tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481484571445120312024-03-02T02:40:26.991-05:00Life After StaffThe adventures of one former missionary couple journeying along on their life after staff. For all of our family, friends and supporters, we hope this will help you stay connected. Additionally for all our staff friends, it's a rare glimpse into life on the other side :)Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.comBlogger616125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-62956836578002761732013-08-31T21:05:00.001-04:002013-08-31T21:06:33.632-04:00Back to School Celebration!<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I decided we needed to kick off this very momentous Pre-K school year right. We put a VERY high value on education in this home and I think it's important for us as parents to set the tone. I want Ella to view school in a positive light and to be excited to go, make friends, and learn. I got my inspiration from <a href="http://www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/2013/08/back-to-school-feast-2013-14.html" target="_blank">nieniedialogues</a>. <i>(And, no, I'm not mormon, but just because someone believes something different than me, it doesnt mean they can't have some rockin' ideas!)</i> But our back to school celebration was... and ALWAYS will be 1/1000th of what she pulls off. </div>
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Let me start off by saying that I don't do stuff like this because I feel like I "have to", because I'm trying to keep up with the Jones's or because I think I need to live up to some ideal on Pinterest. I do stuff like this because I LOVE to! It's my thing. And if it's not your thing, please don't think for solitary second that I judge you. Because I don't! I'll be me. You be you. It'll be awesome!</div>
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I realized as I was posting these pictures that it looks kind of elaborate. With the heart of not putting on pretenses and keeping things real, let me assure it, it was not elaborate.</div>
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I had the plastic table cloth, wrapping paper, paper plates and napkins left over from previous BBQ's and parties. </div>
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I went back to school shopping and packer the backpack that she's had for years with her pencil box, a lunch box, and a few do-dads I found on clearance that I knew would make her year!</div>
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The sunflowers were grown by Ella herself, right from seed and it only seemed fitting to decorate with them.</div>
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She requested pizza and chocolate milk for her special dinner. You can see all of our efforts to get her to eat healthy are paying off :). The pizza is from a box.<br />
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I stayed up a little later than normal the night before making the cake (funfetti box mix in a 9x13 pan), writing out the Bible verse on construction paper and constructing a special Pre-K crown with cardstock and good old crayola!</div>
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The balloons, I had J grab on the way home from work. Sent Jason outside with the kids for a half hour before dinner so I could set up and... Voila! Instant back to school Par-tay!</div>
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Here she is just before we left for school. Look at the last year and this year side by side! She's grown so much!!! <i>(Why won't her hair do the same!?!?)</i></div>
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And here she is. backpack hung, lunch box on the shelf, pencil box in her her cubby and all settled in at her desk for pre-K! She didn't shed one tear. As I walked away and stood in the doorway, expecting her eyes to follow me, and give her one last wave good-bye... she wasn't even looking. She was already talking to her new friend that sits right beside her. So proud of her! She's come a long, long way!!!</div>
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-53577395351648564782013-08-29T10:48:00.000-04:002013-08-29T10:52:14.126-04:00Back On The Radar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh hello. Today Ella went to her first day of Pre-K (here's a sneak peak picture)! With only one child at home, who naps in the morning, I found myself wandering aimlessly around my house at 9:30am, amidst deafening silence wondering, "What. Do. I. Do?"<br />
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I considered my options. Fold laundry. Sweep. Mop. Organize. Clean bathrooms. Watch TV. Read. Then I realized I haven't blogged all summer. And so here I am. Perhaps in these rare down times I shall have time to catch up with all my photos and such! <br />
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SUMMER. WAS. CRAZY. I just looked back at my calendar and there was not ONE weekend that wasn't booked with something! Here is the quick and dirty run-down!<br />
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MAY<br />
-quick! get garden fence in.<br />
-Jason hurts digging fence post holes<br />
-My sister has her first <br />
baby!<br />
Jason goes to CT for work for 3 weeks.<br />
-BOOM it's JUNE<br />
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JUNE<br />
-SIL Erin, spends many a weekend visiting... YAY!<br />
-We visit my sister and Baby Ian<br />
-We go to camp a weekend or two.<br />
-We take a 5 day trip to MN to visit my dads side of the family.<br />
-BOOM it's JULY<br />
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JULY<br />
-my sister visits with baby Ian<br />
-SIL Erin visits some more<br />
-my Aunt, Uncle and cousins come stay with us for a week<br />
-we go to camp for another weekend<br />
-We have a BBQ/Josiah turns one bash at our house to see friends we haven't seein in MONTHS!<br />
-I volunteer to help in Ella's class for VBS for the week<br />
-Jason finds out wrist is actually broken from back in May<br />
BOOM it's August<br />
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AUGUST<br />
-Haskell family reunion and another weekend at camp - AWESOME!<br />
-Do some get connected things at camp<br />
-Family photo shoot and visit my sister - Ella rides a pony again!<br />
-Full week vacation at camp<br />
-Weekend getaway to celebrate 10 years of marriage!!! ROCKIN'<br />
-BOOM, Ella goes back to school.<br />
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CRAZY! It was packed with friends, and lots and lots of family which is the way we like it! It was busy, but in a fun, kickin' it kind of busy way. I shall miss it, but I am also welcoming the new routine and rhythm that the school year brings. The crispness in the air that beckons in fall. These things, they are good for my soul!<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-91848620042598081032013-07-07T19:23:00.001-04:002013-07-07T19:23:43.579-04:0010 Months Old!Well, he's pretty darn near one year old in reality. And Im not even sure I'll get any "11 month old" pictures taken. So these shall do. They are adorable enough for two months worth of pictures!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJYtNSO3AXb2W5pquDhLSJrPhvRGVVpUX4Ky3AuVLIjOGvlPH06WN5ejeTpUQ344QYrm7bJLnOk1La6bKCbMnrAgFdqt2YomSkSWTCEowg1IQfOLttwAZ024LNJmjfZG3476jVNzIk1Q/s1600/IMG_1337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJYtNSO3AXb2W5pquDhLSJrPhvRGVVpUX4Ky3AuVLIjOGvlPH06WN5ejeTpUQ344QYrm7bJLnOk1La6bKCbMnrAgFdqt2YomSkSWTCEowg1IQfOLttwAZ024LNJmjfZG3476jVNzIk1Q/s400/IMG_1337.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYF6BP2X9rpHQgJRA0Y8b3yogq7stVTXlCeCmAyUdbCKhJ0dj6zh-iuTRbOLv8STqfUllWYafqj132eCrFnRci6NrrQoasfT94MVe8_yxUvoGUfKqoT2ABmop4_mhnbDcQRHdlw6VFQM/s1600/IMG_1339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYF6BP2X9rpHQgJRA0Y8b3yogq7stVTXlCeCmAyUdbCKhJ0dj6zh-iuTRbOLv8STqfUllWYafqj132eCrFnRci6NrrQoasfT94MVe8_yxUvoGUfKqoT2ABmop4_mhnbDcQRHdlw6VFQM/s400/IMG_1339.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGFfYm3OF0WFTvnXG7cmbiycziWXboJj94g0xfHWzMIt8okhwEgRAuD6F01KTTuQ_FR9oy9LUfXxYxzE24pPnmVPOS0bjmJV3Lyxvms80XV4EwbIGjr1DSPXwCHj38NGQXWokwkkdCRA/s1600/IMG_1386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGFfYm3OF0WFTvnXG7cmbiycziWXboJj94g0xfHWzMIt8okhwEgRAuD6F01KTTuQ_FR9oy9LUfXxYxzE24pPnmVPOS0bjmJV3Lyxvms80XV4EwbIGjr1DSPXwCHj38NGQXWokwkkdCRA/s400/IMG_1386.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYeP4tRPiQAZdcwLnC0aUwFrnqPgdgWiWZ6FfAXTgg0dXjI0vsat0jOlduHT7VP3uoJeJ_ymNJ3AXoOg-rrman3rrNHCDqVSE0fzG7bht_wBHDg1uj0m9YS_wnW9-OIWDCbeJrkY4QBo/s1600/IMG_1408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYeP4tRPiQAZdcwLnC0aUwFrnqPgdgWiWZ6FfAXTgg0dXjI0vsat0jOlduHT7VP3uoJeJ_ymNJ3AXoOg-rrman3rrNHCDqVSE0fzG7bht_wBHDg1uj0m9YS_wnW9-OIWDCbeJrkY4QBo/s400/IMG_1408.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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He is pulling himself up and cruising along anything he can find. </div>
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He giggles, and belly laughs all the time. </div>
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He squeels and screeches with delight when he does something he's pleased with. </div>
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I have found NOTHING that will deter him from playing in the dogs water dish and bowl. Like a moth to a flame.</div>
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He likes the water quite a bit. Loves his tubby and loves a good dip in the pool or lake.</div>
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He eats like a champ and nurses like a champ too. He likes almost everything we feed him and would much prefer something he can feed himself than something he has to be spoon fed.</div>
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He's napping two solid 2-3 hour naps a day... praise the LORD!</div>
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He's sleeping BETTER. But is the lightest sleeper I know. He wakes up at the slightest noise and still needs to be resettled once or twice a night.</div>
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He says Dada, Ella "rerra", Doggie, ball, done, and has uttered mama ONCE.</div>
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He has 7, almost 8 teeth and cutting them is not the fussy painful event it used to be.</div>
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He's had TWO haircuts!!</div>
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He LOVES his sister. LOVE, LOVE, LOVES her. And the feeling is mutual. I continue to pray for this bond to last and grow. It is precious to see. </div>
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We took a family trip out to Minnesota to visit my dad's side of the family. This wild child, always on the go little boy had me worried... but he did AMAZING on the 3 hour flight! And both he and Ella were stellar during a 5 hour delay and then 3 hour flight home! God is good!</div>
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He has a special knack for finding trouble in a split second and getting his cute little heiny over into said trouble in two seconds flat. </div>
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He is an escape artist. Even buckled in as tight as we can get him, he can kneel, stand up and turn around in his highchair and any grocery cart around. Seriously working on my nerves here.</div>
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He is a COMPLETE mama's boy. If I am in sight he wants me and only me. Fussing and reaching for me like it's been decades since he's been in my arms. Endearing sometimes, downright tough other times.</div>
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He keeps me on my toes this one.</div>
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He is sweetness and all boy perfectly blended into one!</div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-62157440957132323992013-06-05T22:44:00.003-04:002013-06-05T22:48:26.652-04:00Just Call Her Ella the Duck Whisperer<div style="text-align: center;">
If you'll recall an earlier post about<a href="http://lifeafterstaff.blogspot.com/2013/05/chasing-ducks-and-kissing-goats.html" target="_blank"> chasing ducks and kissing goats</a>, it may have appeared that my child likes to terrorize small winged creatures. I assure you, she does not. She LOVES animals. She only wanted to pet a duck and was then enthralled with the reaction she got from said small winged creatures.</div>
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Well, on a return visit to Auntie Jen and Uncle Greg's Ella insisted that she REALLY wanted to pet a duck. I explained that they would run away again and I didn't want to give the poor little things heart attacks. But, my child is a persistent one and she persuaded me to let her try once more. </div>
