tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76074024489159583652024-02-07T02:07:42.467-08:00This Ladys' Lifeaka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-63269122823649351212012-05-03T13:40:00.002-07:002012-05-03T13:40:44.714-07:00The {very last} Birth Story, Part One<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Some good friends kindly pointed out that I had yet to post Cassie's birth story... whoopsie. Actually, I knew that... I just wasn't aware the whole world was waiting to hear about it or what's been taking me so long to get to it, but I'm gonna take a stab at it and see how much I remember. {5 1/2 months later} <span style="font-size: xx-small;">*cringe*</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">**Warning** </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Some of the info contained in these particular blog entries may or may not be t.m.i. or completely uninteresting to you, the reader. I'm simply trying to write everything down so that I can come back to it and read about it when time has robbed me of the little details. With Cassie being our last baby, I really want to cherish every little thing and I'm finding it's going by way too fast!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>"Just the facts ma'am."</b> - a little background info...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">*I was pregnant. (<-is this funny to anyone else - because I just smirked out loud (s.o.l) Maybe a mildly exhausted, chronically sarcastic mother of 4 shouldn't be blogging)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">*Babe was working out of town - staying almost 2 hours away.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">*2 out of 3 of my children were born on, or within a day, of their due date. <br />*My water had broken with all 3 of my previous children so I was kinda waiting for that. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">*My due date was November 18th. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">*I was seeing the doctor weekly - the same guy that one week told me I was <i>completely</i> effaced/thinned out and 1-2 centimeters dilated and that I was definitely *not* going to make it to my next appointment... only to tell me the next week that I was 80% effaced/thinned out and about 1 1/2 cm. ::blink::blink:: This momma was not amused, but bygones. I love my doctor.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">*My membranes were stripped a couple of days before I went into labor.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">*I lost some of my m.p. on two different occasions.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">*The texting lines between me and my sister and b.f.f. were pipin' hot in anticipation!! I was really trying to be patient... as long as I didn't go too far over the due date I was "O.K." s.o.l</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A couple of Facebook postings prior to her birth...</span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Tell Cassie to HURRY UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>"</i> - November 5th, Uncle Bubba</span></span></div>
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<i>"4:43 a.m. been up for about two hours now... birth is taking place...
just not Cassie's... Ginger is in the process of having her puppies! One
so far... so tiny... black and white... today is gonna be a long day!" </i>- November 9th, Me</div>
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<i>"Letting the girls wrestle and squeal and giggle and shriek on the living
room rug... it's probably a good thing they don't know how much effort
it's taking not to toss them up in their rooms... this mama is tired..." - </i>November 10th, Me<i></i></div>
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<i>"Hey I saw you had puppies.....any baby yet? LOL"</i> - November 13th, Drea</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> "</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ok, so I made some very important plans for Saturday with </span>Kelly<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">!
Think that's enough to coax Cassie into coming so she can completely
mess them up? **fingers crossed** although I'd really like to do the
planned things, too!" </span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">- November 17th, Me (The plan was to get pedicures and then go to the movies to watch Breaking Dawn, pt. 1)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I remember glancing at the clock at 3:40-ish on the 18th, but went right back to sleep. I don't remember the exact feel of what woke me, but there was an essence of "oh, that was different." I was awoken again a short while later with the same feeling and with the thought, "Thank God she's coming today... I didn't want to be late!" I got up to go to the bathroom and see if I could clear my head enough to make sense of the "sensations" I was having. There may have been some "show"... that memory is fading, but I do remember that I was highly un-confident of what I was feeling. There were a couple of contractions, but they weren't painful and not very close together.... they were just different. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Text to Babe: approx 4:40a.m. "What time do you have to leave for work?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Babe: "I have to leave here at 530. Why, what's up? Are you having ctx?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Me: "I dunno. Something is different. I'm going to wait for a little while and I'll let you know."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Babe: "I'm coming home."<br />Me: "O.K." The fact that I didn't stop him showed me that I knew it was probably time. I couldn't pinpoint one certain "this-is-it" indicator... the "feeling" was just there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I laid down for a little bit around 5 and got some timing in. I was using an app on my phone and they were coming anywhere from 5 to 12 minutes apart. I called my sister when the contractions kept coming, telling her that I wasn't sure it was time, but that I wanted to go in and be checked. She was living 30 minutes away at the time and I felt bad for waking her up, but she was on her way. Not much later, and the contractions picked up a little bit. I'd have a strong one and then a hint of a couple followed by another strong one. It was after a strong one that I texted the Hubs again.<br /><br />Me: "Where are you?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Babe: "Just getting my things ready to leave."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Me: "Get.in.the.truck.and.drive!!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I called my mom and let her know I was going to go in and "get checked" and that I'd bring the girls over. I also called the hospital L&D to let them know that I was coming in to "be checked". When they asked how far apart the ctx were, I remember saying 5 to 8 minutes. I woke the girls up and told them the plan to go to Grandma & Poppas so I could go to the hospital and "be checked". I think I was afraid to jinx the whole thing by saying "this is it", even though I knew it probably was. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I remember tooling around the house and getting the girls' things ready while I was explaining and talking to them about what would "probably" be happening. The Hubs called just as Kelly was getting to the house - around 6:15ish- and I told him to meet us at the ER. We dropped the girls off and then headed to the hospital.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>to be continued...</i></span></div>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-49511605000040394622012-01-10T20:14:00.000-08:002012-01-10T20:33:15.621-08:00...in which Cassie discovers her hands<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cassie: "Um, Emma? What is that?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Emma: "What's what, Cassie?""</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cassie: "<i>That</i>, Emma!"<br />Emma: "Oh, that's just mom's camera, Sissy."
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696208152440872914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYjGzB7Abbk7RldJGJXIx6XUy-xIS5jjeowH7_c2RgenW7ACus6XAYXd0L7cSdRCX_N3aoD8I4j12M8TrK7Wm2DSSi-lW10VV7AgvNoPu4K3C85Z0J8rMI-_0Ap9y6M-sMYd2JIspSLg/s400/7w4de.jpg" style="color: #0000ee; display: block; font-size: 16px; height: 267px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; width: 400px;" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cassie: "Oh. Well, what does it do? Play music? Shake? Why's it just sitting there?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Emma: "No, no, Silly Cassie. Mom wants you to take your picture."<br />Cassie: "I don't know, Em... it's kinda creepy."<br />Emma: "Just smile... like this... and it will eventually go away."</span><br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696207409732097986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3-LLuoNwtxRp68nyQLA14H6z5VlaaxtzmFQOvUwowLQcjaYylNtFVDfEYQVdagU8CnQo35LKwuReTjY9iTbHdcldznNaWOzpGjdnemGUoEKUp2okCGYtnSUkHodlVnInKfUgWySL8s8/s400/7w4dk.jpg" style="color: #0000ee; display: block; font-size: 16px; height: 267px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; width: 400px;" /></div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cassie: "Smile? Hmmm... I dunno, Emma. Smiling can be hard to get right. It takes a lot of practice. I'm not sure if I can do it."<br />Emma: "Just doooo it, already!"</span><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696207403216397634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjp8TuTdmoMNjMAv0sGTLCuj8M5Q_RPlMQbpBcetCq2N9QvIR7X2YsVPU65WPsgel9Jl2kG3yt6St0i-N77y26FT435N0eiS6nVhUlpMTjv42GVEDR6wOmtMIl-us7B-I_Tnjx8Vy5cPk/s400/7w4dl.jpg" style="color: #0000ee; display: block; font-size: 16px; height: 267px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; width: 400px;" /></div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cassie: *<i>hmmm, ok... smile...* </i>"How's this?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Emma: "That's a good try, PooterButt, but keep going."</span></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696207423610114210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsAHhOyu3Xm1zw4G0bnXrLXmJ2KJV45J7uEDl9-Imtc9QOWBSo_XcQXY_BIPqCunlaec6NLi-USr7i3sL7s1BDz_12L0H_vxvsVYsobJIEQojJKn3_3ipsNfqvHMHuClZT9dtO-mAt20/s400/7w4da.jpg" style="color: #0000ee; display: block; font-size: 16px; height: 400px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; width: 331px;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cassie: "Ok, that wasn't so hard. Lookit this one, Sis."<br />Emma: "Good job, now let me play with my blocks."</span></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696207425164635298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVMKppH7zUARnaef3of3znqNgiknX-lvYfr8KoDSuFIfH4oPQ2WUXUclO3PF4ixT9dpZE_STl7cprxvfoXBTweYdASJqBuVlxjM63rzVkJAhmBG1IC1uXMYxCuMUUUpcfVtKupbxtyo4/s400/test.jpg" style="color: #0000ee; display: block; font-size: 16px; height: 358px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; width: 400px;" /></div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cassie: "Emma, look, I'm a rapper<i>! It makes two to make a thing go RIII-IIIIIGHT! ALL YOU PARTAY PEOPLE!!"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Emma: "Oh, now you're just showing off!"</span></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696207447702528162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMPJk1HmFUhBSKpkhNJAjLkB2ZS3nSYQw0NwDO-R_ixGM7hF-Flm5-ymQvj16NNia-8HLZyWYFBIfJF99Gqh1gKxgFOT7Gl-jU6YQhyYlb0CiuqNpG8lSxEJ8mHUKk57_o_eNKRjQ7f4/s400/7w4dd.jpg" style="color: #0000ee; display: block; font-size: 16px; height: 400px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; width: 267px;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cassie: "Look, Mom, it's the Sprinkler!"</span></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696208113408354338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04E2qID2xTCCV26aMdGmADDdqOV3E35TXzpgSyjGzXBofT7-K7LSv7ar_C6_1k__64G19UJc4R3gKN7nzPOUyAB51e0qARG9aw2Mv9dv_ugEXqTMq2MfnE0Q8PxgexeBrTYtFf9WejBY/s400/7w4dh.jpg" style="color: #0000ee; display: block; font-size: 16px; height: 267px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; width: 400px;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cassie: "Oh, wait, wait... check this one out... It's the Cabbage Pa- heeey, what are those?"</span></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696208821723347106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqK0lcBvamZjCAuAZWfvpRW0sMBjtjg9fOYubXeDXp9mWqVrYNFx5r9XgbelImrpkxZK6ZcBuSJDIX8lvzU0suXwP9KlvdrxPwynpRhNPGcxiMWYHOm1X3NmRf3vCZ3hZPoYV0PB43gY/s400/7w4dg.jpg" style="color: #0000ee; display: block; font-size: 16px; height: 400px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; width: 267px;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cassie: "Whoa... what <i>is that? </i>Hey, Emma, what is this?<i>"</i><br />Emma: "Oh, those are just your hands."</span></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696208139886876658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MpuxKkHGe05oqXxhDoc3HLhzNgPl826fgJ1z5iRI_ZcZBk7Xj_h44TuZ2vpO5fSr1Sqsgd0fou8g6H6SNfT_PXzy8PAHZ_igQ3jPHfEMGk867SqvijVzMNJJuzhwjqqLwZo2RspPuf8/s400/7w4dh.jpg" style="color: #0000ee; display: block; font-size: 16px; height: 267px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; width: 400px;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cassie: "Hands? Hands... hands! They're pretty cool. Hey mom, have you seen these hands?"<br />Mom: "I sure have, Cass... aren't they perfect?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cassie: "Well, if perfect means I can't stop staring at them, then yeah... I guess they <i>are</i> perfect."</span></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696208824445429458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4Bs4irKsc5oiEXvvrB7MsNOgXFmV03VJ4RdlAHfhxbXFQtT7pBh3kaKy8SfNN06NMMM8sb7yXBR7I4A22ULygZP_N6-dSA3Co1zMBVN_aqosQbch9_9NOBND3r33A302U8YnIUJspOk/s400/7w4di.jpg" style="color: #0000ee; display: block; font-size: 16px; height: 267px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; width: 400px;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cassie: "</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm a hand-staring machine. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I could do this all. day. long."</span></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696208829799296786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTbdsklgNvyvJDMC1P-XKQoHFM8h3tQy5pfzVudelydtoqNI64pEAJCIUTApsEGof-giW-FcMPibiEdYAhYtUqvqTJpq27eQHM7KCJKfp5bYqBzK5a4U9ZIwchij4Q3eDTN_fbQviFcI/s400/7w4dj.jpg" style="color: #0000ee; display: block; font-size: 16px; height: 267px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; width: 400px;" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXsmeV4mFEQyhSJg8bpE5n5VjiVMwaHHtNtvh643VNhZR8iZVU_d-a-qTdLqxZrQm_3rgXEpIDVfwnTJs1HEp53X1d__ze5Z5iZKx-nFBsjqqMxbqhekraGGWcSFcTSl_X9VkJzg8w3Q/s1600/7w4dm.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696208839485216882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXsmeV4mFEQyhSJg8bpE5n5VjiVMwaHHtNtvh643VNhZR8iZVU_d-a-qTdLqxZrQm_3rgXEpIDVfwnTJs1HEp53X1d__ze5Z5iZKx-nFBsjqqMxbqhekraGGWcSFcTSl_X9VkJzg8w3Q/s400/7w4dm.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mom: *</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">whispers</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* "Thanks for the memories, Cass."</span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-46390664970181024162011-10-04T08:40:00.000-07:002011-10-04T08:48:47.403-07:00Post It Note Tuesday<div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I felt the need to utilize a few post-it notes this morning. These are the only ones that were close enough to PG rated, non-angry and appropriate for sharing... maybe next week I'll have more I can share!<br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMN-W47pdHUOlxTeY5b2fm4IFytapszkF2na1yAKMVv1UpRESBdFHdR_JGEFT1-9r6Ok8iKd85Fxho8PnXe3A6n0xa7hcdWZc_p4ye3XY5Y5pWpuFfpRVf3sCr4RpGLSXDHKaHhdfvcW8/s1600/superstickies.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 223px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMN-W47pdHUOlxTeY5b2fm4IFytapszkF2na1yAKMVv1UpRESBdFHdR_JGEFT1-9r6Ok8iKd85Fxho8PnXe3A6n0xa7hcdWZc_p4ye3XY5Y5pWpuFfpRVf3sCr4RpGLSXDHKaHhdfvcW8/s400/superstickies.