tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139999760883699922023-11-15T23:25:48.652-08:00Our FamilyRaising God's GiftsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-26148103097071270452010-10-27T08:31:00.000-07:002010-10-27T08:38:39.158-07:00Kadie Lost Her ToothFinally lost the first tooth. She has been waiting for a long time as everyone else in her class has lost a tooth. It is amazing how little those baby teeth look when they fall out and how huge their big teeth look. She is a happy girl.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3njU1lgcM_i6HyIxVFNf1HNjlKI4tcc7g88IFw2WVDwBWEF8987jG76PJcGyDsybzMVzn8vx4Rw9O0UbpoF4Rl__PzbnLRWORs6mXoU07lt-vR5nBljHL_o6pBqb_KemPeYialQbxwqw/s1600/DSC01265.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532750256494025490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3njU1lgcM_i6HyIxVFNf1HNjlKI4tcc7g88IFw2WVDwBWEF8987jG76PJcGyDsybzMVzn8vx4Rw9O0UbpoF4Rl__PzbnLRWORs6mXoU07lt-vR5nBljHL_o6pBqb_KemPeYialQbxwqw/s400/DSC01265.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPZ3B3ChLNRf6O7g-SLHJxun_-0uRw6fMh0ah-BJ1hm1SXlyi4O51C_AJMTRYawYf0y1alccn14mrkeoAXSPlX4VbAQNYeQWuWVSHaYygoGnQykzRxtVmOLg3yFZOkVD4Zpo_dsPa4yg/s1600/DSC01266.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532749926192635762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPZ3B3ChLNRf6O7g-SLHJxun_-0uRw6fMh0ah-BJ1hm1SXlyi4O51C_AJMTRYawYf0y1alccn14mrkeoAXSPlX4VbAQNYeQWuWVSHaYygoGnQykzRxtVmOLg3yFZOkVD4Zpo_dsPa4yg/s400/DSC01266.JPG" /></a><br />Hard to see but she lost the bottom right center tooth. Growing up!<br /><div><div> </div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-25837212806075147142010-10-27T08:12:00.001-07:002010-10-27T08:31:34.702-07:00Miny Miracles<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kadie</span> actually let me teach her something this morning! She was doing her Math Minute (in the morning at the breakfast table <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">because</span> I cannot keep up with 1st grade homework) and she was basically just guessing. Math minute is to help kids speed up their addition facts, however you first need to know your facts which she does not. Anyway, she was guessing wrong so I taught her some simple addition tricks. The mini miracle is that she listened and then..... music to my mommy ears....said "Hey Mom, you actually know how to do this!" Yep. The sayings is true, what goes around comes around. I am sure my mom will read this later today and reminisce over the years of me and my sister treating her like she was a total idiot- good times. <br /><br />Why is it when we are 6 (and older too) do we think our parents know nothing but our teachers are God? <br /><br />I have often lovingly said that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kadie</span> has an unteachable spirit. The polite way to say she was a "know it all". Not really in the typical obnoxious way but in the creative imaginative denial way. For instance when she was 4 she asked me how the lines got on the road. When I told her how they did that, she simply said in all seriousness, "Nope, that is not how they do it mom. These fairies fly down with paintbrushes while we are sleeping and paint dandelion dust on the road." She would tell me that I spelled things wrong when she could not even read. She would tell me that letters made different sounds than they actually did. She was serious, and I clearly did not know what I was talking about.<br /><br />I was delighted when she went to preschool and actually listened and learned from her teacher. It gave me hope. But now we have this issue....full out battles over what the teacher said verses what I know to be fact. For instance there have been words that she is mispronouncing when reading. I will correct her occasionally and she will say "No, Mrs Hansel told me to pronounce it this way." I talking simple words that make no sense to pronounce differently. Are you kidding me? Then we have to go <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">thru</span> the whole "lying" talk which leads to defensiveness and denial. Again... good times.<br /><br />But this morning there may have been a breakthrough. Not holding my breath but hopeful.<br /><br />I do have to say, I cannot believe how fast she has learned to read. It is shocking. Jack was an early strong reader (before Kindergarten) so <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kadie</span> was more on the normal track. But all of a sudden she brought home a chapter book and started reading it! She sounded out the word "actually" last night. Wow. We were fighting over sight words 2 weeks ago, it is amazing how it just clicks all of a sudden. I forget that.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yay</span>! It is so fun when they can read.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-5557237948289013192010-10-26T09:14:00.000-07:002010-10-26T09:53:34.954-07:00Our Baby Turns 3!Isabella turns 3 today. We did her party on Saturday so to avoid the continuous obsession we have not even told her today was her actual birthday. It is hard to believe that she is already 3.<br /><br />Our baby is growing up. She is in panties and a big girl bed. She is talking and playing with little toys alone. Her little voice is so sweet when she playing little imaginary games with her stuffed animals. She adores Lucy and they are like two little peas in a pod. At night when we try to find Lucy to put her out she is almost always snuggled up on Issies bed. And she is smart. Freakishly smart at times. With numbers and letters but also with the things she says and how she can figure things out. She is still pretty bossy. She is tiny but it like a rudder on a big ship. She steers the entire family. But we love her so much.<br /><br />About two weeks ago, she broke my heart. Brad was out of town and she was getting ready for bed (she has a wild burst of energy at bedtime). The out of the blue, she stopped and said "I lub you Mommy" then went on her way. I think this is the first time she said I love you first. It was precious.<br /><br />Saturday was her first Birthday party (we have just done simple family stuff on the other years). I think it was the first time she really understood what a Birthday was. She went to her friends party a few weeks ago and I think it clicked and she has been obsessed about her Birthday ever since. We do simple for the birthday "like a playdate with a cake". So she had 3 friends come and we had fun. Jack and Kadie rearranged the living room and got out all the tents and tunnels for a bit fort. The little kids loved it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJM8Td6L8pbnF6p_9ihgEQMnM68a2VB2VKYZyaonCbARK6dfa3RIcm39UHnQZzqOG7a4MPi1_eRXlMCoryzno0TsXb3erJFnTyHrJ7LBR5zX4cBwpt7HcWf1sKJOFE4TM16mbvOw0GEg/s1600/DSC01289.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532392795455363922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJM8Td6L8pbnF6p_9ihgEQMnM68a2VB2VKYZyaonCbARK6dfa3RIcm39UHnQZzqOG7a4MPi1_eRXlMCoryzno0TsXb3erJFnTyHrJ7LBR5zX4cBwpt7HcWf1sKJOFE4TM16mbvOw0GEg/s400/DSC01289.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FqdSWUvWWWVMUoQlRosHv0eEKcMew0zsoeXugey3ovoFC3uNzS4tIi2plKV_yQIr8wxe9v1XH9XETgXSJMDuRTGBa6zrwLXlkK14uHOlzUYQh6C9HIiiNewbcCJ-DwPMQAkb6OPZKtA/s1600/DSC01285.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532392419912093426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FqdSWUvWWWVMUoQlRosHv0eEKcMew0zsoeXugey3ovoFC3uNzS4tIi2plKV_yQIr8wxe9v1XH9XETgXSJMDuRTGBa6zrwLXlkK14uHOlzUYQh6C9HIiiNewbcCJ-DwPMQAkb6OPZKtA/s400/DSC01285.JPG" /></a> Birthday Girl<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAk1nmRb2RwcwG_llyO4G1SjVchLnVXBhKcGQOzbiRbauYVpT7tfWZAaH2OdBihB3IAqIlQS2y09hw8F3qL484EpFHTLLAgNnFB0ygi2sPobSKfneug9-DuvaPg68dj13wWmEXn-fES4/s1600/DSC01288.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532392000218160386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAk1nmRb2RwcwG_llyO4G1SjVchLnVXBhKcGQOzbiRbauYVpT7tfWZAaH2OdBihB3IAqIlQS2y09hw8F3qL484EpFHTLLAgNnFB0ygi2sPobSKfneug9-DuvaPg68dj13wWmEXn-fES4/s400/DSC01288.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6_DhblHNA_aR2rZ47AUFSIXljvtEMrUHfYuOWXNaIrfWHXRLLeNDUpmQ_hZneI_U0K-w1e6xhJ53Pq_zWmqztobENise7ZwDFjfBl_IJo48MEt-vq1RBGlS47p1gAS3wcEMu4bxw_5w/s1600/DSC01294.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 243px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532391312827585442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6_DhblHNA_aR2rZ47AUFSIXljvtEMrUHfYuOWXNaIrfWHXRLLeNDUpmQ_hZneI_U0K-w1e6xhJ53Pq_zWmqztobENise7ZwDFjfBl_IJo48MEt-vq1RBGlS47p1gAS3wcEMu4bxw_5w/s400/DSC01294.JPG" /></a> So silly.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtJUQLI8HS7XWHtidrNOs_njxRniel6FTTXxDMilgu9wQBQqApAneNZ5cY2eZErvZ0je4XdszombEnbEkV1VNrKSE-xP6wqzzeDhP6f4U_LavHaKbDOGsVMjIdcEHm3fqT84npGKwUvw/s1600/DSC01295.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 252px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532391132917358226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtJUQLI8HS7XWHtidrNOs_njxRniel6FTTXxDMilgu9wQBQqApAneNZ5cY2eZErvZ0je4XdszombEnbEkV1VNrKSE-xP6wqzzeDhP6f4U_LavHaKbDOGsVMjIdcEHm3fqT84npGKwUvw/s400/DSC01295.JPG" /></a>Daddy was a big hit when he walked in with the balloons. Issie LOVES balloons.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXz4q00J42RLtx-Lkux7JsgfmLpr6g8N3zTKF0d52-sE8-Bv2qBLeZNUBRewdrzz3fJTEkmGBuI_KZn4-TurAiNLKJUUaBs73cGzfJ6KjXcfJ8ffKx33o1pqQuUFxjgv1j93oZDy4ypr0/s1600/DSC01302.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 392px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532390762023015586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXz4q00J42RLtx-Lkux7JsgfmLpr6g8N3zTKF0d52-sE8-Bv2qBLeZNUBRewdrzz3fJTEkmGBuI_KZn4-TurAiNLKJUUaBs73cGzfJ6KjXcfJ8ffKx33o1pqQuUFxjgv1j93oZDy4ypr0/s400/DSC01302.JPG" /></a>Issie and Hope (these two were cut from the same mold, so much a like in so many ways)<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKRU-z44o6mAoFSPDkpwY3OJC7D3floNT6HiX201PWQe-No5n7PXBIAZq26x17BlAb-Fh8k16gyIzMgrmm6YCV9OvTMhregB8uKQz18ksxhjD1116vLblm2TfMilhgK8_X5SmugwoD5g/s1600/DSC01306.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532390590555463682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKRU-z44o6mAoFSPDkpwY3OJC7D3floNT6HiX201PWQe-No5n7PXBIAZq26x17BlAb-Fh8k16gyIzMgrmm6YCV9OvTMhregB8uKQz18ksxhjD1116vLblm2TfMilhgK8_X5SmugwoD5g/s400/DSC01306.JPG" /></a>Blowing out the candle. I made her a slug cake. (tried to make it look like a catapillar for the other kids but she loves slugs so to her it was a slug cake) When it rains here we have soooo many slugs so every morning she likes to count how many slugs are on the sidewalk from the door to the car- her record is 17!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCWgsYqkMUKRyq2rECQTPGyu2jdVXZ-n7BEHzyjAbrJHK0J8QxPz6G8J5s8zvchupKBPI1iqy3jzkzmapLarhYCyoZxEn1grrM1J_69fAXfl9EExLy-IT7dwTh_CuctKE6T59VjmFSKQ/s1600/DSC01309.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532390164487015090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCWgsYqkMUKRyq2rECQTPGyu2jdVXZ-n7BEHzyjAbrJHK0J8QxPz6G8J5s8zvchupKBPI1iqy3jzkzmapLarhYCyoZxEn1grrM1J_69fAXfl9EExLy-IT7dwTh_CuctKE6T59VjmFSKQ/s400/DSC01309.JPG" /></a>"Bows" from Kadie. Issie gets very attached to stuffed animals so the kids got her several new ones including this one. So sweet.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLn2KoHveW7Vol1q4s99XynYHbHAwOUeum9LxjUMfly3vy4givz0SaodlHp8TEEx-df5JOm0BlvuoiKqFJyPs4Bkl7pyOgFIQUCF_pqVdXCEHdn873EHj7ljwnUEd4UGx6I55YAnw-3w/s1600/DSC01312.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532389644207073650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLn2KoHveW7Vol1q4s99XynYHbHAwOUeum9LxjUMfly3vy4givz0SaodlHp8TEEx-df5JOm0BlvuoiKqFJyPs4Bkl7pyOgFIQUCF_pqVdXCEHdn873EHj7ljwnUEd4UGx6I55YAnw-3w/s400/DSC01312.JPG" /></a>I think this might be the first real time Issie has opened presents. Up til now she has not shown any interest so we have down played it all. Not now. She is totally into it. We got her Beauty and the Beast and I forgot what a great movie that is. Our whole family has watched a few times since then. Even Jack loves it. </div><div> </div><div>It was a fun day. Issie we love you so much crazy girl. <div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-25607697421025265882010-10-16T07:35:00.000-07:002010-10-16T07:54:55.183-07:00blessingsIt is early Saturday morning. I was just lying in bed, trying to fall back to sleep with 2 little girls playing puppy and mommy on Daddy's side of the bed. My mind started to quickly go to all the things I should do today. Send this email, order that thing, exercise, clean, make pancakes, and a bunch of other ridiculous expectations that I put on myself. It is like, I forgot all the peace I found last night when I allowed myself to take delight in my blessings and avoid being caught up in all the other stuff that needs to happen. (That word need is pretty subjective these days).<br /><br />Then the phone rang.<br /><br />7:15am on Saturday morning and the phone rang. It was our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">neighbour</span>. A wonderful God loving family moved in to the house right up our hill on Labor Day and was an answer to 5 years of prayers that Jack would find a great friend within walking distance to our home. Connor has been that. He has been an amazing and fun new friend given to us by an awesome God. Well, the phone rings and it is the dad of this family. He tells me their older son has been in the hospital since Wednesday. "Things have been bad" as they thought it was an absess on his spine but now they realized it is a Staph infection in the blood. This does not seem better to me but he said this is better. Anyways, the 2 youngest kids Connor and his sister are coming to spend the day with us so the mom and dad can be at the hospital.