tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252034327278931712024-03-18T23:14:00.687-05:00The Rest is Still UnwrittenThe Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.comBlogger378125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-56070929020117623742016-06-05T22:18:00.001-05:002016-06-05T22:21:25.088-05:00Spreading Kindess<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUswkQs8wvkpSBvRpWFzSElPMJ7DrhHYyPq9bMDw68p_x6vIAduy9NBhsyAZ9Lya2AEiP0luzXnCNuCFu-7hgPXCM4YVc3fasBfx92sKabTxci3HJF6kzR1Xb0N2PQjSaJqfNhp5NGpdQ/s1600/IMG_2227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUswkQs8wvkpSBvRpWFzSElPMJ7DrhHYyPq9bMDw68p_x6vIAduy9NBhsyAZ9Lya2AEiP0luzXnCNuCFu-7hgPXCM4YVc3fasBfx92sKabTxci3HJF6kzR1Xb0N2PQjSaJqfNhp5NGpdQ/s320/IMG_2227.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to lend our helping hands! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>I knew keeping up with this blog would be tough, but I'm only four days behind so progress, right? This last week has been nothing short of crazy and busy but we managed to get in our act of kindness and a bit of fun girl time while doing it. <br />
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Let's start off with some food for thought:<br />
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Did you know that 15.3 million children lived in food-insecure households in 2014?<br />
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The USDA defines "food insecurity" as the lack of access, at times, to enough food for all household members. In 2011, households with children reported a significantly higher food insecurity rate than households without children: 20.6% vs. 12.2%.<br />
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According to The Galveston County Food Bank's website, Feeding America estimates that roughly 53,660 Galveston County residents are in need of emergency food assistance in a single year. That is 1 in 5 of our neighbors in Galveston County, compared to the national average of 1 in 6.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjZin4HfdaRHsik2UrtDFKnvzbUl3hyphenhyphenktqbA2s0Bb8SycsF7aGtDtIIC3aoshfw7tIX6bvn1bcG9cnsAoyOUIPsLC55CXXmBLouwhUTrTW02u2YawFFDaD2MnsS7vWFnIHnWs9dMy5qc/s1600/IMG_2229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjZin4HfdaRHsik2UrtDFKnvzbUl3hyphenhyphenktqbA2s0Bb8SycsF7aGtDtIIC3aoshfw7tIX6bvn1bcG9cnsAoyOUIPsLC55CXXmBLouwhUTrTW02u2YawFFDaD2MnsS7vWFnIHnWs9dMy5qc/s320/IMG_2229.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breaking apart toothbrushes for our care packages.</td></tr>
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These are peoples babies, y'all. Yes, I get it, get a job. Do better for yourself and your family. <br />
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Ok, actually, no, I don't get it. THESE ARE PEOPLE'S BABIES! We don't know everyone's life circumstances. We don't know what people have been through. Sure people make bad decisions, but why can't we sometimes choose to look beyond those decisions...or to realize that those precious, perfect babies are victims of circumstance? Can't we choose to be the hands and feet of Jesus.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHgx0qofquOWpM5L1AcgJymBSknvMe2mXrPullwQQ_0zpaAA8HsTYr3e4kWwJQ6_W2xED7RyRtg2wCUumX3GQ6dS-1uGDXk57cHxc-FbvJA8bCyFv89Bf0L0VSWFQJ1zeZLbBC163CX0/s1600/IMG_2230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHgx0qofquOWpM5L1AcgJymBSknvMe2mXrPullwQQ_0zpaAA8HsTYr3e4kWwJQ6_W2xED7RyRtg2wCUumX3GQ6dS-1uGDXk57cHxc-FbvJA8bCyFv89Bf0L0VSWFQJ1zeZLbBC163CX0/s320/IMG_2230.jpg" /></a>This household lives a comfortable life. We are privilege beyond measure. Maybe even a bit entitled and often in need of a reality check. <br />
<br />
And that's why this week's project was so perfect for Lainey and I to participate in for our Summer of Kindness Act 2. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsG-ssj90OdFd8iuWNQAz0sgvhwB6u3b2CsZYUD2ZXXu0QB9ZZ3dgybkF7DhGE7jfCBrXhVC9t1JepbqzXWIQCkSTww1PUfXV04NAa38RTWtysYuNcElEUvzGftcxpXH4P1g2hqrfG0YE/s1600/IMG_2231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsG-ssj90OdFd8iuWNQAz0sgvhwB6u3b2CsZYUD2ZXXu0QB9ZZ3dgybkF7DhGE7jfCBrXhVC9t1JepbqzXWIQCkSTww1PUfXV04NAa38RTWtysYuNcElEUvzGftcxpXH4P1g2hqrfG0YE/s320/IMG_2231.jpg" /></a>Last week, we volunteered with an organization I love and have been a member of for 6 years. The program works to provide food for children in food-insufficient homes. There so many aspects to this program, including tutoring, book distribution and more, but we participated in a one-night stuffing event. I took the mini-me down to our building to fill bags with toiletries and snacks to send home with kids to help them get through their weekend. <br />
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Can you imagine not knowing where your next meal is going to come from? Worse, can you imagine not knowing where your BABY'S next meal will come from? <br />
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Lainey and I helped stuff 65 bags to send home with kids who live in food-insufficient homes. On the way down there, she had no interest in helping. She was concerned that the kids will want to take her toys or her own food -- we are doing this project for a reason, y'all -- but once we got there, she was ready to work! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHpkH5zMH9DSD43F9xuf4Zgj2XwIQj68Y87JlqKkLZ8J87JZLcLYgmHNPLN9m5h81elin1Ie94t_0r1886p1F2kmLR9kRy0JL52DeUZHpjfTkABw_EJSGgxEmgS-Y8Fj2en4BzgUweKc/s1600/IMG_2232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHpkH5zMH9DSD43F9xuf4Zgj2XwIQj68Y87JlqKkLZ8J87JZLcLYgmHNPLN9m5h81elin1Ie94t_0r1886p1F2kmLR9kRy0JL52DeUZHpjfTkABw_EJSGgxEmgS-Y8Fj2en4BzgUweKc/s320/IMG_2232.jpg" /></a>She stuffed and stuffed until she broke a sweat. I don't think she truly understood what we were doing, this act may have been above her maturity level a bit, but she did it. She worked hard and she was proud of herself. And that's a lesson, too. <br />
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Kindness is something I have to work on every second of every day. I am short-tempered and I lack patience entirely. If I want to teach my daughter to be kind, genuine, compassionate woman, it starts with me. So maybe this project is to teach me to be kind and to think of others first just so she can be witness to it. <br />
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Week 2, that's a wrap. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catching a quick rest -- on the Pilates Reformer -- post volunteer bath.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-32625015332049641172016-06-01T05:30:00.000-05:002016-06-01T05:30:35.391-05:00Give Kindness, Receive KindnessToday the babies and I went to lunch at some of the new restaurants that were part of our awesome new mall expansion. We headed out with some sweet friends to let the kids play and enjoy some mommy time. I've been thinking a lot about how our actions are contagious. I notice that when I am frantic and stressed, so are my kids. But when I am agreeable and relaxed, they are as well. <br />
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This Summer of Kindness that we are embarking on is something that I hope will become a habit more than a summer-long venture. <br />
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Today I was so aware of my reactions to people. When a lady literally ran me down with her motorized scooter at Walmart, I wanted to pounce on her with every vile word I could come up with. Instead, I simply said, excuse me and went about my business. Guess what? Lainey noticed. She even asked if it made me mad. <br />
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Of course it did, but I explained to her that we had no idea what that lady's day was like or what life was dealing her. Did she truly not see me? I don't know. But our reactions are everything. <br />
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I was reminded that some people can be mean. Some people are oblivious to others. <br />
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Then we went to lunch and I was reminded how great people are. <br />
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When I went to the restroom to change a VERY frustrated almost 2 year old, I found this little gem in the changing table. Someone who thought that another mom may need a little help. <br />
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You never know how big or little of an impact a small gesture can make. We can truly never know what others are experiencing, so why not try to be the joy in someone else's day? <br />
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Be kind, friends. Let's see where this takes us. The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-17271800118289668872016-05-30T09:35:00.000-05:002016-05-30T22:24:33.325-05:00A Summer of KindnessThis blog has never had my full attention. It just hasn't. No reason in particular. I love to write but I am scattered by nature and having to plan something out -- like a blog -- takes a lot out of me. Yesterday my daughter and I did something pretty cool and a random lady suggested I blog about it. She looked at me and said:<br />
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"Write this down somewhere, somewhere you won't forget about it and somewhere she will have the opportunity to remember it. You're doing a good thing, momma." <br />
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So here I am. I keep a journal to each of my kids that I started when I was pregnant with each but this seemed worthy of blogging. I mean, I'm not promising you will ever get a follow up, but it's a start. <br />
