such a nice day and sort of a tradition now that it's the second year in a row we've spent Memorial day Sunday with them (thanks guys!!) Then it was a big family day on Monday where we got to enjoy double cookouts; at each of the grandparents' houses.  Good food, people that love us, and beautiful weather - yea, pretty darn good weekend.

Crossing off items on my 100 small things list!  My baby sister, Tasha, and I ran in the Path of the Flood 5k last Saturday (item# 73) and, duh, our Dominican vacation (item #28).  Because my sails are low on wind for the 2014 yearbook, I jumped into completing item #56 Make the Hawaiian vacation photo book for the kids.  It's much shorter and sort of fun to go all the way back to 2009 when we only just discovered we were pregnant with our first baby.  I'm nearly done with the book already (only two pages left!) and I'll be happy to add it to our kids' collection of travel books and also cross it off the 100 small things list!

Reading Their Eyes Were Watching God and still loving it but a little sad it's almost done.  However, I'm so excited for the official announcement of the book club that I'm co-hosting with Ashley and Shelly starting June 1!  Stay tuned if you're interested in reading, being inspired, and breathing fresh air into your mind and life!

Delighting in watching our caterpillars grow each day!  Aunt Kitty got the kids the Insect Lore Live Butterfly Garden and our caterpillars arrived last Saturday.  Now only a week later, they are making their way to the lid to start to build chrysalis.  The kids (and let's be honest, B and I too!) are all so excited to see them each morning and talk about how they've grown and changed.  Nature is seriously the coolest.

Basking in the warmer weather.  We had our first outdoor dinner this week and the kids got to do a little redneck swimming in giant tubs since our baby pool didn't make it out alive last summer (add that to the shopping list!)  Brandon and I are back into our yearly disagreement about central air again.  He thinks since we have it, we should take advantage of it but I firmly believe that it builds character for our kids (and us) to be a little uncomfortable sometimes.  If it's hot outside, I want to know it when I'm in the house - I don't like the sterile feeling of a cold house and then you go outside and it's like, 'what?! it's summer, but I was just so cold in there?!' This week when I mentioned that I was too warm at night he said, "Ya know, I heard they make these things now that you can turn on in your house to make it cooler.  I think they're called air conditioners, we should get one."  he's HILARIOUS.

Awaiting Violet's first official crawl, gah, she's right there and I'm half excited and half bummed.  She's doing a lot of rocking, a lot of the knees-to belly-to knees-to butt movement (which is actually giving her quite a range of motion around this place) but no real crawling as of yet.  No hurry, little bug, Momma is fine with you not crawling just yet, hah!

Collecting items from every room and every space in our house of all the things that need.to.go.  It has been feeling increasingly suffocating looking around and feeling like all I see is junk.everywhere.  Too.much.stuff.  My inside voice is on a loop of repeating: 'get rid of all the things.' We are working on throwing broken things out (Maniacal Mom with a Garbage Bag is what makes children's nightmares, no?) and collecting other things that we are going to sell in an upcoming yard sale.  It's extra frustrating because we have lots of crap that we don't need, but also items that we need but have recently become busted....like the microwave (week 3 without it) and a grill (waaaah, grilled summer goodness, I miss you).  Serenity, now.  for real.  also #firstworldproblems in a big big way.

This week in interesting internet:

Cried my eyes out about this blogpost from Scary Mommy about the only regret of not having a daughter.  I know, I have a daughter, what's the deal, right?  I'm just so grateful to get to do the things the talks about.  Crying forever.

Discovered the Crystal Knows application and it blew my freaking mind (thanks Alana!).  Like brains exploded on the walls of my house.  It searches the public sphere to decide how to communicate with people in the most empathetic way (ie. in the way they best respond to).  It would be super helpful for businesses , especially if you're trying to sell someone something.  Looked myself up and it was spot on.  "It is natural for Tabitha to become offended by a borderline joke."  "In email always include a greeting and closing."  "Tabitha does not do well with blunt constructive criticism".  insanity.  #whoiswatchingme?

Crying some more over this makeover for a soon-to-be-wed couple.  Really emotional in a bizarre way to think of all the life and memories that is shared with your someone.  I just really love when life gets all smooshed down like that - to see the grand scope in only quick clip (movie montages are my favorite)  Brandon and I both agreed we'd love to have it done.  Also, dying laughing about the husband's reactions to his own make-up every time.

