Awesome blogs

I LOVE reading blogs! I used to read what felt like hundreds of blogs, but since life seems busier lately, I've tried to read blogs that inspire or make me laugh. So, here are my favorites.

Blogs that inspire:

Girl's Gone Child
Rebecca, writer of this blog, is some I wish was my friend in real life. She is so REAL. And she has amazing insights into the world and I think she is doing a fantastic job as a mother. Here are some of my all time favorite posts:
Be your own best friend - I also want her daughter Fable to be my BFF.
Talking to strangers
Rock, her Gypsy soul
Amour - her son Archer is a gentle soul. I love posts about Archer - like this one- We need to allow men to be sensitive
On (finally) accepting feminism

Ok, I could go on and on... this blog is amazing.

Finding Magnolia   
This blog is awesome too. Its about a family with 2 adopted little girls from Ethiopia. The mom does therapeutic parenting posts about how she helps her daughters deal with the trauma of their early years.
On parenting a child who has experienced trauma
Hair, Homeschool, and Holiday

Blogs that make me laugh:

The Honest Toddler 

I love all the posts from this blog. I also compulsively check their twitter feed. 

Some of my all time favorites include:

How to get kicked out of preschool 

How to get kicked out of preschool 2

This one might be my ALL TIME favorite: Big bed

I need to buy the book. I've read every post, again and again. Great stuff.

Hyperbole and a Half

If you've never read this blog, please start today. Its amazing. Ali, the author, is so real. I get giddy every time new post comes out. And she has a new book. BUY IT - you won't regret it. All posts are simply amazing, but here are some of my favorites:

The God of Cake - this is me. Probably exactly me as a child (am I right, mom?) but I try and hide it a little better as an adult. 

This is why I'll never be an adult

A better pain scale

Spiders are scary

Menace 

And for a whole lot of TRUTH: Adventures in depression and  Depression part 2

When you work at a nonprofit 

Everything on this blog is true, accurate and funny :) 

ENJOY! 

Where I've been (since I've not been blogging!)

In looking through photos on my phone this morning, I realized that instead of just telling, I could show what I've been up to (and why I've been a blogging slacker).

Family

This summer we visited NY and PA!
First, I got to see my beautiful nieces and their dance recitals.

They did a great job! So proud of my little girls.

We were able to spend a super fun 4th of July weekend in New York. On the trip up to NY, we visited 2 firework stands. So glad no one lost a limb! Look at these cuties!

Hi Immy!

My nephew can read?! When did this happen?! Love them.

Running 

At the beginning of the summer we ran a color run. It was fun, but I was coughing up color for days. 

Lots and lots of running. Did my second half in September. It was not fun, but it was good running with my ladies. Jason and his bike saved us. He had advil, treats, and was a great source of encouragement to us.

Best medal EVER! I love it. 

My girls! We stuck together on a really tough course and finished STRONG!

DIVAS!

The week after the half,  I did a really hard trail run with my awesome friend Tiffany. We were crawling over big rocks and there were fallen trees. She was super patient while I was slow and lame.

I also did a "run around the lake" race for Wounded Warriors. Another trail run, and I only fell once!

Today we did a 10K! I was worried since I've been battling a cold all week and my lungs where hurting. But we all did really well. Love these people!

New Job! 

I started a new job in August. I love it, but its keeping me really busy. But I have a great view! (thats Reagan Airport through the buildings!)

Food!

Lots and lots of delish food! This summer I did a Georgetown cupcake tour with my friend Michelle. We started at Georgetown Cupcakes, then moved to Sprinkles and ended at Baked & Wired. Georgetown Cupcakes is still my favorite, and Michelle liked Sprinkles German Chocolate Cake cupcakes the best.

Georgetown Cupcake - Red Velvet and Salted Caramel

Sprinkles!

Sprinkles Double Chocolate 

Baked and Wired Lemon Blueberry

 Had a great girls night out with some good friends - and the chocolate flourless waffle was amazing.

 First pumpkin maple donut of the season! This year, they stopped making them way too soon :(

I discovered sourdough avocado grilled cheese sandwiches.  I've died and gone to heaven.

 A friend gave me the recipe for brownie cookie dough bars. They were pretty delish.

Another trip to Georgetown Cupcakes, this time a boding trip with a new co-worker and we split the cupcakes in the picture below. I ate an apple carmel, a maple pumpkin, and a chocolate lava cupcake. Phrase of the day (after eating 3 cupcakes) "and I don't feel sick at all!"

Other random fun...

Josh brought some legos back from one of his visits to NY. I'm convinced that legos are fun at any age.

 Josh and I did a date night to the river front. Someday we will have a boat like this...

 Went with my good friend Sarah to see Austenland! Sarah and I were roommates, and when I had mono, she read the book to me. Best roommate/friend ever.

 Voted! Things were getting a little tense in the governors race, so while I try to vote anyway, I booked it home from work and VOTED!

 And finally, the most recent addition to our family, a giant stuffed panda. Its huge. Name will be decided later :)

bad. bad bad

Jes and I are still alive.  We both have had life changes since I posted here on the blog the day AFTER her birthday.  ( i know, worst friend ever right here)  I've decided to participate in a local blogger's Friday fashion posts.  I may suck at more than I would like to admit, but I think it will be a good way for me to be motivated to get back my creative juices and actually start getting dressed and showered again.  Check out Allison's page at twothirtyfivedesigns.blogspot.com .  She's fabulous and super fun.

I hope you all are well.  I have several posts I'd like to get started one.  Anyone want to help me by being a nanny/wetnurse/housekeeper/personalassistant/etc?  thankyouverymuch.  send your resumes to the address in the "Contact Us" section.

~june