tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79081027777018705032024-03-14T00:52:46.243-04:00Just A CurlUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger512125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-74954098745689426432016-07-08T01:12:00.000-04:002016-07-08T18:05:45.724-04:00The Blues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After a couple hours at the Tower of London it was now in the early afternoon of Day One of me being in London. (Jon had been there several days for work reasons before I arrived.)<br />
I was on day two in the same clothes and was starting to feel a little sick to my stomach. <br />
Like I mentioned in my <a href="http://justacurl.blogspot.com/2016/06/getting-there.html">post about getting there</a>, I did get some sleep on the overnight flight but it wasn't quality rest. A cold sweaty fatigue was setting in.<br />
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We took the DLR- Docklands Light Rail - to our hotel and quickly slipped into a nice deep sleep nap for a couple hours.<br />
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--As a side note, I was a little disappointed at first when I heard the location of the hotel. Plans had changed a bit for work and it ended up being farther out than the more central hotel we had previously booked. It ended up giving me a broader picture of greater London, though. </div>
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As a "Call the Midwife" fan, I was happy to see the Poplar train stop and see first-hand how the area had been redeveloped.--</div>
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Back on the train and 20 minutes later we were at St. Paul's Cathedral. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ioo153ER25Y/V38c7ddplXI/AAAAAAAAFIU/83-pDh1PY6A6fXTfmY-KkXaRiDU1h6v_gCLcB/s1600/DSC_0111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ioo153ER25Y/V38c7ddplXI/AAAAAAAAFIU/83-pDh1PY6A6fXTfmY-KkXaRiDU1h6v_gCLcB/s640/DSC_0111.jpg" width="456" /></a><br />
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The present church dates back to the late 17th Century and is dedicated to the Apostle Paul, as was the original church founded on this site in AD 604.</div>
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Six - Zero - Four, people. Just three numbers. </div>
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Man this city is old.</div>
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**I never got a great shot of the exterior, so here's one I'm borrowing from the internet.**</div>
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The church was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, the renowned architect who painted London's skyline with spires from the dozens of churches and buildings he designed and rebuilt.</div>
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**Photography indoors was not allowed so both of the following photos were borrowed as well.**</div>
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Maybe you recognize this from watching Princess Diana and Prince Charles' wedding? <br />
Funeral services for Lord Nelson and Winston Churchill were also held here.<br />
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We climbed 4,263 (ok not really) spiraling steps into the dome but the view was worth it. (Again, not our view <i>per se </i>but cameras were a no-no.)<br />
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St. Paul's cathedral was not draped in darkening stained glass but instead was bright and light. The science of the architecture during the Age of Enlightenment was beautifully reflected in the columns and arches. A couple hundred years after the cathedral was built, Queen Victoria, who wasn't a fan of Wren and preferred a more ornate style, requested some gold and stained glass. So one wing is pretty blingy, you could say.<br />
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After we descended all the way to the crypt -- a large floor that included the tomb of London's naval hero Sir Nelson, we decided to climb more steps. This time they were on the outside of the dome.<br />
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100% WORTH IT.</div>
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No?</div>
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The time for tours ended so we decided to have dinner and then come back for the evensong service in the cathedral.</div>
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We had a delightful meal at Strada, an Italian restaurant right across the road. Our wine, a salice, was a refreshing discovery and service was excellent. <br />
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After staying a while for the boys choir and evensong service, we started back toward the train and enjoyed our surroundings.<br />
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Check out the names of these establishments:<br />
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We walked along the Thames toward the Tower Bridge so we could get more up close and personal with it. The view that morning from the <a href="http://justacurl.blogspot.com/2016/07/tower-of-london.html">Tower of London</a> was great, but there was more to see.<br />
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The blue is killing me.</div>
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Like the blue doors in the Tower, the blue beams of the bridge were such an joyful surprise.</div>
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Look at the archway! This is the architectural equivalent of polka-dotted underpants under a sophisticated dress. <br />
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"I see London, I see France. I see Bridgie's underpants!"</div>
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<i>(I miiight have stayed up a little too late writing this post...)</i></div>
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Even this humble fishing boat was painted in the happy blue. (Carolina blue? Nah...)<br />
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After over 10 miles on our feet, Day One of our Anniversary Trip to London came to a close. </div>
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I know I didn't do it justice, but some things in life just aren't meant to described. </div>
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Experiencing London is an event in life that I know I'm fortunate to have had, though, so I want to bring everyone along with me as I go back on this trip in my memory.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-67156819258829477882016-07-07T09:31:00.000-04:002017-01-31T17:55:53.061-05:00Tower of London<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Upon exiting the tube stop for Tower Hill, this was the first thing I saw: the Tower of London.</div>
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William the Conquerer began building "The White Tower" in the 1070's.</div>
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(The best way to view these photos is to click on one and then move through them in while they are in a larger size.)</div>
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The crosses in the wall you see are called arrow-slits, thin apertures in the wall through which archers can shoot arrows. </div>
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The grassy area is what was once the moat. When the tower was built, there were no skyscrapers or tall bridges. It was meant to be an intimidating presence perched right on the banks of the Thames.<br />
It's said that you could <i>smell</i> the tower before you could see it, though. Moats didn't hold the freshest of water!<br />
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Starting the trip at the tower was a perfect introduction to London. There was no build-up, only immediate immersion.</div>
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The Tower Bridge is just beyond the fortress.</div>
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I'll share more about the bridge another time, but it's quite impressive, is it not?<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">It is 800 years younger than the Tower of London, by the way. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Hardly what we think of as a modern structure, but age is relative.</span></div>
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The contrasts that seem to flow flawlessly throughout the landscape of London is part of what makes experiencing the city stay fresh and interesting.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cNUAF_cZ0nM/V35Ype1yH4I/AAAAAAAAFH4/0WjyoC8e2FklXy0t7NIUU2twV8ArEpvMgCLcB/s1600/DSC_0044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cNUAF_cZ0nM/V35Ype1yH4I/AAAAAAAAFH4/0WjyoC8e2FklXy0t7NIUU2twV8ArEpvMgCLcB/s640/DSC_0044.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Before London was the city it is today, it had to become the world force that it was.</div>
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The Tower is home to countless suits of armor for horses and men, weaponry, and cannons.</div>
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Armor of Henry VIII (The one with all the wives, many of whom he had murdered.)</div>
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Armor of Henry, Prince of Wales, around age 13.</div>
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The Tower was home to the National Mint and of course held prisoners, some of whom were grotesquely tortured. </div>
