tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60980015437112624932024-03-13T11:12:36.680-04:00Nat's Newsnataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.comBlogger342125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-25667008986638894292016-06-15T22:42:00.000-04:002016-06-15T10:33:26.458-04:00All the feelings...<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The parenting moments to treasure are flying at me faster than I can process lately. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So many big feels, it's overwhelming how much gratitude I have. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the last month, I have beamed with pride, and found myself reaching for Kleenex more times than I can count. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We are experiencing a combination of firsts, and also many lasts... and alot of good little moments in between. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ellery graduated from kindergarten, just days before Austin read his faith reflection at his 8th grade graduation.... just a few weeks after Sydney made profession of faith.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Those are just a few of the big things, but there have been so many great little moments in between. Gah! I am so proud of all my kids.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am sure these are the days that we will look back upon fondly...let out a little sigh and say, <i>"they sure were busy...but those were the days."</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tim and I turned 40 last month, and he surprised me with a wonderful party, with all of my favorite people. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As I reflected afterwards on how </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">blessed I am in both my marriage and friendships, I'm surprised </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">my heart didn't burst.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It seems all of these moments, milestones...big and small, as of lately, are etched in my brain...and are memories I know I will revisit over and over, forever.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">I'm cherishing every minute of it, time unfortunately doesn't slow down. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">I think that's what makes the moments all the more precious. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><em>For such a time as this.</em></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This school year has been quite a ride.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is <span style="font-size: large;">the</span> year that all our kids were in the same school.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was tidy, it was nice, it was sweet....it was busy.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can still distinctly remember having a conversation with Austin when he was 8 years old, after Ellery was born. He told me that when Ellery started school he would be an 8th grader. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It seemed like crazy talk back then.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Be still. I blinked, and we are here.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was a ball of emotion, and had to fight back tears during Ellery's kindergarten program in sheer appreciation. It's sweeter every time. I am certain, it will be the same when I sit through my last 8th grade graduation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There have been a lot of "proud mama" moments lately....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sitting in the 8th grade awards ceremony, watching countless band and choir concerts, sports games, listening to Sydney sing during chapel, getting pulled aside to let me know I should be proud of Dylan for the way he looks out for his classmates, watching the little girls play on the playground during the ribbon cutting ceremony, Sydney working her tail off all year to get A's... just to name a few.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">If there is one label to slap on our </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">kids, it would be "well-rounded". We always encourage them to try new things, to push themselves, seize opportunities, give their best...and boy howdy, they did.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Having active kids in both 7th and 8th grade... boy and girl...meant my van started picking up after sports practice last August, and aside from school breaks, never swayed from that course til last week. Throw in all the other kids, activities, everything else, bc they are all unique little individuals, and we were never bored.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ok, enough of my rambling, random<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> thoughts... join me on a pictoral journey of some key moments in our spring...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Ellery at her preschool graduation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">She sang her heart out, and presented the best Olive Octopus she could.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8th grade graduation. So proud of this kid for his effort academically, for the way he looks out for his friends, and for all of the new things he tried, even when they took him well out of his comfort zone.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sydney made profession of faith. It was a beautiful night!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">...and then she had the wonderful opportunity to sing with Souled Out at Festival! </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stella at <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">the one room school house!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Austin won a medal in Science Olympiad, for food science, and also took first place with our school in the Math triathlon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The kids were both pirates in the school play, Peter Pan. They did fantastic!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sydney played soccer for school.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ellery played soccer. I forgot how fun little soccer is to watch, especially when it's your 5th child who has been dragged to many games along the way, and has learned a few tricks of her own from all the watching ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tim and I both turned 40.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We got a little dog named Charlie after Spring Break. He fits in pretty well...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dylan, the cutest li'l knight in the 5th/6th grade program.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Austin enjoyed running track. His favorite races were the relays with his buddies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Enjoying the outdoors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And now, summer break....</span></div>
nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-51357682509843841082016-04-30T09:16:00.001-04:002016-05-24T08:30:49.945-04:00Spring Break 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Based upon my very sporadic blogging, it seems all we do around here is travel to Florida. </div></span></div></div></div></div><div>So much life to catch up on!</div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">On the drive home from Texas last spring, we decided that </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">we were once again ready to face the mouse. The little girls would be the perfect age, and the older kids would still love it. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And let's be honest...we love non-stop fun.</span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Join me on our 2016 spring break journey...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">We hit the road Friday afternoon around 5 o'clock. The ride was smooth as butter. Tim and I reconnected after a busy week, and traded off driving every few hours all night long until we made it to our Macon, Georgia Denny's for breakfast.</font></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We pressed on until we got to "our welcome center" aka the free orange juice and pamphlets store, took our obligatory photo, and checked to see if the alligator was still in the pond.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K62eJWULmQ0/VyqgdtaUd5I/AAAAAAAAGpk/3N7qgB3cDTw/s640/blogger-image--1653861332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K62eJWULmQ0/VyqgdtaUd5I/AAAAAAAAGpk/3N7qgB3cDTw/s640/blogger-image--1653861332.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">After circling around a bit...bc it seems that my phone gps isn't entirely foolproof, we made it to our condo. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Westgate Lakes did not disappoint. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Amidst the running around squealing, checking out all the rooms, claiming beds and bathrooms, the kids stumbled upon a bidet in our master bath. And before I even realized what was happening, they convinced Ellery to wash her hands in it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Naturally, that story became the punchline to every joke that week.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">After dinner, and a walk around to check it all out, we went to bed...as we were exhausted from the drive.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Sunday morning, bright and early, we were at our days destination...Hollywood Studios.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sGf1oHEgYdQ/VzHPmUglBxI/AAAAAAAAGt8/oui7UnKAJYo/s640/blogger-image--793079587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sGf1oHEgYdQ/VzHPmUglBxI/AAAAAAAAGt8/oui7UnKAJYo/s640/blogger-image--793079587.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5nUAa7l2T2k/Vyunu6IxktI/AAAAAAAAGp0/wr4plluWrGY/s640/blogger-image-183992429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5nUAa7l2T2k/Vyunu6IxktI/AAAAAAAAGp0/wr4plluWrGY/s640/blogger-image-183992429.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My favorite part of the day was watching the little girls laugh and squeal with delight during the Elsa and Anna sing-along. Riding Tower of Terror as a family was a close second.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4Z-q2IuOEMs/VzHPuob7hpI/AAAAAAAAGuY/rPOV319J3fI/s640/blogger-image-498776416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4Z-q2IuOEMs/VzHPuob7hpI/AAAAAAAAGuY/rPOV319J3fI/s640/blogger-image-498776416.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Rock n Roller Coaster.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HVqGX8cyx7E/VywKaHfmloI/AAAAAAAAGqg/j80cw3JGjrY/s640/blogger-image-2015443520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HVqGX8cyx7E/VywKaHfmloI/AAAAAAAAGqg/j80cw3JGjrY/s640/blogger-image-2015443520.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pB8ByJ7fL7I/Vyx9UEB-kmI/AAAAAAAAGq0/fU1H7xj8UxI/s640/blogger-image-1308959027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pB8ByJ7fL7I/Vyx9UEB-kmI/AAAAAAAAGq0/fU1H7xj8UxI/s640/blogger-image-1308959027.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">On Monday we went to Jetty Park, at Cape Canaveral. We swam in the ocean, played on the beach, fished, and watched the boats go out.</span></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eU7GuYtYCF0/Vyx9TK-5FKI/AAAAAAAAGqw/Av-JfKo9-XM/s640/blogger-image--635765311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eU7GuYtYCF0/Vyx9TK-5FKI/AAAAAAAAGqw/Av-JfKo9-XM/s640/blogger-image--635765311.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LMHpPk-txdg/Vyx9upgxZqI/AAAAAAAAGq4/Di72q8jiw0A/s640/blogger-image--2055469312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LMHpPk-txdg/Vyx9upgxZqI/AAAAAAAAGq4/Di72q8jiw0A/s640/blogger-image--2055469312.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0TKLJH8RVgg/Vyx9vhgNPSI/AAAAAAAAGq8/miIlXjrl_5E/s640/blogger-image--2103753709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0TKLJH8RVgg/Vyx9vhgNPSI/AAAAAAAAGq8/miIlXjrl_5E/s640/blogger-image--2103753709.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XMawgUh7334/VyyAdihCnDI/AAAAAAAAGrQ/nG8iY34VNwU/s640/blogger-image-729986379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XMawgUh7334/VyyAdihCnDI/AAAAAAAAGrQ/nG8iY34VNwU/s640/blogger-image-729986379.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7jPppaykV-M/VyyAgthFt8I/AAAAAAAAGrc/tM2Vf0ytBlY/s640/blogger-image-2051198994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7jPppaykV-M/VyyAgthFt8I/AAAAAAAAGrc/tM2Vf0ytBlY/s640/blogger-image-2051198994.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QfiCj0zU2Dg/VyyActZ-3TI/AAAAAAAAGrM/rbDsxjrdTAw/s640/blogger-image-1495887685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QfiCj0zU2Dg/VyyActZ-3TI/AAAAAAAAGrM/rbDsxjrdTAw/s640/blogger-image-1495887685.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VKQMbHl5ZhY/VyyAfncYnYI/AAAAAAAAGrY/UEWZnQU3P8I/s640/blogger-image-489676554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VKQMbHl5ZhY/VyyAfncYnYI/AAAAAAAAGrY/UEWZnQU3P8I/s640/blogger-image-489676554.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tuesday we were up bright and early, off to the Magic Kingdom with the rest of America. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QR8TudUHePo/VyyBmuMSVYI/AAAAAAAAGr0/n0I-Tn8PG-4/s640/blogger-image--2072929346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QR8TudUHePo/VyyBmuMSVYI/AAAAAAAAGr0/n0I-Tn8PG-4/s640/blogger-image--2072929346.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-osDZeMljWQk/VyyBkvsYDLI/AAAAAAAAGrs/YIGvQB2LEXY/s640/blogger-image-1342236331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-osDZeMljWQk/VyyBkvsYDLI/AAAAAAAAGrs/YIGvQB2LEXY/s640/blogger-image-1342236331.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7tELJoGVMTU/VyyBlqkqdmI/AAAAAAAAGrw/Zr0Cphx7UPY/s640/blogger-image-2043188192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7tELJoGVMTU/VyyBlqkqdmI/AAAAAAAAGrw/Zr0Cphx7UPY/s640/blogger-image-2043188192.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Dylan took the bet to wear the braid hat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EzUt6IcL87g/V0L56i55HAI/AAAAAAAAGvk/jomZZWuDxdg/s640/blogger-image--1112107347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EzUt6IcL87g/V0L56i55HAI/AAAAAAAAGvk/jomZZWuDxdg/s640/blogger-image--1112107347.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Dancing with the Incredibles.</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xw-nuTBAYa0/V0L57h0R1aI/AAAAAAAAGvo/1GO08fsFlRs/s640/blogger-image-1532228692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xw-nuTBAYa0/V0L57h0R1aI/AAAAAAAAGvo/1GO08fsFlRs/s640/blogger-image-1532228692.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JOFSpnYNERU/VyyEzEvt2zI/AAAAAAAAGsI/917rE3oFZdY/s640/blogger-image--1649070049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JOFSpnYNERU/VyyEzEvt2zI/AAAAAAAAGsI/917rE3oFZdY/s640/blogger-image--1649070049.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ellery only had eyes for Minnie Ears from the go for her souvenier, and did not waiver....or have any regret thankfully.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nlUXdVtoW8E/VyyE4kyZ75I/AAAAAAAAGsc/mxOATP7yXjY/s640/blogger-image-546500894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nlUXdVtoW8E/VyyE4kyZ75I/AAAAAAAAGsc/mxOATP7yXjY/s640/blogger-image-546500894.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Stella got her wish to meet TinkerBell!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uEyMVvuZBr8/VyyE3j7Ia9I/AAAAAAAAGsY/BLZ2IXjq8aQ/s640/blogger-image-1805367045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uEyMVvuZBr8/VyyE3j7Ia9I/AAAAAAAAGsY/BLZ2IXjq8aQ/s640/blogger-image-1805367045.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We timed Micky just right! A Disney miracle! We popped in to see him just before the parade got finished so there was no line.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2Oaw5dRQRzU/V0RASurU36I/AAAAAAAAGwE/NO2avUfYTN8/s640/blogger-image-1549259859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2Oaw5dRQRzU/V0RASurU36I/AAAAAAAAGwE/NO2avUfYTN8/s640/blogger-image-1549259859.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3K8iMHaj830/VyyEyNh9V8I/AAAAAAAAGsE/92e3TSAw2a4/s640/blogger-image-526984894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3K8iMHaj830/VyyEyNh9V8I/AAAAAAAAGsE/92e3TSAw2a4/s640/blogger-image-526984894.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was crazy busy, so we left for a few hours in the afternoon to grab dinner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AFygozQapwA/Vy1e3PRs99I/AAAAAAAAGtA/Cmv4RrXUyqM/s640/blogger-image--1956545798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AFygozQapwA/Vy1e3PRs99I/AAAAAAAAGtA/Cmv4RrXUyqM/s640/blogger-image--1956545798.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4yid3-Affv4/VzHPrL61RrI/AAAAAAAAGuM/7TMg2nK8FD8/s640/blogger-image-363114557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4yid3-Affv4/VzHPrL61RrI/AAAAAAAAGuM/7TMg2nK8FD8/s640/blogger-image-363114557.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--yFL8nxPyoE/VyyE0SBUOKI/AAAAAAAAGsM/JHT47Qnh1n8/s640/blogger-image--672644882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--yFL8nxPyoE/VyyE0SBUOKI/AAAAAAAAGsM/JHT47Qnh1n8/s640/blogger-image--672644882.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BgfWZZ-dEWQ/Vy1e6fGr3fI/AAAAAAAAGtM/vtYt8eCVSZ4/s640/blogger-image--867499309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BgfWZZ-dEWQ/Vy1e6fGr3fI/AAAAAAAAGtM/vtYt8eCVSZ4/s640/blogger-image--867499309.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G3IM4Y19urQ/V0L54qZJDyI/AAAAAAAAGvg/GooeEgPWkDo/s640/blogger-image-835540958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G3IM4Y19urQ/V0L54qZJDyI/AAAAAAAAGvg/GooeEgPWkDo/s640/blogger-image-835540958.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Doing what they do. Always looking for fish and ducks, naturally. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tho it was busy, we still had a blast. Buzz Lightyear still a remains the family favorite. All the girls loved "Its a small World", and we rode it a few more times than the boys could handle.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Our days at the Magic Kingdom were geared more towards the little girls, enjoying it all through their eyes and chasing down autographs.....as we did with the big kids a few years back.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Lta47b6rjwI/Vy1e2Ek8g0I/AAAAAAAAGs8/43g7L6aTSGI/s640/blogger-image--1093988886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Lta47b6rjwI/Vy1e2Ek8g0I/AAAAAAAAGs8/43g7L6aTSGI/s640/blogger-image--1093988886.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EKDlZ5BzVDw/Vy1e1Mxh-GI/AAAAAAAAGs4/dpj3ORyRaIU/s640/blogger-image-1231496559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EKDlZ5BzVDw/Vy1e1Mxh-GI/AAAAAAAAGs4/dpj3ORyRaIU/s640/blogger-image-1231496559.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wc4HylTF_Ks/V0L58pgeTDI/AAAAAAAAGvs/K7UPGsQ1p2c/s640/blogger-image-820613957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wc4HylTF_Ks/V0L58pgeTDI/AAAAAAAAGvs/K7UPGsQ1p2c/s640/blogger-image-820613957.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On Wednesday we stayed at our resort, and enjoyed sleeping in, the pool, mini golf, fishing in the lake, and a little shopping.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aWuv80PdRAY/V0L0hHtYZmI/AAAAAAAAGvE/j3BkAL6rpeI/s640/blogger-image--865656591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aWuv80PdRAY/V0L0hHtYZmI/AAAAAAAAGvE/j3BkAL6rpeI/s640/blogger-image--865656591.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ci3XxIAXgIY/V0L0iH5LXFI/AAAAAAAAGvI/tqE9DYSew74/s640/blogger-image--1537908985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ci3XxIAXgIY/V0L0iH5LXFI/AAAAAAAAGvI/tqE9DYSew74/s640/blogger-image--1537908985.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EQcirLtNZWI/V0L0jLtNy3I/AAAAAAAAGvM/CHFicJ-n47A/s640/blogger-image-1000709486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EQcirLtNZWI/V0L0jLtNy3I/AAAAAAAAGvM/CHFicJ-n47A/s640/blogger-image-1000709486.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0mnr5ehwMg0/V0L0fxDtzhI/AAAAAAAAGvA/g9oWdBZW4Xc/s640/blogger-image-1703554088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0mnr5ehwMg0/V0L0fxDtzhI/AAAAAAAAGvA/g9oWdBZW4Xc/s640/blogger-image-1703554088.