tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229098312024-03-13T19:15:27.576-07:00as the noondaylover of Jesus, mama to miss maddie & sambino the great, cook, baker, & occasional crafterBeckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.comBlogger715125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-52125656875538709902014-09-15T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-15T00:00:06.775-07:00Evan: 18 Months/ONE AND A HALF<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dear Evan,</div>
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One and a half! No longer a baby, but a full-blown toddler! </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oA6jxB7Ea3Q/VA9q3pQaKEI/AAAAAAAALIM/GOElZPNKmzc/s1600/IMG_0285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oA6jxB7Ea3Q/VA9q3pQaKEI/AAAAAAAALIM/GOElZPNKmzc/s1600/IMG_0285.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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You are so easygoing! It's simple to come up with a list of your loves:</div>
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balls</div>
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snacks</div>
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breakfast (many days you eat at least three of them)</div>
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the big kids</div>
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being scared</div>
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playing with legos</div>
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hiding in my closet</div>
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snuggling when you first wake up</div>
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playing with things you shouldn't have (sharpies, knives, dog food, dishes, kids' stuff)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QoAt67dHn-c/VA9qy0__96I/AAAAAAAALH0/yhbPRh6Ex6Q/s1600/IMG_0396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QoAt67dHn-c/VA9qy0__96I/AAAAAAAALH0/yhbPRh6Ex6Q/s1600/IMG_0396.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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You are not so much about:</div>
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sitting in the stroller if there's not motion involved</div>
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staying in one place</div>
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having your diaper changed (see above)</div>
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being left behind or having doors shut in front of you</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FdB814dfxSA/VA9vgm8ElQI/AAAAAAAALIg/W_Db6KH5imw/s1600/IMG_0800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FdB814dfxSA/VA9vgm8ElQI/AAAAAAAALIg/W_Db6KH5imw/s1600/IMG_0800.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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This month you:</div>
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split your lip</div>
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scraped the skin off your nose</div>
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pulled several chairs over on yourself</div>
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pulled the stroller over on yourself</div>
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climbed several ladders, slides, and play structures</div>
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found your way down ladders, slides and play structures</div>
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kissed Sam on the lips several times while he napped on the couch</div>
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tried to get a fly and a moth to come to you, involving a high-pitched, sweet "'ere" and an outstretched, beckoning hand</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dVKz0sdAXKI/VA9wxqGhKNI/AAAAAAAALIs/OEM_qk1y_zg/s1600/IMG_0385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dVKz0sdAXKI/VA9wxqGhKNI/AAAAAAAALIs/OEM_qk1y_zg/s1600/IMG_0385.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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You fell asleep:</div>
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in our arms</div>
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in the car</div>
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in the stroller</div>
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strapped in your high chair</div>
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on the way to school</div>
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on the way back from school</div>
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in parking lots</div>
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in the ergo</div>
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Yet also managed to NOT sleep through the night nearly the whole month. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I6dFlP03s0U/VA9wzG3QJmI/AAAAAAAALI0/PfpZbX1eGXU/s1600/IMG_0470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I6dFlP03s0U/VA9wzG3QJmI/AAAAAAAALI0/PfpZbX1eGXU/s1600/IMG_0470.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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At home you are great at playing solo. You love to tinker downstairs and look out the upstairs windows.</div>
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At church you love to play in the nursery, run around the downstairs, and act like you own the place.</div>
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At school you act like you belong there, climbing all over the K playground and keeping up with people twice your size.</div>
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At night, you love to wake up screaming. When that doesn't work, you call out, "MAMA!" And if that doesn't work, you sing "MaaaaaaaaMaaaaaaaaaaaa!" until I get you.</div>
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Thanks for filling our lives so full of laughter and joy. No thanks for sleepless nights, but hey, we'll eventually forget all about it thanks to the memory impairment from frequent wakings and lack of sleep.</div>
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Thanks for not playing with your poop when you removed your diaper one morning. I'm thankful the situation was "contained" by easily washable bedding and didn't find its way onto walls and furniture. </div>
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Thanks for trying to pick up dog poop in the backyard with plastic bags. I'll go ahead and do that chore until you're more coordinated.</div>
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Thanks for the snuggles, the kisses, the pat-pats, and the big hugs. Every day is a gift with you, our little gift from heaven.</div>
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Love,</div>
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Mama</div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-2804679231849261072014-09-14T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-14T00:00:00.460-07:00Maddie: 71 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Maddie Mae,</div>
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Wow. This month, you've had a lot of firsts:</div>
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you started second grade (and you LOVE IT!)</div>
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attended aeronautics engineering class (liked it)</div>
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took a watercolor class (you keep improving, your art is amazing)</div>
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took a few shots at the goal (and would've scored if not for the good goalie)</div>
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received your first real Bible. It's blue. You love it.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UUGAG1fbmWY/VA9q1_17d0I/AAAAAAAALIA/CP_LB-TCoZk/s1600/IMG_0158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UUGAG1fbmWY/VA9q1_17d0I/AAAAAAAALIA/CP_LB-TCoZk/s1600/IMG_0158.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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You love:</div>
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playing at the park after school, especially with friends</div>
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talking about second grade</div>
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welcoming new people and making them feel comfortable</div>
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spending time with Evan (or any babies, for that matter)</div>
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playing soccer</div>
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reading well past your bedtime</div>
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blue (blue backpack, blue shoes, blue Bible, blue school clothes)</div>
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wearing nice clothes to school (what?! When did that happen?)</div>
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joining me for my workout videos (girl, your pushups put me to shame)</div>
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seeing your friends, especially Nicole & Mikaela</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2dEtfOOL-zY/VA9qtluAlLI/AAAAAAAALHk/I7f3dq0BnfE/s1600/IMG_0110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2dEtfOOL-zY/VA9qtluAlLI/AAAAAAAALHk/I7f3dq0BnfE/s1600/IMG_0110.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Not so much into:</div>
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Sam (see my previous post in which I use ALL CAPS to communicate my emotions about this)</div>
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practicing your violin (ugh. The daily nag.)</div>
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pink or purple (you've let everyone know your disinterest in anything remotely pink OR purple)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qDa0wokWf24/VA9qwRLcU6I/AAAAAAAALHs/l8sIyVwko3Y/s1600/IMG_0171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qDa0wokWf24/VA9qwRLcU6I/AAAAAAAALHs/l8sIyVwko3Y/s1600/IMG_0171.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Things I love about this age:</div>
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you can make your own lunch, snacks, etc.</div>
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you get completely dressed and ready for school, most days, without instruction</div>
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you are a wonderful, devoted, thoughtful friend</div>
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homework is still pretty enjoyable (with a few exceptions)</div>
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we have real, adult conversations all the time</div>
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you are SUPER helpful with the baby, and you enjoy it</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-If2uyj3Kijo/VA9q18-QDWI/AAAAAAAALH8/AAwRmgavKqg/s1600/IMG_0555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-If2uyj3Kijo/VA9q18-QDWI/AAAAAAAALH8/AAwRmgavKqg/s1600/IMG_0555.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Your personality:</div>
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inquisitive/curious/constantly asking questions</div>
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opinionated</div>
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sweet and thoughtful </div>
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conscientious</div>
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tightly wound at times</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MMLLzSeYOPk/VA9q7jl9OXI/AAAAAAAALIU/8aOIaA7oOy8/s1600/IMG_0761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MMLLzSeYOPk/VA9q7jl9OXI/AAAAAAAALIU/8aOIaA7oOy8/s1600/IMG_0761.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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At soccer you surprise us with your speed, agility, and how much your shooting has improved</div>
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At home you are generally helpful, often a little crabby (school makes you tired), and generally more interested in going out than staying in</div>
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At school, your teacher has nothing but positive feedback about your willingness to work hard, focus, and your heart that is so kind and welcoming</div>
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At times, you surprise me with how grown up you are. The things you say and do seem to be too old for seven, and I definitely can identify the mannerisms you pick up from older kids at school. You are so mature, so wise beyond your years, and so fun to be around. We really enjoy you, as does just about everyone who has met you. We feel so lucky and blessed that you are part of our family.</div>
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Love,</div>
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Mama</div>
