tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27161794877045162632024-03-05T08:14:25.515-08:00Kali's Life As a Mommy and Wifekalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.comBlogger189125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-70000641155900884552014-08-26T22:29:00.000-07:002014-08-26T22:31:35.747-07:00Closer<span style="font-family: inherit;">We are getting so close to becoming certified. We have just one class left, our physicals, CPR/First Aid, and the rest of our Home Study. Part 2 of our Home Study is scheduled in just a few weeks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Tonight in class I learned several eye opening Foster facts. Did you know that there are over 400,000 children in the United States Foster Care system? Did you know that 60,000 are in California? In San Joaquin County, where I live, there are over 1,400 Foster children. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I asked the social worker tonight what the average length of time is from certification to placement. She replied, "Same day. Definitely within that week". Shocked me. I was expecting weeks or even a few months for some reason. But, she said they have so many children and not enough Foster families. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you feel like you can give a child or children a loving, nurturing home, I urge you to consider becoming a Foster parent. The difference you could make in a life is profound and the effects are limitless. One of the reasons I did NOT want to become a Foster parent is because I know I am the kind of person to get attached. But guess what. These kids need someone who will be attached. They need someone who loves them that much. We are hoping to adopt, but we are planning to go through the Foster system. It doesn't always work out the way you expect, and I know I will be heartbroken if a child is removed from my home... but I need to love them with my whole heart anyway, and support them returning to their bio families if that is what the court sees as best. This will be hard. It might be the hardest thing I've ever done, but I cannot deny the strong feeling I have to move forward in this direction. If we can make a difference in someone's life, even for a short time, then I feel, it is worth it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I believe in God. I believe that He inspires us to do things sometimes that might be out of our comfort zones, but I know that if we listen to those promptings, there are huge blessings that await us. It might take some </span>courage and will take<span style="font-family: inherit;"> some faith, but if we do </span>what<span style="font-family: inherit;"> He asks of us, we cannot fail. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of my favorite scriptures is 1 Nephi 3:7<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2716179487704516263" name="7" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="border: 0px; color: #2f393a; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 22px;">And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I</span><span style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 22px;">will</span><span style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 22px;">go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no</span><span style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 22px;">commandments</span><span style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 22px;">unto the children of men, save he shall</span><span style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 22px;">prepare</span><span style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 22px;">a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.</span></span></span></div>
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As a Foster parent, you might have hard days, but the good will outweigh the bad. If you are called to do this work, help will be available, from a loving Heavenly Father, who is just a prayer away to social workers, counselors, friends, and other supporters. If you're thinking about it, I encourage you to do something about it. <!--3--><!--3--></div>
kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-60692349548160026232014-07-02T22:17:00.001-07:002014-07-02T22:17:23.445-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This just got real. We have officially completed the first part of our foster/adoption process, our PRIDE training with the Positive Parenting group. We have learned so much in the last 6 weeks, and have made so many improvements in our home. We just got back from our family reunion (so fun, more on that later), and then with Girls Camp next week, I'm kind of in survival mode right now. Then, we can tackle fingerprints, physicals, our next set of classes, and the home study. One thing we did to get ready, is order the boys' bunk beds. We're all pretty excited about that. </div>
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Anyway, keep us in your prayers, and really all those precious children in the foster system. We hope to make a positive difference!</div>
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<br />kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-79463637475798785162014-06-16T00:13:00.000-07:002014-06-16T00:13:32.758-07:00A Little Announcement <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don't feel quite ready to share this, but I also feel the need to document our journey, both for myself and for those who may also be going through this process or considering it.<br />
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Anthony and I have decided to become foster parents with the intent of eventually adopting. It's interesting because Anthony and I talked about our desires to adopt before we even got married. It just so happened that we conceived almost right away and had Landon a year after our wedding, and 19 months after that, Harper arrived. My heart was turned to adoption when Harper was about a year and half. So, it's been 3 years that I've had this weighing heavily on my heart and mind, and due to various circumstances and strong, unceasing feelings that I've had, we felt the need to start now.<br />
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It's been three weeks since we attended our first class. I am taking notes diligently, soaking up every bit of information I can, and applying what I'm learning in our family. Our teacher is a marriage and family therapist, and has been amazing. We are learning so much and have made positive changes in our home already.<br />
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We met with our case worker for the first time on Tuesday in our home. That made it seem so real! Like, we are seriously doing this! Now we have paperwork to tackle, fingerprints, physicals, more classes, and then our home study. This process could take 6 weeks and it could take 8 months.<br />
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We are well-aware that this is not going to be easy, but I feel a calmness and peace that I can't describe. I have prayed constantly for direction, and have felt Heavenly Father guiding me every step of the way. I know He has a plan. I'm not sure what it is, but I will continue to go forward with faith. It just so happens that the agency we decided to go with is just 2 miles from our home and is also faith based. We have already been given so much support.<br />
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We are asking family and friends to also be supportive. How can you support us? Understand that we are aware this will be hard. We understand there are many uncertainties, but we ask that you be positive. To quote Scott Simon, "There are times that the adoption process is exhausting and painful and makes you want to scream. But, I am told, so does childbirth".<br />
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We feel strongly that this will be worth whatever sacrifices or difficulties we might face. Our family has a lot of love to give. We are hoping to adopt, but, in the mean time, if we can bless the life of a child, even temporarily, our efforts will be worth it. Of course, our hearts will break if our first placement doesn't end up being permanent. Of course, we will get attached. But, isn't that what these kids need? Someone who is attached and loves them unconditionally?<br />
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We are always accepting good thoughts, positives vibes, and lots of prayers. We would love your support on this journey.<br />
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<br />kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-64172648572931200952013-10-06T20:07:00.001-07:002013-10-06T20:12:01.670-07:00Welcome Fall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am so excited for Fall this year! Baking everything pumpkin, wearing boots, scarves, and comfy sweaters, watching <a href="http://www.lds.org/general_conference/sessions/2013/10?lang=eng" target="_blank">General conference</a>, fall photo shoots with all the beautiful color changes, Harper's 4th birthday, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. It's going to be a fun, busy season. </div>
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We kicked Fall off in the Matthews household making some delicious chocolate chip pumpkin oatmeal cookies. We actually made them for our Young Women personal progress planning night. I was recently called as YW's president in my ward. I'm still in shock, but it's been really fun. </div>
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Harper and I went to Elk Grove's Fall Festival yesterday with some good friends. It was so nice to have some one on one time with Harper and he had so much fun. Harper is the biggest animal lover I know, so he was in Heaven at the petting zoo. I just love this sweet, gentle boy so much.</div>
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There was a really interesting performance by a San Francisco based theater group. Harper was fascinated. We got to mingle with the performers afterwards and overall, it was a pretty fun day. I already had a very good impression of Elk Grove. It's super family oriented, which is way different from Stockton. We have thought about possibly moving there at some point.</div>
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<br />kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-55724283439192861632013-03-10T22:05:00.002-07:002013-03-10T22:23:37.141-07:00Instagram<br />
Oh, instagram. You make me so lazy. I really feel like my kids should have pictures that are larger and better quality than 8 megapixels. And I call myself a photographer. Pshhh. My goal is to whip out my nikon more with the boys. I put so much work into client photos, not just taking them, but hours and hours of editing because I want them to have something clear and beautiful that they can display, in any size, on their walls. I love that our little cellphones can take pictures and with apps like instagram, afterglow, and VSCO cam, you have tons of different editing options, but it's time for me to get my act together and put in the time to take more pictures of the kids with my actual camera.<br />
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Yesterday, I had the most amazing session with my friend's parents. They've been married over 40 years, and I honestly have never seen a couple more in love. I laughed so much with the two of them during our session and teared up at several of the photos after. Love is so beautiful, especially after 40 years, 7 kids, and 14 grandkids. You can see more of their sweet session on my <a href="http://www.kalimatthewsphotography.com/blog" target="_blank">photography blog.</a><br />
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In the mean time, before I cut back, here's our life lately, according to instagram:<br />
<a href="http://distilleryimage6.s3.amazonaws.com/b6f8b5ce82d311e2986822000aa8062e_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://distilleryimage6.s3.amazonaws.com/b6f8b5ce82d311e2986822000aa8062e_7.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" /></a><br />
Harper pushing his girl, Makayla, through the aisles of Trader Joe's while she snacks on mango gummies. What a life :)<br />
<img src="http://distilleryimage11.s3.amazonaws.com/ee9247c082d311e2867a22000a9f1266_7.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" /><br />
The cutest babes I know hanging out on the asparagus tunnel.<br />
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Ms. Sophie and me! Love this pretty girl and she actually loved me that day. Win!<br />
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Last week, I photographed the wedding of a very dear friend, Camille. Such a beautiful bride, and I could not be more happy for her and Edzekiel. After 9 years, it's about time they were hitched.<br />
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<img src="http://distilleryimage9.s3.amazonaws.com/2103824487b811e2986822000aa8062e_7.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" /><br />
Hoodlums in the women's locker room at the gym.<br />