<br /><br />It was like a punch in the stomach. Satan tries (and sadly often succeeds) at keeping me all worked up, moving and doing and thinking ahead. I refuse to let him win. I see everyday how tenuous life is. How we are all here for such a short time. I just do not want to miss anything. I know God has a calling on my life, and I am so excited to be in that with Him. But I can twist it all and lose sight of the beauty around me at any given moment. <br /><br />Thank you Lord for my family. Our health and all we take for granted every day. Thank you that we can love on and bless this family that has blessed us. I pray for healing for Mason. I pray you use this to shower him with your love, grace and power. I know he needs to feel you in his life right now, I know he has been pulling away. I pray that you pour out all your love and wrap him in your arms. Lord, do this or something better. <br /><br />We are so blessed.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-61240103273521200462010-10-15T21:46:00.000-07:002010-10-15T21:57:13.442-07:00gratefulToday has been one of those days, actually it has been a week of yuck. But on my way home tonight from what was supposed to be a massage (my massage therapist forgot...ugh), I felt reminded of all that I have instead of all that has gone wrong this week. It was one of those days when I got home after the girls were in bed and Jack is at his dad's and all I wanted to do is gather everyone up for a big family hug. Those hugs where you don't let go for a really long time. I feel like those moments are always better in my imagination, since waking everyone up is a really good way to ruin and evening and then I would quickly forget what I was so grateful for. Just kidding.<br /><br />I am blessed. I have a husband who loves me and SEES me and is my best counselor and usually the sound voice of reason when I feel crazy. I have my boy (trying to be a man) who is so sweet and handsome and has the most tender heart. I have my crazy girl, who makes me laugh and is so loving and forgiving. I have my baby, who is almost not a baby anymore but still says "Mommy I nEEEEED you" and melts my heart with her "tank you mama's". I have my home. I have a God who loves me and is fighting for me and has a plan for me. I have the cute little dog at my feet. I have friends who are so loyal and stand by me like my best cheerleaders and devoted prayer warriors. I am blessed.<br /><br />All has been crazy. I want to blog but I put this pressure on myself to catch up everything that I have missed before I can start. What a lie. I will put things in, out of order and I will still know what happened. I love you family. I have a hot shower waiting so I must write more later.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-59065071015815864412010-08-14T20:58:00.000-07:002010-08-14T21:12:40.084-07:00Crazy Summer!It is hard to believe that it was Mother's Day when I last updated this blog... ugh! All I can say is that it has been a crazy summer. We have had tons of soccer and mini vacations, a trip to Canada and we started a new business. Run run run. I have been keeping track of what I want to post, what I want to share and what I absolutely want to remember of Summer 2010 but it has not made it hear yet. (Oh well)<br /><br />Here is a glimpse of our summer days and our sweet family. I will try my best to update the entire summer in the next few weeks- or at least when the kids get back in school. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6aSTJUfGJHHW78Y9GatSHwwYh01o-wTYN7eQdY79MGm0fNLm4koNeHEz3nCfpJHkut3QL6GDItdkNMBH4OmpmSn_xBVbyRZGqbidShYMT0jdnV2jbX6gZWjSMfoyYVR7c9tkXdUx8R0/s1600/DSC01085.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505482209260442850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6aSTJUfGJHHW78Y9GatSHwwYh01o-wTYN7eQdY79MGm0fNLm4koNeHEz3nCfpJHkut3QL6GDItdkNMBH4OmpmSn_xBVbyRZGqbidShYMT0jdnV2jbX6gZWjSMfoyYVR7c9tkXdUx8R0/s400/DSC01085.JPG" /></a> If you remember, last summer, Issie hated the sand. Well now she absolutely loves it. She calls it her big sand box. When we see a river, a construction site or a picture of waves, she starts yelling "Beach, Beach, I want to go to the Beach". She is entertained for hours with sand.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Ob51n6OXmvejmRP-dxEK_n92lMcFbnomfHfVsoIuzO1u-XYDSRu1hSZnmXKqNWFOp7rx_2f5XQ9kith51aXCx3CYb1ILG7j6u2JXmc-hi1ELq_gyRMfWexhGBvBL7hdiiXYZOvqjqaI/s1600/DSC01081.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505482098237016098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Ob51n6OXmvejmRP-dxEK_n92lMcFbnomfHfVsoIuzO1u-XYDSRu1hSZnmXKqNWFOp7rx_2f5XQ9kith51aXCx3CYb1ILG7j6u2JXmc-hi1ELq_gyRMfWexhGBvBL7hdiiXYZOvqjqaI/s400/DSC01081.JPG" /></a> Kadie girl. Always a beach lover but mostly to chase the waves with daddy. One of her "most favorite things to do". She loves to run in the waves then bury herself with sand to warm up. It is quite the mess.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVh74ZcW4XD6wPn8x4JF5cfk4sTCgLK5nsib646v7nYA9KGHq6YV4Y63qoy0S9xp3_7n3cXHbER-M4ClPvbZDH0SZnDYPw0ArnDBOBCN0R9x1XPp08vIz7LXhf2GYx860lzHJI3XRXmjU/s1600/DSC01134.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505481972459714466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVh74ZcW4XD6wPn8x4JF5cfk4sTCgLK5nsib646v7nYA9KGHq6YV4Y63qoy0S9xp3_7n3cXHbER-M4ClPvbZDH0SZnDYPw0ArnDBOBCN0R9x1XPp08vIz7LXhf2GYx860lzHJI3XRXmjU/s400/DSC01134.JPG" /></a> We took a trip to the Newport Aquarium with Trudy and Rod. The kids loved it. It was a wonderful day. That is Kadie's best shark face.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheK7ZcSlItcF7lL5BziFMuYIGrmf89nMlA_0xzd7vkGZDziiQHBGrtCxHY_FihyX6XYHC82P72JFW3cTUxS_V_TroZKHKSSc8DiC8W7Kw4FVV3NBkUPM49UrEj3QylIEwWjBsbEonusQk/s1600/DSC01105.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505481543905386034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheK7ZcSlItcF7lL5BziFMuYIGrmf89nMlA_0xzd7vkGZDziiQHBGrtCxHY_FihyX6XYHC82P72JFW3cTUxS_V_TroZKHKSSc8DiC8W7Kw4FVV3NBkUPM49UrEj3QylIEwWjBsbEonusQk/s400/DSC01105.JPG" /></a> After dinner and ice cream in Newport. We watched the sea lions and walked along the water.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuJuYt2XmGfeGPKlQCw8JcwIME_1-3Yu1rQx7O3ONjg-PI8HLDjRwMqsN21Szux8wbWXLNleU2dxozbrZ4iYtOZr6Xq4DX_jaW6h2DnR8hh4UgZ0l1mSl4qJA7rctrYjIWRtYCfOSVTA/s1600/DSC01153.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505481333491402194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuJuYt2XmGfeGPKlQCw8JcwIME_1-3Yu1rQx7O3ONjg-PI8HLDjRwMqsN21Szux8wbWXLNleU2dxozbrZ4iYtOZr6Xq4DX_jaW6h2DnR8hh4UgZ0l1mSl4qJA7rctrYjIWRtYCfOSVTA/s400/DSC01153.JPG" /></a> My blue-eyed girls. Fourth of July with my sweet girls. It was a quiet fun day with friends. </div><div> </div><div>Ok, I feel a bit better. I will post more later, promise!<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-76463308046475937242010-05-09T17:22:00.001-07:002010-05-09T17:40:00.892-07:00Mother's Day WeekendBrad is out of town this weekend, actually visiting his mom. It just happens to be Mother's Day weekend. I have had a nice weekend with the kids, doing just normal stuff. The weather finally decided to change and it is amazing what 2 days of sunshine can do to all of us. You just do not realize how beautiful and green everything is when it is pouring and freezing everyday. Well the past few days have been lovely. We have taken every opportunity to do stuff outside.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwA0zAR8pJdlRMq9b4-mQEIi_PIsn2TbefpPzbdzV2zfeBGLtwn4PXZnMXtfBWWV1l_tgVhwgdKb3QZzNTYi2ED6JAns7OnXbPEvvK9LT917UlY_1jGgSVkoT4g3abvLIruAv29-EmgGw/s1600/IMG_0220.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469431023775847842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwA0zAR8pJdlRMq9b4-mQEIi_PIsn2TbefpPzbdzV2zfeBGLtwn4PXZnMXtfBWWV1l_tgVhwgdKb3QZzNTYi2ED6JAns7OnXbPEvvK9LT917UlY_1jGgSVkoT4g3abvLIruAv29-EmgGw/s400/IMG_0220.JPG" /></a> Issie and Mommy at the park on Friday while the big kids were still in school. She is so funny. Really does not want to share the park with others but we are looking at it as opportunities to be nice to others. The sooner she realizes the world does not revolve around her, the better.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVufKyBynksjBMa6MLQJ0cbdDqAMZkH2eYyRe3U2axyUuGhnGWchkp4iDiyAeK8_8UDiGvrmOs-E7dMBMeGv5kSpyG6zj0PM-lv0TJPWDFiifoKn5Sy5lorPZ3DOiS1JcpIl1eLyerLd0/s1600/IMG_0222.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469430858649414098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVufKyBynksjBMa6MLQJ0cbdDqAMZkH2eYyRe3U2axyUuGhnGWchkp4iDiyAeK8_8UDiGvrmOs-E7dMBMeGv5kSpyG6zj0PM-lv0TJPWDFiifoKn5Sy5lorPZ3DOiS1JcpIl1eLyerLd0/s400/IMG_0222.JPG" /></a> We took a trip to Costco, Friday night for my kids favorite dinner. Why do they love to eat at Costco so much? I will never know but it makes life simple when Daddy is gone. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kadie</span> helped me pick out some Mother's Day flowers. Nice to have a reason to fill the house with something pretty.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRqlPO1uGVtHJPtvNbiVag-JmUXpimkXSOo0pRht-U4tRS9mGFVleQyKBcUbIlDXQEadNCW0wEZtesCvjbQ7Wh2dsG0K-VHUAxbpAa5EhlxizrD0AH6JhRu78YBsEsDrt7K6pvDKUYJw/s1600/IMG_0224.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469430763836914850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRqlPO1uGVtHJPtvNbiVag-JmUXpimkXSOo0pRht-U4tRS9mGFVleQyKBcUbIlDXQEadNCW0wEZtesCvjbQ7Wh2dsG0K-VHUAxbpAa5EhlxizrD0AH6JhRu78YBsEsDrt7K6pvDKUYJw/s400/IMG_0224.JPG" /></a> Saturday, the girls and I went to get our hair done. My girls love to go to Toni's as her little girl apparently has the "best toys ever". Seriously you would think I was telling them we were going to Disney Land when I say they get to go with me to get my hair done. It is a blessing as it always takes awhile to keep this hair <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">blond</span> so it is fun that they love coming. Then we went to Jack's soccer practice, where he was finally invited to be an official member of the team! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Hallelujah</span>! Long story, that is sad and thankfully over. Jack brought a buddy home. They all played for a few hours. Then after the girls went to bed, Jack and I stayed up late watching Avatar (bad language but otherwise so cool). <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TWO6tLkrt32NsxJkTWkYoI1T9WGgegnLs1Qgs_BfeOks3ElayL1DQLNECmnl1k4Vtvtl4_m_e6egRaVXqjWz_pt1ZcjEkNH4ax8eHF0sankFwKsvnKfLPPCtSWuF7ZOfgfKKgkzJZjA/s1600/IMG_0225.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469430662308742642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TWO6tLkrt32NsxJkTWkYoI1T9WGgegnLs1Qgs_BfeOks3ElayL1DQLNECmnl1k4Vtvtl4_m_e6egRaVXqjWz_pt1ZcjEkNH4ax8eHF0sankFwKsvnKfLPPCtSWuF7ZOfgfKKgkzJZjA/s400/IMG_0225.JPG" /></a> Then we spent today, the actual Mother's Day, going to a lovely church service. Issie looking so cute in her summer dress, trying to do her own shoes. The sunshine was so inviting that we loaded up the wagon for a hike to the mail box. It is a hike. <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfLz4e-7fDqG3Xp9IUoD1_PDbrmHRps84BrBGJAfsqZnzXbd3isXbq8HHyKQBURYfKT0S3zz_TQmvU-OwjbPcYabw3_cbc69fX_f-BICX47Sl7heQUTs0SeonyhWJY9e9vb_hh1w11Ys/s1600/IMG_0227.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469430566558024690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfLz4e-7fDqG3Xp9IUoD1_PDbrmHRps84BrBGJAfsqZnzXbd3isXbq8HHyKQBURYfKT0S3zz_TQmvU-OwjbPcYabw3_cbc69fX_f-BICX47Sl7heQUTs0SeonyhWJY9e9vb_hh1w11Ys/s400/IMG_0227.JPG" /></a> We came home and had our first of many lunches on the back deck in the sunshine. Made smoothies and the kids sang me mother's day songs. Issie took a nap, the big kids played the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">wii</span> and I spent several hours updating this blog (a month overdue!). A nice day. Now I am off to make some dinner. I miss you honey, but we are enjoying our time together. Happy Mother's Day to me.</div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-36709252537631599522010-05-09T16:27:00.000-07:002010-05-09T17:04:10.265-07:00The Tummy TeamWell, it is surprising that I have not posted anything about this until now. My stomach is not something that I would willingly bring up in conversation until the last 6 months. But now it seems to be consuming some of my time and now amazingly has even brought me into a whole new direction in my career. I, like most moms of many, now have a tummy that does not resemble my pre baby tummy in anyway! My stomach seemed to be even more of an issue after I lost Caleb last spring. As most of you know, I show almost the second I conceive. I was very big with Caleb and we only made it to 5 months. Well when we knew we were done having anymore kiddo's I really started to focus on getting back into shape. I started running and working out pretty regularly. I lost some of my preggo body but my tummy still looked pregnant.<br /><br />Well, I realized why at Thanksgiving of last year. I was diagnosed with Diastasis Recti. What? Well that is the medical term for when the connective tissue in the front of your tummy is stretched so much the your outer abdominal wall separates. Essentially you have nothing holding your organs in and nothing supporting your back when this happens. It makes you look pregnant when you are not. It is the cause of that all too common and very much despised "mommy tummy".