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Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-39786983215938579962014-09-13T08:40:00.000-07:002014-09-13T08:40:03.219-07:00Intro to Paleo Cooking & Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gFxltgfhKrw/VBRdtrvy-fI/AAAAAAAALJE/bBNVQdGcimU/s1600/photo-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gFxltgfhKrw/VBRdtrvy-fI/AAAAAAAALJE/bBNVQdGcimU/s1600/photo-4.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>A NIGHT OF SHARING TECHNIQUES, TRICKS & RECIPES</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Open to: Anyone interested in cooking Paleo, Gluten-free or Grain-free dishes</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>SAVE THE DATE</b></span>: </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">October 18th <b>OR </b>November 15, 2014</span></div>
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Whether you are interested in learning more about Paleo cooking, or you've been cooking gluten-, grain-, or dairy-free for years, this is an opportunity for you to come together with other folks for a night of sampling good food, enjoying good company, and getting equipped with delicious and nutritious recipes to add to your weekly meal rotation.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TUL62tZPLtg/VBRhEyunOxI/AAAAAAAALJc/cGBPyyQ57G0/s1600/honey%2Bmustard%2Bcashews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TUL62tZPLtg/VBRhEyunOxI/AAAAAAAALJc/cGBPyyQ57G0/s1600/honey%2Bmustard%2Bcashews.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><b>Main Dishes</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;"><b>Snacks</b></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Cocktails, reimagined</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Salads</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-weight: bold;">Soups</span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">Cookies, Cakes & Donuts!</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-weight: bold;"></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TOCjLKIhZFg/VBRfIaAfDfI/AAAAAAAALJQ/3b00v72JY50/s1600/chocolate%2Bcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TOCjLKIhZFg/VBRfIaAfDfI/AAAAAAAALJQ/3b00v72JY50/s1600/chocolate%2Bcake.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 34th Birthday Cake! Recipe <a href="http://asthenoonday.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-34th-birthday-part-2-mile-high.html" target="_blank">here</a><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-weight: bold;"></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><b>AND... A PALEO COOKING GIVEAWAY!</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><b></b></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><b>One lucky participant in our fun night of sharing will walk away with my favorite Paleo cookbooks as well as some fun baking supplies and treats!</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zbQvlr6wHdg/VBRhHlstLOI/AAAAAAAALJk/74Hxo7CJALk/s1600/IMG_8415_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zbQvlr6wHdg/VBRhHlstLOI/AAAAAAAALJk/74Hxo7CJALk/s1600/IMG_8415_edited-1.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zbQvlr6wHdg/VBRhHlstLOI/AAAAAAAALJk/74Hxo7CJALk/s1600/IMG_8415_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zbQvlr6wHdg/VBRhHlstLOI/AAAAAAAALJk/74Hxo7CJALk/s1600/IMG_8415_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"> </span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">TO RSVP: </span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">leave your name and email address (if I don't already have it from IG or FB) in the comments below! Let me know which date works best for you. Stay tuned for more details! XOXO</span></b></div>
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Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-48602892260625625302014-09-09T14:00:00.001-07:002014-09-09T14:00:49.260-07:00Sam: 66 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dear Sam,</div>
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You've tried lots of new things this month:</div>
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Kindergarten (you love it!)</div>
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speech at your new school (so far, so good)</div>
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first time playing soccer (you're indifferent)</div>
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baseball camp (you looked enormous among the 3-5 year old crowd)</div>
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aeronautics engineering camp (totally your jam!)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LiQzlqqeMUk/VA9m0Xwp1PI/AAAAAAAALG4/4zOPgujZ0oY/s1600/IMG_0105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LiQzlqqeMUk/VA9m0Xwp1PI/AAAAAAAALG4/4zOPgujZ0oY/s1600/IMG_0105.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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In the past thirty days, you've made me: </div>
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laugh out loud</div>
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sob</div>
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chuckle incredulously</div>
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surprised</div>
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full of pride and joy</div>
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wish I could bottle you up</div>
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At the ripe old age of five and a half, you love:</div>
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legos</div>
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construction of any kind</div>
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math</div>
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drawing</div>
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Kindergarten and your K teacher! YAY!</div>
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building forts and secret hideouts</div>
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dressing up (spy, ninja, cowboy)</div>
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playing school (this is new)</div>
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helping out</div>
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A few words to describe your personality lately:</div>
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silly</div>
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lovey</div>
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irritable</div>
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argumentative</div>
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laidback</div>
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inquisitive</div>
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focused</div>
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You are not a huge fan of:</div>
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soccer, unless there's some sort of bribe (gatorade) or incentive (a dime a kick)</div>
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Maddie (ongoing sibling struggles will be THE END OF ME)</div>
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being told no (OH, THE NEGOTIATIONS)</div>
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following orders from a coach ("He just bosses me around and tells me things to do the whole time!)</div>
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At school, you keep count of the friends you've made. We're up to 7.</div>
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At soccer, you make us proud and you crack us up. You are one of a kind.</div>
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At home, you can be so helpful and fun. You can also make a lot of messes.</div>
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Your teachers calls you sweet, kind, an eager learner, and someone who participates in class all the time by raising your hand and contributing to the discussion.</div>
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We are SO PROUD of you, buddy. You are handling all these transitions and changes with a wonderful attitude, a sweet spirit, and a real sense of humor. Thanks for always keeping our lives interesting, funny, and full of surprises!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Mama</div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-82386035564086005322014-09-06T21:19:00.003-07:002014-09-06T21:19:47.299-07:00Soccer Season!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Maddie is playing on a U8 team this year. She has one year under her belt, and it was SO fun to see how she's improved since last year!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-81Z5gvXLPZo/VAvbp-LPy_I/AAAAAAAALFw/9MGpGaPJCZ0/s1600/IMG_0760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-81Z5gvXLPZo/VAvbp-LPy_I/AAAAAAAALFw/9MGpGaPJCZ0/s1600/IMG_0760.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_fSXsftpQ8/VAvbpp3EodI/AAAAAAAALFs/AjxVQ5dXFEM/s1600/IMG_0761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_fSXsftpQ8/VAvbpp3EodI/AAAAAAAALFs/AjxVQ5dXFEM/s1600/IMG_0761.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DUDE! She rocks!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SgVhs8gD958/VAvbuPCYZKI/AAAAAAAALGI/7fW3_eW0XI0/s1600/IMG_0778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SgVhs8gD958/VAvbuPCYZKI/AAAAAAAALGI/7fW3_eW0XI0/s1600/IMG_0778.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sam is on a U6 or Pony team. It's his first year. There was a lot of this:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0dg9WlrNU4Q/VAvbsvyPmdI/AAAAAAAALGA/Hi4SDIzGwNM/s1600/IMG_0797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0dg9WlrNU4Q/VAvbsvyPmdI/AAAAAAAALGA/Hi4SDIzGwNM/s1600/IMG_0797.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JjYhwX0xB8I/VAvb9y_0BvI/AAAAAAAALGU/4llFTzEZCA8/s1600/IMG_0789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JjYhwX0xB8I/VAvb9y_0BvI/AAAAAAAALGU/4llFTzEZCA8/s1600/IMG_0789.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xtIL3sLXkZ8/VAvcADvvExI/AAAAAAAALGo/X4s9qGBsFYo/s1600/IMG_0792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xtIL3sLXkZ8/VAvcADvvExI/AAAAAAAALGo/X4s9qGBsFYo/s1600/IMG_0792.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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We spent a good portion of the day on the field today and it was so much fun! Maddie and Sam both played hard, were aggressive, and made us proud!</div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-10067831966239459762014-09-02T09:11:00.001-07:002014-09-02T09:11:46.227-07:00Mug Swappin', Mug, Mug Swappin'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It came, it went, it rocked! <a href="http://www.acuppakim.com/" target="_blank">Cuppakim's</a> Annual Mug Swap 2014 was so fun. This was my third year participating, and I had such a wonderful time! Here's a recap, instagram style:</div>
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Four weeks ago, on August 1st, signups were opened. Kim said she would accept the first 500, but ended up taking 1000 participants! Holy Mugs, Batman! I announced my intentions to join in the fun with a little clink of the morning cups with my boy, as well as a pic of last year's mug swap booty, and a photo of the recipients of the greatest blessing, donations toward their adoption. Win, win.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8WI9Lmvf6wI/VAXpTtFVmzI/AAAAAAAALDc/b3AulYZz_UI/s1600/photo%2B2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8WI9Lmvf6wI/VAXpTtFVmzI/AAAAAAAALDc/b3AulYZz_UI/s1600/photo%2B2.PNG" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
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After two weeks of patiently waiting, I snapped this quick photo of my favorite mug and spoon from last year's mug swap. So glad I did, because a few days later, my mug met its demise at the hands of a "helpful" toddler who loves to empty the dishwasher. :(</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4dg645s4p4A/VAXpTQPIFzI/AAAAAAAALDY/8DRFY1fgRr4/s1600/photo%2B3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4dg645s4p4A/VAXpTQPIFzI/AAAAAAAALDY/8DRFY1fgRr4/s1600/photo%2B3.PNG" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
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Meanwhile, I had some shopping to do. I had been given the lovely <a href="http://jenze.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Jenna</a> to bless. I shopped at my most favorite mug store ever, Anthropologie. For being known and celebrated as a place to drop a wad of cash on totally crazy expensive furniture, they have really reasonable, really fun mugs. In my package I also sent a fun kitchen towel and sunny measuring spoons, also from Anthro. Scattered all around were fun little California treats, Jelly Bellies from the Jelly Belly Factory near my home. Cappuccino, Chocolate (pudding) and French Vanilla to make one's own Vanilla Mocha flavor explosion. :)</div>