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This summer, my 4-year-old daughter Lainey and and I are setting out to have a Summer of Kindness. As humans, as sinners, we are, by nature, selfish people. I am selfish. My kids are selfish and it's a trait I refuse to let run my home. So we are setting out to change that culture in our home. Each week, Lainey and I -- with sweet Hudson in tow -- will set out to do a random (or planned) act of kindness. We are searching for ways to serve other people. We want to think of them first, not ourselves. <br />
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To be honest, when I first brought this up to her, her response was "WHY?". <br />
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And that's when and how I knew I was doing the right thing. Lainey is a sweet kid. She is genuinely funny and she is not mean. She is brave and wise beyond her age. She is sensitive and she feels emotions so big. I truly admire her spirit. But as Christians and people striving to be better than we are, it's important that I instill the need to serve and to provide a better example to my kids. We are too blessed to not serve others well. <br />
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Yesterday we woke up early -- that's a trend with my kids -- and we decided to try our hand at baking some dairy free cupcakes to practice for my son's upcoming second birthday and it came up that all of our first responders were spending the holiday working instead of with their family. We decided that this was the perfect first duty in our Summer of Kindness. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9g_L19Smff7tklwLRZBaHclRFSBCDTuyMSTyp0lAnG5cDETBbvFHERnwO_5a1IQqNSTUdGgLmpCeDscAnsqLealyjWwom4WdtCRwW7zqADSMFFw02ex_7f2b4YN9kCENCdJExM4rm4Q/s1600/13325527_10102388764758415_3348485406483354258_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9g_L19Smff7tklwLRZBaHclRFSBCDTuyMSTyp0lAnG5cDETBbvFHERnwO_5a1IQqNSTUdGgLmpCeDscAnsqLealyjWwom4WdtCRwW7zqADSMFFw02ex_7f2b4YN9kCENCdJExM4rm4Q/s320/13325527_10102388764758415_3348485406483354258_n-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sweet girl mixing her batter. Homemade, dairy free vanilla cupcakes. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding her icing. It came out a bit runny but, hey, we are new to<br />
this diary free lifestyle so whatevs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>From start to finish, except for the oven parts, Lainey did it all! She mixed the batter, poured the cupcakes, iced and decorated them. I was so proud of her. I have such fond memories of baking with my grandma and to see her truly enjoy and take her time doing this was so special for me. <br />
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We delivered a dozen cupcakes to our local police station to thank them for keeping us safe this holiday weekend and always. I truly feel our police force is under appreciated. It's a hard job that puts their life on the line daily and keeps them away from their families. If you don't know an officer, I really don't think you truly see what it takes. We love our officers and were so happy to present them with a fun, yummy little snack to get them through the day and I was so proud of my girl for making the delivery! She was a tad shy but the officer was kind and thankful and as soon as we got in the car, she was so proud of herself! I am always proud of my girl and she truly does leave a little sparkle wherever she goes but I am hoping that our Summer of Kindness will bring out something in her that makes her radiate kindness wherever she goes. <br />
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Each week we will set out to do something that serves another. Be it small or large, we are on mission this summer. The best way to tell others you love them, are thinking about them and the best way to tell people about Jesus is to show them. So join us this summer as we make it a Summer of Kindness. The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-86394015663640483852015-10-16T19:07:00.002-05:002015-10-16T19:07:28.358-05:00Take the Leap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;">Friends, I am officially a business owner. Small and online, but officially nonetheless. Meet<a href="http://www.hudsonlaneboutique.com/" target="_blank"> Hudson Lane Boutique</a>. Pop in and take a look.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tonight is date night. For the hubby and the little one. I am home with our sweet guy. We just finished snuggling and he's tucked tight into bed and I am here, avoiding laundry and the messy kitchen awaiting me. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;">Because balance. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;">The shop has taken on a life of it's own and I am so pleased that it has! This has been a modified dream of mine for years and I'm so happy to see it come to fruition. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;">Between birthday parties, preschool, little gym classes, tumbling and my volunteer efforts, I have no idea where I found the time to do it but where there is a will, there is a way. And will is something the girls in this house have plenty of!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, tell me...it seems a lot of my blogger friends have been absent nearly as long as I have. Send me to your favorite blogs. Who should I be reading?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;">xo</span></span>The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-10025944891665200192015-09-09T19:15:00.005-05:002015-09-09T19:15:47.140-05:00And There It Is.<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Tonight, as she does most nights, my almost four year is upstairs calling out my name over...and over...and over again. And then once more. After my head spun around a few times, I hear her yelling:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">"Mama! I need to kiss you!"</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">How could I resist? I head on up to that doll's room, snuggle in her bed and she says:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">"Did you bring me one? I said I need a tissue."</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">There it was. Reality check. Just like that. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sometimes I feel so needed the tension just creeps up my back. My head feels so heavy I can hardly hold it up. But is there a better feeling in this world. The overwhelming joy. The physical exhaustion and depletion of everything pales in comparison. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I will fetch you tissues all the live long day, princess. </span></span></span>The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-11731245758515397722015-01-16T13:16:00.001-06:002016-06-05T22:23:31.646-05:00Finding Mommy Time <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1425203432727893171" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68oUrFoIwup-iub2H0QEidcQOTyPIj1469_JPVvQqROixQpGRWQ_diIsDeqvDBQ2GsNKPcdLsqiHflhosdfaFlleWaUg-vwqkbKExF8aE0xDICwzvVjzwxTftlAccrV5oAi0Hdj8sU7M/s1600/IMG_1723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68oUrFoIwup-iub2H0QEidcQOTyPIj1469_JPVvQqROixQpGRWQ_diIsDeqvDBQ2GsNKPcdLsqiHflhosdfaFlleWaUg-vwqkbKExF8aE0xDICwzvVjzwxTftlAccrV5oAi0Hdj8sU7M/s1600/IMG_1723.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This baby business is hard, y'all. I often times feel myself trying to do everything right that I overlook what's really important. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yesterday, I was in the midst of a breakdown all day. I love my kids, they are the best thing to ever happen to me. I relish in my time with them; but I am a closeted introvert and I need time by myself. I need quiet. I crave it. Taking time for myself just doesn't happen. I'm either playing with kids, running errands, spending time with my husband, volunteering or hanging out with my family. All things that top the priority list but for my kids sake, time for myself has got to be on that list.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last night B came home and put the girl to bed while I wrestled the boy. He then came in, took the boy and told me to go. But you know what, I didn't know what to do. I've entangled myself so much in being momma that I literally could not think of what to do. I can't remember the last time I read or even bought a book, I had no shows dvr-ed, I was in such a funk I didn't want to work out, I couldn't think of a thing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So I put in my headphones and hopped in the bath. I so needed it! </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The boy kept me all night last night and when we woke up...he had cut his first tooth! My sweet boy is growing up way too fast. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">B took the kids again this morning so I could go try on a bridesmaid dress. Again, I realized how important it is for me to have that.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijq1XWX9LPDrjem0mV0XqlPvlgZzEkF5ZVEvvzd8lZfKbJ10ji560YFvrd7erbARxfyBN4RnURPlu1bXHXPbR1q9Kq0Tur8ynYdHV1xfm1zNl4m95gD-4835Fs5El52n6QrMhD6TA4PNA/s1600/IMG_9303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijq1XWX9LPDrjem0mV0XqlPvlgZzEkF5ZVEvvzd8lZfKbJ10ji560YFvrd7erbARxfyBN4RnURPlu1bXHXPbR1q9Kq0Tur8ynYdHV1xfm1zNl4m95gD-4835Fs5El52n6QrMhD6TA4PNA/s1600/IMG_9303.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I came home, after 2 hours!, and felt refreshed. With no sleep, I came in the door and made my little's lunch, went for a run and put the boy down for a nap. It was a breath of fresh air. In order to be the best mom I can, I have got to start making myself a priority. I have to find time for myself, even if it's a run. I mean, has 30 minutes of independent play or tv time ever hurt a kid. I think not. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thinking about it, there are so many things I would love to do but put on the back burner because I don't have the time. I want to cook more, read more, find consistent time to work out, and let's face it, watch some trashy TV. Can you say Real Housewives of ANYTHING?! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is my resolution, take care of myself so I can take better care of my family. So tell me, how do you find your time? What do you enjoy doing? </span><br />