<br /><br />I was then told by many doctors and therapists that my only real fix was plastic surgery and that all my exercise was actually making things worse. The surgery is rarely covered by insurance and is not even very successful in the long run. This was super depressing.<br /><br />Well, I complained to my girlfriends (because that is what we do). As I complained, I realized that some of my girlfriends had this same issue. They had not been diagnosed either. Long story short. One girlfriend shared with another and another until someone shared that there was a lady named Julie Tupler that does a program for Diastasis Recti. My one friend said she was going to try it, I was skeptical. I am a physical therapist and I had several other physical therapists tell me surgery was the only answer. But I reluctantly looked at her website and I figured I had to give it a try. I could not afford the surgery yet anyway so what did I have to lose?<br /><br />Well, it was amazing. I lost 2 inches off my waist in the first 4 days and in the first week my back pain was totally gone! I did the 6 week program and lost 5.5 inches total! I feel strong and cannot believe the difference. The best part was, I did it without exercise consuming my life. It is all about rehabilitating your abdominals! Right up my alley with my rehab background. I started talking to everyone about it. I realized this was something that could help so many women!<br /><br />Then my friend Michelle (thanks again) told me I should go get trained to teach this here in Clark County. I prayed about it and had Brad pray about it and God has said yes, over and over again. So I just got back from NYC where I was personally trained by Julie Tupler, and I have started The Tummy Team! I teach individual classes and group workshops on abdominal rehab to get your body back. It is so fun, so rewarding and such a blessing to be able to help people as I personally know how much this can negatively affect your life.<br /><br />Look at my new site to get some more information. <a href="http://www.thetummyteam.com/">http://www.thetummyteam.com/</a> I am setting up community classes that hopefully will start the first week of June! It is funny to think how God can use anything. My stomach was such a sensitive and discouraging issue for me and I can see how clearly God is using that experience for me to reach out and help women with total compassion and encouragement. It is so much more than having a flat tummy, it helps get your life back, your energy, intimacy, confidence and health is all restored. I will keep you all posted on how God uses it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-20165226551472330582010-05-09T16:20:00.000-07:002010-05-09T16:25:56.116-07:008 years<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5O93u3xliQqqQM1qaeTjtfSLjbugnE4nODKsSFP-6g1ZiL_S7pOHiBUrZaLavBKNKx29smguiWcat2UFelPIkMOuZjmDeyi41x3xlYiPlX7zhvLDnE3H2DKDTzjnSdtAPrTETtf3SRw/s1600/DSC00786.JPG"></a>On April 26, 2010 Brad and I celebrated our 8 year anniversary. We did nothing special this year, but it was perfect. We have been busy and it was so nice to be able to to just stay home, put the kids to bed early and spend a quiet evening with my honey. We feel blessed. We have had some rough years, especially those first few, but God has been faithful and merciful. I count my blessings every day. So good to have a man who seeks after the heart of God and still can love me in all my moments. I love you honey.<br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-53415475048891401792010-05-09T15:05:00.000-07:002010-05-09T16:20:38.630-07:00New York CityA few weeks ago, I went to NYC for 5 days for a class (more on this to come). I was in the Big Apple all alone, a bit of an adventure for this suburban <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">mamma</span>. I have to say, it is totally amazing and I would never want to live there. The history and culture is so interesting. But it is so loud, everything echoes off the buildings and pavement. People are super helpful and friendly if you need help, but otherwise everyone walks with their own personal space bubble around them. I guess you have to when you live in a city of several million. It was cold the first few days and I went dressed for spring. On my first day, I walked from Lower Manhattan to Central Park. Over 3 miles, but I knew I would pass all kinds of things on the way. It was amazing. I realize how saturated I am in my Christian, country world. Living on a quiet mountain, carting kids here and there. The city seemed cold and so far from God. I was very prayerful on this trip as I was seeking the Lord's leading regarding the class I was there for. So I felt very close to God but was having a hard time seeing Him in the City. But then on my walk, out of the blue, He would show is face. Like this cross, in the middle of buildings, it was like Him telling me, I am hear, you just have to keep your eyes open. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXF39HoBUXGhSYEmFDxau0WPgO5FkKUKPx-pM2LidJ3GRZG0sgcR1wEQONo6lNPAP4t7PaCKqNg4nqTQAbtskryCzLuz2zLaZ5ICf_qNohgp6JJAG2824C-ZVd_fPV2_0VGpGES4YPI9E/s1600/DSC00970.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469396828011451314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXF39HoBUXGhSYEmFDxau0WPgO5FkKUKPx-pM2LidJ3GRZG0sgcR1wEQONo6lNPAP4t7PaCKqNg4nqTQAbtskryCzLuz2zLaZ5ICf_qNohgp6JJAG2824C-ZVd_fPV2_0VGpGES4YPI9E/s400/DSC00970.JPG" /></a> Once I really kept my eyes and heart open, I was able to see amazing things. So much of the City was built long ago when our country was firmly based on our Christian roots, there would be scripture carved into the sides of buildings. And angels on the corners of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">architecture</span>. I stayed at an inexpensive place that was run by a urban mission church that ministered to seaman when they were in town. They had prayers posted in the elevator, as the elevator was incredibly slow and they thought this would be a great time to pray in a peaceful moment (and it was).<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSN3caHUMXdRLAl9Xb3HRcylYhVPilpOn6b1KWXoDB4H-pK5ji9oxT1dLlAcdCrrblNCgE-PDsFpRfVD7t0JcMsOITkPlXrJY_LtxbYA9FnFmMVY5SxsGeDQh8-kh2YujPJOKXRZw6w5c/s1600/DSC00971.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469396727725150914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSN3caHUMXdRLAl9Xb3HRcylYhVPilpOn6b1KWXoDB4H-pK5ji9oxT1dLlAcdCrrblNCgE-PDsFpRfVD7t0JcMsOITkPlXrJY_LtxbYA9FnFmMVY5SxsGeDQh8-kh2YujPJOKXRZw6w5c/s400/DSC00971.JPG" /></a> On my walk to Central Park, I passed the Empire State Building, I did it as a kid and did not want to spend my one full free day waiting in line to go up a rickety elevator and freak myself out over how high up I was, so I just took a snapshot and kept on walking.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLKL7Y2y_uOJHJ0zm4DV1JudfwIENhVPuKUh8WJ_Mc9ehjGQRT_Y-LHn6NAk05-IOv8g07ywV4Qj2doUv6K1JlWLEvnkAo_1iJ0CMZrpYAxnIJ3njSsS799esRmCXUX_on78pqJosBQ8/s1600/DSC00973.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469396625931742274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLKL7Y2y_uOJHJ0zm4DV1JudfwIENhVPuKUh8WJ_Mc9ehjGQRT_Y-LHn6NAk05-IOv8g07ywV4Qj2doUv6K1JlWLEvnkAo_1iJ0CMZrpYAxnIJ3njSsS799esRmCXUX_on78pqJosBQ8/s400/DSC00973.JPG" /></a> I then passed Grand Central Station- so cool! It is amazing how much amazing sites are packed into this city.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg390UQlJdLWN3jHrNYwQYsePbU-6TR96D8PtLa3ez3JDCCMUnvIRWufgKLn4rbqEX7_B5vPnZ-lD4_UFIuKa9LLog7rO8CZDaUdJRQ8JTFEMDJmfdK_hM1Lm6QmsDB1uC2qRR4xMJ3_nA/s1600/DSC00976.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469396509809099650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg390UQlJdLWN3jHrNYwQYsePbU-6TR96D8PtLa3ez3JDCCMUnvIRWufgKLn4rbqEX7_B5vPnZ-lD4_UFIuKa9LLog7rO8CZDaUdJRQ8JTFEMDJmfdK_hM1Lm6QmsDB1uC2qRR4xMJ3_nA/s400/DSC00976.JPG" /></a> Another shot of a "random", and amazing church planted right on Park Avenue. Lots of reminders of that I was not alone in this big cement city, it was such a beautiful time with God. I cannot remember the last time I was off by myself without at least one of my kids or Brad to talk to. It was so different. I really took Jesus with me doing everything, I realize how weird and "Jesus Freak" that might sound but it was really an amazing time, like a 5 day quiet time, so needed in my life.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtMGWizOpizWy9bWc8Q1_vwQnz5kUaUJpv7DhLHiWZl3fMNiaiYz_K_0KSfSCLOL4Y_IW5fkIO-Z0I3teHRKhmvkTLoeXTCWgXwq2zxpG-6hWJwM923FRYcM4TkswUJ7Bstm5iZOtKak/s1600/DSC00978.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469396395642379346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtMGWizOpizWy9bWc8Q1_vwQnz5kUaUJpv7DhLHiWZl3fMNiaiYz_K_0KSfSCLOL4Y_IW5fkIO-Z0I3teHRKhmvkTLoeXTCWgXwq2zxpG-6hWJwM923FRYcM4TkswUJ7Bstm5iZOtKak/s400/DSC00978.JPG" /></a> I finally made it to Central Park. I actually had to stop and buy a jacket as it was raining and cold and I was not going to walk back to my hotel. But I made it. It was a bit ironic. Here I was in this big amazing famous city, with tons of city stuff to do, and I spend my day walking to the one place that reminds me of home. It was so beautiful to see this huge green peaceful park in the middle of all that noise and pavement. These tulips brought tears to my eyes, or maybe it was just how cold I was.... no they were amazing and they were every where. I cannot believe how beautifully kept and manicured this park is. It was by far my favorite place in New York. This would be the reason, I would bring my kids back. So many things to do here.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEj8WrGZDYWr1WamlcaGjvda-lnnadOkrPPohQBrR5gnSyUjAN4_1AAbY5A8_m2Lq-nwGRHvCHUJ2v8LYB1e__4G9qMVfeg9yp-W6Q7LnjPLvFVA9hz4b9edSy4JEca0F2zwUKMMppq9Y/s1600/DSC00980.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469396289316397762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEj8WrGZDYWr1WamlcaGjvda-lnnadOkrPPohQBrR5gnSyUjAN4_1AAbY5A8_m2Lq-nwGRHvCHUJ2v8LYB1e__4G9qMVfeg9yp-W6Q7LnjPLvFVA9hz4b9edSy4JEca0F2zwUKMMppq9Y/s400/DSC00980.JPG" /></a> Looks like a scene right out of a movie, right? You could walk forever and here and there you would have a musician or artist performing. Or you would see a wedding or someone getting pictures done. <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJih2AodieLeqotL3jqxketsS2UAs8QRtXcmkR0B5vTaFZAwFCebukkOCa5cVrT1ox5jtAWY7TZkvU8nU-wEllaYb2sr3NsKd7Jch66mRTG2NX-vdBlWCiEihxJvy4-ck4jkGXYpHl-1Y/s1600/DSC00983.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469396169088769122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJih2AodieLeqotL3jqxketsS2UAs8QRtXcmkR0B5vTaFZAwFCebukkOCa5cVrT1ox5jtAWY7TZkvU8nU-wEllaYb2sr3NsKd7Jch66mRTG2NX-vdBlWCiEihxJvy4-ck4jkGXYpHl-1Y/s400/DSC00983.JPG" /></a> This would have been one of my kids favorites, you can rent these little sail boats and remote control them all over this pond. Families were having such a good time, it really made me miss mine. If I had my family, I would have taken the horse drawn carriage through the park, it was just so majestic. <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjV1ndwYM7JTIWNu03sXIIG2otzT_HmV1Aut7RmUMq9H5S5jN1Ud4wGCWYKwwjXp3FiBuMbgJiU3SFZK-Y6enMwLNPWqJ2FdvPsUfE77RBJkFxDUfbAAG8nirb05xeqhpfEMWahaCuFE/s1600/DSC00984.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469396014899235170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjV1ndwYM7JTIWNu03sXIIG2otzT_HmV1Aut7RmUMq9H5S5jN1Ud4wGCWYKwwjXp3FiBuMbgJiU3SFZK-Y6enMwLNPWqJ2FdvPsUfE77RBJkFxDUfbAAG8nirb05xeqhpfEMWahaCuFE/s400/DSC00984.JPG" /></a>I spent the rest of my day at the Met. I am not a museum girl but this place was incredible! I was tired and cold and it was peaceful and breathtaking. I only spend about 2 hours there and I only saw a small fraction of it all but I was so tired and decided to hail my first cab and get back to the hotel for a hot shower and a long nap. <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDM5KKw1Eia03nyPfSTqmg75g_Vf6lg0OTxSitX4-G5u-QP56RE1G5NpWZehpj0P66wTjxG618hdS6ih6hrXgF5UC2QD5XQSJaXFE5-YusNCY4_07d2s8-n1u_JR4nUhXj0F_C0rB9hKY/s1600/DSC00990.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469395567716620594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDM5KKw1Eia03nyPfSTqmg75g_Vf6lg0OTxSitX4-G5u-QP56RE1G5NpWZehpj0P66wTjxG618hdS6ih6hrXgF5UC2QD5XQSJaXFE5-YusNCY4_07d2s8-n1u_JR4nUhXj0F_C0rB9hKY/s400/DSC00990.JPG" /></a> The next few days were spent in my class. But I got to ride the subway (with my instructor, who so lovingly helped me around the city). And one day of my class was right on Wall Street across from the New York Stock Exchange(below) and the Trinity Church (above). Pretty cool. I had some great Pizza, great bagels and really got a taste of this crazy place.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8T5anN4FJHiE1rpR0t-efCmHGrt2BKNXmuIXIR0H17V7O37iJuSbsPeelFyTwhTV2t1HWJhimdvTm2eXnkPXYHVNvcLQEyYVjGCzLcXTqefmWDxRY0FIICy2FjGhcvpDxpJS4b5N6LAY/s1600/DSC00991.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469395417321830114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8T5anN4FJHiE1rpR0t-efCmHGrt2BKNXmuIXIR0H17V7O37iJuSbsPeelFyTwhTV2t1HWJhimdvTm2eXnkPXYHVNvcLQEyYVjGCzLcXTqefmWDxRY0FIICy2FjGhcvpDxpJS4b5N6LAY/s400/DSC00991.JPG" /></a> On my last day, after I took all my tests and passed my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">demonstration</span> exam, I treated myself to this super yummy Love Martini, it was made with passion fruit and blood orange and had toasted coconut on the rim, oh so good!