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It was sometimes difficult to take photos inside the buildings because the castle wasn't exactly <i>light and airy. </i>(This winding staircase contained windows.)<i> </i></div>
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Also, there were times when photography was either not permitted or felt disrespectful.</div>
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Check out the hands on the spokes of the wheel of this ceremonial cannon.</div>
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This tower contains the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.<br />
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Photos were strictly prohibited but here's a glimpse of the interior. I liked this area way more than Jonathan did. The opposite was true for viewing rows and rows of cannons, though.<br />
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Members of the Royal Guard are stationed at the Tower of London and live and work inside it's gates.<br />
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Some areas, like this beautiful row of administrative offices, are restricted to government officials and employees only.</div>
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I loved the bright blue doors and red geraniums against the old brick.</div>
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I'm not going to do an exhaustive post on the history of the Tower of London (there are videos on Netflix if you're interested), but another fact I'll mention is that it was also home to a zoo for many years. <br />
When foreign dignitaries visited, they often brought exotic animals as gifts. They had lions, elephants, eagles, and many, many more.<br />
Officials decided to create a menagerie for the Tower's visitors to enjoy. In leu of an admission fee, visitors could bring a dog to feed the animals.<br />
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The polar bear was tied to a rope and let loose to swim in the Thames and hunt for fish!</div>
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They eventually closed the menagerie because the animals were expensive, a nuisance to the fortress, and you know, kept getting loose and <i>killing people</i>.<br />
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The Tower of London has evolved countless times over the years, yet still remains timeless.<br />
Although it is no longer the imposing force that it once was, its importance in Western history can never be erased. <br />
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(Walking along the Thames by the Tower)<br />
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For a city of people still surrounded by their past, it's abundantly clear that Londoners are not scared to blaze new futures.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-38553370182890778202016-06-07T15:18:00.001-04:002017-01-31T17:58:11.498-05:00Getting ThereLet's start from the beginning, shall we?<br />
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About a month ago Jon got word that he was clear to book flights for a brief work trip to London. <br />
We knew it was in the works but weren't sure when it would happen. With two weeks notice, we decided to piggy-back the work with me joining him in London. It was great timing right before our 15th anniversary!<br />
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Jon left a couple days before I did so he could take care of business. Because he can't sleep on planes, he opted to fly all day and go straight to bed when he got there.<br />
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To minimize my time away from the kids, I took an overnight direct flight from RDU to HTR. (Raleigh to Heathrow) I departed at 6 pm Tuesday and arrived at 6:45 am Wednesday.<br />
I got to the airport about two and a half hours early and breezed through security with my one bag, a back pack. Jonathan generously packed my clothes in "The Orange Beast," a big suitcase he checked for the trip.<br />
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(Not OUR "Orange Beast" but it feels this big in my imagination.)<br />
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Now, I'm a light and efficient traveller but I do have one vice: I travel with my own pillow. Yes, I sent him with a full size pillow to lug around London.<br />
In my defense, I'm a stomach sleeper and the pillows that most hotels have are very big. Even the nicest down pillows don't seem to flatten enough for me and I will wake up with a sore neck and headache. So our compromise is that yes, I will take my own $3 Wal-Mart pillow and then leave it at the hotel upon our return. It's also a good strategy for ensuring that you have room for souvenirs in your bag on the way home. <br />
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<span style="background-color: yellow;">No Pillow = Room to Bring Stuff Home</span></div>
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Back to the airport-- I knew it was critical that I slept during my 8 hour, 45 minute flight, so I sat down for a good dinner and had a glass of wine to try to relax. I don't get anxious often but even I was a little nervous.<br />
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Luckily on the plane I had no one sitting next to me so I was able to spread out a bit. I got out my Rick Steves travel book on London and my photo of the kids, and settled in. (I always keep out the pic of the kids during take-off and landing because, should something happen, I want to be able to see their sweet stinker faces.)<br />
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After a couple hours, an in-flight movie, and dinner served, they turned off the lights for the night. I took half a dramamine (It doesn't take much for me to be loopy on meds) and tried to get cozy with my kleenex they called a blanket and cotton ball pillow. Not great, but better than nothing!<br />
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It was a smooth flight and I did sleep on the plane. I felt like I could hear the roar of the plane the whole time and didn't "think" I was asleep, but every so often I would wake up and notice a new movie on.<br />
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The people to the left and in front of me had two small dogs with them and they were quiet and calm the whole time. Once I woke to a man yelling that the dogs were peeing because a liquid was running off their seat. It turned out to be water from a bottle that had tipped over and didn't have the lid on properly. That was really the only drama all night.<br />
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We arrived on time in the UK at 6:45 am. I would do an overnight again, but it would be very hard to do with children. I think I would be too tuned to them and would wake and be alert at every twitch and sigh. We would have to go straight to the hotel upon arrival and sleep for a while.<br />
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Heathrow Airport, where a plane arrives or departs every 45 seconds, is to the west of London and the hotel Jon was at was on the east side. We agreed to wait until I arrived to see if I felt up to exploring first thing or if I needed rest.<br />
Here's our text exchange:<br />
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I was excited! Earlier I had told him that I even "felt an inch taller" because of the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I really did feel fantastic!<br />
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The trains and underground (or "Tube") system wasn't too difficult to figure out, especially if you aren't afraid to ask for help from one of the many transit workers you see waiting around <i>just to help you.</i><br />
Jon and I decided to meet at the Tower of London and he told me which tube station to exit. I told a transit worker at Heathrow my destination and he helped me quickly buy a pass for the Heathrow Express train into London and then fare for the remainder of my journey to the Tower Hill stop. (Jon already had a refillable card for me called an "Oyster Card" that could be used on trains and buses for the rest of the trip.)<br />
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Once I arrived at Paddington Station, I departed and began the hunt for the Circle line, my next train. Paddington Station was CRAZY. I had to ask for help twice. <br />
I wish I had taken a photo at some point, but if you imagine that the lines on the map above are all people coming and going in different languages and speeds, you might get a feel for the chaos that is Paddington Station during morning rush hour. Kids in uniforms, men in slick business suits, and hordes of construction workers all seemed to be late for wherever they were headed.<br />
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At one point during the labyrinth to the Circle line, I looked over and saw light coming down from the street. "I'm here!" I thought. I snapped a pic with my phone. I was ready to be done <i>getting there </i>and wanted to start exploring!<br />
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I finally made it to Tower Hill and when I saw Jonathan I ran to hug him like he'd just gotten home from war. I just couldn't believe we were really HERE. We took a quick selfie (very rare for us) and even though I felt gross and unbeautiful from the trip, I'm so glad we did it! Jon's face says it all. :)<br />
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See you next time for the next chapter,<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-2329513201155995302016-05-30T07:19:00.002-04:002016-05-30T07:19:30.171-04:00Pack your bags!<br />