Feeling super inspired by Tess Holliday this week and her promotion of self-love.  I think I have fairly positive self body image on the spectrum of self-body image of all women everywhere(?) but as I was explaining to B this week, even despite that - when I'm looking in the mirror my internal dialogue is not particularly nice.  I mean it's not like I'm beating myself up but it's usually not any way I'd talk to a friend either.  Tess is honest to goodness flipping beautiful and somehow she reminds me that I am too.  Just the way I am right now in this second.  Even though I could be more in shape and I could eat better and blah blah blah.  That doesn't make me less beautiful than I am right in the very now.  I don't know how to explain it, but Tess Holliday helps me remember that I'm pretty right now and it's not like I have to hold out to be pretty someday in the future when I take better care of myself.  Anyway, I love her for that.

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Feeling grateful for my handsome hubs who held down the fort for all of last weekend with all three kids by himself.  We got home from vacation after 9pm on Friday night and by 8am Saturday morning I was out the door and on my way to a Women's in the Outdoors event to act as a vendor for The Hunting Daddies until after 5:30p.  And then I was gone all day again on Sunday celebrating our cousin's bridal shower and visiting a wedding dress shop in Pittsburgh with my baby sister for her birthday.  Daddy had it all under control, mowed our entire yard (high grass nation after a week away) and all living beings not only survived but thrived.  #luckiest #forreal

Laughing at (and feeling frustrated by) our threenager Gemma Rose.  Perhaps because we aren't on vacation anymore, but she has had a tough week in the tantrum department.  Not only within our own house, but she threw two inconsolable fits at the chiropractor and gymnastics class this week.  Despite all the dramatics (one tantrum this week started because she couldn't get a spaghetti noodle on her fork), she really is very funny.  She earned $1 for 'babysitting' Violet while I was upstairs and she chose her method of entertaining Violet was to draw all over her own arms with markers, giving her full sleeve tattoos for two days.  Then when I was scrubbing them off yesterday, she asked me, "When you were a little girl and you sitted a baby and made one dollar did you color on your arms and then your Mom cleaned them off too?"

Reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston and I am absolutely enamored.  I know it's a travesty that I haven't already read this classic yet in my life, but I am now and I'm beside myself with how beautiful it is in both content and writing.  Honestly, easily one of my new favorite books of all time.  It is a book that reminds me of the wonder of being a reader and also a book that resets my goal for the kind of a writer I hope to be someday (both daunting and exhilarating at the same time).  I'm in love.

Baffled at how big my Greyson Rudy has seemed in the past few days.  Sometimes my mind will float to the idea of this fall and him going to Kindergarten and I'll momentarily lose my breath.  He is so kind and patient with all of his girls (his Mom included) and I am so grateful that he is ours.  He is such a big help around here and always willing to spend time with his sisters when they need it. He slept over his grandparents' house the other day and when he called the next day he and Gemma got to talk to each other.  She told him, "Are you coming home?  I miss you, Grey." and he answered, "Okay Gem, I'll be home in a little bit and then we can play babies, okay?"  But his grown-upness is showing too in the way he relentlessly teases Gemma now - it's not just whining over a toy or time; now he understands intentional teasing.

Falling all over the place.  In the past four weeks, I have fallen (to the ground) three different times.  Twice because I rolled my ankle while walking/jogging and once because my knee gave out when I was jogging with Bullet and he bumped into me from behind.  Two of those times (including last night in a gravel parking lot in front of multiple people while holding Gemma!), I ripped up my knees and have huge bruises.  Seriously, I'm officially an old lady. Brandon has concerns.  hahhahhaha

Baking 'Cruffins' for the first time.  I tried my hand at an easy version of them (read: using refrigerated croissant tube) after pinning this legit version. I must report, they were delicious and the kids loved them.  Super easy and yummy breakfast snack:)

Grieving the lost of Violet's snuggle stage.  Yeesh, this girl is so over being immobile.  She's terribly frustrated by not being able to crawl/walk/run and she lets us all know.  She likes to be held, but only if you're standing up and walking around so she can see everything.  She's squirming, grabbing everything, pulling hair, biting our shoulders with her four little teeth, and making a college effort to rock back and forth on all fours.  It's the beginning of the end of a baby land over here and it's horrible for my poor little heart.