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwXgjpQOJZ2Aep9UiSNbYAQpvikg7wHDG0ujh_JwJCsmVVDcpZm7ygE0p8n7PNtqMaZRWl8pF6XhfEvyLl4EXxbrw9S89F2F9s5nATyFgvySrxAatDw3Y3RRg96bUBxN3PX0ruU902Jg/s1600/DSC00993.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469395288080242018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwXgjpQOJZ2Aep9UiSNbYAQpvikg7wHDG0ujh_JwJCsmVVDcpZm7ygE0p8n7PNtqMaZRWl8pF6XhfEvyLl4EXxbrw9S89F2F9s5nATyFgvySrxAatDw3Y3RRg96bUBxN3PX0ruU902Jg/s400/DSC00993.JPG" /></a> At this point, not because of the martini, I was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">feeling</span> pretty gutsy. I was done studying, done class and had 4 hours until I needed to head for the airport. I took the subway by myself! I first went down to Ground Zero- I really wanted to see it and pray for those families and our country. It was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">weird</span>, different, I don't really know what I expected. But it was filled with construction workers and it happened to be lunch time so they were everywhere. They are building some sort of memorial, but it was unclear. It was amazing to see and to see how our country was not destroyed by such a horrible act. I had lunch, then being so gutsy, I took another subway up to Time Square, because my crazy friend Melissa told me I had to see it. Well, I saw it. And that was enough. Right out of the subway was this sign for Mary Poppins (my kids love this movie) so I got a picture. Bought a t shirt for Jack and took a quick look around and realized that I now felt done with New York. If you have been there, you know what I mean. I am sure for some people this is fun, but for this small town girl, it was not.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGUBL0dcOukH19pniTyOWmL17jzVgHEucGnxQCOcBLIzKgBocujrcaqOZ9QTDZJYUlYTavL8bOxayJrArpOxKdbfS0dAPvd_0o1JWIkycc3tyIQw6ah369p-zypjj878CwOjCtToBX5w/s1600/DSC00995.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469395165936035346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGUBL0dcOukH19pniTyOWmL17jzVgHEucGnxQCOcBLIzKgBocujrcaqOZ9QTDZJYUlYTavL8bOxayJrArpOxKdbfS0dAPvd_0o1JWIkycc3tyIQw6ah369p-zypjj878CwOjCtToBX5w/s400/DSC00995.JPG" /></a> I know I did not get to do all the stuff, like see a show or visit Broadway, or go to the Statue of Liberty. I was short on time, my class was my priority and funds were not over flowing. But I totally felt like I had a great experience. It would be fun to go with my family, but I think Issie would need to be at least 6 and that would make Jack 15, who knows where life will lead us by then? So good to be home, to my mountain and only hearing coyotes at night:) <div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-85159364847957097762010-05-09T14:57:00.001-07:002010-05-09T15:05:21.004-07:00Family FunWhile Trudy was here visiting we went back to Great Wolf to celebrate Brad's 40th Birthday a little late. It is one of Brad's favorite places to go. The kids had so much fun, as always. I totally need to find out where to buy those awesome life jackets, Issie learned how to swim all over the place in them this time! Kadie is so brave now. And Jack is a pro. It was fun to have another adult with us so Brad and I could go on some slides together. Great family memories.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqm54w-6T0XwTeGRWtANs9mgeOUVQpwTGOS-52uS9r5LwO1ds3P3bKRXxZl_e75zbRt_W7cAWpOcKkzMNgCR9VtPpVu49dlh4HIrZJdwVevgCM8LsGUmutB9dNLWTiF1-ty8Vyu37uoY/s1600/DSC00956.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469393319457132114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqm54w-6T0XwTeGRWtANs9mgeOUVQpwTGOS-52uS9r5LwO1ds3P3bKRXxZl_e75zbRt_W7cAWpOcKkzMNgCR9VtPpVu49dlh4HIrZJdwVevgCM8LsGUmutB9dNLWTiF1-ty8Vyu37uoY/s400/DSC00956.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0W3RBsg1w9ktMUB3E8hFTQ26giFIcjPjTWaxkj0WlMaYEAv06jUH4zhyphenhyphenkpQG1PKzn5L0_UFRYFkx0xH3jppeB65LJ1JmwQX2W_d84VPJQg-nx3FKB4Inw3FVmXZRd0Eu6s59cQDQWzl8/s1600/DSC00954.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469393222627260098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0W3RBsg1w9ktMUB3E8hFTQ26giFIcjPjTWaxkj0WlMaYEAv06jUH4zhyphenhyphenkpQG1PKzn5L0_UFRYFkx0xH3jppeB65LJ1JmwQX2W_d84VPJQg-nx3FKB4Inw3FVmXZRd0Eu6s59cQDQWzl8/s400/DSC00954.JPG" /></a> Exhausted from the pool, snuggled up watching The Chipmunk's sequel. So sweet.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zwNcFpwwCrwJVP89Fyqvuc8DNfQjgfVNIZiPZvWlLV6YLps-80YyqQ4ksbLCntEN4Agyy2hZQpSYizPQHZ32wIwph9HMdiFTLFoDovL-RSl9rTRXRFKaQjApL1l31jKuxsNuhpUgqP8/s1600/DSC00934.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469393108683628034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zwNcFpwwCrwJVP89Fyqvuc8DNfQjgfVNIZiPZvWlLV6YLps-80YyqQ4ksbLCntEN4Agyy2hZQpSYizPQHZ32wIwph9HMdiFTLFoDovL-RSl9rTRXRFKaQjApL1l31jKuxsNuhpUgqP8/s400/DSC00934.JPG" /></a>And of course there is always the concert that we get when family comes. This year it was with the electric guitar. We have moments of real rocking coming out of this boy. He does have a sweet voice. So fun to watch him perform for his family.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkFy7ovqIfrZrtN0p21E4HGnXrCMBeFuN8-jHKHjvYfCjbGI3kfzXaiF0xt1AZxczPWuzV5PT2sRRUpE_EqHPMPWWItRPShFL_vfRPHh62GX7OZbUc9i3JH_dptrMMqLnjZF6E-J_vN4/s1600/DSC00931.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469392993649918274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkFy7ovqIfrZrtN0p21E4HGnXrCMBeFuN8-jHKHjvYfCjbGI3kfzXaiF0xt1AZxczPWuzV5PT2sRRUpE_EqHPMPWWItRPShFL_vfRPHh62GX7OZbUc9i3JH_dptrMMqLnjZF6E-J_vN4/s400/DSC00931.JPG" /></a>The kiddo's (Jack and his Stage Crew) You guys are a blessing to me.</div><div>Little Issie is so funny right in the mix. <div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-4866766412791925652010-05-09T14:27:00.000-07:002010-05-09T14:57:23.687-07:00EasterEaster is my favorite holiday, at least I think so. It is all about redemption and the greatest love we could ever imagine. It is the reason we believe, the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Resurrection</span>, the ultimate hope. There is much less consumerism involved and seems to be less expectations to counter act in the culture. We often have a beautiful service, then fun with the family and one of my favorite holiday meals. It is simple and wonderful. This year Trudy, Brad's mom, came to stay with us so that was extra special. We had Brad's cousins for dinner and the kids had their traditional string hunt for their baskets. They love the hunt as much if not more than the baskets. It is fun making it a challenge to get to it, they complain and laugh and complain and laugh. We know they love it when we make it hard.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCz5wf8NpHbo0XkC4PtsQJC5i417sYR15pxgQEGDN6WMtkFKEFJT5_WCqY-pIFtpfz_UUlLiWaoppDx1LLv2Oi6tErkBTvuUBa9NfCGdZssgQRCni4_FvPy4SXVrtn_HvqdTfw7toO_fE/s1600/DSC00945.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469389401892027842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCz5wf8NpHbo0XkC4PtsQJC5i417sYR15pxgQEGDN6WMtkFKEFJT5_WCqY-pIFtpfz_UUlLiWaoppDx1LLv2Oi6tErkBTvuUBa9NfCGdZssgQRCni4_FvPy4SXVrtn_HvqdTfw7toO_fE/s400/DSC00945.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiDA-apv2roJr4-n4LVATZvyWitZcyl-LEBTzYs9wy9Q5ku_T2H3kiuPqxHDRgbVuPOsP7O8xQ3-hMBO4gFql73eeN6a25-nAQ-DFhBXDwpiCxFCcGQzLi9xV6bquoqpB762W22l5yxI/s1600/DSC00951.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469389276920061186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiDA-apv2roJr4-n4LVATZvyWitZcyl-LEBTzYs9wy9Q5ku_T2H3kiuPqxHDRgbVuPOsP7O8xQ3-hMBO4gFql73eeN6a25-nAQ-DFhBXDwpiCxFCcGQzLi9xV6bquoqpB762W22l5yxI/s400/DSC00951.JPG" /></a> Jack pot, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kadie</span> was so happy with the new set of Magic Tree House Audio books and Issie has her new leap frog video. (so she can start blending her sounds for reading- she is a nut at 2 1/2)<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyNd_GBRjnkr9-O_M5krMlWsScCxZxNELnvuZ81ChNHa99_Aoi8PwegQUl7ABThY8fE201BaPrPsANe8MwUFzHolgrBFjRBQBNIY-7rkTiZ1dq90_gbtncxOVIfNg-OdEPRAxcAhLnP4/s1600/DSC00948.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469389159581056482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyNd_GBRjnkr9-O_M5krMlWsScCxZxNELnvuZ81ChNHa99_Aoi8PwegQUl7ABThY8fE201BaPrPsANe8MwUFzHolgrBFjRBQBNIY-7rkTiZ1dq90_gbtncxOVIfNg-OdEPRAxcAhLnP4/s400/DSC00948.JPG" /></a> Jack was happy with the new Cold Play <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">CD</span> and a new soccer ball. Very little candy this year and no one even noticed, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">yipee</span>!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjhHDEG2tJNdQ1OqAMygJW9-EuNI8Lu1dTIjQmrj0fxdKtsRaKmbcSbFHuPd1cvtn0m4P6diheFQX1Yetzqh6QChyphenhyphenwepB-fEDJ6J2z8Bgdy-zFcb_lygP5TNkfNkay8Q231RcKLHClAU/s1600/DSC00953.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469389016369601554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjhHDEG2tJNdQ1OqAMygJW9-EuNI8Lu1dTIjQmrj0fxdKtsRaKmbcSbFHuPd1cvtn0m4P6diheFQX1Yetzqh6QChyphenhyphenwepB-fEDJ6J2z8Bgdy-zFcb_lygP5TNkfNkay8Q231RcKLHClAU/s400/DSC00953.JPG" /></a> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kadie's</span> Easter Sunday Dress, she has tears in her eyes because she needed to take it off as we were headed outside. Such a girlie girl.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTVC7KDeq_8yh4XrrkW4IwrSlELzE2oau6zArCWi3V7Gyn-WY1siwY7kyVykDt2FBwSLhc39KY1JR_J2a0-63OyUwcybhM6usNCe37YzKL7JB8bKzQ3bQrxAdgiPTLuFaspuwBIx4m7c/s1600/DSC00943.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469388914077393762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTVC7KDeq_8yh4XrrkW4IwrSlELzE2oau6zArCWi3V7Gyn-WY1siwY7kyVykDt2FBwSLhc39KY1JR_J2a0-63OyUwcybhM6usNCe37YzKL7JB8bKzQ3bQrxAdgiPTLuFaspuwBIx4m7c/s400/DSC00943.JPG" /></a>Issie in her Easter Dress. I have 7 pictures of her screaming and only one with here not so this is the best I can do. She looked so sweet, just did not want me to take a picture!</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOtY6_6mCgCKluQIpy5QYNvoxGsaxQrJxntQH06-6Cdcw0ojINAEEXCbdCEVUNzdsi_wCvUSGHpCmzNKm3VVXVHGPUc-vOk5WbV1EvFn6GbL-vnP_L5U6jKi3Y3l4CvKhCVCx_Acxz3g/s1600/DSC00929.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469388814218078642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOtY6_6mCgCKluQIpy5QYNvoxGsaxQrJxntQH06-6Cdcw0ojINAEEXCbdCEVUNzdsi_wCvUSGHpCmzNKm3VVXVHGPUc-vOk5WbV1EvFn6GbL-vnP_L5U6jKi3Y3l4CvKhCVCx_Acxz3g/s400/DSC00929.JPG" /></a>Egg masterpieces- just before we made them into Angel Eggs.<br /><div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOA4jaGxKvmMx84kd2J8pk5K44w5J_jY8Jn9MBk9E2YuEXvYnHVbacG07vZfuU_QppCKrH4ACoqwLFGYqxA-4U4tyvx0oF3Wnceakk6aGpWcwDq_9DBUPeseQ9H2I9yapjpOh1y60ovA/s1600/DSC00936.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 333px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469388422631175202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOA4jaGxKvmMx84kd2J8pk5K44w5J_jY8Jn9MBk9E2YuEXvYnHVbacG07vZfuU_QppCKrH4ACoqwLFGYqxA-4U4tyvx0oF3Wnceakk6aGpWcwDq_9DBUPeseQ9H2I9yapjpOh1y60ovA/s400/DSC00936.JPG" /></a> Our precious family. So much to be grateful for. Jack almost 11, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kadie</span> 6 1/2, and Issie 2 1/2.</div><div>Somehow, we have no pictures of Trudy! She has a habit of dodging the camera, we need to be more diligent next time :).</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-69785443996651961502010-04-10T08:50:00.000-07:002010-04-10T09:44:36.327-07:00Happy Birthday Grandma Mary!!My mom turns 60 today, a milestone! When I thought about what to do for you mom, I wanted to do something special. Something I knew you would love, and not just something in the mail. We live too far away and I know your heart aches for your grandbabies. So me and the kids put together a little video show to share with you. Each one picked what they wanted to share. Jack wanted to play and sing, which is totally his thing. He did want me to tell you that "happy birthday" was not his first choice of songs to play but it was appropriate. And to be honest, I think he is a bit too nervous to belt out Tom Petty or U2 to be posted on the blog. But he did great. Kadie wanted to share her gymnastics moves, which is her thing. She was too scared to talk so that is why she is just blindly staring at the camera. Pretty cute. I am sure that will remind you of me at that age. I remember doing handstands on the couch and cartwheels through the dining room constantly. Then there is Issie. She was a stinker and really was like torture getting her to participate at all. She is so independent. She has taught herself her letter sounds now and is constantly practicing. She is going to give Kadie a run for her money on reading. Anyway, if she sees me with the camera she wants to watch the screen so that is why I was a bit sneaky and you cannot see her face straight on. I did need to do many many takes but I finally got the whole alphabet. It is funny we practiced her saying "Happy Birthday Grandma Mary" all night last night and she was hilarious, happy, jumping around with her sweet little sing song voice (of course I was without the camera). Then this morning, every time we said it she yelled "no", "no happy birthday to YOU!" So you get what you get and don't throw a fit. (a motto of our family- from the preschool years). I love you mom. I hope you have a great birthday and enjoy being 60 years YOUNG!