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THIS was the result. </div>
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Duck catching, petting, kissing and yes, even holding success...<br />
in her black sparkly dress shoes none the less!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtn63aAJfXOmxafx8iTMloGubsaL4td1g1gCG4UbXrDcljtx5b-_p-1QGyN-vZu2MTHmITaSrDH5jypomiE6EJyEN9fVEl-8s5LULuHVtAbSJ-28SDMflL9v8Qk-YVoq6JVPH1tWSZhQ/s1600/IMG_1329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtn63aAJfXOmxafx8iTMloGubsaL4td1g1gCG4UbXrDcljtx5b-_p-1QGyN-vZu2MTHmITaSrDH5jypomiE6EJyEN9fVEl-8s5LULuHVtAbSJ-28SDMflL9v8Qk-YVoq6JVPH1tWSZhQ/s400/IMG_1329.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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My sister was astonished. </div>
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Amazed actually. </div>
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She'd not have believed me if we didn't have the pictures to prove it. </div>
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She said she can't even get near them. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAI8Ajryfa16M_8lvWMmmwwDRTw9CkRNzw_q67yQuSDt_yB9HBotrhzbZgi20BgEPIXryDGgP63vDnLtwD5d4jRSEo0o1aj6oylPlUsXZ0DcsEZCnNtUO6S60mK3kHku_EeeQrJjwj0uY/s1600/IMG_1327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAI8Ajryfa16M_8lvWMmmwwDRTw9CkRNzw_q67yQuSDt_yB9HBotrhzbZgi20BgEPIXryDGgP63vDnLtwD5d4jRSEo0o1aj6oylPlUsXZ0DcsEZCnNtUO6S60mK3kHku_EeeQrJjwj0uY/s400/IMG_1327.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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And apparantly some of my sisters friends question her honesty. </div>
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Because they did not believe her when she told them that Ella got this close to the ducks. </div>
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So here is the photographic proof.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUMGEipSSQPCzbcg0INIKMUY6bcImWXW-e1hA-h1VXLumuatQcCuwwtIjZLKobBxG8imdrzqTAWqA4_jeXx25EunbMx-mASBRT1zm_7OZ7oDTaLozmeKJhGbXvo3p3utfbyuuaSzpZjM/s1600/IMG_1328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUMGEipSSQPCzbcg0INIKMUY6bcImWXW-e1hA-h1VXLumuatQcCuwwtIjZLKobBxG8imdrzqTAWqA4_jeXx25EunbMx-mASBRT1zm_7OZ7oDTaLozmeKJhGbXvo3p3utfbyuuaSzpZjM/s400/IMG_1328.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Oh yes, my friends. <br />
She caught and petted not only this one, but one of every color... even a brown one, which she held,<br />
and it pooped on her. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHP3ZT0LqHVGsyYtz9-cdb3QG81V4_P2WC2dkrzUtHt5k4VGhov1DafKuxVdSyuYVGl19slGIkVKF9dePr7KTrAK9bbH_SWlAfkcp11LthWLzWwxdvQr5O4JiHg95pWlcHMkdELsZUF0/s1600/IMG_1332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHP3ZT0LqHVGsyYtz9-cdb3QG81V4_P2WC2dkrzUtHt5k4VGhov1DafKuxVdSyuYVGl19slGIkVKF9dePr7KTrAK9bbH_SWlAfkcp11LthWLzWwxdvQr5O4JiHg95pWlcHMkdELsZUF0/s400/IMG_1332.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Us Fraunhofer girls, we are many a thing, but liar is not among them!</div>
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Behold, I give you: Ella, the duck whisperer</div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-4744882919208779602013-06-05T21:59:00.002-04:002013-06-05T21:59:32.822-04:00Eat it!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you know when his birthday is, you know that in real time, he's 10 months old...almost 11.</div>
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But in my busy world, in photo downloading, editing, blogging time, we've not yet done 9 months. So here he is in all his glory!</div>
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The following photo sequence and accompanying commentary sum up Josiah's life quite well!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXVAKoDwWNK_h1eD35qshIm3xiHWG0ZiTYVagujVm_qqGa9ZvCqjZMZJoxh77bbyRIBMCnA0PtgZLOrv3eV52ezXIjfL9TI90Qqo8_HTaiI8_SPEb35muVk9fQjRlEaEuHzgKt5qsDVc/s1600/IMG_0979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXVAKoDwWNK_h1eD35qshIm3xiHWG0ZiTYVagujVm_qqGa9ZvCqjZMZJoxh77bbyRIBMCnA0PtgZLOrv3eV52ezXIjfL9TI90Qqo8_HTaiI8_SPEb35muVk9fQjRlEaEuHzgKt5qsDVc/s400/IMG_0979.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom put me on this blanket.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexwMF6rR-wqS631MVmCcp2M_zmavvmmPMIp4vPLhfq5cAipSzELmn12BL8LIgESW_zqa7DBX2WdBL0m3CWHz29QN4txHe_uuzdqTmZXlXXlqSH6KTR2e-gaNKZB6FTAQWJgOSnezwUyU/s1600/IMG_0980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexwMF6rR-wqS631MVmCcp2M_zmavvmmPMIp4vPLhfq5cAipSzELmn12BL8LIgESW_zqa7DBX2WdBL0m3CWHz29QN4txHe_uuzdqTmZXlXXlqSH6KTR2e-gaNKZB6FTAQWJgOSnezwUyU/s400/IMG_0980.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WHOA mom. This sun is REALLY bright. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieLwQ63vw6oc6_hJfZt_mTdS3rptaRncMBwF0SUjXGMvf_63nqDxydCG4GoPku8tHG9pmu6-pm6zLj1LP2A4SUHY_JBx6wNo-jsxgBQCj53friURdf8vFIBs5vKX_vJ3ww5WauL9PuhCw/s1600/IMG_0992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieLwQ63vw6oc6_hJfZt_mTdS3rptaRncMBwF0SUjXGMvf_63nqDxydCG4GoPku8tHG9pmu6-pm6zLj1LP2A4SUHY_JBx6wNo-jsxgBQCj53friURdf8vFIBs5vKX_vJ3ww5WauL9PuhCw/s400/IMG_0992.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't want to be on a boring blanket! What's this green stuff!?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxd3Jvsj9wthuAceHzxegXQuaRAaKqi-iLXSP3ptONSc0NT5_J2rY7Ksg3JU7RhUUpmnc3XV3zXdYUPImjh402cAAaJKRZpupy-LRU8HHJnGSkfJ8ppUr01GcN69TxUDGXra3GyjTxsY/s1600/IMG_1004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxd3Jvsj9wthuAceHzxegXQuaRAaKqi-iLXSP3ptONSc0NT5_J2rY7Ksg3JU7RhUUpmnc3XV3zXdYUPImjh402cAAaJKRZpupy-LRU8HHJnGSkfJ8ppUr01GcN69TxUDGXra3GyjTxsY/s400/IMG_1004.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm going exploring... catch me if you can!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwwwD-Yjh4LxCXjnQaft9dJeBzYbXuCRspjCZAWGdMPuFUdk53yFG93A72uC_VQbwbJCcD-brMsIGUb4ZR0aZXiA50wT8CHqeCT2LYOS2IHnRMylk2IChQY7JYbWW4cODqA9Fp9Z1cx8/s1600/IMG_1010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwwwD-Yjh4LxCXjnQaft9dJeBzYbXuCRspjCZAWGdMPuFUdk53yFG93A72uC_VQbwbJCcD-brMsIGUb4ZR0aZXiA50wT8CHqeCT2LYOS2IHnRMylk2IChQY7JYbWW4cODqA9Fp9Z1cx8/s400/IMG_1010.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's this?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibL17zIuBEoQl0sL6ungt3HF_4cZn-J_2mmkuiFL4PmA7gy5kz9Ko1LqYQa6B5tckN1qIsgErBrFk_xP-YxiGBmt3PAQJW6HfY4O40f4bNLwBuETAAADLwiui5fPFoSHvUD5tUmhmprgY/s1600/IMG_1011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibL17zIuBEoQl0sL6ungt3HF_4cZn-J_2mmkuiFL4PmA7gy5kz9Ko1LqYQa6B5tckN1qIsgErBrFk_xP-YxiGBmt3PAQJW6HfY4O40f4bNLwBuETAAADLwiui5fPFoSHvUD5tUmhmprgY/s400/IMG_1011.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I shall determine the answer by eating it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwf0vWkWg5vlfDici5aoRzXdMDBrzkSD6kmqrKHPRhBYGYGi2bJXxFQGDLVTc3mTRw_xHY3waACA8aScSVftcBojXgXDQo_ZUpaWmff08B3rxMl64okVcQV_xbkbFypNAPG53t0mamOSQ/s1600/IMG_1012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwf0vWkWg5vlfDici5aoRzXdMDBrzkSD6kmqrKHPRhBYGYGi2bJXxFQGDLVTc3mTRw_xHY3waACA8aScSVftcBojXgXDQo_ZUpaWmff08B3rxMl64okVcQV_xbkbFypNAPG53t0mamOSQ/s400/IMG_1012.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmm, what's over there?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharFbU4AgCMmsjPAbA2IfaBaf5cuu4aYdROWiE_tuZ3OY9cMeH-vE2SVey1o_XjvmqAWcbSYTw0hviSfFMkPxr71uzugXsYOelNG6wGxRWx_z3lSi4u5J1m008L6JsuWjNLvuY4XkDdrc/s1600/IMG_1015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharFbU4AgCMmsjPAbA2IfaBaf5cuu4aYdROWiE_tuZ3OY9cMeH-vE2SVey1o_XjvmqAWcbSYTw0hviSfFMkPxr71uzugXsYOelNG6wGxRWx_z3lSi4u5J1m008L6JsuWjNLvuY4XkDdrc/s400/IMG_1015.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lets eat it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04JMald-pg1ZHuX2P5kxVoxrqSwsbbplcJQaza2ltPfZjaEmlypvNJE1b13q1-NfmBGU3NfZTsL0R4K3ivkeDe-gPTDby6HVnXnKIMZmk2xG9qkKqmLAkEafPPThy8_R8O-9_2rep3Oo/s1600/IMG_1020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04JMald-pg1ZHuX2P5kxVoxrqSwsbbplcJQaza2ltPfZjaEmlypvNJE1b13q1-NfmBGU3NfZTsL0R4K3ivkeDe-gPTDby6HVnXnKIMZmk2xG9qkKqmLAkEafPPThy8_R8O-9_2rep3Oo/s400/IMG_1020.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmmm, this looks veeery interesting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicR1iDMNFGgVqNU_YZhCK3l7TrYG7sKCNtYIrqt1uJ5nXEjTrH2MHsJKjbitpzk9Kb_0XbA9jCC06I0i3IHsz5Eu-rbWz_pzcJd84FPde-YIdcyZpg1J7Ti8Mdx1QhAsKMYzvbBTQK8YY/s1600/IMG_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicR1iDMNFGgVqNU_YZhCK3l7TrYG7sKCNtYIrqt1uJ5nXEjTrH2MHsJKjbitpzk9Kb_0XbA9jCC06I0i3IHsz5Eu-rbWz_pzcJd84FPde-YIdcyZpg1J7Ti8Mdx1QhAsKMYzvbBTQK8YY/s400/IMG_1024.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm a gonna eat it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJGYA-jqupvBsuWC4fP1Vwm_sLq9vsqmSXz_IW8VOWAClFLo3mUjZf-CXAcyp5D56agAtMywngi2C_iBvm3u-Fj6gcwdsDL7xpxlRpumkNOkziX4KjGgW03niDLiK5ISTZ9eGNqi6Ros/s1600/IMG_1029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJGYA-jqupvBsuWC4fP1Vwm_sLq9vsqmSXz_IW8VOWAClFLo3mUjZf-CXAcyp5D56agAtMywngi2C_iBvm3u-Fj6gcwdsDL7xpxlRpumkNOkziX4KjGgW03niDLiK5ISTZ9eGNqi6Ros/s400/IMG_1029.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See ya later! I'm off again!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-36252804043171330312013-05-12T21:48:00.000-04:002013-05-12T23:41:35.522-04:00I Will Savor.~For the woman who longs for a baby of her own, but month after painfully long month that little plus sign never seems to appear...<br />
~For the momma who's world was shattered in one unforeseeable, fatal moment and it literally feels like her heart has been ripped from her chest...<br />
~For the fearless one that endures endless medications and tests and procedures, tirelessly hoping to conceive, for herself, what seems far too easy for others to accomplish, and yet her empty arms still ache...<br />
~For the momma who formed a sacred life inside her womb, rubbed her belly, sang sweet songs, dreamed dreams and made plans, yet never got to see her face...<br />
~For the dear one who birthed her sweet child only to have him taken to heaven so quickly she can't help but scream at the unfairness and question God's goodness...<br />
~For the mother who watched her own flesh and blood battle an illness with courage unimaginable, dying inside and longing to just trade places and take away the pain, only to lose that fight years later...<br />
~For the woman who sits and waits and prays for that call, to tell her the child who's been hers in hear heart since she first laid eyes him will now be hers for real, yet the silence is deafening as the clock just keeps ticking on...<br />
~For the saint to who welcomes the most neglected, abused, abandoned children into her home and loves them as her own, knowing full well they could be returned to the hands of their abusers should the powers that be see fit, and yet she loves on...<br />
<br />
For these women, I have no answers. But I will not forget you. I will weep with you, pray for you and honor your struggle. And I will not take one single second for granted. On the hardest of days, running on the littlest of sleep, with the crankiest of children I will do my best not to wish away even the toughest of moments. Because I am blessed. Yes, it took a combined total of 5 years to have our two beautiful babies...but we were able to get pregnant. Each time, our children were born full term. We are all healthy and vibrant and thriving. I have had an easy, easy road compared to many. I am not foolish enough to think that we are immune to hardship and I know full well, things could change in an instant. But I will trust HIM will all my tomorrows, come what may. And I will strive to be present in each moment, to soak in, to be grateful and to savor...<br />
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Savor...<br />
sweet footsteps waking me up from sleeping in <br />
little girl giggles burrowing under mommy and daddy's covers<br />
three toothed, chubby cheeked baby smiles<br />
trot, trot to Boston bouncing on my knees<br />
sweet nursing sessions that will be no more in the blink of an eye<br />
preschool wrapped presents<br />
hand drawn pictures<br />
and homemade letters<br />
new favorite mugs with pictures to treasure<br />
sweetly etched menus<br />
savory home-cooked breakfast <br />
favorite snacks throughout the day<br />
holding the hand of the sweetest little voice belting out "Light of the World" beside me in the pew<br />
bare"hooves" in the grass neighing and galloping around the "jump course"<br />
green thumb hands getting grubby in the dirt weeding side by side<br />