<br />The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-75783611552907557182015-01-14T10:00:00.002-06:002015-01-14T10:00:33.252-06:0015 MonthsThat is how long I've been away from my blog. FIFTEEN MONTHS. That is life. So much has happened in that time and I honestly didn't think I'd ever come back. But I do this for me. I am, by nature, scattered. So it is natural that my blog reflects that, I guess. <br />
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Well, let me introduce you to the newest "thing" in my life. Thing 2. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO530DoFLSoyIZ4mpaM8d8ijPLOR7IuiwBNSjtRca5GMywzhKabPx_Z9x-5Ox00VvlvEXw3VnwCaTzynM1BcFicjaH7ZAu4R3_w-MR4mV78Og99M-W8gFyvUbj67oEZbdOixsGIPdhjAI/s1600/h4.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO530DoFLSoyIZ4mpaM8d8ijPLOR7IuiwBNSjtRca5GMywzhKabPx_Z9x-5Ox00VvlvEXw3VnwCaTzynM1BcFicjaH7ZAu4R3_w-MR4mV78Og99M-W8gFyvUbj67oEZbdOixsGIPdhjAI/s320/h4.jpg" /></a></div>
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He is the sweetst, best, most cuddly little guy ever. He is such an even tempered baby, always happy, so funny, rarely cries and is just joy. He is JOY!! He makes me think I could have 5 kids. <br />
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And y'all, the girl. The girl! She's so smart, so sassy, so strong willed, so fun, so imaginative, all of it! I know parents aren't supposed to say this but she is my best friend. I so look forward to our chats. She confides in me, she trusts me. She sure hates me at times, but she is my mini me and I adore her, fits and all! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cT2Aq0GUaPEQ8HxMxOSobadxxBR1IWZFi0GJuuGzYUuZ6hzIuFudcpAHcSmneq-oNs1-5xa0v_qqYVs-SA8R8pdesdpZRpU-1oYS_FTFvtGopyc_iGJJhBJVU0WZCswzUexnq_FIsHk/s1600/h2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img -ish="" 3.5="" 6months="" 9="" a="" all="" almost="" already="" always="" and="" be="" blogged="" blur.="" border="0" boy.="" boy="" but="" by="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cT2Aq0GUaPEQ8HxMxOSobadxxBR1IWZFi0GJuuGzYUuZ6hzIuFudcpAHcSmneq-oNs1-5xa0v_qqYVs-SA8R8pdesdpZRpU-1oYS_FTFvtGopyc_iGJJhBJVU0WZCswzUexnq_FIsHk/s320/h2.jpg" edure="" ever="" everything="" fast.="" flies="" get="" girl...y="" girl.="" girl="" going="" growing="" have="" how="" i="" imagined.="" in="" is="" it="" last="" little="" managed="" month="" of="" old.="" ones="" people="" perfect="" precious="" pregnant="" quicker="" quickly="" right.="" s="" seems="" she="" since="" so="" tell="" than="" that="" the="" time="" to="" up="" when="" with="" you="" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhDg9YEm-cE3T2i3E4Wn6CjIejw6Hlr9Et-Aw7er6C28kAUeNbZCzl1-g1-70G4qLxoIBaEImnA9dfh_LCTnhOsshYWPzeKOM-NPVV8cp9KnbMTQ77Sd8tuXnzzgaG2_a20-igicoLdc/s1600/h3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhDg9YEm-cE3T2i3E4Wn6CjIejw6Hlr9Et-Aw7er6C28kAUeNbZCzl1-g1-70G4qLxoIBaEImnA9dfh_LCTnhOsshYWPzeKOM-NPVV8cp9KnbMTQ77Sd8tuXnzzgaG2_a20-igicoLdc/s320/h3.jpg" /></a><br />
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Things have started to settle and we've fallin' into a bit of a routine so I'm getting back to things I love. Taking on more for Junior League, <strike>blogging </strike>and I've even opened up a few contracts to do some freelance PR work. <br />
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So this is it, my attempt to be "back". Let's see how this goes...The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-36801090535237141292013-10-14T08:10:00.002-05:002013-10-14T08:10:40.673-05:00My Sassy Pants<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This blog has seriously take a back seat to...well...life. But this week I randomly had two people ask me where I have been! After FIVE months of being away, I hate to tell you all that I've been right here. Silently stalking your blogs, raising a TWO YEAR OLD, Junior League-ing and moving into my new home. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yup. That's all folks. I haven't gotten more interesting, I haven't jet-setted around the globe. I've been right here all along. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My sweet girl turned two last week and she is quite consuming, I must say. Hilarious as all get out, smart, sassy and too much to keep up with. And when I say sassy...y'all, I mean SAS-SY! She's a mess and I'm certain I'm going to have my hands full for a long time with this one.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just last week, I asked her lay in my bed while I started my bedtime routine of washing my face and all that mess, when I was in my closet and I hear banging coming from my room.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I called from my closet "Are you being a good girl or a bad girl, Lainey?"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She said, "I being a bad girl mommy!"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Why?!" I asked.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Because it's much fun!"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yikes. Like I said...Hands. Full. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are a few pics from her two year pictures I took. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But the girl is cute. What can I say?! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are also settled into our new home that we signed contracts on at the end of last winter and I can post some pics another day (maybe five months from now, I promise nothing). It was a process though, let me tell ya. Moving and building a house are no joke. I'm so happy to be home and settled though!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, there is my update...I shall return to stalk you all...</span></div>
The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-22919977809290545122013-05-24T05:00:00.000-05:002013-05-24T05:00:00.166-05:00NYC Vacation<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My favorite place is New York. I have been six times and can't get enough. We went this past month to visit my best friend from college and just hang out. We had such a good trip and Lainey did SO well. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is the story of this trip: We randomly stumbled upon the flagship American Girl Place -- the American Girl store, in other words. It's amazing. Four stories of babies and accessories. So, we decided to go in. We had our hearts set to buy lainey a new American Girl doll so we strolled up to the fourth floor where the Bitty Babies are to pick out a new one. Well, as soon as we got up there, she found "her" baby. She has the Bitty Baby with blue eyes and light brown hair. So she proceeded to grab "her" baby off the shelf and play with the stroller they had set out. In all of this, I realized I stupidly left her Bitty Baby at the apartment where we were staying. We decided to get an outfit and the stroller and in the process, went to take the doll she had claimed away from her....and that's when it happened. My child, for the first time ever, threw herself on the ground in a fit of desperation.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is what I try to explain to B...She was not crying because she wanted us to buy her anything. She was perfectly content with "her" baby and didn't care to even get a new toy. She was heartbroken, and it was gut wrenching to watch, because she had to leave "her" baby with the store clerk. For the first time ever, we carried her out of the store kicking and screaming "No, my baby, my baby! Please, my baby, daddy, please!" </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was one of the saddest things I've seen. How do you eplain to a 19 month old that that wasn't "her" baby. It looked the same and even had on the same clothes. It was horrible! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, as of course I would, we went back to the apartment and I called American Girl, made a reservation for lunch and we went back the next day, this time, with her baby, named Chloe, in hand. We had an amazing time! We shopped, had lunch, and dressed the Lainey to match her Bitty Baby. It was a perfect day and exactly the experience I had hoped she would have. She loves her baby, stroller and new pup, Coconut. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0M_l0J8DtUJ0ub1SVAib2znjcn5LA5dCexEzAnnB_Ole-BdvEtxLJj5yVPDBCMs2xw0i_Bdfu_CSbFiAksNzmAmbeV8o4nxSpcCwdRKR6q91CZk75ncqt7OG8U_ytrEorZkkgDJSJuUY/s1600/942933_10100691484661335_575608161_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0M_l0J8DtUJ0ub1SVAib2znjcn5LA5dCexEzAnnB_Ole-BdvEtxLJj5yVPDBCMs2xw0i_Bdfu_CSbFiAksNzmAmbeV8o4nxSpcCwdRKR6q91CZk75ncqt7OG8U_ytrEorZkkgDJSJuUY/s320/942933_10100691484661335_575608161_n.jpg" width="320" ya="true" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is Lainey and Bitty Baby Chloe after lunch, ready to hit the NYC streets!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The rest of our trip was pretty relaxing, and we took Chloe with us everywhere we went, just in case. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is on the ferris wheel in Toys R Us. She couldn't take her eyes off the sights long enough to get a picture but she LOVED it. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHcpuaYe_GWvVtpuYHDstClzsRHcxzYkYH3S4lz8NYXiZJDBbkKBQcH8Gdhp21SE5E_rxH_gOT94uEOxLvbgDpLAGzoSiyYQtuIvf5bBq-o0dPAwxgwffitC7AggC1h1CpzfHA3f2Sos/s1600/217589_10100690043439555_599590481_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHcpuaYe_GWvVtpuYHDstClzsRHcxzYkYH3S4lz8NYXiZJDBbkKBQcH8Gdhp21SE5E_rxH_gOT94uEOxLvbgDpLAGzoSiyYQtuIvf5bBq-o0dPAwxgwffitC7AggC1h1CpzfHA3f2Sos/s320/217589_10100690043439555_599590481_n.jpg" width="320" ya="true" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trying to enjoy the cab ride! This was about 3 minutes before our cab drive flipped off a cop and we got pulled over. We got a free cab ride in exchange for his "aggressive behavior in the presence of a baby". </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdcEjj-lEzUzJFhNGlCdd1q_lAyoAI7if9ohTcXi6dUQw_ituW7MLsvCziiN4I_eKtap-C17PBD8OPE0hE_fYo-p4IVW9b2ZOeJz9adqRXDld_wRH3-fBKWhkADsqfF5kXSNyTjAyw_8/s1600/255767_10100690486536585_1554270308_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdcEjj-lEzUzJFhNGlCdd1q_lAyoAI7if9ohTcXi6dUQw_ituW7MLsvCziiN4I_eKtap-C17PBD8OPE0hE_fYo-p4IVW9b2ZOeJz9adqRXDld_wRH3-fBKWhkADsqfF5kXSNyTjAyw_8/s320/255767_10100690486536585_1554270308_n.jpg" width="320" ya="true" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We figured she was on vacation, too. Doughnuts and chocolate milk for breakfast!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUd0bsWTMYV96K4i3NGrOihWbq70RKgghXnKQTwOYS2W-IiaSf9zOokUcF9_56FRjDJxB07En87GrT6PmTKox91BcNfe5z1Y2RJKaUQvpeZvZDIv83LDFbPt0GblrEgE5HsJDyZkLm-zI/s1600/941224_10100688392393265_977782342_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUd0bsWTMYV96K4i3NGrOihWbq70RKgghXnKQTwOYS2W-IiaSf9zOokUcF9_56FRjDJxB07En87GrT6PmTKox91BcNfe5z1Y2RJKaUQvpeZvZDIv83LDFbPt0GblrEgE5HsJDyZkLm-zI/s320/941224_10100688392393265_977782342_n.jpg" width="320" ya="true" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another highlight, the Naked Cowboy. My kid liked him waaay too much. Waaaaay too much!</span></div>
The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-53840058393307765872013-05-23T15:47:00.003-05:002013-05-23T15:47:28.292-05:00Time Passes....<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Time passes so quickly. Having this little baby girl makes it go even quicker! So much has happend in the last couple of months since I've been on here. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our house is coming along and I am thrilled! We have our electircal walk through on Friday and I am so excited to see the house. The rent house is really starting to bum me out. It's so small, the neighbors are horrible and I am sick of living out of boxes and not feeling like I'm at "home". Just a few more months!!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My due date for Baby #2 has come and gone and the day seemed to be a slap in the face. Two weeks before my due date I found out I was pregnant again. On April 13, I went to the ER because I started bleeding very heavily. I lost Baby #3 on what should have been my due date with Baby #2. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm still numb. I don't understand why or how this could happen to us. It's frustrating, angering and stressful. We are now undergoing some tests to find out what's going with me and why by body is not cooperating. We have found a few things that are "leads" but nothing that is a definitive answer. I'm ready for it to all be over. At the moment we are no longer trying for another and, honestly, I don't know when or if I'll be ready again. I guess I get too attached too easily and I don't know if I can lose another and keep my sanity. I feel like I should be thankful for what I have and leave it alone.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We registered the little one for "school" in the fall. She will be attending Mother's Day Out. I am so nervous but I think she will really love it. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also recently took a trip to New York to visit my best friend from college and meet her new boyfriend. It was SUCH a good time and the vacation came at the perfect time! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me and my sweet girl on Mother's Day!</span>The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-23873438749687522672013-03-26T11:46:00.003-05:002013-03-26T11:46:35.168-05:00Lucky in Love<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last Friday my sweet husband and I celebrated five years of marriage! I feel like our time together has flown by. I am so lucky to be married to the sweetest man.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since we are buying a house, we didn't go all out this year. In a way, maybe our house is our anniversary gift! Thursday, the day before our anniversary, we spent the entire day at the design center picking out our final decisions for every aspect of the house. On our way home, we decided to stop in Houston for dinner with the munchkin. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I look exhausted, it's because I was! Completely worn out. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In five years we have lived in three states, purchased our first home and are currently building our second home, we've traveled, we've seen whales breech in Hawaii and monkeys in Costa Rica, experienced the birth of our perfect little angle, experienced the loss of what should have been baby #2. We've lost loved ones, become an aunt and uncle and godparents. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was so young when I met my husband I was so young. I feel like I've grown up with him. I love my life and I am so happy that I chose to follow God's plan rather than my own. For all I know, I could be sitting in a NY apartment lonely and wishing for hubby and baby girl! </span><br />
The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-25237945891400240032013-03-12T13:50:00.001-05:002013-03-12T13:50:07.278-05:00Working Moms<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel like there is this constant battle between being a working mom or a stay at home mom; at least for me. Should I go back to work or should I stay home with Lainey? Should I make money and contribute to the household income? Or should I spend every second with my girl? </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana;">I love being home with Lainey and I feel so blessed that my sweet and amazing husband works so hard that I am able to do so. But it is always a question that comes and goes. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel like whoever you talk to has a differing view. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, I've been offered the chance the interview for an amazing opporutnity. Amazing and FUN!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel like it's the best of both worlds. It would only be as-needed and they are willing to work around my schedule. The job would be working with my former boss, who I <em><strong>loved </strong></em>working for.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't want to give too much away, I am very nervous about it. It's in a bit of a different arena than I've worked before so I am also terrified! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, I am going to the meeting and we will see what happens. Wish me luck! </span>The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-37764882410920064642013-03-11T06:30:00.000-05:002013-03-11T06:30:00.395-05:00For the mommies<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I shared this on Facebook a few days back and it still haunts me. So beautifully written and so true.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is for all the mother's (including pregnant ones and those who desire to be) in the world, this one is for you!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Author Unknown</span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family." "We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?" </span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana;"></span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I know," s...he says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations." </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. </span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moments hesitation. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right. </span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming c</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hildren, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.</span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother. </span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana;"></span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs. </span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. </span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.</span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May you always have in your arms the one who is in your heart.</span>The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-76039283405970243882013-03-10T19:34:00.001-05:002013-03-10T19:34:38.785-05:00Loss<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It happened. My aunt passed away today. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She is no longer in pain and no longer suffering. Its so surreal. You think you have prepared yourself and you know that the pain is finally gone but it is still so hard. My grandma is a mess.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please pray for our family. The visition and funeral will be Wednesday and Thursday.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of the His saints." </em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Psalm 116:15</em></span></div>