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After three weeks, I received my lovely, sunny, happy, totally-me blessing: a "B" mug with turquoise handle, a cute little picture book full of encouragement, honey sticks, coffee, and a "Coffee & Jesus" spoon made by <a href="http://mamamango.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">mamamango</a> herself. Such a fun, happy package to receive on the first day of school.</div>
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It's been such a joy participating these past three years, and getting to know all kinds of new internet friends. Mark your calendars for next August 1 so you can hope to be in the lucky few that get to bless and be blessed. Thanks, Kim, for all your hard work! XOXO</div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-43282327250764826512014-08-25T12:56:00.000-07:002014-08-25T12:56:00.655-07:00First Day of School 2014-15: Kinder & 2nd Grade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Well, our first day is already over and was a success! </div>
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The day started bright and early (like 12:30am early) when Sam came into my room crying and upset about the "fort" in his bed falling apart. After much discussion, I finally asked him to crawl in bed with me and go back to sleep. Maddie woke shortly before 6, excited and unable to go back to sleep. She joined us in the bed until we all rolled out about 6:30.</div>
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Sam & Maddie with their teachers' flowers. The lightbulbs say, "Can't wait to grow BRIGHTER in Kinder/2nd Grade this year!" It was Maddie's idea to take flowers on the first day. :)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kiIY51XYiVA/U_uSbA9AXkI/AAAAAAAAK_0/UySWWfsm_Cs/s1600/IMG_0660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kiIY51XYiVA/U_uSbA9AXkI/AAAAAAAAK_0/UySWWfsm_Cs/s1600/IMG_0660.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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My big girl! All set for her first day of Second Grade, in a 2/3 split with Mrs. Buhler. Maddie is thankful this year to have several friends in class, five or six girls from her Summer softball team!</div>
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Sam's first picture pretty much sums up his morning, as well as the attempt at school pictures:</div>
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Little Buddy was pretty nervous and was having a hard time channeling all that nervous energy into anything besides whining, asking to stay home repeatedly, and running around like a crazy person.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mDdJUE1GV7M/U_uSg7GcOkI/AAAAAAAALAM/KfDQ-zpoqdk/s1600/IMG_0719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mDdJUE1GV7M/U_uSg7GcOkI/AAAAAAAALAM/KfDQ-zpoqdk/s1600/IMG_0719.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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When we got to school, Maddie gave us the shove-off, letting me know she'd be "fine" and to take Sam to Kindergarten. :) He was pretty unsure about the whole thing:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4qFO8Ch0E5s/U_uSgYeHgZI/AAAAAAAALAI/xuBj6c1X2Cw/s1600/IMG_0738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4qFO8Ch0E5s/U_uSgYeHgZI/AAAAAAAALAI/xuBj6c1X2Cw/s1600/IMG_0738.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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The parents were able to stay for 20 minutes, and thankfully by the end of our classroom tour and after playing with some unifix cubes, Sam was ready for me to go. He gave me a kiss and headed straight for the carpet when Mrs. Dennis rang the bell.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wC-pks4aWD0/U_uSl4xhzGI/AAAAAAAALAg/08055Th-6nw/s1600/IMG_0747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wC-pks4aWD0/U_uSl4xhzGI/AAAAAAAALAg/08055Th-6nw/s1600/IMG_0747.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S0mf1Is8MvY/U_uSlysPb_I/AAAAAAAALAk/zNK9WtWd3Cg/s1600/IMG_0748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S0mf1Is8MvY/U_uSlysPb_I/AAAAAAAALAk/zNK9WtWd3Cg/s1600/IMG_0748.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm really grateful for the kids' placements this year. Mrs. Dennis couldn't be any sweeter. She is totally warm and loving and nurturing, just the kind of person Sam needs. She gave him a big hug and talked so sweetly to him at the end of school today. She told him, "Thanks for being such a sweet boy in class!"</div>
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Maddie's teacher also told me how "sweet" she was. Couldn't ask for any better compliments about my kiddos! Looking forward to another great year as Sycamore Sharks!</div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-85682700154058096102014-08-24T19:45:00.001-07:002014-08-24T19:45:05.584-07:00Back to School Eve Feast 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's the most wonderful time of the year! Back to School! And in keeping with tradition, we're kicking off the 2014-2015 school year with a Feast! </div>
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This year's theme:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"> Let Your Light Shine</span>.</div>
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I was thinking about how to send my kids off to school and started singing, "this little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine," which made me think of the verse:</div>
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Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16</div>
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All the party decor just flowed from there. I found a cute print on etsy that incorporated a lightbulb so we just went with it. I had so much fun planning and preparing for this year's feast.</div>
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First, the traditional back-to-school party crowns:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EU0Fci4G3Ds/U_qcBrBOGrI/AAAAAAAAK9c/p2qUgdIhfvQ/s1600/IMG_0599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EU0Fci4G3Ds/U_qcBrBOGrI/AAAAAAAAK9c/p2qUgdIhfvQ/s1600/IMG_0599.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LYp5-RcHb7o/U_qcB_PCY3I/AAAAAAAAK9k/5it71BHO9zs/s1600/IMG_0602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LYp5-RcHb7o/U_qcB_PCY3I/AAAAAAAAK9k/5it71BHO9zs/s1600/IMG_0602.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Some of the decorations:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jfJGNhIFL1g/U_qcIUO0SmI/AAAAAAAAK98/343AH7j4LF8/s1600/IMG_0606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jfJGNhIFL1g/U_qcIUO0SmI/AAAAAAAAK98/343AH7j4LF8/s1600/IMG_0606.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RhP61fAnk1s/U_qcB4DHHmI/AAAAAAAAK9g/QfAHjyNY_Zg/s1600/IMG_0605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RhP61fAnk1s/U_qcB4DHHmI/AAAAAAAAK9g/QfAHjyNY_Zg/s1600/IMG_0605.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cRZATGrRfHA/U_qcJA60hHI/AAAAAAAAK-A/Bp3a2u3Vh1U/s1600/IMG_0609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cRZATGrRfHA/U_qcJA60hHI/AAAAAAAAK-A/Bp3a2u3Vh1U/s1600/IMG_0609.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I printed a few instagram photos of moments where their little lights were shining bright:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6jyLppNKdnk/U_qcND9gYiI/AAAAAAAAK-U/5wUGjBZDKiA/s1600/IMG_0614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6jyLppNKdnk/U_qcND9gYiI/AAAAAAAAK-U/5wUGjBZDKiA/s1600/IMG_0614.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eCXbveiQLz0/U_qcRnc3VKI/AAAAAAAAK-g/jWyMObytUuw/s1600/IMG_0623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eCXbveiQLz0/U_qcRnc3VKI/AAAAAAAAK-g/jWyMObytUuw/s1600/IMG_0623.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QbUXDp10v6A/U_qcRejymlI/AAAAAAAAK-c/I0nnE0XzoEs/s1600/IMG_0631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QbUXDp10v6A/U_qcRejymlI/AAAAAAAAK-c/I0nnE0XzoEs/s1600/IMG_0631.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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New this year are fun little "let your light shine" tags (also found on etsy) which will accompany the kids to school each day on their backpack and bookbag as little reminders to shine their best. I can see this becoming a tradition as well. :)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YJ5wssgZeB8/U_qcRsbA6VI/AAAAAAAAK-k/2HchHGGqhzk/s1600/IMG_0619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YJ5wssgZeB8/U_qcRsbA6VI/AAAAAAAAK-k/2HchHGGqhzk/s1600/IMG_0619.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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On the menu:</div>
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Pineapple Sunbeams</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yUu2llCkrO4/U_qg8jcqVAI/AAAAAAAAK_Y/idzuuNAFkEw/s1600/photo%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yUu2llCkrO4/U_qg8jcqVAI/AAAAAAAAK_Y/idzuuNAFkEw/s1600/photo%2B1.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Sun Buns:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-boyweZR7R0k/U_qhAaNsbjI/AAAAAAAAK_g/R4pn6B3MD84/s1600/photo%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-boyweZR7R0k/U_qhAaNsbjI/AAAAAAAAK_g/R4pn6B3MD84/s1600/photo%2B2.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Lemon Roasted Chicken</div>
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Yellow Squash Sunbeams</div>
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Yukon Gold(en)s</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iovHZwG9uAo/U_qcYBFcvUI/AAAAAAAAK_A/XBscBmHkA8I/s1600/IMG_0635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iovHZwG9uAo/U_qcYBFcvUI/AAAAAAAAK_A/XBscBmHkA8I/s1600/IMG_0635.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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It wouldn't be a party without sparkly (lemonade):</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u8ZuunDt1CI/U_qcXoGMkDI/AAAAAAAAK-4/J3bKXgzHuzE/s1600/IMG_0644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u8ZuunDt1CI/U_qcXoGMkDI/AAAAAAAAK-4/J3bKXgzHuzE/s1600/IMG_0644.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Second Grader </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O6guA8fCjWk/U_qcXODmy1I/AAAAAAAAK-0/hdbCJI6VVIE/s1600/IMG_0648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O6guA8fCjWk/U_qcXODmy1I/AAAAAAAAK-0/hdbCJI6VVIE/s1600/IMG_0648.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Kindergartener</div>
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And, last but not least, Sunny Lemon Cake with Lemon Curd and Whipping Cream</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--i7x-4gplZY/U_qcZxhN4zI/AAAAAAAAK_M/I6RdtlgSE4E/s1600/IMG_0650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--i7x-4gplZY/U_qcZxhN4zI/AAAAAAAAK_M/I6RdtlgSE4E/s1600/IMG_0650.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Bags are packed, folders stowed, lunches ready, outfits laid out, kids in bed, Mama at peace.</div>
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The children were nestled, all snug in their beds</div>
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while visions of back-to-school danced in their heads</div>
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With Mama in her jammies</div>
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holding a nightcap</div>
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hopinh everyone stays down for a long night's nap</div>
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Merry Back-to-School to all, and to all a good night!</div>
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XOXO</div>