tiny footprints in the sand<br />
baby toes first dips in the Atlantic<br />
jumping waves and racing them back to dry land<br />
splashes and squeals and summer cotton soaked through to the bone<br />
blond curls tangling in the sea salt spray<br />
"just one more time momma!?"<br />
Daddy's fleece flopping long as an over-sized little girl dress for snuggly warmth<br />
spontaneous "I love you" 's. <br />
"Thank-you for everything you do... like breakfast every morning." from four year old lips.<br />
Lobster treats, ice tea sipping, jelly dripping, boat watching dinners on the cove.<br />
Goofy, overtired baby giggles delighting to the core<br />
Butterfly, Eskimo and Regular kisses... "three sets momma"<br />
lavender lotioned, peek-a-boo baby, almost too cute to leave his crib-side<br />
squeaky clean, tuckered out girl snuggled down with one last kiss<br />
flip the light switch, walk the hallway, plod the stairs... <br />
<br />
...carpet's dirty, laundry's unfolded, dust bunnies abound, toys are strewn, dishes pile, counter's cluttered, bathrooms unscrubbed, yards a mess. <br />
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Yup. You can tell I savored today.<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-20002875964611056922013-05-06T22:48:00.000-04:002013-05-06T22:48:39.390-04:00Chasing Ducks and Kissing Goats<div style="text-align: center;">
Ella LOVES to visit Auntie Jen and Uncle Greg. You see, their house is awesome. There is a climbing rope and monkey swing in their cathedral ceiling living room. There is a pond and stream. There are goats, chickens, ducks and two dogs that are pretty much at her mercy and don't mind one bit. There are also evening jaunts to help Auntie Jen with the horse chores. She even got to lead a horse all by herself for the first time!</div>
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We had just such occasion to visit a few weekends ago to attend Auntie Jen's baby shower. She's due in two weeks and we can't wait to meet Baby Ian! Here are just a few pictures of Ella's fun!</div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-87306360431998364122013-04-30T16:23:00.000-04:002013-04-30T16:23:37.376-04:00Finding My RhythmI've been working evenings for a little over a week now... and today, I feel like I finally found my rhythm. Either that, or some crazy burst of energy that will leave me more tired than before come this evening! <br />
<br />
Here's how my days/nights look:<br />
4:30am Jason gets up to get ready and leave for work<br />
6am Im awake with Josiah<br />
Take care of children and house etc. during the day<br />
4-4:30pm Jason arrives home (we exchange pertinent information as fast as possible)<br />
4:45pm I leave for work<br />
10:30pm I arrive home finish anything needed to get ready for the next day, get ready for bed<br />
11/11:30ish Go to bed<br />
2am awake to nurse Josiah<br />
start all over again.<br />
<br />
It was really rough. I was getting really heavy eyes near then end of my shift at work. I was finding it near impossible to get up in the morning. I was struggling just to keep it together during the day, let alone be present and active with my children and not seeing Jason at all STINKS. Jason got home early one day last week and I took a nap. I slept in until 10:30am on Saturday morning and I took another nap on Sunday. Monday was okay. And today, I finally feel like I've found a rhythm. <br />
<br />
Last night I spent some time with God when I got home, wrote Jason a lovey dovey note <i>(figuring if we just pass like ships in the night, at least we can pass notes back and forth like we're school children again)</i> and then made a plan for the day. Today I've accomplished the following:<br />
Took a Shower (big stuff I know! ;)<br />
Swept the whole downstairs<br />
Did a few mountains of dishes<br />
Prepped Dinner<br />
Cleaned 3 bathrooms<br />
Emptied all the trash<br />
Had the ADT guy come out to get out alarm system up and running again<br />
played outside with the kids (swinging, t-ball, "princess ponies")<br />
Took the dog for a walk while pulling the littles in the wagon.<br />
Set up and did a fun activity with Ella during Josiah's first nap<br />
Had a finger and toe nail painting party with Ella during Josiah's second nap<br />
Took some nice pictures of the kiddos<br />
Got out the kids and my summer clothes<br />
Did a MILD organizing of the storage room (had to in order to get to the summer clothes ;)<br />
Oh, AND blogged!<br />
<br />
Wowzers! Feelin' Good. I think tomorrow I might need a nap again!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-16840656721005573382013-04-11T23:37:00.003-04:002013-04-11T23:39:33.174-04:00Josiah Video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He's actually only six months in this first video. I love this little voice so much!!!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyYVtQ2P8grb-H8rVRf_6Ee81rkHEjtkIfm5AayOttv_MUqu-r-F3QTQmJsJvknwgWyVky_XPrQgXVF1gMMwA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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I have tried EVERY bib. Velcro, snap, and now T-shirt collar. Its no match for Houdini. I need to just make a shirt style bib that ties in the back... also known as a straight jacket.</div>
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The boy is fast. </div>
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I was just trying to capture his mad finger food skills with bananas. And I got this! He signs "more" for the first time at 8 1/2 months old. I've been doing the more sign with him since about 6 months old. So exciting! Maybe this will decrease the fussing!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxk1BIgGnE1NHnFzWURZmMDproB8_LEr3UcNsoCgVS1dXST46SicmRuqPcs2mhzSclHDtxQqhuaL_E7ylL8mQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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And here is a sweet little gem. Ella LOVES her brother. Sure there are the occasional frustrating moments where Ella wishes she had my attention, or his fussing is getting on her last nerve. In turn, Josiah LOVES hi sister. Sure there's always the moments where she turns on heel to run and accidentally trips over him, kneeing him in the head. But isn't that what siblings are for!? For the most part Ella is helpful, involved and intentional with her brother without every being asked. And Josiah adores her, watches her every move and thinks everything she does is amazing and hilarious... you know, save for the kneeing him in the head thing. I have prayed that they would have a wonderful sibling relationship and it brings me such joy to see those prayers answered. I will continue to pray for their relationship all of my days! </div>
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-64400230525102180492013-04-11T21:49:00.000-04:002013-04-11T21:49:36.469-04:008 Months!<div style="text-align: center;">
(There will be a follow up post of all video!!!)</div>
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Okay, he's really closer to 9 months old now, and I could barely get an in-focus picture because this little bubba does not stop moving for one solitary second. But here he is in all of his 8 month glory! Yes, he has food all over him. It was my only hope of getting him to sit remotely still.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh hi mom! This is the smile I ALWAYS get when he first sees me. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You want me to pose? Okay, how's this face?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlXx5Ncm6Wb1QI4khSqWpyL6skaS90JbGOu3XgVBP4bVlRTXN_XXf7id7FLOucRGWbuU6BznX4t899vzEwI9ljNbKPlcACFGWKgxQsaTAficW1E4UqSzgGR2GTYo8I3kPkXTNhNTUuLQ/s1600/IMG_0895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlXx5Ncm6Wb1QI4khSqWpyL6skaS90JbGOu3XgVBP4bVlRTXN_XXf7id7FLOucRGWbuU6BznX4t899vzEwI9ljNbKPlcACFGWKgxQsaTAficW1E4UqSzgGR2GTYo8I3kPkXTNhNTUuLQ/s400/IMG_0895.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, I'm getting skeptical... how long is this going to take?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bo-ring! I'll eat my buckle. I have a little bit of a buckle addiction to be honest.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bbbpppllllll! That's what I think of this!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dude. I'm outta here!</td></tr>
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<br />
<ul>
<li>He still likes to eat... lots more foods now. He generally does not want you to feed him and only wants to eat things he can pick up on his own. Independent. Stubborn. (must get that from his father... <i>wink, wink.</i>)</li>
<li>He still doesn't like to sleep...well, naps are great now. He goes to sleep like a champ at 6:30 and wakes up for the day around 7am. But some nights there is still lots of resettling and he still nursing once in the wee hours of the morning. I'm okay with it. I'm rolling with it. I'm savoring the sweet moments nursing. I'm asking God what He has for me in this, what he wants me to learn <i>(thanks to some advice from a wise mama of 5!)</i></li>
<li>I know all the pictures of him are always all smiles...but don't be fooled. That's only because he has my undivided attention. He has a constant middle of the road fuss that you will hear non-stop unless he is sleeping, being held, being entertained or getting into something. I'm going with the theory that he's HIGHLY intelligent and therefore needs stimulation or else gets bored. That will serve him well in life. However, I'm fairly certain it will give me many a gray hair in the near future and I'm willing to bet big bucks that I have my work cut out for me when he goes even more mobile!</li>
<li>Speaking of mobile. This boy can army crawl like nobody's business! He's always one the go. He wants to get into EVERYTHING and will! He's constantly exploring and spots something new and undiscovered in seconds!</li>
<li>It's harder to diaper this boy than it is to wrangle a greased pig! Talk about squirmy! Especially when his sister is around. He LOVES his sister. He can hear her a mile a way and contorts himself to be able to see her. She can make him giggle and smile like no other!</li>
<li>He talks a lot...lots of babbles, coos, noises, sounds, giggles, belly laughs, squeals .. fusses and cries. </li>
<li>He has more hair than Ella did when she was two and he weighs more than she even dreamed of weighing when she was one!</li>
<li>He WILL not keep ANY bib on. The child is Houdini.</li>
<li>And he is a genius. He just signed "more" for the first time today at 8 1/2 mo old! </li>
<li>He is a true boy joy who's giving me a run for my money but has completely run away with my heart.</li>
</ul>
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-2409188835714094162013-04-10T10:19:00.000-04:002013-04-10T10:19:03.693-04:00Hi-HO, Hi-HO its off to work I go!Maybe you've heard about this.... our government can't agree on and come up with a budget. Its recklessly spending it's way into an oblivion of debt whilst hardworking people like ourselves are doing everything we can to get out of debt and live within our means... even... (gasp!) GIVING money away AND putting money into savings. Crazy I know! Can you tell I get a little ruffled by it all? <br />
<br />
Anyhoo, I digress. Because our government is reckless, my husband is being furloughed at least 14 days it looks like. What does furlough mean? It means... we don't pay you for 14 days. It means 20% pay cut It means our nations national defense shuts down for 14 days. Not good people. Not good. <br />
<br />
But I cannot control any of this. I can only control what I think and what I do. So I choose to pray and to trust. And I choose to go get a job. <br />
<br />
Yes, we'll be OK if the furlough goes through. But we won't be able to save, continue to pay down debt and we'll have to cut out EVERY extra. And by extra's I mean, buying ANYTHING for the kids or us other than groceries and gas. We don't DO a ton of extras over here to begin with folks.<br />
<br />
GOD IS GOOD. I hopped on the internet to search for some sort of job that would provide us with some extra income but still allow me to stay home <i>(because if I had to pay for childcare it would all cancel each other out anyway!)</i> HERE IS WHAT HE PROVIDED the very day I went online to look!<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>I am going to score the essay portions of standardized tests (sure I might be geeky, but I think that sounds like fun!). </li>
<li>The hours are 5:30pm-9:30pm Monday - Friday. WEEKENDS STILL FREE FOR FAMILY!!!</li>
<li>It is not continual. Bathches of tests come through and you sign up for the ones you want! If you don't want to sign up for any because say.... your husband is going to be out of town for a month... you're going up to camp for a week... or you just want a break... You don't have to!!!</li>