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thursday we visited Epcot Center. Riding test track as a family, and tracking down the princesses for autographs were definite highlights.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DBjly8ULWDE/Vy1dpK4iW-I/AAAAAAAAGsw/YWeyud0u6-4/s640/blogger-image-817061728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DBjly8ULWDE/Vy1dpK4iW-I/AAAAAAAAGsw/YWeyud0u6-4/s640/blogger-image-817061728.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KAXL2_TEy7U/Vy1e5QF6J8I/AAAAAAAAGtI/q0IecKj05WQ/s640/blogger-image-1553502794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KAXL2_TEy7U/Vy1e5QF6J8I/AAAAAAAAGtI/q0IecKj05WQ/s640/blogger-image-1553502794.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OFP0VuDDhs4/VzFErwBfzsI/AAAAAAAAGto/npQuzisO_lE/s640/blogger-image--542318628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OFP0VuDDhs4/VzFErwBfzsI/AAAAAAAAGto/npQuzisO_lE/s640/blogger-image--542318628.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x01sRLwF_Qw/VzHPowjAWsI/AAAAAAAAGuE/WUwFx-f7VgA/s640/blogger-image--1678961297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x01sRLwF_Qw/VzHPowjAWsI/AAAAAAAAGuE/WUwFx-f7VgA/s640/blogger-image--1678961297.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eMJX39U0i2E/Vy1e4c2x82I/AAAAAAAAGtE/kpEoYOnQhxw/s640/blogger-image--1628833828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eMJX39U0i2E/Vy1e4c2x82I/AAAAAAAAGtE/kpEoYOnQhxw/s640/blogger-image--1628833828.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kcWKjaXyStQ/VzHPnqisE7I/AAAAAAAAGuA/9TkqlQcIxXA/s640/blogger-image--1722955127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kcWKjaXyStQ/VzHPnqisE7I/AAAAAAAAGuA/9TkqlQcIxXA/s640/blogger-image--1722955127.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vVjnxPyiLmg/V0RARkM0rrI/AAAAAAAAGwA/dtBR5QZAAA8/s640/blogger-image-2048028266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vVjnxPyiLmg/V0RARkM0rrI/AAAAAAAAGwA/dtBR5QZAAA8/s640/blogger-image-2048028266.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E1SuPE3uF9A/VzHPtdSNStI/AAAAAAAAGuU/nu2cS6B3VVc/s640/blogger-image--316643937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E1SuPE3uF9A/VzHPtdSNStI/AAAAAAAAGuU/nu2cS6B3VVc/s640/blogger-image--316643937.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On Friday, we played volleyball and went to the pool in the morning. In the afternoon we went back to the Magic Kingdom, rode all of our favorites again, and stayed til close.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Saturday, we did more of the same in the morning, and then hit the road for home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We left in flip flops, and spent the last 2 hours of the drive white knuckling it through a snow storm. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-arfQnqR2Wa0/V0L53WsQWrI/AAAAAAAAGvc/KKAlGPw1Yt8/s640/blogger-image--1403165129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-arfQnqR2Wa0/V0L53WsQWrI/AAAAAAAAGvc/KKAlGPw1Yt8/s640/blogger-image--1403165129.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">All in all, it was a great trip for our family. It was refreshing to be together, just us. We played, laughed, talked, joked, and forgot about our regular life for awhile. The weather was beautiful. It was good. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And I think we have our fill of the mouse for awhile?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-83477677999557471292016-01-29T20:29:00.001-05:002016-01-29T21:22:56.476-05:00The Brew Crew turns 40<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We spent a week in Florida with friends last month.</span> </span></div>
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A trip 20 years in the making.<br> </div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">No kids, no work, no schedules. </span></div><div>
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Just the gift of time, dear friends, gorgeous views, and a little adventure.</div>
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And let me tell you, we celebrated turning 40 like it was 1996 all over again…only better. </div>
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20 plus years of doing life together, coupled with a more seasoned and appreciative outlook than we were formerly capable of, made our time alone together all the sweeter.</div>
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And oh, the laughter.</div>
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I have not <em>laughed 'til it hurt</em> in a very, very, long time.</div>
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These friendships are a rare, precious gift.</div>
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And truly genuine.</div>
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The last few decades have been busy ones, finding our way in this world….starting families, establishing and advancing in careers, pursuing hobbies, etc. Finding time together has not always been easy, or in abundance. <br>
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But these friendships have been loyal.</div>
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I truly had no expectations going into this trip. <br>
I couldn't wrap my head around what it would look like. <br>
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This idea of a kid free trip to celebrate turning 40 first took root 3 years ago around a campfire...as all good ideas do. And after some planning and countless conversations, the dream was finally recorded on our calendars with permanent marker.</div>
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We looked forward to this trip for almost a year.</div>
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A trip of a lifetime of sorts. <br>
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But after all these years, would we have a good time together, in close quarters, for longer than we've ever been together? Would we get along, or get sick of each other? Could we still have fun? No doubt, the elephant in the room.</div>
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Be still, it was <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">amazing!</span></div>
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Not only did we get along, but we complimented each other, and bonded in a way that only authentic friends can. It was natural. <br>
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We had so.much.fun.<br>
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This trip was a celebration of so many things.<br>
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A celebration of the here and now, where we are at presently. All of us healthy and able, to truly enjoy life and still have adventures together...all blessed to have support back home to even make this possible. A celebration of the past... the fun, the crazy, all of the memories that shaped who we are today. And looking forward, not knowing what the future holds, enjoying this trip <em>for such a time as this.</em> <br>
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Enough of my gushing. It truly is hard to put into words all the big feels. Some highlights from our week….<br>
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The 2 beautiful houses we all stayed in...</div>
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I loved the sidewalk to the beach...</div>
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The obligatory timandnat on the beach photo...<br>
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Oh, just relaxing, eating, leisurely chatting because we can. It's amazing how much conversation and community you can have when there are no interuptions or schedule to keep.<br>
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We spent a day charter boat fishing on the Inter-Coastal waters. We had a lot of fun catching fish, but nothing big enough to keep...so we went out for a delightful fresh sea food dinner.</div>
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We all laughed til we couldn't speak, playing Cards against Humanity. So. much. fun....but the details are probably best left in my head :)</div>
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We had a blast crab hunting on the beach at night...so much laughing and shrieking when they surfaced....</div>
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This picture kind of sums up how well we got along together. It was really good. <br>
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We visited the Myakka River State Park for an airboat ride in search of alligators and pretty views...<br>
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Captain Tim learning the hard way to follow all of the signs in the water...</div>
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The dolphins came up fairly close and put on a nice show...<br>
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Lunching at a little seafood joint on the water after we docked the boat... </div>
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We docked the boat at Long Boat Key for the bulk of the day. It felt like Gilligans Island. We had so much fun exploring in the clear shallow water looking for shells and treasures, watching the dophins, laying out on the boat listening to music and chatting... in a fog of <em>awe</em> at how amazing it all was.<br>
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We found a little bar with karaoke.</div>
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A few thoughts... Chumbawamba will forever make me smile and remember this night fondly, Tim probably could have made it as a country singer in this life, I clearly could not, but still have the qualifications to get hit on by old men, and boy-howdy can we still have fun.</div>
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We went SKY-Diving!!!! A highlight for sure. We talked and talked and talked about it. Psyching ourselves up, and then scaring ourselves silly, making pacts about what happens at 14,000 feet stays at 14,000 feet, until our stomachs hurt.<br>
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We found a reputable place, and made the call on Friday morning to schedule our jump. Unfortunately, the weather has to be just right. No clouds, no wind...etc.to jump. I think we all collectively breathed a sigh of relief on Friday, when we found out that the weather was not going to cooperate, hence, we couldn't jump. We called again on Sunday, but the weather still wasn't agreeing.<br>
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We called Monday morning... our last chance, as we would be leaving for home the next day.<br>
They told us to come on out, (it was about an hour away) the clouds were forecasted to break up. It was looking like a good day.<br>
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And suddenly there was a whole lot of nervous energy, as we scurried out the door, each of us with our extra "just in case" underwear in hand.<br>
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Well, we got there, and it was still cloudy, so we stood around waiting anxiously. We finally decided to go for lunch down the road. They said they would call us once they started jumping...as there was one group ahead of us.</div>
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We sat at lunch and watched the sky get clearer and bluer, and finally got the call. It was a quiet, stomach- cramping, nervous kind of ride back to the airport.</div>
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Our plane...</div>
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Are we sure about this?...</div>
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Charter members of the Jump Club. There were 6 of us, so we went up in 2 groups, because they couldn't fit us all at once. Tim and I separated so we could watch each other come down...and it just felt responsible to jump out of a plane one at a time for the kids sake :)</div>
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Getting ready to jump...</div><div><br></div>
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We jumped from 14,000 feet...that's like <span style="font-size: large;"><b>way</b></span> above the clouds.</div>
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We enjoyed freefall for 1 minute at 120 miles an hour before the chute was pulled, floated around for a while in the parachute, and then gracefully slid in at 40 mph on our butts. It was an amazing experience, and I'm glad we have the pictures and video to remember it by, as it was a little over- stimulating :)</div>
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We shopped, dined, and had happy hour whenever we pleased...</div>
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Spent a lot of time chatting in the hot tub and pool...<br>
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The posed "...this is just us relaxing on vacation pic".</div>
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<br>Beautiful sunsets...</div>
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There is so, so, so, much more I could say.</div>
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So many memories forever tucked away for safe keeping of this special time together.</div>
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Good times, precious memories...until next time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uKcFH5uHI3A/VqwTlwog4YI/AAAAAAAAGlw/Dq2AsV7ekAc/s640/blogger-image--1645870240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uKcFH5uHI3A/VqwTlwog4YI/AAAAAAAAGlw/Dq2AsV7ekAc/s640/blogger-image--1645870240.jpg"></a></div><br></div>
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nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-78592524377197533662016-01-08T17:07:00.002-05:002016-01-08T17:10:50.330-05:002015 {a year in review}<div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started this blog in 2008. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Austin was in kindergarten that year.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were in the throes of having babies, potty training, working, adding on and remodeling our house, etc., and there was always a "first" that needed to be documented. The kids were always doing something cute... or not so cute, that warranted a blog post, or at the very least, a picture. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Austin is now starting the second half of his eighth grade year.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I just sent his baby picture over to the yearbook last week.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My BABY started kindergarten this year! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Pardon<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> me while I wipe away the tears that just dropped on my screen </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">a minute).</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tim really enjoys going back and reading old posts. So do I. This blog has been a diary for our family over the years.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I posted 4 times last year...... FOUR!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life has changed a bit. We are busy in a different way now. The kids don't dump their food over their heads anymore... welI I suppose some do…. or leave puddles of pee in waiting rooms, or fly around the house in superman capes all day long. They are busy becoming people and not here as often as I'd like. While they are all still cute and incredibly inspiring in all of their unique and different ways, I let a lot of moments come and go, because it's time to get back in the van again…or help with fractions.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think my lack of writing lately comes from not knowing what to say, and after a stretch of time, not knowing where to start. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have received a lot of encouragement over the years from family and friends who enjoy reading this blog, and I really do enjoy writing! I know someday I will look back fondly on these years. Shoot, I already do. I really may need another kid. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, now that it is January 8, I'm finally ready to start the new year, and set a goal to keep this updated more.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, before I can move forward, I feel like I need to go back and overview a few of the highlights from this past year. I left off after our Spring Break trip to Texas, so let's start our pictorial journey there, shall we?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ellery took a dance class, and she loved it! She really took on a leadership role in her class. The class culminated with a recital in the spring. She was in the Minnie's Boutique production….</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And just for fun, a throwback from when Sydney took the same class with the same teacher....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sydney entered an art contest, and won! It was for miosha, and the irony was rich. It gave us a good chuckle. She travelled to Lansing to accept her honors and cash.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Naturally, she got picked to be in the 2016 calendar, which caused even greater chuckling, because now Tim has a Miosha calendar hanging in his office ;)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tim took the girls to the father/daughter banquet. This was Stella's first time!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got my nose pierced for my 39th birthday!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are officially done with preschool in this family. Sniff. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We enjoyed a lot of time outdoors last spring....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sydney wrote Drew Bree's a sweet letter before Dylan's birthday...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And he restored my hope in the good of mankind. He sent Dylan a signed picture. It was a happy day!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The boys ran the Calvin Classic 5k...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tim turned 39 too!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dylan did a fantastic job as Peyton Manning in the 4th grade wax museum....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stella took gymnastics for six months, and really enjoyed it!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mother's Day, 2015....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, just a typical Sunday....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And finished the driveway!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The kids succesfully finished the school year. Summer vacation!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You know summer is in full swing when the kids are making chicken hats out of tin foil.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fathers Day...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We made a trip to Chicago when school got out. We went downtown by train. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We visited the zoo a lot...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We took many walks to enjoy the flowers….</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We spent a week camping with friends at the conference grounds.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had our share of ice cream...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spent a lot of time with friends..</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sydney sold her handmade goods at the library craft show…</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That week in July when my flowers looked a-MAZE!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We spent a week camping with friends in Ludington....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These two really bonded...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We camped at PJ Hoffmaster Labor Day weekend.....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Made it to the top!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, just some afternoon goat walking while visiting camping friends...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First day of the 2015/16 school year. Eighth grade, seventh grade, fifth grade, second grade, and kindergarten!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ellery wiggled out both of her top teeth just before her 6th birthday...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Family pics, fall 2015</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We went to a Michigan game with Kevin! So much fun!!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The boy went to the UP hunting..</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How many people can you fit in a deer blind?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Austin turned 14, and Ellery 6!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a moment when I realized that this would probably be the last year to throw Austin a birthday party, since he will be starting high school next year. So, he had a birthday sleepover with friends, and Tim took the boys paintballing. They had a blast!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ellery talked me into Chuck e Cheese.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Austin played 8th grade basketball.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We spent an amazing week in Florida with friends the first week of December, but that's a whole separate post. Stay tuned...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We field tripped it…</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christmas 2015.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The year the boys built a hovercraft, AND it worked. (Tim told the boys they had to finish it, and he wanted a hovercraft ride before we could open presents.) Success!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 2015 Christmas pic..</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mom and her boys...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cousins….</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We rang in the new year at our house with 52 of our closest pals :)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Phew. I can now move forward. 2015 was a blessed year filled with memories, great friendships, and new experiences.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Talk to you soon!</span></div>
nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-50676274018317839942015-09-02T08:13:00.003-04:002015-09-02T12:42:34.433-04:00Real Life<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I haven't posted in a long time, so might as well get back in the saddle with a straight up mom fail story.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This summer. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have an upcoming 8th grader on my hands. Acting his age in most every way, displaying every bit of the 13 years that he is.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'll spare you the customary…. "I blinked, and summer is over, " and "wasn't he just a baby, like last week? "big feels" that whirl around my head this time of year. Alright, really most any time of the year they catch me off guard.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Amidst the sun, pools, zoo's, beaches, friends, potlucks, tubing, camping, family, unlimited "Good Luck Charlie" and Minecraft we've immersed ourselves in the last few months….I do have a "to do" list, and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">8th pictures are near the top.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Confession: In his 13 years of life, Austin had yet to visit a "real" barber. I have cut his hair every. single. time….which really isn't that often, because the shaggy look does him well, and he is pretty laid back.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Well, with these milestone pictures looming, a clean up was in due order. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And I thought I would use this momentous occasion as the perfect time to take him to a professional. A rite of passage if you will.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I decided I would take him for a cut during Dylan's football practice. And to make it even more special I'd take him to a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>real </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">barber. Like a man's barber… not my hairdresser who massages my scalp and pampers me.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">However, I didn't want to risk taking him to a stranger having a bad day at SuperCuts before his pictures either. We'd already had to postpone them after he was stung by a bee in the mouth and his cheek swelled up for a week.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I remember hearing commercials for Jude's Barber Shop on the radio. You know, the barbershop for men. And there is one located fairly close to football practice. Perfect. A quick haircut at a barber...no fluff there.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We dropped Dylan off and drove over on one of the hottest evenings of the summer...my teenage son and 3 little girls on my heels as we walked through the glass door of Jude's.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And in one very surreal moment, as I grabbed the door handle to shuffle the kids in, the doorbell dinging announcing our arrivial, all eyes in the place instantly locked on us...my heart sank.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In that very instant... a moment too late… it clicked in my brain why they call it the <i>barbershop for men. </i>Just once I would like to learn something the easy way.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As Stella stared incredulously at all the pictures or scantily dressed women on the wall, her eyes so big I thought they'd </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">pop right out of their sockets, Austin and Sydney looking up and down, clearly not knowing what to do with themselves or their eyes, embarrassed … I quickly stammered "I'm sorry, I didn't realize this wasn't a place for kids" to the receptionist who was already preparing for our hair cut.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />I quickly looked around and surveyed only men in the chairs, to which she shrugged…"Oh sure, people bring their kids here all the time. Now who's getting their hair cut?"</span></span></div>
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Amidst my processing, shock, and rising bile, Austin half shrugged and nodded, and was already being directed to a chair to begin his cut. And just like that, I was committed. Gah! It still makes my stomach knot up.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I sat down with the girls and promptly took out my phone to watch a show, hoping it would completely distract them from the walls and the "weird pictures".</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's the thing. I'm a fairly over-protective person when it comes to what my kids see. I take my role as their advocate pretty seriously. I do my research, read reviews, take ratings seriously, and hover over their shoulders while on the computer in an annoying mom way.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am probably a little too controlling to say the least…and I willingly marched them straight into a store where my 7 year old daughter asked "Mom, why are the pictures so weird here, and why is that lady taking her underwear off in that picture?"</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I could cry.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Well I got more and more antsy as we sat, beating myself up for my ignorance. I had to at least get my girls out of there!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I saw a parking spot open up right outside the glass storefront, so I quickly ran outside...doorbell dinging behind me... and moved my van closer, so I could see it from the waiting area.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I came in (<i>doorbell ding)</i>, and sent the girls out (<i>doorbell ding... again</i>) to the van. Doors locked, all windows down in the sultry heat, in the back seat I left them my phone to watch a show, where they wouldn't draw so much attention to themselves.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And there I sat. My head darting back and forth so fast, i looked like a chicken...praying in my head that I hadn't ruined them all with my ignorance.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My eyes trained on my van, making sure the girls were safe, certain someone was going to report me for having them out there alone and unattended on such a hot night…. darting back to Austin, because as soon as his cut was finished I planned to whisk him out to the van while I paid, in hopes he wouldn't even have a chance to look up.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As I sat there like a nervous, anxiety- ridden, lunatic, I could almost see my mug on the 10 o' clock news. <i>"Weary mom locks kids in van on the hottest night of the summer, while teenage son get's questionable haircut"</i>. Gah!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As the cut wore on…which in reality was all of 10 minutes…I'd jump up and head to the van to check on the girls<i> (doorbell ding), </i>and then train my eyes on the back of Austin's head, willing her to cut faster, silently apologizing to the back of his neck.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm pretty sure I made everyone in the store uncomfortable with all my nervous energy. I was a hovering, frantic, loon.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Well, when it was <i>finally </i>over, I plastered a smile on my face, said thank you, and promptly shooed Austin outside while i paid.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">No sooner had I handed the receptionist my credit card, I heard the familiar sound of my van alarm going off. As if to alert the whole world of my epic fail.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Naturally in my haste, I didn't remember the van was locked. I once again darted through that dinging door, but it was actually the comic relief I/we needed to end our little situation.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As we pulled away, we had a good talk about my ignorance, I apologized to them over and over and <i>over</i> again, and I promised the little girls I wouldn't take them to that place with the "weird pictures" again.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And I've forgiven myself, because I just can't keep my kids in a bubble after all....tho I'm not sure the girls will ever look at Bat Girl through the same eyes again.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My 8th grader…</span></div>
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nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-72706132313512680412015-05-26T10:22:00.000-04:002015-05-26T11:10:14.182-04:00#sb2015Our vacation time is precious, so it must make the memory books. Better late than never :)<br />
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Spring Break 2015.<br />
After much conversation, and even more research, we followed a different trail south this year.<br />
I'm fairly certain I missed my calling in life as a travel agent/ geography teacher. I could dink around on google maps all.day.long. searching for places to visit.<br />
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Upon sitting in stopped traffic, trying to exit Florida with half of America last spring, we decided that we might need a wee little break from Orlando. We were ready for something different, and were pretty set on visiting the Smoky Mountains again...especially since all of our children can climb with their own 2 feet now. But after the long cold winter, decided it might be in our best interest to head just a bit further south...lest I be disappointed.<br />
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Well, we researched and discussed many a location til we were crazy, and finally decided upon Galveston, TX. I've always wanted to visit Texas, and since going to St. Louis with the kids has always been on my bucket list, it worked out well that it was on the way.<br />
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Join me on our Spring Break journey...<br />
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We left at the crack of dawn Saturday morning, and drove 7 hours to St. Louis. We arrived around lunch, and hit our first destination on my carefully currated Spring Break bucket list....the Budweiser factory. . </div>
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We enjoyed our free tour, seeing the clydsdales, and sipping our free samples. </div>
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Next stop, we had 3 pm tickets to the top of Gateway Arch.</div>
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We waited a <em>loooong</em> time to get in, as you first have to stand in line and go through a Homeland Security check just to get in the main door.</div>
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We enjoy history, so it was fascinating to learn more about westward expansion, and the history of the Gateway to the West. Tim especially enjoyed the video that showed how the arch was built. </div>
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Going to the top. A 5 seater car...sure we can squeeze in 7! I may have hyperventilated a bit from the sheer clausterphobia, lack of air, and my ears popping when we were nearing the curve at the top.<br />
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View from the top, Mississippi River side.<br />
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The photo I didn't buy...<br />
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I so badly wanted to get a pic of the kids with the whole arch, but alas, it just wouldn't all fit.</div>
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We walked to a pizza joint for dinner and caught the MSU basketball game before heading to our hotel and the pool.</div>
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In the morning, after our free breakfast buffet, we drove a little further west and hit Six Flags Great America for the day.</div>
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Finally tall enough that we can all ride together! </div>
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When all of our adrenalin junkies <em>myself included</em>, had their fill, we hopped in the van to continue the 14 hour drive south. And I will just say, that after 2 long days under our belt, we didn't really have the same motivation to drive the 14 hours through the night as we usually have when we first leave on vacation. </div>
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It was a long. boring, tiring, crazy- cycle kind of night through Oklahoma. </div>
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Well, somewhere along the way, facebook alerted me that Tim's brother Casey was in Houston for Easter.</div>
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Turns out we were literally driving right past him, so we stopped and hung out for a few hours.</div>
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We finally made it to Galveston late afternoon Monday.</div>
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Just in time to breathe in the ocean, grab dinner, and sit and watch the championship basketball game.</div>
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The next day we were still tired, so we explored a bit, and went to the beach and got fried.</div>
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We visited Galveston Island State Park to fish and explore...</div>
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The kids had themselves a hermit crab race...</div>
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We rented a bike and managed to squeeze our whole family on it.</div>
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We tooled around town enjoying listening to the girls scream as Tim pretended to run into things.</div>
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We drove over to Pelican Island, and visited Seawolf Park. We watched people fish, the boats come in, and toured a WW2 submarine and destroyer ship that were stationed there..<br />
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Pleasure Pier was closed the whole time, so I could only get a picture :)<br />
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Fishing in the ocean...before Tim fell in :)<br />
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We enjoyed riding the ducks, learning about Hurricane Ike, and the history of the island over the years...<br />
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We swam in the pool a ton, probably the most we ever have on vacation...<br />
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We visted Moody Gardens on our last day because it was raining.<br />
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Ellery deffered to her map the entire time.</div>
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All in all it was a good trip. A slower pace than what we are used to, but really a good time together. On the way home we swung through Chicago to visit my parents :)</div>
<br />nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-31839358518531437292015-03-07T09:48:00.001-05:002015-03-07T10:06:19.210-05:00winterMy sisters mother in law passed away very suddenly last month. <br />
Unexpectedly, and without the chance to say "goodbye for now" one last time.<br />
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A lady that I have known since I was a child.<br />
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After much internal debate based upon weather reports and kid arrangements, I made a whirlwind trip to Chicago to attend her funeral on a Thursday morning.<br />
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I was kind of a headcase about it, because I really don't like to drive far if the weather could be sketchy, or worry that the kids will get to where they need to be.<br />
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But, I really wanted to see my sister, my niece and nephews, my family…so I went. Case closed.<br />
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The drive was a bit white knuckled for a stretch along the lake heading south, as is usually the case, and I was in constant conversation with God. I passed red and blue swirling lights on the side of the road, and I again questioned whether I made the right decision.<br />
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As I approached the section of highway that always makes me tense up a bit in the winter, after going in the ditch there Christmas Eve 1995 while driving home from college in a snow storm...the sun came out. <br />
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I know it's just natural, as there are certain areas where there are always squals along the lake, but to me when those clouds parted and the sun popped out, it was as if God was telling me everything was going to be ok.<br />
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And in that moment, I knew I made the right decision to come.<br />
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Sitting in a pew near the front of the church that I grew up in, listening to stories of the past, funny memories, testimonies of her impact on former students, memories of the person she was ...her legacy....I was once again convicted to my core to be intentional with my life, my time, my relationships.<br />
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Life is short.<br />
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I spent a bit of time after lunch peering through all the posterboards of smiling faces, marking wonderful life moments. The births of babies, family trips to so many great places, cheesy grins while baking cookies, staged birthday party pics, sporting events...my niece and nephews aging a little bit in each pic.<br />
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It was evident by the picture display that they spent alot of time together, enjoying a variety of things and places. But posterboards only capture the kodak moment events of life. While those pics showcase some amazing memories, there is so much more. All the simple, sweet, "real" moments, void of a clicking camera, are tucked away in their memories now, and those moments are what will carry them forward.<br />
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Funerals have a way of making you realize how blessed you are. <br />
How precious life is. <br />
How important it is to make the most of every encounter, opportunity... moment.<br />
Because you may not get another chance.<br />
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Tho our eyes are fixed on spring over here, I always cherish winter, and what it means for our family.<br />
