tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30705577732415353742024-02-07T16:47:25.953-08:00The DurhamsLife In TransitionUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070557773241535374.post-62648376461338464532015-12-13T21:12:00.001-08:002015-12-13T21:12:28.512-08:00Thoughts on Adoption: First Time Around<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0umCGf6O-RdYVlgVdPyTKB4BD-HD9jYtgXPwSjVC5hM3pcSbsr2WWdu2WEa2EvqpTzIsaMDhEHeuQ2EDJgmPE8n1D4NOGtksnK7W3Uxu0ta392jU-EUREQXSIy86cBWV4ksWVoQ09Bkk/s1600/10401185_60620461480_2973_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0umCGf6O-RdYVlgVdPyTKB4BD-HD9jYtgXPwSjVC5hM3pcSbsr2WWdu2WEa2EvqpTzIsaMDhEHeuQ2EDJgmPE8n1D4NOGtksnK7W3Uxu0ta392jU-EUREQXSIy86cBWV4ksWVoQ09Bkk/s320/10401185_60620461480_2973_n.jpg" width="212" /></a>Over eight years ago Lyndzee and I decided that God had a different means for us to find our children. We began the arduous process of filling out the mounds of paperwork to become certified to adopt. Within a few short months we were officially certified and began the process of finding our child. It was an emotional rollercoaster to say the least, we felt in large measure like the nerdy kid trying to ask the prom queen on a date (been there, done that), we were considered by some but ultimately passed over. Through a series of miraculous events we were connected with a birth-mom that was interested in us. I can remember driving around downtown San Diego and receiving a call from the birth-mother indicating that she wanted to meet. In that moment I knew that we had found our child. Within a few short months we found ourselves in the hospital awaiting the arrival of our little boy. We were fortunate to be in the labor room when he was born. I can remember seeing him carefully placed on the warmer, dried and then measured. My heart immediately melted, all the struggles Lyndzee and I had experienced with infertility, with deciding how to proceed, with endless procedures, with everyone around us having child after child after child, quickly evaporated into the great expanse and my heart swelled to overflowing. We were now officially parents!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsH4kM24gJRCukVvvcvu03-JKY5GGwbMJDOsFnpWGOy1TP6kclJe5o7Z-DnncwbHYS5KdqLwvE3Wr3u57fogH8c8subBPKW35ZCHMSpCSDxrt9OIwLXUovfLDXDYeLbchrpGIGC9FHrTw/s1600/20769_332922366480_1998408_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsH4kM24gJRCukVvvcvu03-JKY5GGwbMJDOsFnpWGOy1TP6kclJe5o7Z-DnncwbHYS5KdqLwvE3Wr3u57fogH8c8subBPKW35ZCHMSpCSDxrt9OIwLXUovfLDXDYeLbchrpGIGC9FHrTw/s320/20769_332922366480_1998408_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfwycriBJm-zVvRvwMdBprgN7iIVZ_whaOyqcZKoPfi4DKfoEiZi_7ckBgPkMPsHGuj2V_zTGdAtbv4ZBB5i98MGeg5JWSgGhoeqKMG73G2_aRDHEeuI14gQRLZZqCQqL1Fldf9pHC_E/s1600/24959_377704031480_1323586_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfwycriBJm-zVvRvwMdBprgN7iIVZ_whaOyqcZKoPfi4DKfoEiZi_7ckBgPkMPsHGuj2V_zTGdAtbv4ZBB5i98MGeg5JWSgGhoeqKMG73G2_aRDHEeuI14gQRLZZqCQqL1Fldf9pHC_E/s320/24959_377704031480_1323586_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>In the ensuing seven years since his birth, Jackson has shown us how little prepared we were for parenthood, but we have also discovered the unconditional love that comes for another person. My dream to become a physician has taken the three of us on an unexpected international journey, including northern England, the West Indie island of Grenada, the very foreign country of Brooklyn, NY, and finally Cheyenne, Wyoming. Though far from our original stomping ground in Arizona, we have discovered that location matters little as long as we are together, that is where our home is. I can distinctly remember running home from the Metro in South Gosforth, England, so anxious to see my little boy after a long day of studying, or spending hours on our "adventures" exploring the mysteries of Turtleback Drive in Lance-Aux-Epines, Grenada, or walking to visit members of our church with Jackson on my shoulders in the bleak winter months in Brooklyn, and now the chance to play catch with him in Cheyenne. These memories represent every reason I wanted to be a Dad in the first place. I find myself continually fulfilled in this sacred responsibility of raising Jackson.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbMOp5bYSUxcd0EPALP_nfm24zweoIXJ9q5AxoefgFwo_w3akBeVnBA2_WRcgLHH9RoxsHZbscoMY4IVt3bMILOodwJ4CNXD-bilDUCMK2xISwdfRL_vxclL7eCtFW0_u6Vb2ystrY2o/s1600/10368213_10152114392286481_4218006293340338461_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbMOp5bYSUxcd0EPALP_nfm24zweoIXJ9q5AxoefgFwo_w3akBeVnBA2_WRcgLHH9RoxsHZbscoMY4IVt3bMILOodwJ4CNXD-bilDUCMK2xISwdfRL_vxclL7eCtFW0_u6Vb2ystrY2o/s400/10368213_10152114392286481_4218006293340338461_n.jpg" width="266" /></a>Despite the incredible joy I feel with Jackson, I can not escape the desire to have more children. Lyndzee and I are finally in a place where we can pursue adoption again. We are now officially certified and anxious for more adventures with our children that are yet to be found.<br />
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-DustinUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070557773241535374.post-33782760235147681952014-11-19T13:50:00.000-08:002014-11-20T07:54:30.037-08:00Happy 10th Anniversary!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Married and sealed in the Mesa, AZ temple.</td></tr>
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It is day 6 of Dustin being out of town and we have far surpassed the longest we have ever gone without speaking, which was 48 hours at the most. He is two thousand miles away in Honduras, doing work that makes me so proud of him, and I am in chilly Cheyenne taking care of Jackson, throwing shin digs, and missing him terribly. And today is our 10th anniversary.<br />
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Honestly I think we are handling the anniversary in the best way possible. We were able to go away on an amazing vacation at the beginning of the month to Hawaii where we did nothing but giggle together, lay on the beach, and eat delicious food. It couldn't have felt more like a honeymoon. Then, after coming back to the harsh realities of real life, Dustin took off for ten days, allowing me to miss him more then ever and to be so grateful of the amazing man I married and how much I need him in my everyday life.<br />
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So today, in his very noticed absence, I wanted to share the things I love most about him, and that no doubt the others in his life love about him as well.<br />
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1. He always says sorry. I joke that it was probably 7 years into our marriage when I was able to genuinely turn to him and say sorry in the middle of the fight, that not being one of my strong points. But Dustin will say sorry immediately, even when he is right. He always seeks to make things better and hates when he makes me or anyone else feel bad. And if you don't accept the first apology, then you have to suffer through endless apologies until he is satisfied that the problem is resolved, a lesson that I am still slow to learn :)<br />
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2. His laughter is infectious. If you haven't watched a comedy with him, come on over and do it immediately! He can make the most mundane of shows become hilarious. I still remember being so embarrassed when he bounced out of his seat in the theater and laughed out loud at a scene in Napoleon Dynomite, and once when we were watching a movie at my parent's house and more and more people came into the family room to see what we were watching because Dustin was laughing so hard, eventually all joining in themselves. I have learned to no longer be embarrassed and instead I join right in with my thigh slapping husband. I can no longer evaluate for myself if something is funny because I loose all objectivity when he is around.<br />
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3. He thinks I am hilarious…and I most definitely am not. I love that there is a lot of laughter in our home and most of it comes from Dustin laughing with me as I dance around the house, talk in our dog Penny's voice (this can make Dustin laugh in the middle of an argument), or just joke around. His laughter makes me feel wonderful and like a comic genius.<br />
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4. He is an amazing father. It hasn't always been easy for Dust to be a dad as he has gone through medical school, studied, left home for rotations and interviews, and participated in his church assignments, but Jackson is a top priority to him and he makes every moment with him count. Last year when he was Young Men's President they held young men's on Friday nights. Since Dustin wasn't home a lot, he took Jackson with him to those meetings. Jackson still thinks he is a fellow scout and loved that time with his Dad. Now they love playing basketball and soccer together and Jackson knows he can always talk his dad into a making a fort. I know Dustin is his hero and that, because of the love and effort Dustin puts into his relationship with Jackson, it will last forever.<br />
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5. His faith. This is perhaps the reason I first fell in love with him, that and that he did an awesome rendition of Who Let the Dogs Out during karaoke. I met Dustin the day he came home from his mission at a ward Christmas party. He was tall, dark, and handsome, but what attracted me the most was the great theological discussions we would have at night with his family. Today he uplifts me constantly and always reminds me of what is most important. I am so grateful I was able to be sealed to him in the temple and that we can return to the temple to remember the covenants we made. When I struggle with any issue of faith, he doesn't judge but shows me such love that allows for our home to be a place where we can always grow together.<br />
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6. He is a dreamer. Along with his regular pronouncements that he should have been a rockstar, mechanic, in construction, a basketball player, and many other things, he has big ideas with what he wants to do with his career in family medicine. We are still in our infancy in our knowledge of this career path, but that doesn't stop Dustin dreaming about all the changes he wants to see take place and the things he wants to implement. He always comes home with inspiration about how he can help a certain demographic, change the way something is done administratively, or change the world in general. His optimism is exciting and I can't wait to see where he takes us as a family and how he grows as a doctor.<br />
