tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873209674055136892024-02-21T10:34:53.879-05:00A Barefoot DayMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.comBlogger1230125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-59495271066970752542020-02-05T22:11:00.001-05:002020-02-05T22:11:53.023-05:00Fireside Lunch <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There have been so many things that have changed for our family since my last blogpost in April. We moved, the kids changed schools, I got a little part time job, and we've tried to make time and room for all the emotions that have come with the changes.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQgsuM_Qp0TuobHJgPw6OYK0e8QcHq2yb0mB9YPnn-zv4jcTuVhZcpcF-mj0oJm60u1zq85iWdIR0IFWjLnw_02l_Mq_zD-qqFpm46QtXvPvufclpUjRah9DpwZlEAWaJBwH6EjKlXP0/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1634.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQgsuM_Qp0TuobHJgPw6OYK0e8QcHq2yb0mB9YPnn-zv4jcTuVhZcpcF-mj0oJm60u1zq85iWdIR0IFWjLnw_02l_Mq_zD-qqFpm46QtXvPvufclpUjRah9DpwZlEAWaJBwH6EjKlXP0/s640/fullsizeoutput_1634.jpeg" width="426" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, we are still here and still just the same as we have been. With a new camera lens (to replace the one that broke), I'm taking pictures of the kids doing the cutest things ever and thinking about them after they go to bed. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyO0IBihX0Z56jcs0f3kFW4e8EUQh-UFqkf8pjLMDQkTWt0CbzciSjau1BiWIAzIa7qfjlA2VsnWhcw38LGiPBJ1buPPoTSOoe5MksPquwvWIfT0cxPdOPxQWtAb75Vz-o8fbwFGSopbA/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1636.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyO0IBihX0Z56jcs0f3kFW4e8EUQh-UFqkf8pjLMDQkTWt0CbzciSjau1BiWIAzIa7qfjlA2VsnWhcw38LGiPBJ1buPPoTSOoe5MksPquwvWIfT0cxPdOPxQWtAb75Vz-o8fbwFGSopbA/s640/fullsizeoutput_1636.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With those things said, I would love to say that I can get back into this space and do what every mom wants to: show pictures and talk about my kids. Something about this little slowing down and posting about being a mom is really fun for me. Here's to possibly more blogging...!</span></div>
Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-76758978846514269142019-05-14T21:59:00.000-04:002019-05-14T21:59:13.233-04:00Getting Dressed For Easter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYO7gVrLrR-ZRXpoJpxCHv0YtgROjUZagiGNI9C4iPOQKUvLD5QBqYGdZSD9YkJazoveQV6i5EI4A_3LKO2wOKX6FXa9rIpB_I1kSiFOPeII5Fute9VF_2XLRgTBIp_Wcu4FsyH0qaJEo/s1600/22C6F6A1-166A-47DA-AB91-0298C1483ABB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYO7gVrLrR-ZRXpoJpxCHv0YtgROjUZagiGNI9C4iPOQKUvLD5QBqYGdZSD9YkJazoveQV6i5EI4A_3LKO2wOKX6FXa9rIpB_I1kSiFOPeII5Fute9VF_2XLRgTBIp_Wcu4FsyH0qaJEo/s640/22C6F6A1-166A-47DA-AB91-0298C1483ABB.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a><br /><br />I am sometimes paralyzed and always overwhelmed when it comes to dressing up. Halloween, fancy events, etc is all too much for me. I think the root of the problem comes from living on a budget-I don't want to use all our clothes budget getting the right outfit for an event.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5jPb2cm-yMrjQQqH8uGTNsCxf8KTnedXaP9d21a9xSZ-bBsshLTVGGQMtJYdelU_nWP3dLcTTko3BlTJGv9qtJ6zTOAvZZAYcApzSjFNHJW5eTXMA90ae-7jZcnLFFPeTZ06Wllrh4o/s1600/F167BAD3-AA0A-4D48-AC79-B964D268346D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5jPb2cm-yMrjQQqH8uGTNsCxf8KTnedXaP9d21a9xSZ-bBsshLTVGGQMtJYdelU_nWP3dLcTTko3BlTJGv9qtJ6zTOAvZZAYcApzSjFNHJW5eTXMA90ae-7jZcnLFFPeTZ06Wllrh4o/s640/F167BAD3-AA0A-4D48-AC79-B964D268346D.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a><br /><br />Sometimes the grandmothers really come through though! This year my mom bought matching shirts for the littles and almost-matching for Burl.<br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEili3QJSJxkeWJGPJ0zeyrGuMPWzJzzOfsSa5ydpPv8NpLcfu0SImn2HqB5I_XmidmeRsj310sNbLwccTInqwmGtCMP8aCTBncn3wDJcOyUXMK2e8avlnGIm7BESvVnOHszOppVeSlwwzw/s1600/0E00E369-6817-4244-91D2-DD8E4DD12976.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEili3QJSJxkeWJGPJ0zeyrGuMPWzJzzOfsSa5ydpPv8NpLcfu0SImn2HqB5I_XmidmeRsj310sNbLwccTInqwmGtCMP8aCTBncn3wDJcOyUXMK2e8avlnGIm7BESvVnOHszOppVeSlwwzw/s640/0E00E369-6817-4244-91D2-DD8E4DD12976.jpeg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What was adorable was that no one was as excited to match as Burl was. He felt so proud to match his younger brothers, a feeling that most nine-year-olds just don't have. Fern was in there too, wearing her blue, and adoring her babies as the second mom of the house. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguktQmPj5yQ1Ukyq5LVvRxiw8zjvPkyxmhrO3WRuqp2lQQnZq1ZUZbz5KJyvwatIpYpduftI56pfKLeppY9P8xnaXeIWOyfZTAY6THEvkAzQ06AhoyR9un8WlDo38SG-IRNln3CGElFl0/s1600/C6EB2BEB-FE21-4E83-B986-019DE5F8ADA7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguktQmPj5yQ1Ukyq5LVvRxiw8zjvPkyxmhrO3WRuqp2lQQnZq1ZUZbz5KJyvwatIpYpduftI56pfKLeppY9P8xnaXeIWOyfZTAY6THEvkAzQ06AhoyR9un8WlDo38SG-IRNln3CGElFl0/s640/C6EB2BEB-FE21-4E83-B986-019DE5F8ADA7.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was our first Easter to make it to church on time for a parking spot and a seat in the sanctuary, so we celebrated by bringing the littles in for the music. I usually leave my phone at home when we go to church, but today I had it with me and was able to take a picture right before the service started. </span></div>
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<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMhLRl0TMc9c-aBqMNdnCqesQh5_JorlCmhoG1j1CKQIGV5nODdSb8_JQXn6ekb7XUlzU0i6d_uqEzZZvyLTzvLO6vtFro-oXCWgTHc_BeNSELoS7tlX_iTnlVUdg7DBQWUAlXEp_MG8/s1600/ECCD045B-9714-4259-9331-370AF06E5DEC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMhLRl0TMc9c-aBqMNdnCqesQh5_JorlCmhoG1j1CKQIGV5nODdSb8_JQXn6ekb7XUlzU0i6d_uqEzZZvyLTzvLO6vtFro-oXCWgTHc_BeNSELoS7tlX_iTnlVUdg7DBQWUAlXEp_MG8/s640/ECCD045B-9714-4259-9331-370AF06E5DEC.jpeg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Easter is not at all about the clothes. At all. This is not a spiritual post. This is just a post about getting "fancy" dressed and loving the smiles my kids had. </span></span></div>
Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-25450685677683139372019-05-09T22:11:00.000-04:002019-05-09T22:11:14.110-04:00Cloudland Canyon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I'm back to blogging! Yippee. My main camera lens broke, which put a damper in my picture making abilities. Our solution was to upgrade my phone first, then save for the lens. I've finally gotten into the groove of getting them on the blog. So...here I go.</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5yfM_y3QtFRtFp3eXXE4c0pqf_StzYilI9dxWV44lBzNOB1Ad6gdDv45pf5ICkjaonuVfn022eLPHsfCFKzz-Ke3jnxvWPFNmUNgz9XQ4rTEnpiaU3DN9sb1aNowjja2NcxmD3ue5JU/s1600/D6EED950-9603-4AE2-A70A-87B29194BC7B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1600" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5yfM_y3QtFRtFp3eXXE4c0pqf_StzYilI9dxWV44lBzNOB1Ad6gdDv45pf5ICkjaonuVfn022eLPHsfCFKzz-Ke3jnxvWPFNmUNgz9XQ4rTEnpiaU3DN9sb1aNowjja2NcxmD3ue5JU/s640/D6EED950-9603-4AE2-A70A-87B29194BC7B.jpeg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />We are finally finding our hiking feet as a family of six. Lark and Ridge were so young yet so big, that we couldn't find many hikes where we could carry them both or have them walk. Now, we've got Lark in the carrier on John's back and Ridge is totally capable of walking! While these are minor details to some, they make or break our ability to hit the trail.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTI78DyOBDFMma4TvP4mBulYgzk2pS_4hiogS3GmGT2w9nucH9UrAiiGfO479yfY5Pfx0aiGIXJRRnEMjMd3ZUjvWxnvFY9zTl43yCctodanKfsgx93tI1q3K6ZxrwYpsiHfHNVzjQFM/s1600/DFD55FE3-0963-4D05-A109-F9B8FD57B8AA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTI78DyOBDFMma4TvP4mBulYgzk2pS_4hiogS3GmGT2w9nucH9UrAiiGfO479yfY5Pfx0aiGIXJRRnEMjMd3ZUjvWxnvFY9zTl43yCctodanKfsgx93tI1q3K6ZxrwYpsiHfHNVzjQFM/s640/DFD55FE3-0963-4D05-A109-F9B8FD57B8AA.jpeg" width="480" /></a><br /><br />We headed up to <a href="https://gastateparks.org/CloudlandCanyon">Clouldland Canyon</a>. First, we hiked the one mile loop where there are several remote primitive camping spots. Burl and I are itching to try backpacking, so we are doing it on our own speed: slowly.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDqWqPt7Ufg1tUE5cPFD2aSbGPK8SySuU4daZneXEigFvT87v2fca7QzDCijX8nlfvfeREfxUE_Cbi0V697GG6CA-DjTkvxFOnk8OpMStjyT4mHGQYJTKLROKz9cEmn9WOV_olTJpDL0/s1600/C778EF56-00FD-43B3-9C1A-924FA3B7B22E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDqWqPt7Ufg1tUE5cPFD2aSbGPK8SySuU4daZneXEigFvT87v2fca7QzDCijX8nlfvfeREfxUE_Cbi0V697GG6CA-DjTkvxFOnk8OpMStjyT4mHGQYJTKLROKz9cEmn9WOV_olTJpDL0/s640/C778EF56-00FD-43B3-9C1A-924FA3B7B22E.jpeg" width="480" /></a><br /><br />Hiking with Burl is a different experience now. We don't see him much. He runs ahead of us then we catch up with him only to find that he has his knife out and is doing some nine-year-old boy thing. We love it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5DafXSiY_z7TRGYaX_iwOwWXCkChkEfkaotqverwGzHgTwFhyphenhyphen3lzhYDnppuMcT0Ofgf5GtiNHyUqlAG3aRK5H1eOcbms99WIbIsV6tlGramR61-5jfDgeZam3aEwL540X0qwVsyvA9c/s1600/67BCB93D-5775-4014-A0A9-70749F9D4107.