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Found a picture of me as a kid at my aunt's a few weeks ago and realized that I have a mini-me too! I mean, we already knew how much Harper looks like Anthony.<br />
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And here's Landon doing his weekend shopping and looking fabulous. I just love these boys.kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-92164964863099772232013-02-26T14:31:00.000-08:002013-02-26T14:31:16.436-08:00Food Docs<br />
I've been kind of obsessed with food documentaries lately. Just in the last few weeks, I've watched King Corn, Vegecated, Food Matters, and Forks over Knives. I studied nutrition in college and have always been really fascinated with it, despite my lack of self control when it comes to sugar. But I am way more motivated to eat better after watching these documentaries! The boys even tuned in and learned a thing or two.<br />
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Landon is pretty fascinated with the human body in general and is always asking about how different foods affect it. We were at a birthday party recently and someone gave him a fruit punch. He ran up to me and said, "Mommy, does this have red food dye in it?" I told him it did, but to go ahead and drink it anyway. Later we had the talk about sometime foods and anytime foods.<br />
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I can't tell you how much better I feel though by cutting certain foods out and eating a mostly plant based diet. My energy levels have been steady throughout the day and I just feel lighter and cleaner. If you have the time to just watch one documentary, watch Forks Over Knives. It is fascinating and could change your life.<br />
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Funny story//<br />
I cut out meat recently and hadn't had it in weeks. Yesterday I went to Togo's and asked what their vegetarian options were. The manager literally spent about 10 minutes with me explaining all the different options I had. Very gracious of him considering there were like 40 people in line. After learning about all my choices, I went with a vegetarian salad, then asked for the baked potato soup. The manager gave me a kind of funny look, but went ahead and processed my order. I sat down, ate my salad (it was good), then took a bite of the baked potato soup. It was basically the most delicious thing I had ever tasted. I quickly took another bite, then another, then another, then I looked up at Anthony and said, "This has bacon". He was like, "Oh, shoot. Well, take it back". I felt reeeally bad, but I didn't take it back. It tasted too <strike>good</strike> freaking amazing.<br />
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So, I guess I'm not a vegetarian, but I will be making every effort to "eat meat sparingly". On a serious note, I think if we all ate less meat, there wouldn't be these factory farms that abuse animals so horrifically. :(<br />
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We've been eating pretty well around here though. More time spent in the kitchen, yes, but it's been fun.<br />
<img height="400" src="http://distilleryimage6.s3.amazonaws.com/04ea0eb47c9811e2948e22000a1f9d45_7.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="400" /><br />
We spent a few hours with my neighbors the other day. They have so many fruits and veggies planted in their backyard garden and I can't wait to start mine!<br />
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We are so ready for Summer! These are some "valentime" flowers the boys picked for me on our walk home the other day. So in love with these fellas :)<br />
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And here they are watering the lawn yesterday. It was gorgeous out!<br />
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On Saturday night, they fell asleep on the way to dinner. We woke them up, brought them into the restaurant, and they fell right back asleep on me! It was barely 7. They ended up sleeping all through dinner and stayed asleep until 9:00 the next day. Haha. I couldn't believe it! We got some crazy looks. People probably thought they were drugged.<br />
<img height="400" src="http://distilleryimage4.s3.amazonaws.com/78ef053e7e3311e2a3b222000a9f1696_7.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="400" />kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-10127987517214273182013-02-18T18:09:00.004-08:002013-02-18T18:20:43.690-08:00Star Student<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Landon is Star of the Week in preschool this week, which means we get to bring snacks, toys from home, and create a poster of pictures and all the things he loves. His teachers gave us a survey to fill out that will be shared with the class. I asked Landon each of the questions tonight as he colored pixar cars for his poster. Here are his word for word responses:<br />
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<b>I love:</b> to play my preschool learning games on the computer, Jason, my family. I love when I'm the star student, Grandma Ruth, and Lightening McQueen.<br />
<b>My birthday is:</b> April 10th.<br />
<b>I am special because:</b> I'm good to Daddy and Mommy and Harper.<br />
<b>My favorite book is</b>: The Human Body book, especially the bones<br />
<b>My favorite food is:</b> cheeseburgers<br />
<b>When I grow up I want to be</b>: a police officer knight<br />
<b>My favorite color is:</b> green, orange, and blue<br />
<b>My favorite thing to do is:</b> drink water because I want to be strong and super fast to be a police officer<br />
<b>Tell us about your family:</b> Mommy takes pictures. Daddy goes to work. Harper goes potty, and I go to preschool.<br />
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He asked why I was laughing as I wrote out that last one. Landon gets straight to the point. I love him so much. Last night, I kept him up for about an hour after Harper fell asleep, for some one on one time. We looked at pictures of him as a baby, watched his ultrasound video, and talked a LOT. He's like mommy... he can talk foreverrrr. He asked why we wanted a boy baby after he was born when they already had a boy baby. I told him Heavenly Father chooses that and wanted him to have a brother. I said if he wants a sister, he'll have to talk to Heavenly Father about that. Right away, he folded his arms and prayed, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Heavenly Father, help us to be good and can I please have a sister and a sister and a sister and a sister? In the name of Jesus Christ, amen".</span><br />
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I told him he just asked for four sisters. He said, "No, I didn't. I asked four times because I weally, weally, weally want a sister.<br />
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<br />kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-20712320916350882722013-01-28T02:30:00.003-08:002013-01-28T02:30:53.146-08:00Weekend ReportThis weekend was really good. Saturday we spent the day with friends, one of which is writing about me for a journalism class, so she had to shadow me for three hours. Literally half the time she was with me, I was cleaning. I planned to be interesting on Saturday, but I don't know what happened.<br />
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We did go to lunch at Kinder's. Landon and Harper started slapping each other around as usual. That's when Laura told them the police were going to come and arrest them for assault and battery. To our lovely surprise, not 3 minutes later, a pair of police officers walked in. And if you don't know, Landon is obsessed with police officers. That is currently his career of choice, so he can "punch bad guys in the face". Anyway, he would not stop staring at the officers, so I asked him if he would like to go say hi. He enthusiastically shook his head up and down and asked if I would come with him. He and the officers chit chatted for a few minutes about how he can become a police officer. They told him he has a lot of energy, so he'd be good for the job, but he needs to work really hard in school. Then they noticed Harper standing beside Landon. They commented on how he must be the quiet one (true) and asked him what he wants to be when he grows up. Easy, "Hulk Smash". They laughed. I hope these boys are always friendly with police officers, but... not too friendly.<br />
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I just realized we have had Leila for 9 months now and she hasn't even made an appearance on the blog. This is my third child. She is a boxer we rescued in April. I am in love with her. She understands me better than anyone else. I have a lot to say about this girl... I'll save it for her own post.<br />
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We had a family date at Elephant Bar on Saturday night. We each got our own desserts for the first time ever, which I realize is totally unnecessary, but oh, so good.<br />
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Harper gave the prayer in primary today. He seemed super excited to get up there, but a few seconds after standing at the pulpit, he got really nervous. I whispered a few short lines of prayer into his ear, and he whispered into the microphone, totally jumbling his words. I think the only thing anyone could understand was, "Jesus Christ, Amen!" He was glad to get that over with. I'm proud of him though. Sunbeam today, General Authority tomorrow. I have high ambitions for these kids.kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-78670378154702844172013-01-24T13:43:00.001-08:002013-01-24T13:47:31.867-08:00Harper Survey 3.3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I took this picture to test the light before a session on Tuesday morning and I could not stop staring at it. Harper's my "baby" and I like to think of him as just that, a baby. But he's not. Sigh. He is so big. What I love most about Harper right now is how sweet and sensitive he is. He has such a kind soul. He is quick to say sorry, quick to obey, and the best snuggler in the whole entire world! He is still so squishy, I love it.<br />
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Anyway, I've seen those kid surveys floating around Pinterest. They suggest doing one every six months or every year, but I know I won't remember, so I'm just going to do them when it's on my mind. Here's Harper's from today, age 3 years + 3 months:<br />
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Favorite food: Ice cream<br />
Favorite sport: Bowling ball<br />
Favorite show: Wild Kratts<br />
Favorite thing to do at school: Play with the dinosaur animals (at Landon's preschool)<br />
If you could go anywhere on an airplane, where would you go: Animal land<br />
Favorite color: Green<br />
When you grow up, what are you going to be: A grown up<br />
Favorite song: Wild Kratts<br />
Favorite book: Animals book<br />
3 words that describe you: Candy, puppy, poop on the potty (um?)<br />
Favorite snack: Chocolate covered blueberries<br />
Yuckiest food: Salad<br />
Best friend: Jeremiah<br />
People you miss: Thomas<br />
Favorite place to go: Chuck E. Cheese<br />
Favorite pet: Leilakalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-32758128799946270912013-01-20T19:51:00.000-08:002013-01-20T19:53:40.976-08:00highs and lows<br />
I have to admit that this week kicked my tush. Big time. It's basketball season, and not only is Anthony coaching full time, working full time, and in school full time (superman, I tell you), he is crazy and started picking up overtime to score keep for the boys' games after his own practices!<br />
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What does that make me? A single mom. I should be used to it. Actually, for the most part, I am, but the kids have been cuh-razy this week. Have you ever just had one of those weeks where the kids are crying and whining about everything?<br />
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To top things off, Leila snuck into a package of Otis Spunkmeyer chocolate muffins (the big ones) and ate every single one. Then she crapped on the floor.</div>
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I'm happy to report that the week did get better. I think it started with these crepes. Thanks, Pinterest.</div>
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Another high note, was finding these hilarious glasses. Thanks, Target.</div>
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For FHE, on Monday we went to Barnes and Noble and I let the boys pick out one book each. Landon picked out two Wreck it Ralph activity books, a Thomas the Train sticker book, and a science book about human anatomy. I told him he had to pick just one out of the three. To my surprise, he chose the science book. They are both obsessed with it and have already had me read it several times this week. Future, doctors? ...Buy me house? ;)</div>
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The best news of the week came after we got the Bob book beginner reading sets. Landon's been trying really hard to sound out letters, then make out words. The first time he read the first book by himself, I couldn't help but tear up. Of course I'm proud of him, but what got me so emotional was how proud he was of himself and how hard he worked to get there. He's a determined kid (which can be a challenge for me), but I'm thankful he's channelling that into something positive.<br />