Awarding our seventh Studer scholarship at Conemaugh Valley's senior banquet last night to two high school seniors, Kaitlyn and Becca.  Gemma acted as my date since Brandon and Greyson were at a teeball game.  It was especially inspiring to be there this year as there are even more people from the community starting scholarships and spreading support and encouragement to the youth coming out of your district.  For a full hour, we watched various families get up and offer well wishes and monetary gifts to the senior class.  It was amazing and I feel so grateful to be a blue jay.

This week in interesting internet:

I was actually emotional reading Ashley's (of the Big White Farmhouse) account of her first half marathon.  I've never had the courage to run a half marathon, but somehow everything she wrote made me feel like if I ever would, it would feel just like that.  So proud of you, Ashley!!

This beautiful piece about a 6th grade mom writing to a preschool mom.  The line "All of the baby heads on all of the different endless baby days that end up ending after all." had me all sorts of choked up.  Right now, in the thick of the blur, it seems impossibly far away that I won't be bending over because I have to - but even still - I know it is slowly coming.

This song (Sleeping at Last by Light) that my friend Taryn introduced me to this week.  All the feels, all the tears.  #mommahood

Cyber high five to this article boasting that kids don't need a bath everyday.  We are firmly of the group that believes a little dirt and germs never hurt, so this article was a nice read to know we're still doing okay even though our kids aren't spotless all the time.  (does this apply to grown ups too?  because ya'll know I ain't getting a shower every day..or three)

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Making some creative meals these past few days as we are bare bones in our pantry.  Our second vehicle has been in the shop for the whole past week (!!) so as Brandon has spent his work days at various meetings this week, we have not had time/access to get to the grocery store.  So I've been looking very creatively at our food stock and whipping together some surprisingly tasty treats.  This week I've made, Hawaiian Haystacks, Kielbasa & Potato Bake, and last night I made an egg,  ham, and sausage scramble for dinner.  We also baked some Chocolate Chip & Walnut cookies because I'm obsessed with these cookies and they make me unnaturally happy.

Grateful for warm weather.  so so grateful for the sunshine, flip flops, no jackets, and warm skin.  The two big kids and I had a picnic lunch this week and we spent a solid 15 minutes staring into an ant hill encouraging a little worker ant who was 'working on the tunnels.' The kids played outside last night well after dark and I had all three kids on the tractor with me at once this week mowing the grass (#safetynotfirst) Hello spring, I've missed you so much.

Cheering, lots and lots of cheering.  Grey started teeball last week and we've spent already many an evening at the baseball field watching our biggest baby field, hit, and catch balls.  waaah, grown up.  He told me that he was going to 'walk back with my friend' from the concession stand and left me, Chum, and Gigi standing there like, 'huh?'  Our big boy also got promoted from his Tot Karate class to the big kids' class this week and was introduced to (and fell in immediate love with) sparring.  And our Miss Gemma Rose is kicking butt at gymnastics, especially on the bar where she displays crazy upper body strength.  And Violet girl finally (finally!!) had her top tooth make it's first appearance after weeks of waiting on it.  It's been a big two weeks around  here.

Jogging with lots of thanks to Bullet as he is sometimes the only reason I get out on the trail.  He has been doing so much better with getting some walk/jogs outside of the yard where he sniffs and explores.  He's a great motivator.  Yesterday we headed out for 3+miles together and got a lot of opportunities for him to practice appropriate walking while we passed lots of strangers working outdoors and mowing lawns.  It was a struggle to start (I actually fell once on the road, in front of a group of men working at a garage! because Bullet and I got tangled up.  Oh yea, super embarrassing and also scraped my leg up) but by the end of the walk he was doing awesome and not getting distracted or excited.  Baby steps, people, baby steps.  You can also download the free app WoofTrax to track your dog walking to help raise money for your local animal shelter.  You know I love me some kindness.

