tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88600297912418122812024-03-13T03:54:01.548-07:00PinkSaltDo what you can, with what you have, where you are. -Theodore RooseveltMary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-72268704700420651352015-02-17T17:20:00.001-08:002015-02-17T17:26:21.711-08:00Ice, ice, baby...We've been iced in for a couple of days! Schools are out, David's work was cancelled, Netflix and Hulu are stocked with my favorite shows and my fridge is stocked...it was prepped to be an awesome snowcation. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaPcEazT0OT7Zr8Q2CsOt-2mikTGgiYHiIMj8uJGiImjCl84m_nKdFrGp3tZIPh9tbSebflL34C-pkFuv-R9ASh_Ugos5loIsuml5oelfVJTIwwxM6WVBQH0SHHJ6MNr2ZxXipRbcWnmg/s640/blogger-image-2139296537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaPcEazT0OT7Zr8Q2CsOt-2mikTGgiYHiIMj8uJGiImjCl84m_nKdFrGp3tZIPh9tbSebflL34C-pkFuv-R9ASh_Ugos5loIsuml5oelfVJTIwwxM6WVBQH0SHHJ6MNr2ZxXipRbcWnmg/s640/blogger-image-2139296537.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We woke up this morning to about 1/2" of snow to top off the ice...not much as far as snow goes, but for Isabella and her friends it was the perfect amount for zipping down hills on their sleds, which they did...from 10 am until 6:30 pm. Only breaking for snacks and cocoa. These kids and their love of being outside getting dirty and playing all day are pretty darned special, I love their little guts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Beckett and I spent the better part of an hour watching the kids zoom down the icy hill for the better part of an hour. Anytime he saw them speeding by he would say "whoa!!" I admit the speed they were gaining was pretty impressive for their little 40 lb frames. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3-0hZGLxI97PZDpYWRT6r-VHdZDIvqcyU_xzGp3vDcEkmIaTUr-GwTqjYX6Nb9LTIrWFuWlUEKVIqYaPY_aR6lkXYOYv0nK-hnEhfc7xnzVBqwW7cIJgSOrxyNSBiJhlF3BMAjbsLqp5/s640/blogger-image-617027097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3-0hZGLxI97PZDpYWRT6r-VHdZDIvqcyU_xzGp3vDcEkmIaTUr-GwTqjYX6Nb9LTIrWFuWlUEKVIqYaPY_aR6lkXYOYv0nK-hnEhfc7xnzVBqwW7cIJgSOrxyNSBiJhlF3BMAjbsLqp5/s640/blogger-image-617027097.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Every time We get snowed in I whip up a crock pot of home made hot chocolate. It's a big hit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I got a wild hair and decided to do some organizing. In a small house with 5 people living in it I have to get pretty creative as far as storage goes, I'm a huge toy rotator. I can't stand the feeling of waste when my kids are wallowing in a mess of 100 toys they're not interested in. So every two months I rotate. It helps their toys stay interesting and fresh and they love it. Bella is a little old for rotation now, most of what she does is craft, media or book related anyways, unless she's playing outside. But here's how I managed the twins closet. A few favorites in a shelf, their absolutely favorite toy in the world is their play kitchen and table. They "cook" for eachother for hours. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoigsjeArj5vMuFCDeGcaMilEWfnOm2O2xLYlWxPX7mnMPiMPWrAXEyBUn1qGGjsYsYw8YGm8RI26ruSZf739w1N3dIhzYrkCDWMdVv30QY8ClEvVeUYtWTlvl4davW1zZfMKKDhvD71V/s640/blogger-image-148281962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoigsjeArj5vMuFCDeGcaMilEWfnOm2O2xLYlWxPX7mnMPiMPWrAXEyBUn1qGGjsYsYw8YGm8RI26ruSZf739w1N3dIhzYrkCDWMdVv30QY8ClEvVeUYtWTlvl4davW1zZfMKKDhvD71V/s640/blogger-image-148281962.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bins of blocks and puzzles are stored in here. Books we keep in the living room. The twins love it when I clean their room. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpCBgjfARybS5hTGt8cGvniwmUEZTSL9uXdqDqWL0uBDnNIqV0xu9FTqufcpzG5ZRPWCKs1ZEmgYHng8YYd_nDcA07icPe8-HrdD7X3SScWP1Xey6VVi_d4XG_MFcuaF5xHXWtTw0Ue9F/s640/blogger-image--584703556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpCBgjfARybS5hTGt8cGvniwmUEZTSL9uXdqDqWL0uBDnNIqV0xu9FTqufcpzG5ZRPWCKs1ZEmgYHng8YYd_nDcA07icPe8-HrdD7X3SScWP1Xey6VVi_d4XG_MFcuaF5xHXWtTw0Ue9F/s640/blogger-image--584703556.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-OeLkLCjPiTnpJvEFLoVmAd7C6s5zmoJ2mu4UbLqCVhL5MRqKXSXDEDGjELe1pInaJP_NmyaD-Ye8cY2GQDNIn351CjOGGZ0JYfXCfvpKKyIiYEnfCQwHLSdtlgHxPKgmeooRtgOQLaP/s640/blogger-image-887034742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-OeLkLCjPiTnpJvEFLoVmAd7C6s5zmoJ2mu4UbLqCVhL5MRqKXSXDEDGjELe1pInaJP_NmyaD-Ye8cY2GQDNIn351CjOGGZ0JYfXCfvpKKyIiYEnfCQwHLSdtlgHxPKgmeooRtgOQLaP/s640/blogger-image-887034742.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Nora's got this whole thing figured out. Wait at the table for him to bring her food. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I also enjoyed the lovely view of my new backsplash. My hubby sure did a great job. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEipX4xbHU7FTsaX07fB0-xhUwrcQOL8dhexOetwxxD0nwBCXlezvfoi9tH4AYDKOVRqOhPT57ay6ZiBsuqTy2MafTGj5GTlCrWGvhyxQD17ba5-r6bUjE_58I9jBJ0wHJZQoHkmDft9wn/s640/blogger-image-783047037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEipX4xbHU7FTsaX07fB0-xhUwrcQOL8dhexOetwxxD0nwBCXlezvfoi9tH4AYDKOVRqOhPT57ay6ZiBsuqTy2MafTGj5GTlCrWGvhyxQD17ba5-r6bUjE_58I9jBJ0wHJZQoHkmDft9wn/s640/blogger-image-783047037.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVqAbeGJEUnYyEixXCkvpO2q62HW_gfjFuT4NA1TNYfCeFK70zKID88oW3WnCvfPrZ-hdRNSn98XqTyGTENz7qxlS1azA4brOpzjQhhBPDmtjSiqrybLLiG5tdL0gharYY2R3bfNKvn_a3/s640/blogger-image--604361311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVqAbeGJEUnYyEixXCkvpO2q62HW_gfjFuT4NA1TNYfCeFK70zKID88oW3WnCvfPrZ-hdRNSn98XqTyGTENz7qxlS1azA4brOpzjQhhBPDmtjSiqrybLLiG5tdL0gharYY2R3bfNKvn_a3/s640/blogger-image--604361311.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I just love under cabinet lights. They really add something. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So many other household projects I want to delve into. I'm currently mentally preparing myself to paint the entire interior of the house grey and add crown molding. Just another step in the long process of getting our house seller ready.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsWlU0_ciBGLpYi2GjGVGkBzyFykIsXY8-OW3NHDsOZAQeGeUCqFqq0paEToJ89O8i38C2986Be_zj_bpDYDM8hEzOgvfVZ5Jar3nXpcG8x39bgQbhRIgUYnhefrHkpxZ4OzplNa1z7vT/s640/blogger-image--157229094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsWlU0_ciBGLpYi2GjGVGkBzyFykIsXY8-OW3NHDsOZAQeGeUCqFqq0paEToJ89O8i38C2986Be_zj_bpDYDM8hEzOgvfVZ5Jar3nXpcG8x39bgQbhRIgUYnhefrHkpxZ4OzplNa1z7vT/s640/blogger-image--157229094.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7nu0wcUt91mtZ_gtelswrbzno9XMbFE2ZpApxfq76LA_N5CxztpBBPFbaEucjAj59d0QKZlX8JkULLb7xDlq6-VVgNrgEv9MHs-o3ExoRF2OE7_1eZyvR5ODWJoKGJ48HpI3r4wW5p33/s640/blogger-image--1437797994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7nu0wcUt91mtZ_gtelswrbzno9XMbFE2ZpApxfq76LA_N5CxztpBBPFbaEucjAj59d0QKZlX8JkULLb7xDlq6-VVgNrgEv9MHs-o3ExoRF2OE7_1eZyvR5ODWJoKGJ48HpI3r4wW5p33/s640/blogger-image--1437797994.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaCrVEEWNKNOKoTHS9HYKvWPgojBjeEP7JugRohyphenhyphena_-9f5NqtDDJ2DJ-NcfDUQN_UxHuDRG7GBH5NcHRceZg_oIOtCgcNjQtEFzlUQZX41YB-j-OT3qO26nBm5zkrBo0Xj6IJC1wp_kBL/s640/blogger-image-2001287967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaCrVEEWNKNOKoTHS9HYKvWPgojBjeEP7JugRohyphenhyphena_-9f5NqtDDJ2DJ-NcfDUQN_UxHuDRG7GBH5NcHRceZg_oIOtCgcNjQtEFzlUQZX41YB-j-OT3qO26nBm5zkrBo0Xj6IJC1wp_kBL/s640/blogger-image-2001287967.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Warm fuzzies brought to you by Smiles Inc. </div><br></div><br></div> </div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div> </div><br></div>Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-9722452456710181902015-02-11T09:09:00.001-08:002015-02-11T09:09:57.586-08:00When B&N get quiet.......mischief surely ensues....<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5M1LQAyjPiG2GVHNEpf_e7x_i02BZmxuzJTBFDW5IiE28tlEheZ87gHfRDKrUslGIcnuFgb6pxxurLL-JHf7LCS7n6u7DkqosBGfIfP77O9MgMB8ZkRDlLCXv64QbKUA4PYfGe8WgZlAp/s640/blogger-image-1278199493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5M1LQAyjPiG2GVHNEpf_e7x_i02BZmxuzJTBFDW5IiE28tlEheZ87gHfRDKrUslGIcnuFgb6pxxurLL-JHf7LCS7n6u7DkqosBGfIfP77O9MgMB8ZkRDlLCXv64QbKUA4PYfGe8WgZlAp/s640/blogger-image-1278199493.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Panty liners make great stickers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPE7qumpx2rzdlC_pQTG6wthX0xwOZaFTwcFi4esTPUg7h9iKfoBQ5cPqMIKQ2Bj0mOPO73iMiRiPdoeXUfm-cz4_yM_sfqga1yRbihAlqg2csjV8SumfrgcWKrmcsrs3EXASsMIvUi6Y-/s640/blogger-image-1476931427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPE7qumpx2rzdlC_pQTG6wthX0xwOZaFTwcFi4esTPUg7h9iKfoBQ5cPqMIKQ2Bj0mOPO73iMiRiPdoeXUfm-cz4_yM_sfqga1yRbihAlqg2csjV8SumfrgcWKrmcsrs3EXASsMIvUi6Y-/s640/blogger-image-1476931427.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Make-up makes a delightful splash.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrd-2MmzhIEj6UDM-DvZIuDwb4ATPpfWZeaEB4wx0QrqdU2J9ZSMNRKpY6bJ2dVIcS3PhvQv-9a7yZcoju71tGatsMPEVLL9jNImFaZbqVC64iiH14-GGumXq2g5oGIqNDQmT9xmf-SPDS/s640/blogger-image-1327965219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrd-2MmzhIEj6UDM-DvZIuDwb4ATPpfWZeaEB4wx0QrqdU2J9ZSMNRKpY6bJ2dVIcS3PhvQv-9a7yZcoju71tGatsMPEVLL9jNImFaZbqVC64iiH14-GGumXq2g5oGIqNDQmT9xmf-SPDS/s640/blogger-image-1327965219.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Entire rolls of TP are simply irresistible. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_abFtyNbOGVNSB2lZ9BSiV8dKVVYuAwTdd6LVaU0d4TupeX1kLC7Yn5J2sZf0_KWcP4BzWTQK45ScEIBCO22QfNBtmp0-HzhBdNdibClV_AlRhfFfkTslAjXjhxpUhuY701KErzOqm7r/s640/blogger-image-2094941354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_abFtyNbOGVNSB2lZ9BSiV8dKVVYuAwTdd6LVaU0d4TupeX1kLC7Yn5J2sZf0_KWcP4BzWTQK45ScEIBCO22QfNBtmp0-HzhBdNdibClV_AlRhfFfkTslAjXjhxpUhuY701KErzOqm7r/s640/blogger-image-2094941354.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And lastly, milk makes a great medium! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzu-qFw6k1aZW_lsIAspfxwA8Ufrvjx9xD3I9PDyf8aXK1-Oq7hKWeRyOPSPSdyMvqldNbjwm00nwdZ4pfmCiIxCUNOOrgXuu6-YLFNfZvyh7APFIA3d8LL2VmndX5-_cOc5rw7GWpWuQ/s640/blogger-image--1797637266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzu-qFw6k1aZW_lsIAspfxwA8Ufrvjx9xD3I9PDyf8aXK1-Oq7hKWeRyOPSPSdyMvqldNbjwm00nwdZ4pfmCiIxCUNOOrgXuu6-YLFNfZvyh7APFIA3d8LL2VmndX5-_cOc5rw7GWpWuQ/s640/blogger-image--1797637266.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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2cLXY3RgFrVCQwYrVCWUzke8PM2hr-x77iIwANPKLhWgdz5qoAtNJgZJlhi_U6v2KpL0qBWIurT8LBqyvG3M04-Mv-UrLwoYsKSq9W-uzJpjP4OCaiVCl003zO1ZnoSncRYDZPQDgSqN/s640/blogger-image-1935945748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2cLXY3RgFrVCQwYrVCWUzke8PM2hr-x77iIwANPKLhWgdz5qoAtNJgZJlhi_U6v2KpL0qBWIurT8LBqyvG3M04-Mv-UrLwoYsKSq9W-uzJpjP4OCaiVCl003zO1ZnoSncRYDZPQDgSqN/s640/blogger-image-1935945748.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All is forgiven you adorable little miscreants, you! ❤️</div></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-44382990435222413312015-02-10T13:59:00.001-08:002015-02-10T13:59:51.460-08:00Shine baby shine<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJTeYySaZmERmOPUz0nvIdV0YpZjPArVPCCLXQ5HdeyrCGSh4WM89CvQIZ5woELRWrh7OoQOCEZAG4fgajf3OHd9lWLhnwqSnaR5CnEvh5YpLf_XBa1QvaMMgwxegvPwb2XTv-Ksg_xa4/s640/blogger-image-2088891190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJTeYySaZmERmOPUz0nvIdV0YpZjPArVPCCLXQ5HdeyrCGSh4WM89CvQIZ5woELRWrh7OoQOCEZAG4fgajf3OHd9lWLhnwqSnaR5CnEvh5YpLf_XBa1QvaMMgwxegvPwb2XTv-Ksg_xa4/s640/blogger-image-2088891190.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBwYCWtnGujkqROW1rcBgffX4Wkqr16PVXScb2kHz4W-X-G8YgGm79h-O9JiFtaOJnI0M6ZmpurUeTdAYFxaTm7aycfvx5eWfn5PHuBsi-HyWQcn_uAjb0BiClym_yFeKOX9FFoi4Qv3J/s640/blogger-image--496071068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBwYCWtnGujkqROW1rcBgffX4Wkqr16PVXScb2kHz4W-X-G8YgGm79h-O9JiFtaOJnI0M6ZmpurUeTdAYFxaTm7aycfvx5eWfn5PHuBsi-HyWQcn_uAjb0BiClym_yFeKOX9FFoi4Qv3J/s640/blogger-image--496071068.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JoB1RPX_rrPJjiUlzbBoeRJfXIU7lAl9s7eOX9Be0qYc5oYTFESupezFeDGx2QzfWHXcxWXUSW4o0ypR6k8IhxIsZv8yR1ZgVpZA294QClBp8OLq-BrLKmZEN5HmLu-p8d7UYTvn-Ewy/s640/blogger-image--2139589535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JoB1RPX_rrPJjiUlzbBoeRJfXIU7lAl9s7eOX9Be0qYc5oYTFESupezFeDGx2QzfWHXcxWXUSW4o0ypR6k8IhxIsZv8yR1ZgVpZA294QClBp8OLq-BrLKmZEN5HmLu-p8d7UYTvn-Ewy/s640/blogger-image--2139589535.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was reading to the twins today and I just loved this passage. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"Shine, baby, shine,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">graceful child of mine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Be like the firefly who glows</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">no matter how the darkness grows.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Shine, baby, shine."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">- Maryann Cusimano Love</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">- Maria van Lieshout</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I hope that if I accomplish anything in my parental career it's that I teach my kiddos to shine bright no matter what or who tries to "puff them out" :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div>Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-20614073714769489432015-01-28T11:56:00.001-08:002015-01-28T20:40:58.998-08:00Let's talk about love.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KiSoExABdYwgeTNKmrp810OxL-E0EhX8umB9c7MVq3bPzBC8rp5gKeSz2-30bcdcRYrnH2DykekK9AHj6OV0wMfmZFZeFuuNw0L_cLW1PRyVoMrG5hr_oWaTH6eHhmYaZ3PFlSCtA-LC/s640/blogger-image--19490804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KiSoExABdYwgeTNKmrp810OxL-E0EhX8umB9c7MVq3bPzBC8rp5gKeSz2-30bcdcRYrnH2DykekK9AHj6OV0wMfmZFZeFuuNw0L_cLW1PRyVoMrG5hr_oWaTH6eHhmYaZ3PFlSCtA-LC/s640/blogger-image--19490804.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Love is weird. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now before you go rolling your eyes saying, yeah like YOU'RE some kinda love expert, let me preface this with, I'm not, nor do I perceive myself as such. I am however, a human who holds in her possession a heart, a fully functioning soul, and a few years of trial and error under her belt. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've loved and lost, I've loved and won. I've cheated and I've been cheated on. I've walked away from love, I've ran smack into it. I've soared and I've sunk. I've got a past. I've sinned. I have gnitty-gritty unpretty parts in my story that taught me more than any textbook I paid $300 for in college. And I'm not one bit ashamed of any of this. Not one iota. It's shaped me and taught me, it's given me a frame of reference for the three individuals who count on me to guide them through this messy thing we call life. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I didn't sit like a damsel in distress twiddling my thumbs. I made blunders for sure, but I seized days, even when I flopped I took something useful away from it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Also, I'm not stupid enough to think that everyone doesn't have at least one thing in their past that makes them smack themselves on the forehead. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now I'm a mom, my world's changed, axes have been tilted, my priorities are changed and suddenly I've started looking at this whole love thing in a totally different light. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm divorced. *gasp* Yeah, turns out that doesn't earn you many points in the mommy groups. Ask me if I care. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We co-parent, and we have our things that make us tic, but I can say with pride that after years of ironing things out here and there, and a husband that was amazingly supportive from day one, most of the time things go pretty darned great. We've got an amazing kid that came out of it. She has four parents. FOUR! All four of them love her, all four of them want the best for her. All four of them are there for her. Some kids don't even have one parent that wants all of that for them, so as far as I'm concerned divorce was a win for me and everyone else. Why? Because we LOVE her. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I used to think love was ferver, fantasy, romance...all that gunk you see on the Ryan Gossling flicks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">WRONG.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But Ryan Gossling ain't bad........</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ahem!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's love. I'm so deep in it. My husband. Whew! It's real. But as it turns out, real love isn't pretty! I wish I could reach all of the young girls in this generation and shake them by the shoulders and tell them this. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">REAL LOVE IS KINDA UGLY!!!! Totally worth it. BUT KINDA UGLY!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is your husband snoring with his mouth open, but pulling you in to snuggle in the middle of the night. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is your hubby loading the dishwasher with your naked kids.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is your hubby doing last nights dinner dishes while you sleep in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Real love is enduring each others morning breath.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love isn't flowers and satin sheets, it's him filling your car up with gas, helping you clean up your kids puke splatters off the floor while you both laugh at the splat sound it made. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is supporting him through his big decision that you're actually kind of nervous about.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is him holding your hand while you get a scary prognosis.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is him bringing you ice water while your head is in the toilet because carrying his babies is making you sick as a dog. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is forever. Forever can be daunting. Forever ain't always fresh as a daisy. But forever? It's forever man....think about that. Someone loves you SO MUCH that they said 'ya know...I'm gonna deal with this human forever' </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">that's HUGE!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is work. Backbreaking work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is effortless. It's a paradox. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is him empowering you. And you him. No resentments.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is forgiving him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is him forgiving you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is sacrifice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love isn't petty, it doesn't keep score. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Never keep score. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is him holding you while you have one good weep, because someone you love broke your heart in a way you didn't think possible. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is him helping you mend that broken heart day by day, encouraging and being there through it all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is crying you're eyeballs out together when you hear your babies first squeak after the doctor delivers him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is being broke as a joke together and not minding one bit...because you're together. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is encouraging one another. Complimenting even when you don't feel like it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is setting goals and lovingly holding each other accountable. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Praying for him. Him praying for you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is being each other's accountability.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is having respect. Respect for your marriage, the vows you took. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love Is understanding boundaries and being ok with them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is fighting some times.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is trust. Recognizing it's value. Rebuilding it when necessary because you LOVE that other person. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is going shoulder to shoulder and plowing trough life together, day by day, year by year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is saying I'm sorry. And meaning it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is repenting. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is understanding that real love is a commitment, and a commitment is a decision you make. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Dancing in the living room....after the kids are in bed and you kick a few Elmo toys out of the way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is understanding the need of space from time to time. It's ok to need that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is not watching the next show in the series until he can watch it with you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cherishing the little moments that add up to a day, a week, a month, a year....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Real love is tag-teaming that crying baby(ies) in the middle of the night. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I don't take it lightly that this big, tall, dark haired dude pledged his life to me. I love him with all I got.<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> And through hell or high water, and there WILL be both in marriage, I'll love him still. Cause he'd do the same. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So yeah....it's not some grandiose gesture all of the time, although those can be nice every once in a while, but it's beautiful. It's a dance of commitment and tenderness mixed with just the right amount of turmoil to keep you both grounded. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yep, that's love alright. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQhRFiJb0hoyWsXhndWuuLw37iNZqfBeTZ1rxdl2xri_L0kqfjA2q8EFBEqeA-gNUjyUKkOMCMV8M7hI1efjaAsPEnkC_S3Oqs_WFFXolDCRUpo8rawe7Qq0xlGFIcVBO02xUeGiHiWUp/s640/blogger-image-967324815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQhRFiJb0hoyWsXhndWuuLw37iNZqfBeTZ1rxdl2xri_L0kqfjA2q8EFBEqeA-gNUjyUKkOMCMV8M7hI1efjaAsPEnkC_S3Oqs_WFFXolDCRUpo8rawe7Qq0xlGFIcVBO02xUeGiHiWUp/s640/blogger-image-967324815.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOV5ucQ2OKqiE3oyAVG_PGqJtx4bp5RsH0BNPrIIhIibXx0lkU7ujsTwXTXa5XqVzWt1AQVKpZTxP47AGa_zUrOWgfWmOLiWpmHDfZPzZwH5ImeBX_x3TVkzOzZcZXVswDTJsdO6MN7n_/s640/blogger-image--1694112112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOV5ucQ2OKqiE3oyAVG_PGqJtx4bp5RsH0BNPrIIhIibXx0lkU7ujsTwXTXa5XqVzWt1AQVKpZTxP47AGa_zUrOWgfWmOLiWpmHDfZPzZwH5ImeBX_x3TVkzOzZcZXVswDTJsdO6MN7n_/s640/blogger-image--1694112112.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-71249837176375589122015-01-27T11:51:00.001-08:002015-01-27T11:53:53.585-08:00Don't blinkMy sweet little boy.<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;">In a rare moment it was just he and I. Isabella was at a friend's house and Nora Jane was napping, but Beckett just couldn't settle, so we sat in the floor and he made "soup" </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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZXsAwBCmphRsZVtyQJWeJNzECj6bMpxNIPMGler2IqNTPc3KKNPhpiYFgskiBFDMfj534Bf4UsEbySOGlh608eG2cakw1gHBwuMnoGcQ8Ne6a3hz4-ude7usvFuJE1gmTe4T3DB_cY5m/s640/blogger-image-1948110844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZXsAwBCmphRsZVtyQJWeJNzECj6bMpxNIPMGler2IqNTPc3KKNPhpiYFgskiBFDMfj534Bf4UsEbySOGlh608eG2cakw1gHBwuMnoGcQ8Ne6a3hz4-ude7usvFuJE1gmTe4T3DB_cY5m/s640/blogger-image-1948110844.jpg"></a></div><br></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;">He stirred it and stirred it, then he would feed me while I proclaimed it was the best soup I'd ever tasted, and that made him giggle every time :) we did that for about 45 minutes until all of the sudden he stopped and took my face in both of his chubby hands and gave me the biggest kiss...then he was off to clank his trucks together. </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;">This time with them has passed so quickly. They're growing up minute by minute and I'm practically frantic to slow it down. But since I can't, I'll savor. </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;">I just won't blink. </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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigamDrSs6m95xu13XdtkMTmHb9vM-0BqKFm-OZEKXhBjdj8HRIQmXQ2HXJo0iIo8VZMntryBCslg9AMW-9NGRRUHSjymlmVJeNFPBkizA0E9toOEH_uRbIYJhpov-ii6EjV819Q_ZVHuXd/s640/blogger-image--1769389660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigamDrSs6m95xu13XdtkMTmHb9vM-0BqKFm-OZEKXhBjdj8HRIQmXQ2HXJo0iIo8VZMntryBCslg9AMW-9NGRRUHSjymlmVJeNFPBkizA0E9toOEH_uRbIYJhpov-ii6EjV819Q_ZVHuXd/s640/blogger-image--1769389660.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div>Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-55780227800239665102015-01-21T05:56:00.001-08:002015-01-21T05:58:51.179-08:00Some daysSome days we don't get much school done.<div><br></div><div>Some days we learn things like how to prepare a meal for the family instead. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqSVnxEQoO2cSq0X9cPG3gyrtfXwY5Xfr_DYiPzSn2xi_rGRz6qXs6Hr2AWCsr5fBOhiWUsStK10QFQXczRlSt8ixK7_4ISjq_5NX4DoAIOk9hFQ3p5azmsPDhJypFUm3BFIOzsb7nuAX/s640/blogger-image-1867943405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqSVnxEQoO2cSq0X9cPG3gyrtfXwY5Xfr_DYiPzSn2xi_rGRz6qXs6Hr2AWCsr5fBOhiWUsStK10QFQXczRlSt8ixK7_4ISjq_5NX4DoAIOk9hFQ3p5azmsPDhJypFUm3BFIOzsb7nuAX/s640/blogger-image-1867943405.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBATcgDHmVco21-lHXaUkDYVsALk_HsFk8ICx37HGll5_wrqCktnhsZZre8e_7_aarm49MoWtnj2peYYo_qLdNUr4bFcWp2yu1aniUGASGpQqAWwOVp9upyLhRMNmNEjYXx__60fvEJH-/s640/blogger-image--1661777258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBATcgDHmVco21-lHXaUkDYVsALk_HsFk8ICx37HGll5_wrqCktnhsZZre8e_7_aarm49MoWtnj2peYYo_qLdNUr4bFcWp2yu1aniUGASGpQqAWwOVp9upyLhRMNmNEjYXx__60fvEJH-/s640/blogger-image--1661777258.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Some days we don't get much school work done, because some days we have just a little too much "help". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow1tkcAZy6OiQzujs1SaUUyj_gf0XTZrMCuZw39F0v4D_NsznI7gxTbHhl42DD_NriXSTmYoukEVllJW2yk75cr8Q1A9JeeCAF4o2oQhfBtBRvKNuu3WG1fhVtQtkDtI9dFfg3PfVfoUT/s640/blogger-image-2116982864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow1tkcAZy6OiQzujs1SaUUyj_gf0XTZrMCuZw39F0v4D_NsznI7gxTbHhl42DD_NriXSTmYoukEVllJW2yk75cr8Q1A9JeeCAF4o2oQhfBtBRvKNuu3WG1fhVtQtkDtI9dFfg3PfVfoUT/s640/blogger-image-2116982864.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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aUKV_0x6c1skBmxLSDvCrLvc7f0tDb0C1fivo_AT3zLOKqwuNanSsmCqZcDN5O-LnSjZX06PRiOXJOlUbwcRlHjJKrxtE68WVERvD7_jpKQMMp1bjngd03BxUh2B9zSK7Zyy0GiykK3a/s640/blogger-image--1017978527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aUKV_0x6c1skBmxLSDvCrLvc7f0tDb0C1fivo_AT3zLOKqwuNanSsmCqZcDN5O-LnSjZX06PRiOXJOlUbwcRlHjJKrxtE68WVERvD7_jpKQMMp1bjngd03BxUh2B9zSK7Zyy0GiykK3a/s640/blogger-image--1017978527.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Some days we don't get much school work done because we decide measuring our little brother is more fun. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqb29eL06Fa4Yf413cUSKFyMIMLb6vEBLHJSZe2PmXmTYwj5XQvF-wLWAy0QIISBXxXaCFFVBTJ2aLEfAuHqWbLL9tyB98s4b0KzSPfEWogF-wIBZ6iTZBPJ2qQj-k7VUSGXkdqzVGBzT/s640/blogger-image-1382546030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqb29eL06Fa4Yf413cUSKFyMIMLb6vEBLHJSZe2PmXmTYwj5XQvF-wLWAy0QIISBXxXaCFFVBTJ2aLEfAuHqWbLL9tyB98s4b0KzSPfEWogF-wIBZ6iTZBPJ2qQj-k7VUSGXkdqzVGBzT/s640/blogger-image-1382546030.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">(Princess Nora was sickly this day, and was down for a marathon nap, but she got measured too, don't you worry :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Some days we don't get much school work done but we do learn som real life lessons outside of the textbook...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Like how to sign our signature for our new library card...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgC39A95Xo5z3GBeSsGCv3e4vzkZ0XH3uzflU816LD4w8IYcOPlUAg7iBDx57xefsx8F7vEsv_0FmyBMf_yO-ly9OB9uM2dku7q3vbEGkhK4Dkzw-nz-OHydM-Y5rubkLbagDtAxWoH4_/s640/blogger-image--524260524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgC39A95Xo5z3GBeSsGCv3e4vzkZ0XH3uzflU816LD4w8IYcOPlUAg7iBDx57xefsx8F7vEsv_0FmyBMf_yO-ly9OB9uM2dku7q3vbEGkhK4Dkzw-nz-OHydM-Y5rubkLbagDtAxWoH4_/s640/blogger-image--524260524.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Which we did very well I might add! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Some days are just like this. And I'm leaning that that's ok. </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But my eye still twitches. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A mom posted this is my local homeschool support group...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-v_CpUFvibqpwEuNRthwaZL-9-9Mxb-OhGqv3hh3FqEwm_gd_6I1U7GGHSIfHQkME89FhSai6H559NOa-CVLoMRfNnpixgvh3tUJKHRzCq9TozFxjm2TCwkIy7abH2eA3zIoz6S5m1YCF/s640/blogger-image-1162769709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-v_CpUFvibqpwEuNRthwaZL-9-9Mxb-OhGqv3hh3FqEwm_gd_6I1U7GGHSIfHQkME89FhSai6H559NOa-CVLoMRfNnpixgvh3tUJKHRzCq9TozFxjm2TCwkIy7abH2eA3zIoz6S5m1YCF/s640/blogger-image-1162769709.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Trying to remember this. Not succeeding. Some days mama stresses is all. </div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-63737234612535918512015-01-19T18:54:00.001-08:002015-01-19T19:06:53.133-08:00Fast and the Furious<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpAjTRiycXbS0x_WElorXZtONuGciJudSbuCXjfxkvyp7S12vVodlWO5FRF2riqOyvVtA7nMUj2Q8bjR8g4aEbVcyzUT-MfxTKhPx8UVVLjl_64qFomC2SeH8CBQ40CNkJaqDAPtBSiYZ/s640/blogger-image--693918017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpAjTRiycXbS0x_WElorXZtONuGciJudSbuCXjfxkvyp7S12vVodlWO5FRF2riqOyvVtA7nMUj2Q8bjR8g4aEbVcyzUT-MfxTKhPx8UVVLjl_64qFomC2SeH8CBQ40CNkJaqDAPtBSiYZ/s640/blogger-image--693918017.