The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-47833788660061378832013-03-04T21:53:00.004-06:002013-03-04T21:57:28.018-06:00It's getting close<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The day I've been dreading for almost 8 months is right around the corner. My due date. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Baby number 2 should be making his or her grand entrance into this world in just five weeks. But he/she isn't. And I am still not expecting. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While it's been tough, I can say, I think I am reaching a place of peace with the whole thing. I'm ok. I've reached a place where even if I don't have more babies, I think I will be just fine with the perfect little girl that I do have. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am blessed and I know that. Finally. It has taken me since Septemeber to get here, but here I am. </span></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv74unisTPfwhjF1ov9WU7rRt34XOYYlNlFOb_-IQAeIcspXxe_qp9P3e5HYYAFPUorbLvi2lrG4kk8dujcG4FNhgEtwQT-tw5oNb0fdA74-pSXaJL1xyKd5oQvHTEKVzJyqgvGNViJKE/s1600/lainey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" jsa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv74unisTPfwhjF1ov9WU7rRt34XOYYlNlFOb_-IQAeIcspXxe_qp9P3e5HYYAFPUorbLvi2lrG4kk8dujcG4FNhgEtwQT-tw5oNb0fdA74-pSXaJL1xyKd5oQvHTEKVzJyqgvGNViJKE/s640/lainey.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Look at this face! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Despite it all, things are great. I am happy. Really, life couldn't get better unless another little one did join our family.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Things are moving along with our new house and we should be in at the end of summer. I am so excited about this I can hardly wait!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGFkeKsJ05iRvWlI5gjsz5H0qyfjMGc2t74eIzV3h95J7F2NGqfjKYi-rlHV-0e1HqOiu-wvVHyhoF5Cj-9GSQW4lamM1U2jscelE4Zmk8IpuRokiRTfjq-JNZNP6I60ja3Yrtde32aU/s1600/lainey2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" jsa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGFkeKsJ05iRvWlI5gjsz5H0qyfjMGc2t74eIzV3h95J7F2NGqfjKYi-rlHV-0e1HqOiu-wvVHyhoF5Cj-9GSQW4lamM1U2jscelE4Zmk8IpuRokiRTfjq-JNZNP6I60ja3Yrtde32aU/s640/lainey2.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally permitting our lot! Ready to see some concrete!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Things with my headbands are going amazingly well! I'm actually stocking merchandise in a boutique now! It's crazy how things work out. Be sure to take a look at my </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/hudsonlaneboutique" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Facebook</span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> page. I am annoucinging a giveaway tomorrow! </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will soon play catch up on my blog reading! My google reader is out.of.control!</span> <br />
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The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-21335567289066075392013-02-23T21:36:00.000-06:002013-02-23T21:36:07.955-06:00Strength<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today was an emotional day. We went down to Galveston to visit my great aunt who is plagued with cancer. It's such a horrible thing. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> She has cervical cancer that just seems to be taking her over. She looked beautiful as ever, but so frail and small at the same time. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="color: #444444;"></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been putting off going to visit because I was scared. I was scared to see someone I love suffer. I was afraid that I would bring in something that would make her sicker. I was afraid that she would be in too much pain to want visitors and that I would be a bother. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And honestly, I was afraid because I felt like if I went to see her, I was admitting that this could be the thing that kills her. (Wow. To say (or write) that is heart wrenching.)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana;">You see, I haven't had to see anyone suffer before. I have lost a few people here and there over the years, most of when I was much younger and then, of course, the loss of my pregnancy, but I've never had to sit there while someone I love fights for their life. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I went. I went because when someone is in a state like that, you suck it up. I took Lainey with me. My aunt is so kind and love us all so much. She often asks about Lainey and wants pictures of her so I took her. I know that there is nothing sweeter than a child and I knew seeing her would make my aunt happy.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And it did. I overheard her talking to the nurse about how she was so happy to have her great niece and her great-great niece come visit. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seeing her in the hospital bed in the middle of her own bedroom under the care of hospice was definitely a reality check. It makes me realize how short life is. And how important family is. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are so lucky that Lainey not only has grandparents around but great-grandparents to spare! We are so blessed to be surrounded but such an incredible family who is so loving. How can you take that for granted? How can you sit idly by and not play an active role in fostering and nurturing those relationships? </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love my aunt. I love her because she always sent me homemade carrot cakes and because she makes the best gumbo I've ever had. I love her because she is my grandma's best friend and their relationship is inspiring, they are the definition of soul mates. I love her because she is a strong woman who spent the entire hour telling me that she will be fine and to quit worrying. I love her because she has the kindest heart and would take in any stray that came to her door. I love her because she has the confidence and the spirit to believe she will be ok. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And while my heart is so sadden that she has to endure such hell, it has also found strength in hers. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana;">I have hope and I have faith. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana;">Please, please pray, friends.</span>The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-90820829417174452252013-02-22T06:30:00.000-06:002013-02-22T12:07:03.563-06:00Sick and Tired!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you ever get so tired you feel sick? Like you literally cannot go on? </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Y'all, I get like this all.the.time. It's been horrific. I went to the doctor a few weeks ago and found out that I'm borderline anemic. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is that anyway? Who cares if your borderline, you are or you aren't, right? I can't tell you how frustrating it is to feel so drained your entire existence and the to almost have an answer. I've always been the type to be tired all of the time but as I've gotten older, it's gotten worse. And it's not being a mommy. My kid sleeps 12 hours at night and 2-3 hours during the day. (Blessed!!)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, since I'm "borderline", they won't give me anything to help. I've started taking vitamins but I am pretty sure I found something to help. I purchased Advocare from another blogger several months ago but I stopped taking it because I found out I was pregnant with my second baby (read about that <a href="http://www.unwritten322.blogspot.com/2012/09/its-deep-sad.html" target="_blank">here</a>). Well, I decided to dig it out and give it a shot after, get this, my OBGYN recommended I do so. She said it would help with fatigue and lack of energy and I wouldn't have to worry about learning about the science behind it because it's all planned for you. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, let me tell you, I think it's working. I feel so much better during the day. I can make it past 3 p.m. without feeling this insanely sick feeling. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's incredible. I don't do a full program but I do a meal replacement shake for breakfast, vitamins and a Spark around lunch time. I feel amazing. I was nervous because I have a pretty low tolerance for stuff like this, I once took Hydroxycut and thought I was going to die. Seriously. You know the labels that say "If you experience these symptoms, please call your doctor immediately,"? Well, I had every single symptom. So I was hesitant to try it, to say the least. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So far I am really happy with the results. If you're looking for way to get more energy, drop a few pounds or just get healthier, I've decided to become a distributor so you can visit my <a href="https://www.advocare.com/130214956/default.aspx" target="_blank">site</a>. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know this is a terrible post but I am so happy with the results, I had to share my story! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!</span>The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-18289500768325947412013-02-21T13:18:00.001-06:002013-02-21T13:18:04.771-06:00Up and Running!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are finally settled into the rent house and have cable and internet! I think I realized how addicted I am to all of that when I was without it. I don't watch much tv during the day but when Lainey naps or goes to bed at night, I am pretty sure I turn into a zombie. So bad...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've been so busy getting adjusted, we moved into a much smaller space!, getting things going on our new house that we are building and building my little business. Check it out at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/hudsonlaneboutique">www.facebook.com/hudsonlaneboutique</a>. I'm actually working on a few custom orders now and an order for a local boutique. I'm so excited it's been going so well, just need YOUR help to spread the word.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lainey is still at The Little Gym (look it to find one near you, it's amazing!!!) and she's doing so well. I can't believe how far she's come. She has so much confidence in her personality and skills. Her teacher is so amazing at helping them develop that. Here is her latest achievement! She used to scream bloody murder at the bars when we first started at The Little Gym now, she's a little champ...or monkey!</span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="400" src="http://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=10100609335074765" width="226"></iframe></div>
