tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63388538729284301232024-02-02T15:25:15.299-06:00My Family and Beyond3 kids, 2 parents, 1 awesome and full life!elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.comBlogger1051125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-40091701524068660162014-01-04T12:08:00.000-06:002014-01-04T12:08:44.708-06:00Baby it's Cold Outside!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brr...winter is upon us! It's cold and cold, and cold.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't like cold.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jaron doesn't care if it's cold or not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He loves snow, he is praying for snow and heading out to play in it as much as possible whenever it does snow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We got Jaron a sled for Christmas this year...and between our little hill at the house and the big hills nearby he is going to have a lot of fun....provided I take him and don't freeze to death!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's going to be an interesting Winter!</span></div>
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elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-61687342034106833942014-01-01T19:56:00.000-06:002014-01-01T19:56:07.083-06:00So Long 2013....Hello 2014! Let's Be Better!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, I'm a horrible blogger...but I am starting fresh again!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here it is 2014! I have to retrain my fingers to type that new number, try and remember to write in on my checks and other items and all around just figure it all out...by the time that happens usually the year is half over!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last year at this time I was feeling very low.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year I'm feeling pretty good. I'm feeling more motivated, ready to face the year ahead and make some changes for the better of the family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My word for the year is <span style="font-size: x-large;">Better </span>as in do everything a little bit better than you did the year or day before.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This hopefully will be fun. Some areas I want to be better:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to be a <i><b>better </b></i>wife. To give and be the help that my husband needs and to help him be a better husband to me. We have been married coming on 15 years this June and I think that no matter how good things may be we can definitely be Better.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to be a <b><i>better </i></b>mom. I want to teach my children, love my children and help them to grow to be better kids. This is doable and a growing experience all in one!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to be a <b><i>better </i></b>eater. I need to up my fruits, vegetables and healthy foods and limit my bad habits.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to be a <b><i>better</i></b> exerciser...here's how I hope to do that</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had Dan move the treadmill upstairs and into the living room. If I see it everyday I will be more likely to walk on it instead of putting it off when it's in the basement.</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to be a <b><i>better </i></b>housekeeper. This is an area I really struggle with...so again, it will be baby steps but if I am better today than I was yesterday than my house will be better off for it!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to be a <b><i>better</i></b> teacher. I'm a good teacher but there is always room for improvement!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to be a <b><i>better</i></b> blogger and not fall off writing in May or June and not pick it up for a long time. I was better last year than the year before but I can definitely do better.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So that's my goal for the year..<b><i>.to be Better</i></b>. What's your goal? How will you be better?</span></div>
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<br />elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-49836972604874048812013-11-24T15:51:00.002-06:002013-11-24T15:51:52.037-06:00It's time to put down some thoughts...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel the need to write today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't felt like writing for a long time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been BUSY....I mean super busy....I mean so busy that at times I can't believe how busy I am.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's hard to write when you are busy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I am busy I tend to complain, and when I write when I am busy I post more complaints than anything at that shouldn't happen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So no complaining...just commenting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've enjoyed the fall...with the exception of getting sick.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See I lost my voice...a major part of who I am is my voice. I talk a lot being a teacher, I also sing a lot and I was unable to do that. It was rough.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was also good I think.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll tell you why...I had to listen more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had to stand and understand that it's okay to be quiet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's hard to be quiet...it's hard to not speak when you like to talk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But it's good, its necessary and it's revealing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm trying to be quiet more...to listen, to think, to be okay with the stillness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I'm trying to adapt, to change and to be quieter...it's hard, I'm a loud person but I think it will be good!</span>elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-59737663298415069022013-07-23T15:56:00.001-05:002013-07-23T15:56:54.173-05:00Looking at the Calendar<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I looked at the calendar and realized that I am a very bad blogger as I last posted in June and now it's ALMOST JULY!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can we say busy?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes we can!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This has been a very busy summer!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So Far this summer:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The kids have gone camping twice. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jaron caught 1 fish, Janea 3 fish. They had a great time with their grandparents and I am grateful for the time they have with them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Firstborn well, she is now officially a TEENAGER! I am not old enough to have a teenager! I can't believe how mature and awesome she is and I am looking forward to seeing how she will grow and change.