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>Recently, hubby and I were making our budget, when we added up how much we were spending a month on eating out...sobering and embarrassing are the first two words that come to mind. <div><br></div><div>So we decided to go on a restaurant fast. That includes fast food windows. (Cue in weeping and gnashing of teeth) I'm guilty on all counts. I'm so busy homeschooling, keeping kids satisfied, changed and fed (read: alive) and shuffling Isabella around to her various activities, that by the end of the day I'm so exhausted, we end up grabbing take out. </div><div><br></div><div>Well, after seeing what we were spending a month, we both knew it was time to make some changes. So I've challenged my family to a two week restaurant fast! As my husband put on our kitchen chalkboard, we are currently two days incident free! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNyHUkpYDthWEGyYt06TJ5DZDm9Rl9FH5IngvomN-X2A2rw5ag8NYjoPIe1AkQXzAZniOajqUHuIgvkijUHzE5ML3VJsZzjUoLoeUP4GMd2_zJ9wNBeKE5XqTIKdpNG_vvNLdeBIRkASV/s640/blogger-image--1739274017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNyHUkpYDthWEGyYt06TJ5DZDm9Rl9FH5IngvomN-X2A2rw5ag8NYjoPIe1AkQXzAZniOajqUHuIgvkijUHzE5ML3VJsZzjUoLoeUP4GMd2_zJ9wNBeKE5XqTIKdpNG_vvNLdeBIRkASV/s640/blogger-image--1739274017.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Little dude enjoyed himself some sugar snap peas! Nora just opened them up to picked out and play with the peas. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm taking this as another opportunity to clean up some habits in our diet...note I'm NOT health nut by any stretch of the imagination, but at this point I feel like any steps in the right direction, no matter how small, are an improvement! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I decided that we needed to curb the red meat and ground beef out of our diet a little, and incorporate more fish. So for the first time in my life I ordered from the seafood case at my local grocery store. I had to avert my eyes from the various marine life staring back at me, but I ordered some filets and got the heck out of dodge. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My husband is a smidge on the picky side, so I was a little nervous about tonight's dinner of baked cod (it was good!) brown rice and steamed broccoli. He ate every bite-even the broccoli! Anybody who knows my hubbs knows what a feat that is. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The twins weren't enthusiastic, but Isabella cleaned her plate...and just in case anybody was afraid I had gone all healthy on them, I baked a chocolate sheet cake for dessert. Holy mackerel! (Snort-get it?) it was good! I'm not telling how much I ate, but it was in the range of less than four but more than two slices....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEIL86suFPtEmSIkl1PYhMlEwU161jirVHjr88zYUtRvaWbTY8Pl1a0whmpvIre5mI_N1G_qN99_BtD3l4vjFVfsaIUX2c4Bss-pvbsGqKnLlMVGxjnjUckCxYNrwazOZor2wiD-7qLbM/s640/blogger-image-769744035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEIL86suFPtEmSIkl1PYhMlEwU161jirVHjr88zYUtRvaWbTY8Pl1a0whmpvIre5mI_N1G_qN99_BtD3l4vjFVfsaIUX2c4Bss-pvbsGqKnLlMVGxjnjUckCxYNrwazOZor2wiD-7qLbM/s640/blogger-image-769744035.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Not eating out is going to be a huge sacrifice of convenience...but we are saving for our dream home, so I'm trying to look at the BIG picture here...but boy oh boy those Golden Arches just tease me when I drive by...what I wouldn't give for some steaming hot French fries!!! </div> </div><br></div>Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-73955893828646171542015-01-18T10:31:00.001-08:002015-01-18T10:50:04.660-08:00Shew Lawsy!It's been a busy week! With hubby getting back into the swing of things after being off of work for a month, and us getting back into our regular schedule of engagements, plus a few extras...I'm pooped!!! <div><br></div><div>We had a fun midweek treat when some friends invited us over to see their sweet new baby goats...they were so tiny! Isabella was instantly in love and the twins, who I thought would be terrified, were actually fascinated! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBvm8OCaAoEgBwSkaAgVNAIzUejY9kN1f-ilIZLsK2zrRRrAubNxqj4DA12JXuzFnadY1Iva1vAzNre-fxg3Qse6aGEtoFnuh0GiKSMspDKGbtx7n3RrjXoDVEC5DbwvN_2xWXEO8dDIm/s640/blogger-image-1164902040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBvm8OCaAoEgBwSkaAgVNAIzUejY9kN1f-ilIZLsK2zrRRrAubNxqj4DA12JXuzFnadY1Iva1vAzNre-fxg3Qse6aGEtoFnuh0GiKSMspDKGbtx7n3RrjXoDVEC5DbwvN_2xWXEO8dDIm/s640/blogger-image-1164902040.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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4gHTXNINcxBoJSsAkE_iqlmvKt55BSUR1yaDfzLEaeG1BL-b5HgsiABPT2zmNhyphenhyphenpr3kUMV8bA1Lof3p2y_cfloI1nFut1UMlfkXeUQZMdMiefmVaAkWx9oK8W12Qq0nggoaej2iu5ZnW/s640/blogger-image-1521712114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4gHTXNINcxBoJSsAkE_iqlmvKt55BSUR1yaDfzLEaeG1BL-b5HgsiABPT2zmNhyphenhyphenpr3kUMV8bA1Lof3p2y_cfloI1nFut1UMlfkXeUQZMdMiefmVaAkWx9oK8W12Qq0nggoaej2iu5ZnW/s640/blogger-image-1521712114.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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nU8ihe-F9UOcjdd_VXCKkZjaFxK5Cwn2nseLfHU1-8q-NN1E_e36pqC1SH5bcs-gQ-n2Pg6WKMyPPvEwlMklKHYlw4oCsBlAfcC8y7TqTb8mjGn5nxEbTpqbdD2rm28doiCv0d_TpBAh/s640/blogger-image-1722534590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nU8ihe-F9UOcjdd_VXCKkZjaFxK5Cwn2nseLfHU1-8q-NN1E_e36pqC1SH5bcs-gQ-n2Pg6WKMyPPvEwlMklKHYlw4oCsBlAfcC8y7TqTb8mjGn5nxEbTpqbdD2rm28doiCv0d_TpBAh/s640/blogger-image-1722534590.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Isabella is holding baby Rudy, the sweetest little brown goat I've ever seen. He let us hold him and pet him until our heart's content. Isabella is now obsessed with goats...and if it wasn't for the darned neighborhood ordinances I would be more than happy to oblige her! Someday, Isabella!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This weekend Isabella cheered, and she got to call the cheer at halftime. It was so cute. I love that she has found something that excites her so much! She absolutely loves it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My sweet babies are so good natured, they get lugged around to co-op, karate, cheer practice, games and wherever else we have to go that week but as long as they have snacks, mommy and room to run they're happy little boogers. Hard work, but happy :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij74A-D6pmWUR12SVctJldXvF7YIsH_thIB0MuB5ZCHMBpCoXAoZnYouuaczvvfkedn9o5M32HlTDLWlD2OVstH0oSY6qucXN627AZTaAdJ7GxZeayWgxMUTcWiY8e1OsjB1SIerZ7LWta/s640/blogger-image-308629344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij74A-D6pmWUR12SVctJldXvF7YIsH_thIB0MuB5ZCHMBpCoXAoZnYouuaczvvfkedn9o5M32HlTDLWlD2OVstH0oSY6qucXN627AZTaAdJ7GxZeayWgxMUTcWiY8e1OsjB1SIerZ7LWta/s640/blogger-image-308629344.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sometimes though we get so tired that we fall asleep with a chicken Mcnugget in our hand. </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zuyUWA1egO-Z5yjEUEO6KfLhodnLrHduqZuKD0uwibFoW8kwoUTlIMOFDk6aCvT2CS2BUF64bu3aYutvu9pjf-YZqUiZxq9TIFK6dZlk1SWAhocQszMU3Iy6FrLn0FEL6DPLjUP0QM5Z/s640/blogger-image--1193519511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zuyUWA1egO-Z5yjEUEO6KfLhodnLrHduqZuKD0uwibFoW8kwoUTlIMOFDk6aCvT2CS2BUF64bu3aYutvu9pjf-YZqUiZxq9TIFK6dZlk1SWAhocQszMU3Iy6FrLn0FEL6DPLjUP0QM5Z/s640/blogger-image--1193519511.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Or we just lay down in the middle of the hallway at church during cheer practice. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Some days I fall asleep with chicken nuggets in my hand too, and there's been plenty of times I've wished it was socially acceptable to lay down in the floor in public ;-) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There's been plenty of mischief this week, hubby worked all weekend on the production team for the resurrection youth conference, so it was late nights for him and exhausting days for mama! I'm jealous because he gets to rub elbows with some of my favorite Christian bands...boo no fair!!! I'm at home cleaning up a sippie cute that Beckett decided to play in. No joke. What is it about playing in liquids?!?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32N7zK0CG3oNcwqE9XNt9VA9QUkmyr5mtw3twe1Nw7YkiwFq5MQciefB7deSRUoLkHUhthhqKKQEW2azeVBne0MPQiwoDKsd3qtqepmW7nk-tULjBBA3xb5CTk753Azibqtd1f6JPxtd_/s640/blogger-image-1060518883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32N7zK0CG3oNcwqE9XNt9VA9QUkmyr5mtw3twe1Nw7YkiwFq5MQciefB7deSRUoLkHUhthhqKKQEW2azeVBne0MPQiwoDKsd3qtqepmW7nk-tULjBBA3xb5CTk753Azibqtd1f6JPxtd_/s640/blogger-image-1060518883.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That is the face of guilt, folks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Needless to say I am SO EXCITED that hubby gets a day off tomorrow!! :) :) Mama's got a hot date with her sewing Machine and a diet coke. </div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-83695024983084911252015-01-13T21:27:00.001-08:002015-01-14T04:29:43.495-08:00To-do about Tuesdays...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9LRlpoWMr6vlwop3tkYs6sBKd2W8KXRWkKSeGjVH9jLXeeu5iRp8DD8A9oeLmgilYN1p-T71xk-F_pygcT-mSHALkcBLI7oHr_Uu1ZxTCNjUTQUYg7iJnxMZM4-DO8mMdwWyfVM6zHRv/s640/blogger-image--1447852785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9LRlpoWMr6vlwop3tkYs6sBKd2W8KXRWkKSeGjVH9jLXeeu5iRp8DD8A9oeLmgilYN1p-T71xk-F_pygcT-mSHALkcBLI7oHr_Uu1ZxTCNjUTQUYg7iJnxMZM4-DO8mMdwWyfVM6zHRv/s640/blogger-image--1447852785.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today was a busy one! Been buzzing about tonight in my craft room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tuesday's are our co-op day when Isabella goes to enjoy quality time with other homeschoolers. Exhausting for mama and traumatic for the twins but absolute bliss for my little social butterfly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I love the socialization too! But this Mama will enjoy Tuesdays a whole lot more when the twins grow out of their clingy stage! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then afterwards we enjoyed a playdate with our dear friends. They just moved into their lovely new house which is gloriously closer to us! This allows for more visits and fun :) There's nothing more exciting than feathering a shiny new nest! Except maybe getting to show it off :) Beckett was so tired he fell asleep in my lap at the table...Nora Jane was so tired she fell asleep while I was buckling her into her car seat...that means it's been a GOOD day! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yesterday my shipment of glittered vinyl came in the mail and I've been pretty much foaming at the mouth to play with it uninterrupted! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5h775ycI7shQr4H5MOZZ6f6yo2RQOyQfF90OPdUjFVZcxvBOT0uIjXrcptmxzikr07CAYOAbyKHgLDxPtT9sU-22SRujU-6E_3L2-b4Nl9sOwxiwYrUarjgEAKQ_sz7SGn3Z3O4uFvdA/s640/blogger-image--2024045386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5h775ycI7shQr4H5MOZZ6f6yo2RQOyQfF90OPdUjFVZcxvBOT0uIjXrcptmxzikr07CAYOAbyKHgLDxPtT9sU-22SRujU-6E_3L2-b4Nl9sOwxiwYrUarjgEAKQ_sz7SGn3Z3O4uFvdA/s640/blogger-image--2024045386.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">May not look like much to you, but for me this is heaven. My machine sews on it like butter. I had quite a few custom orders to get processed for shipping tonight, so I was only able to crank out a couple of projects, but they were fun! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxK9rub3gIz8N_7EgNntBGZZwew2Pwv8G0BSJUYG3qaItIfS_fsY0F3xgm8aIEVv2Rlhmjl_I-m_EXRraxQsqCH-24rnSvizPn71jupCmYSA7XTiBNxpAKwG9wZ4iWxEdI4NIBX8MTS0dK/s640/blogger-image--1439252044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxK9rub3gIz8N_7EgNntBGZZwew2Pwv8G0BSJUYG3qaItIfS_fsY0F3xgm8aIEVv2Rlhmjl_I-m_EXRraxQsqCH-24rnSvizPn71jupCmYSA7XTiBNxpAKwG9wZ4iWxEdI4NIBX8MTS0dK/s640/blogger-image--1439252044.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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQPHAHZOBZVBQfooXD18Q_qTKP_hOZeHAvbCkZasU-Wvw5gkGckSB77HFAldmBT38LH3DA4NJHkiEcxFQcZbpktAaU2S4k4bkbSUaqd7w-7PDmZOZdY-frOfJc5CwIKQYoFarONx_TRG9/s640/blogger-image--2035966802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQPHAHZOBZVBQfooXD18Q_qTKP_hOZeHAvbCkZasU-Wvw5gkGckSB77HFAldmBT38LH3DA4NJHkiEcxFQcZbpktAaU2S4k4bkbSUaqd7w-7PDmZOZdY-frOfJc5CwIKQYoFarONx_TRG9/s640/blogger-image--2035966802.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">These Easter egg headbands are listed in my shop! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBGFHfSDCDU7MHF9U0Qvh1vcQGySC9x-n0gbKU3r0f3wtAJ2irCkq3nqjAgkhlJTwxVrO4KtM1Bf1rr5HtxlZ5KulQ2LuCXCjOFHp0GFiZIn2oU2qhyynv99lill64JS-i_NxuYLcEqZk/s640/blogger-image--154718000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBGFHfSDCDU7MHF9U0Qvh1vcQGySC9x-n0gbKU3r0f3wtAJ2irCkq3nqjAgkhlJTwxVrO4KtM1Bf1rr5HtxlZ5KulQ2LuCXCjOFHp0GFiZIn2oU2qhyynv99lill64JS-i_NxuYLcEqZk/s640/blogger-image--154718000.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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilp4dXUFrkAEND_7Ijdqs3rNReumqilOOXyvmYOZl0MagxGE6o0h5DV_L9BoZvx0ePt-mpMI0BB4XnqYoDPjSZucLFQOC3yEwEOue9alYxCONi1G0c5eYDFCeQ_bMa9EZd8koiPV1OUlPk/s640/blogger-image-1150563647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilp4dXUFrkAEND_7Ijdqs3rNReumqilOOXyvmYOZl0MagxGE6o0h5DV_L9BoZvx0ePt-mpMI0BB4XnqYoDPjSZucLFQOC3yEwEOue9alYxCONi1G0c5eYDFCeQ_bMa9EZd8koiPV1OUlPk/s640/blogger-image-1150563647.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A couple of sparkly monogrammed Hairbow buttons for a couple of princesses I know, and a bundle of random valentine felties. Man oh man...i'm addicted to felties. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thinking about listing some monogrammed bow buttons in my shop, we sure like them and they spice up a simple bow so nicely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hubby surprised me with a couple of Ott lights after Christmas...they have literally changed my crafting life! I never knew how wonderful proper lighting was until now! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ho-hum time to put away my toys and be a grownup again...until tomorrow night that is! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">MC</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-1408340515682389052015-01-11T18:18:00.001-08:002015-01-11T18:18:46.502-08:00Weekend recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is my first trial run of blogging from my new iPhone that my hubby got me for Christmas. I can already tell this will be much more efficient and convenient! Although there are a few features I miss from my laptop that aren't available on the blog app...I can tell I will be using this app a lot!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We've had such a great winter break with our Big Daddy! We've been very spoiled having him home for a month and nobody is looking forward to him going back to work tomorrow. He's so hands-on with the kids. I'm not sure what I will do without him!</span></div><div><br></div><div>But now it's time to get down and dirty with our homeschooling...we started back last week but took a light approach since all anybody wants to do while big daddy is home is hang out. It's hard to focus on adding three digit numbers when there's a wrestling match with the twins going on on the living room floor is all I'm saying.