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A glimpse into what it is like to live in our home just this minute. photo cred:  The Daily American, Christina Dunmyer Intentional Outdoor Hours : 278+ hours  (of 1000) Such a beautiful weather week in western PA that we took full advantage of with outdoor hours.  Lots of playing outside, a volleyball game on Tuesday for B and I (we took all four kids with us!), and some dog walking.  We had a perfectly summer outdoor dinner last night and then sat around the fire ring until about 11p with a beautiful starry sky above. Reading and finished  The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig which I borrowed from our library. I started this week Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott and I'm in love with it already. Library Haul : 14 books, favorites:   Yes Day by the incredible, late Amy Rosenthal (who also wrote this article that has lodged itself into my heart for the rest of time ). Triangle by Mac Barnett (one of our fav authors! Have you seen his TED talk, it's...

A glimpse into what it is like to live in our home just this minute.   Big Jack! Our resident toad. Intentional Outdoor Hours : 245+ hours (of 1000) Up 32 hours this week.  I made a goal of getting at least three hours a day and succeeded and way overachieved on a few.  We racked up hours in the beautiful sunshine this week and I got in quite a few walks with the dogs.  I even cleared a path in our woods to the farm trails behind our house so we could get there easier (and so the kids could explore).  I had a double header volleyball game on Tuesday night and Rusty and I did quite a bit of mowing yesterday to get ready for this weekend. Reading and finishing Dark Matter by Blake Crouch in three days.  It was a great, fun read - I recommend it! For my next book on the Inspired Reader's Book Club Summer Checklist , I borrowed a YA book from our library this week (two checks off the list for one book!) The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig . Library Haul :...

We celebrated Father's day at our favorite local spot, The Quemahoming Dam  (I included it in my no bummer summer list !) with our Dadda, my Dad (Chum), and Brandon's Dad (Pappy-) - plus Abba, Gigi, Aunt Uch, Kevin, and Aunt Kitty! We reserved a small pavilion (it's only $25!) and spend the day enjoying the beautiful weather, grilling out on the charcoal grill for a delicious picnic dinner, swimming in the dam, fishing, skipping rocks, playing on the playground, and even kayaking.  It was honestly such a perfect day. First, the gratitude that I have that my children know the joy and comfort of all the people that love the very most in one place at one time runs so so deep.  I know it is a blessing beyond belief that we are surrounded with family and friends who first love our babies, but also like each other enough to spend whole days together in harmonious peace (even whole vacations together!) This gift is never one that escapes me and for one that I am so truly gratefu...