<br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz2WbF9lcqTQSSuBA2EDE2QuoRfH-aERf0jfeWqjqU2Zvj6Wq3Cp3rFa7YUL8TmqTmeNIL-LABZZ7an6dR6' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx7TNeqNz1aaybMjp18Ex8BYWzLQ9J37wboltf8QGebq0-B72DVDkNGd46WkZvC3jNNdVqZXAaKexlbIFcs' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxcc3T5ypmMpHcu43mXm106pVR3ZqgJ7bWH8IucDIWqSQTyZGtkmlegRRF_-O3cA0nXBoyRvp9aaLjliSkp' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzp2ADl3IyyIY68T9E5EjzyFLxyCam4JXB-Qxl-6O5IiYplW0QZk4wdTUxXEGeu5BQ8LeDBwea9t1mLrlKP' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-76188572101921015872010-03-23T20:09:00.000-07:002010-03-23T20:16:49.778-07:00Bedtime ShenanigansWell you can tell Issie is feeling better when she is back to her bedtime shenanigans. Something bizaar happens at bedtime, it starts right after prayers and right around singing time. Issie gets some wild fire energy spurt that turns into a little baby hanging from the side of the bed upside down doing stunts well after both her brother and sister has fallen asleep. We do the back to bed thing from Super Nanny but she is so resistant and happy go lucky playful that it seems relatively ineffective to actually get her to go to sleep. It does get her back to bed though, but only for another round of bouncing or climbing or dancing with her stuffies. Thankfully Kadie has learned to ignore her (I have no idea how) and fall asleep in the midst of all the craziness. It is good that she is feeling better. I know this is a battle of the wills to some extent and possibly a night owl personality in the mix too. She is winning the will thing however.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-71770563225427842982010-03-22T23:21:00.000-07:002010-03-22T23:28:26.642-07:00Sick BabiesI know it is so sad when they are sick. I do not enjoy vomit in my hair or down my back or everywhere else for that matter. Issie had the stomach flu this weekend. It was sad. She seemed totally fine, laughing and jumping around then out of no where, she started throwing up. She seemed shocked by the whole thing. Then fine, asking for breakfast. Silly mommy gave her some. Then she decided she did not want it but just wanted to snuggle and whine. I choose to cherish this moment. I hate them sick but I love the time when only mommy can make it better, the suction cup hug and the feverish sleeping on your chest. Until the whine turns into more puke, this time down my shirt and in my lap. She was so sad in the shower getting clean, only to throw up again walking in the hall. Then slipping in it and throwing up some more..... poor thing really had no idea what was happening. She took a good nap, and we started to really limited her intake and now seems better. Rough weekend. Mom was next.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-77812538890248396072010-03-22T22:54:00.000-07:002010-03-22T23:21:14.901-07:00Brad turns 40!Today was Brad's birthday! He turned 40. I made many plans to have a great celebration and each plan did not work out. We have a joke in our family called the "week of Brad". Brad used to have so many things he wanted to do that he would say, "we could do that for my birthday" that it just turned in to a week of celebration. It was fun. <br />We don't do that anymore, not for any reason other than it is just not as big a deal I guess. But this year, I wanted to make it a big deal. He is forty after all. We started out with a big party but all of his best guy friends could not make it this weekend (or last weekend, or the next 2 weekends for that matter). So we ditched that idea. Then we thought we would go to the beach with his mom and Rod but his boss would not let him off work since there is already someone on his team off till April. So that plan was dropped. Then we thought of a poker night, but no guys in town. So we thought we would go hiking, but then Issie started puking and puked all day on Saturday. It rained Sunday. So we decided just to do a date night instead. Well then I came down with the puking Issie had and we had to cancel that. So Happy Birthday Brad. You got to spend your big day taking care of 2 puking girls, so fun.<br /><br />We do love you. You are a great man, a wonderful husband and the best father. I love my life with you. I love growing older with you. I decided to pick some pictures that I liked to share a bit of you with everyone out there.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoY5oaPgC6IDaIErhuw5th5PUc6LtaRjgKlFTaVvojS0XyVsDJDGf4Ya3-W_FbS0pxe3P5TGXVbYK3s6BDfYfjPKpGzrM9wO2lJRq_M8LPpBJwLbfMPiE2bRiA0BxgRSP9C9kCq1iekO0/s1600-h/DSC00237.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoY5oaPgC6IDaIErhuw5th5PUc6LtaRjgKlFTaVvojS0XyVsDJDGf4Ya3-W_FbS0pxe3P5TGXVbYK3s6BDfYfjPKpGzrM9wO2lJRq_M8LPpBJwLbfMPiE2bRiA0BxgRSP9C9kCq1iekO0/s400/DSC00237.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451706076646622786" border="0" /></a><br />I love this picture of you with the kids at Pacific Beach last summer. It was rainy and cold but you would never miss a chance to play in the waves and look for creatures. The kids love that about you. You are the fun one. You are the playful one. You are the one who can totally lose track of time, playing a game and just spending time with the kids. <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqM6EsyoOFwBsJpgMVY_6PePVEjoAn_Yl4_AGvX-HFB86if9-YsdUKyNP-pXGtqepXOSXvBj-7KZHFtfvqfKsbOfT2_NR-WPZM_EPL3BKrjJizQ-yP3c_tMGEwvLrEvI-gJRhg91c_ilU/s1600-h/IMG_9195.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqM6EsyoOFwBsJpgMVY_6PePVEjoAn_Yl4_AGvX-HFB86if9-YsdUKyNP-pXGtqepXOSXvBj-7KZHFtfvqfKsbOfT2_NR-WPZM_EPL3BKrjJizQ-yP3c_tMGEwvLrEvI-gJRhg91c_ilU/s400/IMG_9195.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451705682795932962" border="0" /></a><br />I love this picture of you with Kadie. I think she was hurt or cold or something and wanted her Daddy. She loves you so much. You are a good daddy.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40_E1eytQIaIpcBYtCU-jLzt_iH6RtPoq4OKKYEY7HnMDLENzCqJmffi6Kpbf6TvoPsoZK0ZGNsvUcVvYHBtc8FyUq-rFsHYqsP7BgSGVgDJ7QlUu9Bmzt1eBhDi8yFJO4tnHeHYeFzI/s1600-h/DSC00906.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40_E1eytQIaIpcBYtCU-jLzt_iH6RtPoq4OKKYEY7HnMDLENzCqJmffi6Kpbf6TvoPsoZK0ZGNsvUcVvYHBtc8FyUq-rFsHYqsP7BgSGVgDJ7QlUu9Bmzt1eBhDi8yFJO4tnHeHYeFzI/s400/DSC00906.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451705397972312978" border="0" /></a>Here is one with you and Issie, the wild child on the hike. I think she has your adventurous spirit. I love that you nurture that and let them be who they are.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6m-wEjLTopFQQCXND9qwzBHjyGppzMlx0RoXShMNAJdOxwrh3vJo3ZOYgtxaEVk0PjC_C2SGfrW7o8DhoH0CtBc7S05coPNrqQ6SbJfLd-0HblhLVQ1hZ-ZUJauJw60hrCFVfQUJY-yI/s1600-h/DSC00807.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6m-wEjLTopFQQCXND9qwzBHjyGppzMlx0RoXShMNAJdOxwrh3vJo3ZOYgtxaEVk0PjC_C2SGfrW7o8DhoH0CtBc7S05coPNrqQ6SbJfLd-0HblhLVQ1hZ-ZUJauJw60hrCFVfQUJY-yI/s400/DSC00807.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451705175562912210" border="0" /></a>Me and you. Thanks for taking care of me, not just today but all of the time. You are my prince charming. I love who you are and who God is growing you to be. Happy Birthday!<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-87421220416951817822010-03-21T12:40:00.000-07:002010-03-21T12:49:50.061-07:00Girlfriends Weekend at the Beach!This post is over due! For the second year me and my 4 girlfriends went to the beach for the weekend. This year we were kid free and I was not pregnant, to big changes. We go for my friends Melody's birthday, but also just to get away and have uninterrupted girl time. This year we stayed a super pretty beach house in Lincoln City so we stopped at the outlets on the way down for a little shopping too. We spent most of our time at the house, lounging around, enjoying our company and relaxing. A fun time to get away.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7zY6IUMh6tTjMthrXNo7xisMGzt3KZHw5p_VxYPug7i7ADSCqOF2kg2UbkeQrc4p9_hEN2QfZHK3nVaXTas7dp8FZGtA2iY1bww5vfhRvbKpzQ802zupJ4HSlVBxqjjWT7EDYzgRvao/s1600-h/DSC00815.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 333px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7zY6IUMh6tTjMthrXNo7xisMGzt3KZHw5p_VxYPug7i7ADSCqOF2kg2UbkeQrc4p9_hEN2QfZHK3nVaXTas7dp8FZGtA2iY1bww5vfhRvbKpzQ802zupJ4HSlVBxqjjWT7EDYzgRvao/s400/DSC00815.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451174987777373170" border="0" /></a>From Left to Right, Melody, Marnee, Kristi, Michelle and Me.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpah-SiQktpD3cxjWzSgEazfoCVfJImnT4acqW1822E_00YkXny5tWPxrHA79f5lrcTY6Ym81HdCvqPC4OP69qxx2HsATXAmYT6WT7SOne0i9d27iZy7iVGBbXe0UjvG2NPgRdTmGmtTw/s1600-h/DSC00818.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpah-SiQktpD3cxjWzSgEazfoCVfJImnT4acqW1822E_00YkXny5tWPxrHA79f5lrcTY6Ym81HdCvqPC4OP69qxx2HsATXAmYT6WT7SOne0i9d27iZy7iVGBbXe0UjvG2NPgRdTmGmtTw/s400/DSC00818.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451174921072550706" border="0" /></a>Sunset walk on the beach- it was beautiful.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkF0WgVIDZVWyQK0vhiei-92RMPwrdNhejwq4AYXPuqjGI5OPzUfgPTaK0r6VqwjyzdW9WTPIpVe54qjH_CG9G_uhbLoikV6xZcb0t3TOTv1PI_2Se4REQ_Y9h8ApSYWSANEHFYaNB1VM/s1600-h/DSC00824.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkF0WgVIDZVWyQK0vhiei-92RMPwrdNhejwq4AYXPuqjGI5OPzUfgPTaK0r6VqwjyzdW9WTPIpVe54qjH_CG9G_uhbLoikV6xZcb0t3TOTv1PI_2Se4REQ_Y9h8ApSYWSANEHFYaNB1VM/s400/DSC00824.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451174804544375906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Zpf5TFj5mopdP5o87V8oJmOl02W05OWUmbPtbZelISYB5TsYVRDVto7XcJAkjGpAOvcpkejsI8EgjR-KL9fI1V7PlbAYRDsUgTzow4raRU8VCJR-0zfm5w0pvtQBvEFG_xXqGm_NYD4/s1600-h/DSC00821.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Zpf5TFj5mopdP5o87V8oJmOl02W05OWUmbPtbZelISYB5TsYVRDVto7XcJAkjGpAOvcpkejsI8EgjR-KL9fI1V7PlbAYRDsUgTzow4raRU8VCJR-0zfm5w0pvtQBvEFG_xXqGm_NYD4/s400/DSC00821.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451174682609307746" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aVuL6CDKTlhXV6ek8e8eN760jUY_rtcX_KUjK0bSOioPpya63IIkeC8NLmcKR0h_q0Vi8e0nHe4LlxhLXpAf5nCKmuPu4AXK1AGAkdfgOIYesK_Nl8Oxpj24MBa-I4mykbIKq6Dn-c4/s1600-h/DSC00820.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aVuL6CDKTlhXV6ek8e8eN760jUY_rtcX_KUjK0bSOioPpya63IIkeC8NLmcKR0h_q0Vi8e0nHe4LlxhLXpAf5nCKmuPu4AXK1AGAkdfgOIYesK_Nl8Oxpj24MBa-I4mykbIKq6Dn-c4/s400/DSC00820.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451174585702251554" border="0" /></a>We live in such a beautiful place. What a blessing to be surrounded by such beauty, in relationships and scenery.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-19945095159243842322010-03-02T12:22:00.001-08:002010-03-02T12:38:19.523-08:00Hiking Beacon RockSunday was a beautiful day and we have been wanting to start hiking as a family when the weather is nice. It would be nice to go once a week, so hopefully that will work out. Issie is finally at the age when we could go together and she is so independent that she wants to walk most of the time. It does make everything go at a 2 year old pace but it is a start. We live in such a beatiful area that it is like an adventure each week. Plus it is nice to look at things that we can embrace with the kids getting bigger since there is always that temptation to dwell in the sadness of them growing up. It was good thing to do the week we took the crib down and started packing up the nursery.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEnrSujFPOS0y3x8ry3I0eOW01i6nHGCHQHuY-IPwFJB2Vg5v276RePPt6SS9_goK01Ns73wGmA2wiYSX1Mah9eLiQgFKBIsL_0nDiuK4Vd37-3i4euRWNl_B11IEg553yJAr2x11_J8/s1600-h/DSC00893.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEnrSujFPOS0y3x8ry3I0eOW01i6nHGCHQHuY-IPwFJB2Vg5v276RePPt6SS9_goK01Ns73wGmA2wiYSX1Mah9eLiQgFKBIsL_0nDiuK4Vd37-3i4euRWNl_B11IEg553yJAr2x11_J8/s400/DSC00893.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444135547756011314" border="0" /></a>My family, so cute to see them taking off, and Issie smiling over Daddy's shoulder on the way. I just love these guys. What a blessing they are to me.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXvlZEnZmcE7Ro2ANPf2aaCzedpdh8ZdXkC61vNCaZXk_U_om2rarvg5AJ_imBfonGXwWqugpoYgF-UaSORecx9fSZDEx5O1YmkHSLpkUBz8xXGlZTuYaL73u4eMbKMb7iXS6YJ-tgtE/s1600-h/DSC00894.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXvlZEnZmcE7Ro2ANPf2aaCzedpdh8ZdXkC61vNCaZXk_U_om2rarvg5AJ_imBfonGXwWqugpoYgF-UaSORecx9fSZDEx5O1YmkHSLpkUBz8xXGlZTuYaL73u4eMbKMb7iXS6YJ-tgtE/s400/DSC00894.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444135490374892114" border="0" /></a>Issie determined to do it herself even on the rough terrain, so funny.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfadgopKQ2FOLV2rTvS0WzyMoLd1nPAuomIR-wDLSnNcQqJeTgtdi2vd5NoTxbw62_6dAJIEGjfWQTlvUVdIEMUk1b_hur63T25lZ6RfO4kGMCa7hqwAiIiUlvua7cd7ODsAKIJjhunCM/s1600-h/DSC00906.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfadgopKQ2FOLV2rTvS0WzyMoLd1nPAuomIR-wDLSnNcQqJeTgtdi2vd5NoTxbw62_6dAJIEGjfWQTlvUVdIEMUk1b_hur63T25lZ6RfO4kGMCa7hqwAiIiUlvua7cd7ODsAKIJjhunCM/s400/DSC00906.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444135390791535682" border="0" /></a>Happy girl with her Daddy.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMF9PT4QSRUvtPlQc66cPffz8QHabmpBj0tGdyMuqbdRYe9URjpy1HFYniJMBd60PjM42PqT3PGIWRs86Slj4mX-Aaxdi4kMJ43b8401juvyQX05uTw5NCBCdCgwb0hytzf4c3hxR_FZs/s1600-h/DSC00910.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMF9PT4QSRUvtPlQc66cPffz8QHabmpBj0tGdyMuqbdRYe9URjpy1HFYniJMBd60PjM42PqT3PGIWRs86Slj4mX-Aaxdi4kMJ43b8401juvyQX05uTw5NCBCdCgwb0hytzf4c3hxR_FZs/s400/DSC00910.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444135267156534450" border="0" /></a>Kadie was all about the "short cuts", trying to cut corners and find secret ways to get ahead of us.