Personally, I like to soak up all the details of being in a different place. After looking through the photos I came home with from our trip to London, I'm immediately struck by all the things I didn't photograph. <br />
Sometimes that was because photography wasn't allowed and other times because I didn't want to be <i>that tourist</i>. But the biggest reason I didn't take photos of everything was because, for me, I can't fully experience an event and document it at the same time. <br />
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It's worth staying immersed in those moments that you realize are special.<br />
For example, would you rather be swept up in a passionate kiss, or pull out a phone to take a pic of you kissing?<br />
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<b>Sometimes the cost of truly embracing the moment is having no evidence that it existed. </b><br />
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That being said, I still have over 300 photos from our trip. I've tried to figure out the best way to share the highlights but I'm coming up empty. So, I'm just going to take you with me.<br />
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Today I'm enjoying family time but I'll be back this week to get the trip started!<br />
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<b><br /></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-38083297457736427972016-05-20T13:09:00.000-04:002016-05-20T13:09:09.174-04:00Overrated Silence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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No butterflies are perched on this bloom of the butterfly bush.</div>
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And no toddlers are ransacking the house right now. </div>
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I wish Gracie was pulling clean tupperware out of cabinets, ripping out hair bows and ties, and banging on my keyboard.</div>
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The baby that woke up happily jumping in her crib yesterday, started feeling under the weather in the afternoon. Usually a champion sleeper, she was feverish and wanted to be held and rocked the entire night.<br />
The first couple hours weren't so bad, but it became exhausting after midnight.<br />
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I tried cuddling with her in bed, but that didn't really work. She wanted to be held on my chest in the glider or she cried the most pitiful sick-child cry I've ever heard in my home.<br />
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We've been to the pediatrician and it looks to be viral. I know how extremely lucky we are with our health in this family, especially when it comes to the children. Minor sicknesses always remind me of that.<br />
After discovering that Gracie can take chewable Motrin instead of the liquid form (which is a violent, useless experience every time I attempt to dispense it to her), she's finally getting some much-needed rest. <br />
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Rest up, wild woman. Silence is overrated, and now I see butterflies out the window that I know you would love.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-27394235645756630132016-05-17T14:56:00.000-04:002016-05-17T14:56:56.001-04:00Rounding the Corner <br />
<i>We're going on a big trip soon and I wanted a new lens for my camera that would be versatile and help me get great photos in a variety of environments -- a good walkaround lens. </i><br />
<i>I decided upon a Tamron 18-200mm and my first impressions are pretty good. Even a little bit of rain couldn't keep me from playing with my new toy. Walk with me, will you?</i><br />
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Our back yard has a lot of natural elements to it that can be hard to distinguish in photos. There are some neat things happening on the other side of that deck railing, though.<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">Let's head to far corner of the property.</span></div>
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When I walk directly behind the deck and turn around, this is the view I see. </div>
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That is a swing and play set for the kids in the distance.</div>
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There are ferns everywhere and they go a bit crazy! </div>
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This little guy has his own pond and it was almost completely hidden when we moved in. </div>
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Can you guess to where this path leads?</div>
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The basketball court.</div>
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A little unexpected, but it works well for us. </div>
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Originally it was a fire pit area, but we found that having a basketball goal </div>
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and storage box for balls and nerf guns suits our needs a bit better.</div>
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The hydrangea blooms always feel like a surprise since they are hidden back here.</div>
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All in all this part of the yard fits in well with how I like to approach my home:</div>
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It's functional, natural/comfortable, and a little bit beautiful.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-43713954053541014652016-05-11T18:08:00.002-04:002016-05-11T21:43:25.043-04:00Practice for SummerWith the end of the school year rapidly approaching, we've started practicing for summer a bit after school. It's hard work, I tell ya.<br />
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We've become reacquainted with dirty feet,<br />
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popsicle lips,</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NQxHhqKmixI/VzOoIQe3gwI/AAAAAAAAE-8/X6YvhzSMvTAbn2boj3Fh3nmXcFU6mtJQwCKgB/s1600/DSC_0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NQxHhqKmixI/VzOoIQe3gwI/AAAAAAAAE-8/X6YvhzSMvTAbn2boj3Fh3nmXcFU6mtJQwCKgB/s640/DSC_0026.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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porch swingin',</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cXZvzI2UEiQ/VzOoIZZPgJI/AAAAAAAAE-8/RmOu2evMInkvdLdbcBBxnL7PDZuN_kPawCKgB/s1600/DSC_0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cXZvzI2UEiQ/VzOoIZZPgJI/AAAAAAAAE-8/RmOu2evMInkvdLdbcBBxnL7PDZuN_kPawCKgB/s640/DSC_0022.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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and just enjoying the breeze.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zNU-8Yb_MoY/VzOonBFeGPI/AAAAAAAAE_E/4NxaoDRUKacrMg6cLeXUel6Ygv0hOENTgCKgB/s1600/DSC_0027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zNU-8Yb_MoY/VzOonBFeGPI/AAAAAAAAE_E/4NxaoDRUKacrMg6cLeXUel6Ygv0hOENTgCKgB/s640/DSC_0027.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I don't know everything the summer holds for us, but I think Gracie's found a great spot to watch it all unfold.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M4_hAj48qF4/VzOonQmaeHI/AAAAAAAAE_E/6mwUELFB_dgdGtLUz7TMoAYisGRXwK-MQCKgB/s1600/DSC_0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M4_hAj48qF4/VzOonQmaeHI/AAAAAAAAE_E/6mwUELFB_dgdGtLUz7TMoAYisGRXwK-MQCKgB/s640/DSC_0016.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-6305061936202874612016-05-10T15:19:00.001-04:002016-05-10T15:19:48.192-04:00Hello again! Hey look, I still know how to use Blogger! <br />
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I thought I'd dust off the ole<i> blaaaaahg </i>(Yep, I still hate that word.) and return to a more sophisticated form of journaling than Facebook can provide. <br />
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When I stopped blogging, it was partly because of time constraints and partly because I'd gotten too concerned about what others thought of me and my life. Instead of being an outlet that came naturally and always left me feeling a little better than when I started, it had become an activity that made me feel self-conscious.<br />
Well, this is my life and my family. I have no implied judgements on you or yours.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GZF99lTx-yA/VzIshG5EODI/AAAAAAAAE-M/1Uo5onWlYRoBN8FfxwEjmY0-dxF2dpybgCLcB/s1600/DSC_0883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GZF99lTx-yA/VzIshG5EODI/AAAAAAAAE-M/1Uo5onWlYRoBN8FfxwEjmY0-dxF2dpybgCLcB/s640/DSC_0883.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm over the concerns now. Hopefully anyone who knows me knows that when I share, my emotions are genuine and intentions pure. <br />
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Simply put: If I have joy in my life, I like to spread it.<br />
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Same goes for: laughter,<br />
lessons learned,<br />
new experiences had,<br />
and love felt.<br />
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Sometimes I write about struggles because I know that we all have issues and I never want people to feel alone.<br />
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I don't like to feel alone. I like to BE alone sometimes, but I don't like to feel alone in my heart. <br />
If, by voicing a struggle with which I am dealing, I can make someone else face their own in a more honest way, then it is worth the hit to my own pride.<br />