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Winter is the gift of time.<br />
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And it has been pretty fantastic so far... filled with intentional moments, meaningful conversations, getting house projects and some business checked off the list, watching sports, playing so, so, <span style="font-size: large;">so </span>many board games, trying new things, spending time with family and old friends, and plenty of the adventure that I'm accepting we crave.<br />
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As the kids get older and are turning into real people, my van still seems to drive west most days and nights to pick someone up from somewhere, but it's been good. Just the right amount of everything, it seems.<br />
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I've been on more dates with Tim in the last 2 months than all of 2008-2010 combined!</div>
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We are an adventurous bunch, so moving forward, I want to continue to try new things and explore new places together, make new traditions and hold dear to our established ones, continue to challenge and push ourselves and the kids to make each moment count.<br />
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Spend our family time well, and be intentional even when life gets crazy, <em>because it will</em>.<br />
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Ok, ok, less sappy nat and more <em>"that time Dylan asked what a g-string was"</em> stories coming soon :)<br />
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A few pics from our winter for the memory books…<br />
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In January, Tim went to Arkansas with the boys to hunt for a long weekend. They had a great time together, tho I understand there could have been more ducks.<br />
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While the boys were away, the girls kept me busy. We went to Taco Bell and the mall, naturally ….<br />
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We ski'd for the first time of the season...</div>
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We went to see Annie on Broadway. Sydney and I secretly followed the score of the Packers football game on my phone during the performance. And it was in that moment that I realized that I have become one of them.</div>
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We ski'd a whole bunch this winter, actually!</div>
Poor Dylan started puking as soon as we walked into the ski lodge and bought our lift tickets on our second trip, and spent the night in the truck with one of us. Third times a charm...<br />
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Sydney played basketball…</div>
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And volleyball…</div>
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We celebrated Opa and Oma's 63rd wedding anniversary! Such a blessing...</div>
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We thoroughly enjoyed the SuperBowl this year. Lots of noise coming from our house when the Patriots won it in those final seconds. Dyl took home the cash....</div>
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We celebrated Dylan's 10th birthday!!</div>
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Ten, the "year of the iPod"</div>
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The little girls mastered the chairlift...<br />
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I went to CaberFe for the day with the big 3 to ski with friends. It.was.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">COLD.</span> "Mom! You have a booger icicle again!!" <br />
But yeah for a 4 person chair lift and no broken bones...<br />
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Oh, just two 38 year olds conquering Black Diamonds...yeah, I fell.</div>
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Stella turned 7!</div>
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She got her ears pierced!</div>
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We went to a Griffins game, and they tied it up in the last 0.4 seconds and went on to win! A win, free t-shirts, free tickets to the next game, and a pic with the bird makes for a pretty fantastic night.</div>
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So we went again....<br />
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Dylan's lighthouse…<br />
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We drove out to explore frozen Lake Michigan on a Saturday afternoon...<br />
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Budgeting and beers is always a good combo on a Friday night :)</div>
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Sydney turned 12!</div>
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The year of horseback riding lessons...</div>
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Happy weekend, friends.</div>
nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-18161629094702909042015-01-19T11:25:00.003-05:002015-01-19T11:26:54.462-05:00yoloSitting at the counter, side by side doing homework this fall, Dylan casually turned to me, his big brown eyes wide with innocence and determination.<br />
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"I've been thinking"…he said very matter of factly… "I'm going to have to go to college after all. It's really the only way I'm going to get drafted."<br />
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Yes. <br />
We talk a lot of football around here these days. Backyard, high school, college, fantasy, nfl….all of it mixed together. The topic manages to weave itself into every conversation one way or another. <br />
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And I may have convinced Dylan over a casual Sunday dinner that I dated Tom Brady for a brief stint back in my college days, when the kids came to the realization that he is as old as we are. <br />
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And the best part is he believed me. <br />
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<i>Well, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">of course</span> he believed me. </i><br />
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These kids have their entire lives ahead of them, and anything and everything is within their grasp. Aiming for the top, they have yet to be tainted by disappointment or regret. Their dreams protected by their naive and always optimistic outlook.<br />
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They can do <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">anything</span>.<br />
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Egad! To be a kid again.<br />
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I adore their outlook, because I too was the exact same way.<br />
I had big and bold plans of my own, without a worry in the world.<br />
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If I had my way, I would be projecting from your tv set, dispensing the news famous and fabulous, naturally. <br />
And I'm sure my plans gave God a good chuckle, because He knew He created me far too sensitive and delicate for that path.<br />
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Somewhere along the way, life happens, and we grow, we change, we learn a bit about ourselves, we are blessed in ways we couldn't scheme up on our own, we are disappointed, we are stretched, we have regrets, we are complacent. We become seasoned, and it shapes who we are.<br />
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And sometimes I think I don't dream big anymore, because, well, ….I'm 38.<br />
I am no longer young, shiny, fresh and new. My ship has sailed.<br />
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But, in my heart, I know it hasn't.<br />
I still question, wonder, what God has in store for me in the future. Although, I'm not sure I allow myself to think big. I am very quick to dismiss.<br />
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Kids gift the best life lessons, don't they?<br />
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God created me to be me…colorful, sensitive, creative, social, tenderhearted, avid flower doodling, me….all of it. And I don't think it was a mistake.<br />
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But, I don't want to live life complacent, just ticking on by. I want to be a blessing, to use the gifts that God has given uniquely to me, to seize opportunities, and to stretch myself, even tho at times I don't feel like I measure up.<br />
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To be open to what God truly wants for li'l ole me. I don't want to live with regrets.<br />
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That's my "goal" for 2015.<br />
Live full.<br />
Yolo, baby.<br />
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Enough random thoughts. Some pics from the second half of our year…<br />
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Be.still. Ellery started pre-school. It took about 3 weeks for her to warm up, and now she LOVES it...<br />
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We spent alot of time outside...</div>
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Enjoyed a fun afternoon with friends...</div>
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Frittered time between sports games…</div>
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Field tripped it...</div>
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Gems carhop...</div>
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Ellery started dance class…<br />
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Squeezed in a trip to see the kids flower display at Art Prize... </div>
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One of my favorite school pics to date. Feel the joy...</div>
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We watched a lot of high school football…</div>
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And 7th grade football…<br />
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And 4th grade football...<br />
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Learned some life lessons….</div>
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For the record books, Sydney played soccer in the fall as well.</div>
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Tho I have no fall pics, she had a fantastic season, excelled at goalie and forward, and can boot the ball farther than some boys I know :)</div>
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The boys did their fair share of hunting….</div>
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Made it to Klackles to pick apples….<br />
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Lost some teeth…</div>
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Halloween. Olaf, Belle, Drew Brees, Snow White and Tom Brady. Fondly remembered as "that year we couldn't feel our fingers"….</div>
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We went to a Michigan game with Kevin, and they won! Overheard..."that was awesome"...</div>
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My favorite pic of the day…<br />
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We finished the basement!!!<br />
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Annual girls trip to Chicago. Crossed "standing on the ledge at Willis Tower" off the bucket list...</div>
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Stella started gymnastics….</div>
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Austin is officially a teenager! And celebrated his first ever snow day birthday…. </div>
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1st grade Thanksgiving program….</div>
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Ellery turned 5!</div>
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Birthday buddies...</div>
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My mom came for a visit to shop and what- not...</div>
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Bumped into Santa at the gas station….</div>
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Austin played 7th grade basketball….</div>
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And ended the season with a hard earned victory!</div>
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Last pre-school Christmas party (sniff, sniff)...</div>
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Christmas in Chicago….</div>
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Syd putting her new face painting kit to work...</div>
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Backyard football with cousins….</div>
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Finally got around to making cookies...</div>
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Christmas at our house...<br />
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The boys sent hours making Tim a duck mojo out of an old remote control car they took apart…</div>
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Christmas with Tim's family...</div>
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Enjoyed an ice cream social and swimming with Opa and Oma over break...<br />
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nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-2690747251453582972014-09-20T15:18:00.002-04:002014-09-21T11:38:27.479-04:00a day in the life...Our day began at 3:26am last Wednesday.<br />
And it wasn't in the name of concrete.<br />
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I was startled awake to Stella squirming to get out of our bed. Sadly, I was so tired, I didn't even know she was in there.<br />
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Tim jolted awake and promptly scurried out behind her. Before I could get my bearings, I heard the famliar wretching sound.<br />
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Poor girl was sick.<br />
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After she was settled again, I laid awake close-by in the still darkness waiting for another spell. My mind immediately went to the day upon us, and how i would handle it now that it was clearly changing.<br />
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Ellery would need to get to and from pre-school, and then there were the 2 hours of errands I had planned during those blissfully quiet hours, (bc it doesn't make sense to come home) I had already promised to take a few extra kids home after school so that there would be a little down time before football, I was commissioned for mom taxi to and from football practice in the evening... and to top it off, it was the much anticipated turkey day. You just can't drag a sick girl around for all of that.<br />
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My day was spoken for, and this little <i>glitch</i> sent my mind in overdrive.<br />
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Well, I eventually managed to drift off, and our day began as usual. The big kids went off to school, and Stella remained on the couch.<br />
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By mid morning she was feeling better, I called around and managed to find Ellery a ride to school, I gave up my afternoon expectations... and that's when I glanced at the calendar on my fridge.<br />
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Ellery needed to bring in a picture of each of her family members for a placemat craft that day. I quickly opened up the cupboard that conceals my printer to discover what I already knew. The familiar blinking told me I was out of ink...which was ironically on my to do list.<br />
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I quickly sat down at my computer to throw some pics on a usb drive... and if we were quick enough at Rite Aid, we would make it back home in time for Ellery to eat some lunch before she was slated to be picked up for school.<br />
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While I was frantically going through a summers worth of pictures on my phone and computer, the girls were playing "store" nearby. <br />
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Well, they were getting a little wild...too wild for what was turning into a not<i> so</i> sick day, and I was losing my patience with them, my day, and my life. Wednesday was hitting me full force. I had my back to their shenanigans, engrossed in my pics and my own pity party when Ellery starting gagging, screaming, and finally settled on crying.<br />
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Holding out a chubby little handful of coins, she could barely squeak out the words in her hysteria. "I had 6 money's in my mouth, and now I only have 5" she stuttered...."and my neck hurts <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>so </i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">bad</span></i>".<br />
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Say <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">what</span>??<br />
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All these years of child rearing, and my 5th child puts a handful of money in her mouth at age 4.5 and swallows it?<br />
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Well, I took her screaming to be a good sign. If there was a coin, she certainly wasn't choking on it.<br />
After consoling her, Stella and I searched the ground for another coin, but didn't see any. The thing is, I believed Ellery that she knew she originally had 6. She's quirky like that.<br />
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She quickly settled and returned back to her normal self. Expelling tears only when I brought the subject up. We hopped in the van and got our photos printed in record time. I utilized the ride to talk about what "does and <i>does not</i> go in your mouth." Quiz her sometime, will you? I monitored her, asked about her neck, and she seemed to be functioning just fine....only got teary when I asked her about it.<br />
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Quite honestly, I had my doubts. Is it really possible to swallow a nickel that easy? Did she get it caught in her throat, hence the gagging, and it just hurt? We cry hard over some little things over here. Did she just think she swallowed it? Did it start to get stuck and just scare the daylights out of her? Just how seriously do you take a 4 year old?<br />
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Well, we made it home in time for lunch and I sent her off to preschool. <br />
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After she left, I processed it a little more. And did what I always do in these situations... talk to Tim, then my SIL, and finally the dr.<br />
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The dr. was concerned that she could have possibly aspirated the coin, and it could be in her lung. A trip to urgent care for an x-ray was necessary to see that it wasn't stuck somewhere it shouldn't be. <br />
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My mind went back into overdrive to figure out how to fit this new development in with the after school running... and also preserve turkey day :)<br />
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To make a long story a little shorter, it all worked out....as it always does. I managed to get the kids from school, back to football again, go to Urgent Care, and Tim was able to get the boys home from football again.<br />
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Have you ever waited 2.5 hours to explain to a nurse that your daughter might have swallowed some money, but you're really not even sure, because you had no idea she had money in her mouth? yes, i was that lady.<br />
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And seriously, have you ever shared a chair with your tween daughter with a trapper keeper the size of the titanic spewing papers, trying to do math that you don't even understand, and she has no use for, in a waiting room that is standing room only, next to a guy that is moaning too close for comfort, and 2 little girls playing a wild game of tag around a lobby, tripping over people's crutches and shrieking..for a couple of hours? Mercy. They should have wine in their vending machines.<br />
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Well we eventually got contained to a room, and that x-ray didn't lie. She was pretty nervous to lay on the table, as the memory of me pinning her down for her pre-school shots was still too fresh.</div>