The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-21991438987619447832013-02-12T09:42:00.003-06:002013-02-12T09:42:27.726-06:00Update Quickie!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's crazy how time seems to get away from you. Maybe it's having a little one, maybe it's the process of moving, or maybe it's just life. Whatever it is, I cannot believe how quickly the last few weeks have flown by and how much we have going on!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you've been reading my few and far between posts, we have sold our house. We close on Friday! Yikes! We have also signed papers to begin construction on our new home! Yippee! I'm so excited. It's a bit overwhelming, I mean, what if it comes out not like I imagined. Thank goodness for Pinterst!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We signed papers on Saturday and 6 hours later, we had a lot! We are actually moving across the street from a very good friend of mine. So, <i>that</i> I am really excited about!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lainey has been sick with a cold that won't quit. Now that she's getting better I think she has a combination of cabin fever and the dreary weather blues. And...I kind of think the boxes and change in normality are starting to get to her. She has been up crying at night and she goes on and off of fussy throughout the day. I feel so bad for her. I know this is such a big change. Tomorrow will be Mommy and Lainey day though! I plan to take her to the rent house (since our house sold, we are moving into a rent house for the next 6 months or so while our home is being built) to let her unpack some of her toys, then gymnastics, lunch and maybe even the Rainforest. I just really need to spend some time with her doing what SHE wants. It's been so much about the move lately!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've also really started to get going on my little<a href="http://www.facebook.com/hudsonlaneboutique" target="_blank"> facebook page</a>. Be sure to check it out, once I hit 50 Likes, I'm hosting a giveaway! I'm actually very excited because I will be selling some of my headbands in a local store. Eekk!!!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio046V2TUExTp6JAdyLlTveIQMJpxkTbwdE_KiBOMmiK_KGHQBExMICMM6o7zEoeyJ_zt1GlSeNFiGK6mfI_Cf9947CPwzN8p6WUANR07qAtUYVBVyq4cC0Nz-Q-2NV0yDOQ7P97nRhwM/s1600/812593_10100573512548395_981588017_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio046V2TUExTp6JAdyLlTveIQMJpxkTbwdE_KiBOMmiK_KGHQBExMICMM6o7zEoeyJ_zt1GlSeNFiGK6mfI_Cf9947CPwzN8p6WUANR07qAtUYVBVyq4cC0Nz-Q-2NV0yDOQ7P97nRhwM/s320/812593_10100573512548395_981588017_o.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two Valentine's Headbands I made for some sweet girls!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvg3RVFqdc54F5XxgSZawZB7RBxfZmLM94rLLi7HxJcV4U-XuV3mpOTkBXTyKhSbESSwgleRmzx6D1lUrRKBzawgmxBrV6kbciR_ChZmYucp-5qb7dbQNoH3HQEYSofnEm19_3IrIUKMM/s1600/64229_10100571827964315_742444051_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvg3RVFqdc54F5XxgSZawZB7RBxfZmLM94rLLi7HxJcV4U-XuV3mpOTkBXTyKhSbESSwgleRmzx6D1lUrRKBzawgmxBrV6kbciR_ChZmYucp-5qb7dbQNoH3HQEYSofnEm19_3IrIUKMM/s320/64229_10100571827964315_742444051_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cheesing it up at her Uncle Jason's birthday! This is one of my favorites!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhRdT4yiM7NKxPl1etD0YLrCiEovMVFoRQu_LtCKSPpc0LNkECExpwxcQFYybASoI9l6OxAEBjS7QSolih8hQ8jdPVjSbChgjj9HdfQLiAh0jeTaJ-lZaAkynQz4inK_syZgjonPzc-0/s1600/540837_566798540014932_409464059_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhRdT4yiM7NKxPl1etD0YLrCiEovMVFoRQu_LtCKSPpc0LNkECExpwxcQFYybASoI9l6OxAEBjS7QSolih8hQ8jdPVjSbChgjj9HdfQLiAh0jeTaJ-lZaAkynQz4inK_syZgjonPzc-0/s320/540837_566798540014932_409464059_n.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My birthday brunch at the Hotel Galvez. Please do this if you are ever in Galveston. Please. You will thank me.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIujcpEYxtMHA_e7PbDeZlu2C8-DmLYxPRYGxzK8yB5g2rJrvpCEwoAAYoFRMn9q1EmMYJnLosFawnvIw_4tg4dhjxA9zl-GANF37l6kp8qFHOXXdAoE-b_BrsMrb2PpoqhZYPIaEg7U/s1600/792215_10100566007718135_879353234_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIujcpEYxtMHA_e7PbDeZlu2C8-DmLYxPRYGxzK8yB5g2rJrvpCEwoAAYoFRMn9q1EmMYJnLosFawnvIw_4tg4dhjxA9zl-GANF37l6kp8qFHOXXdAoE-b_BrsMrb2PpoqhZYPIaEg7U/s320/792215_10100566007718135_879353234_o.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My sweet girl at Little Gym</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAxw69Lg3hjWHcmIoKY4p4WVY8JA0jXPwtonaO62gzsob2eFoplfXi7lQac6pMcUW_nI1CPfeZv6hmMdFhKlwPwJgxOUMwNKBttugYKFPPNNmax2htuK2iyPlha4Qn0iuag3COUoweE4/s1600/774557_10100565480290105_406162384_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAxw69Lg3hjWHcmIoKY4p4WVY8JA0jXPwtonaO62gzsob2eFoplfXi7lQac6pMcUW_nI1CPfeZv6hmMdFhKlwPwJgxOUMwNKBttugYKFPPNNmax2htuK2iyPlha4Qn0iuag3COUoweE4/s320/774557_10100565480290105_406162384_o.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">girl talk with her bestie Khloe</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquUduiJCYsXkFWZW3arzvx6UU4nVhqiqxlKr-2m8oaPzaxqAdet3ozEGGQWWunpZXmNbTlEdPzDD2yJhQinzKXfPyjO3gGjeWcZFNeYEmJ_TrRbrD03EaiVTa1wJubdPu_OdlD0RTiW8/s1600/27292_10100569455418915_2130385351_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquUduiJCYsXkFWZW3arzvx6UU4nVhqiqxlKr-2m8oaPzaxqAdet3ozEGGQWWunpZXmNbTlEdPzDD2yJhQinzKXfPyjO3gGjeWcZFNeYEmJ_TrRbrD03EaiVTa1wJubdPu_OdlD0RTiW8/s320/27292_10100569455418915_2130385351_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And this is how she fixes herself up to tour schools! It starts so early...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6cJcLLpv4pjl3PqjM1ByBAqAM6bZ1i8RCLJEHSRzm0tH4mtL_G0Yh2VN2yEUsWltnEZ46MoGV-XzM7dHqMJDWMAWYpRC_sI47Agr4cw7Y-13nIdHKdLJ5Nsd2UKk_kmIaCZahyphenhyphen9dJMs/s1600/859814_10100598274774695_1407944772_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6cJcLLpv4pjl3PqjM1ByBAqAM6bZ1i8RCLJEHSRzm0tH4mtL_G0Yh2VN2yEUsWltnEZ46MoGV-XzM7dHqMJDWMAWYpRC_sI47Agr4cw7Y-13nIdHKdLJ5Nsd2UKk_kmIaCZahyphenhyphen9dJMs/s320/859814_10100598274774695_1407944772_o.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Helping mommy pack!</span></td></tr>
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<br />The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-43802169292083433622013-01-16T13:34:00.003-06:002013-01-16T13:34:56.306-06:00Making Friends<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Here in my part of Texas the weather has been less than desirable. It's been almost consistently below 40 with rain and wind, but not cold enough for snow; obviously making days for a toddler and stay at home mommy quite long. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">We've resorted to "swimming" in the tub, dress up and yes, even a movie. Thank you, PBS for raising my kid when this uncreative mommy can think of nothing better to do on a cold, rainy day. I would suck it up as a mom if I lived in Seattle. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Luckily, today we had gymnastics. I am so happy that she has something like this to do every week. It has been such an amazing thing to watch her form her own little friendships. She has a group of little girls and one special little boy in her class who she loves to play with. And she did that, not me. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">As a mom it makes me so happy to see that my sweet girl has the confidence to "talk" to other kids her age and to engage them in play. Because I stay home with her I've sort of harbored this fear that she would be very shy and not make friends easily. Now, she has her times where she is very, very shy, but that is usually reserved for adults. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">We've started to take the kids out to lunch after gym and before we all head home for naps and it's seriously amazing to see how they've fostered friendships and want to be together. I'm a little sad because most of her "friends" are a few months older and will be moving up to the next class this summer. Her teacher has said that she is social enough and has been in the class long enough that we can consider a trial period with her in the class above hers. I really want to keep her with her friends because I feel like she does so well with them and that she'd be starting over when they leave and the babies move into her class. We'll see.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999;">after gym fun with friends!