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Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-26459482321774153012014-08-23T00:00:00.000-07:002014-08-23T00:00:03.371-07:00Lake Almanor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A few weeks ago our friends offered to let us stay at their house on Lake Almanor. It was the perfect vacation for our little family of five. We enjoyed lots of outdoor adventures including fishing, hiking, paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming, dock jumping, rock throwing, stick collecting and sunset watching. We also rested a lot, watched movies, did "dates" with the kiddos, and enjoyed a lot of fresh trout.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring around the river</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-soiVBvbLN_k/U_Y5gllwjVI/AAAAAAAAK70/Fi1UQxzJIAw/s1600/IMG_0026.jpg" height="426" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day on the river: a success!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W3PZHee8VdI/U_Y5fAzfS0I/AAAAAAAAK7c/npHnAUcuvPE/s1600/IMG_0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W3PZHee8VdI/U_Y5fAzfS0I/AAAAAAAAK7c/npHnAUcuvPE/s1600/IMG_0033.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking in the Mt. Lassen wilderness to Bumpass Hell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k9FURaXEfKo/U_Y5fs-hhkI/AAAAAAAAK7o/k0SWq-Lz-00/s1600/IMG_0037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k9FURaXEfKo/U_Y5fs-hhkI/AAAAAAAAK7o/k0SWq-Lz-00/s1600/IMG_0037.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bumpass Hell steam vent (smells like sulphur)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uq_MZZe3sw0/U_Y5fyzW42I/AAAAAAAAK7s/Unl00andwKU/s1600/IMG_0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uq_MZZe3sw0/U_Y5fyzW42I/AAAAAAAAK7s/Unl00andwKU/s1600/IMG_0052.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best sunset of our trip</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ICK0TNtttWA/U_Y5gbT6R0I/AAAAAAAAK7w/yHRcgdAgaEw/s1600/IMG_0082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ICK0TNtttWA/U_Y5gbT6R0I/AAAAAAAAK7w/yHRcgdAgaEw/s1600/IMG_0082.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam swimming around</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sZPI5QCH6lk/U_Y5g8MNuJI/AAAAAAAAK74/bbRsoR3eaTw/s1600/IMG_9951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sZPI5QCH6lk/U_Y5g8MNuJI/AAAAAAAAK74/bbRsoR3eaTw/s1600/IMG_9951.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a long dusty road to the Yellow River</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ijStddDY4M/U_Y5hJTdogI/AAAAAAAAK78/MvaAe-_-pvk/s1600/IMG_9954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ijStddDY4M/U_Y5hJTdogI/AAAAAAAAK78/MvaAe-_-pvk/s1600/IMG_9954.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow River aquatic plants: there were flowers growing right out of the stream. It was so beautiful!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gylovn78RB8/U_Y5hXkIY1I/AAAAAAAAK8E/9CrOZ7xl3GA/s1600/IMG_9961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gylovn78RB8/U_Y5hXkIY1I/AAAAAAAAK8E/9CrOZ7xl3GA/s1600/IMG_9961.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring around the Yellow River</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3lJE51ofi0U/U_Y6h5cD2BI/AAAAAAAAK80/VTr26eFyLZo/s1600/photo%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3lJE51ofi0U/U_Y6h5cD2BI/AAAAAAAAK80/VTr26eFyLZo/s1600/photo%2B1.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swirl cones at the Pine Shack</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l1YX8a1alTo/U_Y6if9BihI/AAAAAAAAK84/b7W2KcbUnJY/s1600/photo%2B2.JPG" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somebody loves his Maddie girl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tl1vmb0wUTM/U_Y6kWvLzZI/AAAAAAAAK9E/i8thuPRikA0/s1600/photo-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tl1vmb0wUTM/U_Y6kWvLzZI/AAAAAAAAK9E/i8thuPRikA0/s1600/photo-3.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">no caption necessary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yhsgv3qQLMs/U_Y5hpBTcNI/AAAAAAAAK8Y/uvQTu49Bg0c/s1600/IMG_9970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yhsgv3qQLMs/U_Y5hpBTcNI/AAAAAAAAK8Y/uvQTu49Bg0c/s1600/IMG_9970.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty little stream trout</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDYLnQjZ5pE/U_Y5h1fPI1I/AAAAAAAAK8M/XXG5mym6X7g/s1600/IMG_9999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDYLnQjZ5pE/U_Y5h1fPI1I/AAAAAAAAK8M/XXG5mym6X7g/s1600/IMG_9999.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> honeybee reunion?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k8b0UaczFl8/U_Y6yQVbc3I/AAAAAAAAK9M/WrFoX4yKqxk/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k8b0UaczFl8/U_Y6yQVbc3I/AAAAAAAAK9M/WrFoX4yKqxk/s1600/photo-2.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me and my hiking buddy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-16217058053216276662014-08-22T00:00:00.000-07:002014-08-22T00:00:08.392-07:00lens envy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A family friend is selling his 70-200 1.4 and I've been borrowing it the past week. I'm totally in love. I rented one a few years ago for Ben's 35th but two days wasn't nearly enough time to truly admire every little detail of its awesomeness. A few days ago Evan and I did a mini photo shoot at a local park. Here are my favorites (it was hard to choose).</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s8wMhF2aSjg/U_Y1YHyhuJI/AAAAAAAAK6U/kc7Y3o_Y7Mk/s1600/IMG_0339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s8wMhF2aSjg/U_Y1YHyhuJI/AAAAAAAAK6U/kc7Y3o_Y7Mk/s1600/IMG_0339.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If I had a dollar for every photo with his pointer finger doing its thing, I'd be rich.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nvVgt9Dn5co/U_Y1de8rOII/AAAAAAAAK60/rvDvx0NKVuk/s1600/IMG_0407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nvVgt9Dn5co/U_Y1de8rOII/AAAAAAAAK60/rvDvx0NKVuk/s1600/IMG_0407.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6EUptjGqapU/U_Y1YXgv1qI/AAAAAAAAK6Y/ZXBpRZc9Ogc/s1600/IMG_0387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6EUptjGqapU/U_Y1YXgv1qI/AAAAAAAAK6Y/ZXBpRZc9Ogc/s1600/IMG_0387.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shenanigans!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JurLj6VWF-I/U_Y1Y6AF29I/AAAAAAAAK6g/iou3WbjSWHU/s1600/IMG_0360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JurLj6VWF-I/U_Y1Y6AF29I/AAAAAAAAK6g/iou3WbjSWHU/s1600/IMG_0360.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pointing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v3ek7ssUwts/U_Y1cu2sB8I/AAAAAAAAK6s/Zff-wMQTxJA/s1600/IMG_0446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v3ek7ssUwts/U_Y1cu2sB8I/AAAAAAAAK6s/Zff-wMQTxJA/s1600/IMG_0446.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">exploring</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BYzlrW-jwN4/U_Y1fq4N12I/AAAAAAAAK68/Wexup85J010/s1600/IMG_0450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BYzlrW-jwN4/U_Y1fq4N12I/AAAAAAAAK68/Wexup85J010/s1600/IMG_0450.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">his messed up hair is my favorite part of this photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6vYCMZUU_jI/U_Y1ht29lmI/AAAAAAAAK7E/wjWJkH-9ymM/s1600/IMG_0501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6vYCMZUU_jI/U_Y1ht29lmI/AAAAAAAAK7E/wjWJkH-9ymM/s1600/IMG_0501.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sweetest little face</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-47661725690000569022014-08-21T11:19:00.001-07:002014-08-21T11:19:41.386-07:00Date Night: St. George Spirits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A few months ago, Ben and I went on a super fun date night to St. George Spirits in Alameda. I credit Ben's dad with starting my gin habit after leaving ice cold gin and tonic in my fridge last summer. I finally tried it one hot August night and I've never looked back. We sampled some amazing gins while at St. George, and several other spirits including a coffee liqueur that we ended up buying. The most interesting, hands down, was learning the history of the licorice-tasting absinthe. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Anyhow, if you're local, and you like spirits, you should definitely look into doing a tour and tasting. It's worth all the interesting facts you learn about the process of making gin, vodka, whiskey, liqueur, brandy, etc. plus seeing their amazing space. It's a converted war airplane hangar with redwood ceilings and some pretty amazing copper stills:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Im3FErkN40g/U_Y1j-RmKtI/AAAAAAAAK7M/DnPOIYjxb-A/s1600/IMG_9225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Im3FErkN40g/U_Y1j-RmKtI/AAAAAAAAK7M/DnPOIYjxb-A/s1600/IMG_9225.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The absinthe changes color as it mixes with ice. Super cool:</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jy6HyOGM8uU/U_Y1kcSnCWI/AAAAAAAAK7Q/eWinV7u4Pcw/s1600/IMG_9229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jy6HyOGM8uU/U_Y1kcSnCWI/AAAAAAAAK7Q/eWinV7u4Pcw/s1600/IMG_9229.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cheers, St. George! Thanks for the super fun date night!</div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-57465728346284738642014-08-15T00:00:00.000-07:002014-08-15T00:00:10.191-07:00Evan: 17 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Evan, my lovey little monkey bug!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>This month, you are in love with:</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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eating (sometimes 3 breakfasts by the time I've sat down to mine)</div>
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"jumping" off the hearth</div>
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climbing high</div>
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sticks</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m3SLxltr4s8/U-JTnMZmr7I/AAAAAAAAK5A/EkocNtnHpIg/s1600/IMG_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m3SLxltr4s8/U-JTnMZmr7I/AAAAAAAAK5A/EkocNtnHpIg/s1600/IMG_0008.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
getting your way</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--2OaHEqTsoQ/U-JTm8ngf1I/AAAAAAAAK5E/8pmgHT2oXA0/s1600/IMG_0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--2OaHEqTsoQ/U-JTm8ngf1I/AAAAAAAAK5E/8pmgHT2oXA0/s1600/IMG_0015.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
playing along with the big kids (little munchkin)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YJOkufp9fUo/U-JTnvlKkYI/AAAAAAAAK5I/1XLdt1Iz-xc/s1600/IMG_0079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YJOkufp9fUo/U-JTnvlKkYI/AAAAAAAAK5I/1XLdt1Iz-xc/s1600/IMG_0079.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
exploring the world</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fr3TvZKsOPs/U-JTn_aCd7I/AAAAAAAAK5Q/5_MxPwi6Tmg/s1600/IMG_0087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fr3TvZKsOPs/U-JTn_aCd7I/AAAAAAAAK5Q/5_MxPwi6Tmg/s1600/IMG_0087.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and barely pausing to rest</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rLNmNrdpW6A/U-JTn_BhP8I/AAAAAAAAK5M/W5fAIYbTmAU/s1600/IMG_0090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rLNmNrdpW6A/U-JTn_BhP8I/AAAAAAAAK5M/W5fAIYbTmAU/s1600/IMG_0090.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>On our trip to Lake Almanor, you were a fan of:</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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eating snacks (and throwing them)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LXuyiwmS2Gs/U-JTohaNALI/AAAAAAAAK5c/pV05k_EsChk/s1600/IMG_9966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LXuyiwmS2Gs/U-JTohaNALI/AAAAAAAAK5c/pV05k_EsChk/s1600/IMG_9966.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sitting by the stream (usually on Mama's lap)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mJKLv97235w/U-JTo_ERdsI/AAAAAAAAK5g/uSSX6jWQqgo/s1600/IMG_9981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mJKLv97235w/U-JTo_ERdsI/AAAAAAAAK5g/uSSX6jWQqgo/s1600/IMG_9981.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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going up and down three flights of stairs</div>
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waking up multiple times a night (still happening. ugh.)</div>
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throwing things in the water</div>
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<b>You are not such a fan of:</b></div>
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bedtime</div>
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being left behind or put down when you're not completely ready</div>
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getting your hands dirty (Maddie thought of that one, and it's true)</div>
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having your face wiped</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Our favorite things about you right now:</b></div>
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your babbling and conversation-making</div>
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you crack yourself up</div>
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how you give kisses</div>
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your animal sounds "woo woo!" (dog) "Oooooo" (cow) "owwww" (kitty)</div>
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how good you are at throwing</div>
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<br /></div>
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Every day you make us laugh, and you make us tired. Thanks for bringing so much joy to our lives, Evan Michael! XOXO</div>
<br />Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-84812374473373323582014-08-14T00:00:00.000-07:002014-08-14T00:00:04.624-07:00Maddie: 70 Months<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh, Maddie girl!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dq-3Drrwllo/U-JO_SaNs1I/AAAAAAAAK4Y/lpo6Ouei9To/s1600/IMG_9938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dq-3Drrwllo/U-JO_SaNs1I/AAAAAAAAK4Y/lpo6Ouei9To/s1600/IMG_9938.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leading a Hula Show at our Neighborhood Luau</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These days, you are:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