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In the end, I like to <i>blaaaahg</i> in my own uncensored voice and that's what I'm going to go back to doing. Imagine this space as my living room. I'll be here in its varying states of cleanliness and you're welcome to stop by any time.<br />
I might even have some chocolate to offer you.<br />
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On second thought, you should probably bring the chocolate. ;)<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-17046727537361011212015-07-21T18:23:00.002-04:002015-07-21T18:23:41.423-04:00101<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The heat index is 101 right now, so I thought I'd write a little something in the comfort of our air-conditioned home.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aOmyTLy_NW0/Va68e2s6hqI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/RK5kMvZv7P0/s1600/DSC_0671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aOmyTLy_NW0/Va68e2s6hqI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/RK5kMvZv7P0/s640/DSC_0671.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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This is our first summer having BigBoy home with us. Our move back to Apex means a school change, and along with that is a calendar change from year-round to traditional. He has his first real summer off from school (not just one week off between grades). He's had camp, but there's also this:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BdzDSe3dYPQ/Va68Z7DGjLI/AAAAAAAAE08/ldBdTRGlAg0/s1600/DSC_0663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BdzDSe3dYPQ/Va68Z7DGjLI/AAAAAAAAE08/ldBdTRGlAg0/s640/DSC_0663.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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The baby/toddler/preschooler that never would let me read to him, is now a bookworm!</div>
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He enjoys an equal amount of outdoor activities, too, but now he goes through 2 or 3 books a week.</div>
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Baby Honey seems to grow daily.</div>
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She gobbles up sweet potatoes, bananas...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-asibnncoOSw/Va68Zwk-VQI/AAAAAAAAE04/vwS5cnEavbc/s1600/DSC_0664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-asibnncoOSw/Va68Zwk-VQI/AAAAAAAAE04/vwS5cnEavbc/s640/DSC_0664.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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and toy trains. :)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lFPmVth1OIY/Va68ZwWa3DI/AAAAAAAAE00/a03CQToqtqo/s1600/DSC_0668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lFPmVth1OIY/Va68ZwWa3DI/AAAAAAAAE00/a03CQToqtqo/s640/DSC_0668.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The big kids are a little obsessed with her.</div>
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The other day after she'd just woken up, I was cuddling with her on the couch giving her a bottle.</div>
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Katie snuggled up next to us and began softly holding/cupping the side of her head and then kissed her, saying "She's so <i>cuuute</i>" in a very quiet, affectionate way.</div>
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"Is she like a little baby doll?" I asked.</div>
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"No," she replied. "She's like a real sister."</div>
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Small moments of love can carry more meaning than the grandest of gestures.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-27316564401219483032015-03-09T17:23:00.001-04:002015-03-09T17:23:30.156-04:00The Pearls Progression<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Just a few of my favorites...</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">-6 Months-</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fmF_eUD0Mgs/VP4PHTdMhiI/AAAAAAAAEwk/bgNhnT-5b6k/s1600/DSC_0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fmF_eUD0Mgs/VP4PHTdMhiI/AAAAAAAAEwk/bgNhnT-5b6k/s1600/DSC_0061.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">-1 Year-</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AX58at9oHiY/VP4H50uhdII/AAAAAAAAEvY/ByO0ykcMiPo/s1600/DSC_0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AX58at9oHiY/VP4H50uhdII/AAAAAAAAEvY/ByO0ykcMiPo/s1600/DSC_0033.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">-18 Months-</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q34dlRqwXnU/VP4H6jEAd9I/AAAAAAAAEvo/1fy6KW6otio/s1600/DSC_0056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q34dlRqwXnU/VP4H6jEAd9I/AAAAAAAAEvo/1fy6KW6otio/s1600/DSC_0056.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">-2-</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--XFarSeKq-k/VP4H65_DM1I/AAAAAAAAEvw/c2D4yPqTGQE/s1600/DSC_0058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--XFarSeKq-k/VP4H65_DM1I/AAAAAAAAEvw/c2D4yPqTGQE/s1600/DSC_0058.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">-3-</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Fw5obX5HME/VP4H5Wyo8PI/AAAAAAAAEvU/zsI_NsBGnO8/s1600/DSC_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Fw5obX5HME/VP4H5Wyo8PI/AAAAAAAAEvU/zsI_NsBGnO8/s1600/DSC_0003.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">-4-</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2__8CV6600A/VP4H8cZccHI/AAAAAAAAEwE/G3XbeypWp7o/s1600/DSC_0186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2__8CV6600A/VP4H8cZccHI/AAAAAAAAEwE/G3XbeypWp7o/s1600/DSC_0186.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">-5-</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R27PVjXE6H0/VP4H82lepOI/AAAAAAAAEwM/jdSbUlHciWo/s1600/DSC_0233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R27PVjXE6H0/VP4H82lepOI/AAAAAAAAEwM/jdSbUlHciWo/s1600/DSC_0233.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-41671756112032169642015-03-09T15:47:00.002-04:002015-03-09T15:47:31.620-04:00Little June Turns 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Every year I take photos of Katie in the pearls my mother-and-father-inlaw gave me before our wedding. They used to say I looked like June Cleaver when I wore them. </i></div>
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<i>My goal is to photograph Katie in them for as many years as she will let me, and one day give them to her to keep as her own.</i></div>
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To our big girl upon turning 5...</div>
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You were nervous as we entered the tangle of trees and brush behind our house.</div>
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Surprising, because you don't get nervous about much.</div>
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<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pzbRWQnIct4/VP3sOLSXGnI/AAAAAAAAEt8/bO6FhbhZNt4/s1600/DSC_0200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pzbRWQnIct4/VP3sOLSXGnI/AAAAAAAAEt8/bO6FhbhZNt4/s1600/DSC_0200.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a></div>
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You asked, and of course I came with you.</div>
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It went from scary to exciting.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_4mC87Zmxc8/VP3sMn79LMI/AAAAAAAAEts/cAgnbE3iolk/s1600/DSC_0187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_4mC87Zmxc8/VP3sMn79LMI/AAAAAAAAEts/cAgnbE3iolk/s1600/DSC_0187.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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You used pine branches to "sweep like Cinderella."</div>
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You ran through the leaves in the white dress you picked out -- a little too big but perfect for you, because you don't like your belly button to by touched by fabric.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tKyow-1Tboc/VP3sSdE212I/AAAAAAAAEu8/uBzTwowDl5Q/s1600/DSC_0292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tKyow-1Tboc/VP3sSdE212I/AAAAAAAAEu8/uBzTwowDl5Q/s1600/DSC_0292.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I put your hair in low pigtails because that's pretty much all you will let me do to your hair these days. (We were barely back in the house 5 minutes before your stinker self pulled them down.)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sm6bblFnKGI/VP3sO5qFOdI/AAAAAAAAEuE/3qBteuCX9-w/s1600/DSC_0216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sm6bblFnKGI/VP3sO5qFOdI/AAAAAAAAEuE/3qBteuCX9-w/s1600/DSC_0216.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a></div>
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After begging to venture farther and farther into the woods, you discovered a fun little stream</div>
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and became tickled in only the way a 5 year old can,.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ye_r2XH53aw/VP3sQM7YH9I/AAAAAAAAEuU/jIliOx8geb4/s1600/DSC_0232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ye_r2XH53aw/VP3sQM7YH9I/AAAAAAAAEuU/jIliOx8geb4/s1600/DSC_0232.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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An old dirty ball was a treasure... until you laughed and threw it as hard as you could down stream!</div>
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Lots of discoveries were to be had. Especially for a little girl not afraid of some dirt.</div>