<br><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;">Time to start the spring break countdown! </span><div><div><br></div><div>We spent his last weekend before going back to work watching Isabella cheer at her very first basketball game! We had a birthday party for a dear friend and we started another household project as we slowly but surely get our house ready to sell sometime in the future. Normal and low key...my favorite! </div></div></div><div><br></div><div>Here are a few of my favorite moments. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Z_0MCuY5_-sAJjdvs-RiOyODNtr7EknnDuvxbB99QVDBPgiQ4tXWmkzyJUkxGxDc0nrkyvECWseys9Bl9WMlYEit9Xu0JgvULMVWmuTbHGXGNeG0hMStJtjmJF4cxwLY-Klae1_WRNQ2/s640/blogger-image--393516531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Z_0MCuY5_-sAJjdvs-RiOyODNtr7EknnDuvxbB99QVDBPgiQ4tXWmkzyJUkxGxDc0nrkyvECWseys9Bl9WMlYEit9Xu0JgvULMVWmuTbHGXGNeG0hMStJtjmJF4cxwLY-Klae1_WRNQ2/s640/blogger-image--393516531.jpg"></a>Isabella the cheerleader! Oh the cuteness was all around! She had such a blast! And all the little girls on her squad are adorable. I can really see myself digging this whole cheer mom thing. I made her bow...and it looks like I'll be making them for the entire squad as well! So. Much. Fun. She's cheering through Upward, ta local church program that's totally Christian based which we LOVE. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3A-oaJBpg-5WFr9qpU7Hk1jYwi7wbHNJyt7lmF_sJcvX8QYEftwFWOnsOyxHQjWWQNnBvrpOl-1x5pElehubSpfP0lpWXzwIq91FVRUfyukvit2qe-ILX1ZOD5nBPEI60249kvv4Ptkha/s640/blogger-image-364672989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3A-oaJBpg-5WFr9qpU7Hk1jYwi7wbHNJyt7lmF_sJcvX8QYEftwFWOnsOyxHQjWWQNnBvrpOl-1x5pElehubSpfP0lpWXzwIq91FVRUfyukvit2qe-ILX1ZOD5nBPEI60249kvv4Ptkha/s640/blogger-image-364672989.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3A-oaJBpg-5WFr9qpU7Hk1jYwi7wbHNJyt7lmF_sJcvX8QYEftwFWOnsOyxHQjWWQNnBvrpOl-1x5pElehubSpfP0lpWXzwIq91FVRUfyukvit2qe-ILX1ZOD5nBPEI60249kvv4Ptkha/s640/blogger-image-364672989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUl_LSuXOzoz37q7ls1ce23KzwlhTJM4noGAcK2VWfUh-5IHKzFd2PuuDUj12z-eg6hFia8zbN9IowAs3WMEhTxdbM1owwUbRKm58niBPbo3xcr61OaKa-gvDi4KSqd80TS4J0UXhmJH0m/s640/blogger-image-4080794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUl_LSuXOzoz37q7ls1ce23KzwlhTJM4noGAcK2VWfUh-5IHKzFd2PuuDUj12z-eg6hFia8zbN9IowAs3WMEhTxdbM1owwUbRKm58niBPbo3xcr61OaKa-gvDi4KSqd80TS4J0UXhmJH0m/s640/blogger-image-4080794.jpg"></a></div>I started and blew a diet all in the same day. Let's just say there was a Hostess display and lack of willpower involved. I'll try again tomorrow. That's what I love most about tomorrows. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hSOGe_Iey3e228n1QT6kFAYMb2lImSAiH_5B_8ZbpkwafbXS6U8NB__ctluTHdkLMk0TAwrP8j9FdY-_aO9ca8ySrDbadzNzTwKHKXQTgXRfDarfa8Gy8fs4AnVcOJUYqLjX5wR4nVIy/s640/blogger-image-39223121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hSOGe_Iey3e228n1QT6kFAYMb2lImSAiH_5B_8ZbpkwafbXS6U8NB__ctluTHdkLMk0TAwrP8j9FdY-_aO9ca8ySrDbadzNzTwKHKXQTgXRfDarfa8Gy8fs4AnVcOJUYqLjX5wR4nVIy/s640/blogger-image-39223121.jpg"></a>This cute little scene...Isabella and Beckett enjoying a snack together and watching a movie. These two. They're inseparable.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwXcMKC6QhxH8lr8z0vEQfZn-ec9NY0014sL8NtH8XB-SBcfRwYdlJWChBhQ-KFdEjTe-I5rbmQf4qtNqbgXMbXwI5ncG_QUuzwfXudHcSOfv6OFx6mVVcHVpx4bWi4BHxzrhwejLVc98/s640/blogger-image--593687098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwXcMKC6QhxH8lr8z0vEQfZn-ec9NY0014sL8NtH8XB-SBcfRwYdlJWChBhQ-KFdEjTe-I5rbmQf4qtNqbgXMbXwI5ncG_QUuzwfXudHcSOfv6OFx6mVVcHVpx4bWi4BHxzrhwejLVc98/s640/blogger-image--593687098.jpg"></a>Nora and Beck put their new bathtub crayons to use. Colored the entire tub. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkAzJSFrtq-bQ9l3Vav5JypcsTOyI3BDWtP2BURXF0Ddf1mpsNajBBLynealxlIVGDngV-PAu8BVRCwQ2EPniiLHT5XlaTlRLUtu51I9tgRKve-NpieL7EIv3hV4UF1R5wsZOGvk9pQWe/s640/blogger-image-1548430067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkAzJSFrtq-bQ9l3Vav5JypcsTOyI3BDWtP2BURXF0Ddf1mpsNajBBLynealxlIVGDngV-PAu8BVRCwQ2EPniiLHT5XlaTlRLUtu51I9tgRKve-NpieL7EIv3hV4UF1R5wsZOGvk9pQWe/s640/blogger-image-1548430067.jpg"></a>Beckett and Nora in the middle of a serious conversation at the birthday party we attended. Always blurry and always on the move, these two. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmjRHzngB3nNuAuJBNju7_0x-u2MHojvnhSdCG5w3ty8_G5CdrHijj-D4aY2-ls7gDNYehIZcPzyKVfy_zewJxXrBThMxtTGSmOHz1AmYeQzARCZMp3F5VMdIzdlrvYxHiSISYmqztYr2/s640/blogger-image--1815117630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmjRHzngB3nNuAuJBNju7_0x-u2MHojvnhSdCG5w3ty8_G5CdrHijj-D4aY2-ls7gDNYehIZcPzyKVfy_zewJxXrBThMxtTGSmOHz1AmYeQzARCZMp3F5VMdIzdlrvYxHiSISYmqztYr2/s640/blogger-image--1815117630.jpg"></a>I can't get enough of watching them watch tv together. Twins are amazing. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOmEqbNwmtX-JUinHm1q0g08lpyFcGeLqRYdAY9w_nomYWv6_tqzvQJkvfEXj7p035iLO9PHpojSCgJDu43l5o9-wsgLutgVv9vF7nhG4ZMiRs4-_3-kBvbZNVjGWXN7lBgtaMrkYzfK2/s640/blogger-image--787979299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOmEqbNwmtX-JUinHm1q0g08lpyFcGeLqRYdAY9w_nomYWv6_tqzvQJkvfEXj7p035iLO9PHpojSCgJDu43l5o9-wsgLutgVv9vF7nhG4ZMiRs4-_3-kBvbZNVjGWXN7lBgtaMrkYzfK2/s640/blogger-image--787979299.jpg"></a>Isabella holding a GIGANTIC Python. Ack!!!! Yuck!!!! No thanks!!!! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjQu5sEvykr13MVO7mMICMn7ylc5V9Ue0WmMgknVXaY9ORXjAb5opTuc1_285lkkytew0pVekNor_NGmPiSey4l0ct1g6TpadCv43jzCAKIVO03xixGG52Fzvivrt1_h2QGZzBkFsBLWO/s640/blogger-image--837313438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjQu5sEvykr13MVO7mMICMn7ylc5V9Ue0WmMgknVXaY9ORXjAb5opTuc1_285lkkytew0pVekNor_NGmPiSey4l0ct1g6TpadCv43jzCAKIVO03xixGG52Fzvivrt1_h2QGZzBkFsBLWO/s640/blogger-image--837313438.jpg"></a>Here's the head of that thing. NO WAY MAN!!!!! if you're looking for me I'll be clinging to the ceiling by my toenails. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj51M6m00XGIDC26-4h0LsjNRX9j84S5iFggV78Gihndcrk9FKXvtqjRnGT4CHTy0fKVVPOhw1sXVCbyBtZO14WimVt4ONM5E3_ReqlMahKyXWHqhLe9lh0wB5boZ8izYH7KWBIEKDczWF/s640/blogger-image--543206263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj51M6m00XGIDC26-4h0LsjNRX9j84S5iFggV78Gihndcrk9FKXvtqjRnGT4CHTy0fKVVPOhw1sXVCbyBtZO14WimVt4ONM5E3_ReqlMahKyXWHqhLe9lh0wB5boZ8izYH7KWBIEKDczWF/s640/blogger-image--543206263.jpg"></a>I showed my husband how I can shove grapes in my upper lip. Yeah...I'm approaching 30...why do you ask? C'mon!!!! Like you never.... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I hope everyone had a great weekend! Here's to Monday! Pass the diet coke, please!!! </div></div></div></div></div><br></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div></div>Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-89695783527759534632015-01-07T20:57:00.001-08:002015-01-07T23:49:34.169-08:00An open letter to my girls<div style="text-align: center;">
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It's a scary time to be a girl. Even scarier, I think, to be <i><b>raising</b> </i>girls. </div>
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It's a cruel society of mean girls, social media bullying, fat shaming, religion bashing, immoral, corrupt, reality-tv-wannabes, the meaner and more drama the better and the list goes on and on. </div>
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This has been on my heart for a while. Things I have learned throughout life, some the hard way, I want my daughters to carry with them, things I want them to know and I hope I teach them...things I hope that I enforce so strongly in my parenting that they are embedded in the very cores of their souls and can't be shaken no matter what. I finally decided it was time to pen it out. So here it is...an open letter to my girls.</div>
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To my girls, my freckle-nosed oldest, with a heart so kind and pure it makes me ache with love and protectiveness. And my blue eyed baby...my silly girl with a laugh so hearty that she spreads joy all around. </div>
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Isabella and Nora-Jane </div>
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There is nothing in this world that could ever shake my love for you. I may not always like what you do, but my love is unconditional. I will always build you up publicly. I will never shame you. If there ever comes a time I feel you need constructive criticism or a reprimand, it will be in private. You are my prides and joys. My beautiful women. And of you I will always be proud.</div>
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Don't take yourself seriously. Life is nothing but a big learning curve, so take a big swig of that bottle over there labeled <b><i>Sense Of Humor</i></b> and be prepared to laugh at yourself. A lot. Besides, nobody likes a Serious Sally ;-)<br />
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Pray. Pray in public. Pray in private. Pray yourselves to sleep. Prayer will get you through anything, my loves. And I do mean anything. The more you talk to Him, the more He talks to you.</div>
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Scuff up your knees you pray so much. Which leads me to....<br />
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...listen for the whisper. That "feeling" you get when you're doing something that you're not sure about? That is the holy spirit saying "No, No, No!" listen for it, and for the love of your mama, HEED it. That feeling you get when you're praying about a situation or a person you love? That tingly feeling of adrenalin in your heart? That's the Holy Spirit saying "I am here." Memorize that feeling.<br />
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Always stay true to yourself, not the cliche kind...but the soul kind. You will find yourself in many sticky situations throughout this life. ALWAYS choose kindness. No matter what. You will never regret kindness, but you will always regret knowing that you hurt someone you cared about.</div>
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People will lie about you. Spread rumors. Assassinate your character. Let them. The only opinion you need to worry about is the one upstairs. The people in your life that truly know you and care about you won't give those words a second thought. This is easier said that done. PRAY. </div>
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Never stop trusting friends. Not all people are bad. You're going to get burned a time or twelve...but don't let that stop you from building new relationships. When we allow ourselves to be defined by the past, we close ourselves off to new friendships. God has so many amazing people for you to meet. Don't take that away from Him just because someone didn't value your confidence enough to keep it.</div>
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Don't let your past define you...let it refine you. Mistakes are for us to learn from. And if you're anything like your dear old mams...you'll have a decent resume of mistakes to choose from. USE them. Learn from them...we can use everything for God's glory. Everything. </div>
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Be silly. </div>
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Love with your whole heart, every time. This is not being naive, this is being wise enough to know bad circumstances aren't permanent if we don't want them to be. Fall in love...get your heart broken....then fall in love again. Our hearts are amazing things. They will take a beating in life...but bind them up, let them heal with that sweet balm of time, then unbind them and use them again. Sweet girls you will be so glad you didn't lock your heart away. </div>
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Nobody likes a Bitter Betty ;-)<br />
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Practice Faith. Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it's not there.<br />
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Don't be afraid to ask for respect. We teach people how to treat us, and what we allow is what will continue. It's okay to want to be treated with respect, and it's okay ask for it.<br />
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Don't stay in dead relationships because you fear the fall-out. Fall-outs can be bad and scary...but they don't last forever. You may be lonely for a season, you may lose a few friends...but you will never be alone. When you release yourself from a toxic relationship, you're respecting yourself enough to know when to walk away. You will gain so much knowledge from these experiences...and you will learn how to recognize and foster true and genuine relationships as a result. Face that fire with your head held high.<br />
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Never be ashamed of your spirituality. He made you the way you are for a reason. </div>
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Don't ever, <b><i>EVER</i></b> "vent" or talk badly about your husbands to anyone. Ever. Call me if you need to. </div>
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Look for a man who brings you a dozen donuts instead of a dozen flowers. Fills your car up with gas instead of buys you jewelry. Tells you you're lovely, not hot. Lets you walk through the doorways first because you're the lady. Tells you you need to eat MORE because you're looking thin, basically, look for a man like your daddy. </div>
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Dress for your body type. Love your skin. God gave you this body to use for His glory, love it, don't hate it. Every shape can be stunningly beautiful with the correctly fitting clothing and proper accessories. Dress modestly....I know when you're teenagers this will go out the window...but try and learn from your fashion faux pas and take pictures so we can look back on them and laugh. </div>
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Get that tattoo if you must, but start with something small that no one can see and keep it for a few years...chances are you won't be the same woman ten years from now. Trust your mother on this one.</div>
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Pierce anything but your mouth-parts. Yuck. Disgusting. Don't do that. </div>
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Always keep a tube of red lipstick, and never get drunk in public. That's just sloppy and not classy. </div>
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When you hear a gaggle of girls crucifying another girl with their words, pray for the girl they're talking about. </div>
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Always form <b>YOUR OWN</b> opinions of people. Never judge a person by someone else's gossip. </div>
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Don't make fun of people with others, even if they can't hear you. You will regret it. Trust your mother on this one.</div>
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Never stop doing nice things for people. Continue to bless others, but don't run yourself ragged. Sometimes you will feel like your gestures go unappreciated, do them anyway, it's not for you, it's for Him.</div>