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dan and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary by going out for a steak dinner and seeing Monster's University without the kids.! It's amazing how far we have come in our marriage and seeing how much better friends and partners we are as the years go by.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We spent the 4th with friends and had fun lighting off fireworks and such, Jayden isn't a huge fan of the noise though.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jayden has moved into pullups and we are beginning the potty training process.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">School starts for me the 5th but for the big kids on the 15th. So we are gearing up for the new school year and hoping we get everything done!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a crazy life, but it's mine!</span>elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-37590221167835931972013-06-02T06:00:00.000-05:002013-06-02T06:00:02.163-05:00Feeling Old<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's June. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can't believe it's June already. Seems like this year is just whizzing by! Every time I blink some new thing is happening or some new milestone in our life is starting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">June is an important month around here. The firstborn becomes a teenager officially this month. She has been a teenager in attitude since about 5 but she is officially a teenager in a week! Can't believe it.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We're in that phase of life where it is the end of the world to get our picture taken, it's embarrassing to be seen with Mom and Dad, and we just don't know where we are going in life. She's growing up so fast. Hard to believe that just 13 years ago I was not really ready to be a mom, and guess what I still don't feel like I am ready to be a mom! She has taught me a lot as I am trying to teach her. Can't believe how fast life is moving and how much she is growing and maturing. </div>
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At 13...Janea enjoys</div>
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arguing...both for fun and in debate</div>
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theater...both watching and performing</div>
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superheroes and their movies</div>
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Dr. Who...if the TARDIS ever shows up I am sure she will join the doctor</div>
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Zombies and "real" vampires...not the Twilight ones</div>
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Love my firstborn, my teenager, the one who keeps me on my toes!</div>
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elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-20313594395442407642013-06-01T19:37:00.000-05:002013-06-01T19:37:15.769-05:00Fun in Forts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Call it brotherly love, call it survival mode, call it staying sane on a rainy day! I call it fun! The boys have been into building forts in the living room this month, and while it makes a rather large mess it's nice to see my boys playing together! True, the 10 year old does most of the work but I think they both have fun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They have gone from one room to 3 rooms...still working on making it just right~!</span></div>
<br />elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-58146989536806930312013-05-11T18:03:00.002-05:002013-05-11T18:03:31.444-05:00Happy Birthday<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dan's Birthday was on Thursday!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am very thankful for him!</span><br />
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<br />elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-63218357804622854992013-05-07T19:33:00.000-05:002013-05-07T19:33:12.813-05:00A Month of "Mayhem"<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyone else feel like the month of May is moving too fast?</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's only the 7th and I already feel like it should be over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May is important in our family for many different reasons but this May is extra hectic....so far this month this has happened.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May 2-3: "I HATE SHAKESPEARE"--Janea was in her first school production as a middle -school student. She did a great job! I am one proud Mama and look forward to supporting her through many more productions!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May 3-5 Fishing with Grandma and Grandpa! We went down for Kids Fishing Day at <a href="http://www.mostateparks.com/park/bennett-spring-state-park">Bennett Spring.</a>..love this place but it was COLD! We got a record snow in May here in the great midwest! Usually the first of May is warm and nice...this weekend not so much but we still had a great time and the kids enjoyed fishing, feeding the fish and hanging out with their grandparents~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May 4th was also a big day as my wonderful parents celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary! I pray that Dan and I are able to have as productive a marriage as my parents have!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May 6th--Beautiful weather returned and we decided to enjoy an evening at the park. Jayden loves the park! As we were going I remembered that our church had a fundraiser for our Mexico team at Burger King...so we went and supported them and I didn't have to cook.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week has brought Wax Museum of Famous Missourians for Jaron and he dressed up and did a speech on Walter Elias Disney for his Famous Missourian.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Janea is finishing up her Map Testing and working on finishing the school year with many research projects.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wednesday is AWANA awards night for Jaron</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thursday is Dan's birthday and Muffins with Mom for me and Jayden at our school.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The weekend ahead is full of Mother's Day and Calvary's commencement for my parents....and until school's out I don't think we get to have a breather as we have upcoming meetings and inductions into NJHS for Janea!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thankful for a busy month and enjoyable things!</span></div>
elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-62162522779715566822013-04-30T19:44:00.000-05:002013-04-30T19:44:04.829-05:00I'm Quirky and I know it<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I realized that I am really a weird person for many different ways...and I am cool with that....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like ICE cold water BUT I prefer my soft drinks lukewarm and room temperature.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love playing outside and being in the great outdoors BUT I don't like the smell of children after they play outside.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hate having cold feel at night BUT I can't sleep in socks...I will kick them off in the middle of the night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hate listening to people snore BUT I can't sleep if I can't hear a fan because I worry that the air will be too still and I will suffocate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love snuggles and hugs BUT I hate them from little feverish bodies and then I feel bad because that is when they need them most.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love Spring and Summer and warm weather BUT if I have a sunburn I get really resentful of them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know in the grand scheme of things these things don't really matter but I do find them a little interesting as I continue the journey of improving myself.</span>elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-6125802818189463442013-04-28T19:59:00.000-05:002013-04-28T19:59:02.120-05:00BUSY<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I am busy right now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Super Busy...you know the kind, lots of stuff going on, lots of programs for the kids, lots of places to go, lots to do...BUSY.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm rushing here, I'm trying to do this, I'm trying to finish that, I'm going so fast I don't know if I am coming or going. I'm BUSY. And it's not the good kind of busy...some of it is, other is not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've got stuff for my class at my school:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mother's Day Projects</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finishing Portfolios</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finishing Lesson Plans</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finalizing Summer Stuff</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keeping up the the Schedule</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Parent Teacher Conferences</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've got stuff for the Big kids</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Janea's in drama, so that means play practice, chauffeuring</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> her to rehearsals, late pickups from school, Saturday workdays</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jaron will have a 504 meeting for some issues he is having and that means taking time off work and finding childcare</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Youth Group</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last nights at Awana</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Going on a weekend with Grandma and Grandpa</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Projects, Map Testing and Finals</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've got stuff with Jayden</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Muffins with Mom</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Parkwood Sunday</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well baby checkups and special outings to the park</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I need time with the hubby but we are currently juggling all the little stuff.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's busy...and I feel like I am failing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I'm not,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm making the time, I'm trying to meet the needs of the family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm a little stressed but I am trying to prioritze and make sure that the important stuff gets done, that I am meeting all the needs of the emotions and not just focusing on the checklist. It's hard, but I am doing it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So we are Busy...and we will make it to SUMMER!!! Only a few weeks left!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-85963105398333182982013-04-21T08:17:00.001-05:002013-04-21T08:17:57.402-05:00"Sticking" Together<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones but words will never hurt me"</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">remember that rhyme? It isn't true...words do hurt but this post isn't about the words it's about Sticks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sticks....lots of sticks!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have 4 large trees in our front yard. We have one large tree in our back yard. We had a very snowy winter...which means lots of sticks have fallen off of our trees and into our yard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The husband hates sticks! Especially when he is mowing our yard. They kick up, poke, clog the mower. So every time he mows he sends the 10 year old around the yard to look for sticks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 10 year old isn't the greatest at finding all the sticks...but he gets a lot of them. I too went around looking for the sticks and Dan helped a lot too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The big question then becomes what are we going to do with all these STICKS! It's usually a really high pile!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This weekend we took care of the sticks by burning them. In the past we have burned them in the fireplace...a horrible messy job that drive me as the mom crazy! There will be stick particles and dirt everywhere. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DRt9pBpMlNauA_SEjjE_CJPZjR5ld-F_A98dHTAmQpqe4RdFHw-X9Behz0osJfX2ihrUf0-z9f79-BXP9mCd5E5cI_0bXK0vFI-CpoYZVnsZ9u4J8gWW5e5v_H6xKX3ZpxwTXxnGwH4Y/s1600/08FireBowl-de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DRt9pBpMlNauA_SEjjE_CJPZjR5ld-F_A98dHTAmQpqe4RdFHw-X9Behz0osJfX2ihrUf0-z9f79-BXP9mCd5E5cI_0bXK0vFI-CpoYZVnsZ9u4J8gWW5e5v_H6xKX3ZpxwTXxnGwH4Y/s1600/08FireBowl-de.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The husband knows that I hate this so we went out and bought a fire-pit this weekend. And we burned sticks yesterday...for almost 2 hours! We had a lot of sticks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dan was busy mowing the lawn, so I got put in charge of manning the fire. I really don't fire. I was badly burned as a young child and fire makes me really nervous. But the job needed to be done and I am a much more logical choice to man the job then the 10 year old. The firstborn was off doing the drama thing at her school.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So yesterday the lawn got mowed, the sticks got burned, we worked together. It was good...I smelled terrible last night and was super tired but I felt like we had accomplished something.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a cute note...the toddler got a lawnmower for his birthday from Grandma and Grandpa and he was going around and around the house yesterday just like daddy mowing the lawn! I wish I had had my camera out to capture the cuteness of it all!