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7. He cannot tell a lie. Now this can be infuriating when you need him to tell someone that you are busy and not in the shower, but overwhelmingly it allows for myself and others to trust him completely. I wish sometimes he would lie a little when I ask him how something looks on me, but I also love that we can have an honest discussion about anything. His integrity is very important to him and he won't let anything compromise it. I know this is something he really wants to instill in Jackson who, when caught in a lie will just say, "kidding, I'm kidding".<br />
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8. He loves animals. When we first got our dog Penny six years ago, a first child while we waiting to adopt, he would take her everywhere. He would study with her on his lap, hold her in his arms while playing soccer, and fall asleep with her on the couch. While he was separated from his little girl for a few years while we lived abroad, he is just as in love with her today as when she was a puppy, hence the fact that I can make him crack up if I talk in her "voice" and talk about what she is thinking. And the love of animals is not limited to Penny. In Brooklyn he would stop dog owners on the sidewalk and ask to pet their dogs, and a commercial with a dog can get an "awwwe" out of him anytime. Such a softie. Jackson has learned this same love and they both coo at animals and love, something I can't stand, movies that have talking animals.<br />
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9. He loves to talk. Honestly I couldn't have married someone who didn't like to talk. I would have driven anyone else up the walls in a minute, but Dust can talk right back. When we were dating, if there was a movie on we would talk right through it. I remember a special night where we talked all night and watched the sun rise together, a night that let me know he was worth all the effort and was the type of many I wanted to marry. We still love to talk about religion, books, history, politics, and in my case, any random idea that pops in my head.<br />
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10. He is the best friend I could ask for. He calms me when anxious, comforts me when sad, makes me laugh when frustrated, and makes a good day even better. There is nothing that I want to do or experience without him. This journey we took through medical school was a doozy, but I wouldn't have changed anything, especially how close we grew as a result of being in new surroundings and away from family. Dustin and Jackson are the most important people in my life and I would go anywhere with them…provided it had a Costco and Target :)<br />
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I am so grateful to Dust for the last 10 years and for the many, many more to come. I look forward to raising many more kiddos with him, to living in more places, having more adventures, and falling more in love everyday. Happy anniversary Dustin!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Christmas Tree chopped down in Durango, CO 2005</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday dinner 2005</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2006</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halloween 2006</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halloween 2008<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dustin and Jackson, 2009</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset Cruise, Grenada 2009</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOi3vaT8wopPS3XCI_EIiV1ctbvhTTFxnYRFSxfBWBsgDFv4HcBKj431J7FZ9hMKTMlkjS1vPI9Ig9dNH6xP9dUONFBQHi0C3ChLnMdrOk8DTw3nj8-fEntZ6QsGK_KQh9aSwTKy-oXrc/s1600/10150749_10152369485594766_1014764476_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOi3vaT8wopPS3XCI_EIiV1ctbvhTTFxnYRFSxfBWBsgDFv4HcBKj431J7FZ9hMKTMlkjS1vPI9Ig9dNH6xP9dUONFBQHi0C3ChLnMdrOk8DTw3nj8-fEntZ6QsGK_KQh9aSwTKy-oXrc/s1600/10150749_10152369485594766_1014764476_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White coat ceremony in Newcastle, England 2010.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table 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/AVvXsEiHWVA7Gv4XerCJ6xDkrmzcLOyIy6VoIXB8rM1X-lgM_OyYyTRRQrto9z-twpvsxsk40YTe9eBVD25N2yxVBZutJijZk8Y3-VTXvkb7nRI3OwIbt8dvyLzK7_5NjUW-H-Hv3F8cJc0Xnnw/s1600/168097_473863506649_3847918_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWVA7Gv4XerCJ6xDkrmzcLOyIy6VoIXB8rM1X-lgM_OyYyTRRQrto9z-twpvsxsk40YTe9eBVD25N2yxVBZutJijZk8Y3-VTXvkb7nRI3OwIbt8dvyLzK7_5NjUW-H-Hv3F8cJc0Xnnw/s1600/168097_473863506649_3847918_n.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Year's Eve 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table 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/AVvXsEiMWMr3yj_CeW61Tj4w0wQd5uH63nJrqpFo3nl-hX91lqwcokTByoEARpic6RrjS17X64Uw7c2f2swKJY_kfmk0hzsvdH4RwG9m04yFTSIqSDjsYXC_t6rqTi1ujgNtbewnt7UsvBLFY7Y/s1600/163787_473862151649_2177443_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWMr3yj_CeW61Tj4w0wQd5uH63nJrqpFo3nl-hX91lqwcokTByoEARpic6RrjS17X64Uw7c2f2swKJY_kfmk0hzsvdH4RwG9m04yFTSIqSDjsYXC_t6rqTi1ujgNtbewnt7UsvBLFY7Y/s1600/163787_473862151649_2177443_n.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Years's Eve 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table 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/AVvXsEjPRZjZej47tmDO-NG_nweHQEzhxuTpKIJwZtds4v6roRKWCN13nd7FVMVhYS8b7snFT459yWT4P8mFe88vV7xrmnYtJBuIFu1VFEAnmPmJ1y-51-LCdc06g30ejcydBlreWIxX_msBemk/s1600/154698_679276148297_952957_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRZjZej47tmDO-NG_nweHQEzhxuTpKIJwZtds4v6roRKWCN13nd7FVMVhYS8b7snFT459yWT4P8mFe88vV7xrmnYtJBuIFu1VFEAnmPmJ1y-51-LCdc06g30ejcydBlreWIxX_msBemk/s1600/154698_679276148297_952957_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving in England 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cn6kXAVDhQ6CKB150B9Eslcia_DsRzGYuEWATac5N3WQgxwpO505YVTkYGMEcorlJPZjvhqJylgmwfZrOrptDlhN2-r6KtgRZ7AZTWzLBUdfW2TzDpErmiGCfL6lw_1TfkGEF6iHpPo/s1600/30290_1361233110948_4190765_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cn6kXAVDhQ6CKB150B9Eslcia_DsRzGYuEWATac5N3WQgxwpO505YVTkYGMEcorlJPZjvhqJylgmwfZrOrptDlhN2-r6KtgRZ7AZTWzLBUdfW2TzDpErmiGCfL6lw_1TfkGEF6iHpPo/s1600/30290_1361233110948_4190765_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alnwick Castle, England 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; 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/AVvXsEhZBeAwhHbx20nq9NC_IxD6-4NBXyYUxRY3P1WFkwpbYI8D6ENpPdUgo5y-m1sksSyoWAnsEFevGL7fuxKjFPu48b8bzbPvUsKzdNQ3CyM_hKnUc6eneUomQUlMGM2KVmfakHVAOmb6jpE/s1600/306242_10150799918656481_1073590914_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBeAwhHbx20nq9NC_IxD6-4NBXyYUxRY3P1WFkwpbYI8D6ENpPdUgo5y-m1sksSyoWAnsEFevGL7fuxKjFPu48b8bzbPvUsKzdNQ3CyM_hKnUc6eneUomQUlMGM2KVmfakHVAOmb6jpE/s1600/306242_10150799918656481_1073590914_n.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grenada 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table 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/AVvXsEhrskm-fqnE8TpQFQ00sDz41-IjKWmFLnLvN6y29vjXP7gkXF9z9Nu0Km-1zdy0hycuc0lPxIDvOMXu1nordKEnqaeUNpz6ehMAVu2RE-CIbPScNJ0ejFx_8XItYnrbu61mhXNBh6gXm9A/s1600/384635_10150428288376360_1139207444_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrskm-fqnE8TpQFQ00sDz41-IjKWmFLnLvN6y29vjXP7gkXF9z9Nu0Km-1zdy0hycuc0lPxIDvOMXu1nordKEnqaeUNpz6ehMAVu2RE-CIbPScNJ0ejFx_8XItYnrbu61mhXNBh6gXm9A/s1600/384635_10150428288376360_1139207444_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Carmel Falls, Grenada.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-9oa5G8Kg-yopFR6HpFoKqpbOjFVFTJgKBiQJF88B4hPosF-oID-5yjmhJC-xtIbK_JLDwHz8HoWBYAVRTRcZV_JSfseuBIuKqVJCTsJF_sr3x7fxzoKxygANoy_x3B-dADFSOocWpI/s1600/IMG_1480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-9oa5G8Kg-yopFR6HpFoKqpbOjFVFTJgKBiQJF88B4hPosF-oID-5yjmhJC-xtIbK_JLDwHz8HoWBYAVRTRcZV_JSfseuBIuKqVJCTsJF_sr3x7fxzoKxygANoy_x3B-dADFSOocWpI/s1600/IMG_1480.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Central Park 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table 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/AVvXsEiAfiTFiEx33AiIowfYj1BoiyCB3uSiTFkJC3RWSuf03BQoSqzTiXWBP9pB5SSdUg8qNUnV_4NGNxGJxCY4_SB20bfrfASe2BWfn17Gs43-HVFWdKQeOKxdyL_Ic39_INeI-q_EpdAiq9w/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfiTFiEx33AiIowfYj1BoiyCB3uSiTFkJC3RWSuf03BQoSqzTiXWBP9pB5SSdUg8qNUnV_4NGNxGJxCY4_SB20bfrfASe2BWfn17Gs43-HVFWdKQeOKxdyL_Ic39_INeI-q_EpdAiq9w/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valentine's Day, Ice Skating in Bryant Park, 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; 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/AVvXsEhSVYkL14FRqiih1u58fsYSIiDB5-4srzpQ6kadNidN2Bq1gf5Izjxs336k3b30L12ntf_aefA4EscoF1boHaLHe1onEm1btVBEoPDtEeevYUwGxFOGuivFCboCTF9RKi9kFWAsOb0IVCE/s1600/IMG_2531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVYkL14FRqiih1u58fsYSIiDB5-4srzpQ6kadNidN2Bq1gf5Izjxs336k3b30L12ntf_aefA4EscoF1boHaLHe1onEm1btVBEoPDtEeevYUwGxFOGuivFCboCTF9RKi9kFWAsOb0IVCE/s1600/IMG_2531.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Governor's Island, New York 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOV5Zo4hb0YtIaV6rTUW2Lw2iVz2Ty5fWJpfW2OArraZfvYoWyGVD3ZjqDvRWaSCPzWkBB0pV0DonYmZ5JZtCcjwAaHrnVvy9ofZdDpuCbXj969zmJHuIGUlM5YzqtW9kC63-VerudWzs/s1600/1278984_10153381919100117_1992321820_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOV5Zo4hb0YtIaV6rTUW2Lw2iVz2Ty5fWJpfW2OArraZfvYoWyGVD3ZjqDvRWaSCPzWkBB0pV0DonYmZ5JZtCcjwAaHrnVvy9ofZdDpuCbXj969zmJHuIGUlM5YzqtW9kC63-VerudWzs/s1600/1278984_10153381919100117_1992321820_o.jpg" height="400" width="336" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halloween in Brooklyn 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table 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/AVvXsEgTRM-JYVcCwI7eVUL0iv1rjCW9AFD2_Q2pAipY5PQbXcBfap00wA0HAiojo4IpTJ6DZ_RoHQL3i4KWXVRySwovvZrw8cTezVCAlOGsOXvGP0rLHWLHN4BfJVMyDj8GSTLuXS1eSFjTPGs/s1600/DurhamFamily_14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRM-JYVcCwI7eVUL0iv1rjCW9AFD2_Q2pAipY5PQbXcBfap00wA0HAiojo4IpTJ6DZ_RoHQL3i4KWXVRySwovvZrw8cTezVCAlOGsOXvGP0rLHWLHN4BfJVMyDj8GSTLuXS1eSFjTPGs/s1600/DurhamFamily_14.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall, Prospect Park, 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table 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/AVvXsEi_v7TSW9_Ia2ruXu53YuU9v4lMks8j98SA85lkyaWc4TsnuCqAjf3FbSm5TK0NCaO4Y2J6c9u5q4b9nND-4Sa9DqBMhLYIelZAksOQcthy09RiPfyVzAsXnpbDM86QBDYuq-EVPPfzkVA/s1600/DurhamFamily_21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_v7TSW9_Ia2ruXu53YuU9v4lMks8j98SA85lkyaWc4TsnuCqAjf3FbSm5TK0NCaO4Y2J6c9u5q4b9nND-4Sa9DqBMhLYIelZAksOQcthy09RiPfyVzAsXnpbDM86QBDYuq-EVPPfzkVA/s1600/DurhamFamily_21.