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The little girl had indeed "swallowed her money's". And thankfully, it was right where it needed to be.... below her lungs and on track to be digested. </div>
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As we headed home, I inwardly chuckled/ reflected on the day....that x-ray pic, Ellery's quirky certainty, the irony of how much money it was really going to cost us bc she swallowed money of all things, the fact that I had to explain to Stella no less than 48 times that we were not in the urgent care bc she puked too, and most importantly, the blessing and gratitude to God for His provision that Ellery was ok. I shudder to think about that coin getting lodged in her throat.<br />
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Our silly day was a simple reminder to me.<br />
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I often fret about the future, try to control and plan my days out way too far in advance, worry about what I'm going to do with my life aside from being a wife/mom....what gifts has God given me to glorify Him in this world?... the list goes on and on of what I try to control.<br />
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Absolutely nothing in my day went according to my plans, and that is ok. It wasn't charming, or even productive in a measurable manner. <br />
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God has blessed me with 5 beautiful children and a talented husband....and they need me to do just what I'm doing right now, charming or not.<br />
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And in the end, tho the turkey cooked for 2 hours longer than expected, it was still pretty decent. There wasn't time for rolls, but we ate together as a family, everyone was cared for, and we were together. And that's what matters, right? Random reflections, yes? I live a good life.</div>
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I added a new print to my lil'<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/DigitalsbyDandelions?ref=hdr_shop_menu"> shop. </a>And<i> this</i> is the story behind it :)<br />
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<br />nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-74362285462969596992014-09-07T18:58:00.002-04:002014-09-07T19:07:31.296-04:00Mountain Ma'amSummer.<br />
Let's take a moment to reflect, shall we?<br />
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Two weeks into the school year, and I can look back oh so fondly.<br />
Only memories of laughter and sand seem to stick :)<br />
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Well, we camped more this summer than this former city slicker ever imagined possible.<br />
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And I have to admit, I kind of liked it.<br />
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A few highlights from some of our camping trips...<br />
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We started out by going up to Pentwater for the weekend on the last day of school. A christening of summer, and hopefully the birth of a new tradition. I heart Pentwater so much.<br />
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Later in June, we camped in Ludington with friends for a week. I had my hesitations about this trip, as Ludington is big, Tim would need to go to work, I've never camped for 8 days ever, and all 5 kids have interests that take them in different directions...none of which is basking in the sun reading US Weekly leisurely on the sand.<br />
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I under-estimated my inner Mountain Ma'am.<br />
And aside from my hobo pie "My dad doesn't make me eat black" dinner fail, and the lazy raccoon eating cheetos under our table, we mangaged quite well! <br />
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Ice cream and Beaver watching on the pier with Uncle Kevin....<br />
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yes.<br />
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Dylan spent hours in this position.</div>
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Oh, just trying to keep up with the big kids..<br />
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Made it to the lighthouse with this bunch, AND made it up. Not a small task on my own :) It was so foggy!</div>
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The weather was fairly chilly, so we had a great time geocaching and running from mosquitoes.<br />
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The kids made kites...</div>
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Played many card games..</div>
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Their geocache prize...<br />
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More ice cream...</div>
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Once again enjoyed the reptile display....<br />
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Annual Lost Lake hike with Uncle Kevin...<br />
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All in all a great trip with friends, and one that I will definately do again with greater confidence.</div>
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The next weekend was the 4th of July, so we packed up and headed to Hoffmaster State park for the long weekend. We did all of our usuals, and drove into town to watch the fireworks.</div>
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The log pic I always insist upon...</div>
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We hiked a bit...</div>
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Biked a bit...<br />
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And swam a bit..</div>
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All in all, a great weekend enjoyed together as a family.<br />
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A few weeks later we camped with dear friends at the CRCG.<br />
The weather was gorgeous, we broke a few rules, and a made some great memories.<br />
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The craft barn..</div>
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Labor Day we once again went up to Ludington for the long weekend.</div>
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Naturally we got a flat tire on the way as we do every Labor day weekend :)</div>
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And for the record, Tim had it changed in 12 minutes. (A record to beat next year ).</div>
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We had a wonderful time. The weather turned out to be better than expected, and we enjoyed slowing down and enjoying time with friends.</div>
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nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-61809890087162062432014-08-27T07:59:00.001-04:002014-08-27T10:51:31.969-04:00Back at itThe kids are back in school. <br />
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And while one half of me is overly sensitive, sad for a variety of reasons... the other half is jumping off the couch doing cartwheels, high fiving the silent air, shortly after the big yellow bus pops over the hill and swallows them up.<br />
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Time marches on...like it or not, seemingly quicker every year.<br />
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What's that saying? "Live for today, because you'll never get yesterday back, and tommorow is not guaranteed" or something profound like that. <br />
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It seems I blinked, we camped, and summer is over. Just.like.that.<br />
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As this new school year begins, I am keenly aware of how quickly the kids are growing up. Ellery is starting pre-school, we have 2 middle schoolers, and I can count on one hand how many summers will be left with Austin before he is out of high school. Wasn't I<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> just </span></i>overwhelmed because we were juggling 3 kids not sleeping through the night? <br />
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And as soon as they head back, my sensitive side begins to over- analyze our little 8 week respite. Did I love them enough? Use the opportunity of unhurried time together to teach them life skills? Make the most of every day that I had with them? Did I yell too much and inadvertently tune them out too often? Did we have enough genuine, quality, "we'll still be talking about this in 15 years", kind of memory making fun?<br />
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Gah! We never made it to the airport viewing area, or the library, or to Chicago by train....and the structured chore charts went out the window sometime mid July. My shameful list of summer fails is a doozy.<br />
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And well, now that school is in, papers are being thrown at me faster than I can read and sign, football practices run late, mornings are early, dinner is hasty, we are rushed, and the struggle to cherish all these snappy moments is creeping back in. <br />
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Sometimes I think I put too much pressure on myself. <br />
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On the flip side...back to school is an audible exhale.<br />
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It means not breaking up fights at 10 am, because someone was chewing too loudly... or looking at somebody funny.... or making weird noises. It means not tattling all day, or running laps around my kitchen tackling each other shrieking until it ends up in tears and something broken every.singe.time. It means not trying to be/help/listen/entertain 5 unique individuals at the same time for 13 hours straight. It's a break.<br />
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And let's be honest, there's absolutely no time to be bored now.</div>
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Back to school means routine, a new beginning, brand new crayons and folders, bible study, a bedtime, a feeling like I can get on top of things by day that I've neglected since I gave up after last Spring Break. Deep down I do crave structure, and some "quieter" time. (With the big kids gone, Ellery hasn't let one single moment of silence go to waste, or opportunity to play Memory with me 4 times in a row. Love her.)</div>
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It's all so bittersweet, but move forward we must.<br />
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My prayer is that I cherish these moments. Even if that means doing homework in the van at 7:34pm on a Tuesday amidst the sounds of little girls singing along to the tv and the smell of over processed food lingering.<br />
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And grace. May I extend love and uderstanding when the kids can't handle these snappy moments either.<br />
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Enough of my ramblings, the 2014-15 back to school pic. 7th, 6th, 4th, 1st, and 1 soon to be happy little pre-schooler this year.<br />
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And if pics could speak? A much searched for Patriots t-shirt, an Elsa braid, a buzz cut and athletic shorts that both stay up, and come down to his knees, a new skirt "that's cute, and long, and matches my dog shirt" and a princess dress.<br />
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Love 'em<br />
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And hey, maybe soon I will make the time to blog about our summer :)nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-40151330605665684622014-06-11T12:17:00.000-04:002014-06-11T12:17:34.457-04:00summerWe're settling into our first week of summer vacation.<br />
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We bolted out of the starting blocks last fall, and in the blink of an eye made a blurry mad dash to the finish line. <br />
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It was a busy and fruitful school year. <br />
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Austin eased into middle school, and enjoyed playing football, basketball and track. He also participated on the science Olympiad team this winter, and really loved it!<br />
Sydney and Dylan gave 3rd and 5th grade their best, and also enjoyed sports as well.<br />
And after a tentative, nervous start to the year, Stella flourished in kindergarten!<br />
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Since i noted the first day of school about 4 posts ago, I thought it would be good to go back and highlight a few of the focal points in our year, in no particular order.<br />
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Last Day of school pic...<br />
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Stella rocked DeeDee Deer in her end of the year kindergarten program...</div>
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Bound and determined, this one set out to master the cube and succeeded...<br />
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Last day of elementary school!</div>
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How we spent our fall and spring.<br />
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This years never-ending winter will fondly be remembered as the one with 11 snow days, and also "that one year we had an ice rink before the lawn went in"</div>
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Mothers Day...</div>
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Sydney was a gunsmith for 5th grade Coloniel Days...</div>
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3rd grade field trip to Dutch Village....<br />
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Snow Day toruture.... </div>
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Christmas<br />
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Austin participated in the school spelling bee...</div>
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Sydney's first band concert!<br />
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A short trip to Las Vegas for the World of Concrete Convention....<br />
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Celebrating Dylan's 9th birthday with lunch </div>
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A trip out to frozen Lake Michigan.</div>
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Enjoying my days hanging out with this girl while the kids are at school...</div>
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We found a new family hobby.</div>
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Austin ran track for school!</div>
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Target practice.</div>
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110metre hurdles.</div>
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You know, grading the lawn.</div>
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Father daughter banquet at school...</div>
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Celebrating Tim's birthday...</div>
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We surprised him with a new dirt bike...<br />
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School rollerskating party...<br />
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Austin learned to ride a dirtbike...</div>
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Some days get long, and you fall asleep on the floor...</div>
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Tim poured a new driveway this spring. The kids enjoyed the sand for a bit.</div>
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Last day of kindergarten.</div>
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Spring program.</div>
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Gems and Cadets derby race.</div>
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Stella turned 6</div>
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The kids played basketball for school.<br />
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Sydney turned 10!</div>
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So we went skiing!</div>
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Easter in Chicago.</div>
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We ran the Calvin Classic together, and they all kicked my butt.</div>
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We celebrated my birthday too :)</div>
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Phew, and now moving forward. Stay tuned.</div>
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After going back and forth, researching places, checking availability...we finally settled on Orlando, <i>sans Disney</i>, for our Spring Break destination once again this year. It's central location just made sense for the way we roll.<br />
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And after one of the longest winters on the books, April finally arrived. <br />
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Well, that crazy busy week before leaving...when all things needed to be wrapped up at work for Tim, laundry, packing, sneaking out to tan, wrapping up projects for me....Sydney got sick. And my heart sank in the anticipation of what this would mean for our family of 7 and our loooong awaited venture.<br />
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Throughout the course of the week, Tim, Stella, and Ellery fell to the fever, coughing, and misery. I was on edge, popping my Emergen-C, and tossing them to the boys as often as I could. Tim and I were crazy cycle-ish from the stress/weariness of the week, that by the time Thursday night rolled around, all vacation zeal was lost.<br />
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We hit the road at 6:00pm Friday night determined to move forward, change our attitudes, forgive, get well, have a wonderful time together, and make some memories.<br />
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Backing out of the starting blocks, some genuine smiles already...<br />
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The drive went well! </div>
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We were back to our fun-loving selves, with genuine conversation before we hit the state line. We took turns driving throughout the night... I made it thru Louisville without seeing any red and blue...and we rolled into the parking lot of our Macon, GA Denny's just in time for breakfast.</div>
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It's<i> always</i> fraction time.<br />
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After breakfast we continued on, and made it to the Florida welcome center to load up on free orange juice and pamphlets shortly before noon.<br />
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We arrived at our resort right at 3 pm check-in time. The kids were eager to check out the pool, and all of the resorts amenities. We were eager to crash.<br />
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We swam, ate dinner, ran to Walgreens for more drugs, searched a few souvenier shops for a net, as Dylan was already frantically chasing and terrorizing the lizards, played basketball, and finally collapsed into bed at 9:00pm, exhausted.</div>
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Sunday morning we all slept in, hoping to recover from the lack of sleep and sickness. Before noon, we packed a picnic and headed out to Cocoa Beach.</div>
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Still happy...</div>
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We played on the beach all afternoon, and then went to explore The Manatee Sanctuary Park that the kids spotted on the way into town. </div>
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We started back and realized we still had the fishing poles in the back of the van, so we pulled off the side of the highway to fish. </div>
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It was so great! We enjoyed watching the dolphins swim close by, and we even got to see a manatee after all! </div>
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We made it back to our condo eventually, and headed to Applebees for dinner, played a little basketball, and called it a day.<br />
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Monday morning we were up and at 'em heading to Sea World for the day.<br />