</span>elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-7281776323051914172013-04-13T19:12:00.001-05:002013-04-13T19:12:27.953-05:00A Parenting Perk<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This month we hit the start of a milestone year...the year where we will have a 2 year old, an 11 year old, and an "official" Teenager...13!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll be honest, I'm a little bit intimidated by the the layers of parenting this brood.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are now juggling tantrums, school projects, school activities, boys looming on the horizon, and the never ending driving to this event and that event.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will admit though it has it perks. We have a built in babysitter(if her schedule allows) case in point last night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday and every Friday my class at school is very CRAZY! We have 8 very loud boys in the class and they are very crazy and by Friday it's brace yourself, and hold on for dear life! It was extra crazy yesterday. And I was kidded out...literally.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So Dan and I talk frequently as we drive home for work and I suggested that I could use a night off this weekend if Janea was game to watch the boys...he had had a very busy week as well and was also in need of some spouse time so he volunteered to get her from Drama practice and then informed her of the plan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had enough Papa Johns' reward points for a free pizza! The kids love pizza so that was their dinner...I just payed for extra cheese sticks on the side. Dinner for them, under 10 bucks!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dan and I enjoyed a nice meal out without the kids. It was nice to talk and chat in the car, to enjoy a meal with no real interruptions and me not having to think about cooking something!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An hour and a half off. It was nice, it was really nice and it basically cost us very little for babysitting...a pizza dinner and new ear buds for Janea.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm very appreciative of a daughter who is willing to babysit and allow us as parents some much needed time off as a thank you for all we do for her!</span>elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-51005029077488895882013-04-13T18:23:00.002-05:002013-04-13T18:23:51.398-05:00Happy Birthday's!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week was Jayden's 2nd Birthday and the anniversary of my sister's birth! They share a day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are honestly some of my favorite people in the world! So thankful for both of them and their special days!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Birthday to you both! May you each have many more years of love and fun!</span></div>
elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-85365656870661713482013-04-05T19:41:00.002-05:002013-04-05T19:41:37.123-05:00Toddler Fun<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tonight, Jayden and I played in his room and we did the following:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Built a train set, took it apart, remade it, and then drove a car on it....bububububub...</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Climbed on the bed and spun in circles(I didn't do this but sat and watched)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hid 2 legos in a blanket bucket and then hid ourselves in the bucket and then covered mommy up and said peek a boo</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cooked some imaginary food and shoved it in mommy's mouth...(still working on the concept of gentle)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sang Ring around the Rosie about a 100 times and got dizzy and fell down.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shared kisses and hugs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Got into jammies</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now he just needs to go to bed, cuz mommy is TIRED! Jayden is still going strong but boy, I'm tired!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GY9xCAijfg0micpE5futyqluzgAdgvkYLuzpOYQMolp53YZQybZHiwoD6-m_en9jya8AJ2PVu0EhlVniAesvwGb80QX_8mkPX09xxWysC-2gpz9MzgaUeyt5DGNRWVWEkGerrSQ68Qdm/s1600/Easter+Weekend--Friday+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GY9xCAijfg0micpE5futyqluzgAdgvkYLuzpOYQMolp53YZQybZHiwoD6-m_en9jya8AJ2PVu0EhlVniAesvwGb80QX_8mkPX09xxWysC-2gpz9MzgaUeyt5DGNRWVWEkGerrSQ68Qdm/s320/Easter+Weekend--Friday+025.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love My Little Man!<br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-29311188599359497302013-04-01T17:44:00.000-05:002013-04-01T17:44:00.441-05:00Sanity<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm quickly reaching my breaking point,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My sanity is leaving me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've forgotten how hard parenting a toddler can be..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jayden is busy. He turns 2 in 9 days. He is curious, he is fun loving he is in a word....EXHAUSTING!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VyQ9Iied3xlT5-zLTyuNid3QzCbwql_3gnvrtbjSXYUfcF9JDgnivvf-cYbEFm1veXKu-WbhoTjoH650V0KEnUOC9fjan6QRz2zBIjAQ4VIl5chXFWkP0f7ikOQUgQAgjkm4CtIixLX5/s1600/Easter+Weekend--Friday+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VyQ9Iied3xlT5-zLTyuNid3QzCbwql_3gnvrtbjSXYUfcF9JDgnivvf-cYbEFm1veXKu-WbhoTjoH650V0KEnUOC9fjan6QRz2zBIjAQ4VIl5chXFWkP0f7ikOQUgQAgjkm4CtIixLX5/s320/Easter+Weekend--Friday+001.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The toddler after he spilled half a bottle of lotion all over himself and my kitchen!<br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, he went to my workday and staff meeting with me. It was not a relaxing time during the meeting, and I really hope my coworker took good notes because I was not really paying attention.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We got in the car to come home and he fell asleep. I thought I could transfer him to his bed...WRONG...he woke up and then hasn't napped since 12:40 this afternoon. It's dinner time now and he is going strong.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I needed nap time today. I needed quiet and peace and a moment to breathe....and I didn't get them. I'm a little bit angry about it too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love my son, I do, he is a joy to my life and a lot of fun to be around. He is also into everything. I was working on dinner and turned around to find him standing on my kitchen table trying to get into the cake container to have a piece of leftover birthday cake! ON THE TABLE??? WHY???</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is running around without a diaper, just pants, I know this because he keeps taking it off...might mean he is ready to potty train, might mean he likes freedom...probably means a mess for me to clean up soon...