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bed Dad Ever! Fall 2013</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/AVvXsEiRlUFo9GTqX25izxhvdMQ8iiyoFZN7btS0f55QVgTH2WlbgchgYmEmEoG07yYXKg0WWXuw_OlYmHVTBZqTUKj-Aw0B8KDtHiK_UOZACkXQnirwITSwW_Z0o8jMYKYiJQRNkfecslwXuIU/s1600/1555491_10151857852301481_395395518_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlUFo9GTqX25izxhvdMQ8iiyoFZN7btS0f55QVgTH2WlbgchgYmEmEoG07yYXKg0WWXuw_OlYmHVTBZqTUKj-Aw0B8KDtHiK_UOZACkXQnirwITSwW_Z0o8jMYKYiJQRNkfecslwXuIU/s1600/1555491_10151857852301481_395395518_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sledding in Brooklyn 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsPXF4eLeR0qiFIE89urcqHmF-q0B5YbULTg4ivn6pjS_Cg_xo_Pc_HWUVY2flapV-opScsFC_ruWTUrtvJM99gluGCMqjzu-_63TNE1505mMNxiQWfAipIzq9Up0EMLuKjnXj14bVPI/s1600/1898279_10151881727966481_1326492779_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsPXF4eLeR0qiFIE89urcqHmF-q0B5YbULTg4ivn6pjS_Cg_xo_Pc_HWUVY2flapV-opScsFC_ruWTUrtvJM99gluGCMqjzu-_63TNE1505mMNxiQWfAipIzq9Up0EMLuKjnXj14bVPI/s1600/1898279_10151881727966481_1326492779_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valentine's Day 2014</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><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADqXVAsF2_Lewia9itUSF1-DlDu9Czz9rjV7o6yBiC-BbO4DInr45L850QkEd4h0VUPKRF-lnS-qHK1btBJp4R-R-Hgj5h6jdWeP4uY7o1mhCUpO0Ck55GU32r_hlN9ym0vnKuccUq1w/s1600/IMG_8530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADqXVAsF2_Lewia9itUSF1-DlDu9Czz9rjV7o6yBiC-BbO4DInr45L850QkEd4h0VUPKRF-lnS-qHK1btBJp4R-R-Hgj5h6jdWeP4uY7o1mhCUpO0Ck55GU32r_hlN9ym0vnKuccUq1w/s1600/IMG_8530.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Brooklyn, NY 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070557773241535374.post-30163494429985902102013-03-20T21:28:00.000-07:002013-03-20T21:28:49.389-07:00Can't a girl get a break?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px;">I recently read a blog about a mom who is feeling fed up with the holiday hoopla. And I get it, it's overwhelming. Often it doesn't feel as if you can even skip one, even if you have a 2 month old who can care less and a spouse you won't see that day. I felt that way a lot while living overseas in countries that didn't celebrate Thanksgiving, a toddler who didn't eat solids, and a husband who had to study all day. And yet I had friends in my same situation who made a full turkey dinner and decorated their apartments beautifully on a shoestring budget.</span><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px;"> That being said, this year, for the most inconsequential of holidays, I put extra effort into making St. Patty's Day fun. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px;">Now, I didn't do anything I didn't steal from pinterest, I served store bought Lucky Charms, green milk, and went to the extra measure of leprechaun footprints on the toilet seat. But, as simple as that all sounds, I was so proud of myself for going the extra mile. This is the same mom who once tried to throw away the clippings from Jackson's first hair cut. ( Tried and failed because my mother-in-law's sentimentality couldn't let it happen.) The same mom who put a sheet with a hole in it over his head for Halloween and called him a ghost. I feed him processed hot dogs, let him play in pin worm infested sand, ride the subway and forget to wash his hands...the list is endless. But don't make me feel bad for doing something extra on St. Patty's Day. I had a victory. I created a memory for a sweet 4 year old boy who thinks there is nothing funnier than a leprechaun on a toilet. And I didn't do it because I was pressured, pinterest made me, or because I am trying to keep up with the Joneses ( or the amazing Greers in my case :) I did it because I want to be a fun, life loving, celebrate every day I can kinda mom. That is tough because many days I feel apathetic, tired, overwhelmed, and cranky. So while I understand we don't all do things the same way, I will take my victories one slimy, green, footprint at a time.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070557773241535374.post-57772691225439552882012-07-16T21:56:00.001-07:002012-07-16T21:56:45.686-07:00A Moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRm1iqRBQbfuMWI5o0G8FTgJ8WatwihWQq4-ss12cET_VkMfYkxLX3NKobxoQ7GtWVyv4UEtaBVwjmFwxOuHzNdJr_68DYbP-0D16fHx48B6LMn8My1e8asbOev1Ph-JqrkgAH4wyk1g/s1600/IMG_0303bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRm1iqRBQbfuMWI5o0G8FTgJ8WatwihWQq4-ss12cET_VkMfYkxLX3NKobxoQ7GtWVyv4UEtaBVwjmFwxOuHzNdJr_68DYbP-0D16fHx48B6LMn8My1e8asbOev1Ph-JqrkgAH4wyk1g/s320/IMG_0303bw.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I need to take a moment to share a bit of the many things I love about Jackson. He is 3 and a half now, and he grows in leaps and bounds everyday. My favorite thing about him right now is how he speaks. Whenever he gets hurt or frustrated, he whispers, "Oh, shoot". He says things like, " I am so exciting" when he is excited about something. He can't stop talking about the fact that he is big enough to go on all the rides at Disney Land, even waking up in the night to ask us if he is still big enough. He tells everyone he meets that he has a dog named Valley Girl (Valentine) and a Grandma. He eats, breathes, and sleeps cars. After watching a preview for Ice Age, he repeats the saying, "Holy Crab" all the time, incredibly loudly. He likes to tell us that he is hilarious. He also tells us that he is the best at everything he does, like flipping off couches, jumping over cracks, swimming across the pool, doing karate poses, and being a good listener (which is debatable).<br />
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This summer Jackson has become an excellent swimmer. He would love to be in the pool all day long. He is very opinionated, and this now extends to his clothing. He won't currently wear his brown Toms because they are boring. He will refuse to go to church, but then run into his Sunbeam teacher's arms for a big hug. He loves his friend Luke, so much that he often cries when he leaves, even though they pick on each other when they hang out. He loves his dad. A lot. And he screams and runs to him whenever dad comes home. This summer they have had the chance to go on morning runs or swims or bike rides together before Dustin goes to study, and I know theses times are dear to both of their hearts.<br />
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Jackson is a huge sweetheart. If I am home sick, he runs to my bedroom to see if I am feeling better. He will say he is so sorry as soon as he can see I am upset about something. He loves hugs and kisses. He negotiates the number of books we have to read him at night, and then the snuggle time. He will share any bite, or his favorite gum, or a sip of his juice. If he asks you to build something with him, go swimming with him, or toss the ball around, and you say yes, he will tell you that you have made him so happy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVTZz6VFHlHWB88lBUGAaOU-rslgdDbFtKWvlxKOA5Q7N_pmdbh8i4SdHclEOicwYCyIx94wE6iP1g5Ri8B3_gxTS6m9NcZi0_xLWLJA-fCInBTRTbOzmQ8X5h4grDG3dPIFaNSi9RXI/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVTZz6VFHlHWB88lBUGAaOU-rslgdDbFtKWvlxKOA5Q7N_pmdbh8i4SdHclEOicwYCyIx94wE6iP1g5Ri8B3_gxTS6m9NcZi0_xLWLJA-fCInBTRTbOzmQ8X5h4grDG3dPIFaNSi9RXI/s320/IMG_0018.JPG" width="320" /></a>I love this little 3 year old. He makes me happy. I know he makes his daddy happy. We love you Jackson.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070557773241535374.post-2145073733170730472012-03-23T17:52:00.000-07:002012-04-16T17:53:43.055-07:00Sports DayOne thing I love about the GAP, the school that Jackson goes to 3 mornings a week, are the fun recitals and sports days they put on. It gets me so excited to become a soccer/basketball/football/swimming/anything mom. This sports day was great because Jackson is old enough to enjoy the run and all of the cheering going on around him. What a wonderful feeling it is to have him run straight to my arms, jump up and hug me, smiling with all of the pride he feels at doing so well. They also let the parents compete and I did the potato sack race. Not my finest moment. Anyway. Enjoy the photos from the day that brought me so much joy.<br />
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<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">RELAY RACE</div><br />
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So...it all began with three girls and a decision to surprise their husbands for their upcoming birthdays. We planned a trip to the island of Carriacou with an excursion to the Tobago Cays.<span id="goog_1872602690"></span><span id="goog_1872602691"></span><br />
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First was the lovely trip on the ferry to Carriacou, where everyone threw-up except for me and Dustin...we just made jokes at their expense while watching their misery. We are really good friends.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter trying to keep Amber standing after slipping all over the deck.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Michelle getting drenched for the 20th time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me being graceful as usual.</td></tr>
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When we arrived on the small island the first thing we did was check into our hotel rooms at only $35 US a night. The hotel is called Kim's Plaza and I really liked it. It is simple but clean and had A/C and a fridge to keep our snacks cold. For the price it was more than worth the money. The hotel is also only a 5 min walk from where the ferry docks which helped us save money on taxis.<br />
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After checking in we needed food and, for those with recently emptied stomachs, we needed food fast. So we asked the owner of the hotel where to go and he directed us to Sea View, once again being only a walk away. I really enjoyed the food there as it was delicious chicken or fish surrounded by 4 or 5 local sides. Then, stomachs filled and settled, we set out to have our first adventure.<br />
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While walking back to our hotel we ran into a Verdon, a taxi driver who aspires to be a one stop shop in Carriacou. He told us he could set up our trips to Sandy Beach and the Cays and the prices he quoted were what we expected so we jumped into his truck and headed off. Little did we realize that he took a cut of any trip he booked. This didn't really change our price at all, but we would plan trips on our own in the future to avoid cutting the cost to the actual boat driver. Anyway, Verdon took us to Off The Hook where we found Curtis to take us to Sandy Island. Curtis is a quiet man but he is also currently my hero. But you will have to read on to find out why.<br />