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Don't hold back because of someone else's jealousy of you. Don't allow someone who is bitter about their own life and choices, to put a damper on your joy. Enjoy your blessings, don't brag, but enjoy them, praise God for them and be as happy as you want to be! Their attitudes are their problems, not yours. </div>
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Remember that there are always consequences for your actions, and they're not always immediate.<br />
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Never entertain jealousy. What a waste! We all have different journeys...count your blessings any time you feel yourself getting pulled into Satan's snare of jealousy. Always rejoice for other people's blessings. Be the friend that everyone wants to share their good news with first. Your life and your friend's lives will be an ebb and flow...your up-time might be her down-time, her down-time might be your up-time... remember that and show grace to yourself.<br />
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Never respond to hate. When someone accosts you, be it in person or otherwise, silently walk away. This is not being a doormat. This is setting yourself to a higher standard.<br />
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Not everyone is going to like you, no biggie....that just frees up space for more awesome people. </div>
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Be a fruit checker! Observe those around you, observe their fruits, what types of emotions do they produce in the ones around them? How do they interact with others? Are they gossipers or are they prayer warriors? Know them by their fruits. Gravitate towards women who build each other UP.<br />
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Never allow yourself to be in a compromising situation with a gentleman you don't know. We will be talking about carry permits as soon as you're old enough. </div>
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DREAM! No dream is too big and there is NOTHING you cannot do. I have faith in you. Don't be afraid to reach up there and snatch that dream right out of the clouds and make it real. Don't EVER be afraid to fail, failures happen, they're nothing to be ashamed of and they're all a part of the beautiful process. You can do it, my loves. </div>
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Always apologize when you have been wrong. This may be awkward, and it may be ill-received. They may accept it, then turn around and UN-accept it. But that's not your problem...it's your job to say I'm sorry. And mean it.</div>
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Forgive. This one is tricky. Prayer helps. But believe me when I tell you, forgiveness is more for you than it is for the other person. When you forgive, you free yourself from the shackles of bitterness and resentment. On the same token, just because you forgive someone, doesn't mean you have to waltz right back into their dance. You can love from afar, and truth be known, there will be times in your life that for your own well-being you will <i>have </i>to love from afar. Love them, forgive them, bless them and don't stop praying for them.</div>
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Grace, grace, grace. Use it. Give it. Own it and thank the Lord for it. </div>
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Never put on airs, always be honest...the minute you get cocky is the minute you'll trip over the curb of life. Trust your mother on that one.<br />
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Always be mindful of what you put into your mind. Just because it's a New York Times best seller or a box office blowout doesn't mean you need to see it or read it. Our spirits are fragile and it's our responsibility to guard them. Just remember, garbage in, Garbage out. <br />
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Never change who you are to try and get people to "like you" If they don't automatically want to be your friend upon meeting you, that's truly their loss. No person is worth compromising yourself for. </div>
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And finally. </div>
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Wait for God's timing. Don't rush things or get swept up into something that feels out of your control. If you're feeling overwhelmed and scared then it's not from Him. Any door He opens for you will be accompanied with peace. He knows what He is doing, and when we try to take control we risk a tremendous catastrophe. When we wait and trust in Him, He blesses us beyond our wildest dreams. I should know, He gave me you :) </div>
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I love you more'n my luggage.</div>
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-Mom</div>
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Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-32357741067972478362014-10-23T19:39:00.001-07:002015-01-07T23:11:47.643-08:00Seasons change!<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh my!!! Has it really been April since my last post? </div>
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It's amazing the directions your life can go in 7 months. </div>
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My babies are nearly 1 1/2 </div>
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*dies a little inside*</div>
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I no longer nurse them to sleep.</div>
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*dies again*</div>
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Isabella is thriving beautifully in homeschool. We have made some wonderful new friendships, she LOVES our new co-op, and we love that peaceful easy feeling of home learning. </div>
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We finally placed membership at our sweet church that we have attended for a few years now. We love it so. We have a warm and welcoming church family that we feel so blessed by! </div>
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Our not-so-little-anymore family is going in some really exciting directions! God has placed so many opportunities in our path lately. Some we have been intimidated by, but we trust Him and He never disappoints. </div>
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All of this being said...I'm moving blogs. Again. </div>
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I want to shift focus...those darned winds of change :) </div>
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This blog was originally created to promote my shop, and my projects, and for me to post tutorials...My NEW blog won't even be mine at all. It will be ours. Meaning, everyone in the family will be contributing. Isabella is old enough to contribute now, and believe you me, she has lots of stories to tell! And David wants to do a little divulging as well. I've always loved being able to write and share, and I REALLY love that my family wants to join in the fun. </div>
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We will chronicle our little travels, creations, recipes, adventures, triumphs, giggles and sweet moments...and certainly a few trials, (hopefully very few)</div>
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I'm working on having all of my previous posts combined and made into a book so that we can keep them to look back on. I consider these my virtual scrap books, it's also therapeutic for this mama :)</div>
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Life is beautiful! The beauty is <i>everywhere</i>...if you squint real hard. </div>
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Thanks for bearing with me! </div>
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Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-24557188433241792282014-04-11T08:24:00.000-07:002014-04-11T08:24:13.577-07:00Oh, these days!<div style="text-align: center;">
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These past few days my attitude has been bad. </div>
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BAD.</div>
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I have complained about my home's open floor plan and lack of decorating potential, my hair that I'm trying to grow out, my schedule, how hard it is to go anywhere, the drawer on my stove that hangs crooked, my kids, my husband...</div>
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Bad. </div>
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Ever have days like that?</div>
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Yesterday and today were no exceptions!</div>
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I have been alone with all three kids for a couple of days, so I'm pooped, (but that's no excuse) It's hard not to feel a wee bit of resentment when your hubby is sleeping uninterrupted in a hotel, eating uninterrupted dinners in a restaurant, and enjoying adult interaction...it's business and work, but still, I'm going to the bathroom with an audience, hoping nobody dies while I'm in the shower, and eating half of a banana while driving one kid to Karate.</div>
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But this is the life! I know this. I attitude check myself regularly. But still, I <i><b>am </b></i>human after all. </div>
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This morning, I was hoping I would wake up and feel peace and a new perspective. </div>
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I did not.</div>
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I bickered with my husband over something stupid, didn't get my kiss and hug before he left for work, the twins screamed blood-curdling-wake-the-neighbors-screams while I stood at the stove making their Cream of Wheat, and quite frankly...I just wasn't Mary Poppins today. </div>
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I've been in a spiritual rut lately. Going to church is no longer enjoyable for me because I just sit in the nursery for 2 hours, basically it's just a scenery change for the twins to play somewhere new.</div>
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I have no desire to read my bible. No desire to LISTEN even if an earth shattering message were to smack me in the face. Stubborn.</div>
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I just feel yucky. </div>
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Ever have seasons like that?<br />
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The temptation to pile my children in the van and head to Target for some good old fashioned retail therapy is overwhelming me.<br />
But is blowing our budget on cute shirts and nick knacks really going to solve my attitude?<br />
Probably not.<br />
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It sure would be fun though.<br />
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I might still do it.<br />
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I was rocking Nora Jane to sleep for her nap, and delighting in her pudgy softness snuggled against me, and it eased into my mind as subtle as a whisper...gratitude.<br />
I've been reading this book called Mindset For Moms, it's written by Jamie Martin, and I recommend it so whole heartedly. <br />
I think it is starting to resonate in me.<br />
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I rocked my sweet girl, taking note of every dimple in her elbows and hands, their baby-hood is flying by, I feel an urgent need to savor. She emitted one of those heavenly baby sighs and wished I could rock her as long as she would allow, but remembered I had two other kids waiting on me...so I smooched her fat cheeks, rubbed my cheek across her hair, sniffed her sweet scent...heard some loud crashes coming from the living room, and reluctantly laid her down in her crib. <br />
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When I came out of the nursery I was greeted by Isabella, happily sweeping the living room, and Beckett grinning his gap-toothed grin and clutching his favorite ball which he immediately dropped as he crawled warp speed to greet me.<br />
These kiddos were happy to see ME...grouchy, ungrateful, unappreciative me. My oldest was "helping" me. My middle couldn't get to me fast enough, and my youngest had only wanted me to snuggle her to sleep.<br />
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Humbled.<br />
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Grateful. That's what I am. Grateful that I've been alone while my hubby is on business, because it means he is working hard so that I can stay home with my kids and homeschool.<br />
Grateful for my busy schedule because it means my kiddos are well adjusted and making friends.<br />
Grateful for my cluttered open floor plan home because it houses my family and allows me to keep an eye on my busy crawlers at all times.<br />
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Now instead of feeling annoyed, I feel guilty for being so ungrateful. It's amazing how counting your blessings can so quickly adjust your attitude!<br />
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Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-67181829922222721912014-02-06T23:51:00.001-08:002014-02-06T23:51:28.904-08:00A day in the life.<div style="text-align: center;">
I get a lot of "How do you do it?!" whenever I tell people that I homeschool...well, I don't really ever know how to answer that on any given day. </div>
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I go into a day with a set plan, but with twins, you really just have to be open and willing to go with the flow...and some days that flow is easier than others. </div>
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But for the most part, a typical day of homeschooling with infant twins goes something like this. </div>
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Wake-up, ice cold diet coke and a few minutes of blessed silence (and maybe a shower if I'm lucky, but usually no shower) before my kids all awake. OR I sleep in while Hubby gets ready for work, and I wake up in the midst of mayhem. Either way, diet coke IS involved.<br />
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Kids all wake up and it's diaper changes then breakfast time for all. This can take anywhere from an hour to an 1.5 hours when you count in clean-up.</div>
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Then Nora takes a 30-45 minute cat nap and then wakes up. This is like clock-work for her Every. Day.</div>
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Right now we're beginning our mornings by reading out of our new book. This is a great book for kids. It's an adaption of Pilgrims Progress. It's a sweet little story about a mouse traveling to the Evergreen Wood. I explain the symbolisms to Isabella as we read. </div>
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Babies play while Isabella and I set the timer and do a 15 minute clean-up of the house, these are very productive, WAY more productive than any other cleaning regimen I have tried. I usually put in a load of laundry and assign Isabella a few little age appropriate chores. I always involve her with this because I think it's important for kids to take a roll in caring for the home. </div>
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Plus it allows me to dole off the tasks I don't want to do. Just kidding. Kinda... </div>
