• I grew up with a teeny tiny extended family and my sister and I were the babies so we didn't really have familial playmates. Watching these cousins play together gives me more warm fuzzies than I can express πŸ₯°
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    I grew up with a teeny tiny extended family and my sister and I were the babies so we didn't really have familial playmates. Watching these cousins play together gives me more warm fuzzies than I can express πŸ₯°
  • On Monday, Chuck and I took the day off to celebrate the last day of summer and the beginning of a new season for us as parents- having a kiddo in school! 🏫 It's strange how you can see the same people day in and out, yet quality time feels so elusive. 

We had such a sweet afternoon watching the boys enjoy what will likely be their last time at the Splash Pad this year πŸ’¦
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    On Monday, Chuck and I took the day off to celebrate the last day of summer and the beginning of a new season for us as parents- having a kiddo in school! 🏫 It's strange how you can see the same people day in and out, yet quality time feels so elusive. We had such a sweet afternoon watching the boys enjoy what will likely be their last time at the Splash Pad this year πŸ’¦
  • And just like that, my baby is officially a Kindergartener ❀️ He was about 90% excited, 10% nervous. I got to hold his hand and guide him through the maze of masked students and teachers to his classroom where he hugged me and then proceeded inside without a second glance back. Not surprised at all 🀷
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He is fearless, adventurous, helpful, and so boldly self-sufficient. I can't imagine loving a human more than I love this one 😍 #CharlieDavis
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    And just like that, my baby is officially a Kindergartener ❀️ He was about 90% excited, 10% nervous. I got to hold his hand and guide him through the maze of masked students and teachers to his classroom where he hugged me and then proceeded inside without a second glance back. Not surprised at all 🀷 . He is fearless, adventurous, helpful, and so boldly self-sufficient. I can't imagine loving a human more than I love this one 😍 #CharlieDavis
  • Safe to say, I'm enjoying our @onepeloton πŸš΄β€β™€οΈ I took the day off today to soak up our last day of summer before Charlie heads off to his first day of Kindergarten tomorrow- we kicked off our morning with a ride and it was so fun sweating alongside these two. They're insane 99% of the time, but I feel so lucky to share this life with them πŸ₯°πŸ₯°
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    Safe to say, I'm enjoying our @onepeloton πŸš΄β€β™€οΈ I took the day off today to soak up our last day of summer before Charlie heads off to his first day of Kindergarten tomorrow- we kicked off our morning with a ride and it was so fun sweating alongside these two. They're insane 99% of the time, but I feel so lucky to share this life with them πŸ₯°πŸ₯°
  • Got some new kicks and sunnies from a recent @toms sale and feeling like the (second) coolest Mom on the block- because let's face it, @dessierogers will always be light-years more cool than me 😎
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Happy Friday, friends! β˜€οΈ
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    Got some new kicks and sunnies from a recent @toms sale and feeling like the (second) coolest Mom on the block- because let's face it, @dessierogers will always be light-years more cool than me 😎 . . Happy Friday, friends! β˜€οΈ
  • My Mom and I are very different people. We agree on very little and some days I think the only trait we share in common is our stubbornness. However, I have to tell you all what my Mom is up to these days- last week she had her three-wheeler transported out to Sturgis, South Dakota, home of one of the largest annual motorcycle events in the world. On Tuesday, she met up with her bike and has kicked off a 6-week cross-country trip. She will make her way down the California Coast, through the Southwest and will swing by Ohio for a grandbaby visit in mid-September.
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My Mom has dreamed of doing this her entire life and at 65 years young SHE πŸ‘ IS πŸ‘ DOING πŸ‘ ITπŸ‘ Say what you will about @rusty_hunt, the lady has moxie. Just a little proud daughter bragging/inspiration for your Friday ✨
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    My Mom and I are very different people. We agree on very little and some days I think the only trait we share in common is our stubbornness. However, I have to tell you all what my Mom is up to these days- last week she had her three-wheeler transported out to Sturgis, South Dakota, home of one of the largest annual motorcycle events in the world. On Tuesday, she met up with her bike and has kicked off a 6-week cross-country trip. She will make her way down the California Coast, through the Southwest and will swing by Ohio for a grandbaby visit in mid-September. . . My Mom has dreamed of doing this her entire life and at 65 years young SHE πŸ‘ IS πŸ‘ DOING πŸ‘ ITπŸ‘ Say what you will about @rusty_hunt, the lady has moxie. Just a little proud daughter bragging/inspiration for your Friday ✨
  • Haircut Day with @danibyrdstylist has become the highlight of our social calendar πŸ˜‚πŸ’‡ (Crosby asked for "horn hair" and Dani delivered 😈)
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    Haircut Day with @danibyrdstylist has become the highlight of our social calendar πŸ˜‚πŸ’‡ (Crosby asked for "horn hair" and Dani delivered 😈)
  • When thinking about what I wanted this room to be, I wanted it to feel woodsy and whimsical 🌲 I felt like it would be silly not to play off the pitched ceiling and give the boys' bedroom a cabin-vibe. Partly because they have not stopped talking about camping since they stayed at a KOA with their Grandma last summer πŸ•οΈ
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I painted/stained most of the room while my friend/handyman extraordinaire installed the window (where there previously wasn't one) and siding πŸ‘·β€β™‚οΈ Because of the funky layout with our chimney going right through the middle of the room, he constructed a corner closet (see previous post) that didn't impede the flow of the room while still providing much-needed storage.  He replaced and rewired the light πŸ’‘ because the switch was in a super weird spot, and put new shelving into an odd corner nook to the left of the door that was completely non-functional. 