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Petting the stingrays...so creepy</div>
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It was a good day. </div>
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By evening the park cleared out, so the kids were able to have their fill of the rides.</div>
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Tuesday rain was looming, so we headed to Downtown Disney. </div>
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And it poured. </div>
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So we ran from store to store, along with every other person on Spring Break in the greater Orlando area.<br />
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We left there early afternoon, and grabbed lunch at Pizza Hut. Ellery was beside herself, screaming about her ears and just plain miserable, so we made another stop at Walgreens to replenish our drug supply, and headed back to our condo so she could sleep. We hung out at the resort in the evening and played some mini golf, basketball and tennis.<br />
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Wednesday we were on the road early, headed to Port Canaveral for a day of charter boat fishing.<br />
We so badly wanted to try a private charter this time...but unfortunately every boat going out of the east side of the state is licensed for 6, and would not budge when I offered to keep Ellery in my purse.<br />
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Dramamine worked like a charm!</div>
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None of us were sick, but sadly we caught no fish this year. Probably the biggest let down of our vacation.</div>
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Thursday we once again enjoyed our Sizzler breakfast buffet, bought some paddle boards, and headed out to Jetty Park in Port Canaveral, a delightful park that we discovered while returning from charter fishing. We spent the afteroon on the beach, and even saw a rocket launch out of Kennedy Space Center!</div>
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We walked the board walk, grabbed our poles and did some fishing out of the port. It was fun to watch the sea turtles, dolphins, pelicans, and cruise ships go by.</div>
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Tim, doing what he does best :)</div>
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Friday we were up and at 'em, destination LegoLand. Tim and I were pleasantly surprised, as we weren't expecting much of the park. We wound up staying an hour after the park closed, and could have stayed a bit longer. Once the kids find rides they like...they are in repeat mode.<br />
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<i>"That was awwwwesome"</i>... Dylan turned a corner to liking roller coasters.</div>
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We took a stroll through Cypress Gardens...</div>
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We found the Banyan Tree...</div>
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We all cracked up watching Ellery drive and get herself stuck every 2 feet. She never did complete a lap :) </div>
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I could watch that all day!</div>
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Sat. morning we all worked together to get packed up and checked out.</div>
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We hit the pool on the way out, changed, and were on the road by 11:30.</div>
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The drive home went pretty well. We made it out of Florida no problem, but hit a lot of traffic in GA. That is one long state to take by the hypotenuse in crawling traffic! By the time we crossed over into Chattanooga, Ellery was puking...all ideas of possibly pulling over to sleep were gone. This van was getting home!</div>
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We traded off driving again and drove straight thru. We pulled into our driveway at 8:15am Sunday morning and promptly went to bed.</div>
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All in all, it was a great trip. It was not DisneyWorld as we kept reminding the kids, but a pretty fantastic time together.nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-46180465917867043932013-10-31T21:28:00.000-04:002013-10-31T21:35:15.061-04:00His love.I am a romantic.<br />
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In college I majored in communications/ journalism. I was going to be famous. A fancy, trendy, Barbara Walters if you will.<br />
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18 years old, and not a limit in the world. <br />
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I so wish someone would have pinched me and harnessed my dreams into reality. Gently steered me into nursing, or teaching, or a tangible major.... a job with a difinitive job description that exists, not just a pipe dream.<br />
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I've always struggled with the fact that I failed. After I earned my big degree, I never found a great career/job/profession/ that defined me.<br />
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I never arrived.<br />
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Somewhere along the way, however, I did learn that I have an artistic side, and took a liking to graphic design. I actually found a pretty great job doing so for a company. Naturally, they went out of business 2 months after I was hired.<br />
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And then a little while later, we started having kids. An average of 1 every 1.6 years for almost a decade.<br />
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A time of wholeheartedly knowing my purpose in life.<br />
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I am thankful for every long, mentally draining yet equally rewarding day that I've been home with them. I wouldn't change it for anything. I am blessed.<br />
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And somewhere along this kid journey I remembered my creative side, my love for graphic design, and my tendency to turn everything I touch into a box of Trix. While home, I've dappled with selling my little handmade creations on the internet, and have taken on random graphic design jobs.<br />
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But could creativity ever define me? Even in the crafty realm, I haven't arrived. Is there really any redeeming value in being crafty anyways? Surely there is nothing noble about selling little handmade creations for mere dollars? Doesn't God have greater plans for me? There's no denying He created me to notice details and appreciate color the way I do.<br />
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As the kids are starting to get older, I wrestle with God's plan for my life. Does he really want me to make lunches, hold little hands at recess duty, and dink on my computer making art? Surely there's got to be more? Something grander? Clearly I'm not listening, or do I even have what it takes?<br />
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Every time I see a chubby little baby with chocolate skin and untamed hair, tears pool up in my eyes. I want one <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">so </span>bad.<i> I think. </i>My heart is surely big enough to adopt one more, but is my sanity? Is there even room for one more wrinkle on my forehead? I ran into a friend who is fostering a child. And I think to myself, could there be anything more noble or God ordained than helping a child in need like that? And I am so caught up with the goodness of it all, that I don't really take the time to really let the reality sink in. Is that a prompting from God or just another one of my romantic notions?<br />
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Discernment is not high on my list of gifts.<br />
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Tim and I were on the "crazy cycle" for the better part of last week. That delicate balance of love and respect, completely out of whack.<br />
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I like to blame it on the concrete.<br />
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When the days are long, patience is short, I blame and cry, he's short and cold.<br />
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And with the lack of time to resolve, it cycles on....we feed off of each other with guarded cold conversation, until we <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">both</span> choose to make it right, talk it out, re-commit, and resolve to keep on trying.<br />
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These are some pretty scattered thoughts I'm sharing, aren't they? Welcome to my head case.<br />
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Well, an irrational combination of these questions...and so much more.... were weaving through my head non stop, coupled with the "crazy cycle" the tail end of last week. I allowed the devil a pretty strong foothold.<br />
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I was in this crazy state of mind Sat morning, and I couldn't settle. My marriage, purpose in life... everything was off balance. My thoughts were swirling, and I was worrying about so many things out of my control.<br />
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After dropping Sydney off at basketball, I decided I would go for a run. Surely the fresh air and endorphines would help clear my head from all of my unsettledness and give me a little break from the kids.<br />
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I hit "run" on my Nike app, and hit the pavement. It's exactly the same every time.<br />
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I turn right out of our driveway, and Brit Nicole gets my legs and lungs pumping just as I cross the road with the same opening song every.single. time. I only have 1 music playlist programed into my Nike app.<br />
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Well as I hit the pavement Sat. morning, and waited the 5 seconds for my music to start playing, a different, yet familiar beat warmed up and began slowly pelting thru my earbuds. A familiar beat that I soon recognized. As the words started up, the song hit me.<br />
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"One Thing Remains" by Jesus Culture.<br />
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I was puzzled by the error of music, but as the chorus began to refrain, I knew that this was a gift from God.<br />
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8 solid minutes and 40 seconds of hearing "Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me" stream through my earbuds over and over... and over again. It really is the longest song ever.<br />
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A message straight from God, just for little old me, in that moment, exactly when I needed to hear it.<br />
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Tears of joy filled my eyes as I ran, because I knew it was no coincidence, or musical playlist error.<br />
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For almost a mile I heard His truth whispered into my ear.<br />
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"His love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me."<br />
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Even ME.<br />
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I just had to share my little story. A song, God's gift to me.<br />
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Happy Thursday friends. More random animal pics coming soon.....<br />
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<br />nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-77079323855827597282013-10-17T10:21:00.000-04:002013-10-17T10:24:22.940-04:00Bunny BrothelRemember that cute little bunny that Sydney bought with her very own $10 last May?<br />
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Maggie, the adored bunny that looks spittin' image identical to the pesky one who sits under the tree outside my kitchen window munching on my beloved flowers, taunting Dylan to sneak up and pop him.</div>
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Well, to catch you up to speed, somewhere mid August as summer droned on, it was brought to my attention that Maggie needed a friend.</div>
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I think back on it now, and I really don't even know how it happened. A moment of weakness?</div>
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Was I actually feeling bad for this lonely bunny? Was I feeling bad for my boys who told me <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">every.single.day.</span> that they wanted one too? Was I trying to keep the peace? Am I truly a glutten for punishment? Had I actually found a pet that I could get on board with? Had summer just worn me down?</div>
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Whatever the case may be, we aquired this little guy about a week before school started. The kids named him Oliver.<br />
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A friend was looking to give him away, and he had the soft floppy ears of the bunny I always wanted. Childhood dream of my own perhaps?<br />
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Well, it was love at first sight. Oliver had his eye on lovin' Maggie, and naturally, she just wanted to bite him whenever he came near :)<br />
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The kids would squeal with delight... " Olivers giving Maggie a piggie back ride <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>again</i>, </span>and he keeps shaking!" "Oh they love each other!" "Awe, Oliver's just hugging her now...oh wait, he wants another piggie back ride!"<br />
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Tim and I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">rolled </span>listening to the kids innocent dialogue and excited bursts.</div>
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And I knew what our future held, and truly thought it would be a fun adventure for the kids.<br />
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In my ignorance however, I neglected to google a time frame.</div>
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On a cold September morning, just 4 weeks after their first date, Sydney ran back into the house crazy hysterical, spewing out little sentence fragments "7 bunnies on the ground" and "fur everywhere" before she could catch her breath.</div>
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I grabbed my coffee and ran out behind her, as we literally had 4 minutes til the bus was scheduled to roll over the hill and swallow up the kids.<br />
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Sure enough. 7 tiny, ugly, hairless, baby bunnies lay on the ground on a pile of fur... still warm from birth. Because they were so tiny, and we were unprepared for their arrival, they fell through the chicken wire bottom of Maggies cage. <br />
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Maggie was a wild eyed frantic rabbit, ripping her fur out and letting it fall through the cracks for them to stay warm. I felt so bad for her mental state. To watch your babies be born, and them have them fall out...tragic. <i>(Tim may have thought I was crazy for adding a rabbits mental state to my list of concerns for the day).</i><br />
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We quickly gathered up the bunnies, put them back in the cage, and ran down the driveway to catch the bus. </div>
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After the kids were gone, I gathered more straw, put some leftover tiles from our bathroom underneath so they couldn't slip through, and left the bunnies in a pile of straw just inside the door....trying to handle them as little as possible, so Maggie could resume her rightful role as mother and put them where she wanted.</div>
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Well the day wore on, and she wanted nothing to do with them. And they were getting cold. My only short term goal was to keep them alive until the kids got off the bus, so that they would have a chance to see them in the light.<br />
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Every time I would peak in the door, Maggie would stick her head out looking around frantically at the ground as if searching for her babies she knew that had dropped to the ground below. Wanting nothing to do with the pile of skin that lay just inches from her.</div>
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In the afternoon, I finally took them all and put them in the far corner of the hutch and buried them in the straw. And somewhere in there, Maggie started to care for them.</div>
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And at the end of the day we still had 6 live bunnies. One had slipped through the cracks and died while I was out for the afternoon.<br />
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A few weeks old, their eyes finally opened and they grew some fur...</div>
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And now 4 weeks, they are thriving and doubling in size every day!</div>
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1 brown, 1 white, 2 black and 2 polka dots... Annie, Penelope, Daisy, Nico, Shadow, and Powder Puff...aka creepy vampire.</div>
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It has been quite a nice little experience for the kids.</div>
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Sharing duties, catching escapies, and lovin' on animals that go back in a cage at night :)</div>
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And the best part, I think they are all sold :)</div>
nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-19082955132620441632013-10-11T09:45:00.001-04:002013-10-11T09:46:36.431-04:00JoyI start out each week thinking I can conquer the world.<br />
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Keep the house clean, get the laundry done, update this blog, spend meaningful time with the kids, do my devotions, organize 15 years of junk, make stuff for my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/dandelionsanddoodles?ref=si_shop">shop</a>, repaint the old furtniture in the garage, update photo albums, pay the bills, clip coupons, find healthy meal options<i> and</i> prepare them, watch another one of Stella's shows...the list could go on for a mile with the expectations I put on myself.<br />
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And somewhere around Tuesday evening after driving in a continuous loop for 3 hours shuffling kids with water bottles and stinky shoes, Dora playing a continuous loop in the van, killing Ellery's brain cells off one adventure at a time, spilled tears and angry words over fractions, milk cascading onto the floor, but stopping along the way to soak itself into the Little Caesars pizza box laying open on the counter, my laundry pile still bellowing over, but now that one and only pair of shorts that feels right can't be found, tripping over wet barbies that somehow managed to be the only ones in the house that got clean on the bathroom floor, worrying about every aspect of my kids being x 5 ... I feel defeated.<br />
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Like really defeated.<br />
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And in those moments of defeat, nothing is right with my world. The idealic picture that is painted<i> and </i>sadly sealed in my head of how it's supposed to be always takes over, and this ain't it. In the hustle and bustle of getting through the day, I sometimes lose sight of just how amazing my life is. <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Crazy blessed amazing.</span><br />
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I start each day with this profound sense of gratefulness to my Maker, but somewhere along the way I let the smell from the kitchen sink and the looming schedule that I can't quite figure out the logistics of steal my joy. And ungratefulness sneaks it's way into my heart. And I feel like I'm in this alone, because that has proven satan's most effective lie to me. <br />
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And I hate that, because I know in my head and heart the truth.<br />