artistic</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
hilarious</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Daddy's girl, utterly and completely</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Best Big Sister. Ever.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vzizbPwasKU/U-JPOZJCBhI/AAAAAAAAK4g/a3EggdWyWuM/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vzizbPwasKU/U-JPOZJCBhI/AAAAAAAAK4g/a3EggdWyWuM/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
You love to:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
play with Evan</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
tease Sam</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
please your Daddy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
make your Daddy laugh</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sing and make up songs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
read</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vrq7mMp_b3Q/U-JPOiRUY8I/AAAAAAAAK4k/remW5CO57PI/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vrq7mMp_b3Q/U-JPOiRUY8I/AAAAAAAAK4k/remW5CO57PI/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">be still, my ever-lovin' heart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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Not loving so much:</div>
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practicing your violin</div>
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Sam leaning on you or touching you in the car</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BqHPeG-WwiA/U-JPgQHtVzI/AAAAAAAAK4w/eFxst0kaS0k/s1600/IMG_9995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BqHPeG-WwiA/U-JPgQHtVzI/AAAAAAAAK4w/eFxst0kaS0k/s1600/IMG_9995.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can't wait for school to start. You had a dream that you were in Mrs. Maghami's class and it made you so, so happy. You ask every few days "How much longer?" I love this about you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We've really seen growth in you in the area of apologizing. In just a few months, you've become so quick to apologize, to seek reconciliation, and to admit when you are wrong. This is HUGE. For years, if you messed up, you would run away and hide. You are learning grace and it is impacting your relationships in such an amazing way. Man, am I ever thankful.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's a joy and privilege to be your Mama. You fill my days with joy and make my job so much easier with how helpful you are, especially with the baby. Thank you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-3136482522025987532014-08-07T00:00:00.000-07:002014-08-07T00:00:03.029-07:00Sam: 65 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oh, Sammy Sam!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rZ1LwsMeZPs/U-JLf42BJYI/AAAAAAAAK4I/7w80kPZsyfw/s1600/l..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rZ1LwsMeZPs/U-JLf42BJYI/AAAAAAAAK4I/7w80kPZsyfw/s1600/l..jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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These days, you are:</div>
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adventurous</div>
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artistic</div>
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mischievous & sneaky</div>
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scary smart</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1A53JCA7V0c/U-JLfiPjsnI/AAAAAAAAK4E/1cjBzrg9Ztw/s1600/IMG_0058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1A53JCA7V0c/U-JLfiPjsnI/AAAAAAAAK4E/1cjBzrg9Ztw/s1600/IMG_0058.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Mom, take a picture of me pretending to fall off the dock!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You are Mr. Negotiator. I had forgotten this "lovely" stage until I found myself smack dab in a drop-down, drag-out, political lobbyist-worthy, FBI hostage professional NEGOTIATION. About something ridiculous, like cookies for breakfast. Right before Maddie started Kindergarten I couldn't wait for her to be in school, arguing about nothing with someone else. And, as luck would have it, here we are again, this time with you.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t2d-9lixXR4/U-JLYtEblXI/AAAAAAAAK30/LD_5UgR_198/s1600/photo-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t2d-9lixXR4/U-JLYtEblXI/AAAAAAAAK30/LD_5UgR_198/s1600/photo-3.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's shameful to admit, but Daddy and I are jealous of your body. You are a tall, lean, muscle machine with the abs of a fitness model. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-42-zr1qy5Us/U-JLYxbMdiI/AAAAAAAAK34/MmAIQzQumo4/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-42-zr1qy5Us/U-JLYxbMdiI/AAAAAAAAK34/MmAIQzQumo4/s1600/photo-2.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And, at times, you are the sweetest bunch of honey numpkins that your Mama ever did see. Thanks for being my snuggle bug, sugar buns, hand holder, lip kisser, favorite five year-old boy.</div>
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<br /></div>
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You love to:</div>
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build</div>
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create & copy intricate drawings</div>
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make things out of junk</div>
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collect "treasure"</div>
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take risks</div>
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make your sister crazy</div>
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go on dates</div>
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<br /></div>
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You aren't such a fan of:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
being told "no"</div>
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not getting dessert</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maddie singing or making noises of any kind in the car next to you</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-51841574050059266282014-06-15T00:00:00.000-07:002014-06-15T00:00:00.824-07:00Evan: 15 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At fifteen glorious months, you are:</div>
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hilariously, side-splittingly funny</div>
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gregarious</div>
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amazingly easygoing</div>
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freakin' adorable</div>
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disastrous</div>
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temperamental</div>
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cah-RAZY!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PRBOKreebj0/U5aCZt5jS0I/AAAAAAAAK2Q/9LFtmcdecA8/s1600/IMG_8963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PRBOKreebj0/U5aCZt5jS0I/AAAAAAAAK2Q/9LFtmcdecA8/s1600/IMG_8963.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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You love:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maddie</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"tickling" people</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
eating</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
dumping things out and turning things over</div>
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bathtime</div>
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hitting things and people</div>
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throwing balls</div>
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"running"</div>
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playing chase and peekaboo with Maddie & Sam</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zHBn_FCymbo/U5aCjQqsS0I/AAAAAAAAK2Y/2RLdqy8l3hs/s1600/IMG_9028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zHBn_FCymbo/U5aCjQqsS0I/AAAAAAAAK2Y/2RLdqy8l3hs/s1600/IMG_9028.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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You say:</div>
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Mama</div>
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Dada</div>
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No No</div>
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Bye (on occasion)</div>
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and a whole lot of unintelligible babble </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wFrpYhS7O1k/U5aAJa8aiJI/AAAAAAAAK10/rZUdbUC8cXA/s1600/IMG_8962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wFrpYhS7O1k/U5aAJa8aiJI/AAAAAAAAK10/rZUdbUC8cXA/s1600/IMG_8962.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
This month you:</div>
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travelled over 7 hours in the car two times in three days and were a STAR</div>
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threw yourself into the pool a handful of times</div>
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put your hand in fresh stain and then put a handprint on the neighbor's white corvette</div>
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gave yourself several goose eggs and bruises</div>
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hit and bit several family members</div>
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fell back asleep in daddy's arms and then slept in our bed with us until 9:30 in the morning</div>
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made us laugh *googleplex* times</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
gave lots of kisses</div>
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brightened each day</div>
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<br /></div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-3296347423811195262014-06-14T00:00:00.000-07:002014-06-14T00:00:00.472-07:00Maddie: 68 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At 7 years, 6 months, you are:</div>
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fiercely determined</div>
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fiercely devoted</div>
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loving, patient & kind</div>
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easily frustrated</div>
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a very hard worker</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ykf3Vka4vTc/U5aAHryHmOI/AAAAAAAAK1E/kLgaNGStvI8/s1600/IMG_8932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ykf3Vka4vTc/U5aAHryHmOI/AAAAAAAAK1E/kLgaNGStvI8/s1600/IMG_8932.jpg" height="452" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dPKp012f8sM/U5aAHnMU2lI/AAAAAAAAK1M/umKXEJdnsSM/s1600/IMG_8933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dPKp012f8sM/U5aAHnMU2lI/AAAAAAAAK1M/umKXEJdnsSM/s1600/IMG_8933.jpg" height="494" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Softball season was a mix of:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
growing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
stretching</div>
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crying</div>
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getting frustrated</div>
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overcoming obstacles</div>
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improving</div>
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fierce determination</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
enthusiastic cheering</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEYtlPfavWY/U5aAHlYMpjI/AAAAAAAAK1I/Q8IY1W6m72s/s1600/IMG_8934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEYtlPfavWY/U5aAHlYMpjI/AAAAAAAAK1I/Q8IY1W6m72s/s1600/IMG_8934.jpg" height="498" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You love:</div>
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Evan kisses</div>
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Evan snuggles</div>
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playing with Evan</div>
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hitting the ball hard</div>
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swimming with friends</div>
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spending time with Daddy</div>