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659663181606892434" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VXibGhncGX44TG_v9tntEMgWOL__YVb_C1WVTwunx15I1Y13rUFiEw-mGD2D9ND4q18ZvuWHl7FfQsDJVsivWLeXpbNwQghFCxbxUjgFcCt8wSHTmX_aUIriFnXaD7Sc1mpa21UrXcI/s1600/superstickies%25282%2529.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 223px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VXibGhncGX44TG_v9tntEMgWOL__YVb_C1WVTwunx15I1Y13rUFiEw-mGD2D9ND4q18ZvuWHl7FfQsDJVsivWLeXpbNwQghFCxbxUjgFcCt8wSHTmX_aUIriFnXaD7Sc1mpa21UrXcI/s400/superstickies%25282%2529.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659663174087338914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTe31x6cUBKWzk-I11XtAFFo9_YJNn5hhGSqxrvZ-ep6v8c7seDx3dLr0NuWObjzlQuDBYEhNhjtd3CN9jtxKqg8E9IfqpdSrEDx2xk113UP8IJsE2sRCuMwqWFcETSxGc0rFZyEyuTs/s1600/superstickies%25283%2529.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 223px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTe31x6cUBKWzk-I11XtAFFo9_YJNn5hhGSqxrvZ-ep6v8c7seDx3dLr0NuWObjzlQuDBYEhNhjtd3CN9jtxKqg8E9IfqpdSrEDx2xk113UP8IJsE2sRCuMwqWFcETSxGc0rFZyEyuTs/s400/superstickies%25283%2529.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659663179602237778" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxO0Xp3Eo8kd7SgjQmnz_SzdAqbj7BmsHlavhUx1GMp2k3Avk1mO5D01B_caEvrAKo1kOLan_7ia57Cj2SNqwr62otEa3LnFqyMrbHnQQwfawrAFnQLUm4S8Q6qN0hYHl2kVZ_8ctsuxU/s1600/superstickies%25284%2529.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 223px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxO0Xp3Eo8kd7SgjQmnz_SzdAqbj7BmsHlavhUx1GMp2k3Avk1mO5D01B_caEvrAKo1kOLan_7ia57Cj2SNqwr62otEa3LnFqyMrbHnQQwfawrAFnQLUm4S8Q6qN0hYHl2kVZ_8ctsuxU/s400/superstickies%25284%2529.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659663175459239890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VXibGhncGX44TG_v9tntEMgWOL__YVb_C1WVTwunx15I1Y13rUFiEw-mGD2D9ND4q18ZvuWHl7FfQsDJVsivWLeXpbNwQghFCxbxUjgFcCt8wSHTmX_aUIriFnXaD7Sc1mpa21UrXcI/s1600/superstickies%25282%2529.png"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMN-W47pdHUOlxTeY5b2fm4IFytapszkF2na1yAKMVv1UpRESBdFHdR_JGEFT1-9r6Ok8iKd85Fxho8PnXe3A6n0xa7hcdWZc_p4ye3XY5Y5pWpuFfpRVf3sCr4RpGLSXDHKaHhdfvcW8/s1600/superstickies.png"><br /></a>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-24660898409343012352011-07-17T15:33:00.000-07:002011-07-17T16:29:59.816-07:00Weekend Fun at The Shack<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">We took a quick trip up to Buck's Lake on Saturday!! My parents have some property up there where they're building a weekend getaway spot! I call it "The Shack". You'll see why in a couple minutes! We had a quick lunch in the trailer before heading down to the creek that runs below The Shack.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">In a normal July, the girls would be in shorts and wading through the cold mountain water.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibyv-etBDA5Fw5G01y8sod2TE7uY4vYt3GRP3eY-dLeOwn6Wvv6Sb5I3OCXtGwt_bcHzEJh_8ut7sFMwb7b78m7wpGbUKf-KKIS9VVG2WsJtbixSFJ0r9HNve1II0fvzSV639x_R2qCU/s1600/DSCN1545.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibyv-etBDA5Fw5G01y8sod2TE7uY4vYt3GRP3eY-dLeOwn6Wvv6Sb5I3OCXtGwt_bcHzEJh_8ut7sFMwb7b78m7wpGbUKf-KKIS9VVG2WsJtbixSFJ0r9HNve1II0fvzSV639x_R2qCU/s400/DSCN1545.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630458165676526882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Wait, scratch that. In a "normal" July, the creek would probably barely be running.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1k5saV-iVZMmfNx8wCx9so1wv_w7irCyQVPW5CfCM2IkDLy0kaAkdzc9Gv5-eloSMdFVwYYYKVYhgUPCGrznPY7r0shItMYr26TyjL-Tlo255whnOjtpuVjDvWgA4ofDsNpN_56qHIU/s1600/DSCN1556.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1k5saV-iVZMmfNx8wCx9so1wv_w7irCyQVPW5CfCM2IkDLy0kaAkdzc9Gv5-eloSMdFVwYYYKVYhgUPCGrznPY7r0shItMYr26TyjL-Tlo255whnOjtpuVjDvWgA4ofDsNpN_56qHIU/s400/DSCN1556.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630457951000975666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">However, it was a very long winter around here... so we get to enjoy the rippling brook for awhile longer!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Even the doggies had a good time!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mS7BVJRrJXaAITNEbC5naYi-wynNoQOkHWaD6xkhe4OjBMBGBZfmleKEJX4nAFVoT-PnwUIiETEZrQN0ZenkWbKAL2qg56z3Y_xNMtu8k-pmdC-Ti_7_sZu9AXb540DdAFMlCqmY0A8/s1600/DSCN1562.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mS7BVJRrJXaAITNEbC5naYi-wynNoQOkHWaD6xkhe4OjBMBGBZfmleKEJX4nAFVoT-PnwUIiETEZrQN0ZenkWbKAL2qg56z3Y_xNMtu8k-pmdC-Ti_7_sZu9AXb540DdAFMlCqmY0A8/s400/DSCN1562.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630457942731425538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">They had fun finding critters! I think they were looking at helgramites here..</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4im70lf4czwfuX7h9LCAULmx0NTPQ7Wn__waM9EFGgVsGEN5IOIzOnHLv2jVIX9RZMv0JFfghXr9VC-DWqIb0Xy-RpTTAK6YsbRkhPdgKVzFGaAl0WPDIDTR9BKHihJDXhDQvlHWnWw/s1600/DSCN1566.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4im70lf4czwfuX7h9LCAULmx0NTPQ7Wn__waM9EFGgVsGEN5IOIzOnHLv2jVIX9RZMv0JFfghXr9VC-DWqIb0Xy-RpTTAK6YsbRkhPdgKVzFGaAl0WPDIDTR9BKHihJDXhDQvlHWnWw/s400/DSCN1566.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630457937667403218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />I don't know why I try and get a good picture of the three of them anymore... this is what I end up with! </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUgp8zjCDHljytRpEQivYwZ6idJWTFpzxr4cG41753BpBlwt-w5kmPTQxYxGEitF9Fs69r-QYNUl_yzyUIEXgJxp2cxxCHeI__fjfKqxqgj4miwswomYK4v1zz-axm_BhGNFDqIjJOFo/s1600/DSCN1552.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUgp8zjCDHljytRpEQivYwZ6idJWTFpzxr4cG41753BpBlwt-w5kmPTQxYxGEitF9Fs69r-QYNUl_yzyUIEXgJxp2cxxCHeI__fjfKqxqgj4miwswomYK4v1zz-axm_BhGNFDqIjJOFo/s400/DSCN1552.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630457955480237634" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Momma: "Emma, you've never looked so much like your dad, before!" lol</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4Ie80HdDg0gqpXZJJ5iYnHqmunOn69hZsGfjTGD1MqR_mx5EqrEwoBAavmcDYokZaN9ONaTmlEEHAZ1kw_4R0dmuhraJ3vGulDpAPnkK2XHfwSdStufivGlsDJ9WR8j4WbT5dOt5-fg/s1600/DSCN1579.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4Ie80HdDg0gqpXZJJ5iYnHqmunOn69hZsGfjTGD1MqR_mx5EqrEwoBAavmcDYokZaN9ONaTmlEEHAZ1kw_4R0dmuhraJ3vGulDpAPnkK2XHfwSdStufivGlsDJ9WR8j4WbT5dOt5-fg/s400/DSCN1579.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630457465106643314" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Daddy and Red had a little "Battle of the super loose tooth" by the crik.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUd9y7_DuNkN51us2yiAff8h8PMscGw0eUrnH1mLRa0MQ582BKKBOvbW0MStTs9PrbpAPQnwQ8Z2YZGh6ZN32E3ZU92GHJgpjY5gt74sABw1PcFhjLtPnrSdi8Yqzjmh9Ib9a3BPGlno/s1600/DSCN1582.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUd9y7_DuNkN51us2yiAff8h8PMscGw0eUrnH1mLRa0MQ582BKKBOvbW0MStTs9PrbpAPQnwQ8Z2YZGh6ZN32E3ZU92GHJgpjY5gt74sABw1PcFhjLtPnrSdi8Yqzjmh9Ib9a3BPGlno/s400/DSCN1582.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630457456132441538" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">"Come on!!!!" Dad whined when she refused to give in!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfT7RAhgH92UFwxZorJCtiezPqmUnHXEVAOP2Gs8VBnNhofWOALxlVMaQwpo6DdZZNZ6wtAmR0b7h6no8bR7zA6vH5goRwOJBcv-2OZ4YzNkcoXR0HudUKP4kWRP4Bwk1lI_yRBdTD2JM/s1600/DSCN1580.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfT7RAhgH92UFwxZorJCtiezPqmUnHXEVAOP2Gs8VBnNhofWOALxlVMaQwpo6DdZZNZ6wtAmR0b7h6no8bR7zA6vH5goRwOJBcv-2OZ4YzNkcoXR0HudUKP4kWRP4Bwk1lI_yRBdTD2JM/s400/DSCN1580.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630457462166370402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Brenna ended up winning this round! </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMjnxXrAk7klehRlkY_t8VYrqE1A3Jqbmh7mZXi_tNlYglGYpLZ1v4p4k-r8pJyVvJb_sT0oO1Jl2VmbElyzDq1o0WYc9dLvRkQW0r7rigWNINOm7Z1Vuj1QfyRPz4k9rvGHohY02sFk/s1600/DSCN1589.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMjnxXrAk7klehRlkY_t8VYrqE1A3Jqbmh7mZXi_tNlYglGYpLZ1v4p4k-r8pJyVvJb_sT0oO1Jl2VmbElyzDq1o0WYc9dLvRkQW0r7rigWNINOm7Z1Vuj1QfyRPz4k9rvGHohY02sFk/s400/DSCN1589.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630456975852230994" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">In case you were wondering, Brooklyn is still our family clown!<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbiCD8ofXrBa9AOQpJplrjtU4LHmvsh-mGDKyQ3UFkWgLSkfImOU3KXO_fsrNz9zp9MyudBQL_OtvbvuoRCHB2x_Km08qTlzFDm0q2tSVhp7tcOVCLPghvCzWSLG2GZxGf3p-IooJY18/s1600/DSCN1585.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbiCD8ofXrBa9AOQpJplrjtU4LHmvsh-mGDKyQ3UFkWgLSkfImOU3KXO_fsrNz9zp9MyudBQL_OtvbvuoRCHB2x_Km08qTlzFDm0q2tSVhp7tcOVCLPghvCzWSLG2GZxGf3p-IooJY18/s400/DSCN1585.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630457445759262578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />We made our way up to The Shack after a bit.</span><br />Notice the snow still on the ground!<br />*IN* July!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYfFrSAo68RW1ippJ5TAESSCuFwewGx59tu7mPe6jk-LS0zjzS05yELl3YShKhE5GZBEiOZorhAciF8Kt3J45_fqX0PsoXEYnbKmUKE8NuAZe-FiwciYgWp5Q9sZGUYCBvVSx7wZ7O6U/s1600/DSCN1595.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYfFrSAo68RW1ippJ5TAESSCuFwewGx59tu7mPe6jk-LS0zjzS05yELl3YShKhE5GZBEiOZorhAciF8Kt3J45_fqX0PsoXEYnbKmUKE8NuAZe-FiwciYgWp5Q9sZGUYCBvVSx7wZ7O6U/s400/DSCN1595.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630456972495988258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">And here ya have it... The Shack!<br />It actually kind of embarrasses me.<br />I mean, it's way too small for any of the family to crash in...<br />it's completely run down... it's an absolute... well, shack.<br />I shiver to think of having to sleep in there... I'd <span style="font-size:78%;">almost</span> rather take my chances in the tent with the bears!<br /><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsAW84MXu4PiAJGkqywgp9tQMc_ijeeT9oN9gdzyKZYydVVKO9sLy6d-yG8VVCoUBbe0wojziZabW8AYrpZTNsiOhGGOgODF92ncNMQKjKNUYHOvoBJp94SvYmVbwSuD7AM1Ddgs9yuU/s1600/DSCN1598.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsAW84MXu4PiAJGkqywgp9tQMc_ijeeT9oN9gdzyKZYydVVKO9sLy6d-yG8VVCoUBbe0wojziZabW8AYrpZTNsiOhGGOgODF92ncNMQKjKNUYHOvoBJp94SvYmVbwSuD7AM1Ddgs9yuU/s400/DSCN1598.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630456969313177346" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Just a peek of the inside... I don't imagine there's much they're gonna be able to do to turn this thing around. The sheer smallness of it doesn't leave much room for improvement.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sEpIFa6vhYOZfrmwjeEJhl7fm-b-zrzg-yW-NrFEVqLFSG_wJ80k_zqhX4dmg-48AxrjyHwlCq90_qoMokjX7i8S_cqXuRiS4L8IAzTP1bntCGho2jMvjYlGMHZE4Rb_Lb3wfV2VdD4/s1600/DSCN1599.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sEpIFa6vhYOZfrmwjeEJhl7fm-b-zrzg-yW-NrFEVqLFSG_wJ80k_zqhX4dmg-48AxrjyHwlCq90_qoMokjX7i8S_cqXuRiS4L8IAzTP1bntCGho2jMvjYlGMHZE4Rb_Lb3wfV2VdD4/s400/DSCN1599.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630456967623989234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />So after we took our chances looking around The Shack, we headed over to the lake!<br />It's so pretty and full right now!<br />We just wanted a nice quiet spot to let the girls play in/near the water... and this was perfect!<br />Daddy borrowed Poppa's fishing pole and threw in a line here and there.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTANZHaFIiljYbJ7CVFXWyP34tiBsuPACaOnqJF4NC4gZFc7tUNBPq_I2WmATMRvbwoGOiQdfkNaqpdiBBvY5zTvaAYgOhgVjAtRQSlzn0FPTjbq3Wt_S3hlp7tI2kyyCkGHP23rWU20/s1600/DSCN1606.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTANZHaFIiljYbJ7CVFXWyP34tiBsuPACaOnqJF4NC4gZFc7tUNBPq_I2WmATMRvbwoGOiQdfkNaqpdiBBvY5zTvaAYgOhgVjAtRQSlzn0FPTjbq3Wt_S3hlp7tI2kyyCkGHP23rWU20/s400/DSCN1606.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630456960831914594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Emma had a blast playing *near* the water. It still wasn't quite warm enough for them to go crazy in the water. </span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBjD4N4dFtSz6Q1ol4OkPbqDrb0GRl53EL5IWS2nAI52KVsbn7JOXp5vEEaISFVRc1zUzmR6U1BxlBcMFJuwXmDcEqR4FkjFZ2cXGzVTa4H_F2zUosLceocFKlAeV_6pt8HIX86iHOYk/s1600/DSCN1612.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBjD4N4dFtSz6Q1ol4OkPbqDrb0GRl53EL5IWS2nAI52KVsbn7JOXp5vEEaISFVRc1zUzmR6U1BxlBcMFJuwXmDcEqR4FkjFZ2cXGzVTa4H_F2zUosLceocFKlAeV_6pt8HIX86iHOYk/s400/DSCN1612.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630456424432740034" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The wind would blow for a minute and then let up. Then it'd blow some more. The sun would hide and then come back out. It was beautiful and oh-so relaxing!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7YVkGhhZKdNb_DxziVBMInPR9jrEHZRAgppsR8rkIeIiLaUX7iMWaK-t6BYIue5e9VD3yC5sAHNJcMD7cQv6TKvLHP6mWSJ5Y4I3tAJSehFX0v0Nezm6-pVCJ5-aV6dBgU4og0qppmI/s1600/DSCN1608.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7YVkGhhZKdNb_DxziVBMInPR9jrEHZRAgppsR8rkIeIiLaUX7iMWaK-t6BYIue5e9VD3yC5sAHNJcMD7cQv6TKvLHP6mWSJ5Y4I3tAJSehFX0v0Nezm6-pVCJ5-aV6dBgU4og0qppmI/s400/DSCN1608.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630456423119674482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">And then Daddy caught a fish!!!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzRr5AKJx35rkRZDimHQ2Hw_kCQAke2MK_3wBtEdUR8Gbz-ryYe0sAbhR15ZK3SJ7MkhbK3VyYdNKuEyJzOY1Ng_VJGCErI-bVbOA5TaOFlmiAm7Hos3vBJMtBzQASBu5r5ERh1XnNZo/s1600/DSCN1617.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzRr5AKJx35rkRZDimHQ2Hw_kCQAke2MK_3wBtEdUR8Gbz-ryYe0sAbhR15ZK3SJ7MkhbK3VyYdNKuEyJzOY1Ng_VJGCErI-bVbOA5TaOFlmiAm7Hos3vBJMtBzQASBu5r5ERh1XnNZo/s400/DSCN1617.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630456419889449682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />A German Brown, to be exact! Lookit Brenna trying to make you think she thinks it's gross... she totally KISSED that fish!! I'm sure the fish found extreme comfort in Brenna's kiss as it... well, you know.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahRhhASWU2QSephe6_cuBuMd6Hgv1c_JuwL2C50y5R0TsD_a_XMjAmxLeWeKAX57NSWoKYLue83eO6eAEWcaMISVskFXP9fya834PTjscHh8LJBgeOyG-jjpVk-GwQ5uEsmpEaUCtYqg/s1600/DSCN1618.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahRhhASWU2QSephe6_cuBuMd6Hgv1c_JuwL2C50y5R0TsD_a_XMjAmxLeWeKAX57NSWoKYLue83eO6eAEWcaMISVskFXP9fya834PTjscHh8LJBgeOyG-jjpVk-GwQ5uEsmpEaUCtYqg/s400/DSCN1618.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630456406649219410" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">And look who else kissed the fish! Blech!</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRK6Aef6vJBfspEMoKC1wBoFbhrKVKE9CeEOZqm2tVVUGLCA4qOX_ZLpjBlAulGHEWLYXNKlpSsv8-p9RTaeZhFPeBdKGn_urYBLHgQX9WXssroa-0kVuygKfkcNMw_RHJo-7UzaZQ6_w/s1600/DSCN1622.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRK6Aef6vJBfspEMoKC1wBoFbhrKVKE9CeEOZqm2tVVUGLCA4qOX_ZLpjBlAulGHEWLYXNKlpSsv8-p9RTaeZhFPeBdKGn_urYBLHgQX9WXssroa-0kVuygKfkcNMw_RHJo-7UzaZQ6_w/s400/DSCN1622.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630456403751098402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">We caught two fish altogether! IF I had my fishing license, I *probably* would have caught the second one and it *probably* would have been bigger than his! *wink wink*</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />We definitely need to go back up soon!!! It's too close and too relaxing and too fun to ignore the beauty any longer!!! Must. go. back!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-73503860380258157982011-07-03T10:10:00.000-07:002011-07-03T10:20:18.934-07:0020 Weeks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoyzMSfL9z7nQXymYbGlyj46i45B19uEPCwbUGue04oRbEy9QGexBNs0YwF7c-VSntb6lGYqWpvrgiVWw8OWHY0VZ1sslaxcKdBSDJ1dVgOzNfaNjf8HdqBB0paUIwpkvAvzlSrMaGkc/s1600/W41.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoyzMSfL9z7nQXymYbGlyj46i45B19uEPCwbUGue04oRbEy9QGexBNs0YwF7c-VSntb6lGYqWpvrgiVWw8OWHY0VZ1sslaxcKdBSDJ1dVgOzNfaNjf8HdqBB0paUIwpkvAvzlSrMaGkc/s400/W41.