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If your child is identifying letters and sounds, I would highly recommend the Bob books. What I love about them, is that they make reading so simple. I wish I would've had them for Landon sooner. The first book has 6 letters, then the next book uses those same letters plus 2, and they slowly add more with each book, so they build up to the rest of the alphabet gradually getting more and more comfortable and confident. I sound like a paid sponsor. Haha, I wish. But really, these books are awesome.<br />
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<br />kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-12015403012121190192013-01-16T19:11:00.000-08:002013-01-16T19:14:42.282-08:00counting blessings<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I felt pretty depressed yesterday. I've been unusually tired lately. Probably because I've slipped up and started eating gluten, but I found myself just feeling down about everything. After getting the kids to sleep, I looked around the house, feeling purely exhausted and overwhelmed. </span><br />
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The boys made a "couch fort" with all the blankets and pillows piled high onto the sofa. There were children's books scattered from the living room all the way into the bathroom (yeah, bathroom!). Laundry was piled even higher than usual. Dinner dishes were still on the table and I know it sounds petty, but I went over my calorie goal for the day and felt really bad about it.</div>
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Then I felt selfish. </div>
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We have the comforts of a sofa and warm blankets. My children have books to read and toys to play with. They have clothes to wear. We had a good dinner-- and better yet, got to eat it together, so rare during basketball season. </div>
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I found myself getting teary-eyed as I began to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">count</span> my <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">blessings</span>.</span> I no longer felt the burdens of the day, but those negative feelings being swept away and replaced with gratitude and happiness. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">"<span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">Count</span> <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">your</span> <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">blessings</span>, name them one by one, <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">count</span> <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">your</span> <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">blessings</span></span>, see what God hath done"</div>
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I hope I can remember this experience on other "bad" days as I complain about "first world problems". </div>
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And queue pictures of my babies-- I mean big boys. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">^^ This was after I forgot to empty the bath water and Landon decided to sit on the edge of the tub. He slipped in. I died laughing and couldn't stop. He didn't think it was that funny.</span></span></div>
kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-77586753815181960232013-01-15T14:28:00.003-08:002013-01-15T14:30:21.423-08:00no more kids in nursery This Sunday was Harper's second week in primary. Last week, we dropped him off in that big room full of big kids, Landon on the other side of it. He was quiet, but seemed fine. This week we dropped him off and he looked so sad. He said, "I want to go to my class", the class with the toys, the class with the snacks, the class without chairs, or high expectations. To be honest, nursery is where daddy and I preferred to be during second hour as well. Now we actually have to go to class. I guess we have some growing up to do, too...<br />
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Anyway, it's just becoming more and more real to me that these boys are no longer babies. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">They are growing up,</span> and I'm not sure how to feel about it<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.</span> Landon has always been so mature for his age, but it was easy for me to pretend Harper was a baby this long. He's still so snuggly and squishy! It's time for me to embrace these stages, encourage growth, and celebrate new achievements.<br />
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Love these crazies.</div>
kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-87161439585086637942013-01-12T12:46:00.000-08:002013-01-12T13:04:59.806-08:00healthy house with lots of insta pics to show for it<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, the boys are feeling much better. That means, they are back to jumping on beds, making messes, building forts, and playing hide and seek. That also means Landon is back at preschool. His teachers tell me, he always has a lot to say. Apparently he told the librarian during story time,<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"I just gotta tell you one thing... when you take a bath for a long, long time, you turn old and wrinkly, and you can't see anymore, and you talk different." </span></div>
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He's never lacking for information.<br />
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Couldn't be more happy that these crazies are feeling better. But oh, boy... they wear me out! I'm so tired all the time. I adore them though and wouldn't trade this stage for anything else. We were out to dinner last night and Harper suddenly put his crayons down, grabbed my face with both chubby hands, puckered up his cute little lips, and laid one on me. Can't tell you how much I love those surprise kisses! One of my resolutions is to not get so busy that I don't have time for the little things... playing hide and seek, building puzzles on the floor, reading stories (not just at bed time). In ten years, I don't want them to be too busy to do these things with me. </div>
kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-37212131584586656892013-01-05T16:15:00.003-08:002013-01-05T16:22:37.016-08:00boo, stomach flu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just while I was finishing up my most recent post, Harper said, "Mommy, snuggle with me." I snuggled for a minute, tried to finish my post, then he said again, "Mommy, snuggle with me." I shut my laptop and we cuddled up in my bed. He is such a good cuddler, and I love, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">love</span> that he will still let me hold him, and squish him, and love on him, even though he's a big 3 year old now.<br />
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A few minutes later, he got up and threw up <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">all </span>over my ikea rug and minnetonka moccasins. So glad I didn't just brush off his need for snuggles because before the puke, I didn't realize he was feeling so bad.<br />
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That night, he did a lot of puking and I did a lot of cleaning. The next day we laid low and watched movies on the couch. Landon puked too. For some reason, I thought once you became a mom, it wouldn't be a big deal to clean up puke because they're your kids. Wrong. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So wrong!</span> I hate cleaning up puke. I had to hold my breath and try not to do it, too. It's awful.<br />
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On a positive note, after all the sickness stopped, the week concluded with a one hour massage and girls shopping trip that had been planned for months. I couldn't be more grateful that I stayed healthy and still got to go! It's a miracle, considering most of what I've eaten has been holiday sugar crap for the last several weeks.<br />
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<a href="http://distilleryimage8.s3.amazonaws.com/906c8ba6555611e29a1922000a9d0dee_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="http://distilleryimage8.s3.amazonaws.com/906c8ba6555611e29a1922000a9d0dee_7.jpg" width="532" /></a>kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-84396221038977888392013-01-01T22:16:00.000-08:002013-01-01T22:16:05.625-08:00New Year's Resolutions 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of my many New Year's Resolutions is to blog more. I've averaged 50 posts per year since 2009... until 2012 when I pathetically posted 5 times. And I think 2 of those were food posts. Does that even count? Guilty. So guilty. </div>
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In order to avoid feeling completely overwhelmed, I'll start with today, the 1st of January 2013. I'm off to a good start for the year, right? </div>
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Today we surprised the boys and took them to the Oakland Zoo. Harper has been completely obsessed with animals, particularly wild animals for the past several months now. He and Landon love to watch Wild Kratts and know more about animals than I do. They're favorite exhibit was the elephants. I love, loved seeing their smiling, excited faces. Sweetest thing ever. </div>
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<img alt="Photo: Surprised the boys with a trip to the zoo today. Loved seeing their excited faces, especially when we got to the elephants." class="scaledImageFitWidth img" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/c0.0.403.403/p403x403/3878_10151162756922204_1443331323_n.jpg" /></div>
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Christmas just gets more and more fun as the kids get older. This year was a blast. The boys were completely spoiled by our families. We feel very blessed and very loved.</div>
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Anyway, no one probably reads my blog anymore, but if you happen to read this... Hope you had a beautiful Christmas and a Happy New Year! Here's to the best in 2013 :)kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-68337946236795776662012-07-08T23:04:00.002-07:002012-07-08T23:04:54.975-07:00Girls Camp and Thoughts on Babies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEb4vOph3ZSgjNCrLekKBuwLM28mLyHCrsTLh-5Ejeu-Ha69Ai2XTK4pBtwS033mhfAdmjWfK1P3UdAMtuPJGg6_EkbaM3DrnTpZMziw1Ao6exhCbmWr5dTy9XNqzhyaRcCdClE8iIADi/s1600/DSC_0805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEb4vOph3ZSgjNCrLekKBuwLM28mLyHCrsTLh-5Ejeu-Ha69Ai2XTK4pBtwS033mhfAdmjWfK1P3UdAMtuPJGg6_EkbaM3DrnTpZMziw1Ao6exhCbmWr5dTy9XNqzhyaRcCdClE8iIADi/s640/DSC_0805.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When we moved back into the El Dorado Ward, I'll have to admit, I was sad. Not because I didn't like El Dorado, but because I loved Brookside Ward and especially my calling in YW. Apparently, Heavenly Father knows that though because I got the exact same calling when we moved into the El Dorado Ward that I had in Brookside! I could not be happier and am loving all of these girls and the women I serve with so much! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PY5bQekgWZEsFn5saB4ZKi5aoUnW85mYTZFPR6PrpOuCqkF2JP7eE8of_K7bsDxmdwZ6mFxV3KeDqeAhlSyZJJNCwXT2G0f_hssoLVC5MbvQigDmfgopNJvSES_4pADG9Hk4WndaNHA9/s1600/DSC_0751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PY5bQekgWZEsFn5saB4ZKi5aoUnW85mYTZFPR6PrpOuCqkF2JP7eE8of_K7bsDxmdwZ6mFxV3KeDqeAhlSyZJJNCwXT2G0f_hssoLVC5MbvQigDmfgopNJvSES_4pADG9Hk4WndaNHA9/s640/DSC_0751.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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Archery was definitely a highlight for me and even more than that, being there to hear the girls' bare testimony of gospel truths they have learned along the way. I am always impressed at the wisdom in these young girls. I think I get so much more from them than they get from me. Again, I am soooo grateful to be working with the Young Women.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsY7YPivI-gv4RcrCDWL2xl-GPGGF0jM4yI-FKzLu4FmAbOG__UNFrTusOzon1oivUozLV02olni_lhcpsclC_njZF-rZ9Ixn22-33-K6Z2f20opRANNW-Ib4JIjN6dspS4p3zvsRFpbF/s1600/DSC_0964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsY7YPivI-gv4RcrCDWL2xl-GPGGF0jM4yI-FKzLu4FmAbOG__UNFrTusOzon1oivUozLV02olni_lhcpsclC_njZF-rZ9Ixn22-33-K6Z2f20opRANNW-Ib4JIjN6dspS4p3zvsRFpbF/s640/DSC_0964.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was barely gone more than 30 hours, but oh, how I missed my boys. Landon greeted me with an excited hug and kiss when I got home. Harper didn't even get up from his chicken nuggets, so I headed over to the table to give him a kiss. He said, "No kiss me! I sitting with Daddy!" I was shocked! I expected him to miss me the most. </div>