<li>COULD NOT BE ANY MORE PERFECT. Praise God.</li>
</ul>
<div>
So I rejoin the "working" world again. Orientation is tonight! </div>
<br />
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-91062586936535471382013-04-06T10:06:00.005-04:002013-04-06T10:06:49.612-04:00Git 'er done!<br />
Holy Hannah, though. The sun popped out one day and temps warmed up to around 50 and it's got my house fixin' DIY mojo a flowin'! Here's a list of what I want to do!<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Spring clean the whole house</li>
<li>finish painting where we did reno in the living room</li>
<li>finish painting where we did reno in the bathroom (I won't even SAY how long ago)</li>
<li>put frame around bathroom mirror</li>
<li>touch up paint on cabinets and wall corners</li>
<li>finish the little bits of trim in the kitchen</li>
<li>get my decorations back up in the living room</li>
<li>finish stain and poly where we did reno in the living room</li>
<li>put doors on the pantry</li>
<li>put trim in the 1/2 bath</li>
<li>paint the linen closet doors in my bathroom</li>
<li>redo the woodstove hearth</li>
<li>paint and create windowseat nook upstairs</li>
<li>paint stairway</li>
<li>paint hallway</li>
<li>finish drywall on ceiling in upstairs bath</li>
<li>organize the storage room AGAIN</li>
<li>organize the utility room</li>
<li>rebuild porch</li>
<li>rebuild deck</li>
<li>make firepit area</li>
<li>put woodchips around new swingset</li>
<li>take old swingset to dump</li>
<li>tend my flower garden</li>
<li>put fence up around veggie garden</li>
<li>plan/plant veggie garden</li>
<li>clean up branches in yard</li>
<li>make wood storage shed</li>
<li>Im sure I've forgotten something!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
OOOOOh wait... I haven't had a full nights sleep in over 8 months and Im perpetually exhausted. I think I'll vacuum the upstairs that hasn't been done in three weeks, blog my to-do wish list and call it a day :)<br />
<br />
P.S. I know I haven't blogged in forever. I have 1,000 posts swirling around in my head and 10,000 pictures and videos to post of my little loves. But I'm spending my energy where it's needed. Some day they shall all come flowing forth when I have the time!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-36815852660192998162013-02-24T16:32:00.003-05:002013-02-24T17:06:28.580-05:007 Months Old!<div style="text-align: center;">
He JUST keeps getting cuter! </div>
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Josiah is 7 months old now. He is such a joy!</div>
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You'll see his bottom two teeth in some of these pictures. Too adorable! </div>
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Multiple people say he doesn't look like me or Jason and I completely agree! </div>
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I think he COMPLETELY looks like an Eklund! (My mom's Dad to be exact). Which is not a bad thing at all, 'cause my grandpa was one handsome man! </div>
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Any Eklunds reading this, give me a shout out if you agree!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRY8vKU53VjrcgkGdM8rGfGEpllDk_-TkNRZUnTICtjzcVB1Eql7NIgMZMDBndG0l2H3wOfI8w9_6t54MyLxMgNYdiku0Mpn4Or5Jk_M3pw7wR1lfC9TViCRbuAnw07EdNBimAIxnWxLM/s1600/IMG_0800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRY8vKU53VjrcgkGdM8rGfGEpllDk_-TkNRZUnTICtjzcVB1Eql7NIgMZMDBndG0l2H3wOfI8w9_6t54MyLxMgNYdiku0Mpn4Or5Jk_M3pw7wR1lfC9TViCRbuAnw07EdNBimAIxnWxLM/s400/IMG_0800.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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He is just beginning to sit up. He can do it on his own for up to 10 seconds, but will quickly topple. In these pictures, he's helped by a Bumbo under the quilt that Auntie Jen made!</div>
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He rolls ALL over the place. You set him down and he's off. Never in one spot anymore!</div>
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He can do a little army crawl too!</div>
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This boy is busy and motivated to move!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZY1s3xOsxcoAYzLTcusWjXVpCJL-MueGSaR9qanxhSLKV4-tPSrcufKpNFOrfsltCs2o014vVbW3x-ZipNc-Sluvs8rZlvbTpAgvTJwhXEKDbu82q2Um2lslH-hMWAPehra2GTiy-7bk/s1600/IMG_0809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZY1s3xOsxcoAYzLTcusWjXVpCJL-MueGSaR9qanxhSLKV4-tPSrcufKpNFOrfsltCs2o014vVbW3x-ZipNc-Sluvs8rZlvbTpAgvTJwhXEKDbu82q2Um2lslH-hMWAPehra2GTiy-7bk/s400/IMG_0809.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We call him Grabby McGrabster because he has the York long arm reach. Even if you think something is out of his reach... he lunges and shoots out his go-go-gadget arms and grabs it quicker than you can blink! We've had a few water glasses spilled at the dinner table this way :)</div>
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He's interested in anything and everything. And especially if it's new... he wants it... in his hands. NOW! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3w0Ck2KkPH9BJt22fBnskShzHF0VNahb5ZWOztz06h68PF14zcE6hWQTNyqZSito0fJ3uMLPQAub-uQtAvZhZ6tlhjTDK7xtM0j05zuUT0e0lRNdI1DOGXh7B4excYDxrA4RhbpE91U/s1600/IMG_0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3w0Ck2KkPH9BJt22fBnskShzHF0VNahb5ZWOztz06h68PF14zcE6hWQTNyqZSito0fJ3uMLPQAub-uQtAvZhZ6tlhjTDK7xtM0j05zuUT0e0lRNdI1DOGXh7B4excYDxrA4RhbpE91U/s400/IMG_0815.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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He loves to be tickled and tossed in the air. His giggles and full blown laughter are still the sweetest sounds.</div>
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He loves his big sister... all eyes on her when she's around. And likewise she likes to entertain him with silly faces, dances and toys. She's pretty much over the helping with diapers at this point. But she insists on giving him hugs and kisses every time he goes for a nap and it melts my heart anew each time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHZZF6xvpJdSa7qSU_RSwqmrIJPiQlaeiR6Vgpntb6Ifn1W9z2EQkMK9wlGJRMpWEANhAeGFgpzwEZOv2vrfRMmZdsFTAtw9fHHA5Rrya0vYryA5R63jTXW4kUQ0cB3JUBV7rhO0F_uQ/s1600/IMG_0817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHZZF6xvpJdSa7qSU_RSwqmrIJPiQlaeiR6Vgpntb6Ifn1W9z2EQkMK9wlGJRMpWEANhAeGFgpzwEZOv2vrfRMmZdsFTAtw9fHHA5Rrya0vYryA5R63jTXW4kUQ0cB3JUBV7rhO0F_uQ/s400/IMG_0817.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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He's definitely a mama's boy. His eyes follow me wherever I go and he's all smiles when I come into a room. I can't say that I mind at all. A friend of mine, when she found out we were having a boy, told me that there is a special bond between Momma and her son that is unlike any other. I'm starting to get a taste of that :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6tYFD4kyKVhDFI8A2u8mF2tucMyZdhFezHN8wqUnDg4Lw9CqnTnC4u1GhlqrtUhMlXr_mq4YuLaTDb6tz9z1fwp9KPmhERwhuAG4V2yt_u2x_I7jXfwyzRczbY6Oix0gOr8scDvVPJE/s1600/IMG_0796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6tYFD4kyKVhDFI8A2u8mF2tucMyZdhFezHN8wqUnDg4Lw9CqnTnC4u1GhlqrtUhMlXr_mq4YuLaTDb6tz9z1fwp9KPmhERwhuAG4V2yt_u2x_I7jXfwyzRczbY6Oix0gOr8scDvVPJE/s400/IMG_0796.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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He's survived croup, an ear infection and the flu. This boy's a trooper. Ella was never this sick and it's caused me to educate myself even more on natural remedies, which we're now employing with MUCH success!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5IRL23wEHbMGgC5fPh8LiuwGbvPuDPSWwn4s3ijIDnkcDtgJ23xWoKbQ_oXxvLu1uMLFxXElvVvT8Lm4sVJtQCebzoo3Yp3SSvKiSE3wEFOnMWZQoT95Pmg21OpdpwncBOOptW4lb60/s1600/IMG_0824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5IRL23wEHbMGgC5fPh8LiuwGbvPuDPSWwn4s3ijIDnkcDtgJ23xWoKbQ_oXxvLu1uMLFxXElvVvT8Lm4sVJtQCebzoo3Yp3SSvKiSE3wEFOnMWZQoT95Pmg21OpdpwncBOOptW4lb60/s400/IMG_0824.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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He's given us a run for our money in the sleep department. After much advice, many trial and errors, and reading 4 books on infant sleep. I finally came up with a method that worked! He now consistently (save for the flu-zilla period of time) only wakes once a night to eat. He goes to bed at 6 or 6:30pm, wakes at 3am to eat and sleeps again until 6 or 7 in the morning. And with greater night time sleep, his daytime sleep has improved as well. He now takes two long naps a day, sometimes a third short one thrown in in the morning. Our house is much happier in general! </div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-48676427293038209902013-02-04T16:58:00.000-05:002013-02-04T16:58:09.233-05:00All the video of Ella's skiing!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We took a lot of video of Ella skiing this past weekend. So here it is, mainly for all me friends and family! Please ignore my "awesome" commentary. I simply wasn't cut out to be a sportscaster! AND, after watching the videos I realized that you can't really tell how steep the pitches are and how fast she's going, because most of the video is shot from behind her, moving at the same speed as her... but lets just say, she's skiing pitches I'd never dreamed she'd be doing the fourth time out at 4 years old... and her speed is enough to scare this momma, who is a speed demon herself on skis! Enjoy!<span id="goog_1178248992"></span><span id="goog_1178248993"></span> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxwONYdVTYYFhNYn_kyVzJBBcaGuvLRsR2Bp5TowC1Yu8wIL8uy7ShsDCamA28FaSftRyv8elXBZ_9ROX1FyA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzUfE3qAPEXWDCnS98s1iEtg0uWi3mYQneLiIH_CB5_bZNReS5DgSRxpPecHohh-GWSQPuxMAZI8z20JJfMng' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzVKkQ4QGWn5SWeA1YSYdep7pSl5htk65SP4tv3k-DOFrytzU46SPyJlI4QiP-kv3cAQ8Jb8wrPBwOYdDz3Ag' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyvLJzmd3WqIDfJ6o5cLCUcHD6Q3WHcfrwfyK2FYtz4Up-CSoplrd4ANHuR1BaNELDTKxGaTUHumb0g0idZRw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-44166604427027180942013-02-02T20:00:00.002-05:002013-02-02T20:00:42.803-05:00Video Proof! Ella Skis!!If you've read any of my facebook posts, you've read of my excitement about how much Ella loves skiing and how well she's doing. I'm always alone with her, so no video. Then Auntie Erin and Jamie took video but the file was too big it wouldn't load. Well, I finally have video proof! I'm not a liar!<br />
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This weekend Ella and I headed north for a little mommy/daughter ski weekend. We're staying with Auntie Jen and we skied at<a href="http://www.skihermonmountain.com/" target="_blank"> Hermon Mountain</a>... my old stomping grounds. It's where I learned to ski in second grade, where I spent many a night and weekend, where I later taught skiing and then finally raced throughout high school. It's simply the perfect place to learn to ski, to go with the family, to get outside and hang out with friends on the nights and weekends. If you're in the area and you've not checked it out... you're missing out! <i>(They have tubing too!)</i><br />
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Today was simply a perfect day! No lines, no wind, sun shining, family bonding and Ella rippin' it up :) Many thanks to the Whitcombs <i>(Hermon Mountains most wonderful owners/operators)</i> for their generosity today!! :) You know what I'm talking about!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jRArZWl-nc3JaSb_YwaICOCQ3Mh5lJuoPs3IXVRw68nes5I5Y2p0mmc7YrlE8zp4pYDCOyWVKrmSuA7r6KgL01l_h-A4IUZSBgwrZy2Zx4P2oRy560Gtg5WLYDDuoH7U07lo7R1rNsw/s1600/Sarah+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jRArZWl-nc3JaSb_YwaICOCQ3Mh5lJuoPs3IXVRw68nes5I5Y2p0mmc7YrlE8zp4pYDCOyWVKrmSuA7r6KgL01l_h-A4IUZSBgwrZy2Zx4P2oRy560Gtg5WLYDDuoH7U07lo7R1rNsw/s400/Sarah+010.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: small;">Getting ready to hit the slopes with Auntie Jen!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: small;">Mommy daughter time rocks!!! And LOOK we DID get on the coveted ONE pink chairlift!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: small;">Riding the chairlift with Auntie Jen. Ella LOVED the chairlift... quite the upgrade from the rope tow (and MUCH nicer on mommy's back!). Also, she's my dare devil so she loved how high we went!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: small;">Top o' the mountain to ya!</span></td></tr>