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making Daddy laugh by doing crazy dances</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rDidE2VJN_o/U5aAIWu4fXI/AAAAAAAAK1Q/n8qlZVK-jBs/s1600/IMG_8952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rDidE2VJN_o/U5aAIWu4fXI/AAAAAAAAK1Q/n8qlZVK-jBs/s1600/IMG_8952.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5XMTOGw9Rxg/U5aAIodrxYI/AAAAAAAAK1U/c1G4ZeC322c/s1600/IMG_8953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5XMTOGw9Rxg/U5aAIodrxYI/AAAAAAAAK1U/c1G4ZeC322c/s1600/IMG_8953.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-__bnC2gs9Ps/U5aAIp2rZ_I/AAAAAAAAK1c/iKSARWG85Rg/s1600/IMG_8954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-__bnC2gs9Ps/U5aAIp2rZ_I/AAAAAAAAK1c/iKSARWG85Rg/s1600/IMG_8954.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You are NOT a fan of:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
talking about your day on the way home from school</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
striking out</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pesky brothers</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
disappointing others</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You spend your days:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
drawing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
playing with Sam & Evan</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
working hard at school</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
diligently applying yourself to your homework without complaining</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
practicing violin and improving each week</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
making up songs, dances, & stories</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-41030292765839255762014-06-13T17:25:00.002-07:002014-06-13T17:25:33.729-07:00everyday grace<div style="text-align: center;">
Today I found grace in the most unlikely of places: an AT&T service call and Safeway. Specifically, I talked grace, marriage, love and psychology with a customer service representative and got to see my girl experience grace from a grocery store checker.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our first day of Summer vacation started with fighting. A lot of fighting. Two big kids who are having a real hard time trying to negotiate spending all day together. Vying for attention. Selecting games to play and movies to watch. Choosing what to eat. By 10:30 this morning I was tired of getting involved in the minor skirmishes and ready to put everyone in a long time out.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So we packed up the car and headed to the park. The baby fell asleep in his carseat and I watched from the parked car as the kids ran to explore a new playground. I pulled out my AT&T bill, prepared myself for battle, and sighed as I started to dial the phone. "Lord help me," I exhaled, as I made a mental list of all the reasons I should be angry and justified in my frustrations. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the Lord answered my prayer. My puny, self-centered, frustrated cry for help landed me on the phone with Amy, customer service rep at AT&T, and by far the nicest service person with whom I've ever had the pleasure of spending an hour and a half on the phone. Not only did she fix all the problems, but saved us money and waived a major installation fee ($99!) As I waited for everything to get cleared, we had the opportunity to talk about God's grace on my marriage and the Spirit's work in enabling Ben and I to be happily married fourteen years in. We talked about the importance of spending time with kids and God's grace in allowing me the time at home with my little monkeys. She complimented my patience and kind words with my kids who constantly interrupted the phone call. She shared her own hopes of putting her psychology degree to work one day, maybe even doing marriage counseling like Ben and I have the honor of walking through in this season of our lives with members of our church.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
God took a potentially major frustration of my day and turned it right around into one of the highlights.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then I had to take all three kids to the grocery store. Not exactly my idea of a good time. Maddie had brought along her own wallet, jammed full of change and dollar bills, and picked out a brightly colored stuffed bear from the floral department to purchase. We talked about the cost of the bear ($5) and the size of her savings, the fact she has several other stuffed animals, etc. (essentially trying to talk her out of spending her money). Her strong will and oral argument skills prevailed and I decided to let her spend her money.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At the checkout, the grocery store clerk asked us several questions about our day, shared about his own kids, and tried to talk Maddie out of buying the bear! "Do you really need another stuffed animal?" he asked. Maddie replied, "My mom is allowing me to spend my own money as I see fit." The bear didn't have a price and he tried multiple scans before calling over a manager for an override. The fee: $1. The sweet man purposely gave Maddie a considerable discount, making her promise to come back and tell him the name she had chosen for her bear.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today God chose to extend grace in the most unlikely of places. It turned my frustrating day into a marvelous encounter with the divine. I'm so grateful for a God who shows up in the everyday, mundane tasks and shows me his everyday, marvelous love.</div>
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Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-80293410613839205342014-06-12T00:00:00.000-07:002014-06-09T21:14:53.699-07:00Oregon! My Oregon!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Memorial Day weekend the kids and I drove up to Oregon to meet up with my parents, brothers, sister-in-law, nieces and nephew. It was epic. The kids were AMAZING in the long car rides--3 hour stretches with just one stop each way (7 hours total trip)! We stayed at a hotel right on the Rogue River and enjoyed a handful of adventures in our short weekend.</div>
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We enjoyed awesome dinner and drinks at a lodge right on the river, a short walk from our hotel. The kids were kind enough to pose for a picture. Oldest cousin is nearly 13 and Evan is 14 months! In between we have 10, 7, 7, and 5. Grammy & Papa look way too young to have such grown up grandchildren.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BNwQ6_RaA6M/U5aEUUnUR_I/AAAAAAAAK2k/FtHc_8V3W_s/s1600/IMG_9002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BNwQ6_RaA6M/U5aEUUnUR_I/AAAAAAAAK2k/FtHc_8V3W_s/s1600/IMG_9002.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sunday we explored Jacksonville, with its quaint historic buildings and fun little shops. The girls really enjoyed shopping together and the guys didn't seem to mind tagging along.<br />
<br />
On Sunday night we enjoyed a long speedboat trip down the river. We did lots of spinning 180s, got really wet, napped (Evan), saw wild osprey and bald eagles, motored through Hell's Gate, and enjoyed an amazing all-you-can-eat dinner on the banks of the river with all our boat friends. </div>
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After dinner the sun was going down and the kids were skipping rocks. We snapped a few more photos as long as the cousins were all together:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s9vpqXXdwgQ/U5aEWKRep_I/AAAAAAAAK2s/sMNWvj61yTA/s1600/IMG_9046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s9vpqXXdwgQ/U5aEWKRep_I/AAAAAAAAK2s/sMNWvj61yTA/s1600/IMG_9046.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's soooo hard to live far away from our families, whom we love so much. But trips like this are sure to stick in the kids' memories and they love their Oregon family so much.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NYqvdWybfdk/U5aEWF5oOwI/AAAAAAAAK2w/GQBvZEywdhE/s1600/IMG_9058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NYqvdWybfdk/U5aEWF5oOwI/AAAAAAAAK2w/GQBvZEywdhE/s1600/IMG_9058.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thanks, Painters, for an awesome trip! We miss you and can't wait to come up in just a few short weeks.</div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-49436774922395367532014-06-09T20:48:00.000-07:002014-06-09T20:48:06.510-07:00Sam: 63 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For monthly updates I'm going to try an amended (shorter) version each month, with lists of things that have stood out about each of the kids. Likes, dislikes, funny stories, repeating themes, etc.</div>
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Sam:</div>
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You march to the beat of your own drum, you are:</div>
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funny</div>
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curious</div>
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creative</div>
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intelligent</div>
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your very own person</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mCqdWHwcB-Y/U5Z-UQPoiyI/AAAAAAAAK00/r-NQDoV2kG8/s1600/IMG_8803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mCqdWHwcB-Y/U5Z-UQPoiyI/AAAAAAAAK00/r-NQDoV2kG8/s1600/IMG_8803.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Your body tells a million stories a day. You love to:</div>
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snuggle</div>
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kiss and hug</div>
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jump into Daddy's arms from the steps with a big hug each day before work</div>
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tell stories with exaggeration and expressive faces</div>
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have your back scratched</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wsnLRSJtWKU/U5Z-UUf8GCI/AAAAAAAAK0w/rpSA9X28Nk4/s1600/IMG_8871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wsnLRSJtWKU/U5Z-UUf8GCI/AAAAAAAAK0w/rpSA9X28Nk4/s1600/IMG_8871.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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You notice an insane amount of detail details about:</div>
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friends and their specific needs</div>
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newcomers</div>
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moving vehicles and moving parts</div>
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disturbances in the force :)</div>
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You spend your days:</div>
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building (usually with legos)</div>
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making elaborate drawings of maps and directions and people and tanks and cityscapes</div>
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watching shows before anyone else wakes up</div>
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dismantling my couch cushions</div>
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making forts</div>
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playing with/tormenting Maddie</div>
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playing with/tormenting/roughing up Evan</div>
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Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-35234759094489240522014-05-31T09:57:00.001-07:002014-05-31T09:57:26.360-07:00waking up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G7CB2tiALqw/U4oHGuwIyMI/AAAAAAAAKyE/9F2CmNTGNxo/s1600/IMG_9196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G7CB2tiALqw/U4oHGuwIyMI/AAAAAAAAKyE/9F2CmNTGNxo/s1600/IMG_9196.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've wanted to write for a while now. Throughout the day, as I go about my Mama business, I find myself thinking in prose. I take little snapshots of my day and surround them with long, lovely sentences full of superfluous adjectives and lists separated by commas. </div>
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All in my head.</div>
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I know I'm a writer. My mind keeps an active list of all the things I want to document but my day keeps me from actually getting anything down on paper. Part of it is busyness, but another part is laziness coupled with fear. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SLgrz433y1E/U4oHGh1d24I/AAAAAAAAKyo/xbO-__-_Ye8/s1600/IMG_9206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SLgrz433y1E/U4oHGh1d24I/AAAAAAAAKyo/xbO-__-_Ye8/s1600/IMG_9206.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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All this to say, I'm hoping to get back into the swing of blogging. And not just about my kids, but about me. About life. Church planting. Community. Eating clean (or trying). Suffering. Hoping. </div>