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I was wiped out, so last night I put them to bed early. Harper crashed and Landon stayed awake lying next to me for several hours asking question after question, like really deep questions for a four year old. He surprised me with his maturity. I was thankful for an opportunity to have a long, uninterrupted conversation with him, based mostly upon his thoughts and interests. Normally, I'd shush him by 9:30, but we laid in bed and talked until half past 11. He talked a lot about babies... here's where it started:</div>
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It's kind of funny-- a few months ago, we were at the veggie park for a play date, and Landon told my friends, "My mommy gonna have a baby, and it's a girl!" </div>
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My friends looked at me shocked and as they were about to question/congratulate me, I had to correct him. Nooo, I'm not pregnant. Not even close. Maybe a food baby, but that's about it. Of course, Luisa wasn't going to miss an opportunity to have fun with this though. She asked Landon what the baby's name was, patting my belly. He didn't hesitate to respond with, "Rainbow!"</div>
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So, that's when it started. The last few weeks, he has mentioned "Rainbow" at least every other day, even praying for her, marching into my room unannounced telling me we need to get baby girl clothes, and asking to get her a bow headband in every color. One night, I told him, "You know Landon, we may not have another baby for a long while, and if we do, we don't get to pick if it's a girl or boy."</div>
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He said, "We'll have a boy, too. Two babies". I asked him what we would name the boy (because the name Rainbow just cracked me up). He thought for a minute, very seriously, and said, "Ayson!" He's never even met an Ayson, so, for coming up with it himself, I think it's pretty cool name. </div>
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Tonight, he told me that Rainbow is going to come first, then "it's Ayson's turn to get in your belly". He also told me that he wasn't going to be big like daddy, but that he would be a little bit taller than Rainbow. He said, "I'll be a little taller than Rainbow, Harper will be tall, and Ayson will be short".</div>
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I don't expect anyone to be reading this far along into the post, but I wanted to write this down just in case, our future ends up looking like this.</div>
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Anthony and I weren't planning on having another child for a few years. We always talked about having 3-4, but there was no rush. Some of our friends had 2 close in age, then waited 6 years to get pregnant with their third. We thought that was a pretty good idea. Then we thought of adoption. We signed on with an adoption agency in our county, were assigned a worker who we met with, and started the mounds of paper work, knowing it would probably be a few years before we were to adopt. About a week ago, our worker called me and asked how the paper work was coming along. I told her we were working on it, slowly but surely, and that we were also interested in becoming foster parents, so that if we needed to adopt a child through foster care, there would be less transitions for him/her. Even though this agency works hand in hand with foster care, I think she took it the wrong way, and sent me a letter saying that our case had been dropped, per our request, but to contact her if we change our mind. Major miscommunication. But lately, I have felt like maybe we should just have our next child naturally. As much as I wanted to and planned to adopt, that may not be the right plan for our family right now. </div>
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So, what to do? I've been praying, a LOT. I've fasted. I'm still not sure what the next step is, but cannot stop thinking about having another baby. Some call it baby hungry or baby fever. I don't know if that's it or if it's a spiritual prompting to have another child. What do you think? Have you been "baby hungry" before? Does it just go away? Or do those feelings get stronger and stronger until you have a baby? I've told myself, we can't even try for another until I'm 100% okay with having three boys, because that's a huge possibility. I'm hoping Landon's right about a girl-- but I don't think we'll be naming her Rainbow.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazS3mBS6Z_DB8ehQV6Fe9GJAb5OY5lXpSWX_ge_650awIV4iOSnjm8dGtwPvh2I4qm87nyX4k2aP6t8407XDlqMLUhyphenhyphen1FMH21SW61J0N6Bog3o7-sU2Udyh5nK-qz-OkWY6xz98lbubSN/s1600/DSC_0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazS3mBS6Z_DB8ehQV6Fe9GJAb5OY5lXpSWX_ge_650awIV4iOSnjm8dGtwPvh2I4qm87nyX4k2aP6t8407XDlqMLUhyphenhyphen1FMH21SW61J0N6Bog3o7-sU2Udyh5nK-qz-OkWY6xz98lbubSN/s640/DSC_0016.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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Oh, yeah and Landon learned to write his name today. :)</div>
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<br />kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-48528638418820963112012-06-30T19:39:00.005-07:002012-06-30T20:01:59.939-07:00Water Balloons and Sprinklers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I can't believe how long it's been since I've blogged! This is the longest I have gone without blogging since I started in 2008. Yikes. Well, we have been pretty busy this Summer. We moved into a house in April, so we <i>finally</i> have a backyard and the boys are loving every minute of it! </div>
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This morning we filled up some water balloons, carefully leaving half the package untouched for when friends want to join us! Because this is a TON of fun. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8eJB7ZUHtnWlaEIBfjO9IKIN75vxI9IfNpeBNVb6DsoveDJK3Tnn4ctJkti8MsXJTp8JvaOgyUuAeXsNMmuqKnmLa9J1lQaODzulKpCDcZfhz2gXxs-OWO0ZWeinWNH4sERHc1xaZe08c/s1600/DSC_0034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8eJB7ZUHtnWlaEIBfjO9IKIN75vxI9IfNpeBNVb6DsoveDJK3Tnn4ctJkti8MsXJTp8JvaOgyUuAeXsNMmuqKnmLa9J1lQaODzulKpCDcZfhz2gXxs-OWO0ZWeinWNH4sERHc1xaZe08c/s640/DSC_0034.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aGlNwnztFrt6xBCeeuTGl_XTq9myGXWbNuUHWo3NvJX1Z-0N4WcW5YJ3BNqVQFj15-ombsAsA5afNYnto8xX59SlH2jMqzEuFwFyMJa3YYTOWHGf2zMQrW8x0bL5V_RQYr08SV4whFsO/s1600/DSC_0028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aGlNwnztFrt6xBCeeuTGl_XTq9myGXWbNuUHWo3NvJX1Z-0N4WcW5YJ3BNqVQFj15-ombsAsA5afNYnto8xX59SlH2jMqzEuFwFyMJa3YYTOWHGf2zMQrW8x0bL5V_RQYr08SV4whFsO/s640/DSC_0028.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Here are Harper's expressions after I told him to throw the balloon at Landon:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhiz3BEJ1O3ke6ZGvngjjBWEIIG_VjhFFUZKegxM-ttX0QBTVKIGJsW5xMt7Wmo53gmiEbn3BDAx_7lqNjqYgHA2KbvaNFzAzA1KNekYskfUal1GopZmevQbjlKFGY-XXKCJwcUZZnQKD/s1600/DSC_0020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhiz3BEJ1O3ke6ZGvngjjBWEIIG_VjhFFUZKegxM-ttX0QBTVKIGJsW5xMt7Wmo53gmiEbn3BDAx_7lqNjqYgHA2KbvaNFzAzA1KNekYskfUal1GopZmevQbjlKFGY-XXKCJwcUZZnQKD/s320/DSC_0020.jpg" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgN8o79_SXIZ1gL_YyRo2UnH4y6N1rfuIPVmuDBcZdqL5a-YHthiW60X4bmbcxylc6daYlB3tX4XzKn26mUB1syDM_EEmuTXoKDNAzffkVfkdKHaw8sl-edH9Yak4JtfU2lhS6kYgS7yN/s1600/DSC_0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgN8o79_SXIZ1gL_YyRo2UnH4y6N1rfuIPVmuDBcZdqL5a-YHthiW60X4bmbcxylc6daYlB3tX4XzKn26mUB1syDM_EEmuTXoKDNAzffkVfkdKHaw8sl-edH9Yak4JtfU2lhS6kYgS7yN/s320/DSC_0022.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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First: "Whaaat?" Then: "Oh, yeah!"<br />
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Unfortunately, Landon gave him the first hit, but don't worry- Harper got him later!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIybR1bruB9-d3_ok_1ANc95E2eqdUMZHHAw7v_dFDQiKhg4ubmNW80j4_YMpP3TuITNJvMkaH8z0id1s9ZAcV7O3R44Yo0qf-S4Nd2K0wBSfxsX9CcXjJa4abF7kTDoqvRYJC07ENLjU/s1600/DSC_0057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIybR1bruB9-d3_ok_1ANc95E2eqdUMZHHAw7v_dFDQiKhg4ubmNW80j4_YMpP3TuITNJvMkaH8z0id1s9ZAcV7O3R44Yo0qf-S4Nd2K0wBSfxsX9CcXjJa4abF7kTDoqvRYJC07ENLjU/s320/DSC_0057.jpg" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2BOrLpPI_XbmxaVVLkmX9VbR6D6KsvyBoVo9dtmmT_bnyaf1wpvWEWEVh0MB-UNZODC5YczCChqI7LTIhGxIJhvBJSJgWq2Ye5cnwc9o6IslB_CN5UbEnjNNGaGBPuOEuQ2_ZpgyOKU5/s1600/DSC_0072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2BOrLpPI_XbmxaVVLkmX9VbR6D6KsvyBoVo9dtmmT_bnyaf1wpvWEWEVh0MB-UNZODC5YczCChqI7LTIhGxIJhvBJSJgWq2Ye5cnwc9o6IslB_CN5UbEnjNNGaGBPuOEuQ2_ZpgyOKU5/s320/DSC_0072.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then this evening, we played in the sprinklers.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Landon had so much fun, so much that I'm hoping he'll go to bed real easy tonight.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YiMvmPsY3NRKDwqgGpxKF6SqR4QLBbIm_WB0j9dg1cfUrXaB3aj65HiGYwmlpxOlv_9MYfimsmUxxlhxgA7Ck3pI-4hpDpJrFsJIcIfDHPXDJB8bdQi5dHtzwpzQk9dzjgVK18wU0naF/s1600/DSC_0083-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YiMvmPsY3NRKDwqgGpxKF6SqR4QLBbIm_WB0j9dg1cfUrXaB3aj65HiGYwmlpxOlv_9MYfimsmUxxlhxgA7Ck3pI-4hpDpJrFsJIcIfDHPXDJB8bdQi5dHtzwpzQk9dzjgVK18wU0naF/s640/DSC_0083-2.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Harper ran through once, then observed for the rest of the time. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5ShN93DPrDB7qctC45ALRAbbGr1GbuUoYtHSk2QGFg1MFbxNLXAD0fFCUgGRMAyx8eEBFb5UVj2tiocDGkpgPohKdQ6TpYlN3A1UIIAiffMxpQhZbJSrm9gVgviO9Zzn3T2epUOyl7YT/s1600/DSC_0093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5ShN93DPrDB7qctC45ALRAbbGr1GbuUoYtHSk2QGFg1MFbxNLXAD0fFCUgGRMAyx8eEBFb5UVj2tiocDGkpgPohKdQ6TpYlN3A1UIIAiffMxpQhZbJSrm9gVgviO9Zzn3T2epUOyl7YT/s640/DSC_0093.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then I came inside to do some work, leaving them to play.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's what I found when I asked them to come in for dinner:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAzQp9bm8fwU1kFNwy6JxLhNFGsz2q5ivzdIogXO5Nh31LyYKOIeQtfIdYOqab5h2VkzwpU6Tgw1Ae8a1p43FbfRkWfRKWTLbp94JCgSPC-NkwB8SaxBXMA87Mcq6fk7yiLDglnTavD2l/s1600/DSC_0676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAzQp9bm8fwU1kFNwy6JxLhNFGsz2q5ivzdIogXO5Nh31LyYKOIeQtfIdYOqab5h2VkzwpU6Tgw1Ae8a1p43FbfRkWfRKWTLbp94JCgSPC-NkwB8SaxBXMA87Mcq6fk7yiLDglnTavD2l/s640/DSC_0676.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then they had a bath<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(how most adventures end in the Matthew's house).</span></div>kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-41689897063403352922012-01-12T11:46:00.000-08:002012-01-12T12:38:06.881-08:00Sugar Free Oat Drop Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaO78-Zw_vf4ytZjYRogOzUDSPFm4EBMp3uRUzTppeaXiOFeCtWBbEpt6GEIoL27Vq0cGDOUb9YcLyEuPoOC_ZNbH1ATQYPXTGpreGZFoVRa2IPzworA3pncSRycAS1U2O2qXWbk4eQkz/s1600/DSC_0100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaO78-Zw_vf4ytZjYRogOzUDSPFm4EBMp3uRUzTppeaXiOFeCtWBbEpt6GEIoL27Vq0cGDOUb9YcLyEuPoOC_ZNbH1ATQYPXTGpreGZFoVRa2IPzworA3pncSRycAS1U2O2qXWbk4eQkz/s640/DSC_0100.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">© </span></span><a href="http://www.capturedbykali.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kali Matthews Photography</span></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I have a few minutes to blog, I had to post my favorite sugarless recipe, so far. They're also perfect for someone with allergies because they can be gluten free and do not contain eggs. Intriguing, right? You can't stop at just one of these. I dare you to try. And FYI, the dough is just as good as the cookie. The best part, these are so healthy, you could eat them for breakfast! Now who doesn't want to eat cookies for breakfast? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sugar Free Oat Drop Cookies</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(adapted from </span><a href="http://blueberrygirlinoz.blogspot.com/2010/05/no-sugar-oat-drops.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">this</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> recipe)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups regular rolled oats<br />
1 cup coconut flakes<br />
1/2 teaspoon salt<br />
1 teaspoon cinnamon<br />
1/2 teaspoon allspice<br />
1/4 cup of almond meal or flour<br />
1/2 cup mixed nuts, finely chopped<br />
1 cup dried fruit (I used raisins and craisins)<br />
<br />
3 ripe bananas, mashed<br />
1/4 cup canola oil<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 325F. Grease baking sheet.<br />
<br />
In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, almond meal or flour, mixed nuts and coconut flakes. Stir in allspice and cinnamon. Add dried fruit and stir until well and evenly mixed. Make sure the dried fruit do not stick together in big batches.<br />
In another bowl, combine canola oil, mashed banana and vanilla extract. Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and stir until well combined.<br />
<br />