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And for those of you that have ANY idea about Hermon Mountain... This was Ella's FOURTH time on skis. She turned four years old less than two months ago. I could not be more thrilled with how quickly she's picked up skiing and taken to it! She skied slowpoke, lazy lane, long-view lake-view AND scenic! She's a speed demon, and scares mommy with how fast she likes to go... but then again, she probably takes after her mommy. Most importantly, she LOVES it and is having SO much fun. She didn't want even want to take a break and didn't want to go home! Here's a video of her following Auntie Jen down Lazy Lane! This is the slowest she went all day :)<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-42327284886726446462013-01-28T21:45:00.001-05:002013-01-28T21:45:08.976-05:00One Month!<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/AVvXsEgYHlPI_1O0B8Z3ckBhDhCpJiSqxwTcPG3A4o2hH6D1gJYdlN4VBbl-YL8DR9Cf-bN7UitsqoSKIe6coMbaE5P4TETfAWa8yQggPEs-QeHvoW3BBhcGHyrBKjCtHNyZH0616DXWOT2WPTg/s1600/IMG_0714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHlPI_1O0B8Z3ckBhDhCpJiSqxwTcPG3A4o2hH6D1gJYdlN4VBbl-YL8DR9Cf-bN7UitsqoSKIe6coMbaE5P4TETfAWa8yQggPEs-QeHvoW3BBhcGHyrBKjCtHNyZH0616DXWOT2WPTg/s400/IMG_0714.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Her future's so bright she needs shades!<br />Okay, I REALLY wouldn't normally put things like this on her, but my daughter "shared" them with her as we were all getting ready to go out one day and Charlee didn't even mind at all, so I had to take a picture!</span></td></tr>
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Our Charlee has been with us one month and feels like she's been here for years... in a REALLY good way!<br />
We thought she was amazing from the moment she arrived and that she settled in so well. But as we've gotten to know her, its apparent that she still had/has a lot of coming out of her shell to do. She has shown herself more wonderful with each unfolding day. I mention often that we take things slow with her. We try to introduce her to only one or two new things a week and space them out over the week. Its amazing what time and love can do. In addition to all the things I wrote about in the last post here are some new developments!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNvWGip6ay2rOLX27vMC0vdEj24giEpn_tCxTz5AHmIWwGPTp1P5wxBF1tsmW5BBPE4FQzF0qwgUnJz8FV7H5Ypw-hJN38kRBEWXMWRaN9wqyWiZSG2LS6uHMqf21Ns9uSqmk0io1MZ8/s1600/IMG_0716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNvWGip6ay2rOLX27vMC0vdEj24giEpn_tCxTz5AHmIWwGPTp1P5wxBF1tsmW5BBPE4FQzF0qwgUnJz8FV7H5Ypw-hJN38kRBEWXMWRaN9wqyWiZSG2LS6uHMqf21Ns9uSqmk0io1MZ8/s400/IMG_0716.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Here she is sporting her new pink bandanna I have to say, I think the color looks fabulous on her. And with a name like Charlee, and the way she lifts her legs to pee... I think she needs a little pink to help keep the record straight :) </span></td></tr>
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She lets us clip her toe nails and brush her teeth without hesitation.<br />
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We have introduced her to two doggie friends. And one thing has been confirmed... she LOVES other dogs. She LOVES to play with them. She's stinkin' adorable! She does the play bow, wags her tail, sort of hops and pounces with her front feet to say, "c'mon, come play!" and she loves to run and run and run with the other pooches. And she certainly does like to "herd" the other dog which I'm guessing is her Aussie blood :)<br />
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She took her first trip to the dog park. We met a doggie friend there that she was already acquainted with and she did beautifully! She met a 3rd dog there and did fabulous with him too. <br />
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I neglected to mention that we are not crating her. Her foster home told us that she tried crating her and Charlee got very agitated and damaged the crate, but that she did fine when left home and given reign of the house. I'm guessing she was never crate trained and then her trauma surrounding being in the kennel did not help. So we tested the whole free reign idea in small increments And even though she's not at home alone much anyway... when she does have to be, she stays loose in the house and has never scratched, chewed, or gotten into anything. She doesn't show any signs of separation anxiety. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7jEBtJePVJVLfI-_8H2qHr2h3hXSHRwLawQhepiyiNoParmp5om0t0FHmWuREfRRlLYUI7paVkucaV4wjiDvScdYCAkOce2bD0gzLIR4EtXkZdZJoep6-Dv5v4Nj_UQSLADZITnpctI/s1600/IMG_0715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7jEBtJePVJVLfI-_8H2qHr2h3hXSHRwLawQhepiyiNoParmp5om0t0FHmWuREfRRlLYUI7paVkucaV4wjiDvScdYCAkOce2bD0gzLIR4EtXkZdZJoep6-Dv5v4Nj_UQSLADZITnpctI/s400/IMG_0715.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">This is what you get when you say, "Charlee, wanna go for a walk!?" <br />Her photos are starting to really reflect more of her true personality... the gentle, patient, kind, sweet, fun, spunky gal we've come to know and love.</span></td></tr>
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And last but not least... this is a biggie. Yesterday and today she rolled onto her side and lifted her legs, inviting me to scratch her belly. I think this shows that she's really starting to trust us, because she would gladly accept all sorts of love and petting and brushing and hugging and kissing up until now, but she would never let her guard down enough to roll over and let us scratch her belly. I wasn't sure if she just didn't like it, or if she was still nervous about that. But she's showed that she does indeed love belly rubs! <br />
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-24708462408991700822013-01-25T17:00:00.007-05:002013-01-25T17:00:59.911-05:00The Life of 6 Month Old<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hi, my name is Josiah. I just turned 6 months old. I found my toes.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-V_SLiyoW4lbLXdV-RgPjTsEqeM4taULUFOtYXsLQ9UmwZtUsbk2QMGLeWmaQOsrvYeeuCwAWW0ywD09ClCguvE3qL2ehX2WFEI-OcXDIXRc2HunKMW6G2ZMAFSNfzgtwhVKZWQQEHwM/s1600/IMG_0636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-V_SLiyoW4lbLXdV-RgPjTsEqeM4taULUFOtYXsLQ9UmwZtUsbk2QMGLeWmaQOsrvYeeuCwAWW0ywD09ClCguvE3qL2ehX2WFEI-OcXDIXRc2HunKMW6G2ZMAFSNfzgtwhVKZWQQEHwM/s400/IMG_0636.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm really happy about that.</div>
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I'm sitting in a bean bag chair with a blanket over it letting mom do a photo shoot.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntAeVek2oFX66ukDnrtliDOS06Jm9TTx2nnpcAO8Ej4UrPIk7emMDhFL-Ied5xJm-E1rrg_PTJxx_aEHwvDW898P474t5YSux8ihDhNk0SkPnsKlWgxg2lA67UAU1WNNkpwzDHKeAa74/s1600/IMG_0704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntAeVek2oFX66ukDnrtliDOS06Jm9TTx2nnpcAO8Ej4UrPIk7emMDhFL-Ied5xJm-E1rrg_PTJxx_aEHwvDW898P474t5YSux8ihDhNk0SkPnsKlWgxg2lA67UAU1WNNkpwzDHKeAa74/s400/IMG_0704.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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I'm really happy about that.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5pNAYsSIuoIrgzSXanJgRvU-VspSdu71pOFFcDmxbJ1XTYtE5VIRAhfRoA583Zed_gPgfVdsvWrah5F2azOa1f5FqrtOgXr2syHSBZVm3kRSXO9CGHUSzqptUaTFKqwnXxlu5AetFL4/s1600/IMG_0660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5pNAYsSIuoIrgzSXanJgRvU-VspSdu71pOFFcDmxbJ1XTYtE5VIRAhfRoA583Zed_gPgfVdsvWrah5F2azOa1f5FqrtOgXr2syHSBZVm3kRSXO9CGHUSzqptUaTFKqwnXxlu5AetFL4/s400/IMG_0660.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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Mom gave me this nifty tag blanket. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4zT-a4t6nfcIV57G0LtA7ooaJL2Bt1NUb1Cbk2LUneQ4cWCrZgwgDwLDUeN2l5pK7gENdtoshPENN0FLXdTMJZr5mXMz7BIw7WDfX7piX1rGaOd6lpCwBswTeomAuxmiAkcbsN8x6N4/s1600/IMG_0672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4zT-a4t6nfcIV57G0LtA7ooaJL2Bt1NUb1Cbk2LUneQ4cWCrZgwgDwLDUeN2l5pK7gENdtoshPENN0FLXdTMJZr5mXMz7BIw7WDfX7piX1rGaOd6lpCwBswTeomAuxmiAkcbsN8x6N4/s400/IMG_0672.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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I'm really happy about that.</div>
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Now I'm tired of it.</div>
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In other news. I weigh 17lbs 8oz. and am 26 inches tall. Yup. I like to eat. Mom and dad started giving yummy stuff on a spoon. I'm getting the hang of eating that stuff and like it second best...milk is still #1 in my book.</div>
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I'm super stinkin' happy all the time. I'm pretty great about letting other people hold me. But I decided I won't let other people feed me. Nope. No bottle for me. I'll fuss and fuss and hold out 'till mom gets home. Dad doesn't seem to think that's the best idea.</div>
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I have TWO teeth! One came in on Christmas Eve! They're sharp. I must try them out on EVERYTHING! Everything goes in my mouth...nothing is safe from these chompers!</div>
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I LOVE to grab toys. I bend and twist and can reach just about anything with my York monkey arms. I like my exersaucer and LOVE my jumparoo that Ms. Stef. lent me! <i>(I've got mom trained to a T. If I move my legs up and down, up and down in that thing mom will sit in front of me all day long smiling and saying, "bouncy, bouncy, bouncy boo!" and clapping too! She really is entertaining.)</i> I don't like being on my belly so I'll roll to my back lickety split. I JUST learned how to roll from my back to belly but will only do it if I'm HIGHLY motivated to get a favorite toy. Mom always puts it just out of my reach... how rude!</div>
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I also really like the sound of my own voice. <i>(Daddy says I take after Mommy, but I'm not sure what that means.)</i> Sometimes I groan like an old man. Sometimes I screech with delight. Sometimes talk in this super cute huskey voice like, "rarr rarrr rarr rarrrr!" And I giggle and belly laugh a lot!</div>
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Wow, I sure am awesome and happy for a little guy who's decided I don't want to sleep for more than 2-4 hours at a time. I guess I just LOVE my mom and dad SO much that I can't stand to go a whole night without seeing their face. Somehow, their face doesn't seem as happy to see me at 2am. Haven't figured that one out yet :)</div>
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Seriously, could he GET any cuter!?</div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-42354704358125700162013-01-13T22:32:00.001-05:002013-01-13T22:37:12.263-05:00More than just a skiing lesson.<em>"Mama,"</em>she said matter of faclty, <em>"this time I want you to ski behind me and not say anything to me. Not a thing. Just let me do what I want to do."</em><br />
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That statement pretty well sums up Ella's personality for you. But after having a conversation about staying in control and not running into any trees, people, rope tows or poles, I decided to trust that she understood and that she could do it. I had been going in front of her up to that point. I stepped aside and zipped my lips. To my utter amazement and joy she got her skis turned downhill, made her snowplow and proceeded to ski the entire hill, all by herself without falling once!<br />
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It took everything in me not to be the "ski school teacher" and remind her to make a "bigger pizza" when she was coming to a steeper pitch, or "reach her hands out in front" when I saw her little bum starting to sit afraid she might fall, or remind her to turn her body and "look where you want to go" when I was sure she was about to run into something. But you know what? I didn't need to. She had it. She did it.... ALL. BY. HERSELF.<br />
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It was such a good lesson for this mama. Such a clear and tangible picture of teacher her what I know, guiding her and helping her to the point where she is not only ready, but wanting to do it alone, and then stepping out of the way <em>(literally)</em> and letting her fly. And is there uncertainty? Yes. Is there some fear? Of course. But there's also joy. SO. MUCH. JOY. in watching the independence, the accomplishement, the success, self-confidence, the little girl beaming with pride at the bottom.<br />