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See... I am quickly losing my sanity...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm praying for wisdom, strength and sanity! Also for ease in potty training!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-68154959138628820232013-03-31T18:52:00.001-05:002013-03-31T18:52:39.669-05:00Beautiful Easter Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friday the weather was fabulous! So we took the kids to the park and walked the track around! It was a great day for some exercise!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jayden and Jaron enjoyed playing on the equipment at the park too! Janea and Dan walked while the boys played and then we all walked together!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday we went to my parents house and dyed Easter eggs! Jayden loved it and we had fun hanging out with my parents and sister! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_Ox_VgiaGVW0ydwaXVI-bCFH_UP3xaY5bmpqiJfxn-Iql4NM9eYX8zb_M40IrkQB8ikYTDj0ymvjhQtGNFuzcGuBsLcCH7fmF7lbL2YXRWewJ_mjY43DsWQOYLxr96RmR8A8vsgD2Wqh/s1600/Easter+Weekend+Saturday+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_Ox_VgiaGVW0ydwaXVI-bCFH_UP3xaY5bmpqiJfxn-Iql4NM9eYX8zb_M40IrkQB8ikYTDj0ymvjhQtGNFuzcGuBsLcCH7fmF7lbL2YXRWewJ_mjY43DsWQOYLxr96RmR8A8vsgD2Wqh/s320/Easter+Weekend+Saturday+054.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday we enjoyed a wonderful morning at church and then the family came over for Easter dinner and birthday cake as Jayden turns 2 very soon! I didn't get pics today since I didn't have sufficient memory! Mom took a bunch and as soon as I get them I will add them to the post!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Very thankful for a time of family fun and refreshment!</span>elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-57792768158469377272013-03-26T19:20:00.000-05:002013-03-31T18:53:26.273-05:00Little Things<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been feeling rather under appreciated lately and then I am reminded that I matter in little ways:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A mom at work thanked me for writing a simple note on a daily sheet reminding her about a sack lunch being needed. She would have forgotten otherwise but my note helped her and made her day smoother.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My daughter is on spring break this week and wanted to help mom out by working at preparing dinner for the family. I helped some but she did quite a lot of it...and it was good! Thanks to the firstborn for her help tonight! I appreciate our wanting to help me by doing something I normally do!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The husband made the bed for me, I had taken off the sheets this morning and hadn't yet made the bed and he helped me out by putting the fresh sheet on, new pillowcases, and other things just because he loves me! I'm looking forward to sleeping in a clean bed tonight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The toddler is growing up, I can now peek in his classroom and see him throughout the day and he doesn't cry when I leave. He knows that I am in the building and that I will come and get him when I am done with work and the teachers he is with take good care of him. It makes the day move much more smoothly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 10 year old is going to make a cake tonight, I am thankful that the kids are learning how to do more and more things and do them well. I will have to help him but he is capable of doing a lot of it himself! I'm glad he is growing and maturing.</span>elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-2516467266227749392013-03-24T17:22:00.003-05:002013-03-24T17:22:56.639-05:00A Warm Day in March<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpE0xbNNQSuZW02Rtl3Sid7lC2cqEvBaRy4q-7J9RaPin5QR3B1iDhjXmRARR-cpBaya4BV7tp_I9TYkbrDnefICai6K7jAxX30Z1c_jA8OZ-Qwefu-B-X6weU4PBKfL5ZG-fZ0Bc5Ptqt/s1600/Warm+Day+at+the+Park--March+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpE0xbNNQSuZW02Rtl3Sid7lC2cqEvBaRy4q-7J9RaPin5QR3B1iDhjXmRARR-cpBaya4BV7tp_I9TYkbrDnefICai6K7jAxX30Z1c_jA8OZ-Qwefu-B-X6weU4PBKfL5ZG-fZ0Bc5Ptqt/s320/Warm+Day+at+the+Park--March+012.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheese! So much fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GAmqvnxBqTGxIPnQFqoYB2LsPld56uOqd8z0uOxX8cdSnm3Bzrry8JXknfxYFS3UniNMMx5IZc2p2HpvLTNISh4WcDWyTftbbw12wNHBR-W0xjxvgzJ26ABkD7KtbVAiMqvnQqd7SWCf/s1600/Warm+Day+at+the+Park--March+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GAmqvnxBqTGxIPnQFqoYB2LsPld56uOqd8z0uOxX8cdSnm3Bzrry8JXknfxYFS3UniNMMx5IZc2p2HpvLTNISh4WcDWyTftbbw12wNHBR-W0xjxvgzJ26ABkD7KtbVAiMqvnQqd7SWCf/s320/Warm+Day+at+the+Park--March+010.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tic Tac Toe</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZvzGnpbqpSl5AGf7PBFXe3-eUDkWvUEvyerwKvLqNcGri4TfgcS_BaFVH1sp2t97nWzuR9EeUP8wYXEcIk3m_mm-Tmc02xr0jmyPMcHqHg8Ukfx59SaQ1mRPrMTbEFbQlvLhM6kad5_H/s1600/Warm+Day+at+the+Park--March+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZvzGnpbqpSl5AGf7PBFXe3-eUDkWvUEvyerwKvLqNcGri4TfgcS_BaFVH1sp2t97nWzuR9EeUP8wYXEcIk3m_mm-Tmc02xr0jmyPMcHqHg8Ukfx59SaQ1mRPrMTbEFbQlvLhM6kad5_H/s320/Warm+Day+at+the+Park--March+034.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stop trying to take my picture mom!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5T71BoSzmyuR4ZJ6SUQEEMQPkqYGdWDuwVw1FEVSDE-NFkBJevXqq_JB1l7IINDZZyHPOwtZ_n7dditFpDMjefxd_WRN__dY_IzimEifIKX5CUNOhK2qtIAMa0FQ0ENOi4eFItMV0Rhn7/s1600/Warm+Day+at+the+Park--March+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5T71BoSzmyuR4ZJ6SUQEEMQPkqYGdWDuwVw1FEVSDE-NFkBJevXqq_JB1l7IINDZZyHPOwtZ_n7dditFpDMjefxd_WRN__dY_IzimEifIKX5CUNOhK2qtIAMa0FQ0ENOi4eFItMV0Rhn7/s320/Warm+Day+at+the+Park--March+035.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motorcycle man</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWC-613La1fQNlqkkWGg_vmGv95za2lL7OPtyjVbzbF5PLHUWPwjimw1y1ZKsGhcQArjuclaTQPdWewsS9M25wMKpznUH1X-H6hsDW8ILWgrYsb12koE0wKpHqAfwpbfLYVIUJaEw8RxJ5/s1600/Warm+Day+at+the+Park--March+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWC-613La1fQNlqkkWGg_vmGv95za2lL7OPtyjVbzbF5PLHUWPwjimw1y1ZKsGhcQArjuclaTQPdWewsS9M25wMKpznUH1X-H6hsDW8ILWgrYsb12koE0wKpHqAfwpbfLYVIUJaEw8RxJ5/s320/Warm+Day+at+the+Park--March+046.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such concentration</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTTapOtIBrV7MQr4mke0ch-oOP2g-xNj8bFYka-wQKtNaUsVqWlVvYZTsuuhG152d33hsrJPEmVeornt_PG-GXxCJSOikuZ_w8o_3f2YiXEB98lGFqvR5BdjDuKblM8pek5KNo3tv_vSp/s1600/Warm+Day+at+the+Park--March+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTTapOtIBrV7MQr4mke0ch-oOP2g-xNj8bFYka-wQKtNaUsVqWlVvYZTsuuhG152d33hsrJPEmVeornt_PG-GXxCJSOikuZ_w8o_3f2YiXEB98lGFqvR5BdjDuKblM8pek5KNo3tv_vSp/s320/Warm+Day+at+the+Park--March+069.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Through a tunnel!