Place on baking sheet 2 inches apart in one inch balls, slightly flattened. Bake for about 20 minutes or until edges are golden brown.</span> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Makes about 2 dozen. Enjoy. :)</span></div>kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-30085647641435959022012-01-12T11:15:00.000-08:002012-01-12T12:42:09.638-08:00No Sugar | Day 12 | Delectable Whole Wheat Sugarless Carrot CakeHi, my name is Kali, and I am a sugar addict. Seriously. Studies have shown that refined sugar can be addictive. It triggers the same parts of the brain as cocaine. Scary, especially for people with a genetic predisposition to addiction.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>I'm thrilled because I did not think I could do this and honestly, didn't know if I even wanted to. I haven't had sugar in 12 days! You may not think that's a big deal, but this is coming from someone who hasn't gone a day without sugar in probably her entire life. I'm hoping to abstain for at least a month, then I'll decide if I want to adopt it as permanent lifestyle change, because it is a <i>lifestyle </i>change. I've had to become a constant label reader and the stuff is in practically <i>everything.</i></div><div><br />
</div><div>Days 3-8 were the hardest. Killer headaches, massive fatigue, and unyielding cravings. But I'm happy to report, I stuck to my resolve.</div><div><br />
</div><div>One of the huge benefits that has come from quitting, is all I've learned about substituting sugar with natural sweeteners, like bananas and pineapple, honey and applesauce. I love to bake and haven't felt cheated at all. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Now to the point of the post, introducing:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1B243VHeAwwELFfGvYHSZJ3SysYhBfIJWubqRiG0xRGFhdcxZwINtNuNQ8aOFIZbIkoaYlyajLhGybI8KX9In4dd0FQ53UV26SDS_GMITIDNos3E8qrDOdR-zApIZ3hxpDj2__EUYlms/s1600/DSC_0358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1B243VHeAwwELFfGvYHSZJ3SysYhBfIJWubqRiG0xRGFhdcxZwINtNuNQ8aOFIZbIkoaYlyajLhGybI8KX9In4dd0FQ53UV26SDS_GMITIDNos3E8qrDOdR-zApIZ3hxpDj2__EUYlms/s640/DSC_0358.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Delectable Whole Wheat Sugarless Carrot Cake</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(adapted from this recipe </span><a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/the-fantabulous-whole-wheat-carrot-cake-109547"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">photo © </span><a href="http://www.capturedbykali.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Kali Matthews Photography</span></span></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="pod ingredients" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><ul style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 420px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="float: none; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 17px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">2 </span><span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">cups</span></span> <span class="name" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">white whole wheat flour</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="float: none; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 17px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1 </span><span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">teaspoon</span></span> <span class="name" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">baking powder</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="float: none; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 17px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1 1/2</span> <span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">teaspoons</span></span> <span class="name" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">baking soda</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="float: none; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 17px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1 </span><span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">teaspoon</span></span> <span class="name" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">salt</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="float: none; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 17px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">3 </span><span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">teaspoons</span></span> <span class="name" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">cinnamon</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="float: none; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 17px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 teaspoons vanilla</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="float: none; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 17px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">3/4</span> <span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">cup</span></span> <span class="name" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">oil</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="float: none; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 17px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">3/4</span> <span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">cup</span></span> <span class="name" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">honey</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="float: none; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 17px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">4 </span><span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"></span></span><span class="name" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">eggs</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="float: none; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 17px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">2 </span><span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">cups</span></span> <span class="name" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">grated carrots</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="float: none; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 17px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1 </span><span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">cup</span></span> <span class="name" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">unsweetened crushed canned pineapple , drained</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients" style="float: none; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 17px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1/2</span> <span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">cup</span></span> <span class="name" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">chopped <a href="http://www.food.com/library/walnut-314" style="color: #00709b; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">walnuts</a></span></span></li>
</ul></div><div class="pod directions" style="clear: left; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><h2 style="color: #333333; font-family: Serifa-Med; font-size: 24px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Directions:</h2><span class="instructions" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="display: block; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"></span><br />
<span class="instructions" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="display: block; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"></span><br />
<span class="instructions" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="display: block; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="clear: left; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="num" style="float: left; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: -2px; line-height: 33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 36px;">1</div><div class="txt" style="line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 42px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">Combine dry ingredients.</div></li>
<li style="clear: left; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="num" style="float: left; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: -2px; line-height: 33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 36px;">2</div><div class="txt" style="line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 42px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">Add oil, vanilla, honey, and eggs; mix well.</div></li>
<li style="clear: left; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="num" style="float: left; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: -2px; line-height: 33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 36px;">3</div><div class="txt" style="line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 42px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">Stir in remaining 3 ingredients.</div></li>
<li style="clear: left; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="num" style="float: left; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: -2px; line-height: 33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 36px;">4</div><div class="txt" style="line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 42px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">Bake in two greased 9-inch cake layer pans for 35-40 minutes at 350 degrees.</div></li>
<li style="clear: left; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="num" style="float: left; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: -2px; line-height: 33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 36px;">5</div><div class="txt" style="line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 42px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">Cool in pans several minutes, then remove from pans and cool completely on wire rack.</div></li>
<li style="clear: left; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="num" style="float: left; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: -2px; line-height: 33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 36px;">6</div><div class="txt" style="line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 42px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">You can also bake this in a 9x13 pan as a sheet cake -- just as good, and easier than frosting a layer cake!</div></li>
</ol></span></div></div><div>I whipped up a delicious sugar free cream cheese frosting using these ingredients:<br />
<br />
8 oz of cream cheese, 3 tablespoons of butter, 2 teaspoons vanilla, 2 tablespoons of honey, and 6 packets of stevia. Just throw them in a mixing bowl and use a hand mixer to whip.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2liqCbvtMVh1l2SMuj9eP-5VhpkerWbEX8iu-umlQfgVz2a6I3HkwFVlPW1Ifvc8vC1iuAY44_3UIphVQBuOzkOBhdTb4HiMZBhzHFyXcZVybNoLnFZYDXOCdoc2ItZ7aM0K10usi1CqI/s1600/DSC_0273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2liqCbvtMVh1l2SMuj9eP-5VhpkerWbEX8iu-umlQfgVz2a6I3HkwFVlPW1Ifvc8vC1iuAY44_3UIphVQBuOzkOBhdTb4HiMZBhzHFyXcZVybNoLnFZYDXOCdoc2ItZ7aM0K10usi1CqI/s640/DSC_0273.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAFeBTKl5zJdG1JhdVZCAYb8llSzZy8Kiqme77SgNhFGUEWLyafPTMIMsoIxvwkGKWZJYh5s9-1G_l8vWN1H1lLkIjTz-RM6043kxXVjPyVQha3GS_npP3tOdVLRnR0go2ixB5fe0_JZh/s1600/DSC_0274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAFeBTKl5zJdG1JhdVZCAYb8llSzZy8Kiqme77SgNhFGUEWLyafPTMIMsoIxvwkGKWZJYh5s9-1G_l8vWN1H1lLkIjTz-RM6043kxXVjPyVQha3GS_npP3tOdVLRnR0go2ixB5fe0_JZh/s640/DSC_0274.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> It also helps to have an enthusiastic three year old co-baker on hand for entertainment purposes. The boys and I absolutely loved this cake, and I will definitely be making it again.</div></div>kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-89377561289762953072012-01-02T14:27:00.000-08:002012-01-02T18:40:56.468-08:00photo a day challenge (intro & days 1-2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJmu2azv3lN0BFHhpNltUVZavx3z-NDB6N-9Z7_Rb0doraXfbpV1jZOoI9ajFqGuO55SyaeBOEKJ_TL3L2euP7gLLpNJmV7TGxEAWw7TiWhZyf-LN_hI0EXbKRLUA_t9GYiyUULXwhaC6/s1600/photoaday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJmu2azv3lN0BFHhpNltUVZavx3z-NDB6N-9Z7_Rb0doraXfbpV1jZOoI9ajFqGuO55SyaeBOEKJ_TL3L2euP7gLLpNJmV7TGxEAWw7TiWhZyf-LN_hI0EXbKRLUA_t9GYiyUULXwhaC6/s640/photoaday2.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I'm participating in a photo challenge issued by Chantelle at fatmumslim. I think it will be a fun way to start off the new year, get my creative juices flowing, and document the little things that go on in our life.<br />
<br />
I'll try to get out my nikon for most of the photos, but I'm pretty sure lots of days, I'll be posting pictures from my trusty little iphone.<br />
<br />
You can follow me right here on my blog or on Instagram, username kalisarah88.<br />
<br />