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625177093771604722" border="0" /></a><br /><div style=" line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic', serif;font-size:15px;color:#402722;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pregnancy Highlights:</span></em></div><div style=" line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic', serif;font-size:15px;color:#402722;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>How Far Along:</strong> 20 Weeks </span></div><div style=" line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic', serif;font-size:15px;color:#402722;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Size of baby:</strong> Banana</span></div><div style=" line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic', serif;font-size:15px;color:#402722;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6.5inches and 10.5 ounces.</span></div><div style=" line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic', serif;font-size:15px;color:#402722;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Total Weight Gain</strong>: negative 5 pounds!!<br /></span></div><div style=" line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic', serif;font-size:15px;color:#402722;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Maternity Clothes</strong>: I have one pair of trusty maternity shorts and some shirts! I definitely need to find some nicer wear for church because I've been reduced to wearing jeans!! no bueno!<br /></span></div><div style=" line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic', serif;font-size:15px;color:#402722;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Gender</strong>: Girl #4!<br /></span></div><div style=" line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic', serif;font-size:15px;color:#402722;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Movement</strong>: Yes!<br />The baby is laying towards my back... with the placenta between her and the outside of my stomach, so I think that's keeping me from feeling her as much as I'd like at this point!<br /></span></div><div style=" line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic', serif;font-size:15px;color:#402722;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Sleep</strong>: Yes!<br />Am doing pretty good so far. I purchased a Boppy body pillow that has really helped with aches and pains at night. There are days when I feel like I could literally sleep ALL day!!!<br /></span></div><div style=" line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic', serif;font-size:15px;color:#402722;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>What I miss</strong>: Not much at this point.<br />Just trying to enjoy everything about his last pregnancy!<br /></span></div><div style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium; line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic', serif;font-size:15px;color:#402722;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Cravings</strong>: Greasy tacos and club sandwiches... kinda random.<br /></span></div><div style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium; line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic', serif;font-size:15px;color:#402722;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Symptoms</strong>: Just really tired. Kinda cranky.<br /><strong>What I’m looking forward to:</strong> Next u/s is on September 3rd! It'll be a 3d/4d so we'll get to see her with some chubs on her!<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br />What else:</span> We picked out her name! Cassie Shane J. She's actually going to have a 2nd middle name, but we're keeping that quiet until she's born!!<br /></span></div>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-48101644958097871042011-06-25T19:26:00.000-07:002011-06-25T19:34:34.714-07:00Random Kid Conversation<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">A lil conversation you might have heard in my house today.<br /><br />"Mooooooooooom! I went pee and poo!"<br /><br />"Ok, coming, Boo."<br /><br />"This is the best. toilet. ever., Mom."</span><br /><br /><br /></div>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-74280490024660005502011-06-22T18:07:00.000-07:002011-06-22T18:36:48.764-07:00Blogworthy<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I've been a very bad blogger lately, but every once in a while, I have something to blog about. Today, it's more of Baby Quockido. (Baby #4)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Well, we no longer have to refer to the poor girl as Quockido. Her name will now and forever be "Cassie Shane"!! I'm still kind of in mourning about my first choice, which was "Irelyn Shane", however I knew that the Hubs just wasn't feeling it. So, ever the dutiful wife <span style="font-size:85%;">(yeah, I'm rolling my eyes, too) <span style="font-size:130%;">I kept wracking my brain for the perfect name.<br /><br />It took a while for Cassie to come back to me. It was a name that we'd considered when picking out names for Emma. It's not Cassidy or Cassandra... just Cassie. Named for my father's initials, C.A.S., and her father's middle name; Shane. So yeah, she's named after two men. And I think it's cute!<br /><br />Ok, so part 2!<br /><br />Ultrasound 3 was today! Her HB was at 154 and she seemed to be measuring right on schedule (18w 5d) and I just wanted to share some pictures!<br /><br />Still a girl!<br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4baAiO-VCViiwQIFQUN0W4K3Ur1viPD8SwAf2ns73dp5tJl6ZEisGodJX2rLjAMjZ-P0dx8i2RxkyupIMpuYG3o5dgpUoNM0P5KuzQ3x9L9M-irOmlVJ0PjJ2l6IWuJNYKP4M2dQUDU/s1600/W9-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4baAiO-VCViiwQIFQUN0W4K3Ur1viPD8SwAf2ns73dp5tJl6ZEisGodJX2rLjAMjZ-P0dx8i2RxkyupIMpuYG3o5dgpUoNM0P5KuzQ3x9L9M-irOmlVJ0PjJ2l6IWuJNYKP4M2dQUDU/s400/W9-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621220994215042098" border="0" /></a>Lookit the gams on this girl!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCF5q-jZtNoJPUt6tNhJfYrw3KPyJFcpi1z2wVgLFzh8XhAypniOvyxKaZRLlYny99aBcV86wOFWZoH6C3DvMWAv2s-kfLzU1ardkDKMzWIkHF-hMBJk9I9EV-XKrSfGiaIYfq_MLi3M/s1600/W3f.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCF5q-jZtNoJPUt6tNhJfYrw3KPyJFcpi1z2wVgLFzh8XhAypniOvyxKaZRLlYny99aBcV86wOFWZoH6C3DvMWAv2s-kfLzU1ardkDKMzWIkHF-hMBJk9I9EV-XKrSfGiaIYfq_MLi3M/s400/W3f.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621220990721733634" border="0" /></a><br />I don't think I've seen one of my girls this stretched out before!<br />Stretch those legs while you still have room, baby girl!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHp1O-PM0QarsP1g63F7d243-US9eUwJzv8mE8rqsR0CnNkg5sNBcXknrJ6kz8CcgCnxfY4mQGfy7DmYIeYieESJbxYqKBJc9A17RLDjqaXzbhDqnZJ3lkzPBrGx1sdef9jFEvcrv5c-E/s1600/W41.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHp1O-PM0QarsP1g63F7d243-US9eUwJzv8mE8rqsR0CnNkg5sNBcXknrJ6kz8CcgCnxfY4mQGfy7DmYIeYieESJbxYqKBJc9A17RLDjqaXzbhDqnZJ3lkzPBrGx1sdef9jFEvcrv5c-E/s400/W41.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621220252360671074" border="0" /></a><br />Her sweet lil profile!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2hHzGkfwCKQn1Tt00Iwh8ofStEj0YVleQRvMJmCQI77cIoJ1nUkNGLXovzYmr_OG_2B3MeHrt2xRxN_-1C2U3MuOE6ifoqgBX6TCg0Q1iDZ4akOgehUqBYqDEY9hD3G1LVnpUbDyE1Q/s1600/W3a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2hHzGkfwCKQn1Tt00Iwh8ofStEj0YVleQRvMJmCQI77cIoJ1nUkNGLXovzYmr_OG_2B3MeHrt2xRxN_-1C2U3MuOE6ifoqgBX6TCg0Q1iDZ4akOgehUqBYqDEY9hD3G1LVnpUbDyE1Q/s400/W3a.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621220988661486818" border="0" /></a><br /></div>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-20308594153360839272011-05-06T08:25:00.000-07:002011-05-06T08:40:02.517-07:0012 Weeks - Baby Quockido<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNIHuFbqAmMYlM9UrLvriM8SA7_rjmI4B9mk1lIzI89RzftDVv-0G3SywbK2jf4snMkrm5VB9OzrQ-3u3RWsOdgZHz4KYw60ST6FlRoON-Pes4lkMbXx8DG2g5FKyBFL-iHLldasqSlA/s1600/We-1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNIHuFbqAmMYlM9UrLvriM8SA7_rjmI4B9mk1lIzI89RzftDVv-0G3SywbK2jf4snMkrm5VB9OzrQ-3u3RWsOdgZHz4KYw60ST6FlRoON-Pes4lkMbXx8DG2g5FKyBFL-iHLldasqSlA/s400/We-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603628224542806018" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="color: rgb(64, 39, 34); line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic',serif;font-size:15px;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Pregnancy Highlights:</span></em></div><div style="color: rgb(64, 39, 34); line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic',serif;font-size:15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><strong>How Far Along:</strong> 12 Weeks </span></div><div style="color: rgb(64, 39, 34); line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic',serif;font-size:15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><strong>Size of baby: </strong></span>1.69 inches as of Tuesday, May 3!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><strong><br />Weight Gain</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">: -3 pounds!<br /></span></div><div style="color: rgb(64, 39, 34); line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic',serif;font-size:15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><strong>Maternity Clothes</strong>: Still no. Hanging out in my regular clothes. </span></div><div style="color: rgb(64, 39, 34); line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic',serif;font-size:15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><strong>Gender</strong>: Still unknown, but we did get the "money shot" at the u/s on Tuesday. No boy bits as of yet.<br /></span></div><div style="color: rgb(64, 39, 34); line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic',serif;font-size:15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><strong>Movement</strong>: None yet. It normally doesn't happen for me until somewhere around 17-20 weeks<br /></span></div><div style="border-style: none; border-width: medium; color: rgb(64, 39, 34); line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic',serif;font-size:15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><strong>Sleep:</strong> Still dropping off around 2 everyday for a quick snooze. I sleep good through the night and have been waking up early... like, 6-6:30 early. *blech*<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />What I miss: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Nothing... everything is going along really well!<br /><strong>Cravings</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">: Nothing that I don't normally crave... bread, sweets... not craving the leafy greens, but I have high hopes. lol<br /></span></div><div style="border-style: none; border-width: medium; color: rgb(64, 39, 34); line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic',serif;font-size:15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><strong>Symptoms</strong>:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> Fatigue... crankiness. </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(64, 39, 34);font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;font-size:15px;" > </span></span><div style="border-style: none; border-width: medium; color: rgb(64, 39, 34); line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic',serif;font-size:15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><strong>What I’m looking forward to: Feeling the baby move... finding out if Baby Quockido's a boy or girl! Just a few more weeks!<br /><br /></strong></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCYll6zrT_G03ZhaxC7M3S3iao2TloPzmVtVJWLhSKWRQE3vCayLH9B2yvDwj7sXb6kVxwl2lk6PH5o2j_RtLVp2XVsUVAKUcvCkdYh1DoC02yRTx6O40O3J5neDWwLQaFjrIB94gGhM/s1600/W17.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCYll6zrT_G03ZhaxC7M3S3iao2TloPzmVtVJWLhSKWRQE3vCayLH9B2yvDwj7sXb6kVxwl2lk6PH5o2j_RtLVp2XVsUVAKUcvCkdYh1DoC02yRTx6O40O3J5neDWwLQaFjrIB94gGhM/s400/W17.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603628230113666754" border="0" /></a>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-4417936581660815232011-04-22T08:36:00.000-07:002011-04-22T09:19:40.623-07:0010 Weeks - Baby Quockido<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> Baby Quockido is my new nickname for this baby... meaning, Baby 4 (Quattro). When Brooklyn was little, she loved to count in Spanish... "uno, dos, tres, quockido...." <br />Since I'm all flabby and not pregnant-looking yet, this is what Baby Quockido might look like at 10 weeks!</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU6kp9Bz2R2Gzw45EDUXkmOsEnLJCdkkzKlX4ylFUPeptsCkjW_guBAd122v_eb2UT-XVT1Epz_auxOk3AwqDxDRQ0kAr9W8AUCX_yMRn4RCu4Svikmuuon-nnTPSIrVZzlxHva6lFjA/s1600/week10-fetus.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU6kp9Bz2R2Gzw45EDUXkmOsEnLJCdkkzKlX4ylFUPeptsCkjW_guBAd122v_eb2UT-XVT1Epz_auxOk3AwqDxDRQ0kAr9W8AUCX_yMRn4RCu4Svikmuuon-nnTPSIrVZzlxHva6lFjA/s320/week10-fetus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598436451885577458" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="color: rgb(64, 39, 34); line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic',serif;font-size:15px;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Pregnancy Highlights:</span></em></div><div style="color: rgb(64, 39, 34); line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic',serif;font-size:15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><strong>How Far Along:</strong> 10 Weeks </span></div><div style="color: rgb(64, 39, 34); line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic',serif;font-size:15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><strong>Size of baby: </strong></span>1.4 inches, .14 oz - about the size of a prune<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><strong></strong><strong><br />Weight Gain</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">: 0 - holding steady!<br /></span></div><div style="color: rgb(64, 39, 34); line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic',serif;font-size:15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><strong>Maternity Clothes</strong>: Not yet... probably won't take too much longer. </span></div><div style="color: rgb(64, 39, 34); line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic',serif;font-size:15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><strong>Gender</strong>: Unknown, but we're gonna find out at the soonest possible moment!!!<br /></span></div><div style="color: rgb(64, 39, 34); line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic',serif;font-size:15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><strong>Movement</strong>: None yet. It normally doesn't happen for me until somewhere around 17-20 weeks<br /></span></div><div style="border-style: none; border-width: medium; color: rgb(64, 39, 34); line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic',serif;font-size:15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><strong>Sleep:</strong> I have been sleeping like the dead! Super heavy with snoring and all!! <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />What I miss: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Not a thing... So far, I wouldn't even know I was pregnant if it weren't for the absence of the monthly plague!<br /><strong>Cravings</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">: I am craving getting to week 16 so we can do a gender determination ultrasound!<br /></span></div><div style="border-style: none; border-width: medium; color: rgb(64, 39, 34); line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic',serif;font-size:15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><strong>Symptoms</strong>: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><strong style="color: rgb(64, 39, 34); font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;"></strong>Fatigue and a very strong gag reflex. Other than that, I feel VERY fortunate about the absence of all of the "normal" pregnancy symptoms. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(64, 39, 34);font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;font-size:15px;" > </span></span><div style="border-style: none; border-width: medium; color: rgb(64, 39, 34); line-height: 23px; text-align: center;font-family:'century gothic',serif;font-size:15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><strong>What I’m looking forward to: </strong></span>So looking forward to finding out what we're having, but next week I should be able to hear the heartbeat at the doctor's appointment. He also has an u/s machine in the office, so I'm hoping he'll take a peek to maybe pin down the due date - which would mean I'd get so see the baby!!! *fingers crossed*aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-6788229938899427472011-03-25T21:32:00.000-07:002011-03-26T09:47:17.392-07:00Karma and Shocker with a side of Salad Dressing.