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</div>Sandy Island is a tiny strip of sand just a 5 minute boat ride from shore and I loved it. It was simple but beautiful and we felt like we were all alone on our own private island. The girls ended us chatting on the beach and the boys got in some good snorkeling, especially Dustin who you have to pull out of the water. He prefers to go without fins because he enjoys swimming.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHkJcB3oZpgSaC_d3HkN9uabX7GSfHcs-ts-BBjp-weYbHC-OSq6i8STiCdOMouRFqJjWZ4Z2ujQm0dZqrXQsVSDLDja_zBgUliT3yF-13_C5mMh9U76HtAATV7OiStpmMM20aPOqD5Y/s1600/DSCN3086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHkJcB3oZpgSaC_d3HkN9uabX7GSfHcs-ts-BBjp-weYbHC-OSq6i8STiCdOMouRFqJjWZ4Z2ujQm0dZqrXQsVSDLDja_zBgUliT3yF-13_C5mMh9U76HtAATV7OiStpmMM20aPOqD5Y/s320/DSCN3086.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone sculptures made by past visitors from the beautiful rocks around the island.</td></tr>
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After our sun soaked afternoon on Sandy Island we needed some more grub and luckily Verdon remembered a new restaurant that had opened that was perfect. It is called La Playa and was only a 5 min walk from our hotel and located right on the beach. We had burgers, cokes in glass bottles, and listened to a small steel drum band. We even all split a few ice creams to celebrate Peter's birthday. After diner we went back to our rooms, put on our PJs and then sat together in the Hinckley's room to sing Happy Birthday to Peter and eat the delicious cake that Amber brought with her. It was a great end to a great day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my fisherman.</td></tr>
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</div>The next morning we all went to the dock to meet up with Curtis once again to take a boat to the Tobago Cays. This is where things started going bad. The day before Curtis had told us that the weather wasn't very nice for a 45 boat trip to the Cays. When told this information we just rallied and said we didn't care how uncomfortable, we were determined to make it to the Cays. We didn't change our minds when he drove his small, wooden fishing boat along side the dock. We didn't say anything when we spent 10 minutes crossing very choppy water that was only a prelude to the open ocean. It was only when we saw Union Island ahead, the half way point, that we all started second guessing our decision. We had started off our journey with yelps of joy and laughter at ever bump and jostle and slowly the boat had grown quieter and the excitement turned more to fear, me even asking Curtis if he had ever flipped a boat before. The answer wasn't comforting. Rob and Dustin were sitting up front and they clung to the front of the boat with blistering hands as their rear ends pounded away at the wooden planks they were sitting on. Michelle and I were in the middle our arms and hands going numb from trying to hold on to our seats and the sides of the boat, Michelle getting soaked with stinging salt water with each bump. Amber and Peter sat in the back, Amber still positive that Peter almost flew out of the boat. And it was Amber that asked in the middle of our journey, in the middle of the white topped ocean, if we could turn around. She braved a few more minutes for us to get to Union Island and then declared that she was done. And it wasn't long before we all followed...with the exception of my adrenaline junkie friend Michelle who looked longingly towards the distant Cays as we all refused to go on.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The day wasn't a bust though as Curtis took us to the nearby Palm Island. Palm Island is exclusively for guests of its beautiful resort, but we snuck on and enjoyed the luxurious beaches, snorkeling, and especially the safety away from the fishing boat. However, it wasn't long before we would have to get back on the boat to go home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>The boat ride home to me was just as bad. However, Dustin and Rob sat up front discussing pathology, the waves were much easier on us going back, and Amber rangled up a life jacket. But for me, it was awful. You see, I am a head case. The previous trip I had been filled with enough excitement and optimism to get me through. But on this trip all that was replaced with fear and my head got the best of me. It also didn't help that right after loading ourselves onto the boat the waves got the best of us and I felt far too close to tipping over. At one point in the trip home I told our driver, "I am really scared Curtis", saying his name in the way you might tell it to a kidnapper to humanize the situation. I wanted him to want to get me home safely...yes, I was that looney. But, of course, we made it safely back, where I told Curtis I loved him. He was an excellent captain. While a man of few words, I would definitely recommend him during better weather :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWUwblGC-abl9Q8_oJp_1KYG_PChNIEhEgp7RrRJYekhqkbklirHB2iEQit-99a8y2kYlIFOAolc-QVmeKTwY7UupY1LyXq5i0r77uOIhrZgGg4qlrZYC8FjwODbx_a98bMzobkUgXB4/s1600/DSCN3228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWUwblGC-abl9Q8_oJp_1KYG_PChNIEhEgp7RrRJYekhqkbklirHB2iEQit-99a8y2kYlIFOAolc-QVmeKTwY7UupY1LyXq5i0r77uOIhrZgGg4qlrZYC8FjwODbx_a98bMzobkUgXB4/s200/DSCN3228.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn619qPxj3r7VV6Gv6xMjBKhpjoylKMuvGLJkV0-35Y1ChOVCRC1FE0_pT6X_bIj76HqMJCNaleaEJJBn-AxaV8JKTDu8jX0YRjFX446zybFuPFzpOnlEdAdyUmMfmkrCiPh_T1qgQun0/s1600/DSCN3232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn619qPxj3r7VV6Gv6xMjBKhpjoylKMuvGLJkV0-35Y1ChOVCRC1FE0_pT6X_bIj76HqMJCNaleaEJJBn-AxaV8JKTDu8jX0YRjFX446zybFuPFzpOnlEdAdyUmMfmkrCiPh_T1qgQun0/s200/DSCN3232.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dustin found this star fish and 3 sand dollars right before catching the ferry home.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nYzZ6snfIB_lxoSoJSs6OR4Wf77VUEdIJlrClWkU2hB9nTRfVPEHripFuK-3ZH9k9H6WihQgc4oIVq-GnWTqBq1xGkHwrKewa8TgnN7PQ39hoRnt-Q0Bw9kT1PtX3bs0bJdo2BSmz64/s1600/DSCN3237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nYzZ6snfIB_lxoSoJSs6OR4Wf77VUEdIJlrClWkU2hB9nTRfVPEHripFuK-3ZH9k9H6WihQgc4oIVq-GnWTqBq1xGkHwrKewa8TgnN7PQ39hoRnt-Q0Bw9kT1PtX3bs0bJdo2BSmz64/s200/DSCN3237.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9NmkzDEmr-9dTrG4drI40g1C8aDwwEOE0Ea3cITBD7M3LN5SFNEtJLldsZjb7H3XFOGRL5zPO2SiS764NTK1iQVMarZsM9fza-Fw13mIm7p5vNIr7TyF9Ihx2majLoE75Rvu07oKwek/s1600/DSCN3239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9NmkzDEmr-9dTrG4drI40g1C8aDwwEOE0Ea3cITBD7M3LN5SFNEtJLldsZjb7H3XFOGRL5zPO2SiS764NTK1iQVMarZsM9fza-Fw13mIm7p5vNIr7TyF9Ihx2majLoE75Rvu07oKwek/s200/DSCN3239.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDuNkLlxBjYaJac6ANOGfxM89NgwOu1w74OnVspHQ3u56-uB0RsykUB6HuR6RzAAaRAYfvnBhiI883Vk3Gx4f5VH6l1rk_U9ZwddzoiKay29Jxb5JwyliiPWM-Ev9aMkyAgh3XIfitr0/s1600/DSCN3240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDuNkLlxBjYaJac6ANOGfxM89NgwOu1w74OnVspHQ3u56-uB0RsykUB6HuR6RzAAaRAYfvnBhiI883Vk3Gx4f5VH6l1rk_U9ZwddzoiKay29Jxb5JwyliiPWM-Ev9aMkyAgh3XIfitr0/s400/DSCN3240.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is very similar to the boat that we took.</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Needless to say, we made it back home, safe and sound, with an amazing adventure story to tell. Scary or not, it was all a blast and I couldn't have shared it with better people. I want to let the Greers and Hinckleys know that I absolutely adore them and loved spending time with all of them.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070557773241535374.post-55127490962674740602012-01-24T16:35:00.000-08:002012-01-24T16:35:26.669-08:00Prayers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2PyVSGcRvs74lyzvyVHwINuE_T1C5YPzKhO1ZeBB5sH8tdC9AuZdhVnIf1llKPoUJRywXsRjsMGTKl84Hx3iRyDnmD4iJ_2v0ybCcf-EG8z9jGKXjVQyOoQ3ZN6pwyuSflvlSz48G2I/s1600/DSCN2578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2PyVSGcRvs74lyzvyVHwINuE_T1C5YPzKhO1ZeBB5sH8tdC9AuZdhVnIf1llKPoUJRywXsRjsMGTKl84Hx3iRyDnmD4iJ_2v0ybCcf-EG8z9jGKXjVQyOoQ3ZN6pwyuSflvlSz48G2I/s320/DSCN2578.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Tonight's prayers were a moment I can't let go undocumented, so here it goes. Every night Jackson gets 2 books and 2 songs before he goes to bed. He has all of his books memorized and loves to say the lines to us as we read to him. A current favorite is a book called I Love You Stinky Face. This is an appropriate book in our family because my terms of endearment for Jackson are often bugger butt or stinky butt or...well, you get my point, stinky face fits right in. So we read our books and sang our songs and then it was time for prayer.<br />
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Tonight Jackson requested that Charlie say the prayer. Sometimes we OK this because "Charlie", Jackson's bear who he has given voice and personality to, actually gives pretty sweet prayers. At other times we have to veto the idea because Charlie is too hyper and we can't take his high, squeeky voice anymore. Tonight, however, when this idea was put forward, Jackson also asked that Charlie's dad, Paddington Bear, and Charlie's mom, a stuffed monkey, participate as well. He gathered them all around him, folded their arms and bowed his head over them. Then the prayer proceeded like this:<br />
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Charlie: Heavenly Father ( high, squeaky voice)<br />
Paddington: Heavenly Father (in a very low voice)<br />
Monkey: Heavenly Father (in a motherly voice)<br />
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Charlie: Thank you for this day<br />
P: Thank you for this day<br />
M: Thank you for this day<br />
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C: Bless daddy at school<br />
P: Bless daddy at school<br />
M: Bless daddy at school<br />
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C: Bless Jackson to sleep well<br />
P: Bless Jackson to sleep well<br />
M: Bless Jackson to sleep well<br />
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C: And I say these things<br />
P: " " " "<br />
M: " " " "<br />
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C: In the name of Jesus Christ<br />
P: " " " " "<br />
M: " " " " "<br />
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C: Amen!<br />
P: "<br />
M: "<br />