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadfqzAKhxIw_gUFArOPSX7ArFesVKDhtH5Urh8WHJIHl0YmFImKldfjYAFxY640Dor1ZNW_Lf5ySpAYskgIz2qH7fJlkwXmkhz0dffRpn8EaangwGE1ks5pJhUl5noWIA72NWKF6aDDPb/s1600/Warm+Day+at+the+Park--March+113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadfqzAKhxIw_gUFArOPSX7ArFesVKDhtH5Urh8WHJIHl0YmFImKldfjYAFxY640Dor1ZNW_Lf5ySpAYskgIz2qH7fJlkwXmkhz0dffRpn8EaangwGE1ks5pJhUl5noWIA72NWKF6aDDPb/s320/Warm+Day+at+the+Park--March+113.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jayden loves the slides</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMwFNJxWcVjsgSAm9kq6s2tQH_BA3eor3Ykbci-XYwFFNOpboVVk6PndRxAPZLx6fhA7hIbMEyAP3xcVRs5EkwuuN736hhadYeaGIhplGSxsxftngZHLXaofNrqIwTTLwPsfJAtjNv9JX/s1600/Warm+Day+at+the+Park--March+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMwFNJxWcVjsgSAm9kq6s2tQH_BA3eor3Ykbci-XYwFFNOpboVVk6PndRxAPZLx6fhA7hIbMEyAP3xcVRs5EkwuuN736hhadYeaGIhplGSxsxftngZHLXaofNrqIwTTLwPsfJAtjNv9JX/s320/Warm+Day+at+the+Park--March+116.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brothers and friends and sliding partners!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbTuqQq6uac7ZTecDkRSCKe0-2uTvznRKseE8QTNefuJo78HElz83bVzfFvSkGbCnixGrGFwntfK3Lj3RX9rX0exZUDbdCzsLaMknQ7_-7Gaptd78YK8pdfzsUrbWZ4E9FfRq0GzL3D6q/s1600/Warm+Day+at+the+Park--March+120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbTuqQq6uac7ZTecDkRSCKe0-2uTvznRKseE8QTNefuJo78HElz83bVzfFvSkGbCnixGrGFwntfK3Lj3RX9rX0exZUDbdCzsLaMknQ7_-7Gaptd78YK8pdfzsUrbWZ4E9FfRq0GzL3D6q/s320/Warm+Day+at+the+Park--March+120.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't want to leave!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkGR6oeHRgMoIJpt2ojITMqWIJtf2DrAnHOVdkiofTPesficErkZ9sfjokmM_mrF2W8faHKBEUTgX3JmM7LDOObTAbRVGtawIv_ib5dyU3ImoLC1dr4SAsx17YeJQdckliENTYoVC4h9o/s1600/Warm+Day+at+the+Park--March+126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkGR6oeHRgMoIJpt2ojITMqWIJtf2DrAnHOVdkiofTPesficErkZ9sfjokmM_mrF2W8faHKBEUTgX3JmM7LDOObTAbRVGtawIv_ib5dyU3ImoLC1dr4SAsx17YeJQdckliENTYoVC4h9o/s320/Warm+Day+at+the+Park--March+126.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swinging for 5 minutes before we head home</td></tr>
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<br />elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-11952742939919309412013-03-16T14:29:00.000-05:002013-03-16T14:29:25.948-05:00Busyness and other whatnot<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here it has been about 2 weeks and I have fallen off the blog wagon...but not really. See I've wanted to blog, had some posts in my head but honestly, we have been soooo busy this month!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here's an update:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I turned <b><i>36</i></b> on the 6th...yes, <b><i>36</i></b>...and I am old. This birthday has been rather hard and I really don't like that I am now closer to 40 than 30 and it's mind boggling how old I am. Dan and the kids took me out for dinner on my birthday and my folks had the kids and I over on the day after my birthday. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dan and I decided it was time to get me a new camera for my birthday! HOORAY! My other camera wasn't closing in the battery hatch and so I downsized to a small compact point and shoot with more features than my other one and better resolution. I love getting to play with my new toy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friday the 8th Janea had a debate tournament at her school. They were hosting so judges were needed. I went to the evening session and judged storytelling and I enjoyed it very much, The firstborn and I didn't get home until rather late though and so the next morning was very tiring as the toddler decided to get up at his normal time!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PoSQ7LUvMUu9l-u1hNnaTfMgD9ysvK1RgrkVngKLJeYDzoy8-YgksLHsc9VbuOdFZOGi3riDJqCPSOxvYEFAAPtPoddZgKdgz8zHMSjUxPsqz9fgyz7nbEPVzT3iREy4ooqn7ZbX4wsv/s1600/New+Camera,+March+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PoSQ7LUvMUu9l-u1hNnaTfMgD9ysvK1RgrkVngKLJeYDzoy8-YgksLHsc9VbuOdFZOGi3riDJqCPSOxvYEFAAPtPoddZgKdgz8zHMSjUxPsqz9fgyz7nbEPVzT3iREy4ooqn7ZbX4wsv/s320/New+Camera,+March+023.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the 9th we had AWANA Grand Prix...and Jaron raced his car...didn't place well but that's okay. Janea and Dan stayed home with Jayden since he and the car race wouldn't have been a good fit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday the 10th Dan and I got to go to the Matinee performance of Calvary Bible College's Seussical. It was a lot of fun and nice to be out together without the kids.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1URDCSpD_vknMDsLbUt0b0dWCnxTpphYxR4ekpVYV9E5IuicB06l5o-5lDWA6yUMnotyTaal_FTQzX_Ne-i91BCs-Af0jD2AUY2_-67YbQanCzWoqo_mZM_FUFcNKjyeKBbIGN03StrI/s1600/New+Camera,+March+128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1URDCSpD_vknMDsLbUt0b0dWCnxTpphYxR4ekpVYV9E5IuicB06l5o-5lDWA6yUMnotyTaal_FTQzX_Ne-i91BCs-Af0jD2AUY2_-67YbQanCzWoqo_mZM_FUFcNKjyeKBbIGN03StrI/s320/New+Camera,+March+128.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week was weather week in my classroom and on Monday night I made Rainbow stew for Rainbow day. The toddler decided that he needed to try it out for me and pose for the camera at the same time</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The toddler is fascinated by all things big kid and this week he also decided that he needed to do homework with his brother. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't believe my baby is going to be 2 in just under a month. It's been a crazy busy month and it isn't slowing down at all...but that's a snapshot of my life right now!</span></div>
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elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-90757384943060007042013-03-03T15:51:00.002-06:002013-03-03T15:51:42.763-06:00Sometimes<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Sometimes</i></b> your plan isn't what you want...but it's sometimes what He has for you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Sometimes</i></b> you feel angry or tired...and God is there to help you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Sometimes</i></b> you get angry and use inappropriate language...and God gently taps you on the shoulder and reminds you that you are better than that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Sometimes</i></b> you feel down and crazy sad...and a song of Praise will lift your Spirit and turn your focus on HIM.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Sometimes</i></b> you get angry and ask Why?....and sometimes there is no immediate answer, but He is still there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Sometimes</i></b> you wonder why you are given something you didn't know you wanted or needed...and God reminds you HE is in control.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Sometimes</i></b> you can't believe you are getting to be so old and yet you are so young and immature in your thinking...I'm thankful God is not like me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Sometimes</i></b> you need to step back, breathe and just be thankful for the life you are given. I'm that sometime today...thankful that my God is bigger, and greater than anything I can feel, think or wonder.