<span style="font-size:130%;">Background:<br />I sent the Hubs and Brooklyn to the school for a Potluck. I sent them with the requested garlic bread and salad. I offerred to take her to her Band Debut the next night so that he could work late, so I stayed home to relax and do some crocheting.<br /><br />Fifteen Minutes after he left, I get a text...<br />Him: "I shold of brought sald dressings" (he's a fantastic texter! ;o) )<br />Me: "Crap! They didn't say anything about dressing!!"<br />Him: "Can u bring some up"<br />Me: "Ummmm.... Can't u borrow some?"<br />Him: "Yes or no"<br /> "Embarrassing"<br />Me: "Please try and borrow"<br />Him: "Bring some up please"<br />20 minutes later -<br />Me: "Just got this... Just borrow some"<br />8 minutes later -<br /> "Just ripped my pinky toe on the garage door... Monm is gonna take me to ER"<br /><br />So yeah, right after I sent him the late text, I went out to the garage to grab some yarn. I opened the door to the garage and put my left foot forward before I had the door open all the way and it slid over the pinky toe area. There was something sharp on the bottom of the weather stripping and I felt it scratch my foot. I yiped and howled and maybe said "CRAP!" as I hobbled down the garage stairs and waited for the pain to subside.<br /><br />I thought maybe it was just a surface scratch and didn't know why it would be hurting that much... so I looked down. It was *not* a surface scratch. There was a gap-ish scratch with blood... lots of blood starting to flow. I get the heeby-jeebies just thinking about it now... and that was two days ago. OK, so more hobbling and blood-trailing through the house, to the kitchen to grab some paper towels, haphazardly wrapping my my foot in a gob of paper towels that are quickly becoming soaked with blood.<br /><br />Ok, let's stop here. Can you tell from my vivid recounting of the tale that I was extremely scarred by this event? Well, I was! At one point, when I sat down to call my mom, my entire bod had a flash of heat - which I was later told can be a pre-cursor to fainting. Nice, huh?<br /><br />Ok, so fast forward to the ER. It was almost empty, HALLELUJAH!! The intake nurse took one look at my toe and let out this horrendous "UGHGUGHGUGHGOWOOOHHUUUGHHH". I looked at my mom and gave her a look of "WTHeck?" Are they supposed to voice their horrified reaction? Aren't they supposed to keep that to them self? After all, I hadn't looked at my pinky toe since I wrapped it in paper towels and slipped my foot into my slippers. Guaging from her reaction, I thought maybe I was going to lose my pinky toe! This was the ER, afterall! Don't they see much more horrific nastiness emergencies in there?<br /><br />So fast forward again to Room 1. My mom came back with me and I felt all fidgety.<br /><br />Me: "So, uh, have the girls said anything to you about surprises?"<br />Mom: "No."<br />Me: "Oh, well... I guess I'm gonna have to tell you now that we're expecting.... again."<br />Mom: "You are?!" Half smile- half smirk. "I thought I heard you whispering it to the nurse. Something about November."<br />Me: "Yeah. It was a total shocker and it's still so early that I probably wouldn't have told you yet but I know I'm gonna have to mention it in front of the doctor, sooo yeah."<br /><br />Immediately after that conversation, the nurse comes in, "Your husband and two children are here."<br /><br />Mom: "Oh, Ok, I'll go sit with the girls and let him come in."<br />Me: Dumbfounded. "Uh... ok." pause. It started sinking in... "UGH, I didn't even have to tell her yet!"<br /><br />I don't know what it is, but after 7 years of being married and 3 kids, I still get nervous telling my mom. And maybe a lil nervous about telling everyone else which is why I just dropped the bomb in a BLOG post.<br /><br />So anyway, the Hubs came in and was very supportive as I got my "digi-block" - nastiest pain ever, btw. Ever, ever, ever. EH-VER. I did not look at my toe anymore. I hung out under my sweater, my leg and foot numb from tensing them so much, and just waited for it to be over.<br /><br />Me: "So, uh... I guess if I would have just gotten my butt up and dressed and brought you some salad dressing, this probably wouldn't have happened, huh?"<br />Hubs: "Yeah. Karma."<br /><br />I made it up to the Hubs by letting him document the occasion with cell phone pics and videos.<br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span>***WARNING**** IF YOU ARE THE LEAST BIT QUEASY, DO *NOT* GO PAST THIS WARNING LINE!******** SERIOUSLY*****DO NOT LOOK AT THE PICTURES AND DEFINITELY DO NOT WATCH THE VIDEOS************CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Fine Print: </span>If you made it this far, you are also agreeing *not* to make any comments on my long toes, dry skin, or un-pedicured feet. I'll sue you if you do!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRLuqPzMicujfLOFUexsGplshZ81eVvzME6978tlaqXfYH-g78WQaxTlFyKSpkEenif5NrkBBTJEPJib74XouAdI66T5YuWYkm0bbcbT5tkSuzrK-oU5oNc9w-0jru1mx4C1OFtEvFm0/s1600/IMG_20110324_193618.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRLuqPzMicujfLOFUexsGplshZ81eVvzME6978tlaqXfYH-g78WQaxTlFyKSpkEenif5NrkBBTJEPJib74XouAdI66T5YuWYkm0bbcbT5tkSuzrK-oU5oNc9w-0jru1mx4C1OFtEvFm0/s320/IMG_20110324_193618.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588429534937478658" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RMfTkGpOoyuVpbSlKrVUXH2RyursQKbB0W4S0cArl-xFkAwInXA90hvmrh1tp7PwZuE2c0CVPr-7knjtTkvgIbYJhVXRzqDy0HBK26SN0j9kgWtnUfwicU-sAd5Qrc4oJBiVnc80WF8/s1600/1301020752967.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RMfTkGpOoyuVpbSlKrVUXH2RyursQKbB0W4S0cArl-xFkAwInXA90hvmrh1tp7PwZuE2c0CVPr-7knjtTkvgIbYJhVXRzqDy0HBK26SN0j9kgWtnUfwicU-sAd5Qrc4oJBiVnc80WF8/s320/1301020752967.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588429538823217778" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1lDYnkVu4O3oElA27DV-dBYVXncrx3aMdjXqVtCM-S_6TKcp5hltBrhodz27LqqU84mkJLejFzspq0o3cfcAyeMuHW_AEXzPvzsBwuASsb950r6qulgyPCVjhmqs7AgG8FnZGY2BV8A/s1600/1301021680138.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1lDYnkVu4O3oElA27DV-dBYVXncrx3aMdjXqVtCM-S_6TKcp5hltBrhodz27LqqU84mkJLejFzspq0o3cfcAyeMuHW_AEXzPvzsBwuASsb950r6qulgyPCVjhmqs7AgG8FnZGY2BV8A/s320/1301021680138.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588429542831428290" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz-UJKY9bC--NeHDkzG56akluVlfkr3k9BJMxg_k3ZaGH-gnBfTRLJzXqewKFkFCygd1riG2-6yFNVqxwdhog' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyF9vpOx03rvvOkwbbEy1I70x_S7Nh07A2FVcI_Gcc-WGaca1kPxdlALMALPOMol4VoCrE866Q5F3l1a0IaYg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxjgE3NZ1dpJccnbsFxW7Fyropc6_aC8IUklWnSHQOF3pai9B8cFE6DY0b9mBWCOy2PDZKFhYdoAqLEX1KUUg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-10790662661059976472011-02-22T13:23:00.000-08:002011-02-22T14:17:56.775-08:00Oh.Em.Gee.<div style="text-align: center;">So I'm sitting on my couch and I smell this *very* strong smell of coffee...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I know it's not freshly brewing coffee because we have a Keurig... and hubby's not home... and, like I said, I was sitting on the couch.<br /><br />So I already have a basic guess of what's happening in the other room.<br /><br />But come on... this?<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3YyZ4AUxv3ME6Nj1DRFxnkMe_-q79JCuqbTYs_6wkpaZe2etdGcYZ2xSxoMzgPfffHOwiNSTt6tFgMw2rOtS2oWdwtLfsia9Y674dOFp-ZRXwANeGFprVdNwxM6W785oO4bpZhdvrio/s1600/022211.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3YyZ4AUxv3ME6Nj1DRFxnkMe_-q79JCuqbTYs_6wkpaZe2etdGcYZ2xSxoMzgPfffHOwiNSTt6tFgMw2rOtS2oWdwtLfsia9Y674dOFp-ZRXwANeGFprVdNwxM6W785oO4bpZhdvrio/s320/022211.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576629007825342690" border="0" /></a>Soooo... yeah.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IoKw6P33hO9GZpdcXtjOWRqc7_ZFwt9qAYknBLJx79fc6EwM6RPeOWtudGJQ8NuVTNRe8xPUsx5diHPDkG2Zp32VlEshC-H0SNU2ilgCT7OkDmnVZygTdjULT-Yn3L9zowNYfhiPYMk/s1600/022211x1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IoKw6P33hO9GZpdcXtjOWRqc7_ZFwt9qAYknBLJx79fc6EwM6RPeOWtudGJQ8NuVTNRe8xPUsx5diHPDkG2Zp32VlEshC-H0SNU2ilgCT7OkDmnVZygTdjULT-Yn3L9zowNYfhiPYMk/s320/022211x1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576629013631502802" border="0" /></a>And grrr.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-4OK960OVbMlcHBsqzP-wegbhQcC4cQ0GOrlhH7ILMZB1IhEPbj4223IsjC7OFCWbk57hwKRSe4QUnQ7CqEClCoE41qiRHKQ4p_Wcz6laf5DDDuu2H33UxQSmBNBt_j4Uj0XBBgJJC8/s1600/022211x11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-4OK960OVbMlcHBsqzP-wegbhQcC4cQ0GOrlhH7ILMZB1IhEPbj4223IsjC7OFCWbk57hwKRSe4QUnQ7CqEClCoE41qiRHKQ4p_Wcz6laf5DDDuu2H33UxQSmBNBt_j4Uj0XBBgJJC8/s320/022211x11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576629028402898114" border="0" /></a><br />I mean, really. <span style="font-style: italic;">REALLY?!<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The WHOLE container, guys?</span></span></span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBvP_h_dPh0ZEO_aSnKQC1noWByG5LVzRh0UvttXKAJoWhWLZ_RwJoM-GoiK7gAZx5y_QEwHOs8vNhUJnFQrkguPELhH8FNORNdiIy8vGKRZyWnuOHfWshmlXxe-kpFpZdcyqDEi_8Hk/s1600/022211x3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBvP_h_dPh0ZEO_aSnKQC1noWByG5LVzRh0UvttXKAJoWhWLZ_RwJoM-GoiK7gAZx5y_QEwHOs8vNhUJnFQrkguPELhH8FNORNdiIy8vGKRZyWnuOHfWshmlXxe-kpFpZdcyqDEi_8Hk/s320/022211x3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576630427686687922" border="0" /></a><br />At first I thought it was just my sweet little angel-face, but these are the socks coming off of her favorite little minion. (Face cropped out to protect the not-so-innocent).<br />Btw, that's not dirt making his white socks look so dingy...<br />yeah...<br /><br />coffee.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6_qDBWOXijQkSU5ohKxyE4Jb0y2CjfI3UTezw-LEvdNDlkiIz1i2x115JQ7xD511NopxoVBVDJ4JDf3nRqU7b1WlWlp8d7du4IZFT_KokdfegdeHJdI8SVNwY3lO9Y6D5vf7DHUoGX4/s1600/022211x111.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6_qDBWOXijQkSU5ohKxyE4Jb0y2CjfI3UTezw-LEvdNDlkiIz1i2x115JQ7xD511NopxoVBVDJ4JDf3nRqU7b1WlWlp8d7du4IZFT_KokdfegdeHJdI8SVNwY3lO9Y6D5vf7DHUoGX4/s320/022211x111.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576637169511351506" border="0" /></a>And that would be the head of my sweet lil Boo!<br />Again, not flea poop... <span style="font-style: italic;">coffee.<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_uB_M2Z_yqPUcEgQ_QypsXa7_2v1Hys716jqXgIMBEhdo7UwyovrGAynX3-WVCKR6UgYEVEbik-yBy6uaU9A9I7ZX__W5-IqKHSQXM37Ql-G771VnJLKMie-YbBGQaOmpqVqSND3A80/s1600/022211x1111.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_uB_M2Z_yqPUcEgQ_QypsXa7_2v1Hys716jqXgIMBEhdo7UwyovrGAynX3-WVCKR6UgYEVEbik-yBy6uaU9A9I7ZX__W5-IqKHSQXM37Ql-G771VnJLKMie-YbBGQaOmpqVqSND3A80/s320/022211x1111.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576637164061670130" border="0" /></a><span><span>At the end of all that, I ended up with a couple of things...<br />1. A washer filled one giant, super-huge bean bag cover, coffee-covered socks, one curtain panel, one pair of lil boy minion pants and one purple polka-dotted pajama.</span></span><br /><br />Without questioning <span style="font-style: italic;">why</span> my daughter was still in her pajamas at noon-thirty- er, <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> time of day, would you look at the feet of her pajamas? Goodness Gracious!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqw3IxCC6BaF6ipfiwM04JLMbH9pUkA3JsNf3kh2tKKo_QZqkfjjQga_RyH699gI5L12VQM3tBP5LbWwIPNjnOn0cioGHEUXZ8ouDWfu5rHhk6kyctNt3O7s2gORltH8HDV4uvj_FDxI/s1600/022211x11111.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqw3IxCC6BaF6ipfiwM04JLMbH9pUkA3JsNf3kh2tKKo_QZqkfjjQga_RyH699gI5L12VQM3tBP5LbWwIPNjnOn0cioGHEUXZ8ouDWfu5rHhk6kyctNt3O7s2gORltH8HDV4uvj_FDxI/s320/022211x11111.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576631234197963058" border="0" /></a><br />2. A house that smells like fresh brewed coffee. Not even the best candle can get a more accurate coffee aroma filling up your entire house!<br /><br />3. A brand new memory to file in the Momma Files<br /><br />*sigh*<br /><br />A special thanks goes out to my Dyson... She (yes, <span style="font-style: italic;">she</span> - she's pink) did a fabulous job at sucking up that entire container of coffee.<br /><br />In case you don't know what it's like to clean up all that coffee off of any surface... I'm not gonna tell you. I'll let you ruminate on how many trillion-ka-jillions pieces of coffee me and my Dyson tackled... and pray that you all will someday get to put such an awesome memory in <span style="font-style: italic;">your</span> Momma Files!<br /></div><s><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3YyZ4AUxv3ME6Nj1DRFxnkMe_-q79JCuqbTYs_6wkpaZe2etdGcYZ2xSxoMzgPfffHOwiNSTt6tFgMw2rOtS2oWdwtLfsia9Y674dOFp-ZRXwANeGFprVdNwxM6W785oO4bpZhdvrio/s1600/022211.jpg"><br /></a><br /></s><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><s><br /></s></span></span></div>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-80095270463632113252011-01-25T14:21:00.000-08:002011-01-25T14:48:17.416-08:00First Day of School in Bullet Form (completely random order)<ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Today I became a college student... again.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">...after 10+ years of being a mommy and wife.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">I was early. This hardly ever, ever, ever happens. I am normally fashionably unfashionably late... even weekly things that we do every week... happenings that are at the SAME time every week... late. that's me.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">I've had quite a bit of anxiety about starting back to school because<br /></span><ol><li><span style="font-size:130%;">I feel like I have the brain of a 3rd grader... it feels like mush</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">I'm starting back with a class that should be taken shortly after Math 4...<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">I took Math 4 10-12 years ago.</span></li></ol></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Did I mention I was early?</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Being 34... I totally thought I was gonna be the oldest person in the class. I'm not. There was a much older man in there.<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">The handicapped stall in the women's bathroom has a mirror directly across from the toilet. I do. not. need to see myself while on the toilet. Ever.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">I had to park WAY far away but I was still early. I enjoyed the walk.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">The teacher - or is it professor - was 10 minutes late. But that's ok because he's funny.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">He moved the start time of the class to 8:10, not 8. He said if we're there at 8:10, we're not late, but on time. If we arrive at 8:11, we're 11 minutes late. Logical, yes?<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">We went over the syllabus - kinda.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">He told us we didn't need our books (that I paid over a hundo for).<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">I only need 399 points to pass the class with a C, but I think I'm going to aim a little higher this time around. maybe.<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">He had us get into lil groups and discuss a very important question that had everything to do with Math 5.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Two people were in the wrong class and had to walk out as we all watched them. One guy was in the wrong building entirely. I'm glad that wasn't me.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">I had a little piece of all of my family with me. Brooklyn's backpack from last year. I used one of my Honey's pencils with the Carpenter info on it. I had Brenna's binder and folder. The binder and folder had Emma's beautiful artwork all over the inside. Having the reminders of my family mad me smile.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">The teach let us out at 8:50.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">The class wasn't scheduled to be out until 9:50.<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">I didn't hear anyone complain.</span></li></ul><span style="font-size:130%;"> Ok, so back to the topic questions. Here is the first one;<br />"If you had the opportunity to be truly happy for 365 days, BUT it's erased from your mind on Day 366, would you still want to have that experience?"