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I love that he didn't falter with their voices for the entire prayer. I love his imagination. I love his love for his Savior, no matter how simple. I love this little man.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070557773241535374.post-73803117023954796082012-01-15T17:43:00.000-08:002012-01-15T17:47:38.752-08:00Little Man Turns 3!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_4FYsGr0jobQoPqqM5kGAUAxnMOyomsn7KsHHfmbw1-6SLgrslYMo0lLaK1W8Z-0E_xLxA19eO3jx5_YLzDTlsZvpPp3ws43QbeVl7MsFOUMK9FmWAWdSyJxItPR06RzGUbePxMq_Ek/s1600/DSCN2844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_4FYsGr0jobQoPqqM5kGAUAxnMOyomsn7KsHHfmbw1-6SLgrslYMo0lLaK1W8Z-0E_xLxA19eO3jx5_YLzDTlsZvpPp3ws43QbeVl7MsFOUMK9FmWAWdSyJxItPR06RzGUbePxMq_Ek/s320/DSCN2844.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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This month, on Jan. 2nd, Jackson turned 3! I can't believe that 3 years ago today I saw him born, I held him and then 3 days later brought him home. Our lives have been forever changed and we can't imagine what our life would be without him. He is constantly growing and changing and I can't wait to see what this 4th year will bring.<br />
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For his third birthday I stole some traditions from friends and had a present waiting on the end of his bed when he woke up, balloons on his floor, and we wrapped his doorway in cray paper. We let him choose the activity of the day, which was playing at the play structure (I really tried to influence him towards going to a waterfall) and then having pizza and fries with his best friend Luke for dinner. I made my family's cherry chocolate bundt cake and the boys, and Harper, had a great time running around on their sugar high.<br />
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Yesterday we had his actual birthday party with all of his friends. It was a train themed party and the boys had a blast. We started off by playing Red Light, Green Light, having them earn their caps and bandanas to become train conductors. Then we brought the party inside the house where we played Pass the Parcel, a favorite game I picked up in England. Next was the refueling station where the boys snacked on popcorn, apples, and bagel bites, and sipped juice from their train cups. After building up some steam, the boys then made their own train picture frames, some with more of an abstract eye than others.<br />
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Now, the boys may have refueled, but I will be honest, we were running out of energy. Me and Dustin against entertaining six 3 year olds was more work than I had planned. But we chugged along into presents and cake, and ended with smashing up a Thomas pinata. Overall, the birthday was a success, measured by the huge hug and kiss I received from Jackson. I am not a real "Suzie homemaker" kind of girl, and cake decorating and party decorating are more detailed work than I enjoy, but I will do this year after year to make Jackson smile.<br />
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</div>And one quick note that I always have to include, or I would be incredibly ungrateful: M, we love you and the beautiful boy you gave us. Please know that with every new step we take with him, we think of you and love you more.<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070557773241535374.post-7685386516219848112011-12-04T17:39:00.000-08:002011-12-04T17:39:23.241-08:00There are no words...There are no words to describe the amazing women I have met while living abroad. But there are pictures. So enjoy!<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070557773241535374.post-46086132717465733402011-11-30T20:24:00.000-08:002011-11-30T20:25:44.776-08:00Breaking Dawn and Sparkling Girls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zmaDFRyVU3W381VeBUPzaNOu_R9ohwGuvz1oiD1UdV7LvLZdBWe09apiZ9g2_5f6JlCmappai-lkHn7GXShAtj9ltsroUbFOCSrsWqECYIezD75eO5CxZ-JMWBJPYqAfIXsnlCkWNjo/s1600/IMG_1352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zmaDFRyVU3W381VeBUPzaNOu_R9ohwGuvz1oiD1UdV7LvLZdBWe09apiZ9g2_5f6JlCmappai-lkHn7GXShAtj9ltsroUbFOCSrsWqECYIezD75eO5CxZ-JMWBJPYqAfIXsnlCkWNjo/s320/IMG_1352.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOpgcAPIJCj9A6nZny7H4wIfjP7HLLN18G0HD1YiECrDgSR6zc4VQxU_X5gyMlmct5f-l4VSD-KT1vHzXFysXbuzqODc-2daPztjET0BQcH7fesxqlbOkPDQKIz-4_AEMCYEMS4Np3q4/s1600/IMG_1347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOpgcAPIJCj9A6nZny7H4wIfjP7HLLN18G0HD1YiECrDgSR6zc4VQxU_X5gyMlmct5f-l4VSD-KT1vHzXFysXbuzqODc-2daPztjET0BQcH7fesxqlbOkPDQKIz-4_AEMCYEMS4Np3q4/s320/IMG_1347.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1_hEvhgDtL_WCI7jK6evDDewKxH1CcwHjFUVlFmieA_ebOi0o0uBxsPXhCOOZmvcOT12Pv9F328EFlm1Ub7PNWy2tBUB2c2v_s-6CpPInXtuPQEOOzFBqPlvA-46e6WHP5g4jrexMlg/s1600/IMG_1350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1_hEvhgDtL_WCI7jK6evDDewKxH1CcwHjFUVlFmieA_ebOi0o0uBxsPXhCOOZmvcOT12Pv9F328EFlm1Ub7PNWy2tBUB2c2v_s-6CpPInXtuPQEOOzFBqPlvA-46e6WHP5g4jrexMlg/s320/IMG_1350.JPG" width="320" /></a>This week the new Twilight movie opened in Grenada. I know, exciting! Seriously though, I know these movies can be lame, the books poorly written, the mushiness extremely cheesy...but I love it, I love it all! I love acting like I am 15, laughing at inappropriate moments, screaming at chiseled abs and swooning over a sparkly, old fashioned vampire. So a bunch of the SOs (Significant Others) went to see the movie tonight as it was buy one get one free. However, just before we left for the movie I had a burst of inspiration and wanted to go all out and make signs...with lots of glitter. And then as I was getting ready I saw my glittery t-shirt. And as I put on my make-up I saw<br />
<br />
my old pink glittery eye shadow. So basically I showed up doused in glitter, with signs in hand, ready to be titillated by a good ole headboard breaking scene, and the movie did not disappoint. The movie was as silly as ever, and yet I still clung to my chair when Bella collapsed (I can be a little dramatic). And lets not forget the beautiful ladies who came with me, who dared to hold up my home made signs, pat on a bit of my glitter, and, in the case of Michelle, give a shout-out to Jacob as he rips of his shirt in the first scene. Thanks as always ladies for a fun filled night! And thank you Twilight to living up to expectations.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070557773241535374.post-81642002083774145092011-11-29T19:38:00.000-08:002011-11-29T19:38:24.969-08:00Gobble, Gobble<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had Thanksgiving with our Grenadian family this sunday, 30 people somehow squished into our apartment, and I loved it. The women especially are fabulous. They make everyday a little brighter and every adventure more fun. From these women I learn so much, mostly how to be a better friend. I love them and was so grateful to spend a Thanksgiving evening with them. This isn't to discount their fantastic husbands, our band of men who were women-less, and our replacement parents the Bushes. Everyone contributed excellent dishes and Stephanie made a succulent turkey. Despite the fact that there was only room to sit and no room to walk around, the evening was perfect, only made better by a group game at the end and some stomp practice (don't ask). Anyway, thank you to everyone who made it wonderful. I love you all!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZjUdoXmxrQK79Ql7pQ4pghIshF4a2R4svpgEeh7VUaRCjOzd3RGEVjRWSeQmlL5P9uItJX3Gy8vN6D-uKwQpvM6Nbeyvy7smvJw84fX7c9D_uBC2hVP1BzbOQqKJumE1DUZCT0MxiCY/s1600/DSCN2071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZjUdoXmxrQK79Ql7pQ4pghIshF4a2R4svpgEeh7VUaRCjOzd3RGEVjRWSeQmlL5P9uItJX3Gy8vN6D-uKwQpvM6Nbeyvy7smvJw84fX7c9D_uBC2hVP1BzbOQqKJumE1DUZCT0MxiCY/s320/DSCN2071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My favorites!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070557773241535374.post-69994865812111252572011-11-29T19:03:00.000-08:002011-11-29T19:03:50.059-08:00Thankful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For Thanksgiving this year it was just the three of us. My fabulous friends joined me in the morning to watch the parade and teach me pie baking skills, and then I spent the rest of the day making my first Thanksgiving dinner. Because of cost, we did a turkey roast in the crock pot, and it turned out great. And I loved making all of the other dishes and spending my day in the kitchen. A lot went awry, like Jackson dumping the garlic powder all over his bed, or the rolls refusing to rise, but sitting down with just the three of us at dinner and realizing all we have to be thankful for made it my favorite Thanksgiving ever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlzlz_ZCEY1wHZtJviAM1GvdMFhBgKCVvLUWr5Vd_Z0DB3ARvtRrvDSHMGNzW80ZYqoCHXvN4bhwkXlNr0K40OpI_yTR87IZlI2RrwmCeK0hKv__U4BccLn1YAH4lXXI53LuXB6npVm8/s1600/DSCN1943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlzlz_ZCEY1wHZtJviAM1GvdMFhBgKCVvLUWr5Vd_Z0DB3ARvtRrvDSHMGNzW80ZYqoCHXvN4bhwkXlNr0K40OpI_yTR87IZlI2RrwmCeK0hKv__U4BccLn1YAH4lXXI53LuXB6npVm8/s320/DSCN1943.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5JvT0U7Xy3YkwU0UpoMEORru0VEQQGeiuh20pu5Hyz8O7iLwR9Shph5QMxVKjPm6UAMzbdw9ta3g34Zhls0fKih1Wwnzrrbsr7uzvUt0VNaf7Et2qT1klY1luxdkh_islAC0_gkjOyg/s1600/DSCN1944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5JvT0U7Xy3YkwU0UpoMEORru0VEQQGeiuh20pu5Hyz8O7iLwR9Shph5QMxVKjPm6UAMzbdw9ta3g34Zhls0fKih1Wwnzrrbsr7uzvUt0VNaf7Et2qT1klY1luxdkh_islAC0_gkjOyg/s320/DSCN1944.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The fabulous Peaches and Cream Pie Amber taught me to make. Loved it!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdGUVdzB_FE0SvfHGftyuIRnTGYwRB40HFNgSDIcjFNzYbXcLB-yuJDg25uUyyISg0fH25r6F9pm93v8hNWURXlTZW3mUF9db-Ls48DYsqJWmUhn-2EXKVy2-Lchjl2uwOcyBait7EVU/s1600/DSCN1934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdGUVdzB_FE0SvfHGftyuIRnTGYwRB40HFNgSDIcjFNzYbXcLB-yuJDg25uUyyISg0fH25r6F9pm93v8hNWURXlTZW3mUF9db-Ls48DYsqJWmUhn-2EXKVy2-Lchjl2uwOcyBait7EVU/s320/DSCN1934.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBNb6fi9g6hP7eA_Vq-Aj_NE6MQvJ3nJnqQC0dRij3TEzlxTyF1QpVpooYYo-0uw2kHfEPi8IkaXVl0Y3pMgD7jnODXvIujeizzdKqi3csLJ9OdudFtEsZ_DwNZjL_uH7tQ_NSnuh6V0/s1600/DSCN1952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBNb6fi9g6hP7eA_Vq-Aj_NE6MQvJ3nJnqQC0dRij3TEzlxTyF1QpVpooYYo-0uw2kHfEPi8IkaXVl0Y3pMgD7jnODXvIujeizzdKqi3csLJ9OdudFtEsZ_DwNZjL_uH7tQ_NSnuh6V0/s320/DSCN1952.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070557773241535374.post-76614716848879262202011-11-21T18:13:00.000-08:002011-11-29T18:34:30.655-08:00Merry Anniversary: Anniversary Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our real anniversary was on Sunday, so after church we wanted to enjoy the day with Jackson and Dustin wanted to put his previous cooking plans into action. We used the day to decorate for Christmas, set up the Christmas tree, and eat a delicious dinner prepared by Jackson and Dustin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5mfKS1H09POviqIagul1VZzWqrB4agm4nDGrZpPPGkJwPzdGx8uFY4nm4pSy2NfuFQ9FoEyahRmRF9ksu95dh9cNM14BozExtSDc96_O5Ej3D2QRCI1SU1-iQtFxs-GAYKG-GNAe6aY/s1600/DSCN1816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5mfKS1H09POviqIagul1VZzWqrB4agm4nDGrZpPPGkJwPzdGx8uFY4nm4pSy2NfuFQ9FoEyahRmRF9ksu95dh9cNM14BozExtSDc96_O5Ej3D2QRCI1SU1-iQtFxs-GAYKG-GNAe6aY/s320/DSCN1816.