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At 5, you are adventurous, funny, bright, and loving.</div>
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You're also serious, brave, and blunt at times.</div>
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You're our Katie and we love you.</div>
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Exploring the woods was fun, but exploring <i>you</i> gets better every year.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-21093808570934824532015-01-14T11:47:00.002-05:002015-01-14T11:47:22.725-05:00Clearing the fog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yesterday was dreary and kind of sucked, to be frank. </div>
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For a variety of reasons, I was all "in my head" and not feeling good about a lot of things. </div>
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It was more than a bad day, and I don't even have truly bad days often anymore.</div>
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But talking it out with supportive loving friends and family helped the fog clear.</div>
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I was able to let go of the heavy thoughts pulling me down.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_n5ILP08ZdA/VLaW47OQlMI/AAAAAAAAEqo/FWgPGeGwsRg/s1600/DSC_0171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_n5ILP08ZdA/VLaW47OQlMI/AAAAAAAAEqo/FWgPGeGwsRg/s1600/DSC_0171.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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Like finding an unexpected jar of Nutella buried in the pantry, <i>(if you like perfectly good chocolate that's been contaminated by hazelnuts)</i></div>
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life's joys became clear again. It's amazing how much better I feel less than 24 hours later.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rrdGRF5MllE/VLaW54t-AVI/AAAAAAAAEq4/ufqjSuiV_kc/s1600/DSC_0183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rrdGRF5MllE/VLaW54t-AVI/AAAAAAAAEq4/ufqjSuiV_kc/s1600/DSC_0183.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></a></div>
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If you're struggling with something, I suggest turning to someone close to you. Trust that they care enough about you to <i>want </i>to help, and know that you <i>aren't</i> a burden. Wouldn't you want your loved ones to trust that about you as well? I sure hope mine do.</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><i>"A friend should be radical - they should love you when you're unloveable, hug you when you're unhuggable, and bear you when you're unbearable. A friend should be fanatical - they should cheer when the whole world boos, dance when you get good news, and cry when you cry too. But most of all a friend should be mathematical - <b style="color: #cc0000;">they should multiply the joy, divide the sorrow, subtract the past, add to tomorrow, calculate the need deep in your heart, and always be bigger than the sum of all their parts."</b></i></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-5677784326134964542015-01-13T15:53:00.000-05:002015-01-13T15:53:13.964-05:0065 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There 65 days until Spring.</div>
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That is all.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-25216512606401510792015-01-12T15:21:00.000-05:002015-01-12T15:21:30.204-05:00Getting (kind of) crafty for Baby Honey<div style="text-align: center;">
I promise I won't talk about Christmas much longer. I'm actually putting away the tree and decorations right now, but wanted to share this really quick.</div>
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I love to decorate for Christmas, but like to keep it pretty simple for the most part. All of our ornaments are either gifts, made by the children, souvenirs from trips, or ones we've bought to represent our family that year. (like this one from 2005 when we were expecting but still didn't know the sex of the baby...)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n8Z02E7iL_8/VLQlEljusbI/AAAAAAAAEoo/LawvuDnBPWs/s1600/DSC_0043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n8Z02E7iL_8/VLQlEljusbI/AAAAAAAAEoo/LawvuDnBPWs/s1600/DSC_0043.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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We all felt sorry for baby Grace when she didn't have a single ornament for the tree this year, so I decided get a little crafty and make her one myself. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yg_xM76nhEI/VLQsMqgYDQI/AAAAAAAAEpE/VtGMIvtN828/s1600/IMG_0813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yg_xM76nhEI/VLQsMqgYDQI/AAAAAAAAEpE/VtGMIvtN828/s1600/IMG_0813.jpg" height="510" width="640" /></a></div>
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--Fair warning: this is not a Pinterest-worthy project.--</div>
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I bought a 97-cent plastic globe ornament from WalMart and that was my only expense.</div>
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We've always enjoyed reading <i>The Berenstain Bears</i> books with our children, and with a boy as the oldest, then a girl, and finally a baby sister, our family was completed with our own "Baby Honey." </div>
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"Baby Honey" became her nickname while she was in my belly and BabyCakes still calls her that.</div>
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After searching online with no luck, I decided to make my own <i>Berenstain Bears </i>ornament so our new addition would have a proper ornament on the tree.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ORwGT-AjZk/VLQqHWuUuuI/AAAAAAAAEo4/Uj6TqpGbNj0/s1600/DSC_0108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ORwGT-AjZk/VLQqHWuUuuI/AAAAAAAAEo4/Uj6TqpGbNj0/s1600/DSC_0108.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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First, I printed out a photo of our family onto regular printer paper (it looks better in person), sized to fit the ornament. </div>
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Next I searched for an image of the <i>Bear </i>family and printed it out at the same size. </div>
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I'd already packed up the ornament hooks, so I used a twisty tie from a loaf of bread for the next step. I glued the pictures back to back with the twisty tie in between, and wrapped the twisty tie over the top of the globe and under the cap. </div>
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This holds the pictures in place instead of them floating on the bottom of the globe.</div>
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I wrote on the top "Baby Honey Makes 5 - 2014" but you can't see it here because of the glare.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pGrt8vJO3cM/VLQivleYifI/AAAAAAAAEoc/f3zScWv6jFc/s1600/DSC_0193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pGrt8vJO3cM/VLQivleYifI/AAAAAAAAEoc/f3zScWv6jFc/s1600/DSC_0193.jpg" height="640" width="510" /></a></div>
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Wow, I just noticed that we are even standing the same way in our picture as the <i>Bears</i> are in theirs.</div>
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The ornament's not perfect, but neither are we. </div>
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It does, however, represent what I look for in life these days:</div>
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It's simple, special, and makes me smile. :)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pVYt7OCe4_s/VLQivKiWS4I/AAAAAAAAEoU/7OwbgizP604/s1600/DSC_0192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pVYt7OCe4_s/VLQivKiWS4I/AAAAAAAAEoU/7OwbgizP604/s1600/DSC_0192.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-82060002797137555582015-01-09T17:51:00.000-05:002015-01-09T17:51:23.696-05:00The post I don't want to writeSeveral years ago I decided I was TIRED.<br />
Tired of feeling bad about myself.<br />
Tired of letting my appearance -- which I didn't like -- affect choices I made in my life.<br />
Tired of always choosing foods that would make me feel the happiest in the moment but was a bad decision in the long run. (Fettucine alfredo? Sure, I know it's often the highest-cal item on a restaurant's menu, but I'll have that and the bread that comes with it, too, please!)<br />
But most of all I was tired of feeling powerless to change.<br />
I decided I WOULD change. I would NOT make excuses, have regrets, and berate myself for goals unachieved over the course of my life. <br />
Above and beyond losing weight, I wanted to shift my outlook to a happier one, and prove to myself that if I wanted change -- in anything-- I would get it if I worked hard enough. <br />
Sometimes the change didn't look like what I envisioned, but it was still different from where I started. <br />
Focus on the lessons learned, the opportunities at hand, and the wonderful tiny and tremendous things about life.<br />
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I did. Less and less I judged myself and others. I took setbacks in stride. I found more joy in everything.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oc6FeXLAMEc/VLBatY6zNDI/AAAAAAAAEn8/CdqUO0j0yBk/s1600/DSC_0103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oc6FeXLAMEc/VLBatY6zNDI/AAAAAAAAEn8/CdqUO0j0yBk/s1600/DSC_0103.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></a></div>