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I'm waking up. My heart is waking up. My words are waking up.</div>
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At least, they're trying to. :)</div>
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Thanks for sticking around. XOXO</div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-57171358968408558792014-03-16T21:06:00.001-07:002014-03-16T21:06:39.780-07:00Evan Michael is ONE!!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dear Sweet Evan Michael,</div>
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Today we celebrated your first birthday, though technically you turned one last night at 7:22 pm while you slept peacefully in your crib. When planning the party, I couldn't stop thinking about a sunshine theme. You are blond, fair, and a total joy and delight...you are our sunshine! And to think you've only brightened up our lives for one year; it seems like so much longer!</div>
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One year ago, I helped lift you out of my womb and onto my chest, where your sweet, inquisitive face was peaceful, welcoming, and so kissable.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PVMkr2J0JS8/Uv0RjxFYcEI/AAAAAAAAKuk/RU2goONJibE/s1600/Evan+0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PVMkr2J0JS8/Uv0RjxFYcEI/AAAAAAAAKuk/RU2goONJibE/s1600/Evan+0.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></div>
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At one month, your hair was full and dark and stood up on end when freshly washed. You were soft, round, and with a lower lip that tucked right in.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yT-cLheQADI/Uv0RlDeLtDI/AAAAAAAAKvA/4q9LSWzY5q0/s1600/Evan+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yT-cLheQADI/Uv0RlDeLtDI/AAAAAAAAKvA/4q9LSWzY5q0/s1600/Evan+1.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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At two months you were spindly, a long baby boy with a receding hairline and wide, bright eyes. You smiled, and it lit up our hearts.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gQm03zedKGE/Uv0Sb8VLK2I/AAAAAAAAKv0/_O4XWkRrvp4/s1600/Evan+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gQm03zedKGE/Uv0Sb8VLK2I/AAAAAAAAKv0/_O4XWkRrvp4/s1600/Evan+2.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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Months three and four your cheeks filled out, your eyes were lightening to blue, your hair lightening to blonde, and you were keeping me up all night. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fDHYbImh7AM/Uv0Rm9fHcxI/AAAAAAAAKvY/e5Didj5sRlw/s1600/evan+3-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fDHYbImh7AM/Uv0Rm9fHcxI/AAAAAAAAKvY/e5Didj5sRlw/s1600/evan+3-4.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Five months brought a tiny bit more rest, as well as raspberries, rolling and rolls (weight gain for the win!)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mYZK0tp-I58/Uv0RkXXHgNI/AAAAAAAAKu4/P2xM-ScqmK4/s1600/Evan+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mYZK0tp-I58/Uv0RkXXHgNI/AAAAAAAAKu4/P2xM-ScqmK4/s1600/Evan+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mYZK0tp-I58/Uv0RkXXHgNI/AAAAAAAAKu4/P2xM-ScqmK4/s1600/Evan+5.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a><br />
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Six months and I could hardly believe half a year was past. You were eating, trying to crawl, screaming, sitting, and exploring the world around you.</div>
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Our sweet monkey, at 7 months you were crawling, teething, weaning, babbling. It was all so much!</div>
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8 months and you were (mostly) sleeping at night, filling our days with delight, and a cruising, determined little dude.</div>
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By 9 months I finally finished decorating your nursery. You celebrated by bouncing on the crib and putting your hands in your mouth. I loved putting you to sleep at night, so easy and peaceful as you nursed your baba and played with the tassels on your blankie.</div>
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Month 10 and you were an accomplished walker. You started shortly after turning nine months and in no time you were pushing up to a stand in the middle of the floor and using your two legs as your major form of travel. You grew chubs and were delightfully kissable.</div>
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11 months brought more walking, more talking, and more joy. You filled our lives with laughter. You spent the days being inquisitive, loud, playful, quick, cuddly, and full of energy.</div>
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And now you are one. Determined. Soft. Smart. Funny. Busy. Crazy. Full of life. Full of joy.</div>
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You walk, talk, sign, "sing," make messes, empty the dishwasher and wastebaskets and buckets of toys. You wave bye-bye and point. Mostly you make messes.</div>
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Today's party was so, so fun. I worked all week to pull it together, in all its yellow and gray glory. Of course, you noticed none of the details but it was a true first birthday. All of our friends and church family were there. Even Auntie Jennie got to come! We are so blessed that you are loved by so many.</div>
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You enjoyed poking and prodding your smash cake (aka lemon muffin with lemon buttercream in the shape of a sun).</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-okbTE8TeRBI/UyZzIeLuGvI/AAAAAAAAKxQ/a4nx3YU7lUg/s1600/IMG_8589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-okbTE8TeRBI/UyZzIeLuGvI/AAAAAAAAKxQ/a4nx3YU7lUg/s1600/IMG_8589.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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My favorite part of the party was watching all the kids gather around for the big event. You had no idea what to do, and they were all full of encouragement and suggestions on where to start. When you didn't eat, they offered you bites. They were so delighted when you finally started eating!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hkIZMkS2iQs/UyZzIIqDrdI/AAAAAAAAKxI/GUkr7Y2RPII/s1600/IMG_8612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hkIZMkS2iQs/UyZzIIqDrdI/AAAAAAAAKxI/GUkr7Y2RPII/s1600/IMG_8612.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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And, because the party was right smack dab in the middle of your nap time, once you destroyed the muffin cake, you screamed to get out.</div>
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Happy Birthday, my sweet, sweet boy. You are such a dream baby. Our good news, our gift from God, our surprise third child who totally and perfectly completes our family. We love you, Evan Michael! Welcome to ONE!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Mama</div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-76964122318842125102014-03-07T03:00:00.000-08:002014-03-07T20:22:28.294-08:00Samuel Benjamin is FIVE!!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dear Sam,</div>
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Today you are FIVE. Holy smokes! Welcome to the whole hand club, buddy. It seems like only yesterday that you were born, the shortest labor ever, with the sweetest baby waiting at the end. Then you were one, all giggles and smiles; two, with a full head of beiber-esque hair; three was silly and crazy and snuggly; four, which brought some feisty, and now; FIVE. </div>
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You came into this world calm, wide-eyed, and as sweet as could be.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JYk-ohj0me4/Uv0MMwTZqaI/AAAAAAAAKt0/3eygpQtRcR4/s1600/Sam+0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JYk-ohj0me4/Uv0MMwTZqaI/AAAAAAAAKt0/3eygpQtRcR4/s1600/Sam+0.jpg" /></a></div>
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At one year old you were adventurous, snuggly, and WAY into anything with wheels.</div>
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By two you had a full head of thick, dark hair that constantly needed cutting and the sweetest personality. </div>
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Three brought out your mischievous side but you still had a soft, round body and chubby cheeks.</div>
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Somewhere in the year you turned four, Mr. Hyde appeared to counter your normal Dr. Jekyl. Our sweet, agreeable, laid-back guy developed a real sense of self determination.</div>
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Many years ago in elementary school, I learned that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. And so it is with you, my sweet March birthday boy. At times you are like a lion: fierce, imposing and roaring. At other times you are a little lamb: quiet, sweet and gentle. And here we are, on the day of your fifth birthday, and this couldn't be any more appropriate.</div>
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Your heart is huge, so quick to forgive, loving and gentle. You care for others deeply. You notice things. You speak words of encouragement. Every person on the playground is a friend to meet. You greet everyone heartily and with great welcome and are sure to give a robust goodbye when we depart.</div>
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You are rough and rambunctious and full of life. A typical boy, you often lose track of your body and exactly where your appendages end and other people/things begin. This month at Six Flags we met the Tasmanian Devil and I laughed as I thought about how many times I've likened your crazy, frenetic, post-dinner mania to this very character yet it was the first time you encountered this name outside our four walls.</div>
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You are smart and clever. You build elaborate booby traps and forts, often designed first on paper, in great detail. Figuring out how things work is like a fun hobby of yours. Always designing, building, constructing, thinking, taking apart and building again.</div>
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You've made amazing progress in your speech this year, especially in the last few months. Miss Corrie is blown away by how much things are "sticking" and how hard of a worker you continue to be in speech. It's crazy how difficult it can be for you to articulate your thoughts, but you do so with diligence and patience that is beyond your five years. As much as I hurt for you and your inability to speak freely and easily, I also have been so refined in learning to trust God with your voice. He is refining you and teaching you things I can't possibly understand through this struggle. Perhaps some day we'll look back on these years and see clearly what God was doing in and through the struggle to communicate. But know just how much I admire your courage, your hard work, and the confidence it takes to press in to the struggle.</div>
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Today was a great day. We started with a traditional breakfast "you are special" plate, with your choice: cinnamon rolls. Then you opened your presents: a volcano kit from Maddie, robot kit and rain boots from mom and dad, a sword and bow and arrow set from Auntie Jennie. You were a happy boy. We played swords, made a papier-mache' volcano, and consumed more cinnamon rolls than necessary all before 8:00 a.m.</div>
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At preschool they sang you the birthday song, adorned you with a birthday hat and sticker, and prayed the birthday prayer (and that's where I started crying. yes, I am that mom). You are so blessed to have teachers like Mrs. Sommer and Mrs. Pelley who know and love you oh so much.</div>
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At snacktime (popsicles!) we snapped this selfie, which all the preschool friends just had to see.</div>
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After school, Daddy and a few special friends met us at the park for a picnic and birthday play date. It was a perfect park day: warm, sunny, and the place was full of friends.</div>
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Maddie had her first softball practice tonight, followed by a pizza party, so we just jumped on the party train and brought an ice cream cake to share with everyone. Yay for partying it up with a bunch of your sister's friends (and their siblings, which happen to be your good pals from school!) Who doesn't love to spend their birthday with pepperoni pizza, mug rootbeer, quarter machines, and a chocolate cake with strawberry ice cream??!!!</div>