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16JIpAJa7cE7UmnYRfLSTv02tpvPRBuGQGTffv-4E4wOIbYgiBHBaDhmhU21BtkZWYVDpPHiFrsrFh7L9QiFPk1TELdVUfNAOrWn3n3QVCcGOnD37ccGL_DlHTr_j9Hqyp5qA8I9r2Ls/s1600/DSCN1832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16JIpAJa7cE7UmnYRfLSTv02tpvPRBuGQGTffv-4E4wOIbYgiBHBaDhmhU21BtkZWYVDpPHiFrsrFh7L9QiFPk1TELdVUfNAOrWn3n3QVCcGOnD37ccGL_DlHTr_j9Hqyp5qA8I9r2Ls/s320/DSCN1832.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Boy in a box. I love his crazy faces.</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNFwRV2n_jX1gV0mNbmi-a4ziuTlpJwoYSNqfYxAxAZzSKH1JzZ0ib3xKJ900uwSmj-TjdbNlBPIKDpuxA9oujJo5DY5yQAMMKwVs-Bx46u8IL9xCqgpfQa5WGi-bIaCXNxB64lhgp0s/s1600/DSCN1839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNFwRV2n_jX1gV0mNbmi-a4ziuTlpJwoYSNqfYxAxAZzSKH1JzZ0ib3xKJ900uwSmj-TjdbNlBPIKDpuxA9oujJo5DY5yQAMMKwVs-Bx46u8IL9xCqgpfQa5WGi-bIaCXNxB64lhgp0s/s320/DSCN1839.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6mK_lL90S4xsuavkhhVhw26QyGJEaX8PZU-LCORahLTO4UlrlL9hqvu2KDAKvZNvaP_e3al7OdlAwLCaasMaSkLjnebpq5PvQhdj8qB5WGpdIwpdkcDKLs4nvW5TZjN-0K22xYoXuTc/s1600/DSCN1837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6mK_lL90S4xsuavkhhVhw26QyGJEaX8PZU-LCORahLTO4UlrlL9hqvu2KDAKvZNvaP_e3al7OdlAwLCaasMaSkLjnebpq5PvQhdj8qB5WGpdIwpdkcDKLs4nvW5TZjN-0K22xYoXuTc/s320/DSCN1837.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRp1vJ30sv2g9zpfcbRP8Ql3lSuc13zv_rEtl0KvFB0iGvZhZ8_ILS9mDrcPmSNj4PxVLdybMkwJ3X_vBK3qlyZ4Qlz3ehnKP8WVzsPUDYduLRJ5if6D_fE6zCqVRcYj42fAU5dLQxrw/s1600/DSCN1840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRp1vJ30sv2g9zpfcbRP8Ql3lSuc13zv_rEtl0KvFB0iGvZhZ8_ILS9mDrcPmSNj4PxVLdybMkwJ3X_vBK3qlyZ4Qlz3ehnKP8WVzsPUDYduLRJ5if6D_fE6zCqVRcYj42fAU5dLQxrw/s320/DSCN1840.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvj_cUPkQANA93zMu5HtHq9GHm042MYYlvB4CBEjUDeHD3o-HDhoyDbAwE4DU1T_QbhiJE8IhW1_wjUiHcGcOXA4lgXcE3bckRukPffqEkHvhEpM-AkV5UN_5FnEsEoKxxkpPRFgyUpU0/s1600/DSCN1844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvj_cUPkQANA93zMu5HtHq9GHm042MYYlvB4CBEjUDeHD3o-HDhoyDbAwE4DU1T_QbhiJE8IhW1_wjUiHcGcOXA4lgXcE3bckRukPffqEkHvhEpM-AkV5UN_5FnEsEoKxxkpPRFgyUpU0/s320/DSCN1844.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLaEnHnepFDUrT8ybY2ThYrO5Bb-VTimQShrPkvAYOUvGMvrPmoMD37z3vPPpQNdYi1cCMJODUeP1W76Te_TgU1VbhpDVk9GHFcTO47Ws5v-PbAkoY0LEehs4CLSDKfAxoqNtoUuSVYM/s1600/DSCN1842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLaEnHnepFDUrT8ybY2ThYrO5Bb-VTimQShrPkvAYOUvGMvrPmoMD37z3vPPpQNdYi1cCMJODUeP1W76Te_TgU1VbhpDVk9GHFcTO47Ws5v-PbAkoY0LEehs4CLSDKfAxoqNtoUuSVYM/s320/DSCN1842.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our very homemade star. But he was so excited to place it on the tree.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuncOxYE0vulFRnayqF8lwqTLfGxnfdr_P8C_8CbfPKcOQqEzjsLKzDJrWzeq6Sa5mVR78iUCCbwtkiXzA_opg8AozdnF2yhFa3uUDs1K6irPbMMypIta4mq0UsX3H7wTUaeumy84F-aM/s1600/DSCN1857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuncOxYE0vulFRnayqF8lwqTLfGxnfdr_P8C_8CbfPKcOQqEzjsLKzDJrWzeq6Sa5mVR78iUCCbwtkiXzA_opg8AozdnF2yhFa3uUDs1K6irPbMMypIta4mq0UsX3H7wTUaeumy84F-aM/s320/DSCN1857.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41m8gmp5sroQMUxEZs98o0xuhyphenhyphent-M95s5JRa8HZh-ak6g6aaqz0arkxrMTVxL6riTcy9N0U6fsqv_hzxFKESpYSJQkeR72zgojjcbFceUz4zrUQwZx0RUaog88Q6pv6CBl1it2W7p8KY/s1600/DSCN1862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41m8gmp5sroQMUxEZs98o0xuhyphenhyphent-M95s5JRa8HZh-ak6g6aaqz0arkxrMTVxL6riTcy9N0U6fsqv_hzxFKESpYSJQkeR72zgojjcbFceUz4zrUQwZx0RUaog88Q6pv6CBl1it2W7p8KY/s320/DSCN1862.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Steak with an amazing marinade and sauteed mushrooms, baked potato, fried plantains, and avocado.</div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-BU0hAYf3taW4MSy_C9chPLQF5lCojQSwkzWFUvtT4C8VRmqY9KOYRiwYlig73nydWC8yU7wBtiPVEep_kK1ud4ClUCO9CrXE2N7vcrTBcBZyIkMpZ1MpgGmBsAeecmqOKgct_-NEL4/s1600/DSCN1789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-BU0hAYf3taW4MSy_C9chPLQF5lCojQSwkzWFUvtT4C8VRmqY9KOYRiwYlig73nydWC8yU7wBtiPVEep_kK1ud4ClUCO9CrXE2N7vcrTBcBZyIkMpZ1MpgGmBsAeecmqOKgct_-NEL4/s320/DSCN1789.JPG" width="320" /></a>The Friday before our anniversary Dustin Skyped me asking if he could have the car on Saturday. I told him I had enrichment to attend, plus a lot of work, and I probably continued to babble about all of the things I needed to accomplish. He then said that he had wanted to take me on a surprise date. So we tried to make it work for that night, although I hadn't showered, had been working all day, and the house was its ordinary i'm-too-busy-to-clean mess. I wrote to some of my friends about how sweet it was of my husband to plan a date, relating how unusual it is for him to plan anything. Dustin came home, running circles around me, buying special groceries and arranging babysitting. Finally I asked, "What made you want to do such a special date tonight?" And that is when he sputtered, "It's our anniversary!"<br />
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So....he was planning this romantic cook out on the beach and with some swimming (or for some of my more discerning friends, probably some water polo). But being so sweet, he changed the plans for me to just a nice dinner at a restaurant and a movie. I sound so lame, but I was exhausted from the week of work, and Jackson, and attempted cleaning, and I just wanted some simple time with Dustin. We went to see The Help with lots of popcorn and candy, ate a late dinner at Umbrellas, and took a long stroll along the beach. Real date nights happen so rarely lately that just being with each other away from the house was wonderful. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVHa4Vzq48n7FJQsL5DqBR9LEhj1Za423gk0rRjUYyJnPh2bpeymz2njce5Uy-6YQebSg-J29l-Ia1Jc4pzYBkgcWUkrNLO4cRztUKTNso7_rA0WqyVXg8txvofIEbVA1qw1HuxrJl-M/s1600/DSCN1793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVHa4Vzq48n7FJQsL5DqBR9LEhj1Za423gk0rRjUYyJnPh2bpeymz2njce5Uy-6YQebSg-J29l-Ia1Jc4pzYBkgcWUkrNLO4cRztUKTNso7_rA0WqyVXg8txvofIEbVA1qw1HuxrJl-M/s320/DSCN1793.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRp-dyVl5H-eEkyr8M30Zl_VAJ9Qdur2aqizmNggqi5IDyN0dtdsFPuYTGY-h_sPlq2Qj5v_2WbVatU-euiJPJ-8hwAMoBvNUpnsjlOm6UVQP3MWIAP9lVdSI_YsOiLAu6K984nJ87r5k/s1600/DSCN1795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRp-dyVl5H-eEkyr8M30Zl_VAJ9Qdur2aqizmNggqi5IDyN0dtdsFPuYTGY-h_sPlq2Qj5v_2WbVatU-euiJPJ-8hwAMoBvNUpnsjlOm6UVQP3MWIAP9lVdSI_YsOiLAu6K984nJ87r5k/s320/DSCN1795.JPG" width="320" /></a>Dustin is the most amazing father, friend, member of our church, student, and any other thing you can think of. But what he is best at is being a husband. He laughs at my jokes and makes me laugh. He can get into a fiery political conversation with me and then discuss scriptures. He always makes me feel beautiful and smart and he drives me wild when he uses medical terminology :) He is my best friend and the best companion and I can't wait to spend the next 7 years and beyond with him. I love you Dustin. And just remember...I chose you! So never forget how lucky you are :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070557773241535374.post-66349645378580378432011-11-15T19:52:00.000-08:002011-11-15T19:52:42.215-08:00Fleeting<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_csbEB5tjndN6CY7IQfXF0tSaP9gqAmWaECYohteridUhWadODVrNIbDuzlHb6ya9ZRlF57FK8Ow5SpI9ECIUuLgvrExMzPcn7FN4QeGTIn6_zSPEnVynX829-vR4YMGuC6SI6BfaWjc/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_csbEB5tjndN6CY7IQfXF0tSaP9gqAmWaECYohteridUhWadODVrNIbDuzlHb6ya9ZRlF57FK8Ow5SpI9ECIUuLgvrExMzPcn7FN4QeGTIn6_zSPEnVynX829-vR4YMGuC6SI6BfaWjc/s320/16.jpg" width="213" /></a>Tonight, as I was washing dishes, my last chore before I could climb into bed and fall asleep to my latest novel, with the television on to keep me company and my back to the hallway, I heard Jackson's door open, followed my his footsteps. He emerged sleepy eyed in his discount pink Dora pull-ups announcing that he was awake. He often says this when he comes into our room at 5:30 in the morning or after waking from a nap, so as to quickly remind us of what we might ignore and end up putting him back to bed. So I scooped him and Charlie up, his bear that I am quickly coming to realize is a new member of the family, and I laid him in bed. I covered him with his favorite blanket, placed his head on his favorite lion pillow and started to leave the room. But with a yawn, Jackson asked, "Mommy, please lay with me." Now normally I have to be strict with bed times, because for every inch I give Jackson he takes 11 more. But as I curled up next to him and watched his eyes blink, one, two three times before closing, I thought, "I am all that matters in the world."<br />
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I am all that matters to my little monster. He needs only me to lay by him to fall asleep, only me to play hide and seek, only me to set up his train tracks, make paper turkeys, finger paint and read at night. Only me to kiss his owies, teach him to swim and cool down his food before his first bite. And as he slept tucked under my arm I also realized that it will only be me for a little while. As Jackson's world expands, so will what matters to him. So from now on I am going to take each snuggle, each hug and kiss good night, and even each tantrum, and love it for knowing how fleeting it all is.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/309/885B4EC8F3F99A75A5C26F3FC1935C1B.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070557773241535374.post-59148079882677671892011-10-30T13:21:00.000-07:002011-10-30T13:26:04.087-07:00Charlie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://image.made-in-china.com/2f1j00UMpEibqtTzoQ/Stuffed-Animal-Toy-Yellow-Bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://image.made-in-china.com/2f1j00UMpEibqtTzoQ/Stuffed-Animal-Toy-Yellow-Bear.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Jackson has a little bear. This little bear's name is Charlie. This little bear has a very high, squeeky voice. This little bear likes to talk, a lot. When we kiss Jackson, we have to kiss this little bear. When we hug Jackson, we have to hug this little bear. When I need Jackson to do something, like put his shoes in the basket, throw trash away, pick up his toys, he will do it if I ask his little bear. When we ask Jackson to pray, he asks his little bear. Jackson loves this little bear. This little bear is driving me crazy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070557773241535374.post-68675183679108892812011-10-03T19:26:00.000-07:002011-10-03T19:26:14.829-07:00New Blog!I have started a new blog about fertility. It is just in the beginning stages but I hope for it to be informative and heart felt. Please share any ideas you may have to help me to make it better. Also, I would love to include your own infertility story or piece anytime, so email it to me at lyndzee.durham@gmail.com.<br />