<br /><br />Topic two was more of a "Would you" scenario...<br />"I have $20,000 to offer you, BUT you cannot bathe, brush your teeth or wear deodorant for 3 months... would you do it?"<br /><br />What are your thoughts on the two scenarios. I will do another post in a couple of days with the way I answered and some of the different answers others in the class gave.<br /><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">I'm looking forward to rockin' this class!</span><br /></li></ul>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-9962037463578342442011-01-14T13:10:00.000-08:002011-01-14T13:45:01.078-08:00Day 3 - Tupperware Cabinet<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">So this my Day 3, although I skipped a couple on the calendar! It's my prerogative, right? Actually, on the real day 3, I was run down and sore from the surgery... something about doing too much and not taking it easy to give myself time to heal. And then Day 4 was my birthday.... 'nough said!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />So Day 3 is the Tupperware cabinet. Well, we don't have one. We have a Tupperware drawer that sits in the bottom of our pantry. The Hubs and I tend to get really stressed and aggravated if we have a ton of plastic tubs laying a round so we recently switched to a new type and just use that kind. No more sour cream or butter containers and lids floating all over.<br /><br />However, you can see from this beaut that the drawer had been pulled out and had accumulated some items that *do not* belong in a Tupperware drawer... like the last two pieces of a loaf of bread. And then there's a can of beets.<br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5w7FBG39D_9lIWDwGG4qe6oPUBL5B_ItB-GKUzoiKcJXNrMWifECizMNYHNhbVH_ghkA6u2zy029DrpE4BRz7fJBbhOxPyLAXNVgtKi2mKArhY9TsCQyakU3rzi1PjwJ7S9W_n4mNhs/s1600/Day3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5w7FBG39D_9lIWDwGG4qe6oPUBL5B_ItB-GKUzoiKcJXNrMWifECizMNYHNhbVH_ghkA6u2zy029DrpE4BRz7fJBbhOxPyLAXNVgtKi2mKArhY9TsCQyakU3rzi1PjwJ7S9W_n4mNhs/s320/Day3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562155648591308530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I took the whole drawer out, cleaned it and organized what little we had and put it back</span></span></span><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> in the drawer. All of that took about 3 minutes.<br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNPElDi2aPjnE8w-XOrEGs7aJXczGYZCP55Ib7GYKwV_tQSG49VYLrplNlSdzxaVKNAhyphenhyphenOfoKej4q_ESU3NxO4JB3J5u6qQFyZ7e24mzW00zGhIq-YZ_FgeYSfP-rQfdvHYwib_vZ-3Y/s1600/Day3a.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNPElDi2aPjnE8w-XOrEGs7aJXczGYZCP55Ib7GYKwV_tQSG49VYLrplNlSdzxaVKNAhyphenhyphenOfoKej4q_ESU3NxO4JB3J5u6qQFyZ7e24mzW00zGhIq-YZ_FgeYSfP-rQfdvHYwib_vZ-3Y/s320/Day3a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562155654181786642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Then when I went to put it back... *SIGH*.... the sight of the pantry floor overwhelmed me. I couldn't just put my nicely organized Tupperware drawer among all of that chaos! There was all of the crap that gets tossed in without looking to make sure lands in the right spot.</span></span></span><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />So, I swept it all out to the middle of the floor.<br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE21IpcVYyVtrfCel3VuuzSSxKEb0W9nGG5aWw-j3HWXPSxG6aPO261xsThF1RuehBEbouMy_v9brzCpJFR3qN_-A7J22ENCOrSoXSW0-Wdl4HobD_-iqE2tBBXsnrr31Ey6B-CgOytoQ/s1600/Day3c.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE21IpcVYyVtrfCel3VuuzSSxKEb0W9nGG5aWw-j3HWXPSxG6aPO261xsThF1RuehBEbouMy_v9brzCpJFR3qN_-A7J22ENCOrSoXSW0-Wdl4HobD_-iqE2tBBXsnrr31Ey6B-CgOytoQ/s320/Day3c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562155667461382594" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">*gag* *GROSS*<br /><br />I called the Hubs in to take a look at the area that he was supposedly supposed to be keeping up on and got a shameful look in return. He helped to throw out all the trash and I fixed the rest of it so I could put the Tupperware drawer in.<br /><br />And in, it is! You can also see the pantry floor now.<br />*shaking head*rolling eyes*shrugging*huffing and puffing*<br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GVrMRLO-4WTMOmWpdXtH-Z-Md7XNzYXeceKeus5NemRIWokveqNfKO0j1GGqqwrTjA5ZP3eqZ_ISaZshMb9gPU1R1LEs6NQTVkIRE6OaM7eXKYGgCoIppXddRH9yPRH_oHvjJ85L4CU/s1600/Day3b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GVrMRLO-4WTMOmWpdXtH-Z-Md7XNzYXeceKeus5NemRIWokveqNfKO0j1GGqqwrTjA5ZP3eqZ_ISaZshMb9gPU1R1LEs6NQTVkIRE6OaM7eXKYGgCoIppXddRH9yPRH_oHvjJ85L4CU/s320/Day3b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562155661404532850" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I know that the Pantry is coming up, but it's definitely going to have to wait for another day! Here's a pic so you can see what I have in store for me.<br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPnLgGJvzgz8d0VIPTlCT3NioLIZXFgnfZqZv47TxyeNvkpXC1B8yGppQMqK9B1KDeEncUGnv6zlHs3LBpcv5Ml3Xo_LzkOHE2-qAbr7UWsdofq6L_ACF-7l4MDqL4b_6vGQ_OZHLNkQ/s1600/DSCF4156_edited-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPnLgGJvzgz8d0VIPTlCT3NioLIZXFgnfZqZv47TxyeNvkpXC1B8yGppQMqK9B1KDeEncUGnv6zlHs3LBpcv5Ml3Xo_LzkOHE2-qAbr7UWsdofq6L_ACF-7l4MDqL4b_6vGQ_OZHLNkQ/s320/DSCF4156_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562159813740052642" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I said "DON"T JUDGE"!!!<br /><br /></span></span></span></div></span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a border="0" href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t99/tonihammersley/21dayorganizingchallenge175.jpg" /></a></div>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-43101995057655858652011-01-11T10:57:00.000-08:002011-01-11T11:11:26.390-08:00Day 2 - The Desk<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">The Desk... dun dun DUN!<br />So here's my crappy little desk.<br />Complete with paper galore and an unfinished candy cane!<br /><br />I'm actually really unhappy with my computer desk and the fact that it's in the *dining room*. gaw! One of these days I'll figure where a good place is for this whole contraption, but in the meantime it definitely needs the attention!<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_TaycFXt0V1KbdshQLQXeDaS8WyFF1qk1XJh08d-kn5sBf3Py1VijKJlQbv6uZFasvvkgs_QQ4SGJJUBS5YtBhyphenhyphenLEvq9ISQaVlV0eDm_Ktj8j25ha6v9Li5UJFh6fmV4VGtnC1Ej87w/s1600/DSCF4147_edited-1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_TaycFXt0V1KbdshQLQXeDaS8WyFF1qk1XJh08d-kn5sBf3Py1VijKJlQbv6uZFasvvkgs_QQ4SGJJUBS5YtBhyphenhyphenLEvq9ISQaVlV0eDm_Ktj8j25ha6v9Li5UJFh6fmV4VGtnC1Ej87w/s320/DSCF4147_edited-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561005470879135042" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">While I was at it, I decided to do the dining room table. (another catch-all spot)<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRak4o-99ln-MWL9IXS8n9fMfg79GnGP8gTley0HCDxSMjC3g9cXACOTNGndJrFgK62G7MPN87uxASQ_WDDoPWrZ-vEM8_f2SJp8FnGq8l1zBs_JpKBdIOxjvaL2hdvwxUe-7DFEgGgE/s1600/DSCF4148.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRak4o-99ln-MWL9IXS8n9fMfg79GnGP8gTley0HCDxSMjC3g9cXACOTNGndJrFgK62G7MPN87uxASQ_WDDoPWrZ-vEM8_f2SJp8FnGq8l1zBs_JpKBdIOxjvaL2hdvwxUe-7DFEgGgE/s320/DSCF4148.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561005468759914850" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">So... viola! It's done.<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX89jnw_-rr96m3VC8pDn9oiU0sYmYL_qEfspXzc7ah2MokylzM3fmR4mXf6De4qwDj_Lu-BqC_z90Xi506gy46_ZObeGF24-apUgdbiXiCVtMh-EOfZU8qn3JHcXTr0v9ZdO1jLBOpOY/s1600/DSCF4152.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX89jnw_-rr96m3VC8pDn9oiU0sYmYL_qEfspXzc7ah2MokylzM3fmR4mXf6De4qwDj_Lu-BqC_z90Xi506gy46_ZObeGF24-apUgdbiXiCVtMh-EOfZU8qn3JHcXTr0v9ZdO1jLBOpOY/s320/DSCF4152.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561005459207830098" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />And so is the dining room table! I just have to figure out which table cloth we're gonna go with and it'll be complete!</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifdNIfPOiMGoSsmrxlu1Pooz1ft0Fg4LCOiOHQnGm2qng0ymGe6_dJOc9MJ-JkvzKE-R0-dAZtoLBZ4aniFuUcLQaU38aoM15ey2wFVqo3_qQzaJYn0J_MqNtY344-BQvyx8n-e5cbQ4/s1600/DSCF4151_edited-1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifdNIfPOiMGoSsmrxlu1Pooz1ft0Fg4LCOiOHQnGm2qng0ymGe6_dJOc9MJ-JkvzKE-R0-dAZtoLBZ4aniFuUcLQaU38aoM15ey2wFVqo3_qQzaJYn0J_MqNtY344-BQvyx8n-e5cbQ4/s320/DSCF4151_edited-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561005450686281858" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a border="0" href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t99/tonihammersley/21dayorganizingchallenge175.jpg" /></a></div>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-24294911622715391592011-01-10T12:07:00.000-08:002011-01-10T13:08:27.838-08:0021 Day Challenge - Day 1 - Junk Drawer<div style="text-align: center; font-family: courier new;">So I've decided that for the next 21 days, I'm going to take part in a cleaning/organizing challenge. Everyone else is on day 9, I think, but I'm on Day 1. (I'm gonna blame this on the surgery)! =o) If you want to learn more about it, it originates from a great blog; <a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/%20target%20=" _blank="">a bowl full of lemons</a>.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: courier new;"><br />So here it is, Day 1 - the Junk Drawer<br />I didn't really feel like it was outrageously nasty, but it definitely needed some cleaning!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTGBnN6gxAzBGiNg-FHWdNaJOvJguFYcc4eOY33oDY5HKf7qmD0uetJ-a6XTOtl0Ut7v_9W-mXbiWr1w_xSnIxpPFKvm7NPd15LyJZhiRDfzqqM6bQK5o1eChOew6ztFOXdHAugqYt8A/s1600/DSCF4134_edited-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTGBnN6gxAzBGiNg-FHWdNaJOvJguFYcc4eOY33oDY5HKf7qmD0uetJ-a6XTOtl0Ut7v_9W-mXbiWr1w_xSnIxpPFKvm7NPd15LyJZhiRDfzqqM6bQK5o1eChOew6ztFOXdHAugqYt8A/s320/DSCF4134_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560653113363055010" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">The first step is to empty it out and clean it. It took all of 2 mins to do that part.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uWdzo_DQ95wVDl1yoPqeD8h2tNsmRGP3sIvXRO4mXlicVpABLpXg_NZONSbpm_oPDiXqu4qi4LFQRO00l8lo6PuRZ0i7fcaiX1Rr-SXRBwy-OkhcSx7Qej-Tk1j4Jdwih-ME0a7s8rc/s1600/012.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uWdzo_DQ95wVDl1yoPqeD8h2tNsmRGP3sIvXRO4mXlicVpABLpXg_NZONSbpm_oPDiXqu4qi4LFQRO00l8lo6PuRZ0i7fcaiX1Rr-SXRBwy-OkhcSx7Qej-Tk1j4Jdwih-ME0a7s8rc/s320/012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560653088979738898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">Then I just put the lil Dollar Store baskets back in there and started putting the items back that I've actually used within the last couple of months.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKWA03qk4l0Jgs_c5mI3Fdbc74WHqBKBGn8V4V2Wi5DPRHUlg8hgwsx_FZEZKHlvNjQrF4rxeImzo-PalT0DOJ-41i96JSxbPk2hkle0Hb2c9Xd-r7yAMvwfiZojzBNTM-t0DsLavyjc/s1600/013.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKWA03qk4l0Jgs_c5mI3Fdbc74WHqBKBGn8V4V2Wi5DPRHUlg8hgwsx_FZEZKHlvNjQrF4rxeImzo-PalT0DOJ-41i96JSxbPk2hkle0Hb2c9Xd-r7yAMvwfiZojzBNTM-t0DsLavyjc/s320/013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560653096332422818" border="0" /></a>Going through all the junk that I didn't realize was actually in there is what took the longest. Empty gum packets, broken stuff, kids school supplies (that actually belonged somewhere completely different).<br /><br />You're supposed to put things in keep, giveaway, throwaway/garbage boxes but I didn't actually find anything that I would find worthy of donating or giving away. I'm sure that box will come in handy in the next 20 days, though.<br /><br />So here it is, my nicer and cleaner junk drawer. I still don't think it looks super organized, but it'd definitely more clean without all that other stuff in there.<br /></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrp6T07_-JNJDcwzf7WRxQK_YnctweHiWdOQmlp_pL6Yq4V4NGgyXBhE1Xl9uvstg6HSmwpW9w4nY1OUCsBw-oKwXFIAdNGSwCu3W2NHLeSlQtMhSpvAVOLtlSS1aEhYe70_GYQ-GzSY/s1600/014.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrp6T07_-JNJDcwzf7WRxQK_YnctweHiWdOQmlp_pL6Yq4V4NGgyXBhE1Xl9uvstg6HSmwpW9w4nY1OUCsBw-oKwXFIAdNGSwCu3W2NHLeSlQtMhSpvAVOLtlSS1aEhYe70_GYQ-GzSY/s320/014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560653106770658114" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">From start to finish, it took me 24 minutes!<br />If you want to read more about the challenge, you can click on the following button!!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uWdzo_DQ95wVDl1yoPqeD8h2tNsmRGP3sIvXRO4mXlicVpABLpXg_NZONSbpm_oPDiXqu4qi4LFQRO00l8lo6PuRZ0i7fcaiX1Rr-SXRBwy-OkhcSx7Qej-Tk1j4Jdwih-ME0a7s8rc/s1600/012.jpg"><br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a border="0" href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t99/tonihammersley/21dayorganizingchallenge175.jpg" /></a></div>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-87677205938008744692011-01-06T10:37:00.000-08:002011-01-06T10:57:52.621-08:00To Know Her is To Love Her<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier new;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Every once in a while, the mundane, never-ending processes of my day are broken up with a little surprise for mommy! I was uploading and editing pictures from the last couple of weeks and came across an unexpected batch - courtesy of our middle child! I hope they make you smile, too!<br /><br />To know, know, know her,<br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwX7zbTLnXNc5gifCkmqnpnlTAJXfZglsqF4RHeTwBmyfLpOl2ZFZfNxaqm1GIwh2NqoVkp8L_qiRmx5dgTOvS0PilH1iNaAPN52EJbwmhhGmu9dpiUgXAVpRCv-iN2hquMDV76e6860/s1600/Brenna6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwX7zbTLnXNc5gifCkmqnpnlTAJXfZglsqF4RHeTwBmyfLpOl2ZFZfNxaqm1GIwh2NqoVkp8L_qiRmx5dgTOvS0PilH1iNaAPN52EJbwmhhGmu9dpiUgXAVpRCv-iN2hquMDV76e6860/s320/Brenna6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559145244361170226" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfArQXLGHJ7jL6zLUygbYTR72LXwFNbuvk9iV2fsfoDigMiIaB1saCaPUrM-vIa-fVxO_AOF7Neyx_Lad78cd3m0zMSjGJdw1Rg2SI9gQu2BUwbbiQZ36pHihBjHmvb7lrMChKqDOeQ2w/s1600/Brenna11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfArQXLGHJ7jL6zLUygbYTR72LXwFNbuvk9iV2fsfoDigMiIaB1saCaPUrM-vIa-fVxO_AOF7Neyx_Lad78cd3m0zMSjGJdw1Rg2SI9gQu2BUwbbiQZ36pHihBjHmvb7lrMChKqDOeQ2w/s320/Brenna11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559145474244618258" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Is to love, love, love her,<br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4v0gBviYxQsQjW8GZIOHpYNJFOtVdcao96MZhVvPJ2tW3uUCwltb_GrJnu07Bvdf1r1jUh-F15BOsIePBp1FB2-aiuFz2xu1vyQ8vf2pnAhh0ncDvRgP5CwTuMH0ndsz0ezP5kjBhzls/s1600/Brenna10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4v0gBviYxQsQjW8GZIOHpYNJFOtVdcao96MZhVvPJ2tW3uUCwltb_GrJnu07Bvdf1r1jUh-F15BOsIePBp1FB2-aiuFz2xu1vyQ8vf2pnAhh0ncDvRgP5CwTuMH0ndsz0ezP5kjBhzls/s320/Brenna10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559145471801267266" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRuE2_fm4dHZKIGcobRuVvKncE7nrJPUroy1iOpnyFw0DRsvd6mu3yMlhJF1Bu51YyCFxiN-e3tHIhKgKHtssW05cAm8E_JRONTgo-yn89bAuYVF_eUInEtAzrxDpvy3rKJC1INSjZ_Y/s1600/Brenna4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRuE2_fm4dHZKIGcobRuVvKncE7nrJPUroy1iOpnyFw0DRsvd6mu3yMlhJF1Bu51YyCFxiN-e3tHIhKgKHtssW05cAm8E_JRONTgo-yn89bAuYVF_eUInEtAzrxDpvy3rKJC1INSjZ_Y/s320/Brenna4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559144942230460770" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Just to see her smile,<br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoU8HTW1AvoVONGWWfLAGvU8OPFlSgcl8rhSdMoPaHMt5VoOlJ6nsPv2S6or6evq9XLL-dFrKEcUP2t11jV06PGeSYtw0le8ty9_uQkebYmR5yfftRht1RorDmYCx6QDSVPwdAi9KNS2o/s1600/Brenna9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoU8HTW1AvoVONGWWfLAGvU8OPFlSgcl8rhSdMoPaHMt5VoOlJ6nsPv2S6or6evq9XLL-dFrKEcUP2t11jV06PGeSYtw0le8ty9_uQkebYmR5yfftRht1RorDmYCx6QDSVPwdAi9KNS2o/s320/Brenna9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559145247799548482" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Makes my life