</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">How do your kids do with other babies? Any tips for the mommy of a shy girl?</span>The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-40857467083886675112013-01-15T09:43:00.000-06:002013-01-15T09:43:46.609-06:00SOLD!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am so excited (and ridiculously busy!) because we finally sold our house! Whew. We accepted an offer last week, inspections were done yesterday and we close in February! I feel like it kind of snuck up on me so I've been crazed with house stuff. We will be moving to a rent house while our new house is being built so it will be a tad uncomfortable and about 9 months of living out of boxes but, hey, it's all about the end game, right?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">January is always busy for us because we are coming off of Christmas, New Year's, my birthday and hubby going back to work. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am a big believer is celebrating every birthday. I probably tend to drive people crazy with my constant birthday parties but whatever. I love it!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This year we kept it pretty low key and I had a great time! B, Lainey and I had had brunch at the <a href="http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/texas/galveston/hotel-galvez-spa-a-wyndham-grand-hotel/hotel-overview" target="_blank">Hotel Galvez</a>, one of my favorite hotels in Galveston. If you are ever down on Galveston Island on a Sunday, I highly recommend it; and reservations. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbzXqOS7cDU9l4NY4cmNIfVY1LsM9NS6xxNklhg4Bx5CoHbwOwe1zuUdG_L6Ex8ondtJ2mSHmnwFo8Xi5N-p6773HlSbQDMGHjYUWMT3B7CEmdSAZMTUugOMRERzOeXcBpvuxokj8Js4/s1600/540837_566798540014932_409464059_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbzXqOS7cDU9l4NY4cmNIfVY1LsM9NS6xxNklhg4Bx5CoHbwOwe1zuUdG_L6Ex8ondtJ2mSHmnwFo8Xi5N-p6773HlSbQDMGHjYUWMT3B7CEmdSAZMTUugOMRERzOeXcBpvuxokj8Js4/s320/540837_566798540014932_409464059_n.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999;">me and the little at Brunch</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I also got a chance to celebrate with some of my wonderful friends. Joining Junior League is one of the best decisions I've made. I love it and the girls I've met have turned out to be even better friends than some I've had for 15 years!</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">They are such a blessing.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">We went out for sushi and left baby with daddy...which means COCKTAILS! </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-cznwX7G3bgpg3e8Q7jnmF7pasuAo0_0VZvA-bm3cIYmmUZWvL7U4jid6qvCpa-one9ppJRC6LMLqB4nNmTmhy98s4MMKHzMlyccZxbiIFAg_71QmSTN0KFjA_whde_9pvXLvO8IgR8/s1600/215788_10200310940525034_560862211_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-cznwX7G3bgpg3e8Q7jnmF7pasuAo0_0VZvA-bm3cIYmmUZWvL7U4jid6qvCpa-one9ppJRC6LMLqB4nNmTmhy98s4MMKHzMlyccZxbiIFAg_71QmSTN0KFjA_whde_9pvXLvO8IgR8/s320/215788_10200310940525034_560862211_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Me and Kim...This girl is crazy and I love her to pieces!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaRD1qeXGqkCA6k4tpXHBGbYFgzPMfnQtuo2dO9T70ss0pz8htqlj30YJBl2Q6_EYsz4v9iaOGGc8xPSMC0CSUDmJoF8mb_1PSksNUimGjDVFvhZi2pZL1mHfGjwon3RnirYuBtzz2p8/s1600/736262_10100548571660135_2059683229_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaRD1qeXGqkCA6k4tpXHBGbYFgzPMfnQtuo2dO9T70ss0pz8htqlj30YJBl2Q6_EYsz4v9iaOGGc8xPSMC0CSUDmJoF8mb_1PSksNUimGjDVFvhZi2pZL1mHfGjwon3RnirYuBtzz2p8/s320/736262_10100548571660135_2059683229_o.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">This card cracks me up.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLAktPqo9HpvYyx2XBFAptqGwywFZ0TEl4LlwGaX4WZOJnqkqHtadm1VyD-LC90CY4gq6tXH4lOAPc8CH0ZVWQM5etrJBF59XznyDxROjTozITYZ4OCkhh_1hWdnf8GxThHd7Od_6cf0/s1600/537946_10200310945125149_1722259699_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLAktPqo9HpvYyx2XBFAptqGwywFZ0TEl4LlwGaX4WZOJnqkqHtadm1VyD-LC90CY4gq6tXH4lOAPc8CH0ZVWQM5etrJBF59XznyDxROjTozITYZ4OCkhh_1hWdnf8GxThHd7Od_6cf0/s320/537946_10200310945125149_1722259699_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Me, Kim, Katie and Sandra. My loves!</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">January is also my brother's birthday. My grandma, who has quite a bit of land, built what she calls Granny's Playhouse for us to have family get togethers. So, last Sunday, we all went to Granny's Playhouse for a yummy lunch and some football. We had fun, unfortunately, B had to work so he didn't get join in on the fun.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9r4zOr0R4oYfJzzW9ogNfh0yr4-phHArK2Np2d14Q6c-tmc-J85hdNtho-v0rqeKzGxniLAq3AsBkSZ9sgjrgpj6slL3nZCoowjfGe3W1fl7FhOAt-bdfwIr01e9akNxhaon3O38i5g/s1600/735519_10100554191113705_619709657_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9r4zOr0R4oYfJzzW9ogNfh0yr4-phHArK2Np2d14Q6c-tmc-J85hdNtho-v0rqeKzGxniLAq3AsBkSZ9sgjrgpj6slL3nZCoowjfGe3W1fl7FhOAt-bdfwIr01e9akNxhaon3O38i5g/s320/735519_10100554191113705_619709657_o.jpg" width="236" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999;">Lainey and my baby brother...who will be 17 this month! Seriously, where does the time go?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Hope everyone is well. We are drowning in house stuff, hopefully I can pull my head above water for another update soon!</span></span></td></tr>
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<br />The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-78505416778827707072013-01-03T20:13:00.003-06:002013-01-03T20:13:41.523-06:00Be Blessed<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel like my posts have been so negative and that's why I haven't been posting lately. I'm so frustrated with the fact that we are still not pregnant, that I still have some pain from my surgery and that I now PMS like a B. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought that I was pregnant this month. I really did. I got a little excited when I felt nauseous so I took a test. It was negative and I was sad. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why is it so hard to just be happy? I have the most amazing child in the world. She is beautiful, perfect, smart, loving, hysterical...a complete and absolute joy. But I get so caught up in wanting more babies just like her. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of this has, luckily, not taken away from her. I think it makes me enjoy her more. I've started rocking her again before bed, I don't want to miss a moment with her because what if she is my only little one? I couldn't bear not giving her everything I've got. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know that being a mom is the most important thing to me, it has been since the day started trying to get pregnant with Lainey. I will be the best mom I can to however many babies I have. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In reality, it hasn't been that long since we started trying, just now reaching 6 months. But with Lainey and the second baby, it happened so quickly, I just knew this time would happen as quickly. I've come to trust my body rather than trust God and his timing. Maybe I'm not getting pregnant because it's not the right time. Maybe I'm not getting pregnant because something is wrong. Either way, I'm working on my patience and my trust. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am concentrating on loving the child I do have, who is the biggest blessing I could ever imagine (I mean seriously, how did I get so lucky to be HER mom?! I seriously have the best kid!).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am concentrating on being the best wife I can be. I have a kind, loving husband who would give me the world if he could. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From today on, I will trust in God and I will wake up each day to not try to understand why it hasn't happened yet. I will focus on what I have, not what I don't have. THAT will be my New Year's Resolution (even though I think NYRs are kinda crap). </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, here's to living one day at a time and enjoying the life we all have! After all, we are blessed to have life at all.</span>The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-30797849131974584372012-12-05T08:16:00.000-06:002012-12-05T08:21:17.967-06:00BACK in all my randomness<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">oh my gosh, ear infections are the devil. Seriously. It took me almost 2 1/2 weeks to get over that mess but I am officially feeling better! I'm so happy to be back in the swing of things, we have so much going on right now and I'm ready to tackle it all!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been busy doing PR stuff for Junior League and trying to get us some great recognition for all of the amazing things we have going on. We have such an incredible group this year and I love being a part of it all. This weekend is our fabulous Holiday Ball and it will take place at The Tremont House in Galveston. Such a wonderful hotel! It's actually where B and I got married almost five years ago. I'm so excited.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've been trying freally hard to get into the Christmas spirit but with temps in the 80's, it's been difficult. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">B decided at 14 months it was time for Lainey to learn how to dunk a cookie. These two...