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I still do... for the most part. Somewhere along the way, this <i>joooourney</i> I've been on with my weight has made me weary. We could go round and round with why's and how's but really, that doesn't matter. What's done is done and my weight today reflects my past, both good and bad.<br />
Now, in the grand scheme of things, this struggle of mine to make good food choices is not huge.<br />
But my lack of control affects how I feel about myself and <b>that affects everyone around me.</b> <br />
Not always in big ways (or even much at all) but in ways that <i>I </i>can feel -- and I don't like it.<br />
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I'm tired again.<br />
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So it's time for change... again.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kaev9ES1R-w/VLBbPvYbGFI/AAAAAAAAEoE/1tyATroX8Ms/s1600/IMG_0547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kaev9ES1R-w/VLBbPvYbGFI/AAAAAAAAEoE/1tyATroX8Ms/s1600/IMG_0547.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you must know, I last left you in my <i>joooourney (I put this word in italics because the word is SO cheesy yet so accurately describes the situation -- thus its continued use) </i>with 70 pounds being the most I'd lost.<br />
My weight at that point was difficult for me to maintain. I'm more of a sandwich-instead-of-salad-for-lunch-at-a-restaurant type of eater. I wasn't ready to fully commit to the changes necessary for that maintenance. <br />
But my weight at 50-55 down? That I could do. I've always been thicker (muscular legs and a large chest adds to this) than most of my friends and thought I carried it decently. <br />
Now after having baby #3 and the changes in my daily life that came with her, my weight has crept up a bit to an uncomfortable zone for me. (About half way to my highest, so roughly 35 pounds from my lowest.) <br />
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I'm back to my <i>joooourney </i>and I want to share it<i>. </i><br />
In truth, I will always struggle with food. We all have things we struggle with sometimes -- and this is my thing. And I need to remember that that's okay. I tell BigBoy that all the time with his classwork -- "There's no shame in it being difficult; the problem is when you give up."<br />
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So yes, it's difficult and no, I'm not giving up.<br />
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Funny, after writing all this I don't feel so tired anymore. Maybe all that guilt I was carrying was too damn heavy!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-2677884576954438412015-01-08T11:25:00.001-05:002015-01-08T11:25:08.481-05:00Matryoshka <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A couple years ago my parents gave me a set of Christmas matryoshka dolls for my birthday. We all like seeing them when we decorate for December, </div>
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but BabyCakes looooves the "Christmas eggs," as she calls them.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-loXKzYRqPWk/VK6KtyPsumI/AAAAAAAAEnA/ouscnEXBT8Y/s1600/DSC_0169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-loXKzYRqPWk/VK6KtyPsumI/AAAAAAAAEnA/ouscnEXBT8Y/s1600/DSC_0169.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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This year I decided to buy her a set that she can have out and play with all year long. (The paint on the Christmas ones seems a bit fragile so she doesn't get to just <i>play</i> with them a lot.)</div>
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Turns out those suckers aren't cheap.</div>
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Unless you inadvertently order them from China (on Amazon).</div>
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And then it takes 6 freakin weeks to get them.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FPQQzEmFUcE/VK6KuJnNrGI/AAAAAAAAEnE/7hIFjhpNPsU/s1600/DSC_0170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FPQQzEmFUcE/VK6KuJnNrGI/AAAAAAAAEnE/7hIFjhpNPsU/s1600/DSC_0170.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, "<strike>Merry Christmas!</strike> <strike>Happy New Year!</strike> Here you go, BabyCakes. It's a Wednesday -- have fun."</div>
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<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ozc7B4p10Q8/VK6Kt1TJy9I/AAAAAAAAEnI/k39JRX1yLYg/s1600/DSC_0174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ozc7B4p10Q8/VK6Kt1TJy9I/AAAAAAAAEnI/k39JRX1yLYg/s1600/DSC_0174.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are <b>10</b> in total and red/pink in color... and they are precious. I knew the giant set would thrill her because she's never seen a set with more than 5 dolls in total, and that's kind of the point of them when you're a kid -- taking them apart and then nesting them again... over and over and over.</div>
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The tiniest one, complete with a painted face and all, was her favorite.</div>
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<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7_TS9M-ato0/VK6KvOZr1rI/AAAAAAAAEng/uQc2hEGj0Ys/s1600/DSC_0175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7_TS9M-ato0/VK6KvOZr1rI/AAAAAAAAEng/uQc2hEGj0Ys/s1600/DSC_0175.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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It fits inside the smallest doll to still open, named "Alice" by BabyCakes.</div>
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This morning she named all the girls and I wrote their names inside.</div>
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Welcome to the Davis family, </div>
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Jessie</div>
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Val</div>
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Ariel</div>
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Katie</div>
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Lindsey</div>
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Serena</div>
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Princess</div>
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Cayce</div>
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Alice</div>
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Gracie (the baby, of course!)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9TR5xS9bdJI/VK6Kvn37k6I/AAAAAAAAEnQ/z5Pn05QwLuA/s1600/DSC_0185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9TR5xS9bdJI/VK6Kvn37k6I/AAAAAAAAEnQ/z5Pn05QwLuA/s1600/DSC_0185.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-91798679985961850082015-01-07T11:03:00.000-05:002015-01-07T11:08:29.209-05:00My favorite Christmas gift<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Christmas 2014 was unconventional for us, to say the least. Part of that involved a last-minute earlier-than-expected trip to Tennessee and having to leave behind presents that had been ordered yet not received. One of those presents was my Christmas gift from J and the kids.</div>
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I love it.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uTA7Av2n11I/VK1OXaQ304I/AAAAAAAAEl4/BBgqSCu34sA/s1600/DSC_0182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uTA7Av2n11I/VK1OXaQ304I/AAAAAAAAEl4/BBgqSCu34sA/s1600/DSC_0182.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I had a circle pendant with the names of the first four members of our family and a heart on it, but there was no room left to add Gracie. I didn't want to put her name on the back or on a separate pendant because her place in the timeline of our family does not reflect her importance. <br />
I was hoping I would get a new necklace, and I did. :) I had no idea what it would look like, though. That was all J.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WEuZod39gPo/VK1OYCdlfRI/AAAAAAAAEmE/yTBdrb5j7Q8/s1600/DSC_0184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WEuZod39gPo/VK1OYCdlfRI/AAAAAAAAEmE/yTBdrb5j7Q8/s1600/DSC_0184.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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The pendant is made of pewter and the chain is silver, completed with a pearl.</div>
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It's long in length like I like these days, but a different shape than I'm used to wearing so it's fun trying something new.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uf_CN5Sup0s/VK1PvvwsQHI/AAAAAAAAEmY/c0JFgToyM9k/s1600/DSC_0180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uf_CN5Sup0s/VK1PvvwsQHI/AAAAAAAAEmY/c0JFgToyM9k/s1600/DSC_0180.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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By the way, the color of the hutch is WAY different than it looks in the picture for some reason. This is what it looks like in person:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NcjMmb_ILxg/VK1TcNUYkVI/AAAAAAAAEmk/tfvGQyVt-5U/s1600/spacious-dark-teal-green-U9AF3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NcjMmb_ILxg/VK1TcNUYkVI/AAAAAAAAEmk/tfvGQyVt-5U/s1600/spacious-dark-teal-green-U9AF3.gif" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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After thanking him for the gift and telling him how much I loved it, I thought about our very first Christmas together in 2000 when he gave me a tiny pair of heart earrings. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S67PMjOfHuQ/VK1WjyX56kI/AAAAAAAAEmw/alBleugJFQg/s1600/DSC_0168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S67PMjOfHuQ/VK1WjyX56kI/AAAAAAAAEmw/alBleugJFQg/s1600/DSC_0168.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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I said to him "You really like heart jewelry for me, don't you?" and smiled.</div>