worthwhile,<br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjJoPH22iVLgd0-BMttnJXzRoRYJe6Me5zxd4QbtjXvuLvXEew6sXG2TN5Hz4qhcBYMXXRljxIbGM6MFWtgDHoeIv8iy7RW4AL1u6hvXa1JUpWDYUTatVrYwHfwpTyWZ6FR6MRhSzLKw/s1600/Brenna7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjJoPH22iVLgd0-BMttnJXzRoRYJe6Me5zxd4QbtjXvuLvXEew6sXG2TN5Hz4qhcBYMXXRljxIbGM6MFWtgDHoeIv8iy7RW4AL1u6hvXa1JUpWDYUTatVrYwHfwpTyWZ6FR6MRhSzLKw/s320/Brenna7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559145242958235458" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">To know, know, know her,<br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJg_jCewS-JbzuHJtOHlrfh4G7V0o3YNPTBvXjB1VRmgnebW5QuaT4PWJgygMIhrtpWNyVIxEPutSucQCUYVnz4a_FgShHKxIQIbd2nA1fzhC-vE-1qlqNY4ZCC1QE4uCsFjC63O-9Jw/s1600/Brenna3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJg_jCewS-JbzuHJtOHlrfh4G7V0o3YNPTBvXjB1VRmgnebW5QuaT4PWJgygMIhrtpWNyVIxEPutSucQCUYVnz4a_FgShHKxIQIbd2nA1fzhC-vE-1qlqNY4ZCC1QE4uCsFjC63O-9Jw/s320/Brenna3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559144929222380738" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqj20NwvcvneADqpHXWgBNoN9va3CEuXGjMGNMdKOhR21wfAaeO4CdJ3byPjpWygQBgmPGTTQOFH8cjMiiMbR1tB2W_VKtFrmgMuL2Of5_iFSLzv_Ifenxi0yPROGeVhQMVWXqmageCP4/s1600/Brenna5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqj20NwvcvneADqpHXWgBNoN9va3CEuXGjMGNMdKOhR21wfAaeO4CdJ3byPjpWygQBgmPGTTQOFH8cjMiiMbR1tB2W_VKtFrmgMuL2Of5_iFSLzv_Ifenxi0yPROGeVhQMVWXqmageCP4/s320/Brenna5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559145239155514178" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Is to love, love, love her<br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtAlAveX3EojnR7vJSA8QMDxhpcup33SQN3GFzKyoeOCTBuhnnsaffg7qquiTyV3RlP0x3xCO0yHWQZSB-GhPqaZo-0k2BStkPIdUQKNEuXHe9ZYNF3l5HEXbBOBp6wA1QUYL2Qk3uTg/s1600/Brenna8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtAlAveX3EojnR7vJSA8QMDxhpcup33SQN3GFzKyoeOCTBuhnnsaffg7qquiTyV3RlP0x3xCO0yHWQZSB-GhPqaZo-0k2BStkPIdUQKNEuXHe9ZYNF3l5HEXbBOBp6wA1QUYL2Qk3uTg/s320/Brenna8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559145250712256322" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">And I do,<br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUgrZM7Q0udnuRDjS3dJHXm4xF4Kob9g44A-svuuJ75H5ORCpXGqmNtnaZ0ZzGYaRIvjfayTVWKA5nAsViQ7_RQf3iUNtB4-HkjZlAm_zEOJj6ZionOg5_qevd5EKvDa0sJgqf0EwJNY/s1600/Brenna2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUgrZM7Q0udnuRDjS3dJHXm4xF4Kob9g44A-svuuJ75H5ORCpXGqmNtnaZ0ZzGYaRIvjfayTVWKA5nAsViQ7_RQf3iUNtB4-HkjZlAm_zEOJj6ZionOg5_qevd5EKvDa0sJgqf0EwJNY/s320/Brenna2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559144930943243026" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yes I do<br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIXnW83UmhF1FgyYtMYwZHShtM8YLxe6EjA6WzalktT8UlXj7sjNwIPlBWkuT4mAN6muymzI0DJ3GavhwyX_jmLMAPWAwF-IJuPW80FxnXklnLLL_IOlAkpjaIjnTqwzvNro2RK3-1fc/s1600/Brenna1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIXnW83UmhF1FgyYtMYwZHShtM8YLxe6EjA6WzalktT8UlXj7sjNwIPlBWkuT4mAN6muymzI0DJ3GavhwyX_jmLMAPWAwF-IJuPW80FxnXklnLLL_IOlAkpjaIjnTqwzvNro2RK3-1fc/s320/Brenna1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559144925547045202" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ooo-ooo-ooo</span></span><br /></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxeXi4EAR-TeJGB4C0MZveWh-hxrBZk2PaXj2jv0X_z65Z_S6qiPnF2lz6yvDMmqA8MMxhyjubYYqITcbsnso8_JpI0DBZCX3hA6xgtAczAJsknhBAxrp3lMfxyj4MVLrZynB73gM-zg/s1600/Brenna12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxeXi4EAR-TeJGB4C0MZveWh-hxrBZk2PaXj2jv0X_z65Z_S6qiPnF2lz6yvDMmqA8MMxhyjubYYqITcbsnso8_JpI0DBZCX3hA6xgtAczAJsknhBAxrp3lMfxyj4MVLrZynB73gM-zg/s320/Brenna12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559144925841771778" border="0" /></a>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-75676019997756561912011-01-05T09:24:00.000-08:002011-01-05T10:10:08.127-08:00I forgot<div style="text-align: left;font-family:courier new;"><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" >I completely forgot how relaxing reading my favorite blogs could be.<br /><br />I forgot that I had two blogs of my own.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:courier new;"><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" >I keep forgetting that it's important for me to keep on top of these. Not because I'm so sure that people *need* to read what I have to say, but because I *need* to make sure I'm taking time for myself. Even if I'm just rambling to myself and not making much sense, this is still ten or fifteen minutes out of the day that I'm focusing on myself and my own thoughts. </span><br /></div><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" ><br />I'm not changing diapers, or fixing breakfast, or wiping noses, or crocheting, or cleaning the kitchen, the bathroom, the front room, or folding laundry, or getting snacks, or doing any other thing in my mundane list of chores that should be getting done everyday.<br /><br />So basically, I'm taking a small step to *not forget* myself this year. It sounds like such a small, easy thing, but I know a lot of mommies probably struggle with the same problem.<br /><br />Reading blogs and blogging myself isn't necessarily going to make the difference between my sanity and insanity, however it's just one small slice of the "Me" pie!<br /><br />Some other things that I like to do that help to relieve some of the mommy/daycare/wifey/housemaid stress kinks are to:<br /></span><ul style="font-family:courier new;"><li><span style="font-size:130%;">get pedicures - I also love include a little sister time and go with my sister when possible</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" >go shopping sans kids - whether it's grocery, clot</span><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" >hing or retail therapy, it's nice to get out without the hassle that three children can create</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" >go to a movie - I have to say that I have no shame in leaving the Hubs with the kids and taking in a move *by myself*. It doesn't happen often, but if things are really piling up on me, this is a good alternative to going postal!</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" >create something *not* for the business - I know this doesn't sound like much of a break, but actually creating something for my kids or just something new that isn't being created out of necessity can be quite relaxing and rewarding.<br /></span></li></ul><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" >Looking at my list I can see that it wouldn't hurt to find a few more "me" activities! Maybe even adding the exercise in there (gah)... What do you do for yourself to make sure that you're not a crazy momma?!<br /></span><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span></div>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-27459352118533013982010-06-29T06:53:00.000-07:002010-06-29T07:33:13.855-07:00Happy Birthday, Baby Red Taters!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Six years ago today, my Baby Red Taters was born!<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPT_Sn5_5iQ9XWB4LaApdQZD769P0PE4lhrrkQ4GkRqm7mGgxn5SIvVSdxInbHE4QcfHDV7NVuHrzyQnq7qKcX8P2v92hupk4234DIdusvRZau6P9PaVD9alZPGdUGv5aQ2DFpO3JrIo/s1600/chubbycheeks.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPT_Sn5_5iQ9XWB4LaApdQZD769P0PE4lhrrkQ4GkRqm7mGgxn5SIvVSdxInbHE4QcfHDV7NVuHrzyQnq7qKcX8P2v92hupk4234DIdusvRZau6P9PaVD9alZPGdUGv5aQ2DFpO3JrIo/s320/chubbycheeks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488195125283701538" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">She loves her Daddy! And her Daddy loves her!</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFklNTkIK6UaxNV0nFPXqmHIKps0w4vafdQbZCPbsTs_NFyAjejDT96ypS94SQ-vCTtrHxuSS1ki3aDvTS_J5Rnc4KskZqudHT3RWrXjtuUwkLdbvzzSnAayC3lGgOeHpNWMvSbRiHwBE/s1600/tired%2520kids.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFklNTkIK6UaxNV0nFPXqmHIKps0w4vafdQbZCPbsTs_NFyAjejDT96ypS94SQ-vCTtrHxuSS1ki3aDvTS_J5Rnc4KskZqudHT3RWrXjtuUwkLdbvzzSnAayC3lGgOeHpNWMvSbRiHwBE/s320/tired%2520kids.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488195111864233794" border="0" /></a></span>She is, afterall...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBqk7Ld5SBZwgJwgFvTm2KQG2ji5wlqEm1win_6HhaG0EQf9ar2zt2eke1WSSxSjnMOPioaIQ-wcjSWBLCEaPXRqn9CujyLqZnr0ssQA03b6gLgTncT6KLeuwAFzqb13ZHEFMBygeYsQ/s1600/BearHuntin.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBqk7Ld5SBZwgJwgFvTm2KQG2ji5wlqEm1win_6HhaG0EQf9ar2zt2eke1WSSxSjnMOPioaIQ-wcjSWBLCEaPXRqn9CujyLqZnr0ssQA03b6gLgTncT6KLeuwAFzqb13ZHEFMBygeYsQ/s320/BearHuntin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488194213370078786" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">his Huntin' Buddy!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjEssV_rf-TrdMDQRK6U2EvUAwL_qNNsIlX_ZNo8GQJ2V_J7ZwoK0xbRLQ6Mb1NGPirNowRTgf4P9ujxH_NAD7CuqtmF1T9Oud_WiRIQW3J98GIloSVwwuBSXYsHad4c63fGX7gUJdYw/s1600/Checkin%2520out%2520the%2520ducks.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjEssV_rf-TrdMDQRK6U2EvUAwL_qNNsIlX_ZNo8GQJ2V_J7ZwoK0xbRLQ6Mb1NGPirNowRTgf4P9ujxH_NAD7CuqtmF1T9Oud_WiRIQW3J98GIloSVwwuBSXYsHad4c63fGX7gUJdYw/s320/Checkin%2520out%2520the%2520ducks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488195804499654226" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />She loves her Momma! And her Momma loves her!</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDWn_Y1_Z5a1GADHF_SoL1gJH1ibgkUjawu2QIANvXJyuA8BKYMPhnys9IxdgF6cNE9l5iZCDsxoecKWnkGrPp3wCslfejbYDbHWVOYb6LTQo5l7-w14gcYDhp7Ho9GLCdPqkL3RoQAI/s1600/Img011.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDWn_Y1_Z5a1GADHF_SoL1gJH1ibgkUjawu2QIANvXJyuA8BKYMPhnys9IxdgF6cNE9l5iZCDsxoecKWnkGrPp3wCslfejbYDbHWVOYb6LTQo5l7-w14gcYDhp7Ho9GLCdPqkL3RoQAI/s320/Img011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488194241558179506" border="0" /></a></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">She is, afterall... Momma's shoppin' buddy!</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPun52R_s3uixlrfuw2suGZtQy6fYURRccWsaI_MnUD-bco6F74qSzc33JhEuJyW1JQudAkLoSHg5nYhxiwT1qYSAla9aNgIz7sHwJC-LSXnFiEeqKopMPSDpdY3Gt0VCBIOZX9zhZVN4/s1600/Shopper+Brenn.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPun52R_s3uixlrfuw2suGZtQy6fYURRccWsaI_MnUD-bco6F74qSzc33JhEuJyW1JQudAkLoSHg5nYhxiwT1qYSAla9aNgIz7sHwJC-LSXnFiEeqKopMPSDpdY3Gt0VCBIOZX9zhZVN4/s320/Shopper+Brenn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488196652547810066" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">She loves her sisters</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFjxdjfnX7U-xcxUWbZMSZVR5cU9z43Wb8Be8ERIuHRDPu5_maCco9RFFT31SmyRPJEgt5Yz9aWhQi4CsHbHpqhh_TUMnvH7doe2PV4-tp__SgjXHFOcl5LWXrLs-gQ-p5YdVaEnqwZU/s1600/Brenna%2520on%2520Brooklyns%2520Easter%2520dress.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFjxdjfnX7U-xcxUWbZMSZVR5cU9z43Wb8Be8ERIuHRDPu5_maCco9RFFT31SmyRPJEgt5Yz9aWhQi4CsHbHpqhh_TUMnvH7doe2PV4-tp__SgjXHFOcl5LWXrLs-gQ-p5YdVaEnqwZU/s320/Brenna%2520on%2520Brooklyns%2520Easter%2520dress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488194233241415058" border="0" /></a></span>and her sissies love her!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsm6HpVbbquL_4GjgsYMYbY3ePnhb_mx1PmMaG-tUxy-8tb7XppFCvhuhUoZo_lUpRipbWQ8b6F_MpMBm7wxEIYkfYiXMYrWzqjvfvaFZ11r4R_GdL97yw8sKmfQP5em9zJyBglqr1PY/s1600/3+girls.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsm6HpVbbquL_4GjgsYMYbY3ePnhb_mx1PmMaG-tUxy-8tb7XppFCvhuhUoZo_lUpRipbWQ8b6F_MpMBm7wxEIYkfYiXMYrWzqjvfvaFZ11r4R_GdL97yw8sKmfQP5em9zJyBglqr1PY/s320/3+girls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488196663296012866" border="0" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Her hair matched the pumpkins!<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Q1mNkLskabNmBz2jd_UouPfgfBkc9vdEIo1ZMIUClrUqwBin7k6d9A_lhHngdwampn4EX3E8RxmGbotM7tpN1-AlZJa5C9J1ZRnQiQv1sAWm-q6SU8XK9D1kdawDk-1tmWNdKYsQc1I/s1600/Brenna%2520Pumpkin1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Q1mNkLskabNmBz2jd_UouPfgfBkc9vdEIo1ZMIUClrUqwBin7k6d9A_lhHngdwampn4EX3E8RxmGbotM7tpN1-AlZJa5C9J1ZRnQiQv1sAWm-q6SU8XK9D1kdawDk-1tmWNdKYsQc1I/s320/Brenna%2520Pumpkin1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488195127641551058" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />She made the perfect Pebbles...<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkWA3TqYWojSrDirGqrZ5iHw4QeHuxkE4souk57vGWfO-3AH4108sBPpcjM1jAMluZQTQfLhBi6nortBT15WaJpHTVqFMM6RAXM_bYF3k27j-c6EmwKk_uXTwuKQikfpu5afYwwsFt-4/s1600/Brenna%2520n%2520Gingi1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkWA3TqYWojSrDirGqrZ5iHw4QeHuxkE4souk57vGWfO-3AH4108sBPpcjM1jAMluZQTQfLhBi6nortBT15WaJpHTVqFMM6RAXM_bYF3k27j-c6EmwKk_uXTwuKQikfpu5afYwwsFt-4/s320/Brenna%2520n%2520Gingi1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488195115429341730" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />... and Annie!</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_4O4RJ8HJrQxemmwLJNDFGeF1p_1ra_tw9LepcrS6bQQcJfCs3iNGvFRvSjSUsctkIwgGYNhyir1qZdWczv2CijGczs6PyKMvMha1Ljep1-Zz5IdcsHZK7KAW2sXVSOOUGGfShHyHnI/s1600/m_735ae04623e5d4d49fc64ab0735b779e.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_4O4RJ8HJrQxemmwLJNDFGeF1p_1ra_tw9LepcrS6bQQcJfCs3iNGvFRvSjSUsctkIwgGYNhyir1qZdWczv2CijGczs6PyKMvMha1Ljep1-Zz5IdcsHZK7KAW2sXVSOOUGGfShHyHnI/s320/m_735ae04623e5d4d49fc64ab0735b779e.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488196647599066674" border="0" /></a></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">And yes, the perfect penguin!</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8gUQVsGbpOZhPinHIQffeTBzIAWqgGSnj63cBqcuo5eLxS8wnhY9Nf1k3onS2BEdWVEXU4TkcuXlADfRicEa4TrzkLlRwYWV7pYOTH-AD9i4p7yQM57ye2ZmdS6HqnwYwPkzACA_4FU/s1600/Brennapeng1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8gUQVsGbpOZhPinHIQffeTBzIAWqgGSnj63cBqcuo5eLxS8wnhY9Nf1k3onS2BEdWVEXU4TkcuXlADfRicEa4TrzkLlRwYWV7pYOTH-AD9i4p7yQM57ye2ZmdS6HqnwYwPkzACA_4FU/s320/Brennapeng1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488198382330243410" border="0" /></a></span>It hurts her little soul to disappoint Momma... like when she draws "uglies" on herself!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8bqGeePPIEfW4BcZgYSywNSd7hqSa8hTxqqqVv9RHVQJxaGn-ku8X5-ODabaIf8r14qBo8lyR7D63qjzbXd5a3gh-3c7S3-8dI15nwQ_JGfhu26bsnjU2xKx5_eCuXK3PDlZLM8JS6U/s1600/Uglies.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8bqGeePPIEfW4BcZgYSywNSd7hqSa8hTxqqqVv9RHVQJxaGn-ku8X5-ODabaIf8r14qBo8lyR7D63qjzbXd5a3gh-3c7S3-8dI15nwQ_JGfhu26bsnjU2xKx5_eCuXK3PDlZLM8JS6U/s320/Uglies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488195809939551378" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />But not if that disappointment means having to share her ice cream!<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTddiFn9wXO6-VNV7cylJH2C33L9he6lu0mYCHrYfekzwDopSOJJJvZNhgknbZmpQausHKwShfD6pkg-n9HZo-JZQr_dEOnH6hXtw58Ot5PE6tHEwT_QBEZSsOW3OOhfB65KxPYxvPD4/s1600/I%2520said%2520mine.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTddiFn9wXO6-VNV7cylJH2C33L9he6lu0mYCHrYfekzwDopSOJJJvZNhgknbZmpQausHKwShfD6pkg-n9HZo-JZQr_dEOnH6hXtw58Ot5PE6tHEwT_QBEZSsOW3OOhfB65KxPYxvPD4/s320/I%2520said%2520mine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488195136936043506" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">From the day should could walk.... she has been our lil helper!</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XtILW6evJz72N7ekavCv74pjrvvmthb3T9k9P3LUBxp3zkWDb73D4Mo_pBDiZz0CSmcQvQz0CNDFz8PQibflq0gYoawUttZyFLg5e-URA79DQ69kPISr8nDc6oDPkDnnO_QXLXG_we0/s1600/DSCF1087_158.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XtILW6evJz72N7ekavCv74pjrvvmthb3T9k9P3LUBxp3zkWDb73D4Mo_pBDiZz0CSmcQvQz0CNDFz8PQibflq0gYoawUttZyFLg5e-URA79DQ69kPISr8nDc6oDPkDnnO_QXLXG_we0/s320/DSCF1087_158.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488195797147367634" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">But sometimes her nemesis shows up and she has to take it easy.</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijG6THSSL8JPC9BGvV3elXQJG_rlf6kq_psDLW-_9cbddN3wFamWd9AODU210_wCbuNUNKVwNtV5moQRA9DYIK2Qq0ehSZyCnXgmFvZgr2xoJAWgwVHPJxCXKVZt0sUtByIJ2MGR0GtQE/s1600/Breathing+Treatment+at+Bucks.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijG6THSSL8JPC9BGvV3elXQJG_rlf6kq_psDLW-_9cbddN3wFamWd9AODU210_wCbuNUNKVwNtV5moQRA9DYIK2Qq0ehSZyCnXgmFvZgr2xoJAWgwVHPJxCXKVZt0sUtByIJ2MGR0GtQE/s320/Breathing+Treatment+at+Bucks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488198367383283938" border="0" /></a></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Her sassy walk...<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC68dUuFjepXrsjs17WBR_uD3e1D31rzysl4nayYwo79_pYZJy6XAgRQuDqddMd2yQyAvpJOnaWf1UNRpECOeK0F70VS-D25dAF5CDRTtvqh15iYhyphenhyphenTyuedvCGSS96SVobYds1tly7MvQ/s1600/Coast+Trip+025.