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Time to clean up the table for school! I left a mess during my crafting time last night. I have Bella sort my little pieces into empty baby food containers. I knew I saved those things for a reason!</div>
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Beckett needs to nurse and lets me know he is READY for his morning nap, unfortunately, my twins do not nap at the same time, I have pretty much tried every trick in the book. </div>
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So I get him asleep. Then...</div>
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...Nora lets me know that she has a surprise for me.</div>
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It's a doo-doo explosion.</div>
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The brown smear you see by her arm is totally poop. It was everywhere.</div>
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Time to hit the books! Isabella and I begin doing language arts</div>
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Meanwhile...Nora rolls all around the room.</div>
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By now they're both hungry. So It's play time for those two while I make some lunch. </div>
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Now Nora lets me know (quite loudly) that SHE is indeed, now ready for her "big nap" She is very easy to get to sleep...</div>
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But now guess who's awake? </div>
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Isabella and I do our math lesson, and I leave her at the table to begin her work sheets so that I can stuff the diapers and put a load of dirties in.</div>
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This here's my wet bag. It's full of dirty diapers. Unzip it and take a whiff, I dare you. </div>
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I fill one of these puppies up about every two days. Then I just dump the whole kit-n-kaboodle into the washer and they come out looking like... </div>
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...this!</div>
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This here's my pile of clean diapers. They smell lovely and fresh. </div>
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There's always a pile of clean un-stuffed diapers somewhere in my house. I wonder what it feels like to have it all together and have organized cloth diapers? </div>
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I'll let you know what that feels like if it ever happens. </div>
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Hubby and I text back and forth sporadically...he's patient. And loving. And I love him. He sends me texts like,</div>
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<i>I love you, how is your morning?</i></div>
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And I text back stuff like,</div>
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<i>HEY look at this picture of poop on Nora's back, it kinda looks like Elvis! Oh yeah I love you too. </i></div>
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Or, </div>
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<i>I have spit up crusted on my shirt collar. Coming home for lunch?</i></div>
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<i> </i> Isn't technology grand? </div>
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Time for another one of these.</div>
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And then I decide that it's time to dip into my chocolate reserves...only, some little scallywag got into my chocolate and there's only two pieces left. </div>
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So I do what every loving mother would do...I hide from my kids and I eat them myself. </div>
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I like how the bag says "Easy to eat!" As if I've ever been in the middle of stuffing my gob and thought to myself<i>,</i></div>
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<i>you know I'm really having a hard time eating this entire bag of chocolate...</i></div>
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<i> </i> </div>
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I also would like to point out that I always keep a perfect manicure. My nails are never chipped.</div>
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Sike!</div>
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So there you have it, throw in some meltdowns, maybe another poop or two, a few arguments with my 6-year-old and if I'm feeling feisty, a shower! </div>
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WHOA! Lets not get too hasty here...ok, probably not a shower, but maybe a tooth-brushing?</div>
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Hubby gets home, somehow dinner gets cooked, and congratulations! You have survived another day. Please enjoy this moment of elevator music before you start the bedtime routine. </div>
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I love this life. Passes by like a minute. Soak it up, take pictures, document it...it shocks me how fast my weeks fly by these days. These little mongers have me wrapped around their fingers, and I wouldn't have it any other way. </div>
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Except maybe less poop.</div>
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Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-50882936065875995492014-01-28T21:42:00.003-08:002014-01-28T21:42:41.821-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
Sent hubby off to work this morning without a flake in the air...but by mid morning an inch had already collected on the roads as he came shuffling through the front door. Yay! A snow day :)</div>
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Feeling very grateful for his schedule, even though I know he is stressing about make-up work and panicked e-mails from students. </div>
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The selfish me is greedily excited that he's here and not there. </div>
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I carried on as usual, homeschooling Isabella, tending to the needs of the twins, hubby was afforded a front row seat to the day in the life of homeschooling, with Nora right in the middle of things :) We nearly always have a baby on the table with us.</div>
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Homeschooling an eager six-year-old, while flakes are violently swirling through the air outside, and two babies who need you, does not do much for attention spans ;-)</div>
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Then both babies pooped up their backs and ruined their outfits and needed naps, so we took an extended break, ate lunch,then thankfully David stepped in and finished lessons with Isabella.<br />
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It's awfully convenient being married to a math professor :)</div>
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Notice a baby in the middle? And a quite happy little chap I might add. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUCz9N4IBqp6k6KY0DIR5oR4ke4Zg2IJi3nP3eoB2OFu6Bz4dgooAA6N2CatnHYS5Sj8v-GXK6KbhGqhWDeaf3msESGQXTIMq-hd7k9O-8fQ93t8Yt4MDvYoob3K8sYKWBvRBAmgT4Ryx/s1600/IMG_1698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUCz9N4IBqp6k6KY0DIR5oR4ke4Zg2IJi3nP3eoB2OFu6Bz4dgooAA6N2CatnHYS5Sj8v-GXK6KbhGqhWDeaf3msESGQXTIMq-hd7k9O-8fQ93t8Yt4MDvYoob3K8sYKWBvRBAmgT4Ryx/s1600/IMG_1698.JPG" height="320" width="282" /></a></div>
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Isabella played outside with the neighborhood children until dusk, then came barreling in, rosy cheeked and chilled.</div>
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There's nothing more cozy than a warm house and rosy cheeked child just coming in from the snow. </div>
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David gave us all a lesson in making snow cream, I was a little skeezed out. I ate a bite or two, but worried about snow collecting all of the pollution in the air. I might be a little paranoid.</div>
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After all of the littles were in bed asleep, I was finally able to snuggle up next to my man and watch the state of the union address. After about 20 minutes, one of the twins woke up, and then we were three.</div>
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but What a lovely, ordinary day. My most favorite kind. </div>
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They're calling for snow all night, Isabella's pediatrician already called and cancelled her appointment for tomorrow, and David's work has already called off classes, I'm gearing up for potato soup and a crock pot full of hot cocoa. </div>
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I am thankful for days at home with my favorite people. </div>
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I'm also thankful for ruffled baby bottoms. </div>
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Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-6838023014150939622013-12-18T20:10:00.001-08:002013-12-18T20:12:38.630-08:00Sugar and spice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUx52sbRDuf4TI9QwIZkF5YOtyb5zVDiLzqu0C_0nD5goL-iscQ4yR4VGOcR-H9l2t8ArEqhAKGGxpre2LYvOPR1nCLZsW1rWYjdxbu2P0eYhGYR6ekGBiKAPhXTJHmMPK2YFwTq6Hbmca/s1600/DSC_0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUx52sbRDuf4TI9QwIZkF5YOtyb5zVDiLzqu0C_0nD5goL-iscQ4yR4VGOcR-H9l2t8ArEqhAKGGxpre2LYvOPR1nCLZsW1rWYjdxbu2P0eYhGYR6ekGBiKAPhXTJHmMPK2YFwTq6Hbmca/s320/DSC_0066.JPG" width="250" /></a></div>
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Yep, that's a pink sparkly bow in his hair, he had just been given a princess makeover. Yep, that's a pink fluffy bed, he had just finished tickling a little six year old until she begged for mercy. Yep, that's wee baby Nora asleep in his arms, he had been holding her because she was fussy.</div>
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Halfway through a tea party, or was it hotel service? I heard snoring...when I peeked in Isabella was quietly reading books to herself, and these two were down for the count. </div>
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I couldn't resist taking a picture for <strike>bribery </strike>posterity ;-)</div>
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Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-22132311365738912252013-12-16T21:08:00.001-08:002013-12-16T21:18:19.503-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
I feel like I get lost in my days, caught up in my to-do lists and find myself brushing important stuff to the side. </div>
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I know I'm not the only mom who does this, it's a common plight of motherhood, we are so busy doing all of the things that makes life comfortable and and easier for our family that we forget to enjoy...our family. </div>
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As I sit here tonight, at nearly midnight, I have 2 out of 3 kids asleep. This is pretty huge right now in this current phase of our household. It is, as it turns out, a <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: red;"><i>miracle</i></span></span> when all of your children sleep <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b> </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>at the same time. </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b> </b></i><span style="font-size: small;">But I digress...Ahem! Focus, man, focus. As I sit here tonight, I'm chastising myself for the moments I missed this week because I was too busy running around like a chicken with its head cut off. (And it's only Monday) True, I have twins with RSV, one freshly healed but still within the 2 week period, and one right in the feverish throngs...but here I am, Miss Chatisey Chastiser Chasttisenstien. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> My son is wide awake playing with the tag on his exersaucer and grunting. Always grunting. So I've really got nothing but time, here. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> A few of my favorite moments from this weekend:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> 1. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was vindicated about something that has plagued me for a couple of years now. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It left me feeling powerful, like if I had been a cartoon, I would have been standing on a tall building, perfect eyebrows and busty, with my hair flowing and my toned (but not muscular) arms on my hips whilst gazing into the horizon.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Are you ready?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I woke my <i><b>husband </b></i>up with <b><i>my</i></b> snoring. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yep, you heard me. ALL these (2) years he has startled me awake with his snortling and chortling...it's a huge problem.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">So waking up the other morning, to have him announce with only a mild hint of annoyance "You were snoring a lot last night. Really cutting 'em. It woke me up"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">MY, HOW THE TABLES HAVE TURNED!! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> It kinda felt like this...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">2.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Isabella sang in her little church choir yesterday morning. It's always a joy. They are innocence incarnate, up there singing their little hearts out and whew! Gets me every time. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">They put a tall boy right in front of her, though. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">All I could see was her giant Christmas bow bobbing voraciously on top of that precious little head of hers. But watching that big ole bow was enough. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was enough. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It won't be long now until she fights the good fight and those hairbows are put asunder. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">3.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I overheard my husband singing a very out of tune version of <i>You Are My Sunshine</i> to our sick little baby, because it's what I sing to them every night. He sang her to sleep.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm sorry, but until you've heard your man sing a lullaby to your baby...you just don't know true love.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">My heart feels like this:</span></span></div>
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The end.</div>
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Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-73965636428009877372013-12-13T21:06:00.000-08:002013-12-14T10:04:08.687-08:00room and gloom<div style="text-align: center;">
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Dear Diary, </div>
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Last night we had a cozy night in, we had plans to venture out and do some Christmas shopping, but with one sick twin acting a little sicker, we decided 'twas best to stay put. </div>