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Thanks!<br />
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<a href="http://heartofinfertility.blogspot.com/">http://heartofinfertility.blogspot.com/</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070557773241535374.post-18070310179355589322011-09-26T17:32:00.000-07:002011-09-26T18:07:59.832-07:00I Love These Women<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNKtKzyB1p1a6BxY9LfrG9IgeXN0l0OdmSdAdwBSCSak4ZmaE3qXQK3-tG27DSRiKqbgIMPFaxnmoyLwXwCvXeYrjdBtCU1umo0LIab1OjCfLqTh61bV-MpFme8PBtRt8Lm3pTQnCci8/s1600/IMG_1707.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNKtKzyB1p1a6BxY9LfrG9IgeXN0l0OdmSdAdwBSCSak4ZmaE3qXQK3-tG27DSRiKqbgIMPFaxnmoyLwXwCvXeYrjdBtCU1umo0LIab1OjCfLqTh61bV-MpFme8PBtRt8Lm3pTQnCci8/s320/IMG_1707.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656831557439867330" /></a><br />Activities have been poorly attended in the past, but this Saturday was phenomenal. We had an amazing turnout for the Relief Society broadcast and the spirits and love of all of the women there were felt throughout the evening. We had a dinner before hand, and while there were a ton of dishes, they were pretty much all devoured before the broadcast, women even fighting over cheesy potatoes and cornbread. <br /><br />I love these women, the way they made me laugh as they hid chocolate cake to take home. I love these women, the way they brighten the room with their laughter. I love these women, and their willingness to serve each other and others. I love these women, and the way they make me want to be a better woman too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEi7otKJc0HxMGpbHY3EScSd-0oc9JyHb2fhuiao7WtxDs5u1vLhUALnMxOfOPo2ABdT3pB1Kscvm7xQdNoVKBbc14wcZVDewWMSbaJdqt1pl5U8RjCfbJOBiANUYDIUCR_MF-uNBG8U/s1600/IMG_1699.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEi7otKJc0HxMGpbHY3EScSd-0oc9JyHb2fhuiao7WtxDs5u1vLhUALnMxOfOPo2ABdT3pB1Kscvm7xQdNoVKBbc14wcZVDewWMSbaJdqt1pl5U8RjCfbJOBiANUYDIUCR_MF-uNBG8U/s320/IMG_1699.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656836685112960786" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoPwnb3ElVcJUIFCaKIgngwY1GqqyIUd68bKcP-5gFzBvbgSOEGx5us-NWqW3upf7L0G0OvOe3jPVwk82cqKwVyGEg1oia47NocLCE67xMy4mg39rQPHc61lvxxgT9ckmMi_ighibzUA/s1600/IMG_1698.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoPwnb3ElVcJUIFCaKIgngwY1GqqyIUd68bKcP-5gFzBvbgSOEGx5us-NWqW3upf7L0G0OvOe3jPVwk82cqKwVyGEg1oia47NocLCE67xMy4mg39rQPHc61lvxxgT9ckmMi_ighibzUA/s320/IMG_1698.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656838588226917090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyjH6XD7dkm6o3liVxDvgb2lQLzM1kDCsWJtA8GHOwm4Nap3sGShqWhP3rJ3-0EMn9m96U5Pop6QMejFqYyVj7mJiN1a9J9aGoSo4fuO6NAnZB_VBfDIt3GHVmgvPIdRJr4beCGb_I1I/s1600/IMG_1694.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyjH6XD7dkm6o3liVxDvgb2lQLzM1kDCsWJtA8GHOwm4Nap3sGShqWhP3rJ3-0EMn9m96U5Pop6QMejFqYyVj7mJiN1a9J9aGoSo4fuO6NAnZB_VBfDIt3GHVmgvPIdRJr4beCGb_I1I/s320/IMG_1694.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656839313396372258" /></a><br /><br />Photos courtesy of Michelle Greer. Thanks Michelle!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070557773241535374.post-4361127238852632672011-09-12T16:58:00.000-07:002011-09-12T18:18:29.710-07:00Forever Family<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3_RUPqcTJXBN_HweyAZBIjMlM4RMTSTPh8hJIh6GEF4lWDsYdEMEnuM5xc2QGDCLlDJ8Sh7bXSidBBghdS-siyIbPxr7L-04VDqSNvDGqNFMnR87zgZJ5h5wMFb3gREeMvhDyuZ30LY/s1600/DSCN1061.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3_RUPqcTJXBN_HweyAZBIjMlM4RMTSTPh8hJIh6GEF4lWDsYdEMEnuM5xc2QGDCLlDJ8Sh7bXSidBBghdS-siyIbPxr7L-04VDqSNvDGqNFMnR87zgZJ5h5wMFb3gREeMvhDyuZ30LY/s320/DSCN1061.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651627171934755202" /></a><br /><br /> There are so many things that I have missed blogging about, and the more I miss the more overwhelming it gets and the more I miss...it's a vicious cycle. But I am not going to let all of that keep me from recording some of my more precious moments. And tonight I wanted to give you a glimpse into my forever family.<br /><br /> I taught the lesson in Nursery on Sunday (Sunday School/day care for 18 months to 3 year olds) and the lesson was on temples and forever families. I held up a picture of a temple and we talked about our different families and how we can be together forever. Of course none of them were listening, my child especially, and I can't quite say there was a strong spirit in the room, but the lesson made me love my forever family even more.<br /><br /> Tonight is Family Home Evening, and for those who don't know what that is, it is every Monday night where we spend time together as a family learning spiritual things as well as playing together as a family. Now it would be a lie to say we actually do this every Monday night, or that when we do it is anything more than a song and playing cars with Jackson, but we try. And we are rewarded with these efforts with a night like tonight.<br /><br /> Dustin is home tonight! He took a test today and has the evening free, so him being home for more than just a quick dinner and bath duty is wonderful. We ate dinner, watched the Curious George movie, which Jackson has declared as his favorite, and Dustin and Jackson played cars. Then we laid on our bed with only a desk light on while we sang songs and Jackson happily jumped back and forth between us giving us hugs. We even taught him to sing the "try, try, try" part of the song, "Jesus Once Was a Little Child", so look for a coming performance. Dustin taught about Lehi, the Liahona, and building the boat. We sang the boat song, or better known as "Nephi's Courage", and then Jackson said the prayer. Just a side note: It is amazing how well Jackson prays with us now when just a month ago he didn't even want us to pray. Now, during any type of family prayer, he has to say the prayer and he says his Amens with all the reverence in the world. I love this. Anyway. We finished the prayer and that is when we heard the thunder. And I don't just mean heard, I mean felt it in our bones. I love thunder but this scared me to death! Jackson, however, only smiled and started to bounce. We spent the rest of the night going room to room and turning off the lights so we could watch the lightning show, finally ending in Jackson's room with him wedged between Mom and Dad and falling asleep. I love my little man more than anything. And Dustin isn't too bad either. I want to have these nights every night but I know Dustin's crazy schedule makes them all the more valuable. I love my forever family and I hope you enjoy your forever family too. G'night!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070557773241535374.post-22667713068472562102011-08-23T10:44:00.000-07:002011-08-23T11:30:23.328-07:00Another Bump in the Road...Minus the Bump<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.myshortlutealphase.com/wp-content/uploads/e73dabd73430f48.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 360px;" src="http://www.myshortlutealphase.com/wp-content/uploads/e73dabd73430f48.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>
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<br />Well, it is officially official. A week ago I was 5 weeks pregnant and today I am not. Yes, it was early. Yes, I am lucky I have a beautiful little boy. Yes, at least I know I can get pregnant (every 3 to 4 years). But YES, IT SUCKS.
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<br />Three weeks ago my breasts were swollen and sore. I thought it was normal PMS until I realized that my period was still 2 weeks away. A seed of hope began to grow. During the second week of tenderness I would revel at the pain as each day it continued my confidence in being pregnant grew. I took a pregnancy test, it was negative. I took a pregnancy test, it was negative. But I was sure. I took 4 more pregnancy tests and they were positive, although it wasn't until the 4th test that Dustin believed it as well. We didn't dance around the house and sing as we did the first time. We didn't start planning and naming and giggling as we did the first time. But there was a quiet reverence in the house as we crept around each other in awe of our budding miracle.
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<br />Then the bleeding started and my heart dropped. I didn't admit it out loud until I told my friend about it at church and that is when the doubt started to trickle in. The next day I made an appointment with the doctor and was told that it was a threatened abortion but that it could go either way. 50/50 were my odds, although with my history it felt more like 90/10. That night Dustin gave me a blessing and like the sweet, genuine, honest and faithful man that he is, he searched for the right words to comfort me but didn't feel right in saying that this pregnancy would continue.
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<br />The next day I had another appointment and by this time the anxiety of the situation was overwhelming. I am already an anxious person and the waiting and battle between hope and doubt were more than I could handle. When the doctor told me that my uterus was small but that we would still have to wait for another week, that was my last straw. My car was parked at the top of a steep hill and as I climbed the hill my breath grew shallow and started coming in gasps. By the time I reached my car I could barely breathe. And as I drove home my heart flooded into tears. I couldn't reach Dustin, Jackson was asleep and I felt very alone and very weak. I got on my knees and prayed. I prayed for it to all be OK. I prayed to have a child, for Jackson to have a sibling, for Dustin to not have yet another obstacle to overcome while in school. And in the end I prayed that I would have to strength to go through a miscarriage. My heart felt broken and my spirit felt void. I prayed for peace.
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<br />The next morning I didn't feel pregnant. Then I started to cramp. Then I started to bleed. But that same morning I felt at peace. I felt calm and assured. Our home was quiet and we felt joy at watching Jackson totter around us and be the wild, sweet boy that he is.
