As We Speak...

She...

1. Is doing CrossFit again. After a REALLY long time. And it's hard and she hates it sometimes but she also loves the way it makes her feel. She's not very in shape or very coordinated, but she's tired of excuses and she's ready to treat her body like a temple instead of a trashcan.

2. Got through an entire discussion in Italian the other day. And she felt unnaturally proud of herself when he finished.

3. Has a million blog posts she wants to write but no time to write them. Life is flying by lately and it seems like there are less hours in the day.

4. Hit a reading plateau. It goes in cycles. Now she's wanting to create again instead of reading. Ebbs and flows.

5. Is currently planning a trip to Positano. Paris one weekend and Positano the next. April is going to be a good, good month. :)

 

He...

1. Is currently away training in Germany. He's missed terribly.

2. Called tonight just to talk to Harper about how her play audition went. He's such a GREAT daddy. He makes each of them feel so very special and cherished.

3. Might love Frozen as much as the girls do. He does the Olaf voice a LOT.

4. Has the funniest voice when trying to speak Italian. It sounds kind of German and very stuttery. HAHAHA.

5. Has now officially knocked both side mirrors off of his car. AKA the Green Machine. Oh my. Italy is treacherous for drivers!

 

She...

1. Has become a voracious reader. In the photos above she was telling me alllll about Nancy Drew.

2. Auditioned for her very first musical last night. The Little Mermaid. She blew me away. Tears and goosebumps. Her confidence is amazing. I love that she has found something that she is passionate about. I really want to cultivate that.

3. Will be eight soon. EIGHT? How is that POSSIBLE?

4. Never stops singing. Ever. Ever ever ever. Harper's life is a musical. And it's magical.

5. Is really blossoming this year. Improved self-confidence...not so hard on herself. She's finding her niche and it's beautiful to see.

 

She:

1. Is really walking that fine line between spunk and sass lately. We struggle with that. I want her to be respectful but I don't want her to lose the spunk. The spark. I love her so much but being her mama can be hard!

2. Rocks at gymnastics. Definitely her "thing".

3. Has a crazy desire to LEARN. She absorbs everything. She is competitive with herself in a good way.

4. Asked me if she could hold my hand today. It melted my heart. God may have made her wild and stubborn...but he made her extra sweet to even it out.

5. Wants to grow her bob out. This breaks my heart but I'm honoring her wishes. I SO hope she wants to go back to the bangs and bob one day.

 

She:

1. Wears this crown almost every single day.

2. Is the leader in the "Howell scowl" competition. She makes this face at me multiple times a day.

3. Has taken to saying "SURE!" in a Boston-esque accent. Lucy? Can I hold you?? SHOOWAH!!!!

4. Likes to tell people she likes them. "I YIKE YOU!" She once said "I NO YIKE YOU" to someone but I nipped that one in the bud.

5. Does a dance to "Happy" by Pharrell Williams where she shakes her bottom and looks over her shoulder at it. HILARIOUS.

 

She:

1. Wears this monkey hat just as  much as Lucy wears her crown.

2. Weighs 4 1/2 pounds less than Lucy.

3. Could eat yogurt 9240820384 times a day if I let her.

4. Is in a whining phase. WORST PHASE EVER. I tell her I'm deaf to whining.

5. Loves playing baby/mommy with her sister. Watching them is HILAROUS!

 

xoxo

S

 

Comments

[Alison]

Sympathize with Jimmy about the mirrors. I did that once and felt like a total moron. Now I'm paranoid about being too close to stuff. Sounds like Italy would make me sweat (if I drove there, which I do not want to do). And you've got sassy, confident, creative, caring girls. Sounds like you're doing a good job, momma.

[[email protected]]

I love this post a lot. :) Love your family! Oh, be sure you check your gmail today.

Love,
Jen

[Brenda]

Positano! I was there last year and it was so beautiful. Enjoy!

[KELLY GOREE]

that pick of sadie makes me miss that spunky girl SOOOO much and she looks SO like you in it too - with your sass ;) hee
LOVE this post! LOVE!
love you, too!
xoxo

[Christine Campbell]

Ohhhhh, that post made me smile and laugh sooo much!! Missing your blogging but understand how crazy it must be, especially when J's away. I haven't scrapped since October, other than the odd card here and there. Going to Crop and Create this weekend so I plan to get a lot done. fingers crossed. :)

[Ki Kruk]

Loved this post! The girls are changing so quickly. Harper is losing her "baby" face and quite the "young lady" now. I can totally see her appearing on Broadway in her future - I will go see her for sure when that happens! Love Sadie's spunk - hope she never loses it! I imagine she will take on life at full speed/volume! Lucy - LOL...can't blame her for wearing the crown - life is always better with a Crown! Yes, her "Howell Scowell" is the best! That furrowed brow!! I have always been good at the furrowed brow, maybe we should compare! LOL. Cate! The monkey hat never ceases to make me laugh - may she always have the ability to make people smile, monkey hat or not! You and Jimmy are looking wonderful as usual! Italy looks good on both of you!