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He instantly replied "Yes, but that's probably because <i>you stole my heart</i>." </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JihhwIQnO3M/VK1OXWI7uuI/AAAAAAAAEl8/hJJAaj881mM/s1600/DSC_0179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JihhwIQnO3M/VK1OXWI7uuI/AAAAAAAAEl8/hJJAaj881mM/s1600/DSC_0179.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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I really really like my Christmas gift this year, </div>
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but I love the reason -- and the man-- behind it even more.</div>
<!--3-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-72470115636041874082015-01-06T10:39:00.002-05:002015-01-06T10:42:56.061-05:00A Frozen Walk in the Woods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Like all parents in America with children under the age of 10, I am no stranger to the phenomenon that is <i>Frozen</i>. BabyCakes (Is she too old to call that?) <i>looooves</i> the movie and its songs and characters. When I saw that my good friend and former neighbor Melissa was creating this fun twirly skirt for her new <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EspSpDesigns">kids clothing shop</a>, I knew one had BabyCakes' name on it.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bSpVUSSdVFI/VKv7GfoUxwI/AAAAAAAAElo/DyxkRTVxhZk/s1600/DSC_0197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bSpVUSSdVFI/VKv7GfoUxwI/AAAAAAAAElo/DyxkRTVxhZk/s1600/DSC_0197.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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I found the matching long sleeve tee at WalMart for $5 and it was an outfit.</div>
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Today was her first time wearing it, so we ventured into the <i>frozen</i> woods behind out house for a few photos before school.</div>
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This Winter she is wearing it with knee socks and boots, but I plan to pair it with a short sleeve shirt and sandals for the summer.</div>
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It really is a fun twirly skirt for a little girl to just be a little girl in!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SYp0VnSDmKQ/VKvzmzU-2DI/AAAAAAAAEko/hBUZFlaBRro/s1600/DSC_0173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SYp0VnSDmKQ/VKvzmzU-2DI/AAAAAAAAEko/hBUZFlaBRro/s1600/DSC_0173.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></a></div>
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BabyCakes reminds me of Anna from <i>Frozen</i>.</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">She's playful, brave, and deeply loves her siblings -- she even makes up songs about how much she loves her family. :)</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d457q3UCKh8/VKvzqK9uVUI/AAAAAAAAElU/sySFehXKMqA/s1600/DSC_0241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d457q3UCKh8/VKvzqK9uVUI/AAAAAAAAElU/sySFehXKMqA/s1600/DSC_0241.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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BabyCakes is also a dreamer with a big imagination and would totally "start talking to the pictures on the walls" if she was alone!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RNq4M_FaiD0/VKvzp-OaboI/AAAAAAAAElQ/StPs-TeWbaM/s1600/DSC_0231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RNq4M_FaiD0/VKvzp-OaboI/AAAAAAAAElQ/StPs-TeWbaM/s1600/DSC_0231.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></a></div>
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The new <i>Frozen </i>skirt is just like our BabyCakes, sweet and full of personality. :)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kSdxnOhxRDk/VKvzoMnHekI/AAAAAAAAEk8/_TQwRp0RZss/s1600/DSC_0216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kSdxnOhxRDk/VKvzoMnHekI/AAAAAAAAEk8/_TQwRp0RZss/s1600/DSC_0216.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a></div>
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Check out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EspSpDesigns">Especially Special Designs Facebook</a> page for details on Melissa's children's clothing and her services. You might even recognize a couple other things she's done in the past! (hint: pearls were involved)<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-50394731849639607722015-01-05T08:36:00.003-05:002015-01-05T08:36:45.981-05:00Reviving Just a CurlI know it's cliche to talk about change this time of year. Nonetheless, here I am.<br />
I think I want to start blogging again. I <i>think</i> I have time for it (After all, it never took me any longer than an episode of <i>Friends</i>, for the most part) and I know I miss having parts of my like laid out in story and photo.<br />
Also, I don't scrapbook. I do want to start slowly printing out favorite photos from over the years, though.<br />
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So here's this: I don't know what my blogging will look like, or even if I will continue to be interested in it. I think it could help with a myriad of things, though, and I will pop back in and share some goals in a little while. Until then, hope to see you soon!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-76841002848941636022014-04-28T14:48:00.001-04:002014-04-28T14:48:43.495-04:00Sailing along on Saturday<div style="text-align: center;">
It was a gorgeous weekend here in Carolina and were sure to make the most of it. We headed out to Jordan Lake to enjoy the 70 degrees and blue skies on the water.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q9N7FeaLpRk/U16dHoz4mlI/AAAAAAAAEdw/a4hoHDzz6hE/s1600/DSC_0165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q9N7FeaLpRk/U16dHoz4mlI/AAAAAAAAEdw/a4hoHDzz6hE/s1600/DSC_0165.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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Look at that sky! We also noticed something else soon after got on the water...</div>
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Sailboats! It's not unusual to see a few but there were a couple dozen. We think they were racing or something (we know nothing about sailing-- including how and what they do to enjoy the sport/hobby) because they were all turning around in the same place and there was a little power boat near the turn-around point as if they were judging(?) it.</div>
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But as I said, we don't sail, so we moved along after watching them a few minutes.<br />
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Jordan lake is a man-made lake large enough to have several little coves that we like to tuck into and drop anchor.<br />
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I mostly lay on the front of the deck and keep an eye on BabyCakes' bobber, but the others like to fish. I know how to fish, I just prefer to not handle these suckers:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ExVo7HaPkZw/U15wqzrGXdI/AAAAAAAAEc0/WdpnConsfWs/s1600/DSC_0176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ExVo7HaPkZw/U15wqzrGXdI/AAAAAAAAEc0/WdpnConsfWs/s1600/DSC_0176.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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EWWWWWWWWWWW!<br />
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It got a little warm being in the sun a few hours so the kids ended up sitting on a little ledge on the back of the boat and splashing in the water. They had a blast. :)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Jij8bOxdGk/U16hndol_SI/AAAAAAAAEd8/f_6Jr1qZ5bc/s1600/DSC_0170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Jij8bOxdGk/U16hndol_SI/AAAAAAAAEd8/f_6Jr1qZ5bc/s1600/DSC_0170.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
(BabyCakes curling her tongue-- they think it's funny and weird that they can do it and I can't)<br />
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I was content to just enjoy the view and soak in the day.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i8gEpjYBQ-g/U15wsvAGUbI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/Wq9ZFdcYQuk/s1600/DSC_0186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i8gEpjYBQ-g/U15wsvAGUbI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/Wq9ZFdcYQuk/s1600/DSC_0186.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">I know every day of their youth won't be this sunny.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-9944657194318105802014-04-28T14:20:00.000-04:002015-01-06T13:04:45.942-05:00Egg Hunting and Cross Dressing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This Easter we had Aunt Sally with us as a special treat! We went to the zoo on Good Friday and Saturday night we got her sick. :( J and I were sick with a wicked virus earlier in the week and I guess it hung around long enough to hit her as well. Unfortunately she was up sick half the night before Easter, so we were happy to have a low-key holiday so she could rest and recuperate. <br />