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbBYGsokHCEXHK5INWqQnvGoPVnQz4bhWNbT2I2HzlDYIjDXcLJg8HonBZAInA2rcX2OphE8n83uMQGVGRSzxxWaGTcl3UxM_QzQwRyUcQA_OkNkVZ528lzX_nwkLgGuN6-5bqVHroFQ/s1600/77042_10100510840862955_1617434382_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbBYGsokHCEXHK5INWqQnvGoPVnQz4bhWNbT2I2HzlDYIjDXcLJg8HonBZAInA2rcX2OphE8n83uMQGVGRSzxxWaGTcl3UxM_QzQwRyUcQA_OkNkVZ528lzX_nwkLgGuN6-5bqVHroFQ/s320/77042_10100510840862955_1617434382_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5J9eRoTHPCVTOK3wghfRfx0YwoSRR0j9XDHsr09ybiOpzyNUeq0K6ZGQpkrnLNVNdvMiwJ4D7TxxDC3bEOin2o8lrC6L8wAh8o7olHp4rL-3R_G_wu2b13yINT8shzQIodVgb_zRFZBU/s1600/228352_548148171879969_421970550_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5J9eRoTHPCVTOK3wghfRfx0YwoSRR0j9XDHsr09ybiOpzyNUeq0K6ZGQpkrnLNVNdvMiwJ4D7TxxDC3bEOin2o8lrC6L8wAh8o7olHp4rL-3R_G_wu2b13yINT8shzQIodVgb_zRFZBU/s320/228352_548148171879969_421970550_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Saturday we went to </span><a href="http://www.galveston.com/dickensonthestrand/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dickens on the Strand</span></a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. I haven't been in years, I mean, since I was a kid probably. Obviously you can see that I'm in shorts so it was a completely different experience than I remember. We used to get all bundled up, drink hot chocolate and listen to the carolers. This year, we wore shorts, sweat, and wore sunblock. Oh, Texas. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For Lainey's 14 month celebration on Sunday we went to watch the Texans game and have ice cream.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-D4gyORZawRMswGcIuFVilfvuMxCBzxCjOl1rcQoAxQM-w8yS9JzzLfCF1CfVL-f6YztbvixkjrLG7_48uxOExcJEwdReLMXXwUSa6fnJ7HhHhdlZM0mFmFX_BPnDUVrlwePbHCR4JY/s1600/399274_10100505709895455_731613553_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-D4gyORZawRMswGcIuFVilfvuMxCBzxCjOl1rcQoAxQM-w8yS9JzzLfCF1CfVL-f6YztbvixkjrLG7_48uxOExcJEwdReLMXXwUSa6fnJ7HhHhdlZM0mFmFX_BPnDUVrlwePbHCR4JY/s320/399274_10100505709895455_731613553_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lainey is growing so quickly and is SUCH a girl. It's so fun to see her personality coming out. She is all about bracelets, mirrors, brushes, makeup brushes, and most of all, shoes. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWdNbp-i729eze7Qp966OF61vMWL49XqS02hQ6sheU-AIBEZ6plJHOZ0UIG2MvTuUSHQz0XDuOYEcnrQcvxc7rFpZPyA-5Nxlsopx05_APEN4gHOCiOYBK4AvdbfHlYaFU4D0fWaLOQ8/s1600/486948_548148081879978_1581087126_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWdNbp-i729eze7Qp966OF61vMWL49XqS02hQ6sheU-AIBEZ6plJHOZ0UIG2MvTuUSHQz0XDuOYEcnrQcvxc7rFpZPyA-5Nxlsopx05_APEN4gHOCiOYBK4AvdbfHlYaFU4D0fWaLOQ8/s320/486948_548148081879978_1581087126_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We attempted to put up our decorations but our Christmas tree lights are out, our garland lights are out, we are hoping to move soon so we didn't unpack our town, we haven't put up outside decorations yet, basically, we are big time slacking. Big time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, we've decided we will go get a real tree tomorrow night. We haven't had one in years so I'm pretty excited about it. Plus, our tree is old, small and kinda sad. I'm ready for a big tree!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have you decorated? I'm about to hit your blogs to find out!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana;">Also, I'm participating in this <a href="http://newlywedmoments.blogspot.com/2012/12/co-hosting-follow-me-wednesday-blog-hop.html" target="_blank">bloghop</a>! Check it out!</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3fourandunder.blogspot.com/search/label/Follow%20Me%20Wednesday"><img border="0" src="http://i754.photobucket.com/albums/xx189/trishabdesigns/FollowMeWednesdayNew2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-92098814393620801622012-11-26T11:37:00.001-06:002012-11-26T11:37:14.390-06:00The land of the living...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I think I am somewhat back in it! I am finishing up my second round of antibiotics still trying to kick this double ear infection. Yes, me. Not Lainey. This is crazy! </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>But, I'm happy to be feeling a little like myself again. How was your Thanksgiving!? We had a great time -- well, they had a great time, I was miserable. We went to Dallas to visit some of B's family. </b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>This was actually driving through Hunstville, Texas where I went to college. We had to stop for some fried green tomatoes! </b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The lake was definitely NO place for a mommy with an ear infection but the little loved it!</b></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTEsnLAD13wTkTZMnVKlghZwUY4939rfX6IAjAUjRMWHRTYQn5D4bX1K2qNu9PxY89PlYAajZ-63JdLAexZc7-fZPqZelLRTyAD0bFedAagQre3nDO0RKow6ZdEDLpPUf5XTX3ExNqxA/s1600/331837_10100500044059835_2061876479_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTEsnLAD13wTkTZMnVKlghZwUY4939rfX6IAjAUjRMWHRTYQn5D4bX1K2qNu9PxY89PlYAajZ-63JdLAexZc7-fZPqZelLRTyAD0bFedAagQre3nDO0RKow6ZdEDLpPUf5XTX3ExNqxA/s320/331837_10100500044059835_2061876479_o.jpg" width="239" /></b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUth6NClaJuod7LX0PIlTMG6E-DKdQ63VpffMcWWGzWjv_WC7ZM47IUdVla-DCXDsOZEqlP0YiyRDbVPgCyLTItd5KBviWkf7rDdjGTdSoGMlmqKMcV1SEPRU_lB4SmqvsRZZiWZd7IIs/s1600/703541_10100500045052845_281718918_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUth6NClaJuod7LX0PIlTMG6E-DKdQ63VpffMcWWGzWjv_WC7ZM47IUdVla-DCXDsOZEqlP0YiyRDbVPgCyLTItd5KBviWkf7rDdjGTdSoGMlmqKMcV1SEPRU_lB4SmqvsRZZiWZd7IIs/s320/703541_10100500045052845_281718918_o.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="239" /></b></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJceX1CjaOrzNPlcGlP6zz_yu0NDwv_DAufvHLfVYW86asSQL59bOODhQ3IfiEDl-0oB-iG5OJKfSPNkZZ-awZlws5b6nKqtEYkNf_EEb-_4sp6e8f3KNPCTorw4pumYbZ8H-k5fovd6c/s1600/481699_10100499002282565_318659177_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJceX1CjaOrzNPlcGlP6zz_yu0NDwv_DAufvHLfVYW86asSQL59bOODhQ3IfiEDl-0oB-iG5OJKfSPNkZZ-awZlws5b6nKqtEYkNf_EEb-_4sp6e8f3KNPCTorw4pumYbZ8H-k5fovd6c/s320/481699_10100499002282565_318659177_n.jpg" width="239" /></b></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Thanksgiving day! Ready to eat!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Lainey's Thanksgiving dress came from Shabby Apple. Isn't it cute! I had to put a turtle neck and some tights under it because it was pretty chilly up there on the water!</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>In other, completely random, news. We've decided to put our house on the market! I can't believe it. We've been here a little over 3 years. I'm hoping it sells quickly. We found an amazing neighborhood we want to build in but we have to sell our house first! So, PLEASE pray for us!! </b></span></div>
<br />The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425203432727893171.post-12368985546460201532012-11-13T20:05:00.005-06:002012-11-13T20:05:56.463-06:00Life through my phone...<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hey Y'all! I've managed to drag myself off of the couch for a quick post. Sick has taken over my house and it has finally caught up to mommy. I have a double ear infection. Like a four year old. I mean, really, what adult do you know gets a double ear infection?! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, it sucks big time and I'm so over it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luckily, I have a rockstar sleeper on my hands. Well, a moderate rockstar sleeper. She still wakes up now and then for a drink of water or a paci but I typically don't have to get out of bed. I love that I can place her in her crib, give her a sippy with water, a paci and baby and she goes to sleep! Bliss. It took us some time and methods I was SO against to get her to this point but now, we are all actually getting some sleep! And as sick as I am, I am so thankful for that.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, since I can't muster up enough energy for a real post, I thought I'd share some pics from my phone. </span><br />
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<img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1j54qbjXK2LBEeEZZOYj5dBqWVIVegsynr4tJtFaf1BxBiOZUUDWdOC1m-pMICa-89E-EpaXD3ezGIKhB6A3pYgdkZdE4hg10hXeUj_PayakA2vteKkGryi_y28DVGIQCnFCivmGyvg/s320/247632_10100471312817475_1058017390_n.jpg" width="239" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFf34K3KJbWBu1ssIO-2em_M9pjhkiYQvBuv8WdY0QzdORvP0k0IWz1pMsTnFokgut_rE07QaWvqrp2WwmHWQfqwBD96nFCGa_0fIsmGE3Dkfd0FDuoy4CHQh4RaWTngiQXvHdV6sCWAU/s1600/292840_10100482495532225_1483153154_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFf34K3KJbWBu1ssIO-2em_M9pjhkiYQvBuv8WdY0QzdORvP0k0IWz1pMsTnFokgut_rE07QaWvqrp2WwmHWQfqwBD96nFCGa_0fIsmGE3Dkfd0FDuoy4CHQh4RaWTngiQXvHdV6sCWAU/s320/292840_10100482495532225_1483153154_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsEi-pk6A1MhmefCv3PkNajVcF4BtbzOwPJgSiL6YzTIN4fdb5cuMVMYr65wo7bzwT18je5JG5fQULhGRDtpvvRo_Mxq9qFMpPp1dGM-z5gdnH4QyqzJrw3FFObD1BohPO_EUsaf8HI4/s320/318819_10100478208518435_1250167905_n.jpg" width="239" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMa7aewW7d3xiqAmO5IpZR9dQ-x3KAijHksgG2neWH5-Kp46hvc43fSbTWgg7QTZjjxYkCoxYnmv3GiaJ19ayxgnJ81OLc5zeN4cqY7avjwKQZabzb-Q0xd6Lvu7ueDgX08fFt8P8HKNo/s1600/391739_10100470195566455_525140070_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMa7aewW7d3xiqAmO5IpZR9dQ-x3KAijHksgG2neWH5-Kp46hvc43fSbTWgg7QTZjjxYkCoxYnmv3GiaJ19ayxgnJ81OLc5zeN4cqY7avjwKQZabzb-Q0xd6Lvu7ueDgX08fFt8P8HKNo/s320/391739_10100470195566455_525140070_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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The Rest is Still Unwrittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10002335002875952611noreply@blogger.com1