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1181" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5DafXSiY_z7TRGYaX_iwOwWXCkChkEfkaotqverwGzHgTwFhyphenhyphen3lzhYDnppuMcT0Ofgf5GtiNHyUqlAG3aRK5H1eOcbms99WIbIsV6tlGramR61-5jfDgeZam3aEwL540X0qwVsyvA9c/s640/67BCB93D-5775-4014-A0A9-70749F9D4107.jpeg" width="472" /></a><br /><br />We found a couple of creeks and they truly are my favorite outdoor activity. I never met a creek that I didn't love. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After that exploratory hike, we headed over to the east rim of the canyon for the epic views and the picnic spots. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right now we still keep the food simple and stick to the basics. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once we finished dinner, we climbed down part of the canyon to a beautiful waterfall with the bluest pool at the bottom. Somewhere deep in my childhood memory, I remember hiking to this waterfall when I was very young and with both parents. I asked my mom, and she confirmed that we came here quite often before my parents divorced, sometimes with other families. This matches with my fragmented memory. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XCZvBiOFkLGe4-tsCiBrmzByEswlHzfhobCcC3VIok651GovzO9rdNy9g-9a82GvuFOLqk6SKaZX-Hrh-jPx1z_pTwmqdPjUD99Qr5yjLWsVSaFg66x6G2uXgTCcU5bK4rkMPnR6KEU/s1600/6150431C-CEBD-41AB-901E-1A13ED5B20FE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XCZvBiOFkLGe4-tsCiBrmzByEswlHzfhobCcC3VIok651GovzO9rdNy9g-9a82GvuFOLqk6SKaZX-Hrh-jPx1z_pTwmqdPjUD99Qr5yjLWsVSaFg66x6G2uXgTCcU5bK4rkMPnR6KEU/s640/6150431C-CEBD-41AB-901E-1A13ED5B20FE.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the highlights of our time hanging out here was watching Burl. He ran around the edge and back five times, getting closer and closer to the base of the falls. With a lot of cheering on from me, he eventually stood under the freezing water as it hit his back. He was so charged up by this and said that it was one of the coolest things he's ever done. Gosh, he's fun. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0YESG01Xyf_w48QDIsuo4CUtEoNns45zxcegHQvto4qez0tiJLZlm8FEPFsDoSfOHhEaFalXnKIwbS-eHS7-YVoCXaA4eJFy9m5R9Zl_V2JdjZPeZJJV6adF3dhPL8mM11vFJNVa1Hw/s1600/E3126957-E0D0-400F-AD68-85A5A25D10EB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0YESG01Xyf_w48QDIsuo4CUtEoNns45zxcegHQvto4qez0tiJLZlm8FEPFsDoSfOHhEaFalXnKIwbS-eHS7-YVoCXaA4eJFy9m5R9Zl_V2JdjZPeZJJV6adF3dhPL8mM11vFJNVa1Hw/s640/E3126957-E0D0-400F-AD68-85A5A25D10EB.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We set up the hammock, poked in the water, helped the babies and took a picture or two. Wink, wink. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF40_DW2CU1umSkhyqGq2M8JQA5sMivuwKzDP-jZUAZNZFUaE98OenFsmfg_LnvXR4WZEEAYKqHtERiuM2RC2RJzx5OgTJsW5kUxdfuge5flMkZi8mxUPcwFJ-6boqR4hGIc5JD8gtRXU/s1600/CFED8987-5466-4B87-9CA8-DE66B533ED5E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF40_DW2CU1umSkhyqGq2M8JQA5sMivuwKzDP-jZUAZNZFUaE98OenFsmfg_LnvXR4WZEEAYKqHtERiuM2RC2RJzx5OgTJsW5kUxdfuge5flMkZi8mxUPcwFJ-6boqR4hGIc5JD8gtRXU/s640/CFED8987-5466-4B87-9CA8-DE66B533ED5E.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was another great time outside. Endurance is increasing in all of us with each hike. It's pretty easy with children that enjoy it and incredible views like these!</span></div>
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Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-20665984000764473132019-03-27T14:11:00.001-04:002019-03-27T14:11:44.549-04:00Self Care Laughter <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lbvfbbVG8B3jQwizkinjbfoT_4Lz6RgOqULHGLI6KoDZWD5taDKVv6wZMo_abMIAQUi8XOcdjxBX_J-AV26jUQf0xNoboUL1peB7WxqDytQe75h7-sjzFLFUXLHKO0076srx-U6O-Ic/s1600/IMG_4413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lbvfbbVG8B3jQwizkinjbfoT_4Lz6RgOqULHGLI6KoDZWD5taDKVv6wZMo_abMIAQUi8XOcdjxBX_J-AV26jUQf0xNoboUL1peB7WxqDytQe75h7-sjzFLFUXLHKO0076srx-U6O-Ic/s640/IMG_4413.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />There is so much buzz and debate around <i>self care</i> these days. It's something that I think about as well! What works and what doesn't work for me is something that I wonder. For a long time, I used to think that self care for me was a break from the kids to do something on my own or with friends. While those are great things, it didn't always do it for me. It put me in a posture of always waiting to get away from my kids so I could relax, only to feel frustrated when I'm with them and never totally myself when I got back from my break.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIsX0kXMSbWDNd_OzloH0jEx6_yNnDMsquKY0a47Yro2VYQQRly2OZKdFy_SB9BWKGHk9rW2SR6FkuXjdtfKhVbUcj5kHO2BiO1B1ZvcVGv4pqpZFi47ETd20VhxHFJvK-C0kfvFW0Vw/s1600/IMG_4396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIsX0kXMSbWDNd_OzloH0jEx6_yNnDMsquKY0a47Yro2VYQQRly2OZKdFy_SB9BWKGHk9rW2SR6FkuXjdtfKhVbUcj5kHO2BiO1B1ZvcVGv4pqpZFi47ETd20VhxHFJvK-C0kfvFW0Vw/s640/IMG_4396.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2epKWSmERnDi7ySVgNOn1Bm8hK08NVnPoQhr0NGeFJwy-XmTnH1mS-YiI4U8DSbU7zW5PVke_LVDGUwbnbQIC7zUpwOx1jko8AJFTtN24XSuuINb1JJlh9qi7eNOQ9BNrUs4lEQ66mM/s1600/IMG_4406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2epKWSmERnDi7ySVgNOn1Bm8hK08NVnPoQhr0NGeFJwy-XmTnH1mS-YiI4U8DSbU7zW5PVke_LVDGUwbnbQIC7zUpwOx1jko8AJFTtN24XSuuINb1JJlh9qi7eNOQ9BNrUs4lEQ66mM/s640/IMG_4406.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwA-zACk_xcO8XgYpSyvvNLdVDo3pz5kvKiJNaCJYRtgw_AMfq7Ig8VgnaFByrcjYGDmuHZmOavJditJc9V8DPwty_UduyBqV4wKhp5sl8qKhQC_8soz_L0j2e476R90lmnGJgKeBPDIs/s1600/IMG_4412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwA-zACk_xcO8XgYpSyvvNLdVDo3pz5kvKiJNaCJYRtgw_AMfq7Ig8VgnaFByrcjYGDmuHZmOavJditJc9V8DPwty_UduyBqV4wKhp5sl8qKhQC_8soz_L0j2e476R90lmnGJgKeBPDIs/s640/IMG_4412.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of my breaks include: out to eat with friends, coffee shop mornings by myself, exercising (oldie but goodie), having friends over after bedtime for a bonfire, etc. Those are all good and I still do them occasionally. However, I've recently learned that actually playing with my children is some of my favorite self care! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqnOh0dKGlR-3cDJkDXDKRNzrXDX96LFZVgAml9E-LFwOKqorzFrB0ZF2wXAoaVE8LATjxiVxPy4KTTxeOcQ5CcFIt1YYu0mnYWzD3ENzmnXipW0jgnm-E35UWqr6WGdRbVHgSOUbyxI/s1600/IMG_4417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqnOh0dKGlR-3cDJkDXDKRNzrXDX96LFZVgAml9E-LFwOKqorzFrB0ZF2wXAoaVE8LATjxiVxPy4KTTxeOcQ5CcFIt1YYu0mnYWzD3ENzmnXipW0jgnm-E35UWqr6WGdRbVHgSOUbyxI/s640/IMG_4417.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a nice day when they kids were off of school recently, so we went to the playground for fun and a picnic. We ate, they did their thing, I watched all the things that they wanted me to see, then I got in on the fun. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3D35R25_qzZTRR_wrOWJQMFb8Kzx44Qz6EheF7amSYNhbdea9SKN7eKfys51f2mKqoITLONe3X6yu9gBsCJRRSRUqGDzxCFiJK_YIdV8HEcpKcWhBaIf84HE-FQcOBU36VdDvc7aeFE/s1600/IMG_4431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3D35R25_qzZTRR_wrOWJQMFb8Kzx44Qz6EheF7amSYNhbdea9SKN7eKfys51f2mKqoITLONe3X6yu9gBsCJRRSRUqGDzxCFiJK_YIdV8HEcpKcWhBaIf84HE-FQcOBU36VdDvc7aeFE/s640/IMG_4431.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I ran, chased, tickled, helped, and did a lot of laughing. That's happening more often, and I've so enjoyed getting involved and laughing with them. Being goofy with them brings me so much joy. In my search for feeling good in life, giving myself over to my role as mother has filled me so much. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are my children that I adore and they have truly been my best self care. </span></div>
Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-26275964615614152492019-03-20T08:13:00.002-04:002019-03-20T08:13:35.901-04:00Ridge's Writings <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ridge is my child who has shown the most interest in writing. Daily he grabs a pencil and index card and draws some very detailed and almost distinguishable picture. This year, he got to deliver his first Valentine's Day cards. </span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeZQEoPlTr1jGBCR85I-DI6w5imIu75nI6WAvSqoqoPXP6voCZvSv9AVeaSQTBc78k3ramcCvvI9eYP-ZZpEPOP8GtDJwK9cFGK-FxsKLNXj7zrqtgJmJUGOv4DtHmgNrIpklz23qMRw/s1600/IMG_4391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeZQEoPlTr1jGBCR85I-DI6w5imIu75nI6WAvSqoqoPXP6voCZvSv9AVeaSQTBc78k3ramcCvvI9eYP-ZZpEPOP8GtDJwK9cFGK-FxsKLNXj7zrqtgJmJUGOv4DtHmgNrIpklz23qMRw/s640/IMG_4391.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This tiny right of passage always nudges me to finally teach them how to write their own names. For whatever reason, I found the time to do this during our morning hustle to get the big kids to school. I showed him once and he got it pretty quickly (except for that tricky lower case e). He was very enthusiastic about it as long as we only did three at a time. It was a very happy Valentine's day for Ridge. </span></div>
Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-91177313332136963562019-03-07T06:43:00.001-05:002019-03-07T06:43:23.280-05:00Large Lark Turns 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Because I like to overthink everything and make things harder on myself, one of my constant mom-thoughts is "does every child have a place and a voice in our big family, are they heard/do they contribute something of themselves to our family?" with a slight undercurrent of "the world does not revolve around each child-don't cater to them!" See, I'm a total mom-nut-job with my unnecessary thoughts.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNlR8LQrqGH6dnm8w7SYRArJ46ACQdfFHTXW0bnCuCR1JGOCHtAyEQb0ybJIjsaWIWdMgKrCqrtBPT7UUu26Iq4nQ81ZNoy1jcmcCwm8-IlxMwmpUjLNqNByiK37Gz_b4CiNshmJC5wg/s1600/IMG_4318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNlR8LQrqGH6dnm8w7SYRArJ46ACQdfFHTXW0bnCuCR1JGOCHtAyEQb0ybJIjsaWIWdMgKrCqrtBPT7UUu26Iq4nQ81ZNoy1jcmcCwm8-IlxMwmpUjLNqNByiK37Gz_b4CiNshmJC5wg/s640/IMG_4318.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the youngest, Lark often gets dragged along to everything and often I wonder if we ever do anything for him. His birthday was going to be my indicator. Did he see it as his own celebration and fun, or did he see it as another activity forced upon him? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIh7LmrAHsWGEx2n4D6OWZqx2QRzJr1Z3Ve8u0loPmEDbmxYoYvbeBs24aGtu6b9CezV3s4Ej53bbELmfEAfDMo-KIukgmWDA-iiS2WaOvGYStcDidIJUsva2uAyrW7G9gYiKIPGlS0g/s1600/IMG_4324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIh7LmrAHsWGEx2n4D6OWZqx2QRzJr1Z3Ve8u0loPmEDbmxYoYvbeBs24aGtu6b9CezV3s4Ej53bbELmfEAfDMo-KIukgmWDA-iiS2WaOvGYStcDidIJUsva2uAyrW7G9gYiKIPGlS0g/s640/IMG_4324.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The answer became clear: he saw it as his own. The older three were so cute helping him feel special. While Burl and Fern took over the streamer decorations, Ridge helped with a gentle hype. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEiCZkHRvHluruyPH8PrNIWHmR7dzgywM64UEXTsVVW71ArZydQzJTuvWB95IVd0mwleYhCDP3B2Oi3lF-RrbPPT89YvtlU7nVPu1HQlC5i7odH-_ZJNynIIoQ5J4zBL6dAsrfdDlCB8/s1600/IMG_4330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEiCZkHRvHluruyPH8PrNIWHmR7dzgywM64UEXTsVVW71ArZydQzJTuvWB95IVd0mwleYhCDP3B2Oi3lF-RrbPPT89YvtlU7nVPu1HQlC5i7odH-_ZJNynIIoQ5J4zBL6dAsrfdDlCB8/s640/IMG_4330.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ridge loved all his toys, while Burl and Fern used their tablets for their own pictures. Our sweet Lark, fresh up from bed, enjoyed the attention and loved his new little toys. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxDgqTAFlNW7WhOokAcrX1Lj-1Q4jHV3WeYGwJpmmdQH04_TldGVGM9sXivGree_FrRpTZBXd2FT20qQo_B0kh65IEiHRiawzXm52o8STm-GbGkT3h0I0Re0efFaFIQn2Txurk1brwqw/s1600/IMG_4333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxDgqTAFlNW7WhOokAcrX1Lj-1Q4jHV3WeYGwJpmmdQH04_TldGVGM9sXivGree_FrRpTZBXd2FT20qQo_B0kh65IEiHRiawzXm52o8STm-GbGkT3h0I0Re0efFaFIQn2Txurk1brwqw/s640/IMG_4333.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJISZf8ffA7uof9FnU3YIGupTH6BHnuFkQ0ogctqkTHeONCplgWO1CxjVREyjnY2LdawJlQfloscwN6eVPzKfsMzaTJWx3pcloHLu2IQarnGhCbCs1k-K_Xi26MrJOEB-DV8Ad5XA5gY/s1600/IMG_4338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJISZf8ffA7uof9FnU3YIGupTH6BHnuFkQ0ogctqkTHeONCplgWO1CxjVREyjnY2LdawJlQfloscwN6eVPzKfsMzaTJWx3pcloHLu2IQarnGhCbCs1k-K_Xi26MrJOEB-DV8Ad5XA5gY/s640/IMG_4338.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Later that day, he wore his new, ugly, character shirt with pride. As family arrived, he greeted everyone and showed him his special shirt. We devoured cake and the ever famous charcuterie board. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJvcvwzVeJNdi7P1IgbxA_1rlLalr-lYyO3SqTjibmnuY7vEBtGuE4cku5IhRdlAeHgRgw4P6cn5RjooKiX9QMzZYw0ekLAnceuqVX_Nhh2fx3CRjJyMzC44F5uS20a3_acWLgRlQpeA/s1600/IMG_4340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJvcvwzVeJNdi7P1IgbxA_1rlLalr-lYyO3SqTjibmnuY7vEBtGuE4cku5IhRdlAeHgRgw4P6cn5RjooKiX9QMzZYw0ekLAnceuqVX_Nhh2fx3CRjJyMzC44F5uS20a3_acWLgRlQpeA/s640/IMG_4340.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zovHiST4JI-BJbzLotfHQyD24i1BR5iTtHBysh3m8Sbxw7moEYgpyEzpov1ZUcPCBA6sn-Q9IKkK7wQ6oObZx_Y1VSvTegIUzyycWG4inMUzlNOPTC00JxATamm03wN54NcI9JEwP9c/s1600/IMG_4347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zovHiST4JI-BJbzLotfHQyD24i1BR5iTtHBysh3m8Sbxw7moEYgpyEzpov1ZUcPCBA6sn-Q9IKkK7wQ6oObZx_Y1VSvTegIUzyycWG4inMUzlNOPTC00JxATamm03wN54NcI9JEwP9c/s640/IMG_4347.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The candles were lit, the song was sung, and his smile was plastered on his face. What joy to watch a two year old GET IT. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilE7Ci5Ewqk_u1zkN34Rpo1U4tf3X7svtCS7TCwCy8g6bA26KJt8N52RIcNjCALSe3PbJCXV1Y4lpc5VZ4JyfpS8yfnS-k0hw3fVAQI6Yu442dWL75LT6_gpnKbOsuxEaGJV_0GwGs63w/s1600/IMG_4349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilE7Ci5Ewqk_u1zkN34Rpo1U4tf3X7svtCS7TCwCy8g6bA26KJt8N52RIcNjCALSe3PbJCXV1Y4lpc5VZ4JyfpS8yfnS-k0hw3fVAQI6Yu442dWL75LT6_gpnKbOsuxEaGJV_0GwGs63w/s640/IMG_4349.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After he neatly ate his cake and opened his presents with enthusiasm, he did what he does best: he kept playing. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD86JL9ZeTtl6W1MOZgF-Q9cT5_DxOFJMTh6CSiyg8G6JUwXgjhj0qRYLuvEIkt2vBdgDoDqeguqt-OYfu_PtBCg-av24h3DXzq8gLoGbMVUYMfhVrmA2R-zSNYDnetOw7Rc8AOJPMW8U/s1600/IMG_4360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD86JL9ZeTtl6W1MOZgF-Q9cT5_DxOFJMTh6CSiyg8G6JUwXgjhj0qRYLuvEIkt2vBdgDoDqeguqt-OYfu_PtBCg-av24h3DXzq8gLoGbMVUYMfhVrmA2R-zSNYDnetOw7Rc8AOJPMW8U/s640/IMG_4360.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As he grows and develops, I'm watching him become his own person. So far, I think we're ok on the everyone has their place. These days it's still just a lot of playing, which is Lark's expertise. He plays so well! For now, that's the most important thing that a toddler can do. We love our big boy, Lark. </span></div>
Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-12504920037451602932019-02-23T09:25:00.001-05:002019-02-23T09:25:33.004-05:00Self Care Play<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My friend's husband came up to me a while ago and said, "Jess says she really likes hanging out with you and one of the reasons is you're really good at self care." That made me laugh! What a reputation! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What used to be be called R&R is now self care, our new buzz phrase. It's thrown at moms the most-<i>having a hard time? stressed out? BUT WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR SELF CARE? </i>There's a pressure for moms to be really really great at self care to keep them mellow.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhu1ytgPCCB8_nWtB7f_4RWpiUaTazd64lqGjY1Wlu38iasmo1uXLNskzbGXPgFGIWUutqe_IW4O_7giSGMZBgQkWUBW3XCpZOSmOIZCGNX9K5rYeN6-ncEUQoWq9oYeekX65U5_xhGC8/s1600/IMG_4311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhu1ytgPCCB8_nWtB7f_4RWpiUaTazd64lqGjY1Wlu38iasmo1uXLNskzbGXPgFGIWUutqe_IW4O_7giSGMZBgQkWUBW3XCpZOSmOIZCGNX9K5rYeN6-ncEUQoWq9oYeekX65U5_xhGC8/s640/IMG_4311.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm good at doing things that makes me happy. I hang out with friends, I run, I (try to) meditate, I have hobbies, etc. I'm a hoarder of self care and most of my things are done away from my family and outside of my house. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not anymore though! My new favorite, most exciting form of self care is stopping it all and being with my kids. Playing, sitting, talking, answering questions, chasing, etc. It fills me so much right now! I say NO to my perceived fatigue, the mom chores, and all the other things. Like going rogue, I'm choosing self care that keeps me right where I am and embraces the love that's right in front of me. </span></div>
Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-88183515950451536512019-02-21T16:57:00.000-05:002019-02-21T16:57:26.320-05:00Burl Does Bath Time <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">A babysitter recently relayed some info that she gathered when she was here. Ridge told her that Fern plays with him, but Burl does not. When I passed this along to Burl, he was shocked and almost offended. Burl definitely plays with Ridge-to which Burl pointed out all the ways they play together! Camping, obstacle course, tractor, legos, trampoline, etc. In an effort to regain big brother points, Burl has really ramped up the Ridge time! It's been hilarious and absolutely precious.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeD3t5Y-GKoZIvU9q6IICqLPAn1mEiYjv6HyE4-sI4Gmm2FZj2b8xOeB1egKboQ5NeX8D0xpeTltTwoiVkv2ZOeIZzK5AXDlL51gQf1wZCYgEFs-6Xfh78RWJ8f2-JU3eSbV-Z-QilEZM/s1600/IMG_4292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeD3t5Y-GKoZIvU9q6IICqLPAn1mEiYjv6HyE4-sI4Gmm2FZj2b8xOeB1egKboQ5NeX8D0xpeTltTwoiVkv2ZOeIZzK5AXDlL51gQf1wZCYgEFs-6Xfh78RWJ8f2-JU3eSbV-Z-QilEZM/s640/IMG_4292.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was reminded of all that big brother-ness when I saw these pictures taken a few weeks ago. Burl asked if he could do bath time. At first I micromanaged the potential mess, then I let go and sat back with my camera and my fuzzy mom feelings. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINcjVFQ7TiizTvMbFJP24Sq6IKTlRWAGG9Wxcg9ePC3dLSMmylDfwF6QohvCIXsvkB3zFg5rCfBvi2a_MUu0x05BTszGYfGSTjSVaspEdRkSWcep7E6uufBjCaGBfX5hTkDgGP2OngjI/s1600/IMG_4301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINcjVFQ7TiizTvMbFJP24Sq6IKTlRWAGG9Wxcg9ePC3dLSMmylDfwF6QohvCIXsvkB3zFg5rCfBvi2a_MUu0x05BTszGYfGSTjSVaspEdRkSWcep7E6uufBjCaGBfX5hTkDgGP2OngjI/s640/IMG_4301.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Burl used his gentile voice and his big smile the whole time! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5H6umrgcePPmPr3XkCqrqHc0yv0TaiEUzol6AVXHVd2JP9LTwBLPmuA2VTOhXm3lhz_4ISJgfFBUWQ4sI2RHY-cddqzfm58SvoNgyucFzn7r0JaV8hJhA6Se6vnKY27aAQwumRztogN8/s1600/IMG_4303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5H6umrgcePPmPr3XkCqrqHc0yv0TaiEUzol6AVXHVd2JP9LTwBLPmuA2VTOhXm3lhz_4ISJgfFBUWQ4sI2RHY-cddqzfm58SvoNgyucFzn7r0JaV8hJhA6Se6vnKY27aAQwumRztogN8/s640/IMG_4303.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When he finished the washing part, he asked me "now what?" I told him now was the fun part. He can just play with them. In true Burl-ness, he started a puppet game with the dragon washcloth. The two littles were buying whatever Burl was selling! Burl was eating it all up. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0c6gdxVWiBaxz43ROmN-7ObtCO6KaJUhf6IvwcooVNdnK7Ege2Xw7eWll9suAxyDAEJ18u3p0eqcZz4NUSZPFMRtqyzH5xRIDe1uU1Qpgl72-L99Rs7QmjVvBvAPXXtZdGTGcSp-rys/s1600/IMG_4304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0c6gdxVWiBaxz43ROmN-7ObtCO6KaJUhf6IvwcooVNdnK7Ege2Xw7eWll9suAxyDAEJ18u3p0eqcZz4NUSZPFMRtqyzH5xRIDe1uU1Qpgl72-L99Rs7QmjVvBvAPXXtZdGTGcSp-rys/s640/IMG_4304.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my hopes is that we are fostering a connection between our children that will be enjoyed into adulthood. While I wish I knew what I need to do now for the future, only time will tell me how it turns out. Instead of living in the future like I tend to do, I'm trying to focus on the now. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_f6UGlYtziV5M8UsWWdrpQeNKcbWJk0pWCNtkgXJsKlRS2UR3N-yOWT1Qq19G_j9606W2MV9toOKsRxnrYwXmUPuatxN2azDGb0clEC58Mwbcj34xF6dRTCKjuvvixGF8X3KY02iCzpI/s1600/IMG_4306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_f6UGlYtziV5M8UsWWdrpQeNKcbWJk0pWCNtkgXJsKlRS2UR3N-yOWT1Qq19G_j9606W2MV9toOKsRxnrYwXmUPuatxN2azDGb0clEC58Mwbcj34xF6dRTCKjuvvixGF8X3KY02iCzpI/s640/IMG_4306.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The now is pretty great and the smiles are full throttle. </span></div>
Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-20294845261522798452019-02-16T09:34:00.000-05:002019-02-16T09:34:05.357-05:00A Barefoot Day & Noodles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSd9ojmz-jZtYjCr3o694yscEmv-gkP48VweGife70I3x5yqUfVS9wCaxmzXokdGYjTVjrz_ggSsuSpM8eujG_1d4NSsSRkPzOt9ClxRKSxXveqne3MEcFQyz3a_YEWxH56ZRB2smqEE/s1600/IMG_4266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSd9ojmz-jZtYjCr3o694yscEmv-gkP48VweGife70I3x5yqUfVS9wCaxmzXokdGYjTVjrz_ggSsuSpM8eujG_1d4NSsSRkPzOt9ClxRKSxXveqne3MEcFQyz3a_YEWxH56ZRB2smqEE/s640/IMG_4266.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />I'm loving being home with the two littles. They are increasingly more engaging and more fun! It's not hard for me to admit that my time with them often reminds me of my similar days with Burl and Fern. We did the same things, but without the hustle of school. For my sake, I try hard to keep our pace as slow as I can. I linger on the floor with them, take time to tickle them as I buckle them in their car seats, or hold them a little longer than normal. While I can't do this everyday, the days that I do it are the best!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvAC4gXVzJM5KZAOOjvm82I13Q0o8LApH9NnpWwI9ROmyafafVBOEG98_pkZkq2W4kLMsYE87Zyu9yE5s7piB6YivByk27Uz7nzwa2HMZdYdhDydjDl_zQ5C59zHUwUzvYaFdaYJ02aA/s1600/IMG_4263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvAC4gXVzJM5KZAOOjvm82I13Q0o8LApH9NnpWwI9ROmyafafVBOEG98_pkZkq2W4kLMsYE87Zyu9yE5s7piB6YivByk27Uz7nzwa2HMZdYdhDydjDl_zQ5C59zHUwUzvYaFdaYJ02aA/s640/IMG_4263.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't have any new tricks, so I just repeat what I did with Burl and Fern. It worked ok in my book! A household favorite are NOODLES! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgiUdT2yj0DBBQT1seL_uWXbOW0oyHf70O6rBnOPj5UbIxntTFcO60HhSGOVYwEWDfBe6vU3oqcMfAUNKNotaXKdrrEQVoV0O6kEv2TxrWyFcHE-NAIiS9Tw0s3cP8YZ3uwM_6otJKR60/s1600/IMG_4267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgiUdT2yj0DBBQT1seL_uWXbOW0oyHf70O6rBnOPj5UbIxntTFcO60HhSGOVYwEWDfBe6vU3oqcMfAUNKNotaXKdrrEQVoV0O6kEv2TxrWyFcHE-NAIiS9Tw0s3cP8YZ3uwM_6otJKR60/s640/IMG_4267.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I set up the kids table in the kitchen and give them a bowl of dry noodles with spoons and measuring cups. They love the sensory, the freedom to do it on their own, and making a mess!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYu4xiQkFacf_Pv_7J8977NxsNaC_KKkBkG4TQZdkt913tWh00kl8fUC_NPWZlYvqIyYr5uD5YA4Ri0x-BvTUPMJP5ABKwRGHhmi4hmA7fHnlrQPLBHg_boevClJbXgpTOxZY0qR2asbo/s1600/IMG_4269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYu4xiQkFacf_Pv_7J8977NxsNaC_KKkBkG4TQZdkt913tWh00kl8fUC_NPWZlYvqIyYr5uD5YA4Ri0x-BvTUPMJP5ABKwRGHhmi4hmA7fHnlrQPLBHg_boevClJbXgpTOxZY0qR2asbo/s640/IMG_4269.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I try not to get involved but I do hover with total fixation on them. Look at Lark's little mouth in the picture above. Such focus! I love seeing this. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-Y69kuTZKhXSSqU0rjZQmzrZsh0MXAxcrimednvKT-4PLHT4DyOjYL6mN3L1RTZbzKe1uxSBCbIGwvRTCdTABe3GZaF_0oQ5TaCvth4XZiYUFOGuk3yq5VdHKW3tZs4ijg43-omW7mk/s1600/IMG_4276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-Y69kuTZKhXSSqU0rjZQmzrZsh0MXAxcrimednvKT-4PLHT4DyOjYL6mN3L1RTZbzKe1uxSBCbIGwvRTCdTABe3GZaF_0oQ5TaCvth4XZiYUFOGuk3yq5VdHKW3tZs4ijg43-omW7mk/s640/IMG_4276.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Towards the end, I showed them that they could drive their trucks through it to make roads. That turned into them piling every truck that they had on top of the noodles. I loved it so much because it's just another little way these boys are being boys together and ramping up to the next level. I love them and my barefoot days with them. </span></div>
Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-36989346651360411062019-02-12T11:08:00.000-05:002019-02-12T11:08:05.505-05:00Finally! A Hike<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've really been looking forward to blogging about this little hike. Illness hit us (a reminder that we've actually been pretty healthy this season), so I've fallen behind on some of our goings and comings. Before the end of the year, however, we were able to get in our first local hike of 2018!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbvVJkUS6aGzBC6RQ20Q3yGHD81XX3E0lj8zwVzhymDL6vNl64y2nOfkEYI4SOlazsES3JuD_5rG__5XRldG26lqKX4G8iHoGskqk_EfwNROibS-TTEam5MTvr0zorZydP0gMuaY_PV4/s1600/IMG_4211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbvVJkUS6aGzBC6RQ20Q3yGHD81XX3E0lj8zwVzhymDL6vNl64y2nOfkEYI4SOlazsES3JuD_5rG__5XRldG26lqKX4G8iHoGskqk_EfwNROibS-TTEam5MTvr0zorZydP0gMuaY_PV4/s640/IMG_4211.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Besides our camping trips, we hadn't hiked in 2018! It's crazy to me, because it's meant so much to our family. When I look back at the year, I remember that we've spent a lot of time doing baseball then the bathroom reno that never stops.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ArG1WXtXsL9lCtzI3eovZe2RoqnQgn8_YKoMYNElia8-5sEzp2vzdWJaS4dgGAC1oPSEAJHt_VMwQD5l373DbW69TFP267NRjd_P-hDcML0nPBK_UaXakXSsL0H3bBaPEn6_FfVOcjk/s1600/IMG_4161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ArG1WXtXsL9lCtzI3eovZe2RoqnQgn8_YKoMYNElia8-5sEzp2vzdWJaS4dgGAC1oPSEAJHt_VMwQD5l373DbW69TFP267NRjd_P-hDcML0nPBK_UaXakXSsL0H3bBaPEn6_FfVOcjk/s640/IMG_4161.