Crossing off task no. 82 from my 100 small things list:  Get my hair done (highlight/cut).  No big deal, right?  WRONG!  I have not been to the salon since October 2013!  Honest to goodness neglect, right there my friends.  Luckily, my awesome hairstylist Victoria was able to get my mop under control and ready for summer.  I opted from some blonde highlights and a bob-style cut.  Low maintenance and fresh!  Basically a "Big Gemma" as my daughter informed me while she hung out with me at the salon.  #twinsies

Praying for baby Redden.  The Irving family received heartbreaking news that baby Redden will need surgery as a next step in getting him better; the chemo is just not working.  Please keep him and their whole family in your prayers and thoughts as they try to make scary decisions with confidence and hope.

Boiling over an internet troll on a recent blog post of mine.  It could not have come at a more perfect time with Screen Free Week around the corner reminding me how much a break will do me some good.  Oh Internet, how I love thee but also hate that you give people this false sense of entitlement to be rude to strangers.  bleh.  Anyway, after about a day of feeling offended and seriously annoyed, I'm officially over it.  My mom and sisters helped by responding in the oddly comforting visceral way that reminded me they'd be thrilled to go to arms for me if needed.  While my husband also lifted me up by saying, "That opinion doesn't matter at all, to me, to you, to anyone who knows you.  You're the coolest person I know." (sometimes its nice when he talks to me like we're in high school again, haha) I know the trolls are few and far between, but the sting doesn't hurt any less.

Drinking (or trying to drink) a whole gallon of water a day!  My baby sis and I were talking about how we both need to up our water intake and so we saw this pin and I went for it.  So far of the four days that I've been making an attempt, I drank the entire gallon only one day.  But I've been getting close everyday.  I'm trying to be aware of any changes from the H2O boost and I think I'm feeling like I have more energy...maybe?  In any case, it's got to be good for me, right?  The key to success for finishing the whole gallon I think is to make sure I get some in BEFORE I drink coffee in the morning.

Reading The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.  I know, I'm like three years late to the plate, hahha.  It's an interesting and easy read so far and I'm hopeful I'll finish it next week during Screen Free Week!  I need to pick up my pace a little if I want to complete this task from my 100 small things list!  This task should be a little bit easier to complete moving forward though as I'm in the works of organizing a Summer book club together with two of my favorite blogging friends Ashley and Shelly.  Details to revealed soon, but if you're in need of a reading group for the summer, stay tuned!  We are set to begin June 1 :)

Prepping for Blog Archives Week!  I've been self-diagnosed with blogging block; ie. I've been feeling uninspired with blogging (have you noticed from my lack of posts?! hah) so I'm hoping a trip down memory lane of previous posts for both me and you guys might ignite some new inspiration for me.  I'll be sharing daily on Team Studer Facebook page one of my favorite archived posts each day.  If you're a blogger and are interested in resurfacing some of your best and personal fav blog posts - join up in a #BlogArchivesWeek:  May 10-16, 2015!

This week in interesting internet:

I absolutely loved this article about our micro-generation and how our growing up right along with the abyssal change of technology lends to how we react to the world.  So interesting - I especially loved this quote, "...This made us the first generation of children to grow up figuring it out.."

There has been so much coverage of all that is happening in Baltimore and it's always hard for me to watch people fully gulp down information that they receive without any background or corroborating information.  So in an effort to remind myself that we only get to see what they 'feed' us through the media, I really appreciated this article:  How Western Media would cover Baltimore if it happened elsewhere.  and this satirical video that one of my good friends shared by saying "This is Satire.  This is almost not satire."

This article about how ordering plus size clothes on the internet fit real plus size women.  First, these are the same girls that had me cracking up and wanting to be their best friends in the photoshop article they did.  Second, I never, ever, ever buy clothes online because I know this to be true.  My booty (which I consider to be one of my favorite body parts) ain't no match for buying clothes without trying them on first.  I loved how funny and gracious these women are with themselves.  I was actually just talking this week to Gigi about how I have three pairs of identical jeans:  all same brand (Old Navy), all same style (Sweetheart cut), all same size (10) and all three fit differently.  how is this possible?!

I felt particularly inspired with my own hometown this week on the internet.  Because of this woman's essay into the Kraft Hockeyville competition, our Johnstown rink is in the final running to win $150,000 towards upgrades and being named the first ever Kraft Hockeyville .  Very exciting (and might I add, deserving considering we are the home of the cult hocky film Slapshot!)  After weeks of voting and rallying, the Hockeyville winner is to be announced this afternoon!