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC68dUuFjepXrsjs17WBR_uD3e1D31rzysl4nayYwo79_pYZJy6XAgRQuDqddMd2yQyAvpJOnaWf1UNRpECOeK0F70VS-D25dAF5CDRTtvqh15iYhyphenhyphenTyuedvCGSS96SVobYds1tly7MvQ/s320/Coast+Trip+025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488198363828336706" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Her fierce model poses...<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWSt_4zrVM2g2EBacijC_BZ_cIiJ38k0217vn04emxn_lB-uRrv8mqCP5OraYaoL7YKTl1DCnyLyhP5z4s2Z-XSyUo1YUb1If46BkDUFmYZQ8QvQz9SlS6iTbjDq6B_mFOy2aSC6k8Bo/s1600/101808+14.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWSt_4zrVM2g2EBacijC_BZ_cIiJ38k0217vn04emxn_lB-uRrv8mqCP5OraYaoL7YKTl1DCnyLyhP5z4s2Z-XSyUo1YUb1If46BkDUFmYZQ8QvQz9SlS6iTbjDq6B_mFOy2aSC6k8Bo/s320/101808+14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488196669575660770" border="0" /></a><br />Work it, girl!</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfvi4BiIUKWhyAkshOZM9JMTSIJ-k7-4YQ5LP2zd9gSSMafCpR6EJJgRHm55przjI9FdoqJB57kv4aDwHUP6cAYSQ5VKVZIVuw1kwSmlOTjpimTePLsRlK-kfCZAVWCpWmYppqVCWXQM/s1600/Brainy+Brenna+cropped.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfvi4BiIUKWhyAkshOZM9JMTSIJ-k7-4YQ5LP2zd9gSSMafCpR6EJJgRHm55przjI9FdoqJB57kv4aDwHUP6cAYSQ5VKVZIVuw1kwSmlOTjpimTePLsRlK-kfCZAVWCpWmYppqVCWXQM/s320/Brainy+Brenna+cropped.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488195812100425586" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The love we have for this lil Firecracker makes our hearts hurt so good!<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT60W9HFMwfuSYfu9DHBhevO2f1G3KmgHkDBJNYOwnR9peO6J4CsXmEjFystRxeoEnav0XVNU_izYDESJj9fJRfCnvQQva_Lbi8ttksej-DyVrv7qQjkz6aOGEp5ZcEHOPuMID-3lkVi8/s1600/Firecracker.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT60W9HFMwfuSYfu9DHBhevO2f1G3KmgHkDBJNYOwnR9peO6J4CsXmEjFystRxeoEnav0XVNU_izYDESJj9fJRfCnvQQva_Lbi8ttksej-DyVrv7qQjkz6aOGEp5ZcEHOPuMID-3lkVi8/s320/Firecracker.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488196638944255650" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Today our lil Cloverbud turns 6!<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6zdA9Mod2V-srJaja_FeTnRPZfydENMm35RcRgDr084kYedcnY0dlVitklUQG4tZgk-OZ1Mb-R1MDxSf-3QYioNL-uc0uWoHlBIZiDQgXfIoOyhPH14VFu1RHwqgNnzjXi2A5u46KZM/s1600/4H+tie+dye2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6zdA9Mod2V-srJaja_FeTnRPZfydENMm35RcRgDr084kYedcnY0dlVitklUQG4tZgk-OZ1Mb-R1MDxSf-3QYioNL-uc0uWoHlBIZiDQgXfIoOyhPH14VFu1RHwqgNnzjXi2A5u46KZM/s320/4H+tie+dye2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488198384723097650" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">We love you so! Happy Birthday, Red!!!<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBzCld1ohIfO_DE7qV89f93vDCyx7nXWL5LOJAWLHPKRuhx9mBL-Gkgnnr3GIwEHQgO7um8ZfLV2egqcMB5rtKWPM7o0E2WGEe5PbbWeyQ0oUtCY2k9hC6wwa9yAkHgTOGA0G2g-WStY/s1600/Brennafair.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBzCld1ohIfO_DE7qV89f93vDCyx7nXWL5LOJAWLHPKRuhx9mBL-Gkgnnr3GIwEHQgO7um8ZfLV2egqcMB5rtKWPM7o0E2WGEe5PbbWeyQ0oUtCY2k9hC6wwa9yAkHgTOGA0G2g-WStY/s320/Brennafair.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488198387259640866" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-69923279742691522142010-06-08T08:37:00.000-07:002010-06-08T08:47:33.945-07:00Post It Note Tuesday<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://supahmommy.blogspot.com/2009/09/post-it-note-tuesday-what-will-you-say.html"><img alt="" src="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/dperry_2007/superstickies-18-1.png" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">It's just better than saying it out loud... and a bit therapeutic!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uevW9VFK4jOpLuSM9LnoFMLnyzjmbmb-49o8cxcr8JDOl-8bfmRMuZoiUXvrj_-FhLxNd7H3Q-8gPRSqJ4Ds79nraC1AulrfaIA7OvwiNHA4H9HL2QLxJwMZQ7qKfMz1Kzrdx_33a5Y/s1600/superstickies(17).png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uevW9VFK4jOpLuSM9LnoFMLnyzjmbmb-49o8cxcr8JDOl-8bfmRMuZoiUXvrj_-FhLxNd7H3Q-8gPRSqJ4Ds79nraC1AulrfaIA7OvwiNHA4H9HL2QLxJwMZQ7qKfMz1Kzrdx_33a5Y/s320/superstickies(17).png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480429759998678930" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56PsL7kudHD-67f6opCC6RixfAMoBOLCCp9y39WzQne9YxJENElJGniT_8AZrWs80jAW3Xpy5yQucRigKYyNq4BFDLMO6-XaykQTRlaCJ5RSjZphgaOpPOqTiYXOVHhcZmL3DhqzNwLQ/s1600/superstickies(16).png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56PsL7kudHD-67f6opCC6RixfAMoBOLCCp9y39WzQne9YxJENElJGniT_8AZrWs80jAW3Xpy5yQucRigKYyNq4BFDLMO6-XaykQTRlaCJ5RSjZphgaOpPOqTiYXOVHhcZmL3DhqzNwLQ/s320/superstickies(16).png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480428846502551746" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6N_LXZMXAsaCEAwZgd_LUR4y15GzuJyG65YJZJmREDEdYj06pJ5fInp-hdsItc2LRq5YBGtp1WfoBRmivp-_xah3Jnl3lCGhrJ4uPbtjkQTWdt1n3v1i3clHcUYWYDp-dcGLlqpX63c/s1600/superstickies(15).png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6N_LXZMXAsaCEAwZgd_LUR4y15GzuJyG65YJZJmREDEdYj06pJ5fInp-hdsItc2LRq5YBGtp1WfoBRmivp-_xah3Jnl3lCGhrJ4uPbtjkQTWdt1n3v1i3clHcUYWYDp-dcGLlqpX63c/s320/superstickies(15).png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480428828154068722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixszxr-_gJzQUrAwZ90zFYyLG2RG0WwHaJxwVCCegtlppvYOSV_BGNqukgw5kjXQs4RgzeI3gn1pq06NKVN6alBzWrZsn_ZXlm0B_FwSoqDYznBYf4113dgoQgqvZ-NFCz3le7hUI1y8/s1600/superstickies(14).png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixszxr-_gJzQUrAwZ90zFYyLG2RG0WwHaJxwVCCegtlppvYOSV_BGNqukgw5kjXQs4RgzeI3gn1pq06NKVN6alBzWrZsn_ZXlm0B_FwSoqDYznBYf4113dgoQgqvZ-NFCz3le7hUI1y8/s320/superstickies(14).png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480428581279765650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgci6khZwMaTyTNzEwPVGVn1nHaszd7MIPs4hCFO-gNAxi2lLI-O23WyuiuHCaOM7uwiTHaRHHLE4IFTTustRhmrWLI9SAiqYZt2jC-KxnUGxh1upBoyzDx-crVFF91r-qLtRFvvzQSeR8/s1600/superstickies(13).png"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9P5n6SNOKoYe9WypOeSCb66mAj7GkiGI2k-wiQm09bs7cLOQTHLK7Ql42BFfopF8TeXmAxHngeKRLCd1m0DwzfcQz3QOYLe6RDWg9h1lhJfJqVmCLWUhrAd1J2Gyg7VvVgceBLvB9Ca8/s1600/superstickies(12).png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9P5n6SNOKoYe9WypOeSCb66mAj7GkiGI2k-wiQm09bs7cLOQTHLK7Ql42BFfopF8TeXmAxHngeKRLCd1m0DwzfcQz3QOYLe6RDWg9h1lhJfJqVmCLWUhrAd1J2Gyg7VvVgceBLvB9Ca8/s320/superstickies(12).png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480428575253905810" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEite1iZDwxjRmnIzIA3rD3UGa72YqUMAKjazwcMgBVAVB8z_YZuIUJzvOnm8G-byrhlH2rMcjcMPoRID-IiRJSU0EkDl-qttjxjHueg1-IuSuA7FjtJmxSnUzFpoyQdQAs_RHCA70AlPZQ/s1600/superstickies(11).png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEite1iZDwxjRmnIzIA3rD3UGa72YqUMAKjazwcMgBVAVB8z_YZuIUJzvOnm8G-byrhlH2rMcjcMPoRID-IiRJSU0EkDl-qttjxjHueg1-IuSuA7FjtJmxSnUzFpoyQdQAs_RHCA70AlPZQ/s320/superstickies(11).png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480428568514802402" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3X2GamviqsyNzsTV1k4w8ET_yGtzLzTpyp7tcM5vxeiPcEfpK8Fi_1wJGbC-3-HZ-eUs38_RJtzgqE9u-zbVKqjuzXPAxtZdNsedc8-TA5nW54uuhJegHePgNzF7IxUGvKyPUBozhLws/s1600/superstickies(10).png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3X2GamviqsyNzsTV1k4w8ET_yGtzLzTpyp7tcM5vxeiPcEfpK8Fi_1wJGbC-3-HZ-eUs38_RJtzgqE9u-zbVKqjuzXPAxtZdNsedc8-TA5nW54uuhJegHePgNzF7IxUGvKyPUBozhLws/s320/superstickies(10).png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480428560577605970" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-10688451925274326392010-05-18T10:08:00.000-07:002010-05-18T10:10:13.663-07:00Post It Note Tuesday, x-posted<div style="text-align: center;">This was also posted on the Stella B Designs blog...<br /><center><a href="http://stellabdesigns.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz143/StellaBs/blogbutton1_edited-1.jpg" border="0" /></a></center><br />Here it goes, my first foray into giving my Passive-Aggressive inner voice a chance to shine...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My very first ...<br /><a href="http://supahmommy.blogspot.com/2009/09/post-it-note-tuesday-what-will-you-say.html"><img alt="" src="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/dperry_2007/superstickies-18-1.png" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSCGQbjah9LeRtVSZci1LqOoUINW-MFk9Oo7kDiPEbnzsxGPTfjemlNMXT-WN5DGbjsboKsItjpx4nSSPv9oNQCKmDoDSJJBfm_fug-q-wr4nshebWqmGrttoKIoHAfGNZ0Qm1w2dRYFn/s1600/superstickies(9).png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSCGQbjah9LeRtVSZci1LqOoUINW-MFk9Oo7kDiPEbnzsxGPTfjemlNMXT-WN5DGbjsboKsItjpx4nSSPv9oNQCKmDoDSJJBfm_fug-q-wr4nshebWqmGrttoKIoHAfGNZ0Qm1w2dRYFn/s320/superstickies(9).png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472635757668572034" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvEuR4jPC85j9ck2vS3lb56415jTpOfVToG2E-hKJXQK9xvnzQjhFo6hi6K64bIMXNyHIM5rphoV6hCbzEnUjTXlvN2sOCfjbTzjHIHLOR_RAafY4DxnbfEYGALnxLqeeUBf9fhnD4T0m/s1600/superstickies(8).png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvEuR4jPC85j9ck2vS3lb56415jTpOfVToG2E-hKJXQK9xvnzQjhFo6hi6K64bIMXNyHIM5rphoV6hCbzEnUjTXlvN2sOCfjbTzjHIHLOR_RAafY4DxnbfEYGALnxLqeeUBf9fhnD4T0m/s320/superstickies(8).png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472635751353669650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkls95FEMnQCfdULQY7lueA3gpMtFsnVDtOnzBwU8K6k4rnBmnrffFfU6LgHEF3fVa3vXJp_WgEh34wmt2ywcKqte0vVoBlE1gdxYg0L4cEM64bjSDKIlvfEugHXRhCt2QV3lsrnVyApY7/s1600/superstickies(7).png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkls95FEMnQCfdULQY7lueA3gpMtFsnVDtOnzBwU8K6k4rnBmnrffFfU6LgHEF3fVa3vXJp_WgEh34wmt2ywcKqte0vVoBlE1gdxYg0L4cEM64bjSDKIlvfEugHXRhCt2QV3lsrnVyApY7/s320/superstickies(7).png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472635748609255778" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kj7bsLDSDUYvWet3Xwc_qwlA4ndEWMVRRwqKuHXhs92DRLlKi3kFlu4DGyx7ouAotjSVtn5SnGKk0p_kuSg9XM_dWTHbahoDMVch36sGfDO6gCZ-HzliUSVCNaxPh7bQACheo3svwjlu/s1600/superstickies(6).png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kj7bsLDSDUYvWet3Xwc_qwlA4ndEWMVRRwqKuHXhs92DRLlKi3kFlu4DGyx7ouAotjSVtn5SnGKk0p_kuSg9XM_dWTHbahoDMVch36sGfDO6gCZ-HzliUSVCNaxPh7bQACheo3svwjlu/s320/superstickies(6).png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472635736801505698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bhf2ws_dy5WMgFSIR0r1zGMonfRze7M3JQL2m1hG_mNngZlj1wq4x6aTCAqWnwcwhbdiR8YYDmoyabdg3uOgBtLPpA2vXvt8hz2Nda602zgSAj4nTqxm9Uw2l4TNGwhz15pw4XMg5gCP/s1600/superstickies(5).png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bhf2ws_dy5WMgFSIR0r1zGMonfRze7M3JQL2m1hG_mNngZlj1wq4x6aTCAqWnwcwhbdiR8YYDmoyabdg3uOgBtLPpA2vXvt8hz2Nda602zgSAj4nTqxm9Uw2l4TNGwhz15pw4XMg5gCP/s320/superstickies(5).png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472635439361094754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbsqSZqyP1sQRtl_yGfLOsk64U4AWlBUijB9KHvNkx7XxxlygG2cNNzxACtrsWAC7DdulfILQmD0YLO0Ex3ObI1xVypS_hBHfVS-oR2qMi2sXoBfwuRSGb-wFgwTro0fRDa7n4CbdmXaO/s1600/superstickies(4).png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbsqSZqyP1sQRtl_yGfLOsk64U4AWlBUijB9KHvNkx7XxxlygG2cNNzxACtrsWAC7DdulfILQmD0YLO0Ex3ObI1xVypS_hBHfVS-oR2qMi2sXoBfwuRSGb-wFgwTro0fRDa7n4CbdmXaO/s320/superstickies(4).png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472635432375627362" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjC05PnhyphenhyphenY0TorUV1HtviBsglNB269oHVc5kuZ0Vpn5vVQtbxV7aiyCpuUwD7GzqAgMt5O9WOSReJwQ3IqlxHc4o4vH1ez0NHwNkUHfWcWp3eXwNQVXnL9Hsoz7EEn-F-yXrvvR9EWEF7/s1600/superstickies(3).png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjC05PnhyphenhyphenY0TorUV1HtviBsglNB269oHVc5kuZ0Vpn5vVQtbxV7aiyCpuUwD7GzqAgMt5O9WOSReJwQ3IqlxHc4o4vH1ez0NHwNkUHfWcWp3eXwNQVXnL9Hsoz7EEn-F-yXrvvR9EWEF7/s320/superstickies(3).png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472635429918683410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtH9BKAKwRVew9z5o3ir7cpq-kbblvrWKl_qhd-1cpRA9c2lzuG_na3zMaLQ7muagc608kE8VMPaLXbk56HFAn1mNAojmY2ZbXzeI7-6keOANTcv9nWq_zmdIzy1vSxm0LBWIjSApdtwFO/s1600/superstickies(2).png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtH9BKAKwRVew9z5o3ir7cpq-kbblvrWKl_qhd-1cpRA9c2lzuG_na3zMaLQ7muagc608kE8VMPaLXbk56HFAn1mNAojmY2ZbXzeI7-6keOANTcv9nWq_zmdIzy1vSxm0LBWIjSApdtwFO/s320/superstickies(2).png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472635424850845010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyg8ORq_meZVb4dnsGS7zpwiYQCB8JRVl6FlAWB5CQDcLt51tyU3Msfmo6OknX6fic4dY253L5bi9wiyw93xjLli8Qb96uckSeq9UkbltTKLQ7CARskhQwkBy9reIhrYNPIxhdb4TuL_lP/s1600/superstickies.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyg8ORq_meZVb4dnsGS7zpwiYQCB8JRVl6FlAWB5CQDcLt51tyU3Msfmo6OknX6fic4dY253L5bi9wiyw93xjLli8Qb96uckSeq9UkbltTKLQ7CARskhQwkBy9reIhrYNPIxhdb4TuL_lP/s320/superstickies.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472635412224090578" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;">*sigh* that felt good!</span><br /></div>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-80798374607961537202010-05-07T10:15:00.001-07:002010-05-07T10:23:22.970-07:00Something's Wrong With This Picture<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Last night I shaved two 200+ pound pigs.<br /><br />No need to do a double-read on that... you read it right.</span><br /><br />I. shaved. two. pigs. last. night.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">My</span> legs are <span style="font-style: italic;">un</span>shaven, </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><br /><br />:blink:<br /><br />:blink:<br /><br />:raised eyebrow:<br /><br />... but never fear... the pigs have a new high and tight cut...<br /><br />This can mean one of two things.<br /><br />1)My priorities are way out of wack and my self-image is so far gone that I have no hope of ever returning to my previous self,<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">OR<br /><br /></span> 2)The Silver Dollar Fair is right around the corner.<br /><br /><br />The things we do for love.<br /><br />(The above was sung in my head as I wrote it. Just so ya know.)<br /><br /></div>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-6599545203535138922010-04-26T10:53:00.000-07:002010-04-26T11:11:52.868-07:00Some Saturdays<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Seeing as how I'm concentrating on the "Everyday" aspect of live - and learning to love as much about it as humanly possible, I thought I'd share what happens around here on Some Saturdays.<br /><br />Our girls aren't in any sports at the moment, but that doesn't mean that our weekends are filled with lazin' in the sun!<br /><br />Some Saturdays are filled with Tractor Play.<br />Dad is usually already outside with the older girls...<br /></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3mUj4RQSMOOKxMBjx43c9v2hI2sxIhWaQjGbjtA8cx_8_imKU8r6WwL0A1Sa-nKC81Rw4g_Apj_fRdmhIpCbBtkGJ0DgrOozFoQl3xIg_lfbT6PEPnsW9SaMCgK595k-_c7wxJW5Dgk/s1600/Tractor+Play.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3mUj4RQSMOOKxMBjx43c9v2hI2sxIhWaQjGbjtA8cx_8_imKU8r6WwL0A1Sa-nKC81Rw4g_Apj_fRdmhIpCbBtkGJ0DgrOozFoQl3xIg_lfbT6PEPnsW9SaMCgK595k-_c7wxJW5Dgk/s320/Tractor+Play.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464506743252412434" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">... so <span style="font-size:130%;">Mommy has to hurry and get this one ready before she gets too worked up about being left in the house!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPpASMri6GlDmDu1PROS_P-BoZdgOMlhnMrL6UdAl13LFkLVVD5a70IK82SkxO1GpK6ooE67KlGiskOXRBFfAnGh-9YEy153ilvVcYLHLDZiAIsJFhTs5amEgZdc0m-leCoe9Wwaewv0/s1600/DSCF2218.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPpASMri6GlDmDu1PROS_P-BoZdgOMlhnMrL6UdAl13LFkLVVD5a70IK82SkxO1GpK6ooE67KlGiskOXRBFfAnGh-9YEy153ilvVcYLHLDZiAIsJFhTs5amEgZdc0m-leCoe9Wwaewv0/s320/DSCF2218.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464506361701834194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Daddy sees her on the porch and comes back to get her!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbkSKmHWo9bcJH00W6-WKL5hr7CSaOLNUqAq8ym2X52Ydztmbmi9m754Svm8z0228mCn_ttH6Mk6_aArIKGm6-otx9Qib_NaHqpN-ynkkutJIIrgYZ2cKJmbsLR8gNZRLffLF6-lEXoY/s1600/DSCF2219.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbkSKmHWo9bcJH00W6-WKL5hr7CSaOLNUqAq8ym2X52Ydztmbmi9m754Svm8z0228mCn_ttH6Mk6_aArIKGm6-otx9Qib_NaHqpN-ynkkutJIIrgYZ2cKJmbsLR8gNZRLffLF6-lEXoY/s320/DSCF2219.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464506372047239554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />I'm thinking this "safety lesson" might have been for Mom's sake.<br />... 