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4ptRT18L8oSxYCE4Wo6C-Fxhq_4iWdY1B9dV4MiNzBIIfkoG9UUSnuH8r5BCf8Aa8jdCQ6W8rl0DH-3LhWoy16riRoJ4-_hKFR-eZFmBFuzAL5fX_Mp_X_2IESZ7QsD7-ljrRSc6_Dg/s1600-h/DSC00897.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4ptRT18L8oSxYCE4Wo6C-Fxhq_4iWdY1B9dV4MiNzBIIfkoG9UUSnuH8r5BCf8Aa8jdCQ6W8rl0DH-3LhWoy16riRoJ4-_hKFR-eZFmBFuzAL5fX_Mp_X_2IESZ7QsD7-ljrRSc6_Dg/s400/DSC00897.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444135166430559954" border="0" /></a>Me and Issie, pulling up the caboose. Jack was not really understanding why we were so slow, we offered to let him walk with or carry Issie and see how fast he would go but he was not interested.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV07-nPS-ZNmbaHOozayu5riRu5w2SaO8QTIM6oj05VjdKPU5vdceQZqRHOOLyOqEySPUjt2g8PgvMIvFc-Q8WBcyEiIhBrNqQXga6Jl6dB7ddN7NTlhkS1isiuiSOGb-_hUaDbM5CDNE/s1600-h/DSC00902.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV07-nPS-ZNmbaHOozayu5riRu5w2SaO8QTIM6oj05VjdKPU5vdceQZqRHOOLyOqEySPUjt2g8PgvMIvFc-Q8WBcyEiIhBrNqQXga6Jl6dB7ddN7NTlhkS1isiuiSOGb-_hUaDbM5CDNE/s400/DSC00902.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444135066995273442" border="0" /></a>UP and Up and Up we go, it was such an amazing day, really feeling like spring here. So nice.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjX6U_fB_zBjSs6Dhk5NDAiO6a2QG7akxemp2kktt8rh3pxqfpzvkzPAZfOSPnmH-nH34gjQGeSTr0FzV95_5hjqBlWBNGTbhVK4yJTS4M3FMLlZ6pouGBRUniyo-Zm_8Zm-2jfXYImvo/s1600-h/DSC00903.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjX6U_fB_zBjSs6Dhk5NDAiO6a2QG7akxemp2kktt8rh3pxqfpzvkzPAZfOSPnmH-nH34gjQGeSTr0FzV95_5hjqBlWBNGTbhVK4yJTS4M3FMLlZ6pouGBRUniyo-Zm_8Zm-2jfXYImvo/s400/DSC00903.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444134894860313154" border="0" /></a>Had to put this one in, our little nut. She loves this smile, Kadie used to do the same thing. She certainly has no fear of heights or anything else for that matter. We had to keep a hand on her at all times. Brad actually brought a rope in case we needed a leash but she stayed close. That would have been a sight.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dt8WYgIVxTHl-9yEjJefr2APM0NzE9gT0hT9BVfB39GrjzyVqMskNdEi2zEgiceaF6qz3KBwbcC_WKrOBsLK8qZ64RTcTvcHvJhtNYKxD2Thy4cuUuZH6e5hmNNzZ2IcAQev8f-5J90/s1600-h/DSC00908.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dt8WYgIVxTHl-9yEjJefr2APM0NzE9gT0hT9BVfB39GrjzyVqMskNdEi2zEgiceaF6qz3KBwbcC_WKrOBsLK8qZ64RTcTvcHvJhtNYKxD2Thy4cuUuZH6e5hmNNzZ2IcAQev8f-5J90/s400/DSC00908.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444134772724977058" border="0" /></a>Sweet boy, at the top. It was good lesson in patience for Jack as he probably could have climbed the rock in half the time. But he had a good attitude about it. The sunshine sure helped.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzYwHByP-NwUpYKSZm5MThAOc2MWlHpeN93MbNGWiIVeAi9t3FxvSobon4nktTQaQirSS93ms8v_AiW-vdT4ytAPMUSGlr0Abo_-PRRyH2u9KFzIp5vyqhCBCcUIMSTJ31cClSizb0RI/s1600-h/DSC00905.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzYwHByP-NwUpYKSZm5MThAOc2MWlHpeN93MbNGWiIVeAi9t3FxvSobon4nktTQaQirSS93ms8v_AiW-vdT4ytAPMUSGlr0Abo_-PRRyH2u9KFzIp5vyqhCBCcUIMSTJ31cClSizb0RI/s400/DSC00905.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444134660761443330" border="0" /></a>Our family. What a nice day. Hopefully we will do more and more of this all spring and summer.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-45470186502607469362010-03-02T12:03:00.001-08:002010-03-02T12:22:08.848-08:00Every day stuff.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>Always lots going on around here. Jack continues his cooking lessons and we are trying to get to the point that he cooks dinner on Thursdays but we are not there yet. He learned how to make burritos last week. Including fresh salsa, and guacamole. The beef was a bit crispy but that was likely because I had him multi-tasking too much. It was really good. One of his favorite things to eat so it was a good one for him to learn. It is good for me too, he wants me to write down instructions for everything so he can try to follow the recipe without my help. I realize how much I just cook stuff without thinking. I have never really written down how to brown ground beef or how to cut an avocado. It was fun though, he even took the initiative to clean up the entire kitchen after dinner, this was a huge thing for him since we usually have to nag and nag to get it all done. I think American Idol being on may have been a big motivator too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUVbIcrlFbpGS6PdikYTNEso-4QzDdr6LcmQ_6dbrF8cB42ASIdf7lO4_W27nKdhxFcr4GwYsdZGJzLXSZbh-Jja-mMjmPbVnXAl2S_bZmrQmA_PLSyGdDKn9DokrTz1F4EyvVacNoKo/s1600-h/DSC00890.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUVbIcrlFbpGS6PdikYTNEso-4QzDdr6LcmQ_6dbrF8cB42ASIdf7lO4_W27nKdhxFcr4GwYsdZGJzLXSZbh-Jja-mMjmPbVnXAl2S_bZmrQmA_PLSyGdDKn9DokrTz1F4EyvVacNoKo/s400/DSC00890.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444130282792875090" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Mi2OAxHScgY0ISbenfwHzypFs4NMReE5rMcqF4hl-i9z3NvQ9SL0O9qc7YoDLlfA2S-XxIz1HBae_6UafePPdpzuZYVznfgWy1F-GaINOg41l5w1Se6okkl-2hvKYrUx6Qsu6rHwQCU/s1600-h/DSC00883.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Mi2OAxHScgY0ISbenfwHzypFs4NMReE5rMcqF4hl-i9z3NvQ9SL0O9qc7YoDLlfA2S-XxIz1HBae_6UafePPdpzuZYVznfgWy1F-GaINOg41l5w1Se6okkl-2hvKYrUx6Qsu6rHwQCU/s400/DSC00883.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444130164978465234" border="0" /></a>It is hard to get any pictures of Jack since he is in that stage where it is totally not cool to pose for mom. So when I catch a shot where he is not givign me some snarky look, I need to share it. I love this boy.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpF_YEr-Mv4qkAMv4x9AI_p-MeqV0g55FA5pU7-ul2NUdGQCoCbkuGQ3O2hxkEissW36b6QX0wegHKjBvaqePX-gzsxln7ZY9IFktYJkN7Gkn_f_om6EDa5pfgyM6yAc9L4jdgQMtvHzk/s1600-h/DSC00885.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpF_YEr-Mv4qkAMv4x9AI_p-MeqV0g55FA5pU7-ul2NUdGQCoCbkuGQ3O2hxkEissW36b6QX0wegHKjBvaqePX-gzsxln7ZY9IFktYJkN7Gkn_f_om6EDa5pfgyM6yAc9L4jdgQMtvHzk/s400/DSC00885.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444130015554188786" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Issie got her first official haircut last week. I have been trimming her bangs for a while and at times it really has looked awful. She has had a full on mullet and it is embarrassing. So I finally had my hairdresser fix in right. She was incredibly still and obedient. She loves being the big girl. So independent. <br /><br />The update on the transition to bed: it only took 2 nights to get her to stay in bed, amazing! She is still often the last to fall to sleep but she just lays quietly there playing with her hands until the wee hours of the night. So cute. We moved her to her bed for naps too later that week and she has done great. Sleeping 3 hours and going right to sleep almost every time. Our issue now is how to keep her in bed beyond 6am! She is an early riser and we used to just keep her in her crib and she would play or fall back to sleep. But now she is up and running. Kadie is up right with her and soon they are fighting and then Jack is mad since he actually likes to sleep past 6:15am. Let me tell you it is not the wake up call you want every morning. I will take any suggestions on this one. Kadie was trained early to stay in her room until the clock said 7 but Issie is younger and when one of them wake up everyone is up. Baby steps.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6iCrlSUoxHFzvLSoqtE0rgA4tIflgqVrrkMTfLn7zaHYGm7rACG-j7ojGhrN_ZYNXpIHtue-LbsZLyrauYgLNBwn9FZJI9paAT3fDEwjtBJb7c5aNj8b3VHN0TlyooAR2Yn8FvtgXYk/s1600-h/DSC00878.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6iCrlSUoxHFzvLSoqtE0rgA4tIflgqVrrkMTfLn7zaHYGm7rACG-j7ojGhrN_ZYNXpIHtue-LbsZLyrauYgLNBwn9FZJI9paAT3fDEwjtBJb7c5aNj8b3VHN0TlyooAR2Yn8FvtgXYk/s400/DSC00878.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444129887560207282" border="0" /></a><br />Kadie and her best little friend Rylie. We have small group together so these girls play every week and just love each other. They decided to coordinate their outfits so they looked like twins. It was so cute, calling back and forth to decide on jeans and what color socks, so funny. <br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-90951750672199256592010-02-16T20:10:00.001-08:002010-02-16T20:26:51.934-08:00Re organization and Bunk Beds!We have been doing a ton of transitioning and reorganizing and purging as our kids move into the next stages. We put up bunk beds and have been slowly transitioning Issie to a big girl bed, using the Super Nanny stay in bed method. She does not stay in bed, well she stays in bed but jumps around and hangs from the bars and whispers constantly which is completely distracting to Kadie. But it is a transition and as much as I want it to be easy, I understand that is the wrong expectation. The crib is still in her room for back up and for naps, I am totally not ready to tackle naps in the big girl bed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWdLZqt9CPB6RY8TJalkXlCwrEFxU6aWmNfC7rghm7naeaWYp-PTXS_SpTCBddsQiKtpFYVYELeQ347A4fCmO46-oK4DnexcsHqhUv9G4sIaBkHuTPfK9wFc1HO-eqZyfFvBJU0RNJt4/s1600-h/DSC00870.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWdLZqt9CPB6RY8TJalkXlCwrEFxU6aWmNfC7rghm7naeaWYp-PTXS_SpTCBddsQiKtpFYVYELeQ347A4fCmO46-oK4DnexcsHqhUv9G4sIaBkHuTPfK9wFc1HO-eqZyfFvBJU0RNJt4/s400/DSC00870.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439060640022078482" border="0" /></a>Kadie loves the top bunk, but we did have to remove the blades on her ceiling fan so we did not have fatal injury. She is a monkey and climbs up without a ladder since we are not ready for Issie to venture up there yet. Good old IKEA, nice simple bed for a fraction of the price else where. It is not as cute as her other bed but it will work for the time being.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqDlEHljxKZDuUZbryK7eULkL1oFXk8L6bpfzybGodOb6FKZP5Ksbqha6-Yv2Bi_LTsTPYLY9OsN_6O_EfvtqG8tL19I60WTl3OGb7eUhQtsBlFFfXmj7YPeY-hi3RNVAlW3EJRsJkjo/s1600-h/DSC00860.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqDlEHljxKZDuUZbryK7eULkL1oFXk8L6bpfzybGodOb6FKZP5Ksbqha6-Yv2Bi_LTsTPYLY9OsN_6O_EfvtqG8tL19I60WTl3OGb7eUhQtsBlFFfXmj7YPeY-hi3RNVAlW3EJRsJkjo/s400/DSC00860.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439060580336561330" border="0" /></a>Issie, very excited, looks like she is saying "peace out". She ended up in her crib the first night, we were too tired and forgot to read the super nanny section on this as it has been a while since we have had to deal with it. The second night she went to bed at 7:15 and fell asleep at 9:30- about 30 min after Kadie. We are now on the third night and she went to bed at 7pm and it is 8:21 now and she is still flopping around on her bed. When I go in to lay her down she does this cute thing where she puts her hands over her eyes, thinking if she cannot see me then I cannot see her. Not really working well for her.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRli40LNrgmVCwzAq27wArZLqwaflZ79s8NKJMhXcNg-kxaEVyKuzBNRJ46EvsHYYU9PhIxL8Ym8E9NzChv81XkLL8_OvxRLz_gGwJutVNcrQK7LJGEEEYY6NdDmLN3HuWnNkcqIc_Wvg/s1600-h/DSC00865.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRli40LNrgmVCwzAq27wArZLqwaflZ79s8NKJMhXcNg-kxaEVyKuzBNRJ46EvsHYYU9PhIxL8Ym8E9NzChv81XkLL8_OvxRLz_gGwJutVNcrQK7LJGEEEYY6NdDmLN3HuWnNkcqIc_Wvg/s400/DSC00865.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439060476873611554" border="0" /></a>Had to take a picture as this room will likely not be this clean for long. My little girl is a pack rat and has an interesting way of organizing that does not really allow us to find anything.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_fOa7eAfwjqYHwWzGK4VtvwfDCAolmk9Xd4H_GzoyFV7HSCGXy5dX5TIOrat08zuaFwOpx3jbYTEYqZr8oPRmy-V4RoncFN065YuM33wjQhCT2bqy-2Gv5eZaYdl2m7S9Ij6_1JkR-Y/s1600-h/DSC00868.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_fOa7eAfwjqYHwWzGK4VtvwfDCAolmk9Xd4H_GzoyFV7HSCGXy5dX5TIOrat08zuaFwOpx3jbYTEYqZr8oPRmy-V4RoncFN065YuM33wjQhCT2bqy-2Gv5eZaYdl2m7S9Ij6_1JkR-Y/s400/DSC00868.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439060398195492098" border="0" /></a>Sisters<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWMwk-m4ZWClzgjtXq239HvBsnoMqsjv_RLFMDFOy0bQTYgaF8KyrZBYgyBnfqxnVcq-tP3OGkLPyS-5_NrMNcTJj30XdtSKRDEbCvs8v5j-tJA3p6aqYlo_fC3UrruFPthdxwUx_EbM/s1600-h/DSC00869.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWMwk-m4ZWClzgjtXq239HvBsnoMqsjv_RLFMDFOy0bQTYgaF8KyrZBYgyBnfqxnVcq-tP3OGkLPyS-5_NrMNcTJj30XdtSKRDEbCvs8v5j-tJA3p6aqYlo_fC3UrruFPthdxwUx_EbM/s400/DSC00869.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439060318134061234" border="0" /></a>We reorganized both the kids closets, it looks great and every thing is easy to access.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUjeRLMrxjoFuq02_wKdfvz65JydeS3Frnm0NGOpe3Vp0aukZWaMBBc2jPNsfJ0adQ9kilklI_S2ne4eUWv34Ot8UOaRE3m-fHWVC7nTPR9sHmdMJACzn_0AFBQP72Y7AQFGF_aQuqmM/s1600-h/DSC00871.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUjeRLMrxjoFuq02_wKdfvz65JydeS3Frnm0NGOpe3Vp0aukZWaMBBc2jPNsfJ0adQ9kilklI_S2ne4eUWv34Ot8UOaRE3m-fHWVC7nTPR9sHmdMJACzn_0AFBQP72Y7AQFGF_aQuqmM/s400/DSC00871.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439060249119111650" border="0" /></a><br />Jack's closet too.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZGxGLzbml5CoB3X2GiyvKadyBFrnMnsaaWYaZkmj0Gr5lBW-L8FgNpEsSsS1Gy0jIfdJWVfi4O1I32gbFrnm4_-xxtDn7v2zV-ObN5Mqb3-ZLnrphpQR8fmggaqDDroDPErkQ3bhfAg/s1600-h/DSC00814.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZGxGLzbml5CoB3X2GiyvKadyBFrnMnsaaWYaZkmj0Gr5lBW-L8FgNpEsSsS1Gy0jIfdJWVfi4O1I32gbFrnm4_-xxtDn7v2zV-ObN5Mqb3-ZLnrphpQR8fmggaqDDroDPErkQ3bhfAg/s400/DSC00814.