[Jenny A]

Love this so much!Thanks for sharing!

[Miriam Prantner]

Such a fun post! What a full life you have!

[Jennifer]

This is so great and a reminder for me to do something similar. I always forget to include myself and my husband. Enjoy April!

[CJ]

Wonderful. I have a singer as well, and I so love to hear him. Sometimes I just stand outside of his door for ages listening to him singing his heart out. He can be REALLY hard work, but he is so sweet and affectionate too, like you say, it evens it all out. I loved this post Stephanie, and I think these little updates will be something you guys will treasure and enjoy looking back at in the future.

[kate]

they are quite a happy handful1

[Janell Knudson]

We LOVED Positano!

You must also research Ravello - it's been called the most beautiful village in Italy!
The view from the terrace of the Villa Cimbrone is spectacular!

[sam]

I think these are my most favourite posts of yours. Nice updates. You look fab!

[Kirsten]

I really really love these posts! Go you for getting back on the Cross Fit wagon AND taking Italian classes.

[Jill]

I loved reading this update on your family. My little Eden wants to grow out her bangs and bob too and I feel the exact same way. I'm letting her do it, but secretly hope she want to go back to the short hair and bangs because it's so cute on her and low maintenance. Can't wait to see your adventures in Paris and Positano!

[Bessie Segal]

Gorgeous, amazing,crazy & gifted family! It's such a shame that time flies by so quickly; hold on to each moment.

[sherried]

I love these posts. Thanks so much for sharing!

[Marian]

Awesome post. Love catching up on all your family is doing.

[Dawn (La)]

Jimmy looks fabulous in that Italian suit (?)! Of course, you look even more fab! And the girls, so cute. I *loved* Nancy Drew--so happy that young girls these days still like those stories. Sounds like your life is a whirlwind, but a happy one!

[Linda]

What an absolutely gorgeous post Steph. Loved reading about you all. So glad to hear you're feeling more like creating again - woohoo - look forward to seeing the creativity right here:)))

[Stacey]

Love this post! Your kids are so cute and getting so big! As your kids get older, you definitely have less hours in the day. My kids are 10, 14 and 16, and I feel that my day is about 16 hrs. long (haha). They keep you on your toes all day long! I have enough trouble keeping up with the practices and activities with 3 kids. At least my friends carpool which really helps as my husband travels for work. Your trips sound exciting and be proud of your Italian!

[Stephanie]

I always love these posts of yours! Inspired to do my own. You NEED to submit a video of Lucy dancing to GMA for their 'Happy' dance good morning segment!!

[JoLynn]

You...
Inspired some pages in me with this post. Love the structure! Rock Cross Fit, lady!

[Lisa Martin]

I Yike the pictures!!! and I yike everything about this post lol

[Koko @ Koko Likes]

I LOVE YOUR FAMILY!!!! Can't take the cuteness! And Jimmy in that suit!!! OH MY!

[Michelle]

I love this post. It makes me want to capture my family of 5 right now in my PL. Thanks for the inspiration!

[Emma]

Love this! You explained how you feel in regards to Sadie so well. That is exactly how I feel about my Ellie. Sometimes I snap badly and I am working on this. Best wishes!

[libbywilko]

I so loved this post , makes me want to do it for my family too !

[Kaila]

Love it!! And please tell me how you nipped the "I no like you" in the bud....having issues with this phrase!!

[Reyanna Klein]

I absolutely love these posts. I enjoy hearing what you're all up to these days. :-)

I'm sorry I haven't commented. I'm sorry I haven't been here in a while. I think of you a lot. A LOT. Almost every day, actually. Honestly, you're my hero. You keep me going. You keep me striving. You keep me saying, "It's OKAY to take time for yourself, Reyanna." Thinking of you and your life and what you've accomplished and been through and how strong you've been with having little ones and a husband who's gone (Jeremy is pretty much only home on weekends, due to his new position) often. All of it. You don't know what an inspiration you are to me. So thank you. :-)

[Stephanie Howell]

you are the absolute SWEETEST. wish i could hug your neck, my sweet friend.