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<br />We are sad for what we almost had and lost but we will be OK as we always have been. I just wanted to share our experience as I know our infertility does not set us apart but allows us to share in others struggles and trials with more compassion and love. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070557773241535374.post-70626753189669971192011-08-08T21:42:00.000-07:002011-08-09T17:10:04.610-07:00Proof my son is amazing!<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzonJ6OY3Nf9osDdKMHAarHxP16GsUxjh2Uw8iF1_GjN7WRrw1TfyORpWWTPwBj6R7EbH2aiRbbq9x-ODmJ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070557773241535374.post-1387928132107259342011-08-07T17:04:00.000-07:002011-08-07T17:11:12.676-07:00Infertility<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sp.life123.com/bm.pix/fertility-treatment-1.s600x600.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 347px; height: 346px;" src="http://sp.life123.com/bm.pix/fertility-treatment-1.s600x600.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Was referred to this article by Dustin's grandmother and I really appreciated it. For all those whom I love who struggle with infertility, and for those who love and me and support me in my trial.<br /><br />Infertility: When Children Don’t Come Easily<br />Kerstin Daynes - June 14, 2011<br /><br /><br />I have sat in Relief Society, looking around at the sisters, certain that none of them knew how I felt. I was sure that they had no clue what it was like to feel the deep sorrow and grief caused by infertility. To others, my body looks fine and they would never suspect that inside, my soul is bruised, tender, and aching.<br /><br />Though I often felt that no one knew my pain, I have learned with time that I was wrong. Perhaps every woman does not know what it is like to be infertile, but without question, every woman knows what it feels like to be saddened by experiences of life. Our circumstances are very different, but we have all wept because of heartache, misery, disappointment, and guilt when life does not turn out the way we desired or felt that it should. How common we really are!<br /><br />With statistics showing that infertility affects 15 percent of the population, it could be said that each of us knows someone who is dealing with infertility—it could be a friend, a sister, a son, or, it may be you. It is incredibly painful to learn that you cannot do what comes so easily for most people. And, when you are in a religious culture that is focused on families, feelings of deep sorrow can emerge frequently.<br /><br />Regardless of if we are fertile or infertile, stepping back and thinking about infertility differently can offer hope, peace, and feelings of inclusion.<br /><br />If You Are Dealing with Infertility<br />It is easy to feel as though you live on the social periphery where you are observing everyone else living the ideal life. You feel forgotten. You feel like you do not belong. But, at the same time, you, I, and all people with this challenge have a choice. We can choose to feel isolated and alone, or we can find meaning and depth to life as it is. Here are some ideas to consider.<br /><br /><br /><br />1. Recognize your specific, individualized plan.<br />We all do it—we all look at our lives and how they are deficient compared to everyone else. These moments of comparison do us no good. We need to remember that in addition to His overall plan, Heavenly Father also has an individualized, specific plan for each of us. We are each given opportunities to learn and grow, tailored to our personalities, that are different from anyone else’s opportunities. It is in these differences that we can see that we are being tutored, that our souls are expanding, and that our hearts are being purified.<br /><br />2. Find life in other realms.<br />Parenthood is only one realm of life. Each realm, even if it lasts but a small season, can add dimension, provide growth, and change us in ways that other realms cannot. Additionally, each realm can provide new friends, draw new talents from within us, and allow us to be something greater than we were before. These realms, of course, do not replace parenthood. Rather, they are what we do in the interim. Some of these other realms include volunteering, receiving an education, enjoying a career, being a temple worker, or developing a talent.<br /><br />3. Educate rather than retaliate.<br />Be ready for questions and comments—they come when you least expect it! When you come up with exact phrases to use at specific times, you will be prepared instead of being caught unaware. When you are prepared, it is easier to remain calm and in control. Try to make your responses positive and non-offensive. If we respond negatively, we further isolate ourselves and push ourselves away from others. When we focus on educating and helping to raise awareness, we foster relationships of love and understanding.<br /><br />4. Preserve your marriage.<br />Be careful that infertility and the quest for a child does not become a priority over your marriage relationship. Fortify your marriage by going on dates, setting goals unrelated to baby-making, learning what your spouse needs from you and providing it, and being sensitive to the emotions of your spouse. Establish “time-outs” when you keep yourself away from anything associated with infertility. If you can preserve a good relationship with your spouse, you will endure this trial.<br /><br />5. Do the things you know you should.<br />Going to the temple won’t improve sperm count. Reading your scriptures will not open damaged fallopian tubes. But doing these things shows that we are choosing to have faith. If we want miracles to happen and doors to open, we need to do all things we have been told to do. Even after our expression of faith, the outcome of our actions may not be the exact miracle we seek, but we will have increased ability to cope, strength to endure, and ability to see interim blessings.<br /><br />For Those Seeking to Support<br />It can be difficult to support someone dealing with infertility. As with any trial, it is challenging to know exactly what to say and how to say it without offending or causing an overwhelming emotional response. No matter who you are, you are in a unique position and have a valuable opportunity to help your friend or family member find the capacity to endure this trial with greater success. Here are some things to consider:<br /><br />1. Think about what you have to offer.<br />In a time of trial, has someone reached out to you in a way that you appreciated? Could you apply those acts of love to the situation with your friend or family member who is dealing with infertility? We all know what it feels like to feel alone, betrayed, and to be pained by a life experience. We can take what we have learned to reach out and help another.<br /><br />2. Learn more about infertility.<br />Since statistics show that 15 percent of the reproductive-age population experiences infertility, to the other 85 percent, fertility is what is known. That 85 percent might not know that infertility affects so many people, what the causes of infertility are, and the treatment options that are available. Educating yourself about infertility gives you a greater advantage as you reach out to comfort your friend.<br /><br />3. Recognize that every case of infertility is unique.<br />Diagnoses are different, which means the path to building a family is different for every couple. It is very easy for every infertile couple to be lumped into one category and for others to assume that what worked for Couple A will surely work for Couple B. Instead of telling your friend about someone else’s experience, focus on what your friend is talking about and learn about his or her specific experience.<br /><br />4. Understand that infertility is real.<br />“Trying too hard” or not understanding human reproduction doesn’t cause infertility. Some causes of infertility may require medical intervention, medications, or even surgeries to improve chances of conceiving and carrying a child to full term. Some couples may never be able to conceive. A couple can be at the beginning of the road, while another is seasoned by years of disappointment. Another couple may be dealing with multiple miscarriages, while another is wondering why baby number one came so easily and number two has been a struggle. Recognize that the suffering, frustration, and anger are real.<br /><br />5. Acknowledge challenges across the life span.<br />The topic of families and children comes up regularly as we give lessons and plan activities. It is important to acknowledge families come in all shapes and sizes. Additionally, it is healthy to acknowledge that life is far from perfect for any of us. Be honest about how these imperfections affect us and consider how the gospel can fortify us during these adversities.<br /><br />Infertility does not have to be the “elephant in the room.” Rather, it is something that can be addressed and acknowledged with genuine love and understanding. As we consider our similarities and put forth a bit of effort, we will recognize that we have the capacity to reach out to offer—or accept—peace, comfort, and a place of belonging.<br /><br />Hope in Treatment<br />If there’s one thing fertility specialist Dr. Russell Foulk could say to couples struggling with infertility, it is: “Infertility is a treatable condition.”<br /><br />Foulk, a nationally recognized reproductive endocrinologist with Utah Fertility Clinic, says one of the biggest misconceptions about infertility is that it’s difficult to treat. “As long as you can find the factor that’s keeping them from getting pregnant, you can overcome it.” In fact, Foulk says 95 to 98 percent of infertility cases can be overcome with normal processes.<br /><br />Another misconception that keeps couples from treatment is that treatment is prohibitively expensive, but with lack of ovulation being the largest cause of infertility, most couples can be treated for $2,000 or less—a far cry from the tens of thousands many expect. “There are some people that have to do the expensive stuff, but the vast majority do not need that,” he says.<br /><br />Psychologists have found that being infertile has the same psychological impact as being diagnosed with cancer, so even taking initial steps to treat it provides astounding relief to couples. “Don’t continue to suffer with it,” he says, knowing from his own experience, together with his wife, how frustrating infertility can be. “One of the things we see is a lot of relief. Once couples see what’s wrong and find a way to cur it, then it gives them hope and they know they will eventually achieve a successful outcome.”Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070557773241535374.post-9355048696121805982011-05-25T19:36:00.000-07:002011-05-25T19:38:32.777-07:00MomentsI had an "I love being a mommy" moment as I hung little pairs of cars and Thomas big boy undies to dry, ready for another day of potty training. Who knew that these seemingly tedious and small things would end up making my life seem very worth while and fullfilling.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070557773241535374.post-28716071998022989132011-02-11T12:16:00.000-08:002011-02-11T12:34:14.167-08:00A Change of PaceSo lets move on from the mushy to my favorite topic, BOOKS! In short, I love 'em. Can't get enough of 'em. And I want to know some of your favorites because I have the strange fear that someday I am going to run out of books to read, which has led me to hoard them on my kindle app as literary food storage. But I know that choosing a favorite book can be like choosing a favorite child so don't spend too much time thinking about it and just let it out.<br />Here are some of mine (although this list could be revised over and over again and I would always feel guilty for what I left out).<br />1. Jane Eyre <br />2. Wednesday Wars<br />3. Grapes of Wrath<br />4. Slaughterhouse 5<br />5. Poisonwood Bible<br />6. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle<br />7. Harry Potter Series (These books made me dream I could do magic, not to be ignored in a list of favs)<br />8. Hungergames Series<br />9. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close<br />10. The Bell Jar<br />11. Their Eyes Were Watching God<br />12. Cutting for Stone<br /><br />Ok, so I love all of these books but ranking them is impossible so just know they are all excellent and I can list another 10 or 20 if anyone needs any ideas. My husband loves to gift mixed tapes as music is his love. I give book recommendations. Be careful with my babies :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070557773241535374.post-84052980269665919092011-02-09T16:46:00.000-08:002011-02-09T17:18:47.351-08:00A Blog A Day Will Keep The Therapist AwayFirst, I want to say how thankful I am to have so many loving, caring and compassionate people in my life, family and friends. I am also grateful for the opportunity to give voice to the struggles of others, in many times worse than my own. But let me also say that when I am able to post my thoughts, I am usually at peace, if for not just being able to cathartically write about what I am feeling. Please don't worry that I am curled up on my bed, in my most worn PJs, smothering my face in a tear stained pillow and playing my sad song, "Five String Serenade", on a loop. Don't think that I have spent the day fooling you with a smile while I was internally wilting away.<br />My posts are compilations of my emotions, battles that I may wage on a daily basis coming to a head for a moment of clarity. I love that I can share these moments with others and that I can find release in writing. While I haven't blogged for a while, I hope to do so more often, the good and bad, the day-to-day and the miraculous moments. Sharing my experiences, mostly through discussion and now through the written word, heals me and keeps me in motion.<br />And let me just add to the beautiful people in my life who are having similar experiences, or struggles in general, the truth that keeps me on my feet and smiling is that I know I have a Heavenly Father who knows me, loves me and is mindful of my every need. I may sound cheeserific, but that knowledge alone will continue to carry me through the next fertility text, adoption certification, disappointment and, finally, the realization of everything we need to be a family.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2