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So this Friday morning I once again choose joy. I don't want to get through this day, I want to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">live</span> this day. With a grateful heart I am thankful with a list of praises a mile long. The sun is coming over the horizon in all its splendor and majesty reflecting light and dancing shadows, as the birds soar between the trees and peck away at the last remnants of summers finest without any concern.<br />
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Great is Thy faithfulness.<br />
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And I sit and stare at the crumbs on the kitchen floor in a new light. Thankful for their presence and the tangible reminder of the goodness from above.<br />
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A few pics of my blessings from lately...<br />
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Happy Friday all~nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-47355945592879814782013-09-25T14:19:00.001-04:002013-09-25T14:29:51.450-04:00Labor DayA much anticpated long weekend away to our favorite town, amidst the hustle and bustle of back to school and work... making summer's final ovation spent with family and dear friends that much more special and bittersweet.<br />
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And aside from one flat tire, this holiday weekend began textbook perfect. Fabulous weather, and we hit the road in daylight, on the day we were supposed to! Modern day miracle.<br />
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We brought along kayaks, and took turns enjoying Lost Lake....<br />
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We made our annual bike trek out to Big Sable Pointe Lighthouse.</div>
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It's amazing how much easier and quicker the biking gets every year!<br />
No complaints or stopping to rest in 2013!</div>
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It was also the first year that we could all climb together as a family!</div>
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Made it!</div>
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We climbed and ran through the dunes...</div>
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Ack! Some of us enjoyed the reptile show one afternoon in the beach house...<br />
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The highlight for me was watching the eyes of the very passionate reptile guy bug out of his head, as our kids very matter of factly told him that their mom hates snakes, and their dad kills all the blue racers at our house. We wound up walking out mid heated lecture :)</div>
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Ice cream, naturally ...</div>
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A little early sunrise fishing at the dam...</div>
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Tim, doing what he does best...<br />
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We enjoyed the beach...</div>
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Sat around the fire...<br />
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Went on our annual Lost Lake hike with Uncle Kevin...<br />
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And once again ended the weekend with football when the lots cleared out...</div>
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...great memories.</div>
nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-59310340838650106902013-09-09T08:22:00.003-04:002013-09-09T08:22:20.674-04:00Back at it again.This blog.<br />
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So many great stories to tell, life to share, memories to put in the books since I left off last April.<br />
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But that is just overwhelming. So I will start with today.<br />
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Summer went by in the blink of an eye. A whirlwind of sand, water, camps, friends, fishing, air soft gun wars, pools, pestering, day trips, chores, sleepovers, and staying up way too late.<br />
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It was a nice, care free ride. <br />
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And in the same abrupt way that I suddenly had 5 kids staring at me at 11:45 on a Thursday morning, summer also came to an end.<br />
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And we weren't quite ready for it.<br />
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The first words out of Dylan's mouth when I poked and prodded him awake on that first day of school... "Is it a snow day today?"<br />
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Well, even I don't wish for that.<br />
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First day of school forced photo. One little girl couldn't handle all of these sudden changes....<br />
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First day of middle school... </div>
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5th grade....</div>
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3rd grade...</div>
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And kindergarten... can you see her excitement? </div>
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Her only request was that I make her "a skirt with all the colors that twirls."</div>
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We got this.</div>
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Happy Monday all~</div>
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nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-87447447086452242452013-05-08T07:15:00.000-04:002013-05-08T07:15:00.518-04:00Spring Break-Part 2<div style="text-align: center;">
Let's get this done already!</div>
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Wednesday morning we woke up early, hopped in the van and drove to Port Canaveral for a day of charter boat fishing on the Atlantic.</div>
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I'm not exactly sure what I expected. I was a bit nervous because I got a great deal through groupon, and I really didn't know what we were in store for. It was cheaper for our family to charter boat on the Atlantic, than on Lake Michigan, so I had my reservations.</div>
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But my nervousness was for naught! We had a <span style="font-size: x-large;">great</span> time! Tim's favorite day of the week. </div>
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It was amusing, most of the people that boarded the boat were couples, a few families with one child, and a lot of older men fishing alone. </div>
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<em>And then there was us.</em></div>
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We turned alot of heads, got a lot of smiles and nods, and caused a lot of people to stop and chat with us as we sat there with our 5 kids lined up in a row.</div>
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Upon departure, it was a 2 hour boat ride out to a reef somewhere in the Atlantic. All was going well. The kids were enjoying the boats unlimited pop supply, we spotted a few dolphins swimming about, and were enjoying the open air without so many people. </div>
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We got to our destination, the boat anchored, and the nausea from the constant rolling of the waves kicked in....and the fact that most people around us were wretching over the side didn't help.</div>
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Poor Austin was down for the count. </div>
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Never picked up a pole. </div>
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Poor kid had just sat down with his highly anticipated hamburger, and he couldn't do it. It caught up with Sydney later on too. Tim and I both fought off sea-sickness, but we faired ok. It was a mental game. The excitement really helped to distract. Funny, I was so excited about my 2 compliementary beers before we left, but was so nauseated I couldn't even think about eating or drinking once we were there.</div>
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Within 5 minutes of dropping our poles, Dylan had something big.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Really big. </span><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A member of the crew came to help him reel and hold onto the pole.</span></div>
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It turns out he hooked a giant sea turtle. It was SO cool. It would surface and then go back under.</div>
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Unfortunately it got away in the end, so this is the only picture I was able to get. Really hard to tell it's size...</div>
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We caught a lot of red snappers.</div>
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I caught this ramora. </div>
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Apparantly it sticks to your arm. </div>
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And before I knew what was happening, it was on me.</div>
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Ask Tim to do his impersination of my shrieking sometime.</div>
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There's a reason everyone in this picture is looking at me.</div>
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I was fisherwoman legend by the end of the day :)</div>
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Later on in the adventure, Tim and I both caught a shark!<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So.much.fun.</span></div>
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This one was in his glory....</div>
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All in all, it was a great day, and we will definately try to do this again! </div>
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And next time we will take the dramamine out of our suitcase.</div>
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Thursday we were up bright and early, trying to beat the rain at Animal Kingdom.<br />
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I didn't really take a lot of pictures, because rain was looming all morning.</div>
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We hopped around and rode eveything we had hoped to, and the rain held off.</div>
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We rode Mt. Everest until we were all on the verge of ill. 1x for Tim and Dylan, 2 for Sydney and me and 3 for Austin was all it took :)</div>
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And at about 2 in the afternoon it began to downpour.</div>
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We left fulfilled, and spent some down time at our condo for the afternoon.</div>
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In the evening the sun came out, we went out for dinner, and then headed to Downtown Disney.</div>
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It was crazy busy.</div>
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On Friday we were once again up at the crack and headed to MGM Hollywood Studios.<br />
We never visited this park on our last trip, so everthing was new.<br />
The kids really enjoyed the stunt shows the best!<br />
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Autograph from Toy Story soldier...</div>
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A pic of Tim doing what he did best all week...</div>
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On Saturday we packed up and enjoyed the pool for a while before we hit the road for home in the afternoon...</div>
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It was a nerveracking drive trying to get out of the state.<br />
We fought traffic through Atlanta, and after that it was smooth sailing.</div>
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We pulled over for a couple of hours in Kentucky to sleep, had breakfast in Ohio, and kept trucking north until we were home. That drive is so much harder on the way home!</div>
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nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-60670741338818966292013-04-23T19:46:00.002-04:002013-04-23T19:53:40.344-04:00Spring Break Part 1Before the details begin to fade, it's high time I chonicle the highlights of Spring Break 2013.<br />
Join me, will you?<br />
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The van was loaded, cartop carrier carefully squeezed shut, crisp new library books just waiting to be read, electronic devices charged, spray tan perfection achieved. It was Friday night, Tim made it home in a timely fashion, and we hit the road....destination Orlando. We weren't sure how far we would make it, as it had been a long, late night/early morning, "get it all done", kind of week.<br />
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The ride went surprisingly well! The kids did great, and Tim and I were able trade off driving through the night, and actually sleep a little bit (which is usually not the case). Typically Tim drives, and I sit there and talk to him for hours, intermittently punching him when I see his head nod.<br />
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We stopped for breakfast in Georgia, and then continued steering south until we hit the much anticipated Florida Welcome Center. There we got out to stretch our legs, enjoy our free cup of orange juice, and let the kids excitedly gather pamphlets to their hearts content.<br />
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And after many rounds of "Would you Rather", fraction worksheets, heavy traffic, reading aloud, and scads of Starburst jelly beans and "the mix", we arrived at our resort at 4pm, just in time to check in.<br />
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We settled in, looked for lizards, checked out the pools, went out for dinner, tried out the jaccuzi, and called it a night. Tim and I were exhausted.<br />
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The next morning we were up at the crack, headed out to the happiest place on earth. <br />
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And apparantly everybody else on Spring Break did too.</div>
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The Magic Kingdom was crazy busy...as we knew it would be.</div>
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However, we had a plan, and made it on every single ride that we wanted...some twice. I think our longest wait was 20 minutes. We're the plan it out, competitive type, so it was kind of fun.</div>
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We pushed our double stroller through the masses, ate our backpack toted sub sandwiches and gatoraids in the shade, and switched Ellery into her "baby heels" whenever we needed her to be 40 inches. Worked like a charm.</div>
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A few pics from the day....</div>
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A quick photo upon entering the park, getting situated, and hustling off to our first ride, Space Mountain!</div>
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Ha.. The boys were less than thrilled to have their picture taken with Ariel.<br />
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Buzz Lightyear, still a hit! Dylan could have rode it all. day. long.</div>
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Dylan was chosen to go onstage during the Captain Jack Sparrow Pirate show.<br />
(Actually Stella was, but she wouldn't budge, so we sent Dylan ).<br />
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These 2 made it until about 9:00pm, and then there was no waking them. We watched the fireworks display, and took turns sitting out with them.</div>
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We went to leave shortly after 10:00pm, but the wait to get out of the park was ridiculous. </div>
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And after a really long day, I just didn't have it in me to wait in line to leave. </div>
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So, we headed back in the park and got front row seats to the 11pm electrical parade right by the exit. It was brilliant. As soon as we saw the line cleared, and we caught the better part of the parade, we booked it on out.</div>
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It was a long magical busy day, so on Monday we slept in :) </div>
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We were exhausted, having not caught up from the drive down, and the 16 hours at disney.</div>
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In the afternoon, we headed to Coco Beach.</div>
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Tuesday, we were once again up at the crack, waiting for the gates to open at EPCOT.</div>
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It was once again crazy busy, but we were able ride everything we wanted...our favorites several times.</div>
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The kids favorite was once again "Spaceship Earth" inside the ball.</div>
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We spent a bit of time in the aquarium this time around. </div>
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We spent the afternoon touring the worlds, looking for princesses.</div>
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Tho Ellery wasn't overly fond of the characters, she enjoyed meeting the princesses :) Stella <span style="font-size: large;">really</span> enjoyed it.</div>
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Taking a break for lunch, looking for lizards, while Tim collected someFastPasses.</div>
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Getting TinkerBell's autograph...</div>
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Drinking free coke from "Club Cool" to our hearts content.</div>
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Coke from Israel was our families favorite! </div>
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It got hot in the afternoon, so the kids enjoyed cooling off at the fountains.</div>
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We closed the park down, and left halfway through the fireworks display!</div>
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More pics soon...</div>
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nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-49768859966697672682013-04-23T17:15:00.002-04:002013-04-23T17:15:10.860-04:00Lately<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Before I move forward, I found this draft that I neglected to post last month.</div>
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A few pics from the last month or so...</div>
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We finally wrapped up our February birthdays....</div>
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We spent a lot of snow days inside making crafts...</div>
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Nana and Papa came for a visit...</div>
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We enjoyed a little target practice as a family.</div>
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Homemade finger paints anyone?</div>
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I have a love/hate relationship with Pinterest.</div>
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The kids are obsessed with watching the old Dukes of Hazzard episodes, and then acting them out.</div>
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Ellery likes to run around the hosue in her overalls, and make us to call her</div>
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"Boss Hogg"</div>
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Still on a role with the chalk paint!</div>
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My little helper!</div>
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Visiting the mall meant lots of time watching the fish....and trying to catch them.<br />
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I had a closet cleanse in an effort to check it off <a href="http://wwwnatsnews.blogspot.com/2013/01/resolutions.html">the list</a>!</div>
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Stella went on a field trip to see the butterflies!</div>
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My "new" sweet chair.</div>