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The kids couldn't wait for the egg hunt so we did one first thing in the morning. (And another... and another...)<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">Aunt Sally was sleeping in BabyCakes' room so we borrowed some of BigBoy's clothes for the occasion. :) </span>Oh and I'd like to add that hair and how it is to be arranged or not arranged is a major thing in our house right now. Most of the time it is hanging in her face like she LOVES, and if I do happen to get it out of her face for a while, it doesn't last long before it is back its shaggy state! </div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"> </span><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Kpbwdy1Irg/U1p0LbidAoI/AAAAAAAAEcE/nQkYwMQfe9Y/s1600/DSC_0174.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></div>
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The kids were running around like there was a golden ticket to be found.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SAYKqlEVYqA/U1p0KjAzcdI/AAAAAAAAEbw/yzbmJPPbCzY/s1600/DSC_0172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SAYKqlEVYqA/U1p0KjAzcdI/AAAAAAAAEbw/yzbmJPPbCzY/s1600/DSC_0172.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was nice for them to discover their new yard this way.</div>
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BabyCakes beat BigBoy by one egg, but in his defense, her father may have helped her out a bit.<br />
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It had to be better than last year's egg hunt! ;)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rcvPtfAAhus/U16a4kLMwiI/AAAAAAAAEdk/18QjFKuzNx8/s1600/IMG_1714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rcvPtfAAhus/U16a4kLMwiI/AAAAAAAAEdk/18QjFKuzNx8/s1600/IMG_1714.jpg" height="528" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-22151172469843667652014-04-20T23:42:00.001-04:002014-04-21T08:03:07.586-04:00Happy Easter!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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My sister is in town right now, but I will be sure and update y'all this week.</div>
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For now, Happy Easter from me, J, BigBoy, BabyCakes, and Baby Honey (who is rapidly expanding my maternity pants these days-- I feel like my belly is massive already! :) ). </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-53471997554304246042014-04-04T17:19:00.001-04:002014-04-04T20:19:32.935-04:00Here we are<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yesterday I didn't include a photo of our new house, so today I did a quick drive-by pic out the window of the Jeep (you can see the Jeep's reflection in the glass front door).</div>
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It might look bluish in the photo but it is a light gray with blue shutters and a blue front door (the door is open so you don't see it).</div>
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One day I hope to paint the shutters black and the front door red!</div>
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The yard is pretty small as we are in a cul de sac again, but the back yard is mostly just wooded and I really like that view.</div>
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This is the view from the bench at the playground in the neighborhood. It is nice now but should be really pretty once all the trees fill in. The kids are loving the playground and it is a short walk from our house.<br>
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As a side note for the ones that have experienced this season in NC and VA, the pollen has started!!! <br>
Thank goodness my hard-working man has cleaned up the garage already so I can keep the top down and park the jeep inside!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-6945670767392285852014-04-03T19:34:00.001-04:002014-04-03T19:34:43.556-04:00A moving experienceFirst of all, this post is being done exclusively from my phone because my feet are just enjoying the ottoman way too much.<div>I have a lot to write but here's my tired version:</div><div>February and March were VERY busy for us. </div><div>We listed and then said goodbye to the green house after an eventful 6 years.</div><div>(That jeep in the driveway will get a farewell soon, too :( )<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-m3_aUkf-K0M/Uz3v_6k4-rI/AAAAAAAAEYM/3Rrw4qAHuf0/s640/blogger-image--844430201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-m3_aUkf-K0M/Uz3v_6k4-rI/AAAAAAAAEYM/3Rrw4qAHuf0/s640/blogger-image--844430201.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div>We moved all of our belongings into storage and ourselves into a hotel... For two weeks.</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PtFXRPi0XTo/Uz3wEB5hsPI/AAAAAAAAEYU/tkyyJcbnDA0/s640/blogger-image-1595438819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PtFXRPi0XTo/Uz3wEB5hsPI/AAAAAAAAEYU/tkyyJcbnDA0/s640/blogger-image-1595438819.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div>(The kids actually really enjoyed the hotel. I just thought this pic of BabyCakes was funny because it looks like she is sipping her morning coffee.)</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-o4PjPVePfsQ/Uz3vRBAYMrI/AAAAAAAAEX0/mx0LkhO9XSs/s640/blogger-image-678414874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-o4PjPVePfsQ/Uz3vRBAYMrI/AAAAAAAAEX0/mx0LkhO9XSs/s640/blogger-image-678414874.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div>Then we moved in to our new house in a new community after an epic 7 hour wait for our closing to occur.</div><div><br></div><div>But it all happened. Looking back it seems like a lot to fit in to two months, but at the time it seemed to crawl by. </div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IfUssyXHJyo/Uz3v7j42ShI/AAAAAAAAEYE/DeSrPRCHA1U/s640/blogger-image--1868047609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IfUssyXHJyo/Uz3v7j42ShI/AAAAAAAAEYE/DeSrPRCHA1U/s640/blogger-image--1868047609.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">April has finally kicked Winter to the curb and everything feels especially new in our life this Spring: new home, new people to meet, new schools to look forward to, new Chinese restaurants to try, and even a new baby nursery to prepare. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yes, lots of NEW is going on around here, but if we are lucky many of the old friends we have from the green house will remain in our lives too. We now live 15-20 minutes away and as my friends in Tennessee, California, Florida, Texas and even North Dakota will tell you, it takes a lot more than that to get rid of me!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908102777701870503.post-33469493049456937492014-02-19T00:26:00.000-05:002014-02-19T00:26:12.222-05:00Messages<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>I can't claim this I idea as my own because I read about it and immediately loved it. I created email accounts for my children and plan to email them pics, snippits of our daily lives, stories, etc., over the years. One day when they are much much older (18 maybe? Older?) I will give them their email addresses and passwords. Until then the login information will be kept in a safe place so that even if something were to happen to me, it could still be found. I'm sharing this with you because I think it is a beautiful idea and it might inspire someone else to do the same. Of course, all families are different and what works for one, does not work for another. Hopefully this will work for ours.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>~Cayce</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hi Katie! Hi Jacob!</span><br />
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I don't know how old you are as you read this, but right now you are 4 and 7 and a half. (I'm 32 and one day I/you will see that number as young as well.) </div>
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I've never been great at making photo albums or scrapbooks, and I hope you won't hold that against me too much one day. </div>
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The reason is simple: I want to be in the moment with you and your father as much as possible. If I can document something that happens within a day or so with a photo, blog post, or email, I can remain more present, in my opinion. Some times I enjoy taking photos and other times it feels as though it is taking away from the memory I'm building, rather than enhancing it. </div>
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I don't enjoy combing through old photos and picking and choosing which ones "matter" enough to make it to a scrapbook. Those are wonderful to have but I'm sorry, they probably aren't coming from me any time soon.</div>
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I hope to use these email accounts as a means for communicating with you in ways you and I can't both fully appreciate at this moment. I want to be able to be sentimental and personal with you without posting it on my blog, and hand-writing it just isn't realistic at this time.</div>
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I also want you to know things about me as a person. I want to share who I am at this age and in my past. I want you to know the things that are important to me, important to you, and important to our family as the years progress. I want to tell you stories about your extended family as I think of them.</div>
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My messages will not always be eloquent, photos not always beautiful, and words not always easy to hear -- but just like me, they will always be here.</div>
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I love you,</div>
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Mom</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1