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439060093730441298" border="0" /></a>This is phase one of the loft. I have a before picture but it is awful so I just want to focus on the now. I will post more when we get the desk in. Busy weekend, but feels good to get organized and get rid of all the stuff we do not use or need. Off to get my toddler back in bed.....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-39566469524733963342010-02-12T20:38:00.000-08:002010-02-12T21:12:34.578-08:00Ages and Stages- IssieIssie is 2 years old and a few months, and she is really something. She is definitely our most strong willed kiddo. She absolutely knows what she wants, although it does change moment by moment and often I am the only member of the family that is fully fluent in Issie talk to figure out what she really wants. She can say a lot and she will repeat ANYTHING you say, so you really need to be careful, but she has such seemingly random thoughts that you really need to spend the time with her to see what she is talking about. <br /><br />She is are mathematician, she likes order and sorts things and has pairs of things or things she things should be paired together all over the house. She is likely our overachiever, she taught herself her ABC's using her sisters Barbie computer and she is constantly practicing picking out letters on signs and magazines. She is now teaching herself the sounds. I say teaching herself because she does not want help, she just uses little technology games we have had for Kadie and Jack and sits in a corner and practices. She is also potty training herself. She goes to the bathroom for all diaper changes and likes to sit there forever, only occasionally does she go in the potty but she is not open for suggestions on how this should proceed. It is really quite funny. <br /><br />I know it probably sounds like we let her just dominate the family, we really try not to, but honestly it does happen at times. But usually her desires or plan are perfectly acceptable, just different from what our plans may have been to do the same thing. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJj0TRL6ZksNOhfpa0ktpQpBpc55H2p4dor3Ve5CSg_qvpCRnRH6XyOI8o9hcNhoon0om_koZpwMyUPgd7BdM12e4jqqrik0nAvoVBTSpkQTHeoYCmAC-vm9vXnglaUEdf0W3oC3rf7AY/s1600-h/DSC00794.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJj0TRL6ZksNOhfpa0ktpQpBpc55H2p4dor3Ve5CSg_qvpCRnRH6XyOI8o9hcNhoon0om_koZpwMyUPgd7BdM12e4jqqrik0nAvoVBTSpkQTHeoYCmAC-vm9vXnglaUEdf0W3oC3rf7AY/s400/DSC00794.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437583406726708578" border="0" /></a>She is still tiny. She has yet to gain a full pound in about a year. She does not seem underweight looking at her with her peers and she is not super skinning or boney, she is just a lightweight. She has been 25 pounds since she was 16 months old. She was running around the house with this little vest from Kadie's Paci Bear ( a build a bear outfit!) and crying because she wanted it on. I kept telling her, you are too big, it won't fit, you are too big. Then to prove it to her I tried to put it on her, and lo and behold she was not too big and it did fit, well kinda. She reminded me of one of the village people, she wore it til bedtime. So funny. <br /><br />She has had some food and skin issues but we took her to a specialist and we are in the process of treating her for yeast and several food intolerances and it is really amazing how much of her attitude and "meanness" appears to be related to her food issues. She is so much happier and although she does not like other little kids coming up to her and trying to touch her in any way, she is considerably more friendly and if she initiates the move she will hug just about anyone. It is good to know she is feeling better and nice to see she can be sweet to people outside of the immediate family.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDokXsLHONClYiK6xZ5ykdHzKCwvnjcCoWI5w1VmKCuLwKi9z8v1-P2s0X_RXlpSZJ-xO_jyhD481NKCqy4q5FfmGYUWHWntX3BwxdRLYtPfcDgNznP-tMrdxuAR-BD3We_kZceP3d2-0/s1600-h/DSC00782.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDokXsLHONClYiK6xZ5ykdHzKCwvnjcCoWI5w1VmKCuLwKi9z8v1-P2s0X_RXlpSZJ-xO_jyhD481NKCqy4q5FfmGYUWHWntX3BwxdRLYtPfcDgNznP-tMrdxuAR-BD3We_kZceP3d2-0/s400/DSC00782.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437583264954967394" border="0" /></a>I decided to try to find some panties for her, trying to put my own thoughts in this potty training process. It is very hard to find tiny panties. She was obsessed with them, but they could not go on her bottom. She wore all three pairs at once, two over her diaper and one on her head. This is how she spent her day, saying "yeah!!! Issies panties!!!"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKF3FvdAi75KCcEUe9ekFWVHRyaz9RhLHVcd5vAf1f4tIpkUjF2rd79RFQF1IRD-KrbsvXTkqA9M94l3UT3vdD7RwhWTSGzhiP83yrxH1MaDiAHNpWlj9bgn8fRSAP_pzNyu-pp2BVHN8/s1600-h/DSC00780.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKF3FvdAi75KCcEUe9ekFWVHRyaz9RhLHVcd5vAf1f4tIpkUjF2rd79RFQF1IRD-KrbsvXTkqA9M94l3UT3vdD7RwhWTSGzhiP83yrxH1MaDiAHNpWlj9bgn8fRSAP_pzNyu-pp2BVHN8/s400/DSC00780.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437583184623213410" border="0" /></a>The funniest thing about her little potty training efforts is that she prefers to read Better Homes and Garden magazines over her board books. It is really hilarious. She is looking for letters she can spot. She has 2 issues that she likes the best and she will spend 15 min or more browsing them. Brad really thought this was sad, so I spent several days, convincing her to read her books so now she will look at Clifford or Bible Songs but I still think she would rather the magazine.<br /><br />Issie is at that fun stage where she squeals with delight when you first come home.... "Daddy, daddy, daddy..." and runs to give you a hug. She loves to snuggle in our bed, although we both realize this is the ultimate stalling technique before bedtime and naptime. She love oatmeal and would eat it for every meal if we let her. She still loves for me to snuggle her before bed and she now sings along to her "Isabella" song. So sweet.<br /><br />We are about to transition her up to Kadie's room. We are in the market for bunk beds as I type. She seems ready, although I may keep the crib available for naps, not sure about that one. I am so excited for her and Kadie can not wait. But I am totally grieving the finality of the nursery. No more babies, no more crib, and no more nursery. I really loved creating her nursery and it will be so sad to change it back to the guest room. But you just cannot keep them from growing up.<br /><br />Love you Issie Bee.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-32314314533317828692010-02-12T20:10:00.000-08:002010-02-12T20:38:27.543-08:00Ages and Stages- Kadie GirlKadie is six and it is a hard age. Seriously, I feel like I say every age is a hard age. The truth is every age has its blessings and challenges. Kadie is in Kindergarten and she is very smart. She is not very motivated however, which is OK, I do not need her to be an overachiever but it is hard to understand how she views the world at times. She is sweet, and super creative. Her imagination is incredible and at times reality and imagination overlap and cause quite the conflict. But in most situations she seems to be a drifter. She usually is just happy to go with the flow. She has her opinions and preferences but she is a follower and content to be most of the time. She is also a pleaser, she likes to make people happy. You can see where some of these qualities may lead her to easy peer pressure and moral ambiguity. She has a super strong love for the Lord and she really has an advanced awareness of spiritual warfare, she does know right from wrong she just has a stronger desire to have people happy and have people like her. When she chooses poorly, she often will tell us the "devil made her do it". It is hard not to laugh, but she is so sincere in her explanation that it is hard to argue. <br /><br />Kadie is funny, and she can make us all laugh by saying the most hilarious things. She knows she is funny but I don't think she really knows how to be funny. She just thinks about things in a funny way. I wish I had an example, I will think about it and post it later. She is super tough too, she loves to wrestle and play ball and tag with Jack, she is crazy really. She is also very dramatic, as I have said before, she feels things very strongly. She can be very mad, very angry, very excited, very forgiving, and very happy in the same 20 minutes. It really keeps you on your toes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVPiFkAXc4Elg2Qi3NP2yM3qZhZNykkWnfTnwyE7ImagKEyO0W9VHAlW8hq9Q4uDqN-CkO4O6RSI3tbeFJUJaGmXh2FvKcB8mlot0FzTzbmdh_ZAOaTI6LP77fybceiQp7MlKaqBE-3Q/s1600-h/DSC00853.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVPiFkAXc4Elg2Qi3NP2yM3qZhZNykkWnfTnwyE7ImagKEyO0W9VHAlW8hq9Q4uDqN-CkO4O6RSI3tbeFJUJaGmXh2FvKcB8mlot0FzTzbmdh_ZAOaTI6LP77fybceiQp7MlKaqBE-3Q/s400/DSC00853.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437577224355947666" border="0" /></a>Kadie at school with her new sunglasses. After she got her sunglasses we walked out into the cloudy, rainy weather and she says in a matter of fact voice, "now if we could just buy some sunshine". She is a nut.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvYMfdaK7pAyxfW6MhIcQcBh8zl8rHcFKdw_haNTFPsrCJGe646Udo5js_rtPht2CrO3Ul71jOcmvs2kkWj1vECnLBqJ_2Q6XKIAZD0O5fUARLGruXcfgxKGFB0opgqUXCj0140q45tM/s1600-h/DSC00850.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvYMfdaK7pAyxfW6MhIcQcBh8zl8rHcFKdw_haNTFPsrCJGe646Udo5js_rtPht2CrO3Ul71jOcmvs2kkWj1vECnLBqJ_2Q6XKIAZD0O5fUARLGruXcfgxKGFB0opgqUXCj0140q45tM/s400/DSC00850.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437577124822923042" border="0" /></a>Kadie is the middle child but at times she is the big sister. There are many times due to Jack going to his dad's house that Kadie is the oldest. She LOVES to take care of Issie. It is a bit smothering at times. She so wants to do everything for her and control her every move and choice (probably what Jack does for her and she does not mind), but Issie is way too independent for that. And it quickly becomes a battle. We are constantly asking her to listen to her sister the first several times and she would not get punched in the face but I am beginning to think that the natural consequences of not listening to a 2 year old when she is yelling to stop is getting hit in the face. Eventually she will learn, I hope. She does take good care of her and Issie loves her a lot, most of the time.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVPmkQuy4g0woLPlsehrKhs-vDEjgcXMUNyJkge_TpAIFCq45WYpAZvbGz04norGq9SbWX8FtgAvnvoE6Ws6A5qjfYk541wlvFjZhGsX8jdzpHhXg2X1V1VY2YCq4DzQcLDLNem_d7ok/s1600-h/DSC00778.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVPmkQuy4g0woLPlsehrKhs-vDEjgcXMUNyJkge_TpAIFCq45WYpAZvbGz04norGq9SbWX8FtgAvnvoE6Ws6A5qjfYk541wlvFjZhGsX8jdzpHhXg2X1V1VY2YCq4DzQcLDLNem_d7ok/s400/DSC00778.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437576002576914658" border="0" /></a>Kadie and Issie, cleaning my floors as Brad drags them up and down the hallway for fun. they just love this stuff. If I had to pick one thing that I most admire about Kadie Girl, I would have to say that she is very forgiving. She does feel things very strongly and her feelings get hurt and she really wants people to be nice to her, but she is so quick to forgive and so sincere in her forgiveness that it is really a blessing. She feels her pain then forgives and moves on. If only we all could do that. I love you Kadie Girl.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-84996720054992541172010-01-27T14:15:00.000-08:002010-01-27T15:00:42.844-08:00Ages and Stages- JackIt seems like forever since I have posted about the kiddos, they are all into so much right now and if I don't documented it I feel like it will be lost in the dark hole of my memory. I never seem to have enough time to write these days so I thought I would break it up and just update one kid at a time. <br /><br />Starting with Jack, it is funny because I could not find any recent pictures of Jack. This explains partly the stage he is in. He cannot be bothered to pose for a picture and when he does he wants it to be some action move that comes out blurry or some funny face that I end up deleting since it ruins the picture. Or if I do get him to pose it is with attitude or solemness, so if I am lucky I catch a quick picture when he is enjoying life and unsuspecting. Like at the beach.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0TnX6PDhuJTq-77dQn21jwP9HpgwOjZhj_1LUEKSSaqbQhhucZzBCzoXWxNoZS00C8Xe1UQ9PjutiA1t_dNZKTuAUJlpWTvORFVLDn1xCzlqx93fsuE8Dy2aLtZrOS7gj_b_BHCD1Ck/s1600-h/DSC00211.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0TnX6PDhuJTq-77dQn21jwP9HpgwOjZhj_1LUEKSSaqbQhhucZzBCzoXWxNoZS00C8Xe1UQ9PjutiA1t_dNZKTuAUJlpWTvORFVLDn1xCzlqx93fsuE8Dy2aLtZrOS7gj_b_BHCD1Ck/s400/DSC00211.