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It's not 100% done. There is some trim to install and we need to figure out what to do about heating/air because this room isn't connected to our home's HVAC system. However, this project has been a loooooong time coming and it feels so good to have my vision come to fruition πŸ’š
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Now, taking suggestions about what to do with the window. I generally despise blinds, but the window feels too close to the ceiling for curtains to work. Thoughts? πŸ€” #OurBeeautifulHome 🌈
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    When thinking about what I wanted this room to be, I wanted it to feel woodsy and whimsical 🌲 I felt like it would be silly not to play off the pitched ceiling and give the boys' bedroom a cabin-vibe. Partly because they have not stopped talking about camping since they stayed at a KOA with their Grandma last summer πŸ•οΈ . . I painted/stained most of the room while my friend/handyman extraordinaire installed the window (where there previously wasn't one) and siding πŸ‘·β€β™‚οΈ Because of the funky layout with our chimney going right through the middle of the room, he constructed a corner closet (see previous post) that didn't impede the flow of the room while still providing much-needed storage. He replaced and rewired the light πŸ’‘ because the switch was in a super weird spot, and put new shelving into an odd corner nook to the left of the door that was completely non-functional. . . It's not 100% done. There is some trim to install and we need to figure out what to do about heating/air because this room isn't connected to our home's HVAC system. However, this project has been a loooooong time coming and it feels so good to have my vision come to fruition πŸ’š . . Now, taking suggestions about what to do with the window. I generally despise blinds, but the window feels too close to the ceiling for curtains to work. Thoughts? πŸ€” #OurBeeautifulHome 🌈
  • I have an appointment this afternoon to have a bridesmaid dress altered, so I thought I'd do my makeup for the first time in months just for kicks. I took a look at myself in the mirror and thought "Damn, girl" πŸ”₯πŸ˜‚
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Maybe she's born with it, maybe it's quarantine πŸ’„
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    I have an appointment this afternoon to have a bridesmaid dress altered, so I thought I'd do my makeup for the first time in months just for kicks. I took a look at myself in the mirror and thought "Damn, girl" πŸ”₯πŸ˜‚ . . Maybe she's born with it, maybe it's quarantine πŸ’„
  • Our family is taking COVID-19 precautions very seriously as we consider our high-risk and immunocompromised family members. I was on the fence about re-enrolling the boys in swim lessons, but ultimately decided that the risk of them drowning was just as much a matter of life-or-death as the risk of COVID-19. We've been back at @goldfish_dayton for about a month now and I couldn't be more impressed with their coronavirus response:
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🧑 All families complete a symptom checklist upon arrival
πŸ’™ All staff members (outside of the pool) wear face masks
🧑 Touchless bookings and check-in via the Goldfish on the Go mobile app
πŸ’™ Staff member temperature scans
🧑 Enhanced sanitization and social distancing in the waiting area
πŸ’™ Staggered lanes and smaller class sizes
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This is an abbreviated version of their entire health and safety protocols, but suffice to say that we feel 100% that we made the right decision in registering. And it definitely doesn't hurt that the boys have been all smiles since they returned 😊 If you're a Dayton local, they've just added new class times that are filling up quickly. I highly recommend registering your child! You'll never regret a family commitment to safe swim 🏊
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    Our family is taking COVID-19 precautions very seriously as we consider our high-risk and immunocompromised family members. I was on the fence about re-enrolling the boys in swim lessons, but ultimately decided that the risk of them drowning was just as much a matter of life-or-death as the risk of COVID-19. We've been back at @goldfish_dayton for about a month now and I couldn't be more impressed with their coronavirus response: . . 🧑 All families complete a symptom checklist upon arrival πŸ’™ All staff members (outside of the pool) wear face masks 🧑 Touchless bookings and check-in via the Goldfish on the Go mobile app πŸ’™ Staff member temperature scans 🧑 Enhanced sanitization and social distancing in the waiting area πŸ’™ Staggered lanes and smaller class sizes . . This is an abbreviated version of their entire health and safety protocols, but suffice to say that we feel 100% that we made the right decision in registering. And it definitely doesn't hurt that the boys have been all smiles since they returned 😊 If you're a Dayton local, they've just added new class times that are filling up quickly. I highly recommend registering your child! You'll never regret a family commitment to safe swim 🏊
  • Over Memorial Day weekend, Chuck and I purchased a new sofa to replace the one two rambunctious boys and an energetic pup had so effectively destroyed. The delivery date of said couch has been postponed until next month 😩, but it allowed ample time for @daleguindon to come work his magic so we could rearrange our living room to accommodate the new sectional.