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I teared up a bit as I skiied down behind her. Good tears. Joy filled tears. And God whispered to me. "<em>This is just a glimpse. Just a glimpse of all the times in her life that you will have taught her and guided her enough that she will be ready to do it on her own. Each time it will be hard. Each time it will be scary. But remember this joy that is filling you to overflowing right now. Because each time there will also be this opportunity for JOY if you can trust enough to step aside and let her fly." </em><br />
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Thank-you Lord, for preparing this moment long ago, for all those years I taught ski lessons in high-school, for sweet Ella.. brave, fearless, eager to learn. For this little girl who learned to ski all by herself in just four ours of practice over two Saturdays. Thank-you that she loves it. Thank-you that it's something we can now share together. Thank-you for these priceless memories. And thank-you for this tangible life lesson.<br />
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<i>P.S. this is from the first time out. I have no actual photos or video of this past Saturday where she started skiing by herself because it was just her and I and I was busy taking her up the rope tow and teachin' her how to ski y'all! </i>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-13363348568472547412013-01-13T21:50:00.001-05:002013-01-13T22:45:57.494-05:00Charlee Update!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
It just keeps getting better people!</div>
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She's now sporting a hot pink bandana thanks to one 4 year old that thinks everything should come in the color pink! But I have to say, it's quite becoming on our sweet Charlee. Sorry, I don't have a picture of that yet.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">More bedtime story snuggles!</span></td></tr>
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Did I mention that she's completely housebroken. And even with all the stress she's been through she's not even come close to having one single accident in the house.</div>
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She likes to go for rides and we call her our sidekick as she gets to go along with us whenever possible. <br />
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She's starting to respond when we call her. She doesn't dig her heels in on the leash so much anymore. She's a velcro dog... just sticks right to our sides. When we're doing spazz time or playing with the ball outside, she lets you know when she's done by trotting right over, sitting down by the door and waiting patiently. She knows it's her home!</div>
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She's so stinkin' well mannered! Not a table or counter surfer at all. One day I left a bit of my sausage and cheese snack on a plate in the living room while I went upstairs to get Josiah from his nap. I just wanted to see what she would do. I'd not have been upset a bit if she'd helped herself... but no. Hadn't even budged from her cozy little spot when I came back down.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbmVXFsoe-fK3sjfWG-6wEX0D7sOQ1darzXHHcmoQuOmLB9aS3HJK0qv1oNPny1GP40iinsERXWDaGlLoP-asp3xeYCXhmmvW9npa4JsTLWtaqnuum-4MWT2dOp2HTRXH_b4SF3mnSZA/s1600/040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbmVXFsoe-fK3sjfWG-6wEX0D7sOQ1darzXHHcmoQuOmLB9aS3HJK0qv1oNPny1GP40iinsERXWDaGlLoP-asp3xeYCXhmmvW9npa4JsTLWtaqnuum-4MWT2dOp2HTRXH_b4SF3mnSZA/s400/040.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Another shot of what she does most of the day :)</span></td></tr>
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We have gotten to hear her voice! When she gets super excited to go out or to play, or if a stranger startles her, she'll let out the smallest little woof. Not high pitched but just a quick, gruff little thing. She does have a slight bit of the Golden "whine"... you know, how they're just so excited, they can't contain themselves and they sing their little high-pitched song to you. We hear that ever so slightly every once in a while when she's super excited to go out and we're taking too long to get our coat and hat on!<br />
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We're taking every new step and new thing nice and slow. But yesterday she let me trim the hair on her feet and on her ears. No fear, no nothing. Just laid there and trusted me.<br />
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I think her previous owner was a man. And when she first arrived, she definitely favored Jason, perking her ears and tail up and wagging her tail around him from the get go. But now that she's home with me all day, she's definitely becoming a momma's girl ;) Though it's so sweet... she still gets all excited when I say, <i>"Daddy's home! Go see daddy!"</i><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxj3y6B69ZsDJFcgJZqZXVT9RimcW8NvtYjEJJ_dEF9OO5mRK3wFHKMPz8UiVSHghsGx7iEiAl5fvCLiEReJg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Here's a cute video of Charlee following Ella around. Ella thought she was coming because she was clapping. I'm pretty sure she was coming because she knew she was going to get some sweet petting :)<br />
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-89441179399660017022013-01-05T20:18:00.000-05:002013-01-13T21:18:31.747-05:00Meet Charlee!<div style="text-align: center;">
One week ago we added a new family member to our home. </div>
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And SHE is AMAZING! </div>
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Say Hello to Charlee!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Sporting her snazzy new leash and collar, expertly picked by four year old hands!</span></td></tr>
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She's a petite little girl from the South. A Golden Retriever, Australian Shepherd mix weighing in at around 40 lbs and doesn't even come up to my knee. She has super soft golden hair and eyes that melt your heart. She's six years young and just about the quietest, most gentle soul I've ever met. The first word everyone uses to describe her is "sweet". And that she is!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBhyN2goCuUnZBsBpGeeen8XVwLr8Zxmc4kj5ApNd1YxkKRXeSIP-zxglHFMFKSyNPYxtnh0xPHgHAReniJ8ARphR0DAg9_GYPV44e-cYh63Ybs3U-t3_G6tL46EDjpKctcKQg4ZWWUo/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBhyN2goCuUnZBsBpGeeen8XVwLr8Zxmc4kj5ApNd1YxkKRXeSIP-zxglHFMFKSyNPYxtnh0xPHgHAReniJ8ARphR0DAg9_GYPV44e-cYh63Ybs3U-t3_G6tL46EDjpKctcKQg4ZWWUo/s400/035.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">It's actually pretty hard to get a picture of her. She's still a little camera shy.</span></td></tr>
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She was an orphan. Her previous owner became terminally ill and the breeder who took back the person's purebred Aussie agreed to take Charlee as well, only to dump her on a vet's doorstep. Thankfully that vet found a temporary place for her in a boarding kennel and<a href="http://thepixelfund.org/" target="_blank"> The Pixel Fund</a> set out to find her a forever home. We had been cautiously looking, only just starting to contemplate it 6 months after Hunter's passing, telling ourselves we'd wait a while. We saw her on Petfinder and bookmarked her but then life carried on. A bit later a friend posted her picture on facebook. Turns out Charlee was being kicked out of the boarding facility because paying Holiday customers were on their way and there was just no room at the Inn. She was going to go to a kill shelter. And being 6 years old and VERY afraid in the kennel...she really didn't stand a chance.</div>
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So we decided to take a chance. She was in Florida. We are in Maine. There wasn't any data on how she was with children but her sweet personality seemed like it'd lend itself to being fine with kids. We knew a missing piece to our family was a dog to love. And we knew we couldn't leave her to die. We made the commitment and then ANXIOUSLY awaited her arrival which was nearly a month away!!!</div>
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We prepared our four year old. Telling her Charlee would be scared at first and would take a while to get used to us and trust us. We talked about how to behave around her and how important it was to be gentle. We went out at bought her a new matching leash and collar with purple heart tag stating her name and new family, a dog bed, plush toys, food and treats.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Ella ADORES her! Charlee wasn't so sure what to think of the small human at first. But just a few days in, she decided she loved the small human just as much as the big ones!</span></td></tr>
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Finally, the day arrived. She was coming home! In the middle of a snow storm! The freedom ride was due to arrive at 12:30pm...no 1pm...no 3pm... nope 6pm... nope 7:30pm... and finally, after a snowy drive with the whole family, some good memories made killing time at Cabela's, a little subway for dinner, and lots of DVD's in the car... the freedom ride rolled<em> (...err had to be pushed by all the men)</em> up the drive at around 10pm. It was a crazy adventure this family will never forget. A perfect and eventful way to mark this new chapter in our life. And Charlee was well worth the wait and well worth the insanity of travelling in that snow storm! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">This is right when she first got home. She's getting ready to go out with Daddy and explore her new yard... even if it was midnight... and her yard was covered in a foot of cold white stuff!</span></td></tr>
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Now I want to tell you ALL about her!</div>
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Jason and I have always had dogs all growing up. But we've always had them since puppyhood. This adopting an adult is a whole new experience and I have to say...we LOVE it! It is so neat spend time learning about our new love, discovering her personality and traits and quirks.</div>
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When she arrived, her tail stayed tucked between her legs. She was timid, but curious. She went through every room of the house checking it out. And although you could tell she was unsure with all she'd been through...she followed us like she was our shadow from day one. We expected her to take WEEKS to adjust and for us to really get to see who she is...but it's happened SO much faster. She feels like she's been a part of the family forever and I think she knows she's REALLY HOME!</div>
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We have never heard her voice. She does not bark at all. She is calm and gentle. She spends most of her time right here. She has a memory foam dog bed upstairs and a plush orthopedic one downstairs but she has decided this is her spot...a thin little rug in front of the living room door.</div>
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Except for night time. Then THIS is her spot. The first few nights she slept happily on her memory foam dog bed... then she discovered the Queen bed in the guest room and decided THAT was her bed. So I HAD to purchase her a plush coverlet that matched her golden fur :) Yup, you could say she's spoiled.<br />
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When she wants attention she does the Golden thing. She comes over to you and gently puts her paw on you or nudges her nose under your arm. She does not get on the furniture (except for beds) even if you invite her. So she likes it when you sit on the floor, then she snuggles right into you. Or she just sits beside your chair and lets you rub her chest forever. When she's hungry she goes to her food bowl, takes a few steps back and cocks her head. At dinner time she came to beg and we simply said, "ah, ah. Go lay down." And she's not begged since. She lays under our feet or off to the side. At Ella's bed time she follows us upstairs and snuggles herself right in for story time. She's also so good with the baby. She just gives him a little sniff from time to time, and perks her ears and cocks her head when he makes his giggles. </div>
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Although in the rescue world, she's considered a senior at the ripe old age of 6, she's got so much life in her! She knows the word "walk". When you say it, or when you put your socks on, or when you put your shoes on, or when you put your jacket on her ears perk right up and she trots on over. When it's confirmed that she's going out she jumps her front legs down to the floor and sticks her butt up in the air, tail just a waggin', then she sits like the little lady that she is and patiently waits for her leash to be put on. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Did I mention Ella ADORES her!? :) ... we all do!</span></td></tr>