'cause he already gave them one before they got on... <span style="font-style: italic;">right?</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sutIgvaq2krWFt6urSmI-h8r1tiipWqbairc_9mHGGfSQ35qZusiC4ZcMHfbH2Wbx_NY_e_SRCnCKK9U1Pyi5j1k6uHPiCYjL2PuFvq0wZpRXQqx-maCE-xxIMyvkxxv6UDJVE6qiFk/s1600/DSCF2221.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sutIgvaq2krWFt6urSmI-h8r1tiipWqbairc_9mHGGfSQ35qZusiC4ZcMHfbH2Wbx_NY_e_SRCnCKK9U1Pyi5j1k6uHPiCYjL2PuFvq0wZpRXQqx-maCE-xxIMyvkxxv6UDJVE6qiFk/s320/DSCF2221.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464506375645947954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Some Saturdays this man makes his girls so happy just by including them in his busy man work!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqh5QUIKPzCkEGRsjgiddPEscP9u_ygAOWoIZVq7JaLVLdCHfgLlkKMAscj2byHM3DzFiT0a5jsgBDqiCN2xapYKmwawr-kkZ3yEXtjJhlXMSiZ1ntqI6zegg07oKGsAw45ffeLV2zOk/s1600/DSCF2223.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqh5QUIKPzCkEGRsjgiddPEscP9u_ygAOWoIZVq7JaLVLdCHfgLlkKMAscj2byHM3DzFiT0a5jsgBDqiCN2xapYKmwawr-kkZ3yEXtjJhlXMSiZ1ntqI6zegg07oKGsAw45ffeLV2zOk/s320/DSCF2223.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464506381357597074" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">It makes my heart happy to see them creating good memories!</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4zv5L7uinEE3ennA0EJf1K-luDm1yMik5t4v4xUZQRUrFtQ0ejD3mA8FdqDsCWHKe1MTazXLIGf4pFFTuzQPkcpubthrvmiQkTJLx5z7YQ_PvgdQHYSBRw5o8dCXao9AUdloZ8b-aXQ/s1600/DSCF2226.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4zv5L7uinEE3ennA0EJf1K-luDm1yMik5t4v4xUZQRUrFtQ0ejD3mA8FdqDsCWHKe1MTazXLIGf4pFFTuzQPkcpubthrvmiQkTJLx5z7YQ_PvgdQHYSBRw5o8dCXao9AUdloZ8b-aXQ/s320/DSCF2226.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464506390754990242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sutIgvaq2krWFt6urSmI-h8r1tiipWqbairc_9mHGGfSQ35qZusiC4ZcMHfbH2Wbx_NY_e_SRCnCKK9U1Pyi5j1k6uHPiCYjL2PuFvq0wZpRXQqx-maCE-xxIMyvkxxv6UDJVE6qiFk/s1600/DSCF2221.jpg"><br /></a></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Then, there are other Saturdays when things don't go as planned.<br />The Hubs had wanted to go "up the hill" to shoot his gun... then his pesky Father-in-law reminded him that his shoulder was out of commission and how was he going to shoot a gun without it throwing him into fits of agony?<br /><br />THEN, his wifey shot down his plans of putting a fence up across the pasture. (I have my reasons.) THEN, he didn't get a call back about using a piece of equipment to disc up the front lawn...<br /><br />I could see him getting frustrated - but nothing compared to Red's frustration! Not only had her plans to go shootin' with her "huntin' buddy" (aka. Dad) been foiled, but her older sister had already gone to Grandma's house! She wasn't too happy.<br /><br />So Mommy suggested they go fishing somewhere. This caught him completely off-guard, but he didn't argue!<br />So, some Saturdays, we fish!<br /><br />And Red caught her very first Large MOUTH Bass!!!!</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tkNB6gBGwB20yClfmllPdFcKw8dQuk2ASjFdc1IaVscxTmcKlDG1pk7JStaFbivltumB2pgN-8SpM4GtN3BifItCpV7w6AckHLJYHH7_pPEP9nupC9p_1w_TzvfEy_tqdDlvHIME830/s1600/Brennas+Large+Mouth.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tkNB6gBGwB20yClfmllPdFcKw8dQuk2ASjFdc1IaVscxTmcKlDG1pk7JStaFbivltumB2pgN-8SpM4GtN3BifItCpV7w6AckHLJYHH7_pPEP9nupC9p_1w_TzvfEy_tqdDlvHIME830/s320/Brennas+Large+Mouth.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464506740235477202" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I don't think this Dad could have more love for his girls!</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilF5UeeUL4jQTosBevKVcA1mvEKzb-IaL6CDQDyuvb1XJKPE41BRs-gYK425nm8hk_lQi1SChTvM-w8gFePWzMvsRFjsVbjWP1nVoneJyuqO6rTk-nzpDH8TgDBqPEm1MLwzgkuyaEaEs/s1600/Proud+Daddy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilF5UeeUL4jQTosBevKVcA1mvEKzb-IaL6CDQDyuvb1XJKPE41BRs-gYK425nm8hk_lQi1SChTvM-w8gFePWzMvsRFjsVbjWP1nVoneJyuqO6rTk-nzpDH8TgDBqPEm1MLwzgkuyaEaEs/s320/Proud+Daddy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464506726775323682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Nothing 'bout it too peculiar! But I can't get enough!</span><br /></div>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-23665767590328495642010-04-22T08:51:00.000-07:002010-04-22T09:09:49.706-07:00i "heart"... thursday 4/22/10<center><a href="http://youandmeplusthree.com/"><img alt="" src="http://www.preshwebdesign.com/images/heartbutton1.png" border="0" /></a></center><br /><br /><center>I am participating in this weeks I "heart"... at <a href="http://www.youandmeplusthree.com/">You and Me Plus Three</a>. Go <a href="http://www.youandmeplusthree.com/">there</a> now to add yours and read others!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">"i heart..."</span> the new look and feel of my blog! Everyday Love is definitely a step up from being "This Tired Mom"... I'm loving the new outlook!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">"i heart..."</span> getting packages in the mail!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">"i heart..."</span> my bare-bottomed Emma... potty training is going VERY well!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">"i heart..."</span> that school is almost out for the year!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">"i heart..."</span> having my truck paid off, windshield fixed after 4 years, and being completely, totally legal to drive!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">"i heart..."</span> my brothers new Basset Hound pup, Bertie! She is so adorable!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">"i heart..."</span> that my girls have a wonderful family on both sides!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">"i heart..."</span> dreaming of what our lives will look like in the future!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">"i heart..."</span> that my hubby loves and accepts me on my very worst days - he may not understand me, but he never lets me forget that he's here for the long haul!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">"i heart..."</span> looking on the bright side!<br /></center>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-53492982857659369872010-04-14T11:37:00.000-07:002010-04-16T09:06:36.258-07:00EvriDa < 3<div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:130%;" ></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >"Each morning the sun shines through my window<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Lands on the face of a dream come true"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">.... Meet my DreamS come true...<br />I'm sure he'd LOVE that I shared this pic, but this is my harworkin' man and this pictures shows it. From his dirty face that he chose to ignore so the kids could see the light parade in the freezing cold... to the baby wrapped up in his jacket.<br />He's loving and kind and gentle and thoughtful when he wants to be.<br />He can also be the most stubborn, hard-headed, most frustrating man I've ever known.<br />But he's mine.<br />And I Love him.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YBUUer5O-aHvFqYxk26Dk82mk4AFPz2pX2tQi-7cuUluwuKK8YxGfpz4xEw_1ll5iZThtgFY6B7p6BGqcV3TjizcCVW5sZTVhnst2wjcGIx-nRp91vRxFj3GZ6oUpJc7plRHScoaULc/s1600/DSCF6807.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YBUUer5O-aHvFqYxk26Dk82mk4AFPz2pX2tQi-7cuUluwuKK8YxGfpz4xEw_1ll5iZThtgFY6B7p6BGqcV3TjizcCVW5sZTVhnst2wjcGIx-nRp91vRxFj3GZ6oUpJc7plRHScoaULc/s320/DSCF6807.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460754859648417410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">And then there are </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >these </span><span style="font-size:100%;">dreams come true.<br />My Saving Grace, My Baby Red Taters and My Sassy Boo!<br />Words cannot express what they mean to me.<br />Each one is different, with qualities all their own.<br />Sometimes amazing, sometimes trying.<br />But all the time mine. And all the time loved.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdk8JdQuWOA6PzMal3jFM7inXSOgJX60TrVWjXLgMKkEGhQXFrSgVvDd6O2g_9-UlRnKfXMey4veKe8akRdSirq5nxs7qdJVpBri7YTbGcRx1_oCOBgb6tyPjPbAj8TqC42nIsSC9aGI/s1600/My+Valentines.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdk8JdQuWOA6PzMal3jFM7inXSOgJX60TrVWjXLgMKkEGhQXFrSgVvDd6O2g_9-UlRnKfXMey4veKe8akRdSirq5nxs7qdJVpBri7YTbGcRx1_oCOBgb6tyPjPbAj8TqC42nIsSC9aGI/s320/My+Valentines.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460754396358184898" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3XEqBWsuEzRPZFw5sBMC_48eTckQGqWhBbe71mbaBsR0TTgHNcpLbcQ2l_767tGqXlfJJd__D1jlGX_zVNSzgsz1AiKEyk0zRjMCenHsBBLlvwfuRfiJk_YBTS47mW6eEGa_x4rZ3zg/s1600/Coast+Trip+100.jpg"><br /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >"</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >I shuffle to the kitchen for my coffee<br />and catch up on the front page morning news"</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />(More likely Creamer with a bit of coffee... and my morning news is best found via the web.</span>)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >"</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >It's ordinary, plain and simple...Typical.<br />Nothing 'bout it too peculiar."</span><br /></span><br />We raise pigs, and dogs and cats... horses, a chinchilla and a goat.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-yi8BcbcVsx9W2Csg5bzHSHfg9MyLVftk7jYwwdXIAXe-hoWB7zhRoNv8QQIuEhFAUjMjmNksjxnAbIx6ApWEYuIHGec_9C05HYB6EQBnnEFhodERVI_5ukxAiSWcMNOmnedkAKT-II/s1600/Brooklyns+big+pig+ears+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-yi8BcbcVsx9W2Csg5bzHSHfg9MyLVftk7jYwwdXIAXe-hoWB7zhRoNv8QQIuEhFAUjMjmNksjxnAbIx6ApWEYuIHGec_9C05HYB6EQBnnEFhodERVI_5ukxAiSWcMNOmnedkAKT-II/s320/Brooklyns+big+pig+ears+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460754413875190354" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We go to Church and school.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjx7QLtu9pOe12GAMihql8VhJgbdUqPROkc7U-vs3u9I_cfdEt2AbIz1EZTodXMx8_jeiYsIxDbl1HT2-ERfDSRviml1noooON_rOGt10W3f-XjBK0MPgj7zzMyPhZyXeKfKqy5bG-WI/s1600/ELEaster10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjx7QLtu9pOe12GAMihql8VhJgbdUqPROkc7U-vs3u9I_cfdEt2AbIz1EZTodXMx8_jeiYsIxDbl1HT2-ERfDSRviml1noooON_rOGt10W3f-XjBK0MPgj7zzMyPhZyXeKfKqy5bG-WI/s320/ELEaster10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460757980470507698" border="0" /></a><br />We sing praises and give thanks to God. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJL_N5kfod2hzxuuuMsqowoiU4I5Zog7BBczQ8CFkSY3HdlBDdtbscq3Hj4OmAnuFwegr7zo2TKw82vP9DV2QhAc9mk6cOVl9j5L-ZPCgfupON7ChGqmQ1509uxCwlehVQa-p6mMoLJ4/s1600/Brenna+chapel2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJL_N5kfod2hzxuuuMsqowoiU4I5Zog7BBczQ8CFkSY3HdlBDdtbscq3Hj4OmAnuFwegr7zo2TKw82vP9DV2QhAc9mk6cOVl9j5L-ZPCgfupON7ChGqmQ1509uxCwlehVQa-p6mMoLJ4/s320/Brenna+chapel2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460754419575546674" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Oh but I can't get enough...</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">of this Everyday Love"</span></span><br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3gjv2z4j3EyVNNcN-N6FpalPG9h4iU_rDJwRe1w2Omt_25agPu-4o3RHJ-PeF_c13UcmxoyH_SUYiODTIsuJ2cOcgZ5mH4Yx3q56OLWPUVyTyRbzoAGHltNDh2if1H1EpU9reKx8ESU/s1600/EL+Mascara2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3gjv2z4j3EyVNNcN-N6FpalPG9h4iU_rDJwRe1w2Omt_25agPu-4o3RHJ-PeF_c13UcmxoyH_SUYiODTIsuJ2cOcgZ5mH4Yx3q56OLWPUVyTyRbzoAGHltNDh2if1H1EpU9reKx8ESU/s320/EL+Mascara2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460754402573438434" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So, this is my new outlook. I'm starting with the blog changes. No more "Tired Mom". I believe that we make our own environment - at least to some degree. If you believe you're always going to be unhappy, then chances are you're going to be unhappy. If you believe you're destined for failure after failure... you're most likely going to fail. If you go around believing that everything is wrong and it's never going to get better... then it's probably not. <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Unless</span> you do something to <span style="font-style: italic;">change</span> it.<br /><br />So now I'll point the finger back at myself. If I'm always referring to myself as "This Tired Mom" then guess what? That's the mentality I take on and it starts taking over. I've stopped exercising, stopped caring about what I look like, stopped wearing makeup, rarely visit friends and family, stopped caring about the crap that I've been putting into my body (and it shows)... the list could go on and on. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3gjv2z4j3EyVNNcN-N6FpalPG9h4iU_rDJwRe1w2Omt_25agPu-4o3RHJ-PeF_c13UcmxoyH_SUYiODTIsuJ2cOcgZ5mH4Yx3q56OLWPUVyTyRbzoAGHltNDh2if1H1EpU9reKx8ESU/s1600/EL+Mascara2.jpg"><br /></a>Basically, for the past couple of years I have been settling into this worn-down, no-energy-for-anything, all-consuming blahness... and I want to change that.<br /><br />Sure, I have a lot on my plate. Husband, kids, mortgage, school projects, daycare kids, building my crochet business, breakfast, lunch, dinner, cleaning, laundry, bills, landscaping, painting... this list could go on and on, too. But when it comes right down to it... <span style="font-style: italic;">this</span> is my EVERYDAY LOVE! <span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">This </span>is what I always prayed for. My beautiful family. A beautiful <span style="font-style: italic;">home</span>, beautiful children, a loving, hard-working husband. I have to remember that this is what God has called me to do! <span style="font-style: italic;">This is my job!</span> I have to remember that when I get frustrated at the mundane, crappy, everyday chores, discipline and unpleasantness.<br /><br />I remember, as an emotional teenager... my mom was "ranting" at me about picking up my laundry and doing my own wash... "Do you think I enjoy this? Doing YOUR laundry everyday? Doing everything else for everyone else?"<br /><br />My snotty teenage response (under my breath, of course) was "Well, it <span style="font-style: italic;">is your job!" </span>Why was she getting mad at me for the life she chose? As a mother and wife - she stayed at home and that was supposed to be <span style="font-style: italic;">her</span> job. She CHOSE to live her life that way.<br /><br />And then I grew up and had kids of my own... and now I find myself "ranting" at my kids. I hear myself stressing at them... the very same words my mother did to me. Now, though... I also hear my inner spoiled teenager grumbling that same response.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">This</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>is the life <span style="font-style: italic;">I</span> prayed and asked God for.<br />I'm choosing to be aware, and diligent and thankful for this Everyday Love that he's given me!<br /></div>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607402448915958365.post-11180386262163823092010-04-08T08:22:00.000-07:002010-04-08T08:37:40.220-07:00i "heart"... thursday 4/8/10<center><a href="http://www.youandmeplusthree.com/"><img alt="" src="http://www.preshwebdesign.com/images/heartbutton1.png" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">It's been a couple of weeks since I last participated, so I think it's time I jump back in! I have found myself going through my days saying, "Oh, I can "heart" that"! I need to start carrying a pen and pad around with me to keep track because there are too many for me to remember in my noggin'!<br /><br />i "heart"... that Brooklyn did an AWESOME job on her 4-H demonstration<br />(with only 24 hours of practice)<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">i "heart"... having a healthy family - colds and flu begone! (knock on wood)!!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">i "heart"... </span>9 hours of sleep for the past 3 nights!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">i "heart"... my coffee creamer<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">i "heart"... watching Emma jump on the trampoline!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">i "heart"... this beautiful spring weather!!!!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">i "heart"... being a child of the King!</span><br /></center>aka Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07010091646541166984noreply@blogger.com1