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Playground duty!</div>
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Sydney has decided to go into the doll making business :)</div>
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We surprised our dear friend<a href="http://www.mdieleman.blogspot.com/"> Michelle</a> on her birthday!</div>
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Another field trip to the dentist!</div>
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...And the fire station :)</div>
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And a little bit of Spring Break sewing...stay tuned!</div>
nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-32424140393121701042013-03-03T18:16:00.001-05:002013-03-03T18:16:27.919-05:0010<div style="text-align: center;">
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Sydney is 10.<br />
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Double digits. Two full hands worth.</div>
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I can still so vivdly remember that Saturday night she was born, 10 years ago.</div>
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After a long pregnancy of bedrest and complications, I can still remember sitting in the 68th Grille that Friday night before they closed up, enjoying dinner with Tim and Austin when I felt my first real contraction.</div>
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Hopping out of bed every 10 minutes, pacing the house all night long, and all through the next day, so afraid to go to the hospital for fear I would be sent home again, like I was with Austin.</div>
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Fighting with Tim about boys names over lunch. </div>
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In the end, I think this gal would have been a Levi, although we were still unsure.</div>
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Tim popping in our wedding video to distract me from the pain.</div>
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Finally giving in and heading to the hospital in the evening.</div>
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I can remember being so scared that they were going to send me home, and almost hugging the nurse when she said. "Oh honey, you aren't going anywhere, you will have this baby as soon as the doctor gets here. " </div>
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I was so overjoyed I almost forgot about the pain.</div>
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Dialated to 8, it was too late for pain meds, so we waited for the dr. on call to arrive and break my water. </div>
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He arrived, and sure enough, Sydney was born within minutes upon breaking my water.</div>
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45 minutes from hospital arrival to birth....my most efficient hospital labor to date!</div>
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And Tim<span style="font-size: large;"> still</span> gets a kick out of my reaction.</div>
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The raw emotion after delivering naturally for the first time after many, many, hours, seeing that every ounce of this baby that caused so much trouble in utero was healthy, and the proclamation that she was a girl. I had no idea until that moment how much I was longing for a daughter.<br />
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Happy Birthday Beanie!<br />
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A quick Wendy's lunch on her birthday.</div>
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She had a birthday party sleepover this year.</div>
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They crafted, alot.</div>
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Holy Batman is that ever a lesson in patience.</div>
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One of their modge podge creations.</div>
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We played several minute to win it games.</div>
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This pic about sums up the season of life we are entering.</div>
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We had another little party with our family.</div>
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An interview at 10.... </div>
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<strong>1. What is your favorite color?</strong> <em> Purple</em></div>
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<strong>2. What do you want to be when you grow up?</strong><em> A vet</em></div>
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<strong>3. What is your favorite toy?</strong><em> Lexi and Desi dolls</em></div>
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<strong>4. What is your favorite thing to do with dad?</strong><em> Play sports</em></div>
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<strong>5. What is your favorite thing to do with mom?</strong> <em> Craft</em></div>
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<strong>6. If you could have any super power what would it be?</strong><em> Turn invisible</em></div>
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<strong>7. Favorite Subject?</strong><em> Gym</em></div>
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<strong>8. Favorite TV show?</strong> <em> Dukes of Hazaard</em></div>
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<strong>9. Favorite Movie?</strong><em> Brave</em></div>
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<strong>10 Favorite Food?</strong> <em> Steak</em></div>
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<strong>11. If you could choose your name what would it be?</strong><em> Daisy</em></div>
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<strong>12. What is your favorite sport? </strong><em>Soccer</em></div>
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<strong>13. What is your favorite book?</strong> <em> Pinkalicious</em></div>
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<strong>14. If you could travel anywhere where would you go?</strong> <em>Tenessee</em></div>
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<strong>15. Favorite game?</strong> <em> Settlers of Catan</em></div>
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<em>Happy Birthday Sydney, we love you!</em></div>
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nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-26031840322132854762013-03-02T11:38:00.002-05:002013-03-02T11:42:49.925-05:005<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Stella is 5!</div>
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And she was <span style="font-size: large;">very</span> aware that it was her birthday this year.</div>
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It saddens me that one of my "littles" is now a full hand.</div>
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Slow down!</div>
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Her birthday fell on a Saturday this year, she batted her big brown eyes at us, and somehow we found ourselves at Chuck E Cheese for a late lunch.</div>
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For her birthday, she wanted a skirt with twirl, so I whipped one up from my fabric scraps.</div>
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She's mad at me here because I wouldn't let her hold her bunny in the photo.</div>
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Clearly her eye batting doesn't work as well on me :)</div>
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At 5 Stella loves pre-school and her friends.</div>
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She definately likes to run with the big kids now. If they go through the woods to play with the neighbors, she will tag right along with them.</div>
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She loves to make "shows" daily that I<span style="font-size: large;"> must</span> sit down and watch.</div>
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Just about every day she asks for food so she and Ellery can set up a play restaurant, that I can come eat at.</div>
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She loves to craft...ie.cut up paper into tiny pieces and tape them to her walls.</div>
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She loves to play barbies and polly's in her room, put stickers on anything, play with my makeup, play babies with Ellery, and play imagination games with the kids.</div>
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At 5 she still loves her brown bunny, and still needs a nap once or twice a week.</div>
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And she is still a daddy's girl. :)</div>
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Happy birhtday Stella! We love you!</div>
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nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-13628553465186410382013-02-19T10:27:00.003-05:002013-02-19T10:27:22.102-05:00Lately<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's been a busy few weeks.</div>
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Painting, school activities, birthdays, carpet drama, snow days, more painting, entertaining kids, and organizing have certainly consumed my time the last few weeks.</div>
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I helped plan and prepare a Shanty Boy breakfast for Syndey's class a few weeks back. Tho a snow day was in the forecast, we crossed our fingers and the weather held out :)</div>
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All of the 4th graders dressed like lumber jacks, and had a big breakfast together, like they did back in the day.</div>
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In the process I learned how to make donuts, and have been perfecting them at home ever since.<br />
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We celebrated Opa and Oma's 62nd wedding anniversary with family.</div>
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I finally made a decision on carpet and ordered it.</div>
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I should rephrase that statement to "after 3 weeks of running around town during snowstorms with a sleepy 3 year old...and sometimes 5 kids in tow on a snow day, gathering and returning carpet samples from various places, sitting on the ground with my cup of coffee (or wine:) during ever possible time and lighting scenario, staring at my samples scattered about, pushing them around the room to every possible location, going back and forth on pricing and obsessing because I just wanted to get it right "....I finally made a decision.</div>
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And 2 days after I ordered it, while setting up the install date, it was then I found out that my beloved carpet was discontinued.</div>
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And that threw me for a loop. </div>
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So after another long weekend of gathering carpet samples, obsessing and second guessing, exchanged words, and a nice little discount, I picked out another carpet.<br />
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One last look at our 1982 brown with hint of orange.... </div>
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The new date for installation turned out to be 1 day later than the original.</div>
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Which meant I had 4 days to finish up re-painting the trim, hallway, and the living room. (I kind of put it all on hold once my carpet was pulled).</div>
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Tho I did love the chocolate brown color we had, I wanted to lighten it up a bit. <br />
And you can't pass up the opportunity to re-paint when you can spill on the carpet!</div>
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My mind was set on gray.</div>
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But as it turns out, after pouring over paint samples, and giving it a whirl, gray is a tricky color...and just seemed a bit too cold for our living room by night. Our fireplace really throws things off.</div>
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So I moved my interests to the color "greige", to warm it up a bit. <br />
And after many more hours of scouring, and 4 round trips to the paint store for samples, I finally got the color right.<br />
Tho it has more "eige" in it than I would have preferred, it works really well in our room :)</div>
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And I really like it. I'm glad I spent so much time stewing on it, because I really don't want to re-paint for a long time.</div>
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Ellery enjoying the pony at our local paint store. LOVE that store...<br />
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My little painting helpers...</div>
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Naturally, Stella painted a picture for me on the wall...<br />
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Did I mention painting with the help of a 3 and almost 5 year old takes some serious patience? </div>
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Thank goodness for the tv.</div>
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Almost done with that ladder!</div>
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Well, as it turns out, the Friday morning our carpet was to be installed turned out to be a snow day for the kids, and also the day we would be having 5 extra 2nd graders running through the house in the afternoon for Dylan's birthday party.<br />
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At 8:15am there was a knock at my door. It was the carpet man letting me know that he had tried 4 times to get up our driveway, but he was stuck at the bottom. And then he kind of gave this pathetic little shrug.<br />
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I can't put my finger on it, something in the way the man shrugged, combined with the look in his eyes...but I sensed my carpet slipping away.... again. And as I glanced around at my 5 kids watching tv in our empty living room, the snow quickly falling outside, the furniture piled up in our kitchen, the culmination of a long week, something inside of me snapped. <br />
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And I threw on my boots and coat, told the boys to throw their boots on over their pajamas, put Sydney in charge of the girls, and quickly found shovels for everyone.<br />
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Much to the boys dismay, we went to town and shovelled the carpet man up the driveway. And after several attempts he made it. I did a little happy dance in the middle of the driveway.<br />
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Goodbye, ugly brown, slightly orange carpet from 1982!<br />
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The girls eagerly keeping watch over the carpet man from their perch...<br />
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In the end, it turned out so wonderful.</div>
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I love it more than any person should love their carpet.</div>
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Well worth the 10 year wait :)</div>
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And Tim, out of his love for me finished replacing all of our trim to white. </div>
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And I mean <span style="color: red; font-size: large;">L.O.V.E</span>, because he hates trim work!</div>
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As it turns out, Tim's just as comfortable in his recliner when it's in the kitchen....</div>
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I spent a lot of time putting my stuff back on the walls, not thrilled about making nail holes in the walls I spent so long doctoring.</div>
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My new wall of cuteness...</div>
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I kept all of my beloved black and white photos, added the shelf I picked up this past summer at the antique fair, and added a few color frames in.</div>
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I made up a little frame with important dates that I spied on Pinterest....</div>
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I finally repainted the little table I picked up at the thrift store last year.</div>
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It's yellow, but hard to tell in this picture....and a glimpse of our new carpet...</div>
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This little girl was more than excited for her first Valentines party...</div>
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Tim surprised me with more LOVE on "the day that they jack up the price of flowers"</div>
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Highway robbery, I tell you.</div>
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I finally finished my desk that I started back in January.</div>
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Painted, got rid of a computer, and hung my beloved roll of wallpaper!</div>
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And I'm happy to say the cupboards are still organized!</div>
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Love it!</div>
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"Wook at me! I'm daddy!"</div>
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More pics soon!</div>
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Happy Tuesday all~</div>
nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098001543711262493.post-34354511590244284742013-02-18T12:12:00.000-05:002013-02-18T12:12:11.064-05:008<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dylan is 8.</div>
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And our birthday month is now in full swing.</div>
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Dyl's birthday was the day after the SuperBowl, so it was a good reason to have a little football birthday cake with dear friends during half time, naturally.</div>
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On his birthday I took him out for a quick lunch to Wendy's.</div>
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He had his first sleepover and party with friends.</div>
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We went to Craigs Cruisers, played some party games at home, and then Tim whipped them around the yard on a tube behind the 3 wheeler in hopes to burn some energy.</div>
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Quite a high energy bunch they were.</div>
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We had a little party at our house the next night with just our family.</div>
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An interview at 8...</div>
<strong>1. What is your favorite color? <em><u> </u></em></strong><em>Blue</em><br />
<strong>2. What do you want to be when you grow up?</strong><em> A hunter</em><br />
<strong>3. What is your favorite toy?</strong><em> Remote control helicopter</em><br />
<strong>4. What is your favorite thing to do with dad?</strong><em> Go tubing behind the 3 wheeler</em><br />
<strong>5. What is your favorite thing to do with mom?</strong> <em> Craft</em><br />
<strong>6. If you could have any super power what would it be?</strong><em> Shoot lasers out of my hands</em><br />
<strong>7. Favorite Subject?</strong><em> Gym</em><br />
<strong>8. Favorite TV show?</strong> <em> WildKrats</em><br />
<strong>9. Favorite Movie?</strong><em> Honey I Blew up the Kid</em><br />
<strong>10 Favorite Food?</strong> <em> Pizza</em><br />
<strong>11. If you could choose your name what would it be?</strong><em> Bill</em><br />
<strong>12. What is your favorite sport? </strong><em>Soccer</em><br />
<strong>13. What is your favorite book?</strong> <em> Saving Mr. Nibbles</em><br />
<strong>14. If you could travel anywhere where would you go?</strong> <em>Florida</em><br />
<strong>15. Favorite game?</strong> <em> Ticket to Ride</em><br />
<strong>16. Best part of being 8?</strong> <em>Getting rid of the booster seat in the van</em><br />
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Happy Birthday Dylan! We love you!<br />
<br />nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258216156363039519noreply@blogger.com7