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She walks very well on the leash. Not pulling much at all. Ella has even walked her a bit in the yard. She does have her personality quirks. If she's out for a walk and you turn to head home but she's not done, she literally plants herself and won't move. It's really funny. She has no interest in coming. At all. She might know her name...but if she does, she doesn't let on... because she does not respond to it :) She won't eat treats. Just doesn't take them. We're not so certain how great her first home was because whenever you have something in your hand that resembles a stick <i>(like when I have the broom... or Ella came downstairs she other day waving her fairy wand around) </i>Charlee tucks her tail, drops her head and finds a place to hide. Poor sweet thing! She still shies a bit at unexpected noises. So we just give her tons of love and take it nice and slow and gentle. You can tell each day she's believing more and more that this is a safe place!</div>
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4 or 5 days in we started seeing her more playful side as she opened up. Today, one week in, she JUST showed interest in toys. She got all excited and chased after the plush toys we had gotten her. Then I busted out the tennis balls. She's quite good at catching them. When she's interested she doesn't miss a one. She also LOVES chasing them outside. She bounds after them, chases them down and pounces and paws at them. She doesn't so much have the "retriever" part of the Golden. She just leaves the ball wherever and expects you to come get it and throw it again...which of course we do! </div>
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She really feels her oats outside, doing what we've always called "spazz time" where she hunkers real low to the ground and whizzes back and forth, round and round. We live on a dead end dirt road so we go for lots of walks and jogs which she loves. And she pees like a boy... marking her territory along all the snowbanks. The snow does not phase this southern girl one bit!</div>
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I am serious. We could not have asked for a better dog. We committed to her sight unseen and it was the best choice we've ever made! I am a convert. I will never buy again. I will ALWAYS rescue!</div>
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By the way...the organization we adopted her through is <a href="http://www.thepixelfund.org/" target="_blank">The Pixel Fund</a>.</div>
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They are a small non-profit run by amazing people who are SO very passionate about saving animals!</div>
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Rescuing animals is not inexpensive work....nursing dogs back to health, getting them vetted, transporting them etc. etc. Please check them out. <b>PLEASE don't breed or buy while shelter dogs die!</b> Rescue one if you can. And <a href="http://thepixelfund.org/donate/" target="_blank">GIVE</a> if you can't rescue. No amount is too small! </div>
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-70939298770503422452013-01-01T21:28:00.002-05:002013-01-01T21:28:35.025-05:00Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Christmas this year was a week long for us! </div>
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To accomodate everyone's schedule, so that we all could be together, we celebrated with Jason's family on the 22-23. His siblings spent the night and we had a a really fun time! It was so, so nice to wake up and all gather around the breakfast table...and then they all came to church with us...and stayed and visited long after as well! </div>
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We celebrated with my family on the 28-29. Jen and Greg came with me to get Ella up on skis for the first time this year and again it was good to just all be under one roof. </div>
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In between our two family celebrations, we went to Christmas Eve Service and brought my mom. Then we did a lovely, laid back Christmas Morning just us.</div>
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Both sides of the family came to us so there was no crazy packing and traveling with two littles. The gift opening was spread out so it wasn't so overwhelming and all consuming. I must say, it was lovely doing it this way. It was more relazing... for the most part... and allowed us to take time to focus on Jesus...the greatest gift of all. </div>
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Here are some sweet pictures I was able to snap just before heading out to Christmas Eve Service. P.S. this also serves as Josiah's 5 month old picture. He's rounding out at a solid 17lbs and fitting nicely into his 12month outfits that people got him. Christmas Eve service he cut is first tooth! Bottom right. Now the bottom left is in too!</div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-71554658098814979532013-01-01T20:59:00.000-05:002013-01-01T20:59:10.813-05:00Time to play catch-up... Happy Birthday Ella!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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Christmas and New Years was wonderful! And now it's time to catch you all up on what's been going on this season. December is a VERY busy month for us!</div>
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Ella and Jason both have Dec. birthdays. This year was the first year that we threw a themed party for Ella with friends. She requested it, and we were happy to oblige. Ever since we showed her "The Land Before Time" this summer, she's been slightly obsessed with dinosaurs...so the theme was a no brainer.</div>
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I'd also like to state, that you can throw one kickin' little kid birthday with all the theme and all the fun and NOT break the bank!</div>
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The only thing that's troublesome is the winter birthday. Were it summer, I'd invite more friends. But where as the house must contain all the littles, we narrowed it down a bit. We ended up with 6 girls plus Ella. I must say it was just the perfect amount.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWff0n5DBJRiyOrfSuKKfbmfyrVdAjATzA-D2s994Jd5uRh0q3Hs535Mp00i6G_ImBA59CHAE89726XFTqY2KkfdOH53zGmZ8BGpfi-2GgzT7lIVg3OF_zW20ZvRKhRK27kGNN06Oj8pU/s1600/IMG_0379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWff0n5DBJRiyOrfSuKKfbmfyrVdAjATzA-D2s994Jd5uRh0q3Hs535Mp00i6G_ImBA59CHAE89726XFTqY2KkfdOH53zGmZ8BGpfi-2GgzT7lIVg3OF_zW20ZvRKhRK27kGNN06Oj8pU/s400/IMG_0379.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While she was sleeping, we filled her room with balloons and all these blow up dinosaurs I scored at the dollar store. (dinos were later utilized for party decorations and then each child got to take one home as a party favor!) It had the potential to either be terrifying and scar her for life, or be a big hit. I'm happy to report it was the latter.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-AvWZkQ31x_Aq56UOoPoWz0bg9kFlRYqMF4nbpZx2WEp6TNGLiTQ4A-rvi0S_C3IRIncBlqxDd4tec2whxnvW2Ahq4deYPZTgCePR56oycZt_qtAbZ5Rh65fmfQAfyVFuEvjELVE_EIY/s1600/IMG_0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-AvWZkQ31x_Aq56UOoPoWz0bg9kFlRYqMF4nbpZx2WEp6TNGLiTQ4A-rvi0S_C3IRIncBlqxDd4tec2whxnvW2Ahq4deYPZTgCePR56oycZt_qtAbZ5Rh65fmfQAfyVFuEvjELVE_EIY/s400/IMG_0404.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dining room...printed banner hung with clothespins, ballons, plastic table cloth and dollar store dino wrapping paper down the middle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6QhITGbXp-TeoephdX7CUkKaWhXNhiKrXJAOrYLb64IcktOt2hQ0Dcjvj-WtDiKi0IRk8l5Ar8VoaVmnNjsmHuyfF53HuYlW9qERjhKWUzxH4z1I9BHneZsW-sHcyFq2jZfUGYMC_3c/s1600/IMG_0388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6QhITGbXp-TeoephdX7CUkKaWhXNhiKrXJAOrYLb64IcktOt2hQ0Dcjvj-WtDiKi0IRk8l5Ar8VoaVmnNjsmHuyfF53HuYlW9qERjhKWUzxH4z1I9BHneZsW-sHcyFq2jZfUGYMC_3c/s400/IMG_0388.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gift bags (2 for $1) that Ella and I stenciled dinosaurs on. They contained stickers, glow in the dark dino, a few plastic dinos (recovered from our "dinosaur hunt") and a punch ball balloon just for giggles!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazRBOMLtYzou_6jS7nKpxQQNsoZIR4bEWT6Q6nuC9oocWjsbNnAc6l0ezfZn6JO1Gy3Gk06ilcDSgIuPSULVqUsPRLODGj7ZkkweeRHBDT4leHjwEFhlZdhIlujnpbyVeU_HVztgt54Y/s1600/IMG_0397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazRBOMLtYzou_6jS7nKpxQQNsoZIR4bEWT6Q6nuC9oocWjsbNnAc6l0ezfZn6JO1Gy3Gk06ilcDSgIuPSULVqUsPRLODGj7ZkkweeRHBDT4leHjwEFhlZdhIlujnpbyVeU_HVztgt54Y/s400/IMG_0397.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made this cake...its SUPRISINGLY easy! Just google "dinosaur cake tutorial". Bought some matching paper plates, cups and cuttlery.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcHpz5vER4fwBJAKY5A4byXWwtrPDdRRRJICjc9U2u7G4R-98_zTdhAu8VumtR8imC7TsTxpjxoWU3pERSpRPaivcZUAA8uUAaYnRf_Otg6z5aQunfOwsl-m3tn3hiV0Mp4ccZVqh530/s1600/IMG_0395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcHpz5vER4fwBJAKY5A4byXWwtrPDdRRRJICjc9U2u7G4R-98_zTdhAu8VumtR8imC7TsTxpjxoWU3pERSpRPaivcZUAA8uUAaYnRf_Otg6z5aQunfOwsl-m3tn3hiV0Mp4ccZVqh530/s400/IMG_0395.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just another view of the banner.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwekvneKjQB3D8IwJOP71aDd2ATg9LdG5XIUTwiRRRVecw7RFq4zhq55pXRgL148VGG-oXffh6ptJ4y_uUKaLedNVDhLGsVz5rSoQCs2Yzdgj7D7nVblam6kk3hjgjM9tJ8Pa2wNpSt0/s1600/IMG_0385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwekvneKjQB3D8IwJOP71aDd2ATg9LdG5XIUTwiRRRVecw7RFq4zhq55pXRgL148VGG-oXffh6ptJ4y_uUKaLedNVDhLGsVz5rSoQCs2Yzdgj7D7nVblam6kk3hjgjM9tJ8Pa2wNpSt0/s400/IMG_0385.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pin the tail on the T-Rex...created by me out of one piece of poster board. Rockin' dino hats (that none of the kids really liked or wore :) purchased from none other than....you guessed it...the dollar store.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncZY4wZfKr94aCVIvKGt1Z6-_mzLj9w-ycU87tefyoi11CO536fI0z3ctwT-hFxNc8Z4Tw7AmWwenU0c2owY6_65gtVika_skpC_LdxFFIo4QnsbHmy26pwhy_Cc_WDnXF1gbE_cD3Wc/s1600/IMG_0394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncZY4wZfKr94aCVIvKGt1Z6-_mzLj9w-ycU87tefyoi11CO536fI0z3ctwT-hFxNc8Z4Tw7AmWwenU0c2owY6_65gtVika_skpC_LdxFFIo4QnsbHmy26pwhy_Cc_WDnXF1gbE_cD3Wc/s400/IMG_0394.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A close of up the T-Rex. Hey...it doesn't have to be fancy for kids to have fun. They LOVED it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDflVzUp0n1-Ia_ancfgQnN8XA5KM-NozbQhGsPfHxD9hd5xvVnkE_IAwJ66S4B0I5CQoEZz9PamofpLQNiZ2xMVF8bOX9wUj9AVZany7S-mvC2nR9Kt0HOytycxTeH9k5J9U-qEcyiEI/s1600/IMG_0410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDflVzUp0n1-Ia_ancfgQnN8XA5KM-NozbQhGsPfHxD9hd5xvVnkE_IAwJ66S4B0I5CQoEZz9PamofpLQNiZ2xMVF8bOX9wUj9AVZany7S-mvC2nR9Kt0HOytycxTeH9k5J9U-qEcyiEI/s400/IMG_0410.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">See? LOVED it! In fact, Ella had me put it up in her room so she could continue playing it by herself!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgRxB19ZKpAeWGBwRQY9teNZBP9WB4JttvH88-faS9IiWk7ulxGiKMwwwOl-wBdyVkOW88_nj_8A-svtDKE4hPWVfyyHyO0KTK6yRs_sm5ha9f7KBBNDXJw-bjW7DHihTIhxE2cTeX1E/s1600/IMG_0420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgRxB19ZKpAeWGBwRQY9teNZBP9WB4JttvH88-faS9IiWk7ulxGiKMwwwOl-wBdyVkOW88_nj_8A-svtDKE4hPWVfyyHyO0KTK6yRs_sm5ha9f7KBBNDXJw-bjW7DHihTIhxE2cTeX1E/s400/IMG_0420.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did a craft, creating a dinosaur out of paper plates, crayons and paper fasteners. Simple, cheap, fun and a hit for ages spanning from 2 to 6.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oZThVjGXdt65M9EpxZ4JWdOhKaMFv3UOfN6I6sv_lHPix7f8zrt4_xAhawwdNa_t37LCg9jO13N8pqrs6bFpUa7IVlIUWacZC2ltBv5TAQO_ZIiOZqpK4fXDFmp1DaU-cxoBsgmdWc8/s1600/IMG_0433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oZThVjGXdt65M9EpxZ4JWdOhKaMFv3UOfN6I6sv_lHPix7f8zrt4_xAhawwdNa_t37LCg9jO13N8pqrs6bFpUa7IVlIUWacZC2ltBv5TAQO_ZIiOZqpK4fXDFmp1DaU-cxoBsgmdWc8/s400/IMG_0433.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ella does NOT love being the center of attention. She said she would only let everyone sing happy birthday to her if she could sit on her daddy's lap.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jrJR_GKvmPLYxVbGKzdbELooinow8l-A2c5dtG-bE7liLtPHWWDeiDXdB8HSSI9BOCIJ5gEukkukTjBLYFWzZ5Q9yy6gve78bXSrhv791TlLZmHwwMfyTlAPW4qLYLE_IziXdqQvFRk/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jrJR_GKvmPLYxVbGKzdbELooinow8l-A2c5dtG-bE7liLtPHWWDeiDXdB8HSSI9BOCIJ5gEukkukTjBLYFWzZ5Q9yy6gve78bXSrhv791TlLZmHwwMfyTlAPW4qLYLE_IziXdqQvFRk/s400/IMG_0407.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Food makes everything fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqodv3bdMi7eJfAmFu5RS5MT_eu9kgnOh7-secU7Ybs_Yabt6XyQh1JX-hYSVSTuD3DYlOrWEsljTXATqnkFSDU7L70cUU0RDvM-YAL7ZWBmthoWSTlUkz1O7qc-mO1SKBUrbUCZwyvgE/s1600/IMG_0446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqodv3bdMi7eJfAmFu5RS5MT_eu9kgnOh7-secU7Ybs_Yabt6XyQh1JX-hYSVSTuD3DYlOrWEsljTXATqnkFSDU7L70cUU0RDvM-YAL7ZWBmthoWSTlUkz1O7qc-mO1SKBUrbUCZwyvgE/s400/IMG_0446.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And, of course, presents. You may as well not fight it. Present opening always becomes a group event! :)</td></tr>