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I opted to whip up some White Trash (Also known to most as Muddy Buddies) because they're Hubby's and Bella's fave. We munched on it all night...</div>
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<i>I hate the word munch. </i></div>
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...we nibbled on it all night,</div>
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<i>Ugh! Nibble *gag* that's even worse. </i></div>
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We stuffed our gobs with it all night, and I read to Isabella out of our overdue library book, Little House On The Prairie, until she pretended to fall asleep on the couch. So, David carried her to bed by her feet.</div>
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Later as I was putting laundry away, trying to tidy up after my small fries were in bed...I attempted to sneak into Isabella's room to put away the three pairs of shoes that were scattered in the living room and I was greeted at the door by THIS:</div>
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My knee-jerk reaction was annoyance. Just three weeks ago I spent 2 1/2hours cleaning this room and throwing away junk...I turned my back for five minutes and WHAM it looked just like this...but tonight it was a whole new level of scary.</div>
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Fire codes are surely being broken somewhere. There's clearly a path carved out from her door to her bed, reminiscent of an episode of <i>Hoarders Buried Alive!</i></div>
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Tell me, does anyone else's kid's room look like this? Don't lie, nobody likes a fibber! </div>
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I sat and thought about all of the things this room has been today.</div>
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At one point it was a spaceship</div>
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a school</div>
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a house</div>
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"a fancy free hotel with service"</div>
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a kitchen</div>
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a restaurant</div>
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Santa's sleigh </div>
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That's a lot of costume changes for one room to undergo. I guess I should be grateful it doesn't look worse...and that I have a child who likes to use imaginative play. </div>
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But as soon as she's not looking...I'm going in welding my toy rotation bag! </div>
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Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-58748061442001271242013-12-13T12:34:00.000-08:002013-12-13T12:47:08.536-08:00The trappings<div style="text-align: center;">
Ahh Christmas! </div>
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It's really sneaking up on me this year. I'm not sure if going from 1 kid to 3 in one fell swoop is a factor (just a minor detail, right?), or if it's the late Thanksgiving...but this holiday season has literally flown by.</div>
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(Right now all three of my angels are happy and content to let me quick, fast! Roll out a blog post)</div>
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It's so easy for me to get distracted by the gift giving, the elf hiding, the merry making, the party hosting and all that jazz, that I forget all about the important stuff...</div>
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The important stuff like, sitting with Isabella and making messes together. </div>
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My childhood Christmas memories involve making ornaments at the kitchen table with my mom and sisters, shaking my presents, circling items in the American Girl catalog (then it was Pleasant Company) listening to classic Christmas music in the home with candles lit, and<i> <b>baking!</b> </i></div>
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Oh, the baking we did.</div>
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My mom always involved us in the holiday baking in some way, shape, or form, I DON'T know how she did it and kept her sanity intact...actually, I do. She never worried about messes, she just let us help, help, <b><i>help</i></b> to our heart's content. I never realized until now what a great quality that was she possessed. Her ability to realize nothing else mattered, just letting us be involved, and it worked, because those memories are ingrained in my head like my favorite old Christmas song. </div>
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Our house was seldom ever perfect and tidy...but we were such happy, creative kids. </div>
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So today when Isabella woke up for school, and I drug out the books and materials, ready to slog through the morning in a decaffeinated stupor...one little thing she said made it very obviously clear to me, that she <i>needed</i> some time with just me, to sit, make a mess and just...<b><i>be. </i></b></div>
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Back went the books and materials. Out came the cookie icing, paint, glue, glitter, paintbrushes and other craft sundries...on came the Bing Crosby. </div>
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<b><i> </i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">The twins napped</span></i><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"> at the same time. </span></i></b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">It's a Christmas miracle!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And we mess made. We merry maked. We laughed. We spilled lots of glue. And Isabella lost a tooth in her sandwich. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I feel like *today* <i>this</i> was all far more important and necessary </span>than telling time, learning verbs and spelling words. </div>
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This girl decorates a mean gingerbread cookie!</div>
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Proud.</div>
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Pretending like she doesn't see the giant black eye of my lens in her face ;-)</div>
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I had to make one too!</div>
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Someone woke up to wallow in sweet potatoes! If only it was socially acceptable for me to enjoy my food like this.</div>
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I found these two cuddled up in Bella's bed watching a Christmas movie together. Oh my heart!</div>
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What's a guy gotta do around here to get a bite of a cookie?!</div>
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Love these messy masterpieces. </div>
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Mess, glorious mess! It's still there. At nearly 4:00 pm. What? </div>
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Christmas angel, needs a halo, yes? And painted pine cones. She lost interest before the pom poms got glued on, guess that means I can glue them on any way I want ;-)</div>
Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-77440436978416784162013-11-14T13:59:00.004-08:002013-11-14T14:07:39.285-08:00One month<div style="text-align: center;">
One month.</div>
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One busy, eventful month.</div>
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That's how long it's been since my last post. Every day is eventful when you have twins. But this past month has been a doozy!</div>
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Since my last post, my dynamic duo has turned 5 months old. Wow! Five months! That's almost half a year. How did this happen?!<br />
We have undergone several doctors visits and invasive tests for Beckett, traveled to Nashville to take him to Vanderbilt for a cat scan and possible surgery, only to receive the blessed news that his condition (strangling, choking, persistent vomiting) would improve with time and proper medication. </div>
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Talk about stress! And RELIEF!</div>
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Also this month, I have entered the world of homeschooling! Yes, HOMESCHOOLING!</div>
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I'm thrilled beyond measure to be able to homeschool my 1st grader. </div>
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If someone had told me 6 years ago, that one day I would be home with 3 children, driving a mini-van, homeschooling and LOVING all of it...I would have laughed in their face. </div>
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I was just so sure I was destined for bigger things than <i>that</i>.</div>
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Oh, but now I'm seeing so clearly, that there is nothing bigger I could possibly be doing.</div>
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Being home with my babies, homeschooling my oldest...these are the biggest blessings in my life. I am so grateful for my hard working husband. He is really a solid rock for this family, supportive and patient even when things get hairy...which they are a lot of the time. Hairy, that is. </div>
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Since beginning this homeschool gig, I'm perpetually exhausted. Mentally. It is a HUGE commitment. I'm constantly worrying that I'm not challenging her enough, that I could be doing something better...I hemmed and hawed over curriculum, choosing what I felt was the best possible fit for my imaginative little girl. I painstakingly fill out my lesson plan every night, and so far we have conquered everything each day, but more than just cramming information into her little brain, I want to foster her imagination, nurture her spirit, teach her important life skills, allow her to figure out what it is that makes her...<i>her. </i></div>
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Pulling her out of public school in the middle of the year was a tough decision, and one that I did not take lightly...I did this knowing that although my husband had given me his blessing, he did not approve of the timing, which made it 100 times harder, but it was right. It was time.<i> </i> </div>
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The transition has been tough, but smooth. My house? Messy. My kitchen table? Cluttered. ALWAYS cluttered. Our schedule? Crammed. Isabella? Happy as a clam. Has not even asked once to go back to public school, she loves it! </div>
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Hallelujah. </div>
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Library day, and Isabella pretending to be a newspaper reporter. :)<br />
I apologize for the small size of these pictures..they're from my iphone, somehow toting around my bulky Nikon just isn't conducive to my diaper bag... </div>
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Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-52331088857744105182013-09-15T20:49:00.001-07:002013-09-15T20:49:44.859-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
Football is playing in the background, my house is a mess and I have a nursling asleep in my lap whose head makes it hard for typing.</div>
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Football sounds make me feel twitchy. </div>
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It's been one of those days where I fluctuated between wanting to kiss Isabella's cheeks off or send her to bed early. WHEW! </div>
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Parenting makes you feel rather insane. </div>
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Repeating yourself or a certain action over and over expecting a different outcome, isn't that a sign of insanity? Well, it's a regular practice here.</div>
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I love my kids and I wouldn't change a thing, but...</div>
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I. Am. Pooped.</div>
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I keep holding my breath hoping that my groove is just around the corner, but just when I think I have found it, it sneaks away like the hamburgler, never to be seen again, or least not until next week.</div>
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I just revealed my age by referencing the hamburgler. Google it.</div>
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I keep seeing my other mom friends and they seem to have it so together. As a general rule I try to avoid mom comparison, as it is unhealthy and only fosters discontent, but gee whizz, it's hard to miss these moms. How do they have time for such fabulous hair and make-up?! And all those pretty selfies? If I were to take a selfy right now it would look like a mug shot for a backwood's county girl caught shoplifting eyeshadow at the local Big Lots. </div>
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So is there something I am missing?! Some magical mom serum? a Pandora's box of mom secrets that I am just totally missing out on? I'm just going to be bitter and go ahead and say I bet it took them all day to look that perfect and underneath that pretty headshot of them in their car they have spit-up on their pants and baby poop under their manicure.</div>
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I feel better now. </div>
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My roots aren't done, I look like I'm sporting ombre hair, my eyebrows need their own zipcode, and don't even get me started on my toenails. </div>
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I'm trying not to wallow, can you tell? ;-) instead I will focus on these moments I captured throughout my day today...if I'm feeling down I will just look at these sweet faces, and sniff a baby head.</div>
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Yep. I feel better now :)</div>
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Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-71955323690391662552013-08-19T20:28:00.001-07:002013-08-19T20:28:10.344-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
I haven't blogged since Easter...</div>
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Huh, can't imagine what has kept me so distracted. </div>
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Lets just say...three children? It's a zoo. I feel so duped! Nobody warned me about the mayhem, the laundry, the mess, the grossness, the laundry, the mere fact that going <i>anywhere,</i> and I do mean <i>anywhere,</i> is an act of congress, oh, and did I mention the laundry?</div>
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I guess they must have been distracted by all of the snuggles and sweetness. There is never a shortage of snuggles in this house :) And nobody's arms are ever empty for long! </div>
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I will post my birth story eventually, but right now I'm just reveling in it all. Watching Isabella as a big sister, and David as a daddy to these little bitty babies, it's a lot for one heart to handle.</div>