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-34027886430699087592013-03-01T21:53:00.000-06:002013-03-01T21:53:13.297-06:00Looking Back to Look Forward<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's that time again...evaluation time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been another month. Another goal, another process of seeing if I am better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, I've kinda fallen off the blog wagon...but I have been busy and the toddler has discovered watching TV.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been trying to make more time with the hubby so I am off the computer more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been trying to be loving and giving this month and show love even when I am tired, frustrated or being selfish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See, I'm human and I am not superwoman and I forget that sometimes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been a full and crazy month.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have shown love, I have been snowed in, I have put others needs before mine. I have helped in ways I have not thought physically possible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been good, bad and challenging all wrapped into one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, what does March look like...what's the goal....what do I need to work on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My goal this month is HEALTH. Being healthy. Eating healthy, behaving healthy, loving healthy, a good goal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully an attainable one. I'm feeling much healthier mentally but I still have work that needs to be done. So HEALTH is the goal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's to a good month!</span>elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-9016705154627578842013-02-20T08:28:00.000-06:002013-02-20T08:29:03.970-06:00Loving Even when its Exhausting<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nothing is more exhausting to a mom then a sick kid.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kids don't get sick at convenient times, at least mine don't.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My kids usually get sick in the middle of the night, or during a week when Dan and I can't switch off who stays home, so I am home with them, jeopardizing my good standing at work. Or they get sick when they have a huge competition or something fun at school.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The toddler is sick...fever, congestion, coughing, crankiness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He has spiked a fever in the middle of the night the last two nights, waking me up and then having trouble going back to sleep.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel bad for him, and at the same time, I'm exhausted! I'm up with him, snuggling, giving Tylenol or ibuprofen, getting a drink, helping him fall back asleep. Then just when I am sleeping again, the alarm goes off and I have to start the day, getting the big kids and Dan off to work, determining if I am going to work, checking temperatures.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday, he woke up fever free so I thought it might have been a fluke of a fever so we went to school, only to go home an hour early because he had a fever. It didn't go down to normal even with Tylenol yesterday so I called in last night knowing it was probably going to be another long night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was, Jayden fell asleep okay but woke up 3 and a 1/2 hours later with a very high temperature. He needed drinks, more medicine, and just wasn't able to fall back asleep for around 2 hours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could have been angry...and I will be honest I was frustrated. However, he can't help being sick, he can't meet his own needs, he is too little. I just have to love and be loving even though it isn't what I want to do. I have to put myself aside and give love. I have to love even when my son may not be the most lovable or friendly, when he is cranky and hurting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think this is kind of how God is with us. We often are needy and demanding, frustrating and challenging, but He never turns us away. He is that loving Father that meets our needs and helps us through our challenges and loves us no matter what.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm thankful for that truth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Praying my little man feels better soon! Also looking forward to naptime and getting a little bit of extra rest myself!</span>elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-85295288706402773152013-02-17T15:11:00.001-06:002013-02-17T15:11:49.969-06:00Valentines Day<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been a week for us.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have been so busy, so everywhere, so focused on Valentines Day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Valentines Day....I used to dislike this holiday. I've never been a mushy gushy person. Don't get me wrong, I feel love, I just don't need Valentines Day to show love to people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, this year I embraced my inner Valentines...I put more thought into it and decided to bless Dan in the process.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He knows I love him, I know he loves me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We do forget to do nice things for each other sometimes so we decided to put thought into our love and show each other love this month.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In honor of Valentines Day I made him cheesecake...homemade, not from a box, water-bath baked cheesecake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've never made cheesecake before...see I don't really like it. It's okay, but not my favorite.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> However, I've recently joined Pinterest, and I found these cute conversation heart cheesecakes and I totally thought I am going to make these for him...so I did and they tasted great, but I couldn't get them out of the pans so they technically were a fail.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also pulled a Supermom, Superteacher moment and baked full size blueberry muffins for my class and mini muffins for the toddlers class. I really felt domestic...but we did have to eat McDonalds in order for me to have time to do all these things...I do work you know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We both worked on V-day and so I crocked pot a Pot Roast for dinner and we enjoyed a quiet evening together on the couch catching up on shows on our DVR...my kind of night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On another note, we have found a way to keep the toddler busy...YOUTUBE...especially the yogabbagabba channel...he can watch this on the computer and we can watch other non kid TV...he goes back and forth and enjoys it so I am using it for the moment...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plus for me....See's Candy....only the best candy in the world...my favorite for Valentines Day! Thanks dear for the present! Love ya!</span></div>
elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-66019282223892724632013-02-10T10:25:00.000-06:002013-02-10T10:25:35.216-06:00Pondering Rain<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>"Rain Rain...go away...</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Come again some other day"</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember that rhyme. I remember growing up in Sunny California and thinking this on some rainy days. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used to dislike Rainy days...now I enjoy them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is something wonderful about a gentle falling rain. A good soak for the earth. There is something fun in splashing in puddles and walking in the rain</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had a very dry summer. A long drought...hot and dry. It was not the greatest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year we are getting more rain. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last night it rained, thundered and hailed. Spring weather in February! I love the sound of rain on the roof.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It made me think of my journey.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rain is good....tears are good. Sadness is helpful. Blessings come in unexpected ways.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The song above is one that has touched me many times especially when I am feeling down or low. Sometimes pain and trials are God's way of making me a stronger vessel to serve him. Sometimes when things are hard I need to look for the blessing instead of the pain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I have to serve my family instead of demanding they serve me. It's about being a blessing and being blessed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you are blessed and being a blessing to others today! </span>elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6338853872928430123.post-1414490423841661032013-02-05T19:35:00.000-06:002013-02-05T19:35:05.395-06:00Be willing<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Sometimes things change and you have to be flexible. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Sometimes you won't have things fall into place the way that you want it to go.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Sometimes no matter how hard you try it just isn't working and you have to do something else to fix it.</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been dealing with this over the last few months at work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>BIG GOALS</b></span> for the year...yes I am "<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><i>Miss I Gotta Plan</i></b></span>" but while I am a Lead teacher we co-teach at my school.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My plans and my co-teachers implementation of those plans wasn't happening. I mean I had 2 co-teachers at the beginning of the school year, within 4 weeks it was apparent that one of them was not going to work out. This teacher wasn't pulling their weight, and didn't have their heart in the job. Within 6 weeks this teacher was no longer working with me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other co-teacher started out strong but quickly spiraled into a never ending pile of complaining and feeling overwhelmed. I was dealing with 24 children and a co-teacher who couldn't seem to help me fix the room. She tried, I will say that for her, she worked really hard, but I feel like she was overwhelmed. So the room suffered, I suffered, I was stressed, I was Failing bad at this. It was hard, it was exhausting and I felt like I was drowning in a sea of I'm not doing a good enough job.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My bosses needed to make changes, staff was hired, hours were changed and I got to regroup. I became a member of a team of 4. I went to part-time hours and got to spend more time with Jayden and got my house more under control. I got to regroup, but I also went to a low place emotionally, I mean I often find my identity by my job...I am Miss Erin, the teacher, what would I be if I am not that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was tired, stressed, and feeling like a failure. I was in that low place. That unhappy place that I am working so hard to pull myself out of right now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The break helped. I was able to guide the team and get them comfortable, I was able to do a good job at work and regroup. I was able to feel needed and I was much less stressed!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the 1st week of January, my boss told me that she might need to move me to another room. By the 2nd week I received an email letting me know that I was needed in another room and that I would be back to full time hours..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here I am back to working 38.5 hours a week. I am able to do what I love, teach young children. I am not in the age that I prefer but they are a good group of kiddos. I'm team teaching with a young woman who is a behavioral specialist. She takes the data, she helps with the behavior management plans and I get to do what I love, plan fun and exciting lessons, create meaningful art, talk about fun things and bring my input into the classroom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's good. However, if I hadn't been willing to take a step back and grow from the experience of another mom, who is also my boss, I might have missed out on the growth that I am having and be in a totally different place that might not be as good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's one thing I am trying to do this year. I'm trying to learn to <b><i>Be Willing. </i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I need to <b>be willing</b> to see how I can grow from criticism. More often then not, it will help me to be better.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I need to <b>be willing </b>to let go and not try to make something work, to ask for help when I need it!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I need to <b>be willing</b> to stretch myself and see that a change can be a good thing, not a punishment.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I need to <b>be willing</b> to smile, to put on a happy face when I might not want to!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I need to <b>be willing</b> to be used as God would want me to be, to see His guiding hand and <b>TRUST</b> Him to be in control of the situation.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you ready to be willing too? I hope so. It's a challenge but exciting all at the same time!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>elj377http://www.blogger.com/profile/03208840516657682557noreply@blogger.com0