Join in? (: The party just started yesterday, so you don't have too much to catch up on. The details are on Chantelle's blog <a href="http://www.fatmumslim.com.au/2011/12/photo-day-challenge-january-2012.html">here.</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Day 1: me (taken w/ iphone)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrnTqNVP-0h7gosm8L3Fjyr06GNQh4WftIEVZO6b_NMoIrB6tuBVXM6nBG6bxldqZjExlpAs18HIs0Sn4IbLYU3MSTtBUkO9m9hbBfLBaAY7YKhsm_pILlnIqDkDam043qHJiGC86ziYZ/s1600/18a800f434fb11e1a87612313804ec91_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrnTqNVP-0h7gosm8L3Fjyr06GNQh4WftIEVZO6b_NMoIrB6tuBVXM6nBG6bxldqZjExlpAs18HIs0Sn4IbLYU3MSTtBUkO9m9hbBfLBaAY7YKhsm_pILlnIqDkDam043qHJiGC86ziYZ/s400/18a800f434fb11e1a87612313804ec91_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 2: breakfast (taken with nikon)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">lowfat vanilla yogurt, walnuts, a dash of honey bunches of oats, raisins, and green apples. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">easy and de-lish.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmDTU_t7-gOElivf9mUoXysyROq_Kj6-QSQ_WwskPmZC3br0wJ47f2Grlojuc3IvkXXtPeJHoBQhnT_ZJ6hXww-TprtuPvbWJT3WDBZTRMjtXd0Cg0zQWwtijO2VYcQnVwpQ2EllyIGZI/s1600/DSC_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmDTU_t7-gOElivf9mUoXysyROq_Kj6-QSQ_WwskPmZC3br0wJ47f2Grlojuc3IvkXXtPeJHoBQhnT_ZJ6hXww-TprtuPvbWJT3WDBZTRMjtXd0Cg0zQWwtijO2VYcQnVwpQ2EllyIGZI/s400/DSC_0019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-29600306566763586902011-12-29T13:54:00.000-08:002011-12-29T14:33:01.376-08:00life lately, according to my iphone<div style="text-align: center;">Wow, it's been a long time. Starting with Halloween-</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hvjL6kj6xDprsjZ-Rpb_AqtUMMDetzwvVncteFnOQ3itVcAOrsx1LFfLcVxTSsC5kwtt0K0ElzinxtlsOqq3662Ifqj9aeTEvd8Nipsg-3Qx9DPnNlxe9l0f5zH3kU-GTRvI28iZuXGH/s1600/ea1bcd7c043c11e1abb01231381b65e3_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hvjL6kj6xDprsjZ-Rpb_AqtUMMDetzwvVncteFnOQ3itVcAOrsx1LFfLcVxTSsC5kwtt0K0ElzinxtlsOqq3662Ifqj9aeTEvd8Nipsg-3Qx9DPnNlxe9l0f5zH3kU-GTRvI28iZuXGH/s1600/ea1bcd7c043c11e1abb01231381b65e3_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hvjL6kj6xDprsjZ-Rpb_AqtUMMDetzwvVncteFnOQ3itVcAOrsx1LFfLcVxTSsC5kwtt0K0ElzinxtlsOqq3662Ifqj9aeTEvd8Nipsg-3Qx9DPnNlxe9l0f5zH3kU-GTRvI28iZuXGH/s1600/ea1bcd7c043c11e1abb01231381b65e3_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hvjL6kj6xDprsjZ-Rpb_AqtUMMDetzwvVncteFnOQ3itVcAOrsx1LFfLcVxTSsC5kwtt0K0ElzinxtlsOqq3662Ifqj9aeTEvd8Nipsg-3Qx9DPnNlxe9l0f5zH3kU-GTRvI28iZuXGH/s200/ea1bcd7c043c11e1abb01231381b65e3_7.jpg" width="200" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwKlhFAuBzEvfYeXKCVYhgjWvKzVUbwkaE34HTLF3I4ier1QSPPKLXVEb59WiXtxpoa_OAdUj79z14vskiUauXHYba2PdvC63U6U867s0y6w1qUKLfKfD-lreHpvx5UtyqjqU0AWkvlCQ/s1600/d0dd3570043d11e180c9123138016265_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwKlhFAuBzEvfYeXKCVYhgjWvKzVUbwkaE34HTLF3I4ier1QSPPKLXVEb59WiXtxpoa_OAdUj79z14vskiUauXHYba2PdvC63U6U867s0y6w1qUKLfKfD-lreHpvx5UtyqjqU0AWkvlCQ/s200/d0dd3570043d11e180c9123138016265_7.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MyGtcFeHOJx-G_fdMRxu6Gi8wLMxDk1Od3XahRWbgcPs5C7hv8CX1TY-87w90PAK_bB8_Gh0GgRCopXYFeCM90hfsoZlV49Kn9MIpIgykTt50oNmVEgZCtxefQNCaryGzHBU7n62w21s/s1600/389c2974043d11e180c9123138016265_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MyGtcFeHOJx-G_fdMRxu6Gi8wLMxDk1Od3XahRWbgcPs5C7hv8CX1TY-87w90PAK_bB8_Gh0GgRCopXYFeCM90hfsoZlV49Kn9MIpIgykTt50oNmVEgZCtxefQNCaryGzHBU7n62w21s/s200/389c2974043d11e180c9123138016265_7.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIyZ_DOnsybOE3xWZkU1Mfn1x9Qh-pd43ylQdwYLdH9yTORbrHTyLChR5IYWo-fCzoIG2pATjLuDq47SUAIkuj6bQjRUjvqtLVDBMgI8S78xNYw89PSOWUUT1z9QAn0lce989oXZfHwmb/s1600/7c63bfea041611e19896123138142014_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIyZ_DOnsybOE3xWZkU1Mfn1x9Qh-pd43ylQdwYLdH9yTORbrHTyLChR5IYWo-fCzoIG2pATjLuDq47SUAIkuj6bQjRUjvqtLVDBMgI8S78xNYw89PSOWUUT1z9QAn0lce989oXZfHwmb/s200/7c63bfea041611e19896123138142014_7.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Harper was Clark Kent. Landon was Batman. And I was Spidermom. We went to trunk or treat at church, then to see Grandma Ruth at work, then Aunt Cindy at her fun house.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQUNQVYWW0658E6_bXAIT5ivmmQs5mOtIBNlRqA_J0aLof3XHAgNC8nFtvAk-ELRw_RljhH77CiQSZULgxl3-kP3gI2hh8KyTQTfkdIZQVbP_nhvMx_rnn0IneTJMyn3BycLbF0WA7i2e/s1600/0715727018b511e1a87612313804ec91_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQUNQVYWW0658E6_bXAIT5ivmmQs5mOtIBNlRqA_J0aLof3XHAgNC8nFtvAk-ELRw_RljhH77CiQSZULgxl3-kP3gI2hh8KyTQTfkdIZQVbP_nhvMx_rnn0IneTJMyn3BycLbF0WA7i2e/s400/0715727018b511e1a87612313804ec91_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We played with this handsome, dude Jeremiah aka Harper's birthday twin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zdhKKfA8HrZOWZFYDbai-DyfQ6T8X5VwZ1OMG5OHw9bU6l6sMrc-AR073tvNrlM_neNcBqYNf2wtYEIic4aW0-7qq-M_JEI68uj_CwH10FY2mwIlv8hs9ibRewmrQO4ly29ldRDfV80P/s1600/76f882262abc11e1abb01231381b65e3_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zdhKKfA8HrZOWZFYDbai-DyfQ6T8X5VwZ1OMG5OHw9bU6l6sMrc-AR073tvNrlM_neNcBqYNf2wtYEIic4aW0-7qq-M_JEI68uj_CwH10FY2mwIlv8hs9ibRewmrQO4ly29ldRDfV80P/s400/76f882262abc11e1abb01231381b65e3_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Harper had a birthday party and scored this cool wolf hat from his girlfriends. ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGOm0JysGCJPPjYuBTz1Wm_KuNz5-nBLULnB2KcxjAzmDlJVz9NP1b_ZlThKGelvrItjDh-as_yF8y16N0tthckmC142m_hnN3iLSgsYHdzKDI2a4ZJfJaMp60ZHrwmWcHL2z0X6VtF3G/s1600/92aefd26303211e19e4a12313813ffc0_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGOm0JysGCJPPjYuBTz1Wm_KuNz5-nBLULnB2KcxjAzmDlJVz9NP1b_ZlThKGelvrItjDh-as_yF8y16N0tthckmC142m_hnN3iLSgsYHdzKDI2a4ZJfJaMp60ZHrwmWcHL2z0X6VtF3G/s400/92aefd26303211e19e4a12313813ffc0_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The boys went mini golfing for the first time and loved it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNl1X8mAbFaJ3EqMgMjQMlM8l3y4QeFRK43nnEOAg3IbPR8-ACiR4zwe6AYfKAGEAR8dtJ3RrPDiME2kZM_XuHYTMdeJCwCh39Bc2Dl9xP16eAl123rkALoaGtozd3iv_ljpNLbaxYj9z2/s1600/2894af74206211e19e4a12313813ffc0_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNl1X8mAbFaJ3EqMgMjQMlM8l3y4QeFRK43nnEOAg3IbPR8-ACiR4zwe6AYfKAGEAR8dtJ3RrPDiME2kZM_XuHYTMdeJCwCh39Bc2Dl9xP16eAl123rkALoaGtozd3iv_ljpNLbaxYj9z2/s400/2894af74206211e19e4a12313813ffc0_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikqO2r1mF-Ij5D5Ndsl30uieD96YfJg2CkfqsqsDjk6mr0VROA1wJZPHfAVSXQ774CyVE9MwFk_2bQ9nmaFbAiksODPnTMAZWyf8rNPmr-OTVKHLDuxRI1egUSYvK_sGb_NZ4IwOFajra/s1600/e4b260e2206311e19896123138142014_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikqO2r1mF-Ij5D5Ndsl30uieD96YfJg2CkfqsqsDjk6mr0VROA1wJZPHfAVSXQ774CyVE9MwFk_2bQ9nmaFbAiksODPnTMAZWyf8rNPmr-OTVKHLDuxRI1egUSYvK_sGb_NZ4IwOFajra/s400/e4b260e2206311e19896123138142014_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">"Polar Bear" the elf came and went.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> He ever-so diligently kept watch on the boys and had some fun, too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVc0wF-w7KXrKjexkQGUPwWC3hlz0S1DTzAlg2yKCFB_6jYgUn1roVP74xe5OXnc2XPw-nn1o6xz52KWP9JhLjUQssWRygm0SpFJudd_J95wfcubDqOd0dodJZKU5fwOS6o3NbNhE9Ypy/s1600/c8f2a1ae2cd511e1a87612313804ec91_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVc0wF-w7KXrKjexkQGUPwWC3hlz0S1DTzAlg2yKCFB_6jYgUn1roVP74xe5OXnc2XPw-nn1o6xz52KWP9JhLjUQssWRygm0SpFJudd_J95wfcubDqOd0dodJZKU5fwOS6o3NbNhE9Ypy/s400/c8f2a1ae2cd511e1a87612313804ec91_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Landon's been waking up and asking for some pretty fancy breakfasts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's not accepting my usual offers of cereal and toast,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">so I've had to get all June Cleaver-like and throw down some mickey mouse pancakes,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> breakfast burritos, strawberry covered waffles, and pepper jack scrambled eggs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm not gonna lie, I was getting kind of sick of cereal too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVc0wF-w7KXrKjexkQGUPwWC3hlz0S1DTzAlg2yKCFB_6jYgUn1roVP74xe5OXnc2XPw-nn1o6xz52KWP9JhLjUQssWRygm0SpFJudd_J95wfcubDqOd0dodJZKU5fwOS6o3NbNhE9Ypy/s1600/c8f2a1ae2cd511e1a87612313804ec91_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7cHWh6VsNPA1VlVfUMr6Z6mkEh86xtHIaNZwkR6zHA1wPF0kUQZQ8uSrmydM5aSpPeXo-QxCNt67XRH2kqX2ba220phph_1fJTpHZfMPKWCv2wawn9hj2ktMwjOMioDaNyC8RMDktiD6/s1600/48288f7011a511e1a87612313804ec91_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7cHWh6VsNPA1VlVfUMr6Z6mkEh86xtHIaNZwkR6zHA1wPF0kUQZQ8uSrmydM5aSpPeXo-QxCNt67XRH2kqX2ba220phph_1fJTpHZfMPKWCv2wawn9hj2ktMwjOMioDaNyC8RMDktiD6/s400/48288f7011a511e1a87612313804ec91_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here the munchkins feel asleep on the way to the gym one evening. It was only 6:00.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> You may not know they don't take naps anymore. It's been MONTHS and I hate it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyN15RD_gs1xn0miMiP_x8odUyTMF7Ix6Fw1zTPEHkc2BQT8aYq7JYInhfbVO3iQ1lbp-PMfSBGe-9qq1iuncrllVLOqSVa14n3YO6ErK38N6-67hEwB8YeB9ekWEyEYBMs_gsWLIaWNFh/s1600/ec6f649828e611e180c9123138016265_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyN15RD_gs1xn0miMiP_x8odUyTMF7Ix6Fw1zTPEHkc2BQT8aYq7JYInhfbVO3iQ1lbp-PMfSBGe-9qq1iuncrllVLOqSVa14n3YO6ErK38N6-67hEwB8YeB9ekWEyEYBMs_gsWLIaWNFh/s400/ec6f649828e611e180c9123138016265_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We've started potty training, or not.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The only thing that's gone in the potty so far is half a roll of toilet paper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OO_Y5ZdOtbzvNB42r7U9ar6Rf1XDS8d5Q6ex8xEM8nh6qvEG-jRKzh9sMVANcyqiPHvw1fAdbGtoih8QT9_kqA7LRZGVEP_pGu7AK3klZk5RQi7Hj3FiOgfMVU3q5OSN4ASZe1iX914z/s1600/42dfda102cfc11e19896123138142014_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OO_Y5ZdOtbzvNB42r7U9ar6Rf1XDS8d5Q6ex8xEM8nh6qvEG-jRKzh9sMVANcyqiPHvw1fAdbGtoih8QT9_kqA7LRZGVEP_pGu7AK3klZk5RQi7Hj3FiOgfMVU3q5OSN4ASZe1iX914z/s400/42dfda102cfc11e19896123138142014_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of three yarn wreaths I made this season.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They actually take a lot longer than I expected, but they're fun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8utgWWI8QMjEL8JsYjRmobjMeh2JShZZ7kQj-1BWpD1O5v2l38hEj91mtX2lejn7UCXJytChpvnyRTXb9ppcgNlKRudzdlM0V2Be8wyhx-d3UwS6QYDe2i2zqiSULYK43fdiNoNzHSEmu/s1600/f3b83e2831dd11e180c9123138016265_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8utgWWI8QMjEL8JsYjRmobjMeh2JShZZ7kQj-1BWpD1O5v2l38hEj91mtX2lejn7UCXJytChpvnyRTXb9ppcgNlKRudzdlM0V2Be8wyhx-d3UwS6QYDe2i2zqiSULYK43fdiNoNzHSEmu/s400/f3b83e2831dd11e180c9123138016265_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I spend a lot of time loving on this little man.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's the perfect soft, chubby snuggler. I hope that doesn't change anytime soon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLY5fsIwOGwPu3IWiCSlN0I_-OEqQGAUuWaXD4F-KVj_uu-OInfYjpvjNKEFQAsn0Ipcoc0BbEJsB3DbrX7d4LIoLUv1WP7Bq6JYmieXjheh4YFvGSRe3Dj3bcC92SvWYhp9mdpnkkjG1M/s1600/3194ea6c2a6211e19e4a12313813ffc0_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLY5fsIwOGwPu3IWiCSlN0I_-OEqQGAUuWaXD4F-KVj_uu-OInfYjpvjNKEFQAsn0Ipcoc0BbEJsB3DbrX7d4LIoLUv1WP7Bq6JYmieXjheh4YFvGSRe3Dj3bcC92SvWYhp9mdpnkkjG1M/s400/3194ea6c2a6211e19e4a12313813ffc0_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Brothers watching a little too much Mickey Mouse House on Youtube,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but Anthony's in San Diego for the week, and sometimes mommas just need a break.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9FpswHdnV41Yxg0-rCEtkjynbMzrhYsf98bB0gOv_u2__BNBlUFhvoNiqlF6OQ-wRWA4Lw5yr4lKpl7VkBg3tQG4lAbTvxlXh3sE1xovHRp7BA0C1WB6uaH5-lxWaZpMOcb-eqMwqIRB/s1600/0a1824e630f111e1a87612313804ec91_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9FpswHdnV41Yxg0-rCEtkjynbMzrhYsf98bB0gOv_u2__BNBlUFhvoNiqlF6OQ-wRWA4Lw5yr4lKpl7VkBg3tQG4lAbTvxlXh3sE1xovHRp7BA0C1WB6uaH5-lxWaZpMOcb-eqMwqIRB/s400/0a1824e630f111e1a87612313804ec91_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is my emo hat and sad face for Anthony going to San Diego for the week without me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just be glad I'm not posting Farrah's Ugly Cry Face.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Okay, I'm posting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And Kim Kardashian's.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's just funny.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EYFoNCdamXHmfvDiuLeMAwNCvDXgrNKspDfhNboSrZE1ppNb_hYmSGtgp2TdblnPMaj6RorzmUq1Z1R_ef_W73c4NUqz4_RUDc5CKvRb9QheNOV-9zrenCjzmCva6b3g3b6UDilMkyl_/s1600/farrah2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EYFoNCdamXHmfvDiuLeMAwNCvDXgrNKspDfhNboSrZE1ppNb_hYmSGtgp2TdblnPMaj6RorzmUq1Z1R_ef_W73c4NUqz4_RUDc5CKvRb9QheNOV-9zrenCjzmCva6b3g3b6UDilMkyl_/s320/farrah2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Poor things, they've had hard lives.