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And now, tucked away in bed, I hear you and your sister talking about your fun day, cuddled together for a special "birthday sleepover" (also your idea). You are so much fun, sweet boy, and so full of wonderful ideas. What a great day we had today! Welcome to FIVE, sweet, spicy, super duper SAM!!!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Mama</div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-65479297762063030822014-01-30T08:24:00.002-08:002014-01-30T08:24:31.201-08:00Evan: Months 9 & 10Dear E,<br />
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I wish time could stand still. Nine and ten months are two of my most favorite times in the life of a baby, and you, my <i>last </i>baby, are making these fleeting days so incredibly enjoyable. You are, in one word, <i>delicious.</i></div>
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Your soft, pudgy body is perfect for kissing and cuddling. Fresh from the bath, you are delightfully velvety. No one can resist baby in a diaper. We follow you around, waiting for our turn to scoop you up, zurbit that round belly, nibble those dimpled thighs, nuzzle in your cozy neck space.</div>
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You are walking and talking in the course of one month. A few days after turning nine months you took your first steps, 2 or 3 of them, across the room. We all looked at each other in wonder and delight, immediately followed by panic. "What will we do with a walking baby?!!!" Well, we've managed. These days you will walk across a room, 11 or 12 steps at a time, and change direction.</div>
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You say "Ah duh!" when you want to get out of your high chair, waving your hands wildly with the sign for all done. You call out "Dada!" when you see him. You look for "Da!" and pant happily to see Hanalei or your favorite pull-toy dog lying next to you. You give hearty waves goodbye and hello to your favorite friends and complete strangers. It is so much fun to see you communicating.</div>
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You are an incredibly easy baby, which for months made me feel a little guilty, until I embraced the fact that 3 1/2 is where my kids really get tricky, and so I'm just going to sit back and really soak up the next few years. You go to sleep without a fuss or tear. You wake up in the happiest of moods and will sing quietly to yourself for a looong time, allowing me to linger in bed and enjoy the sweet sounds that drift out of your room.</div>
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There are plenty of days where I miss nursing and the closeness of having you next to me, yet I've also found this great delight in a child who falls asleep so easily on his own, who reaches for his bed with joy and relief, who needs no more snuggles from Mama when sleepy. You are plenty snuggly the entire day, happy to be held close, and so I don't ever miss out on an opportunity to snatch you up and hold you tight. We took some long hikes this past week, and you were so content to ride in the ergo, holding on tight. You only grew antsy when you couldn't see your siblings, and would throw your body weight around to spot them.</div>
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You are a fearless explorer. You mastered going up the stairs in a day, and within a month you learned to lower yourself down, slowly, on your belly. You quickly discovered which child locks are faulty and will give way to a cupboard full of forbidden treasures. You enjoy sitting in and emptying the dishwasher for me. You are intrigued by the spinning clothes in the washer and dryer and have found the buttons that make noise (thank goodness for child locks on those!) You mouth everything but don't swallow anything but food. A true third child your life is surrounded by little lego parts, marker caps, doll shoes and playmobil weapons but you've learned to pass them by.</div>
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You are officially out of your infant seat, having surprised me by towering in the 99th percentile for height at 10 months. You weight 21 and a half pounds and have a full head of blonde hair, much like your brother's thickness and texture at this age. </div>
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You love to eat! You are sort of finicky about baby food pouches these days, throwing aside those you don't really care for (followed by liquid splattering unbelievable distances across the floor). You prefer finger food and will chow down on meat and cheese, broccoli, whole apples, and even bite at raw veggies.</div>
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Your Daddy has threatened to go in and wake you up nearly every night after we've put you to bed. He says he's "baby crushing" you. :) You're just so much fun that we hate when your day is done. We want to play with you and be entertained by you. We scoop you up with delight, throw you in the air, delighting in that deep belly giggle. </div>
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Thank you for bringing so much unexpected, undeserved love and joy into our house. I can't imagine a more perfect third child to complete our little family. You are a pure, delicious delight and I am so, so grateful to God every day for your life.</div>
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Mama</div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-48571294124203723072014-01-30T08:03:00.004-08:002014-01-30T08:03:29.947-08:00Sam: 58 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dear SamGino,</div>
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The only way to describe the love between us these days is like the force of a strong magnet: when turned the right way, we attract and cling together with ferocity and devotion; but when turned the wrong way, we repel each other with matching ferocity and frustration. It's maddening, this love and this season. </div>
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When you are sweet, the whole room is lit up with your smile. Your words flow out like a soothing stream and coat those around you with kindness. I've seen you reach out to your sister in her distress with such generosity of spirit that it instantly soothes her spirit.</div>
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When you are snuggly, there is no warmth like the coziness of your sinewy little body. Pure muscle, you melt like butter into the arms of someone you adore. You love to have your back scratched, your limbs massaged, your hair tousled. </div>
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Your mind is amazingly creative and you can spend endless hours making the most incredible things out of legos. You have started looking up things on youtube and creating them with laser focus and quick-moving fingers, finding the right pieces faster than I can even register their shape.</div>
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Yet, when you are mad, it's as if the room stands still. You erupt like a volcano, spewing words of hateful lava in a destructive path around you. The angry words that come out surprise and shock me.</div>
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When you don't get your way, you reject any form of consolation and storm off, slamming doors, throwing toys, destroying order and wielding chaos like a weapon of war.</div>
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A project gone wrong is a project waiting to be stomped on, ripped apart, thrown across the room, often accompanied by frustrated tears.</div>
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For the first three and a half years of your life, you were a sweet and easygoing little guy. These days you are still sweet as can be, yet with a whole other side that comes out like a dragon unleashed. I pray for the wisdom to parent you well without being overwhelmed in the intense moments. I encourage you to make mistakes, to try and fail, to reach out with no assurance of reciprocity, and stand back a few paces to see how things unfold.</div>
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I wouldn't have it any other way. This is how God has made you, and he knew what he was doing when he made me your Mama. I wish at times I could soothe you more easily, such as when you were a baby with a boo-boo that I could gently kiss away. But the reassurance is more nuanced now, and my words and affection can only do so much in your burgeoning independence.</div>
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I love you, my sweet and ferocious boy. I'm so thankful for how you continue to amaze me and stretch me simultaneously. </div>
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Love,</div>
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Mama</div>
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Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22909831.post-16465490279575137652014-01-28T11:23:00.001-08:002014-01-28T11:23:43.004-08:00Madeleine Noelle: Seven Years Old<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Dear Madeleine Noelle,</div>
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You are SEVEN years old now. Seven! Someone once told me that the odd numbers always seem the most unbelievable, and I think it's true. "Seven" just sounds so old. And if I could sum up the last month, I think it would have the title <i>Seven: Sweet, Sassy, Spirited Sister.</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">photos by the amazing Becky at wurzbachfisherphotography.com</td></tr>
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First, your sweetness. You are just filled to the brim with love. You always have the kindest words to say to people, genuine and encouraging words that show how much you notice. When people are encouraged by you, their faces light up and their steps get bouncier. You just have this great effect on those around you and it is a joy to watch!</div>
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After months and months and months of the most amazing behavior, we entered a new season of sass. Oh, the sassiness!! It is one of the most difficult things for me to endure. I think it's the element of disrespect, maybe, or the attitude of know-it-all-ness that comes along with the sass, but it just really gets under my skin. I know that you are trying out a lot of new sayings and things you learn at school, and it's just part of enforcing our own family boundaries, but, Girl! We are so ready for this season of sass to pass.</div>
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With your brothers, these two dichotomous characteristics come into play. I can't imagine a sweeter big sister to Evan. He feels safe with you, he adores you, and his whole body lights up when you come near. It's like he has another little Mama who attends to his needs, hears his cries, speaks so sweetly to him, and sacrifices for him. I absolutely love watching you interact with him; it moves my heart so!</div>
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Then there's Sam. Man, oh man, you guys fight like cats and dogs these days. It's relentless. At times I find myself saying things I can't possibly believe just to stop the madness. All those things I swore I'd never say?? Totally using them. "I'll pull over and stop this car right now!" "Quit being a jerk!" "Would you talk to your teacher/friend like that?!" I'm really hoping this year things turn around and we find some more peace in how we all relate to one another.</div>
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Your birthday celebrations were a lot of fun. This was a "no party" year so we had a small family surprise for you at Chuck-e-Cheese over Christmas vacation. Grammy, Papa, Uncle Joe, Uncle Ben & Aunt Michele plus all your cousins were there. SO MUCH FUN! I couldn't imagine liking such a place, but seeing you so thrilled just made my heart leap for joy!</div>
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Back at home, your birthday was a great day! Auntie Jennie sent you flowers and a stuffed bear to school. The boys and I brought In-and-Out for lunch. We planned a special family dinner (you requested seafood and Brussels Sprouts). </div>
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The day after your birthday we had a small playdate with five friends. You all drank strawberry chocolate tea and enjoyed tea biscuits and cookies.</div>
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Your joyful, imaginative, exuberant spirit brings us all such joy! We are so lucky to have you in our lives! Every day we thank God that you are growing in his image, and this year we are especially grateful for how you are growing in hearing God's voice in your life, learning to be comforted by Jesus in moments of distress, and how you are more quick to apologize and seek reconciliation. All these things are evidences of God's grace and work in your life! We love you Madeleine Noelle!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Mama</div>
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Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221noreply@blogger.com1