I also had one of my archived posts shared multiple times on facebook this week and felt honored and proud to be a voice for Jtown.  And finally my baby sis and I registered for the upcoming Path of the Flood 5K in two weeks!  This truly is a great place to live, and if you need a reminder of how much fun there is going on around here, make sure to Like You! in Flood City for daily updates.

Currently

Making some new eats and treats these past two weeks.  We've had Pancake Sausage Bites, Brownie Cookies, Copycat Olive Garden Chicken & Gnocchi soup, Garbage Stir fry (but with Soy sauce instead of Curry), and Honey Garlic Porkchops!

Celebrating our son's fifth birthday!  We threw a basketball birthday party last Friday night and had a great time.  Even some of the high school Blue Jay basketball team showed up and it made Grey's night that they came to his party (thanks guys!  you're the best!) My first baby is five.  waaaaaah.

Laughing at Gemma Ro.  The girl is endless in her hilarity.  She has decided that saying she wants to marry someone/thing is how she now expresses love for them.  "I'm going to marry Daddy."  "I want to marry that fish on my cup."  "I think I'll marry these fancy shoes."

Saying Goodbye to my Pap.  It's been a long, sad two weeks while he was sick and then after he passed and all the events that comes with that.  We are so blessed though to be surrounded by so many loving thoughts, prayers, and people.  (thank you, all).  We finally said goodbye on Wednesday afternoon with a twenty-one gun salute and Taps played at the burial service.  Rest in peace, Pap Pap.

Thankful for spring officially arriving!  It has been warming up and even the cloudy April showers type days are warm enough for the kids to go out and stomp around in puddles.  It really feels like spring now that the boys are headed out to fishing camp tonight for the whole weekend!  Grey is so excited he can barely stand himself.  I've answered 'When is Daddy getting home from work?' approximately 4583920 times already today.  We have a special running at The Hunting Daddies store in honor of fishing season!  Use Code WETLINES for $2 off any of our Youth items!

Relieved that Violet's bout with diarrhea and subsequent diaper rash appears to be over!  It lasted almost two weeks and I was close to being drowned alive in baby laundry and cloth diapers.  Hallelujah!

Ordering the kids' stuff for our upcoming vacation and got the notice that it's already shipped! I love the sun shirts and the sun skull caps at One Step Ahead and even ordered them some Froggles! They are pretty excited about it.

Reading The Ten Thousand Things still (!) but I am on the very last chapter and have only four pages left (seriously - I should just be reading them right now and getting if over with!!) Wasn't too crazy about the book, but it was very different than my usual books (mostly in writing style) so that's good.  Next up is The Girl with Dragon Tattoo (I know, I'm a little slow on the uptake).

Frustrated about how I've felt sort of in a haze for the past two weeks.  Granted, I know we've had some rough stuff going on (my Pap, Violet sick, Grey's fifth birthday) but not being at regular/top efficiency always makes me feel lethargic.  So, I'm hopeful that I'll get back into regular operating mode soon.  I'm hoping to get better at getting some walking/jogging time in every day, packing for vacation, and finishing up some spring cleaning in the next week!

Regretting teaching Grey how to whistle this morning.  Yeesh, it's been  non-stop all day and he just came up to me and said, "Mum, I can whistle as good as a bird.  Also, I feel like whistling all day because it's so fun to whistle."  Help.me.

Inspired after spending some time yesterday afternoon walking around Lift Johnstown's Project Party that brought together tons of volunteer organizations in the community and surrounding counties.  I was for real like a kid in a candy store.  Gah, so much good happening and opportunities to support or be a part of it.  Obsessed.


This week in interesting internet:

Brandon and I both really resonated with the article from Scary Mommy on why a Mother doesn't want to be touched.  We had a chat about it and both agreed that we understood where each side was coming from.  I was just thinking about it again today when I was feeding Violet in the rocker before her nap and Lola (our cat) was laying on my legs and Greyson was standing/leaning next to me.  So.much.touching.all.the.time.

I loved reading the Moral Bucket List; a NY Times article and loved the thought that there are two different kinds of virtues; resume and eulogy and what it appears that we value in society as a whole.  very interesting and thought-provoking stuff.