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">John and I made a commitment to get in a hike over Christmas break. First, we passed this trail on the way to another trail on a land trust. When we got there, it was closed. I was so upset-what a setback with four kids! Anyways, we went back to this small, there-n-back spot that's not as interesting. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNK-lg-P-4A1wLEc-4IWv_OTgdzUGltv8lSGz1vnpOHNxkRP8ITwiqleMziK8XNwF48DSiZCoDszu9JAcPCg09YFiyZJGU1ym9vDRqzAnb8yMwsVwBVbmKIXsSGpaKqnDSfAS0bMsk-s/s1600/IMG_4171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNK-lg-P-4A1wLEc-4IWv_OTgdzUGltv8lSGz1vnpOHNxkRP8ITwiqleMziK8XNwF48DSiZCoDszu9JAcPCg09YFiyZJGU1ym9vDRqzAnb8yMwsVwBVbmKIXsSGpaKqnDSfAS0bMsk-s/s640/IMG_4171.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My attitude quickly turned around because of the kids. Children are wired to have fun-they're always looking for it and always making it. Burl was especially adorable as he felt unleashed and could run ahead, going as fast as he wanted and climbing whatever he could!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqN6CvMhYx5xZJ2WBnh3V7ST8sRWSrXV1BU6DlfLnpEQlB1Kexr15xB7Z-UjC2jcJzS7Mg2vki4iLP_fRd00l7sJ26xJZGByhPR1JQc9ONABVKP7_-t_R23QqIk9R__u_UwQq0t_OkN4/s1600/IMG_4180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqN6CvMhYx5xZJ2WBnh3V7ST8sRWSrXV1BU6DlfLnpEQlB1Kexr15xB7Z-UjC2jcJzS7Mg2vki4iLP_fRd00l7sJ26xJZGByhPR1JQc9ONABVKP7_-t_R23QqIk9R__u_UwQq0t_OkN4/s640/IMG_4180.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An exciting part of the trail is that it passes under the Incline Railway and passengers always wave back!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGt_rr5w0PrejufUwFkPiEgBaeyNGlI2CAnxJEyHZBJD8j5TSQHbi23Ht4peTfu1jAiv6UFaIU1h1k7fd54ex_2QWrzLiH83606SHOVPaa9EXWsQq3PMArUYIXbCq7eZFvVcwEwdK754/s1600/IMG_4183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGt_rr5w0PrejufUwFkPiEgBaeyNGlI2CAnxJEyHZBJD8j5TSQHbi23Ht4peTfu1jAiv6UFaIU1h1k7fd54ex_2QWrzLiH83606SHOVPaa9EXWsQq3PMArUYIXbCq7eZFvVcwEwdK754/s640/IMG_4183.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtKo9xpMGEMZATJtjwmFqDqC6VO6jMix9on9izmRPOjZ3-EzmTrh2YKwr-nlWZWM-vjVhDHaMFS9V0VM7BS0b_TA115Je-0adXj89HmQ5x-yTMnqeDSwBLlpjN53OytMnvk5q097sjOA/s1600/IMG_4195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtKo9xpMGEMZATJtjwmFqDqC6VO6jMix9on9izmRPOjZ3-EzmTrh2YKwr-nlWZWM-vjVhDHaMFS9V0VM7BS0b_TA115Je-0adXj89HmQ5x-yTMnqeDSwBLlpjN53OytMnvk5q097sjOA/s640/IMG_4195.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another highlight was finding the recently developed boulder fields just off the trail. This was a great surprise. We had so much fun exploring, climbing, and making loud noises. This spot off the guild trail was perfect for our family. We were really impressed with it! So much so, that I returned there with the two littles with some mom friends and their kids a week later. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oPN2SUF3OJMgVk1SNIVRogwEMvJ41gmoZPdvi2ffLMzDmF3h3PzS7Bls5Wu0IaeXZgaXJ9Cnb8JCtns7cZu4B0hG_YeyhWCl3gL3oxYyQ29AEEsIRMLg_UgiiRQjMRaU8Um6aQBbNHs/s1600/IMG_4222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oPN2SUF3OJMgVk1SNIVRogwEMvJ41gmoZPdvi2ffLMzDmF3h3PzS7Bls5Wu0IaeXZgaXJ9Cnb8JCtns7cZu4B0hG_YeyhWCl3gL3oxYyQ29AEEsIRMLg_UgiiRQjMRaU8Um6aQBbNHs/s640/IMG_4222.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I remember this trip, I remember how happy I felt. I told John that I really want to do more hiking this year. While I've heard some hilarious comments about hiking (there's no vending machine out there/it's just a walk in the woods), I don't relate. It calms me, it excites me, and it makes feel happy in a way that I can't fully understand. I'm so interested in it. As the country song goes, "I like it. I love it. I want some more of it."</span></div>
Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-58359029150252856622019-01-15T09:28:00.000-05:002019-01-15T09:28:00.418-05:00A Gentle Smile, A Fun Boy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I came across this gentle smile from Burl on my photo roll. I think I was testing some stuff on my camera and he was helping me. It shows his squinty eye, his cute front teeth, and how simple he can be. </span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMPR3XRu3LeeoiJzgwnAa2MbgDAF8jZpfaBQkVC_vI0s2GRcgdV4jVHooRj9yc0qrMQH9Q_QTe2Kg1WdmAsQ8CKBFvhsxELnyDO5FwybWCBobyEC_FLQwJdANPmsWzug5KFoEmK0oKEA/s1600/IMG_4151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMPR3XRu3LeeoiJzgwnAa2MbgDAF8jZpfaBQkVC_vI0s2GRcgdV4jVHooRj9yc0qrMQH9Q_QTe2Kg1WdmAsQ8CKBFvhsxELnyDO5FwybWCBobyEC_FLQwJdANPmsWzug5KFoEmK0oKEA/s640/IMG_4151.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This close up moves me as his mom. John and I are having so much fun hitting home runs with his third grade humor. The right potty joke at the right time will catch him off guard and he starts laughing so hard, he stops breathing, stumbles, and falls to the ground. The other day I was unloading diapers (regular and overnight) and he says, "my favorite diapers are overnight diapers" with perfect delivery. We laughed. Now, that's our inside joke with him. He's always having fun. </span></div>
Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-69143453984304966492019-01-14T09:19:00.000-05:002019-01-14T09:19:00.996-05:00Ridge & Lark Christmas Swag. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKxL_SYETMqbz8OpOD1uL-5hDlZ0RqneEFvMF4WeRTsqxQY4U_YIYb3Xq_F88yNJWpDKe1jGigmy8fwBP_cYAvlGmr5m13WO5Lei-A64ijc2MyUxnuKbv7TSltpwPB4jN0kIoU2GC26M/s1600/IMG_4143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKxL_SYETMqbz8OpOD1uL-5hDlZ0RqneEFvMF4WeRTsqxQY4U_YIYb3Xq_F88yNJWpDKe1jGigmy8fwBP_cYAvlGmr5m13WO5Lei-A64ijc2MyUxnuKbv7TSltpwPB4jN0kIoU2GC26M/s640/IMG_4143.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you've been around here for long, then you know I fall over in love over the precious sibling relationships. These two boys are hilarious. Being so close in age and interest, they pair up for some great moments. This was after Christmas-slippers, jammies, gloves, and backpacks have them ready to save the day!</span><br />
<br />Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-30783755260528831342019-01-12T09:11:00.003-05:002019-01-12T09:11:56.992-05:00Christmas Eve Cinnamon Rolls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8LYBaEVKleDtI_QTtwTo0ihXHzHXCDLBi7gVXxWSRMOVlOIfUf67-jkwCwJWKgXepISsdXsL-QQx1zdATzV1E7zrYLOCtC_9jYHzkUxCrHolggYQNQK6vTDCCDqHa9fDcZFEnj8UOS0/s1600/IMG_4113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8LYBaEVKleDtI_QTtwTo0ihXHzHXCDLBi7gVXxWSRMOVlOIfUf67-jkwCwJWKgXepISsdXsL-QQx1zdATzV1E7zrYLOCtC_9jYHzkUxCrHolggYQNQK6vTDCCDqHa9fDcZFEnj8UOS0/s640/IMG_4113.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />For Christmas Eve, my dad came over and made cinnamon rolls with the kids.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUUyEEMCijhEIOQ_LFha9FOyOeZ6Afs0VcHb2SSNXPP_oG9t0RjoYlP1TMLT_lP54ee6jNjv3GdSuILRXUsDop9_arn0INNEB89yJJBbh12M2kiXh3JFyYRKqAILckAjAw7Vc5leENGk/s1600/IMG_4085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUUyEEMCijhEIOQ_LFha9FOyOeZ6Afs0VcHb2SSNXPP_oG9t0RjoYlP1TMLT_lP54ee6jNjv3GdSuILRXUsDop9_arn0INNEB89yJJBbh12M2kiXh3JFyYRKqAILckAjAw7Vc5leENGk/s640/IMG_4085.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35qi7Jx8rJ8DbjLEjwMk7mqTiHMe4WjOinmdvgY7CiToccjZh4yBPuiAmQUUwsW1UUyiQXkwXcvCkMXD52nOorN7uv_soWc2Q1jDvslBtRAxad6-q8XQoUfyEIIelimoXKDvr1XRO0Kw/s1600/IMG_4092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35qi7Jx8rJ8DbjLEjwMk7mqTiHMe4WjOinmdvgY7CiToccjZh4yBPuiAmQUUwsW1UUyiQXkwXcvCkMXD52nOorN7uv_soWc2Q1jDvslBtRAxad6-q8XQoUfyEIIelimoXKDvr1XRO0Kw/s640/IMG_4092.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those little hands had so much fun with all the new textures. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2sayorIckFqbY1xelX2rqIMfGxzWUPyfvI2w1vDypNnW_gIIuNaMnxLbrUpd2htx3shtIU_l_Ium-R4SllbgVFuFIHp1mG1MiRqw385DKe0Xz7DOiPnZx2WAmgk2TsBzQfmy6z2zwrYY/s1600/IMG_4082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2sayorIckFqbY1xelX2rqIMfGxzWUPyfvI2w1vDypNnW_gIIuNaMnxLbrUpd2htx3shtIU_l_Ium-R4SllbgVFuFIHp1mG1MiRqw385DKe0Xz7DOiPnZx2WAmgk2TsBzQfmy6z2zwrYY/s640/IMG_4082.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZfJ4NaZbSzkW1w8VpzuC3kF1_xUhjko9xpBtW2hf8K8pXfESHq0_MGrHPH-rhaxcLnxAI0uzyG-gj0MSayoy7WD6DhzQIMXWQjlO1X01M1tIuUGh3bBr1ha3Q8dCIryFmceS8yv4ZjM/s1600/IMG_4090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZfJ4NaZbSzkW1w8VpzuC3kF1_xUhjko9xpBtW2hf8K8pXfESHq0_MGrHPH-rhaxcLnxAI0uzyG-gj0MSayoy7WD6DhzQIMXWQjlO1X01M1tIuUGh3bBr1ha3Q8dCIryFmceS8yv4ZjM/s640/IMG_4090.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAHl0CdDsDMm8leugD820FTQuVGySH9hzvi3s5PwmiB9CBA0MVStL2HbPVYfAFTFVTCuguQc177DDwWVM6qTlTuldPuGe4hzehYNTq98T863Fkml2uStJo0-h8QRXofzuQtMKCL-E8Mc/s1600/IMG_4102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAHl0CdDsDMm8leugD820FTQuVGySH9hzvi3s5PwmiB9CBA0MVStL2HbPVYfAFTFVTCuguQc177DDwWVM6qTlTuldPuGe4hzehYNTq98T863Fkml2uStJo0-h8QRXofzuQtMKCL-E8Mc/s640/IMG_4102.