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZW_LgcJDBGUlYXOsg2JawcrPVLtHbtk1NcrDQ1_sJ0N32_OOnf-mzW6kjKOHWQ_JgvxEKcBLc2X4UjxG0Yl9DJYfZt2xj7rJf9qAp_2ewGsWbJ60fGZzJGek6DXakXAXAzgZ16cssXggC/s1600/158329743119330483_y23RJjq0_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZW_LgcJDBGUlYXOsg2JawcrPVLtHbtk1NcrDQ1_sJ0N32_OOnf-mzW6kjKOHWQ_JgvxEKcBLc2X4UjxG0Yl9DJYfZt2xj7rJf9qAp_2ewGsWbJ60fGZzJGek6DXakXAXAzgZ16cssXggC/s1600/158329743119330483_y23RJjq0_c.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-41755809171156926412011-11-09T11:58:00.000-08:002011-11-09T12:18:38.256-08:00where a kid can be a kid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKzliU3k8JWIYU_Z7pnf3xdM7g2pswdrA_W-sfYYNu6AP1nk2eMAepuXi2_6vAWdDqGYlZ5aq-hvR5SSymk0_MReZB5HCdNj59lYEakFhENzpPA_nfInl4E7sA0Ed58QbD-G9AMnH2Zfr/s1600/DSC_0602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKzliU3k8JWIYU_Z7pnf3xdM7g2pswdrA_W-sfYYNu6AP1nk2eMAepuXi2_6vAWdDqGYlZ5aq-hvR5SSymk0_MReZB5HCdNj59lYEakFhENzpPA_nfInl4E7sA0Ed58QbD-G9AMnH2Zfr/s640/DSC_0602.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On Harper's actual birthday,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">we went to Chuck E. Cheese.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just our little family... and Anthony's entire soccer team. ha.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLLG0cvnzfxZ_mfD1ndeKFyP6BHWNIySXAxg-CvdFk72gzQf8wzyX-w2u5DcjNhaVYNrRuniKnC8l5CrJd5qIF9t804GEIYeZs6TPGIZmuaHhbyVCFCtZoCkS4u9zBM7Hciw_zKeayxb5/s1600/DSC_0583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLLG0cvnzfxZ_mfD1ndeKFyP6BHWNIySXAxg-CvdFk72gzQf8wzyX-w2u5DcjNhaVYNrRuniKnC8l5CrJd5qIF9t804GEIYeZs6TPGIZmuaHhbyVCFCtZoCkS4u9zBM7Hciw_zKeayxb5/s400/DSC_0583.jpg" width="267" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocRJsgR121n3D1hLENLAZdxuKUaJdfya-JhghDKrj1vRD8Afhv8TPVkBJBGsqNwCi51Bo3j40M2y2ByV2kpf28hEfz_3CHCdzVa23WajlDJb-r4lXf8khju4qk3QmTGV73yI8ig3VClTk/s1600/DSC_0589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocRJsgR121n3D1hLENLAZdxuKUaJdfya-JhghDKrj1vRD8Afhv8TPVkBJBGsqNwCi51Bo3j40M2y2ByV2kpf28hEfz_3CHCdzVa23WajlDJb-r4lXf8khju4qk3QmTGV73yI8ig3VClTk/s400/DSC_0589.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The boys had a blast and,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I just chased them around with my camera.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8dgxMdYIAs-zMs87530B0e1P2OqPBYepk12FEYqHQz5Uv5qcaNsHHglLBrWOziajum3FWBG8B9YiHDBtozwX7KcmYIn78Q9SvFbKAMWg_Rx6HY21UPz31NdGj7lTaxxBmAqmhD8yflnU/s1600/DSC_0603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8dgxMdYIAs-zMs87530B0e1P2OqPBYepk12FEYqHQz5Uv5qcaNsHHglLBrWOziajum3FWBG8B9YiHDBtozwX7KcmYIn78Q9SvFbKAMWg_Rx6HY21UPz31NdGj7lTaxxBmAqmhD8yflnU/s400/DSC_0603.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They really are growing up so quickly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTemWaFddzwudlBXptL0lGBGK_-xjS-c10kV5ty9WTHK9aRUCLk_8cNAYB76a4TDza5nWeN5zHrv9XYiS0aOQKj_AmBpVBjlPVxafO1WvKXBSzwGtrItgdVUUb8en1cTEr6nL4G3WjyxWO/s1600/DSC_0651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTemWaFddzwudlBXptL0lGBGK_-xjS-c10kV5ty9WTHK9aRUCLk_8cNAYB76a4TDza5nWeN5zHrv9XYiS0aOQKj_AmBpVBjlPVxafO1WvKXBSzwGtrItgdVUUb8en1cTEr6nL4G3WjyxWO/s400/DSC_0651.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>Older people tell you all the time, "It goes by so fast"and "I remember when mine were that little. Now they're in college". I didn't realize how right they were, until now. Once you start having children, yes the nights are long and the days are challenging, but I believe these are some of the sweetest moments of our lives.<br />
<br />
I was brushing Landon's teeth the other day and explained that the toothpaste helps kill the germs in his mouth. He looked very concerned and asked, "Are the germs crying?"<br />
<br />
A few days later, there were two flies in my kitchen. I was about to make lunch and I haaaate flies. So I went on a swatting spree, killing one, picking it up with a paper towel, and throwing it away, unaware that Landon was watching me in shock. Still unaware, I swung again to kill the next fly, and Landon cried out. I looked up to see him, horrified. He yelled, "No, mommy, no! Don't kill it! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It just a baby!</span> He not big. He not big." (Um, yes the fly was huge) but he was literally on the verge of tears. So, I let the darn fly live. I'm so thankful for this sweet, sensitive boy, even if he is the most rambunctious one I know.kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-64363352250169928162011-10-28T01:21:00.000-07:002011-11-03T23:34:35.524-07:00a birthday letter<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here I am about an hour before meeting Harper.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJqTnbng3chsoChAFQFmG168pStfA3jufL81GrjteK5HQ39x0P58pR0fRsUt9ZzTXM-AOKZySGh5jLC8R_dldDMphkjy9jw2JE8WmN1P2HmwAeNiLzU4Tp_nQeRDOTFk782UK3SYifRVg/s1600/DSCI0237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJqTnbng3chsoChAFQFmG168pStfA3jufL81GrjteK5HQ39x0P58pR0fRsUt9ZzTXM-AOKZySGh5jLC8R_dldDMphkjy9jw2JE8WmN1P2HmwAeNiLzU4Tp_nQeRDOTFk782UK3SYifRVg/s640/DSCI0237.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here I am after one heck of an hour...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and enjoying the moment every mommy dreams of for nine months,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">snuggling my sweet, cuddly baby for the first time.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHu6r99Iy1nM8VqGgekQlllnD1xnJ0h6Pt3qqbfVd8EUL_oRjIdFPwF02ZUwgM_6c_UAcQB6viAOdw5mx9cw9RYGutetdyVDtCqy78QWu4mssEYx6RVajgpCOb_5ito5JA3a1_O5rJ8QzL/s1600/DSCI0266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHu6r99Iy1nM8VqGgekQlllnD1xnJ0h6Pt3qqbfVd8EUL_oRjIdFPwF02ZUwgM_6c_UAcQB6viAOdw5mx9cw9RYGutetdyVDtCqy78QWu4mssEYx6RVajgpCOb_5ito5JA3a1_O5rJ8QzL/s400/DSCI0266.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have such happy memories of that day.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can't believe it's already been two years.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLIFX6G7qZ0xn_gr_cDwLimJqIMsvKs-aQuu-hJo5FSOyyA11MAorCk1tbtApA9XPD0ULpePumUsm_e_CV7Oz-PYnHzpIRLcshCPlQPYLRrf2QLa4B8gGpAONWG_vigwkI2Au5g_TKOdc/s1600/DSCI0290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLIFX6G7qZ0xn_gr_cDwLimJqIMsvKs-aQuu-hJo5FSOyyA11MAorCk1tbtApA9XPD0ULpePumUsm_e_CV7Oz-PYnHzpIRLcshCPlQPYLRrf2QLa4B8gGpAONWG_vigwkI2Au5g_TKOdc/s640/DSCI0290.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And a note for the birthday boy:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Harper,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two years ago yesterday, you joined our family. You were carefully planned and much anticipated. I couldn’t wait to meet you, to look into your eyes, to hold you, to kiss you, and to watch you grow. </span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What would our family have done without you, these last two years? You have taught us so much. </span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First, you taught me that I could survive on less than three hours of sleep for days in a row. You taught your dad that he can't take his eyes off you boys for more than 2 seconds. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You taught your brother to share, to love, and to protect. </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your wonderful spirit is much needed in our home. Here are some of the things that make you so special:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You have very good manners and have the sweetest little thank yous I've ever heard. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You absolutely love to snuggle. Any time, day or night. I melt a little every time you climb into my lap, lay your head on my shoulder, and wrap those pudgy arms around me.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You love hats! You have several, and make sure to put one on almost every time we leave the house.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You love going to the basketball gym with daddy, and you love when he tickles you.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You love to play (and get into trouble with Landon). You two are best friends and follow each other every where.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You especially love playing cars and throwing balls.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You love climbing on the counter tops and sneaking food (especially chocolate chips)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You take all the DVDs out of the entertainment center at least four times a day.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your favorite shows right now are Sesame Street, Mickey Mouse Club, and "Do" (Scooby Doo)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You love blowing bubbles and helping mommy make cookies.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You love reading Daddy's Winning Hoops magazines. When things are too quiet, I often find you in my bed flipping through the pages and pointing out every ball and basketball hoop.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You love building "castles" with Landon out of every blanket pillow, and sofa cushion in the house, then jumping on it or hiding under it.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You loooove books. You ask for "one more" until we've read 14 stories before bed, and sometimes even ask to sleep with one. Some kids sleep with a stuffed animal or blanket, but you sleep with a book in your arms. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You have unusually soft and silky skin. I'm hoping it's awhile before grow out of that sweet, baby-like softness.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You love gulping down daddy's Dr. Pepper when no one is looking.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You dislike when mommy or daddy leaves.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You also dislike bedtime and wearing a tie.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But mostly, you love everything. You are so easy-going, for which I am grateful.</span></li>
</ul><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30oqf4mVBhE72iS-9_QNUZP8AUWUpLAop2OUYJidUeqbXkiXsgeXsal86z0oKpiQD61_guAoFkiUo4PzzihzXR1U7yKbzSVvFb4w1O1KIwfi91PNwDklb8OmpdFDTr-YDu-oJIjpZOrpA/s1600/DSC_0108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30oqf4mVBhE72iS-9_QNUZP8AUWUpLAop2OUYJidUeqbXkiXsgeXsal86z0oKpiQD61_guAoFkiUo4PzzihzXR1U7yKbzSVvFb4w1O1KIwfi91PNwDklb8OmpdFDTr-YDu-oJIjpZOrpA/s640/DSC_0108.jpg" width="428" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You really are a special kid, Harper. You fill my heart with happiness. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We love you so much!</span></span></div></div>kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-3218634315550156892011-10-25T13:56:00.000-07:002011-10-25T14:09:24.285-07:00life according to my i-phone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you're not following me on <a href="http://instagr.am/">Instagram,</a> you are missing out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've been a pretty lame blogger lately,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but I have a good excuse.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've been going to the gym twice a day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(you would too if you had two boys and unlimited daycare).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's where I profess my undying love for <a href="http://www.toms.com/">Toms</a> shoes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even the boys have ditched all their other kicks in favor of Toms.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Best of all, for every pair of Toms shoes purchased, a pair is given to a child in need.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">As you can see, it's time for them to get new ones already. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Harper's birthday's tomorrow, in case you were wondering what to get him... </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's a size 9. Huge, I know.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIaRvp45pfnEjSMPq2s8UZS96vcCrZa5xzM4nWMmgzcjEjm_o3393KOS3ZAO-4aMM77RoQd_7c2dmkpGyzXKi2VQH9eSErrcuwS0KdzMcEcHCKJM-1SRuQz3QzHAPWfxWsehzGxNbQZpD/s1600/IMG_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIaRvp45pfnEjSMPq2s8UZS96vcCrZa5xzM4nWMmgzcjEjm_o3393KOS3ZAO-4aMM77RoQd_7c2dmkpGyzXKi2VQH9eSErrcuwS0KdzMcEcHCKJM-1SRuQz3QzHAPWfxWsehzGxNbQZpD/s200/IMG_0060.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9kjv_H8QsG3xQ_GmJ1mB_SCTCQly0BE6OM8SoTCnG_Z8J-n-CZlrv2IQqEcfjJ-Ys9oIyGcUzNuXA8geGdCxBhJoGYIrRDpZs6mQgpcJsWrVK8LkUeDl20pgVwocivZrcQvnsv8Lcc_c/s1600/IMG_0330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9kjv_H8QsG3xQ_GmJ1mB_SCTCQly0BE6OM8SoTCnG_Z8J-n-CZlrv2IQqEcfjJ-Ys9oIyGcUzNuXA8geGdCxBhJoGYIrRDpZs6mQgpcJsWrVK8LkUeDl20pgVwocivZrcQvnsv8Lcc_c/s200/IMG_0330.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The boys are so into Halloween this year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They've worn a different costume pretty much every day this month.