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431547510582734674" border="0" /></a>Jack is 10 and a half, turning 11 in May. He is growing up fast and we are already in the beginning turmoil of adolescence. He is moody and feels like he deserves a detailed explanation for every decision we make. He questions our logic and tries to negotiate a more "sensible" plan. He has burst of anger that when I just let him express it, he recovers from in very short time. But if I try to tell him it is not ok to feel how he is feeling, we are in for a battle. I have a lot to learn about giving him the independence to feel his feelings and to not make it about me all the time. He has a strong sense of right and wrong and justice. It takes him some time to forgive but if he is allowed to express himself fully, he forgives quickly. He is in a stage of really trying to know what and who he can trust. His dad is remarrying this spring and it is creating a lot of uncertainty and transition for him. He has done some serious soul searching recently... about what he believes and accepting the fact that some people just choose not to believe in Jesus or even in God. This was super hard for him to understand. Super hard to accept that when people are told the Truth, that they may choose to reject it, super hard to fully understand the consequences of that rejection. He wants to rescue people, especially people he loves, or he wants to reject the Truth, thinking that would eliminate the consequences. He has really been wrestling with it all, especially since the girl that his dad is marrying is rejecting God. But he has finally come to a place of acceptance and understanding. It is still a battle but it has been good to watch him make his own investigation (reading Case for Christ) and asking the hard questions. A lot of growth.<br /><br />He is suddenly obsessed with football and has a football in his hands constantly, doing all kinds of imaginary plays in the living room and in the hallway. He plays football at every recess with his buddies at school and he loves the Vikings-totally bummed they missed the Super Bowl. He is even having his own Super Bowl party. Soccer is what he plays right now and he loves it but is pushing hard for football. I am struggling due to the injury rate in the sport especially at his age and because I love to see him play soccer but we are still trying to figure it all out.<br /><br />He continues to love music and has been writing and recording new songs on this software he got for Christmas. He has such an ear for music that he can pick up most songs on his guitar from just hearing it a few times and has really learned the power of practice. His voice is sweet and he has such passionate lyrics that you know those thoughts run deep.<br /><br />This is a fun age, I can talk with him, most of the time and he can reason and understand things at a whole new level. He is inquisitive and wants to understand things. We have just started to teach him to cook, and he just loves the independence. Instead of just doing chores we are focusing on training him to do what he will need to do as a man and the provider of his family. When we focus on it like that, he is totally willing to do it and do his best. He really wants to be strong and responsible. I just love him.<br /><br />He also has kept his strong sense of humor. He is sassy and sarcastic but has a great belly laugh. He still loves to lie in bed and talk and pray with me at night, and I cherish it. He still loves for Brad to tickle his back and play catch. He reads to his sisters and plays monkey in the middle. He helps Issie get ready to go and she follows him around the house. He is really the best big brother and these girls just love him. <br /><br />This is an age to keep me on my toes, to understand the purpose behind what we are doing and to be diligent in what is really important and learn to let go of all the things that really don't matter. To enforce respect but allow independence and emotions. To encourage him to be who God made him, not who we thought he should be or what we want because we think it is best. I have to constantly remind myself that he is a gift but not my creation. He is a reflection of God not of me. Ouch, how self serving we can become. <br /><br />I do love him so. He makes me laugh, he drives me nuts, he warms my heart. Bless you boy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-47996754585555536632010-01-24T13:54:00.001-08:002010-01-24T14:24:44.031-08:0038Friday was my birthday. 38. For several reasons, I feel significantly older than last year. Not just a year older but many years older. Not really in a bad way. I just feel like this past year has grown me more than the average year. Some was having Caleb leave early for heaven. But that was not all of it. I think part of it might be just really moving out of the having babies stage and into the raising the family phase. Some of it is my son moving so fast towards his teenage years, some of it is giving away all our baby stuff. A lot of it is my journey with God and learning to trust Him more and more. The uncertainty of our days and the reality of how nothing is really within our control except our desire to trust God and have faith in His faithfulness has really hit home this year. It has been a great year, I would not trade it for an easier one but I feel like it lasted more like 5 years. <br /><br />For the 5th year now, I had my girlfriend birthday dinner. I really look forward to this night. I love to cook and really love to just be home hanging out on the couch with some good girlfriends. So I had fun making a yummy dinner. This year we had Filet Migneon, so good. I always need the chocolate too so I created a new yummy dessert this year, which was far to rich to have at 9pm and kept most of us up all night. We enjoyed the dinner, laughed, cried, shared our lives and really loved each other. Most of the girls left at midnight, but Mel and I talked to nearly 2am. It was wonderful..... until the next morning when Jack had a 8am soccer game, ugh.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOG3ehzHM-jpKQaMMg4LBG_xnFfwiR9tUevjc8WqPL2oitagYwbFGSaCh-aOovFTVYAh2P-sgfREP7B5eCN4UHiWvQzH52vW0-jcUASGFx5u5ImReu1IvstdFps7V2SPMEpTePTpbOfe0/s1600-h/DSC00798.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOG3ehzHM-jpKQaMMg4LBG_xnFfwiR9tUevjc8WqPL2oitagYwbFGSaCh-aOovFTVYAh2P-sgfREP7B5eCN4UHiWvQzH52vW0-jcUASGFx5u5ImReu1IvstdFps7V2SPMEpTePTpbOfe0/s400/DSC00798.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430428797362105538" border="0" /></a>My girls- Melody, Marnee, Me, Kristi and Michelle.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQydNQKPBo8vQwSst6T7VloxZNjQfaEETfr2dYjKqa1gHa73oilp3k7rPjRaK7dbYB50MH00vqALdYzp18j0waRvwBNyFclB6Ds90_P1IPUjvj4apnqzYQg0Tj7gcBjWMgRwq-qvqMeQ/s1600-h/DSC00797.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQydNQKPBo8vQwSst6T7VloxZNjQfaEETfr2dYjKqa1gHa73oilp3k7rPjRaK7dbYB50MH00vqALdYzp18j0waRvwBNyFclB6Ds90_P1IPUjvj4apnqzYQg0Tj7gcBjWMgRwq-qvqMeQ/s400/DSC00797.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430428598761174242" border="0" /></a><br />My late night girl :)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5Ep6Jq5I-6BadKRVfQb-vGSflgvPtbYBmOjkarcBgdfRlTixKqUE3lZBhCmqvUwRTw_FLqIBr8X1o_8vrYvxDYeRrfW_yeUqOxYfkz5ZFFXgYL9kmudGBRybZm0s4i75ocyHZqEXoLc/s1600-h/DSC00795.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5Ep6Jq5I-6BadKRVfQb-vGSflgvPtbYBmOjkarcBgdfRlTixKqUE3lZBhCmqvUwRTw_FLqIBr8X1o_8vrYvxDYeRrfW_yeUqOxYfkz5ZFFXgYL9kmudGBRybZm0s4i75ocyHZqEXoLc/s400/DSC00795.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430428518490963506" border="0" /></a><br />Rich chocolate cups.... I made the chocolate cups then, filled them with layers of chocolate ganache, Giradelli fudge brownies, fresh strawberries puree, and whipped cream. So good!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPG1bGsnmQTYjHpIbTvajG_kjs-d6gkdD_qpfGsvIIdpHERjMSTrua9tiTdFwNVO4yuGm1Q84W7xLVFaGuewekx0GsnK41NcSV6a_t0YX0bq712nWtPPDAwq7Wfn68ukTSUt3mB5d_oRY/s1600-h/DSC00796.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPG1bGsnmQTYjHpIbTvajG_kjs-d6gkdD_qpfGsvIIdpHERjMSTrua9tiTdFwNVO4yuGm1Q84W7xLVFaGuewekx0GsnK41NcSV6a_t0YX0bq712nWtPPDAwq7Wfn68ukTSUt3mB5d_oRY/s400/DSC00796.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430428464837145026" border="0" /></a><br />Chocolate covered strawberries too, of course.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The next day after a nap and some recover, the family celebrated my birthday with a dinner out (no clean up) and presents and chocolate at home. I am super excited that Brad got me my new food processor- yipee! I broke mine a few months ago and have been using this tiny chopper and it sucked. I LOVE my new one, it does everything and I needed something bigger so my salsa did not explode out the sides. Thanks honey. I also got a Bread Machine from Trudy (Brad's mom) and his cousin. I am super excited to try that too.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgbjsw7rPXyt0mNBH6UAIvaw-pqJ7TIX0kpmnKYvXEDT0urTC3rvKIFMN8NJw3exdusVIdFDwWNfbjCnTJy4XQl7VO0aNrzIB98cez38Ga0JnbV3czVnsGAcu1DFbiB3Ik5OoCDVcOAE/s1600-h/DSC00807.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgbjsw7rPXyt0mNBH6UAIvaw-pqJ7TIX0kpmnKYvXEDT0urTC3rvKIFMN8NJw3exdusVIdFDwWNfbjCnTJy4XQl7VO0aNrzIB98cez38Ga0JnbV3czVnsGAcu1DFbiB3Ik5OoCDVcOAE/s400/DSC00807.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430428406165547602" border="0" /></a><br />Me and my honey.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9QhPLy4FCTizG1urbR0V8psdACXyZ95x05eUZfUaG0OHa-BsBUNaECfPkniXy8GJKQVyyBFmX9szrIucX1WFBBShzr_nEQIT9pOJ65ArqlDhNxwZ80G5DLWruWnBHgha-pX1IzpEa3E/s1600-h/DSC00809.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9QhPLy4FCTizG1urbR0V8psdACXyZ95x05eUZfUaG0OHa-BsBUNaECfPkniXy8GJKQVyyBFmX9szrIucX1WFBBShzr_nEQIT9pOJ65ArqlDhNxwZ80G5DLWruWnBHgha-pX1IzpEa3E/s400/DSC00809.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430428321197223090" border="0" /></a>The clan. Bunch of blondies. Lucky to get Issie to look at the camera when chocolate is involved. She is a chocolate lover! <br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It was a nice birthday, I am interested to see what this year has to offer.<br /></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13999976088369992.post-89109468601461964352010-01-18T19:39:00.001-08:002010-01-18T19:55:22.301-08:00Kid-free Weekend.... Yipee!It is sad to say that Brad and I have not had a night away together since Issie was born over 2 years ago. We have both gone places and do things, we have had lots of dates but not really away. So for Christmas, I planned a weekend away for us. I did not want to go far, or plan anything, I just really wanted us to be together, kid-free! So we went to the Marriott on the waterfront in downtown Portland last Friday and Saturday night. I cannot tell you how much we needed this trip. No diapers, no crying, no fits, no sibling bickering, no wake up calls at 6am, no responsibilities at all. It was lovely. I slept in til 9:30 both mornings, which is huge! We walked on 23rd street and went in all the stores that are a nightmare to bring kids to. We had steak and got yummy blood orange martinis. We watched movies in bed (we don't have a tv in our bedroom so this is a luxury). We took naps and just lounged around. We went to the pool and actually both got to sit in the hot tub at the same time, just imagine that! We were together and it was wonderful.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2zQS4LUBVOawvatFYhdZ5h2-jDf4L4yZyyPws6cOSo07imzsQelpP0gXwWnFslMif69hLCkBX07FTbJ8isKtpR6LH0rj9nrik7DaHIhsCJPlmA_YGTx8l2yXW-ERFUYDBaNAkQTtmq0/s1600-h/DSC00785.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2zQS4LUBVOawvatFYhdZ5h2-jDf4L4yZyyPws6cOSo07imzsQelpP0gXwWnFslMif69hLCkBX07FTbJ8isKtpR6LH0rj9nrik7DaHIhsCJPlmA_YGTx8l2yXW-ERFUYDBaNAkQTtmq0/s400/DSC00785.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428291040308981394" border="0" /></a>My honey, refreshed and rested and ready to do nothing or anything. What freedom.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHyySEj-WmaPDsZxM8u2aSqW_hQmMzrkxtNAqusVVbcTYNKd4IEYN0sk_QS7Jm53vGyVl3lj2X2mCcicUotQ5ybgvEb4nnsIuM256MG0XiDBXVJMp-odSwxbOLbx1WM9aJHiy-rVN3yI/s1600-h/DSC00786.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHyySEj-WmaPDsZxM8u2aSqW_hQmMzrkxtNAqusVVbcTYNKd4IEYN0sk_QS7Jm53vGyVl3lj2X2mCcicUotQ5ybgvEb4nnsIuM256MG0XiDBXVJMp-odSwxbOLbx1WM9aJHiy-rVN3yI/s400/DSC00786.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428290854956398658" border="0" /></a>We had very yummy food and tried a different martini at every restaurant. I am not a huge drinker but I like a cocktail now and then, especially when we do not need to drive and do not have anybody or thing to take care of. My favorite was the blood orange martini at Joe's on 23rd street. Close runner up was the fresh berry martini at Ruth Christ downtown.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinE6DeYTp0hydU7BNXJWxM70n2IYkpbAPq0MMgxrpPoijYz7JwZL8GgYM3h1BhkHTQGB6gh62bVMDnP0evViJB_GBMRxUNl2ikSLhpk8V89EjcOHOKT9Y_CAMFYAyEA9AHgjcbMdtCsL8/s1600-h/DSC00787.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinE6DeYTp0hydU7BNXJWxM70n2IYkpbAPq0MMgxrpPoijYz7JwZL8GgYM3h1BhkHTQGB6gh62bVMDnP0evViJB_GBMRxUNl2ikSLhpk8V89EjcOHOKT9Y_CAMFYAyEA9AHgjcbMdtCsL8/s400/DSC00787.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428290764679084530" border="0" /></a>The view from our bedroom window. Even though we were only 15 min from home it felt like a real get-a-way. It was funny how by breakfast on Saturday we were already missing the kids. It was so nice to be just us but we quickly realized what a hole would be in our lives if we did not have some little people to come home to. Issie did really well while we were gone but had me hold her for almost the next 24 hours straight after we returned home. She is in a clingy stage anyway so this really pushed her. Kadie did seem to miss us at all. And Jack was happy to be at his dads most of the weekend since it was such a big football weekend and that is what they love to do. They were in good hands, and we were so blessed to get away and even more blessed to have them to come home too. I guarantee it will not be another 2 years before we do that again!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0