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, we unbuckled the real fun and let them play in the leftover ingredients to make a big mess. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkHU72f0W62JyYAPIV4wYLD5lj8i6RDOx3GlFukoozYJ4aV-97VU624basSUkKt1zrD10B3SRYI4JVB63HWQM10CBxPxajTjuHdch_MhuaizwVc28OcIjAyyLbis2Nu7fosDvPuwUyVk/s1600/IMG_4103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkHU72f0W62JyYAPIV4wYLD5lj8i6RDOx3GlFukoozYJ4aV-97VU624basSUkKt1zrD10B3SRYI4JVB63HWQM10CBxPxajTjuHdch_MhuaizwVc28OcIjAyyLbis2Nu7fosDvPuwUyVk/s640/IMG_4103.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8fV0KpivpHP4sSveOls4aC-d2D_ZfF6mgmpjLcRdlmF9WFIVPoScY-RvmMEnzK7VsMZoqg9vgqnUPSYF2nFD2LBFYkxY6tpny-y0afituyIrk-EjYzl86tCJRMEF0kiJVn6w6F7CEzM/s1600/IMG_4106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8fV0KpivpHP4sSveOls4aC-d2D_ZfF6mgmpjLcRdlmF9WFIVPoScY-RvmMEnzK7VsMZoqg9vgqnUPSYF2nFD2LBFYkxY6tpny-y0afituyIrk-EjYzl86tCJRMEF0kiJVn6w6F7CEzM/s640/IMG_4106.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fern topped them off with the icing. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUMHa35qKRFvmc-NF40VgCjD-oH9R-_4cQ7wMv8lmHX4bQBx31VcF-I-p9GOUITYNxrjeJDUHIb2SFxf83W4sfGxlJdlbkUip_R5chaclIQjBZWI2QIlzmrsPOBfK6tobFF4y8jdlPPc/s1600/IMG_4109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUMHa35qKRFvmc-NF40VgCjD-oH9R-_4cQ7wMv8lmHX4bQBx31VcF-I-p9GOUITYNxrjeJDUHIb2SFxf83W4sfGxlJdlbkUip_R5chaclIQjBZWI2QIlzmrsPOBfK6tobFF4y8jdlPPc/s640/IMG_4109.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They tasted good, but nothing was as exciting as the making process. </span></div>
Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-90895800281482050222019-01-08T10:42:00.000-05:002019-01-08T10:42:00.859-05:00Potty Jokes & Tree Decorating <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tree is long gone, and the season is at the end. I still need to remember this quick night of decorating the tree. Decorating for Christmas happened throughout the season. Fern especially enjoyed moving things around-taking ornaments off the tree and moving them to random spots around the house or daily rearranging the manger scenes. We enjoyed adding all the layers for the holiday season.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCwIe4xbOiGZkwpHpMGcvMkV5EVuW24kZD1rm84P5juyyEqXGKe_wzpvhdBlybjfe1K5EtP_M5ddcqRa7osY9o0ivLqmrwqMLBqOchyEGx2MiL8SSOzOUFR7IeXPoLm8uMe59iBmS9VM/s1600/IMG_3958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCwIe4xbOiGZkwpHpMGcvMkV5EVuW24kZD1rm84P5juyyEqXGKe_wzpvhdBlybjfe1K5EtP_M5ddcqRa7osY9o0ivLqmrwqMLBqOchyEGx2MiL8SSOzOUFR7IeXPoLm8uMe59iBmS9VM/s640/IMG_3958.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a post about the first wave of decorating. It was a quick, surprising hustle after school and before small group. We popped open the bins and started digging. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We found a discarded Christmas Mad Libs. The kids finally "got it." They know what nouns and verbs are enough to pick them for third grade hilarity. As we gathered all the potty words that are allowed, Burl was sent into a spiral that kept him laughing all night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The laughter and silliness became contagious throughout the family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">John and I egged it on, emphasizing the potty words, the kids not breathing from laughter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's what I will remember from this year. Burl's amazing third grade laughter as we unpacked those bins...</span></div>
Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-91143578699498021522019-01-07T07:03:00.000-05:002019-01-07T07:03:02.894-05:00Mama Rain<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we let her, Fern takes over the mama role of Lark. She was telling me the other day how she just can't take how soft he is. "It's too much, Mama, it's just too much. I mean, he's so soft. I love him to the top." She continued. For the most part, Lark accepts her love and adoration and calls her Mama Rain during these special times. (Ridge can't say Fern-He says Rain instead-Lark copies everything Ridge does-Lark calls her Rain too.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I try to stay back and take it all in with my camera and my heart, knowing how rare and precious these days are. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fern is right. It's just too much. I love them and their ways. </span></div>
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Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-11689294624816882942019-01-05T10:13:00.000-05:002019-01-05T10:13:02.538-05:00Baking With Ridge <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMudm48HHSgK00Z_j5rThgwlcMaHN5MtDlV0pwaj6e5Yq35KHrPtNY9EhPX5h6lvWcLJaBXes84D6O3REqI3PFOlddtD4jVv3oQ_2xvZRRljhhctqwMyT4nd8sl0l8Ve1dgq0Haze7N8/s1600/IMG_4068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMudm48HHSgK00Z_j5rThgwlcMaHN5MtDlV0pwaj6e5Yq35KHrPtNY9EhPX5h6lvWcLJaBXes84D6O3REqI3PFOlddtD4jVv3oQ_2xvZRRljhhctqwMyT4nd8sl0l8Ve1dgq0Haze7N8/s640/IMG_4068.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I pull one of my children to do some one-on-one cooking, they become transformed. They're focused, intense, completely obedient, and in-tune with me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, comes the pride with a job well(ish) done. </span></div>
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Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-90366258774562302902019-01-04T10:04:00.000-05:002019-01-04T10:04:00.243-05:00Stop, Drop, & Read<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was fresh from a run and straight into making dinner when they brought me the book.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThPIYsUmXoNGhv6fqm2x2GwinU8OLP7JjVoxOhfzd3w-Kf_hZa5dleHRzkBKH7qxGZV_jm8hErgTVr9u6Yq2RgHzZHpgJ3Mh8G1R0T2kVMNiXfjhbPRRJEO8jnSBvegtMWx_4a9envU0/s1600/IMG_2309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThPIYsUmXoNGhv6fqm2x2GwinU8OLP7JjVoxOhfzd3w-Kf_hZa5dleHRzkBKH7qxGZV_jm8hErgTVr9u6Yq2RgHzZHpgJ3Mh8G1R0T2kVMNiXfjhbPRRJEO8jnSBvegtMWx_4a9envU0/s640/IMG_2309.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a gift from the Lord that I had enough time and mental space to stop what I was doing to enjoy the babies. I can't always pause my mom chores. When I can, we all celebrate! (And special thanks to John who got a picture on my phone.) Future Meg is going to be glad she chose to read.</span></div>
Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-48121217834036621382019-01-03T09:55:00.000-05:002019-01-03T09:55:01.227-05:00Turkey Trot 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuNXWcUNGyoQviXoYn9WuFUbZVx68jHiWonnCO0N1X7QQC-xdmMXq4gpa9nkQOf_dMap52VrYQVALNOCf3PWXghcXtyfnu1G0DYqK-fyGkWsXB2whX5RtRE-gpFOcXgPr5VV8ZgX6440/s1600/IMG_3875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuNXWcUNGyoQviXoYn9WuFUbZVx68jHiWonnCO0N1X7QQC-xdmMXq4gpa9nkQOf_dMap52VrYQVALNOCf3PWXghcXtyfnu1G0DYqK-fyGkWsXB2whX5RtRE-gpFOcXgPr5VV8ZgX6440/s640/IMG_3875.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />For something like twenty years, we have had an unofficial tradition of cheering on my brothers at the Turkey Trot. It's THEIR race.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycBCqi6TyZOMcadC9cYcKivBDf57P4VwD_CKp_-loB85IdXfWYGdtyF9u9TLejJBalhh4Gkx0lOgQuM62ipPvRf0TVtZQ_BBt1IRpTqOa6mt-YYUBCrj1pYz3MrtgxsKU072ucdykBQI/s1600/IMG_2105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycBCqi6TyZOMcadC9cYcKivBDf57P4VwD_CKp_-loB85IdXfWYGdtyF9u9TLejJBalhh4Gkx0lOgQuM62ipPvRf0TVtZQ_BBt1IRpTqOa6mt-YYUBCrj1pYz3MrtgxsKU072ucdykBQI/s640/IMG_2105.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Until this year. The attention has officially shifted to the kids. Fern and Ridge joined Burl in the kiddie K race. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Burl and Fern won their age divisions. If there was a prize for "smiled the most," then that would have gone to Ridge. He held Joseph's hand as he smiled and ran the entire race. He was so excited. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And I was just the regular old proud mama, thinking that they were best things alive. </span></div>
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Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-65864632902949190492019-01-02T09:43:00.002-05:002019-01-02T09:43:53.709-05:00A Barefoot Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43APpAMdeDIbV6zjNw0OWOVIy1h1M11grp8zKu7m7hpOYC6S2mmc_ZwnbY3OjRaVpC28ccGmS3vlvlvq7au0AaQx2uOxnZTNMgSBd3kwBz-7GofxbtZpjRZgx-euxvwm6o9fJuJAtYxE/s1600/IMG_E2096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43APpAMdeDIbV6zjNw0OWOVIy1h1M11grp8zKu7m7hpOYC6S2mmc_ZwnbY3OjRaVpC28ccGmS3vlvlvq7au0AaQx2uOxnZTNMgSBd3kwBz-7GofxbtZpjRZgx-euxvwm6o9fJuJAtYxE/s640/IMG_E2096.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I was younger, I use to get the usual question. "What do you want to be when you grow up?" While I always had a backup profession logged in my dreams, the real, serious, actual first answer never changed. Ever. It was always, "barefoot and pregnant."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got that dream four times over, and the dream stage hasn't stopped. While making pumpkin bread over the season, my baby grabbed his favorite farm book and found his favorite place, next to mama. The dream continues as those four (and no more) do cute things. </span></div>
Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-44243419585813009102018-12-22T12:39:00.001-05:002018-12-22T12:39:46.928-05:00Fern Turns 7. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a parenting-girls book I read this year, it described the stage that Fern is in as the Adventurous Years. She likes running around, exploring, PLAYING, and doing a variety of things. The section perfectly described where Fern is-loves nesting in her room, chatting with friends, and running around the neighborhood.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgXT5zzUrDEO1NZr6ZznHcca2P0kQRCHtaYetjaOSPOv4Dy9SRu7S_1q9XXp-YBQIbQ1OMYN3XRXxa5JS5i-JoC7uTDPAoB2Sc-GCZTSnJ3ogo5Bn6SUMjCs8CW88ub9WeJGCWDZVinY/s1600/IMG_3688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgXT5zzUrDEO1NZr6ZznHcca2P0kQRCHtaYetjaOSPOv4Dy9SRu7S_1q9XXp-YBQIbQ1OMYN3XRXxa5JS5i-JoC7uTDPAoB2Sc-GCZTSnJ3ogo5Bn6SUMjCs8CW88ub9WeJGCWDZVinY/s640/IMG_3688.jpg" width="426" /></a><br /><br />We use to worry about her shyness and how we could help her when she's feeling overwhelmed. There were years that she couldn't handle the birthday song, but she's really let a lot of that fall away. Not that shyness is a bad thing, but at times it kept her from so much! I look at these pictures from November and see a girl who full-throttle enjoyed her birthday. Presents, friends, playing, and celebrating all came so naturally to her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On her actual birthday, we gave her presents (including a caboodle!) and had dessert (proudly served by Burl) after our dinner. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had a simple friends party right after school on Friday afternoon. There's a park close by that we used. I grabbed a carload of kids and blared Shake It Off as they went wild and sang at the top of their lungs with the windows down. As I pulled up to the park, John saw me and laughed. He knew that this was a personal mom-highlight for me. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemv4BHVi_SjPenxigqayseap8Xr6rOX2WnzONDVtLAn4ATiDUIjRrRbGiyWP7r9xJWiiMUliS4Yb_wcOB84l2LYMCFIDNxX_PjPwPPXTVw3Zygnr82sfV8wwIOWzH5sd1tcEmzwWgzTY/s1600/IMG_2048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemv4BHVi_SjPenxigqayseap8Xr6rOX2WnzONDVtLAn4ATiDUIjRrRbGiyWP7r9xJWiiMUliS4Yb_wcOB84l2LYMCFIDNxX_PjPwPPXTVw3Zygnr82sfV8wwIOWzH5sd1tcEmzwWgzTY/s640/IMG_2048.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite the cold, the kids ran around and had a great time. "Kids will always find a way to have fun," I read this year. So true. I don't know where the quote is, but it's accurate and why this stage is so great. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had a great family dinner with the cousins and grandparents where she got great attention and spoils! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We closed out our celebrations with a treat for John and me. We took our girl out to dinner. This is our favorite way to celebrate. It's a parental indulgence. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This seven year old business is so big. I will always miss my children being babies, but it doesn't hurt when this stage is so exciting. We love our seven year old Fern and look forward to this year! </span></div>
Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-49342126522028535322018-12-22T12:16:00.002-05:002018-12-22T12:16:31.812-05:00Cades Cove Field Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTeA9aaTwlw2gFOTq48v7l9-LJs1HGaqw-rHTXwInUx2ZhV-7tgVWCASFWPAVzqqtRVDf4TJ0AH5SI9KyW51L9lnEMaBA5o2VTPL0A7RtkyaPo6Xzpkz4X2OJUjJDCBBtTwL9rzjWlk4/s1600/IMG_3670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTeA9aaTwlw2gFOTq48v7l9-LJs1HGaqw-rHTXwInUx2ZhV-7tgVWCASFWPAVzqqtRVDf4TJ0AH5SI9KyW51L9lnEMaBA5o2VTPL0A7RtkyaPo6Xzpkz4X2OJUjJDCBBtTwL9rzjWlk4/s640/IMG_3670.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />What a perfect time to hit Cades Cove! Fern's grade chartered two buses and took the kids for a full day field trip. The colors were unlike anything that I've seen before. The winding road to get there was coated in rich, gold hues contrasted with the darkness of the bark. It felt like it was glowing. While the kids made potty jokes, I kept interrupting with "Guys aren't the colors awesome?"</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrY5AfHK8bkb6fGFl-gNDPxl92asxaoAsl3kxxy8yL5RnZD6pxjH5ZQVB7DqhNLOnWlSos9ZZVbucfDrGBnmYv_JY2vrRJfjA-FGNQCWYsoulA-c1VhkvXeweE-MzOl1dlwMu7zzt-jB8/s1600/IMG_3657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrY5AfHK8bkb6fGFl-gNDPxl92asxaoAsl3kxxy8yL5RnZD6pxjH5ZQVB7DqhNLOnWlSos9ZZVbucfDrGBnmYv_JY2vrRJfjA-FGNQCWYsoulA-c1VhkvXeweE-MzOl1dlwMu7zzt-jB8/s640/IMG_3657.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Within a few minutes of entering the park, we got to see a six point buck!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRaE3v-dHeKocMf9flaQZJ1Tu7wJrJYuou48llWB30vV15KC_3B_9S2z02nZDOLON6tbTx9BAULgql4Wz_i7IsK64i5YB-WSPqx_NYkqJx2n-dEIlx5PTX-WYgCdJffDvZs7c9L9vMuY/s1600/IMG_2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRaE3v-dHeKocMf9flaQZJ1Tu7wJrJYuou48llWB30vV15KC_3B_9S2z02nZDOLON6tbTx9BAULgql4Wz_i7IsK64i5YB-WSPqx_NYkqJx2n-dEIlx5PTX-WYgCdJffDvZs7c9L9vMuY/s640/IMG_2018.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, nothing was as amazing as surprising Burl and his buddy that they got to skip school and join us. We grabbed Fern and Asher and they got to ride the loop, unbuckled with the back open while they ate junk food. There is no other thrill than that! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAq-hjuaTWAVYFIGOOxyTuUpj7PAJm3LAUrwv-ZuDnE5cL858TzmcUNTlEtv12W2Tcx-B9LqYTNIehB8bwywGWDcHThUNefZY4HAjRA9vbt9bPBEdQVNBXQJ4ADg4lSwpnb7etkRqSj4/s1600/IMG_3672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAq-hjuaTWAVYFIGOOxyTuUpj7PAJm3LAUrwv-ZuDnE5cL858TzmcUNTlEtv12W2Tcx-B9LqYTNIehB8bwywGWDcHThUNefZY4HAjRA9vbt9bPBEdQVNBXQJ4ADg4lSwpnb7etkRqSj4/s640/IMG_3672.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not only did I enjoy the colors, I loved being a fly on the wall as I listened to their elementary school discussions. I love the baby stage, but this stage offers a different kind of fun! Kids, they're awesome. </span></div>
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Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-17033858278998493962018-12-15T09:59:00.000-05:002018-12-15T09:59:00.587-05:00Lark Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, I have some time with my baby and me! When Ridge goes to school, I get a few hours of Lark time. It's really the best. Sometimes we have to use that time for errands, but sometimes he gets to do something at home totally FOR HIM.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTc8JnjttzppH-FkBYEryem-Fy3nHGPDm118gDXki5nJJhXqdZoCFFbOBe7_2vBxV6uIgbuiSzci5w8GcuAVnVVbtk-_wmCGehjkeUi9SAiCTEIUMvJJSQJT-l-tOZpyUiDPib__4E0Y/s1600/IMG_3642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTc8JnjttzppH-FkBYEryem-Fy3nHGPDm118gDXki5nJJhXqdZoCFFbOBe7_2vBxV6uIgbuiSzci5w8GcuAVnVVbtk-_wmCGehjkeUi9SAiCTEIUMvJJSQJT-l-tOZpyUiDPib__4E0Y/s640/IMG_3642.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A favorite toddler activity of mine has been sink time. The sink is empty of dirty dishes, I put some towels on the ground, pull up a chair, strip toddler down to a diaper and give them some plastic cups and measuring cups to enjoy. This was Lark's first time doing it and he stayed very busy while I watched him work. Those bare shoulders get me-so soft to kiss!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether it's a sweet activity like this or boring grocery shopping, we always do a lot of eye contact, smiling, and tickling. It's nice to have him by himself to go slow and enjoy. If you've been around here for a while, then you know that one-on-one time with any of my children is something that I really treasure. They offer more of themselves and I have more attention to take it all in. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivApqtU0Sx95gRNhRpwVjrZ3SPBNqcJonqESeZHJKV-kdjbL8mv5kQLbnYrqTw6XividBiTr3JrqeaJ-hPCB2ZNKmHkrikdZmKB4heL085-BTzPlDivGWWb3rKMY_J701I6m34CRrZ2gY/s1600/IMG_3655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivApqtU0Sx95gRNhRpwVjrZ3SPBNqcJonqESeZHJKV-kdjbL8mv5kQLbnYrqTw6XividBiTr3JrqeaJ-hPCB2ZNKmHkrikdZmKB4heL085-BTzPlDivGWWb3rKMY_J701I6m34CRrZ2gY/s640/IMG_3655.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The absolute best part of my Lark days is when we eat lunch at the counter together-he has started to reach for my hand! He likes to hold hands while we eat together! I'm tearing up right now thinking about this big small gesture that I would have never known if other kids were around. My big baby is such a joy and I'm so grateful for one day a week with him. </span></div>
Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-40871741730495078832018-11-25T09:32:00.000-05:002018-11-25T09:32:00.875-05:00Sweet Ridge Starts School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbHwYhQv3pbBjYty11TkUs4kk8P-DuiWnhChZervgV0sv_FlIbPmRsgJP42KvqH9AJogQtLrFKtPnxNtgIwYE7Zbkq0MVK11qkjZkZ2Jx77GjN0Tl4UFTw2vaW2YwZSasINZLmW4vvaY/s1600/IMG_3623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbHwYhQv3pbBjYty11TkUs4kk8P-DuiWnhChZervgV0sv_FlIbPmRsgJP42KvqH9AJogQtLrFKtPnxNtgIwYE7Zbkq0MVK11qkjZkZ2Jx77GjN0Tl4UFTw2vaW2YwZSasINZLmW4vvaY/s640/IMG_3623.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are two sides to Ridge: Ridge the Rhino and Sweet Ridge. Even when he's misbehaving, he has a sweet demeanor about him that is so soft and gentle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day after Halloween, our sweet Ridge got to start school. It's just one day a week, but he takes it so seriously. "I'm going to my own school and I'm going to get some new friends." He's been just a few times, but he absolutely loves it!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJT0fgnaTdSE70FKiZAnlfVU7TbYWmWZQ-Mb6ubwAw_0hBxck_-r0yyXz9UeA1taXgGrWHKMn27khrZMwY1Ct5eEYEg2uzgQMWfmXX7uU87jvpUknyH-Ey3Uf2OU5BGg9sVaBA9aIY2OM/s1600/IMG_3632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJT0fgnaTdSE70FKiZAnlfVU7TbYWmWZQ-Mb6ubwAw_0hBxck_-r0yyXz9UeA1taXgGrWHKMn27khrZMwY1Ct5eEYEg2uzgQMWfmXX7uU87jvpUknyH-Ey3Uf2OU5BGg9sVaBA9aIY2OM/s640/IMG_3632.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The teachers seem to pick up on his character too. They tell me how sweet he is, and even calls him "Sweet Ridge." His crafts that he brings home have that label. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm so happy for him! The walk to school is a favorite part too! It's just enough slow to remind me that I have the time to linger and go at toddler speed. We chatter, run, walk, stop, look, point, and play. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>It also reminds me of the sweet times that I had with <a href="https://abarefootday.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-new-thursdays.html">Burl</a> and <a href="https://abarefootday.blogspot.com/2015/09/ferns-first-school-day.html">Fern</a> when they started years ago. </i></span></div>
Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-40050366650337128742018-11-24T09:19:00.002-05:002018-11-24T09:19:29.373-05:00Tears, Wands, And High Energy <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiN1LhyphenhyphenXP5A1F53Ik9ES-c3BWh2ivDqpdKzDxtb2_iJYSZWAWJiXvZkVLRiun-60vNpxFMkSf8krE06sqvCFLMpa5YjR5QqhxPP8UD9HQYgkbZ8aMBMno8q7ZLO9hio723oQ2I1ncgg8/s1600/IMG_3614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiN1LhyphenhyphenXP5A1F53Ik9ES-c3BWh2ivDqpdKzDxtb2_iJYSZWAWJiXvZkVLRiun-60vNpxFMkSf8krE06sqvCFLMpa5YjR5QqhxPP8UD9HQYgkbZ8aMBMno8q7ZLO9hio723oQ2I1ncgg8/s640/IMG_3614.jpg" width="426" /></a><br /><br />This year we went for a group theme: Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Hedwig (Harry's pet owl). Instead of the robes and hoods, the kids wanted the preppy version of their characters. Deb made school patches (SO IMPRESSIVE!) which we put on uniform shirts. Ridge and Lark did ties, while Fern refused the boyish look, going for a scarf instead. Lark HATED his owl costume. I wrestled to get it on while he cried 100 tears. Thankfully, sugar, sugar, and more sugar gave him enough comfort to function.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVo-G7oZjwomG8jPVMPyiTKLk5Xo7a8kbKCIRnO3ovvpH-IDh-CAfCUP2cC3voCXHOgPkO0_1LBeMDsvznmo6qUiQYZZTYoDdjLf86qL7hksfJpXk3e7YkQLlChsaReF40-3pJ_Ft4QA4/s1600/IMG_3603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVo-G7oZjwomG8jPVMPyiTKLk5Xo7a8kbKCIRnO3ovvpH-IDh-CAfCUP2cC3voCXHOgPkO0_1LBeMDsvznmo6qUiQYZZTYoDdjLf86qL7hksfJpXk3e7YkQLlChsaReF40-3pJ_Ft4QA4/s640/IMG_3603.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoaDcvBKzUAxKjSJxgE0MXnj8y4E6Pw4i8lnoZknO473Es9OLCnK7TzmS9Vr_xD8jk-dpoKCYkQMN0a_v11idacAtN49ZO3rn-qAtLnPveuf1vZDvfbhbvBV71dS6VL1RhmN0_YeaKiY/s1600/IMG_3606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoaDcvBKzUAxKjSJxgE0MXnj8y4E6Pw4i8lnoZknO473Es9OLCnK7TzmS9Vr_xD8jk-dpoKCYkQMN0a_v11idacAtN49ZO3rn-qAtLnPveuf1vZDvfbhbvBV71dS6VL1RhmN0_YeaKiY/s640/IMG_3606.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The big three had fun trick or treating for nearly three hours! Lark did good for about one hour, saying "trick or treat" and "thank you" to everyone. Fun uncle Joseph came with us as well, while John and I traded our time at home passing out candy to over 250 people! I absolutely love halloween vibes! Such perfect fun. </span></div>
Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-687320967405513689.post-12156911535385050722018-11-07T14:33:00.002-05:002018-11-07T14:33:59.154-05:00Dinner & An Evening <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since our beach camping trip was cut short, we had some staycation time and extra money leftover. We decided to take the family out to dinner at a real restaurant with a server and everything. The whole night turned into a very fun evening and I have a few pictures to share. Of course, I'm still not great at taking pictures at night without a flash, but I'm learning. Please excuse the blur...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMuy4wYCsZw2VEJ_JldiS0fJMiDvJzDJD9qnw4dCtaEinR0ZSwxQrWw3FiHMQCZZO_AlfnQTUce36tnnW59BRRZTxkEOvIXXxh4S5falAhwRMsyRnDE8DHJyfE3IFPB3xlM1vTCOC3Eo/s1600/IMG_3575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMuy4wYCsZw2VEJ_JldiS0fJMiDvJzDJD9qnw4dCtaEinR0ZSwxQrWw3FiHMQCZZO_AlfnQTUce36tnnW59BRRZTxkEOvIXXxh4S5falAhwRMsyRnDE8DHJyfE3IFPB3xlM1vTCOC3Eo/s640/IMG_3575.jpg" width="426" /></a><br /><br />We went to a local pasta place near a walking bridge. Tony's Pasta was fun-free bread all night, kids meals that are big enough to split, and the spot where John and I had our very first official date. "Ew, yuck!" the kids said in response to that news, followed by explosions of laughter.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVp1GamkVJ82Rjk4p92nhqwhuWiJEaIB9GHUve36O4RhZG9T3K4NhG0TcBfpaZ_JwUfHEtsM3iMvLCD2qPqbZdq3x9Uypi9Pv4wEjuwkwUWNeWQW7kM5NOXQ7XoeVubhGVviW0UpcPHI/s1600/IMG_3568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVp1GamkVJ82Rjk4p92nhqwhuWiJEaIB9GHUve36O4RhZG9T3K4NhG0TcBfpaZ_JwUfHEtsM3iMvLCD2qPqbZdq3x9Uypi9Pv4wEjuwkwUWNeWQW7kM5NOXQ7XoeVubhGVviW0UpcPHI/s640/IMG_3568.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the walking bridge, we let everyone run free, or in Burl's case, climb free. Lark is starting to transition from being in the stroller to being a big boy. Because he was so excited with his freedom, he yelled in celebration the whole time. I imagined him saying, "I am big-here me roar!"</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJsCrzCcGQ9IXT-NbDktnpuY29gRsSCooddmk3pubKmiJ16P5W7HiT2PrllBZoSz1i86vWYYi04x7DAr7O5Y6-oFGoP5qsi43aCewftQKY0ovJC9dccWKEbwg-bEbESj9lycLw1DgxpM/s1600/IMG_3571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1025" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJsCrzCcGQ9IXT-NbDktnpuY29gRsSCooddmk3pubKmiJ16P5W7HiT2PrllBZoSz1i86vWYYi04x7DAr7O5Y6-oFGoP5qsi43aCewftQKY0ovJC9dccWKEbwg-bEbESj9lycLw1DgxpM/s640/IMG_3571.jpg" width="410" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the bridge, there is always someone playing good music. All the children liked it, but Ridge was the only one who asked if I would dance with him. Dance we did because he is my twin when it comes to good times and easy fun. Followed by the guitar man, we saw someone practicing ballroom dancing. Fern was the most intrigued by this! She gets her people watching from my side of the family, a trait that runs strong. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_3liHOvbTUfGPBqY5xH4Q-56ZJRh4eL7iHhsdnu6XIWUAemKhYo-EbDkWqNlFyQEFh0MuAMoC11K-l_h_AzFKv5pCLsplsfm8gRPvLXWZ5jd7aKa6Ic1biOz9c7i2yAPQLBY8sbVLvE/s1600/IMG_3584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_3liHOvbTUfGPBqY5xH4Q-56ZJRh4eL7iHhsdnu6XIWUAemKhYo-EbDkWqNlFyQEFh0MuAMoC11K-l_h_AzFKv5pCLsplsfm8gRPvLXWZ5jd7aKa6Ic1biOz9c7i2yAPQLBY8sbVLvE/s640/IMG_3584.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The night became An Evening and the kids forgot all about their camping trip troubles. They followed up by kindly asking if we could do this more often. Specifically, they asked if we could go to a restaurant once a month. Apparently $5 pizzas and drive-thru ChickFilA don't count-who knew!? We said yes (and it has to be a place that gives some food for free). Sometimes staycations can be better than vacations! </span></div>
Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00707110844821127597noreply@blogger.com0