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And change their minds about what they want to be every .05903 seconds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLSIl11FgBKJqfEd6hbe8KKA-UcfiF7qchhHOTXiztaV4aak_vWmcYzCuIaUfY_SldJ54BGvO5cS2nXQvB4ykdWtonfrXRHoW5O-yPavbpjOPVNO3PIRvgxDgR3QsRutrADyZGJdAB7Ln/s1600/IMG_0348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLSIl11FgBKJqfEd6hbe8KKA-UcfiF7qchhHOTXiztaV4aak_vWmcYzCuIaUfY_SldJ54BGvO5cS2nXQvB4ykdWtonfrXRHoW5O-yPavbpjOPVNO3PIRvgxDgR3QsRutrADyZGJdAB7Ln/s200/IMG_0348.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBNWBTTygU3yWCB7bTJPJvD88bS2CZYIdMBWDAO4X0wUFs12q1DBtzSwpGuUU-RJhZ3lXYGY8RVDBw4j3odEsqtkbEJm5CfshY5pi6XUov7D8_AXxKE1JPNiRBrqHiJkHPBcmAugTl8pi/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBNWBTTygU3yWCB7bTJPJvD88bS2CZYIdMBWDAO4X0wUFs12q1DBtzSwpGuUU-RJhZ3lXYGY8RVDBw4j3odEsqtkbEJm5CfshY5pi6XUov7D8_AXxKE1JPNiRBrqHiJkHPBcmAugTl8pi/s200/IMG_0332.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-Uw2OJW5gC3Zm2r988M5Q1QyOR1u24L1dOFfE7s4F0HWcZHlpblAVs2tVk1sDgY1tRNTf6CRXypNr2nF_OPxX9KEKndxzarrTBNES0LWt7CsCJ47vPTYTysRfnTLgWqLR2gxCboAz0iO/s1600/IMG_0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-Uw2OJW5gC3Zm2r988M5Q1QyOR1u24L1dOFfE7s4F0HWcZHlpblAVs2tVk1sDgY1tRNTf6CRXypNr2nF_OPxX9KEKndxzarrTBNES0LWt7CsCJ47vPTYTysRfnTLgWqLR2gxCboAz0iO/s400/IMG_0085.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> In the past week, I have had three completely different hair colors.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I decided I was sick of my highlights and wanted to be a red head. That obviously did not work out. So, I had to quickly cover my obnoxious strands with the darkest hair color possible.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm lucky to still have hair.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikb5q84iS-HnjS6gzAJ7reogfvq_pqRT0LdnEiqUW0U99Vrk5BQTuzL0bLdtT-jk0gDgdgc2gEWBWA8L0fVht9IXOnHj7smqVkvprgkztuh9uHn79Nh16Y6CQjKK-xh1QLrfe2GtT0zEGg/s1600/IMG_0117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikb5q84iS-HnjS6gzAJ7reogfvq_pqRT0LdnEiqUW0U99Vrk5BQTuzL0bLdtT-jk0gDgdgc2gEWBWA8L0fVht9IXOnHj7smqVkvprgkztuh9uHn79Nh16Y6CQjKK-xh1QLrfe2GtT0zEGg/s400/IMG_0117.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From blonde</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIOC_mSG5e2IEVYxgmgGntYa71bzSY8SzsL-zINI_t19fIO4DZ5UveYEGWKLSExxISvs7k4D1toa6OeHH0B0PuuQHf-G7Uf_tmYBN2G-fLt9gZ4vDsrhmUFV4zO6RSfgT5WwJ-J7NmM2c/s1600/IMG_0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIOC_mSG5e2IEVYxgmgGntYa71bzSY8SzsL-zINI_t19fIO4DZ5UveYEGWKLSExxISvs7k4D1toa6OeHH0B0PuuQHf-G7Uf_tmYBN2G-fLt9gZ4vDsrhmUFV4zO6RSfgT5WwJ-J7NmM2c/s400/IMG_0361.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to <s>red </s>orange</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZf7ff81QV-oOVTMIYDz1pqmzq5hOi9YVM_vveKr8VTVvHtgscCQg5yDT9ajDmgiYIbFIO1YitEOnAk1ZnYO9EkjnT51223F2RFDLZsAA2_WTduO-sLk4swQkW3rRfzFXpuJ647EAY1uK_/s1600/IMG_0422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZf7ff81QV-oOVTMIYDz1pqmzq5hOi9YVM_vveKr8VTVvHtgscCQg5yDT9ajDmgiYIbFIO1YitEOnAk1ZnYO9EkjnT51223F2RFDLZsAA2_WTduO-sLk4swQkW3rRfzFXpuJ647EAY1uK_/s320/IMG_0422.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to dark brown.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm channeling my Cherokee roots.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoW_MDZQu_Qbp7h9jToQmjT888TxgHSRmhppCA0pC8B3K7vrTFoPUzvw1JiNDZ8sQXLZxNnTp8YKw2cKSoDaVWzH4dRvAqgoclYXs2UM7zr6-X5XbjBEWBrGpMhGBidn5mfd4xAGBvxGZ/s1600/IMG_0175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoW_MDZQu_Qbp7h9jToQmjT888TxgHSRmhppCA0pC8B3K7vrTFoPUzvw1JiNDZ8sQXLZxNnTp8YKw2cKSoDaVWzH4dRvAqgoclYXs2UM7zr6-X5XbjBEWBrGpMhGBidn5mfd4xAGBvxGZ/s400/IMG_0175.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here is the one and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">only</span> way to get my boys to sleep.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Push them in the jogger stroller for hours at a time.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's true, no break for me anymore.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Naps, how I miss them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjI4nOIHh49y4_nVeWYlgW7a5gNRZXSUj1MMZXR4OT9f3wXibKFqkCyKncwH8T_FuZu0wUmXI4O5xtT6XflyCOIOFE6Ba-LpFNYUtIfXUl8ZD2JS-dmyXn8HS3Tn_Je2xERqkBMgSeR4_/s1600/IMG_0186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjI4nOIHh49y4_nVeWYlgW7a5gNRZXSUj1MMZXR4OT9f3wXibKFqkCyKncwH8T_FuZu0wUmXI4O5xtT6XflyCOIOFE6Ba-LpFNYUtIfXUl8ZD2JS-dmyXn8HS3Tn_Je2xERqkBMgSeR4_/s400/IMG_0186.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/kalimatthews/">Pinterest</a> has made me quite the cook lately.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This may be my favorite recipe I've tried so far.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://realmomkitchen.com/463/chicken-enchilada-soup-and-my-top-10-soup-recipes/">Chicken enchilada soup.</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Amazing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjI4nOIHh49y4_nVeWYlgW7a5gNRZXSUj1MMZXR4OT9f3wXibKFqkCyKncwH8T_FuZu0wUmXI4O5xtT6XflyCOIOFE6Ba-LpFNYUtIfXUl8ZD2JS-dmyXn8HS3Tn_Je2xERqkBMgSeR4_/s1600/IMG_0186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-amJL4PF_Kw_-Q94H2H6JpA1PlNzqyEkCifmTiI_WpvYcSH2zUBOccTbA5WEJxevT03CONZ1LXXiqj0iZcHE6Y0n2fmazcwwq3IliVnW6jHaBD2V57qZL8MKJQynitsrQlbL_YYhGOnv/s1600/IMG_0172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-amJL4PF_Kw_-Q94H2H6JpA1PlNzqyEkCifmTiI_WpvYcSH2zUBOccTbA5WEJxevT03CONZ1LXXiqj0iZcHE6Y0n2fmazcwwq3IliVnW6jHaBD2V57qZL8MKJQynitsrQlbL_YYhGOnv/s200/IMG_0172.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdm7pOP6-bCst6K6pXGjplm_Wwh2Wq07hsCpxdjrftm1qdwauzd4AygywGom0hFEn2FMi0wk3YNWzCp5qhdcxL1JOWnjWIQ3i7sG_K-_FxJtlyfWxySzJ-XbnrIqLddFThjhbpbxi5u6aA/s1600/IMG_0328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdm7pOP6-bCst6K6pXGjplm_Wwh2Wq07hsCpxdjrftm1qdwauzd4AygywGom0hFEn2FMi0wk3YNWzCp5qhdcxL1JOWnjWIQ3i7sG_K-_FxJtlyfWxySzJ-XbnrIqLddFThjhbpbxi5u6aA/s200/IMG_0328.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Harper's always been quite the ladies man.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He's submissive and easy to dominate. Girls appreciate that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyvEUbH_HvS0qgulmWluCCPG73N894xBKqgls2tx2yPdbZfZHDAnkCkvVPwSe4zWSOj2MBkOe_09IgDC7uorcklkvcVDLX_QnqJz7YkKqNRHcXcKpMfB8bXV6RNLTG-xDBq9pDph6BuJH/s1600/IMG_0199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyvEUbH_HvS0qgulmWluCCPG73N894xBKqgls2tx2yPdbZfZHDAnkCkvVPwSe4zWSOj2MBkOe_09IgDC7uorcklkvcVDLX_QnqJz7YkKqNRHcXcKpMfB8bXV6RNLTG-xDBq9pDph6BuJH/s400/IMG_0199.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Typical Harper and Landon.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Climbing on the counters and eating all the Reece's peanutbutter chips. Stinkers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O_YHUrjQNyyUGUiyI_3DumCuVmyBuj6CDLPGn_PnYEH9PN0FnVN8gffLXoF6vxp1T8glUcOdHREA7Gy5lnQ2as1LuT23VCgb6akeM7DJjJzBLZnA9bjo0HLpEufQygzkF6W3Z4xNvwKd/s1600/IMG_0218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O_YHUrjQNyyUGUiyI_3DumCuVmyBuj6CDLPGn_PnYEH9PN0FnVN8gffLXoF6vxp1T8glUcOdHREA7Gy5lnQ2as1LuT23VCgb6akeM7DJjJzBLZnA9bjo0HLpEufQygzkF6W3Z4xNvwKd/s400/IMG_0218.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here's an example of dinner at our house. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's breaded tilapia (I tell the boys it's chicken fingers).</div><div style="text-align: center;">And yes, they love it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSFUrOqhdIrl-1SEmkWVklXbdMRwhiAH8_NbSjl23iXqZHryhISlgYICbfPi-tLm7sHjkxqJ7fKYj80C6KL2YmQcL-twqNvNWKTSz9J6FKFg-rvdW3aq4c_wuXU5tEZkhZAoU0DInSYk1/s1600/IMG_0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSFUrOqhdIrl-1SEmkWVklXbdMRwhiAH8_NbSjl23iXqZHryhISlgYICbfPi-tLm7sHjkxqJ7fKYj80C6KL2YmQcL-twqNvNWKTSz9J6FKFg-rvdW3aq4c_wuXU5tEZkhZAoU0DInSYk1/s400/IMG_0260.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> They love each other.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2blkl-H_iHfUz_IKlsuHgXpR5e6ld5LmTRG4oNHUStEQaPzAmuDgKIJP3yLCTd_2crflMprVZvLGXRULn3_HChW6lef-B4O4uB8ixyZkT8hjxiiclP3SEVrYAtva4sIRypznnc0N6CDT6/s1600/IMG_0282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2blkl-H_iHfUz_IKlsuHgXpR5e6ld5LmTRG4oNHUStEQaPzAmuDgKIJP3yLCTd_2crflMprVZvLGXRULn3_HChW6lef-B4O4uB8ixyZkT8hjxiiclP3SEVrYAtva4sIRypznnc0N6CDT6/s400/IMG_0282.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Harper's become obsessed with hats lately.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's so funny, when we're getting ready to go some where,</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">he's always rushing around last minute saying,</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Wait, my hat! My hat!" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3imXIMm-qjf8pC5kR7ZFO9-etShVJ4v6FyaVWtzhNVMLiTCRpaMgK-cKMyaRnOPQLdDxcY5ft7HKM1Aj29l99GyZAtNload-Tn9au58QZTZRB-AgqMiunu3vbBGSNTiaQz9XYKFcU66jR/s1600/IMG_0445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3imXIMm-qjf8pC5kR7ZFO9-etShVJ4v6FyaVWtzhNVMLiTCRpaMgK-cKMyaRnOPQLdDxcY5ft7HKM1Aj29l99GyZAtNload-Tn9au58QZTZRB-AgqMiunu3vbBGSNTiaQz9XYKFcU66jR/s400/IMG_0445.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Last of all,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Harper and Landon dumped out a 28 lb. bucket of laundry detergent this morning.</div><div style="text-align: center;">That was fun.<br />
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Oh, I love my boys. I really do.</div>kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716179487704516263.post-43984518732179323262011-09-19T19:50:00.000-07:002011-09-19T20:30:42.267-07:00meeting nie nie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwXowobAJcDUcxX7NMFDtb87ZKa7EiSyOFc5n1dFG0xRs313NMkyj7tEGgWvPqDdHn7W36HhsMkEA8Au_tqxm60_c9qAiz5fTz6UzMMRgeWqIfmWOSA1k8HNxzqZMff4djktZnE1dX84_/s1600/DSC_0154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwXowobAJcDUcxX7NMFDtb87ZKa7EiSyOFc5n1dFG0xRs313NMkyj7tEGgWvPqDdHn7W36HhsMkEA8Au_tqxm60_c9qAiz5fTz6UzMMRgeWqIfmWOSA1k8HNxzqZMff4djktZnE1dX84_/s640/DSC_0154.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>You may or may not know that I am a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">huge</span> NieNie fan. Who isn't though, really? I found out about her blog the same week that their plane crashed and have followed diligently ever since. Along with thousands of others, I was praying for her recovery, my heart aching for their family. I rejoiced when she came out of her coma and was so excited to see her blogging again. What a gift for us. Her words and stories have made me laugh, made me cry, and mostly have inspired me to try harder to be a better wife and mother, despite any challenges I may be going through. I love her positive attitude, sense of humor, testimony, and her willingness to share it. What a great example to us all.<br />
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Just a few days ago, she posted on her blog about an event she would be speaking at in Loomis. I bought tickets immediately. Because, it wasn't heavily advertised, there was a very small group of people. It was a nice intimate fajita dinner on a beautiful ranch.<br />
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Her speech was awesome, and here are a few things that really hit me. She was asked if she could go back to that day before the accident, would she still get in the airplane? She said she would. She said, "I am grateful for this trial. There are lessons I would have never learned otherwise, things I can teach my children." She said, "Do not let your trials define you... It's what we do with these hardships that matter."<br />
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She talked about how she felt knowing that she was probably going to die. She thought she lived a good life and tried really hard. That also stuck with me. I could be called home at any time. No one knows for sure when their mortal sojourn will end. I don't want to have regrets. I want a clear conscience. I want to know that I've tried really hard. I want the people in my life to know how much I love them. I have some work to do. :)<br />
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Overall, I learned that life can change in a second. I'm grateful for what I have now. And, I'm so grateful I got to meet Stephanie Nielson. She radiates goodness. Ohh, and did I mention she has the cutest little baby bump ever? And, that she hugged me twice? I told her I was going to bring a sign that said, "NieNie's #1 fan!" She and Christian laughed, and she said she wishes I would have, but since I didn't, she'll put it in her memory that I did. haha. Darn it, I should have.<br />
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I'm sure most of you <a href="http://www.nieniedialogues.com/">read her blog</a>, but if not, you are missing out! I have especially enjoyed reading her pre-accident archives. I hope I can be as strong a woman as her, so that when the winds of life come, I will not fall.<br />
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Thanks for coming to California, NieNie! xoxo<br />
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P.S. Don't you love how our outfits totally coordinate?kalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071121056477630357noreply@blogger.com8