The two year old article about the marathon spectators popped up in my TimeHop this week and I re-read it and re-loved it again.  This article was actually some of the inspiration that went into our maid of honor speech in our sister's wedding last year.  If you are a runner or a watcher of runners in races - this article is heartwarming.

Great read from the NY Times about how white parents are becoming less white as families are becoming more diverse.

I was cracking up over this article about some new vocabulary words.  Every night when getting into bed I'm not kidding, I audibly moan in ecstasy (bedgasm) and I'm fairly certain that I nerd-jack most conversations - sorry friends & family!.

Greyson and I laughed and watched this video three times from Dude Perfect about fishing stereotypes.  We are Kiss Fishers in case you were wondering.  Although, Greyson and Brandon would like to ensure that we don't lick them.  HAHAHAHA.

Currently

Changing plans yesterday while B was off and was doing some heavy-lifting spring cleaning (burning brush piles and cleaning out the garage with the two big ones) I had planned to take Bullet on a jog while Violet napped.  Alas, the littlest one is teething and refused to be put down.  So Bullet and I took Violet for a 2+ mile walk!  Hahah, forget riding in a car to put her to sleep, a mile or two in the baby carrier with fresh air knocks this little cherub right out!  #childhoodunplugged 

Feeling proud that we are doing so well with removing screens from our day!  I honestly cannot believe how easy it has been -granted the weather has had something do with it - although it hasn't been overly warm (or dry!) the kids are still happy to throw jackets on and go outside and play.  But we've entirely removed tv from our mornings and actually for most of the day (sometimes the day completely!) without any whining.  It makes for kids that use their big (hilarious) imaginations and kids that are tired enough to take afternoon naps for the first time in weeks (Gemma) and years! (Grey)

Giggling at Gemma's funny little observation about the world.  Being three is so silly and also tirelessly exhausting.  She calls a mirror's reflection 'my girl' and says that her 'girl does bad things' like play in 'mumma's make ups.'  um, no, that was you, Gem.  She saw Grey fixing his hair with gel today and asked him if he was talking to his boy.  hysterical.

Celebrating our Mimi's 77th birthday and April Fools day this week.  We made Brown E's for Mimi's birthday party and enjoyed cake and pizza with our cousins at her house.  It was such a nice evening with family (good job, Gigi!).  The big kids got to play with Ariel and Grace while Violet got to sit on the floor with her cousin Ben while they fought over toys - hahhaa, so it begins with those two!

Rearranging the kids' toys and moving them from the living room up into the little space upstairs and (by myself!) hauling the big desk and office stuff into the living room instead.  It was a big (still ongoing) project, but it's brought weird comfort to me this past week.  No more looking at the toys the kids refuse to clean up throughout the day and being able to get computer stuff done (blog, yearbook, etc) while the kids play games or color.  And if they don't put everything away with their toys, it's sort of tucked back in the upstairs nook and doesn't bother me nearly as much!

Energized to be working consistently on our 2014 yearbook this week.  I have been sneaking in some time to finish some pages and it has me so excited and my creative blood pumping!  It is such a daunting task, but once I get started I fall in love with all our pictures and memories from the year before that so easily get forgotten as we trudge through everyday tantrums and drama.  I can't wait for it to be finished and published...I'm thinking another two weeks and I should be done if I keep up this pace!

This week in interesting internet:

This post from 1000 hours outside because I'm obsessed.  #sorrynotsorry:  The Importance of How you See those Scarce Evening Hours  

Because I laughed until I snorted about Honest Toddler's Easter Egg Hunt with a Toddler Fiction vs. Reality post.  Whhhhhy so accurate, "4am  You hear a sound.  Even though you're scared, you get out of bed to see what's happening.  You can barely believe your eyes.  Your toddler is standing in the living room, naked except for one sock..."  HAHAHAHAHA

This silly post had me cracking up from The Chive about 90's instagram photos - read the comments on the pictures, even more hilarious than the photos. 

In case you don't already (who doesn't!?!) follow Humans of New York on facebook  (or on the web) - I'm telling you if you need a dose of world pleasantries in your regular newsfeed of negativity and annoyances, please follow them and be inspired daily.  like hourly.