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I finally put the finishing touches on my Daddy shrine today and I am officially in love this this little nook of #OurBeeautifulHome 🌈 [Swipe for the 'Before' to see what a difference a few little shelves made in this corner!]
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    Over Memorial Day weekend, Chuck and I purchased a new sofa to replace the one two rambunctious boys and an energetic pup had so effectively destroyed. The delivery date of said couch has been postponed until next month 😩, but it allowed ample time for @daleguindon to come work his magic so we could rearrange our living room to accommodate the new sectional. . . I finally put the finishing touches on my Daddy shrine today and I am officially in love this this little nook of #OurBeeautifulHome 🌈 [Swipe for the 'Before' to see what a difference a few little shelves made in this corner!]
  • I got the update last week that my colleagues and I are looking at a late 2020/early 2021 return to the office. There are a lot of pros to working from home (namely more time spent with this sleepy pup and his small human siblings), but it definitely felt like a huge dose of reality that I was unprepared for 😬
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As this sinks in, I'm finding it weird that we're all living in this kind of purgatory. Waiting out the danger until "real life" can resume. It feels a little like a suspended existence. However, there are a few things that are helping me through the weirdness:
πŸ•ŠοΈ @wilmingtonfriendsohio Zoom worship
πŸ•β€πŸ¦Ί Lunchtime strolls with Reggie
🌞 Sending cards, homemade meals, and small acts of kindness
πŸ“Ί Grown-up TV (go watch @neverhaveiever on Netflix)
πŸ₯• @purplecarrotxo meal deliveries
πŸ’š The @evolvfaith podcast
🐠 Saturday mornings at @goldfish_dayton 
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What is brightening your days lately? Also, accepting Netflix recommendations πŸ™
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    I got the update last week that my colleagues and I are looking at a late 2020/early 2021 return to the office. There are a lot of pros to working from home (namely more time spent with this sleepy pup and his small human siblings), but it definitely felt like a huge dose of reality that I was unprepared for 😬 . . As this sinks in, I'm finding it weird that we're all living in this kind of purgatory. Waiting out the danger until "real life" can resume. It feels a little like a suspended existence. However, there are a few things that are helping me through the weirdness: πŸ•ŠοΈ @wilmingtonfriendsohio Zoom worship πŸ•β€πŸ¦Ί Lunchtime strolls with Reggie 🌞 Sending cards, homemade meals, and small acts of kindness πŸ“Ί Grown-up TV (go watch @neverhaveiever on Netflix) πŸ₯• @purplecarrotxo meal deliveries πŸ’š The @evolvfaith podcast 🐠 Saturday mornings at @goldfish_dayton . . What is brightening your days lately? Also, accepting Netflix recommendations πŸ™
  • Grandma Rusty visited last weekend. And though we only got her for about 24 hours, she maintained her celebrity status with two very motorcycle-obsessed little boys 🏍️🧑
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    Grandma Rusty visited last weekend. And though we only got her for about 24 hours, she maintained her celebrity status with two very motorcycle-obsessed little boys 🏍️🧑
  • Remember when I used to take #OfficeBathroomSelfies? ...that was cute. This is where I'm at 3+ months into quarantine life- strolling into my home office in the pajamas I slept in last night 😴
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In all honesty, the last week has been a weird and tough one for me. I don't think I'm alone in feeling physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted. I also don't think I'm alone in feeling...alone. Being couped up in my house with only my pup to keep me company has me feeling all out of sorts. I'm sitting with a lot of confusing and uncomfortable feelings. I've been reflecting a lot on why my Dad was depressed and suicidal in the last years of his life. Not only was he trapped in the same apartment for years, but he was trapped in his body with no hope of better days ahead. I can't imagine the loneliness and hopelessness he felt. 
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I don't want to gratuitously park myself in this melancholic state, but I do think there's something to be said for the empathy I'm gaining for those who suffer from mental illness, disabilities, and/or chronic illness. I'll let that be my silver lining for the day πŸ™
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    Remember when I used to take #OfficeBathroomSelfies? ...that was cute. This is where I'm at 3+ months into quarantine life- strolling into my home office in the pajamas I slept in last night 😴 . . In all honesty, the last week has been a weird and tough one for me. I don't think I'm alone in feeling physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted. I also don't think I'm alone in feeling...alone. Being couped up in my house with only my pup to keep me company has me feeling all out of sorts. I'm sitting with a lot of confusing and uncomfortable feelings. I've been reflecting a lot on why my Dad was depressed and suicidal in the last years of his life. Not only was he trapped in the same apartment for years, but he was trapped in his body with no hope of better days ahead. I can't imagine the loneliness and hopelessness he felt. . . I don't want to gratuitously park myself in this melancholic state, but I do think there's something to be said for the empathy I'm gaining for those who suffer from mental illness, disabilities, and/or chronic illness. I'll let that be my silver lining for the day πŸ™