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-8782214635895117452012-12-13T14:38:00.001-05:002012-12-14T08:30:18.068-05:00My New Motto...<div style="text-align: center;">
My Christmas motto this year is.....drum roll please....... </div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">"It doesn't have to be perfect."</span></strong> </div>
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And if you know me...at all...you know that's BIG for me! </div>
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So guess what? This year, when Ella only took a few minutes and then pointed to a tree that was NOT semetrical exclaiming, <em>"I want this one!"</em> I recited said motto in my head and responded, <em>"It's beautiful! Let's cut it down!"</em></div>
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I decided to go ahead and let Jason rip out a wall in our living room the day before Thanksgiving. Knowing full well it would be in mid renovation during the whole Holiday Season. But instead of keep people out, I recited said motto and have invited girls over for tea, friends over for Ella's birthday, people for game night...oh and BOTH of our families for Christmas Celebrations. There may very well be exposed studs, gaps in floors and wires hanging from the celing when our families gather here...deep breath...recite motto <em>(Hey I didn't say it was EASY for me :)</em></div>
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Because our house is in mid renovation, I have no disire to clean it until it's all done! So dust and cobwebs are accumulating as I type!</div>
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I did not can a thing this year <em>(remember...I was really pregnant...and then having a baby...and adjusting to life with two)</em> so there are no homemade goodies to do our usual wrap and deliver to neighbors and friends. They'll get a card....and maybe some cookies...if I whip some up! </div>
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Instead of keep everyone around for agonizing click after click to get a "perfect picture", I had my sister take two shots and said, "One of 'em is bound to be good enough!" Thus, our Christmas picture has Josiah making a dreadful face and Ella donning a half hearted smile. Hey, it's a more realistic peek into our life anyway! </div>
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And you know what? It's all okay, because...say it with me now...<strong>It doesn't have to be perfect!</strong></div>
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I like this years motto. In fact, I think I'd like to make it my life motto. Because the less time and energy I spend on trying to make things "perfect", the more I can spend on being real, and savoring the moments, and concentrating on the important things. Things like messy baking sessions with my little. Snuggling and reading Christmas book after Christmas book. Thanking God and counting our blessings, pinning our leaves on our blessings wreath. Singing Christmas carols. Praying for others. Giving to others. Spending time with friends and loved ones...the list goes on. </div>
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And really, the most important thing is the One who IS perfect! God's perfect gift of a Savior born to us. THAT is what I want to spend time on, what I want my family to ponder, what I want my kids to learn...and by golly, I think it's happening. Because not only do I have a little one that MAY OR MAY NOT have told pre-school mates that Santa isn't real. <em>(Don't worry, she's a very quiet girl and basically just whispered it when others were saying he was real. We're not out to ruin anyone's fun and we still partake in Santa fun too. Afterall, St. Nicholoas was real...and we talk about how Santa is based on him.)</em> But she also makes up impromptu songs that are compilations of the truths about God. And she's theologically dead on. </div>
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My absolute favorite is this... Whenever she's been playing with her manger scenes...this is how I find them. <strong><em>"Everyone is worshiping Jesus,"</em> she tells me.</strong> </div>
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My heart bursts with joy each time I run across one of these. Not only because I know my little girl's heart is soft to Jesus, and the truths we are asking God to help us teach her are sinking in. But because it makes me stop...pause...and remember our Savior born in a manger...</div>
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<strong><em>and worship Him!</em></strong></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-79809270256310533322012-11-28T10:58:00.003-05:002012-11-28T11:05:11.336-05:00Thankful TreeA I plucked the colorful construction paper leaves off of the stick branches, I couldn't just throw them away. We've been doing a thankful tree for a few years now, but this year I decided to record all the thing we're thankful for. It will be a good tradition. It will be good to look back on all the blessings and all the things we're thankful for...especially when hard times come...as they always do in life. It will be good to have these lists!<br />
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<strong><u>ELLA</u></strong><em> (her list will be the longest, because every night she would ask for multiple leaves. And even then she would end up having us write multiple things on each of those multiple leaves. What a joy it was to see gratefulness so cultivated in her little heart! We did not prompt ANY of these answers, and wrote them down verbatum. And I LOVE how many there are about her baby brother. I have been praying since he was first in my womb for a wonderful sibling relationship.)</em><br />
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<li>Our family, pets, food, baby brother, rocks, leaves, sun catchers, bicycle and tricycle.</li>
<li>That I can plan on the new grass.</li>
<li>A nice yard to play with the ball.</li>
<li>That I have a new bouncy ball. And babies.</li>
<li>These nature collages. And my blanket.</li>
<li>My salamanders, my fishies and my caterpillars.</li>
<li>for lots of sunny days.</li>
<li>For my glitter lip gloss and these chocolates.</li>
<li>Friends (Claira, Lauren, Emma, Maggie)</li>
<li>That the tank that my fishies are in is pretty.</li>
<li>For nice weather.</li>
<li>That we have such a pretty house.</li>
<li>For my kitchen set.</li>
<li>I am thankful that I have such a lovely baby brother.</li>
<li>I love baby Josiah.</li>
<li>For baby Josiah.</li>
<li>I love baby Josiah because he plays with me, sleeps very much and doesn't cry very much.</li>
<li>For baby Josiah and that he sleeps better in his crib and doesn't cry when he goes to sleep.</li>
<li>That baby Josiah is fun to play with.</li>
<li>That we got to paint with apples and paint on the windows.</li>
<li>That we have a pretty house to play in with a lot a lot of stuff.For my body. And stickers.</li>
<li>That I'm going to get a bug eyed fish!</li>
<li>For snow, a good swingset, and that I can climb up the slides.</li>
<li>That I get to play with my friends.</li>
<li>For the gift I am giving Nanny and that I can give it to her.</li>
<li>For Nanny and Grampy coming over.</li>
<li>For our fish.</li>
<li>Mom and dad because they play with me.</li>
<li>My school. Our woodstove and a nice warm house.</li>
<li>That we are going to have lots of space to play in. And warm hot cocoa.</li>
<li>A big open house to ride my tricycle in.</li>
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<strong><u>SARAH</u></strong><br />
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<li>Rain and sun helping our new lawn grow.</li>
<li>Snow on 11-8-12</li>
<li>Games</li>
<li>Two healthy children</li>
<li>That people think to ask us when they are raising support.</li>
<li>Miss D. and a great library</li>
<li>Ella's awesome preschool and two great teachers!</li>
<li>A wonderful time at church this morning.</li>
<li>An amazing, helpful husband. xoxo</li>
<li>A wonderful husband and daughter who like to suprise me.</li>
<li>For electricity and running water that so many others in the world don't have.</li>
<li>For our home.</li>
<li>A God who loves me no matter what.</li>
<li>Reconnecting with Stef. K and also for her heart for fostercare and children.</li>
<li>Warm fire, awesome hubby and a great deal on a W/D for mom!</li>
<li>A visit from Krissy.</li>
<li>For soldiers and freedom and days off and sunshine.</li>
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<strong><u>JASON</u></strong><br />
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<li>For good family time at the park.</li>
<li>For a car that gets me where I need to go.</li>
<li>for my family.</li>
<li>good coworkers</li>
<li>for other people's generosity.</li>
<li>our friends</li>
<li>our good health.</li>
<li>for a nice home where we can have company stay and visit.</li>
<li>for a big yard to run around in.</li>
<li>having good friends!</li>
<li>for a warm, dry home during "hurricane" Sandy</li>
<li>for a good job.</li>
<li>beautiful fall days.</li>
<li>For time to spend with my family.</li>
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<strong><u>GUESTS</u></strong><br />
Baby smiles, ella playing, feeling better, sewing machines.<br />
for this family<br />
for two healthy grandchildren and one more on the way.<br />
many beautiful birds outside my window. ~Grandma<br />
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for the outside ~Claira<br />
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Having good friends who feed me dinner ~Krissy<br />
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448148457144512031.post-30028911893626341222012-11-27T13:23:00.004-05:002012-11-27T13:25:14.388-05:00Can't Leave Well Enough Alone!My mom would say we can't leave well enough alone. I would say we have vision and are go getters dedicated to making our home the best it can be! But really, we can't just move into a home a leave it be. Nope, we change things. I'm not just talking paint colors and decor...I'm talking ripping out cabinets, building closets, and most recently....knocking down walls and rearranging floor plans. <br />
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The kids and I headed North with my mom a day earlier than Jason. I left him home alone to do some major demo on our house. What was once a long, skinny, odd, not so usable and definitely not fitting living room for our large house....is now a big beautiful open concept. Yes...it's still rough...but you get the picture!</div>
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Please excuse the condition of the house. VERY unlike me, but I did NOpicking up before I snapped the picture. The wires are still hanging, the paint doesnt match, and the sheet rock dust is still settling but I couldn't wait to share! :) I LOVE IT!!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE<br />
Knocking down the wall means getting rid of the master bedroom downstairs. No fear...we have 5 more bedrooms upstairs. And we like being on the same floor as our children MUCH better!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER<br />
AMAZING I know! Look at the space...look at the sunlight!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE<br />
View from the inside of the former master br. I almost forgot to take a picture!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER<br />
So wonderful! Now the woodstove won't sweat us out of the smaller living room space!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE<br />
View from dining room entrance into living room.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER<br />
I am IN LOVE!!!</td></tr>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761129808268407446noreply@blogger.com1