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When I was pregnant I was so worried that I wouldn't be able to love them all, that I wouldn't have enough to go around, and all my friends and relatives reassured me, <i>no way, man not possible, you'll have enough</i>...</div>
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I didn't understand it until after they were here...it was a major <i>ah-ha</i> moment. You DO love them all equally, you just love each one differently. It's so neat. </div>
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Isabella is my sweetheart, my little nurturer, always looking out for others.</div>
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Nora-Jane is my quiet, calm little angel. Observes everything that goes on around here, whose face lights up with a face-splitting smile whenever you make eye-contact. </div>
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Beckett. Oh, Beckett. He is my little lion man. What little bit of fuzzy hair he has is bright red, a little angry at times, and LOUD. He knows how to get what he needs when he needs it, lets just say that :) </div>
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I cannot believe they are almost three months old!</div>
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Here they are hours after birth</div>
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and here they are now...Beckett is putting up his dukes...</div>
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More to come soon...I have been trying to find a moment to write this post for about, uhm...13 hours :-P </div>
Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-24860994614099936432013-04-01T18:30:00.001-07:002013-04-01T18:30:47.198-07:00Easter re-cap<div style="text-align: center;">
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This is the only Easter picture I took this year. </div>
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It's been an off year. </div>
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I even let Isabella choose her own dress from a...*gasp* department store rack. Not something I have EVER done. </div>
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But she clutched it to her bosom and pleaded so earnestly, those big blue eyes just glimmering with hope...</div>
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I'm a pushover. </div>
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So I put aside my hopes of that heirloom, robin's egg blue smocked bishop, and well...I tried really hard to be at peace with the polyester. It made her so happy. And she said on Easter morning with her little lisp that it was "Her princeth dreth" (princess dress)</div>
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Easter Eve we went to dye Disney princess eggs...only to find they had forgotten to put our dye tablets in the box. Luckily I'm a pushover...and I had bought her the two kits she wanted instead of just the one...so we dyed majestic eggs instead. </div>
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we only got to hunt them outside once...because it rained.</div>
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See? Off year. </div>
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Easter night...she woke David and me up at 2:00 am...fever blazing and her entire body covered with a horrible, itchy, angry red rash. </div>
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I didn't have a single tube of itch cream or a single drop of childrens Benedryl in the house. But David was dressed and ready to go to the store in five minutes to get her some itch cream and Benedryl.</div>
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He is so good. So very good. </div>
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But finally around 3:15 she fell into a feverish sleep and forgot to scratch...so we waited until this morning and headed straight back to the Pediatrician.</div>
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SIGH</div>
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It's a relapse of her virus, which means all our fun Spring Break plans were cancelled, tears were shed, and she and I partook in a 3 1/2 hour marathon nap. </div>
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Just now she crawled up in my lap...which is always a sign of a sick Bella...she seldom has time for such snuggles. </div>
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So I have all three of my children squirming. Two in my belly are writhing angrily as they grow and lose space...and one on my lap is squirming restlessly to get comfy around the large bubble blocking her usual nest she makes against me. </div>
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In other news, I ate an entire Pepperidge Farm coconut cake. </div>
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I hope everyone had a lovely Easter...I'm off to snuggle a Bella.</div>
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Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-78666302453992531892013-03-29T20:40:00.000-07:002013-03-29T20:40:01.391-07:00Just another day in paradise<div style="text-align: center;">
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Today I managed to get absolutely nothing accomplished besides putting one load of laundry away and cooking <a href="http://www.justapinch.com/recipes/main-course/chicken/weight-watchers-cheddar-chicken-bacon-ranch-pasta.html">David's Favorite Pasta</a> for dinner. </div>
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I made a grocery list then didn't go to the store. I took a shower, and didn't do my hair. There's always tomorrow, I suppose. </div>
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I took an anemic 2 hour nap. which only made me more tired, </div>
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and the supper dishes are piled in the sink, but now I'm ready for bed. Truly. </div>
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Yesterday I had an agenda, to have lunch at work with my handsome man, and then to the grocery store before I picked Isabella up from school....but right as I was stepping into the shower, the shool nurse called.</div>
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Does anyone else's heart stop when the school nurse calls? </div>
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My poor baby had vomited all over the gymnasium floor. When I got to the school, she was lying her head on her desk while her classmate's ate Easter Party cupcakes, I asked her how she felt and she told me she wanted to come home and rest...uh-oh.</div>
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She vomited in the car in an Easter treat bag on the way home.</div>
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Then she vomited again at home...right before she fell into a deep feverish sleep.</div>
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A trip to our pediatrician set my mind at ease about it not being the flu, but my baby has a humdinger of a virus. </div>
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This little face breaks my heart. </div>
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We spent the entire day on the couch, sipping water and snuggling. We watched Max And Ruby's Easter and Peter Rabbit about 5 times apiece. Her fever broke around 9:30 p.m. and right before she fell asleep holding my hand, she sleepily told me I was the best mom in the world. A bag full of diamonds couldn't make me more happy than that. </div>
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Today she was much better. Still slightly feverish, and a few tummy troubles...but she was up and playing like normal and BEGGING for some of the candy out of her school treat basket. She had lined up every piece on the couch but wouldn't eat any until she had permission. </div>
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<br />She breaks my heart wide open. </div>
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We were pleased that our neighborhood visitor paid us a call this morning. He was curled up asleep in his spot...waiting for his bowl of tuna. We have no idea where he lives, and he's not fixed nor does he wear a collar...but he's plump and well taken care of. We love him and his random visits...and he knows he'll always get a bowl full of tuna on our front porch. </div>
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Maybe we will nick-name him Tuna. </div>
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Isabella was in and out of the house all afternoon, administering cuddles, talking to him and generally disturbing his marathon cat nap. </div>
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At one point she picked me a bouquet of "flowers" out of our overgrown front lawn :) </div>
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Better than a dozen roses :) </div>
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Perfect!</div>
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Tonight I snuggled her close, it dawned on me how quickly she's growing up...how one day I am going to wake up and she will be too cool for me, too cool to hold my hand at night...</div>
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I can't bear that thought.</div>
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So I snuggled her until her little warm body went limp in my arms...that is the most glorious sensation...to snuggle your child until they succumb to sleep. </div>
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I did my best to kiss every freckle on her sweet little nose, sniffed her clean hair, held her hand and looked at her fingernails...they had crayon underneath them. </div>
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It's probably the cocktail of pregnancy hormones surging through my veins...but I could have cried out of gratitude. Being a mom is the fiercest kind of love I have ever encountered. It's draining, exhausting, all encompassing, protective, sometimes trying, but oh man...it <i><b>IS</b></i> the best. </div>
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So tonight, even though I pretty much did nothing all day long...I am so grateful for this day I had. Grateful for my sweet little one, grateful for motherhood in general. I'm humbled by my blessings, I don't deserve them, but God has given them to me anyway...it makes me want to gather up my young, protect them and do the best job I can possibly do to raise them right, because I know I'm not entitled to these sweet babies I have, they are special gifts that have been entrusted to me to care for and nurture. </div>
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It is both thrilling and terrifying, but more wonderful than words can describe!</div>
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Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860029791241812281.post-54110600551995679612013-03-25T20:37:00.002-07:002013-03-27T12:47:24.247-07:003rd trimester blues...A TMI post.<div style="text-align: center;">
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So I have arrived at my final destination. The Third Trimester. There aren't any left after this one...the big event is only weeks away, meaning...in less than 12 weeks I will go from being the mother of one, to the mother of three. </div>
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This milestone is riddled with curiosities for me. </div>
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And strange symptoms. </div>
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First of all, I'm a little blue. I'm almost sad because now that I know I have inherited the genetic potential to produce doubly...this will undoubtedly be my last pregnancy. Like ever. Truth be told...when I'm not feeling tired, run down, nauseous, or just downright crappy...I love being pregnant. I love tracking their growth and feeling their sweet little movements. Something about carrying them with me throughout my day, feeling them move about...it's just so sweet and natural.</div>
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I'm also...VERY relieved. It's almost over! I can't wait to sleep on my stomach, not tinkle on myself when I sneeze, not crave an angus burger at 1 a.m., not cry at Dawn soap commercials where they wash the grease off the baby duck, not dream lucid dreams that cause me to wake up feeling guilty, sheepish or confused...I can't wait to, ya know...feel normal. </div>
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I also can't wait to bend down and pick things up off the floor. Lately, I just use my feet if it's something important, or I wait until Isabella gets home from school. </div>
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Strange things have definitely been happening to me. For instance...my milk came in. At 26 weeks. This did NOT happen to me with Isabella until about three days after she was born. I knew things would be different with two...but that one really shocked the pants off of me, not to mention it grossed out my husband. When I told him, I really thought he was going to hit the ceiling and cling to it with his claws like a cartoon cat. </div>
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He regards that area with a dubious expression and a healthy amount of space these days. No amount of reassurance on my part that no, they will NOT erupt "at him" is enough to convince poor ole daddy. </div>
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I can't wait for him to change his first baby boy diaper. </div>
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I have officially started my preparations.</div>
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I waddle about, nesting here, organizing there. I have a long list of freezer meals to prepare and stockpile my freezer. A menu for those first few weeks of mayhem planned out in my head and ready to be comprised onto paper. I'm busily sewing sweet little pink and blue bits for when my bundles arrive. And thanks to our wonderful group of family and friends, we have already amassed an impressive stockpile of diapers and wipes, which I have organized in the "baby closet" </div>
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Construction on the "Surprise-It's-Two-Room" we're adding onto our house is drawing to an end as well. </div>
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We are blessed. </div>
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So now, without further ado, the 27 week belly. Brace yo-self!!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TlDMpCVsVOJK8OLbxEvwnLXuckO0qzQ6PRLyn3vQTwRCmMUE3jGds0tK8C-G2Xjj1sqOObylnfQfXODfTcR9QnwZwyGf6J-ys6OIK7QSwvNKbm9i5Q71U3xcKfUr6s011mgfEZQ0NJTv/s1600/DSC_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TlDMpCVsVOJK8OLbxEvwnLXuckO0qzQ6PRLyn3vQTwRCmMUE3jGds0tK8C-G2Xjj1sqOObylnfQfXODfTcR9QnwZwyGf6J-ys6OIK7QSwvNKbm9i5Q71U3xcKfUr6s011mgfEZQ0NJTv/s320/DSC_0305.JPG" width="203" /></a></div>
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The spots on the image are toothpaste. I took this in Isabella's bathroom, and lets just say, her aim leaves a lot to be desired...as does my gumption for cleaning mirrors.</div>
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Mary-Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13111363655192251173noreply@blogger.com0