tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81002208697372568072024-03-19T02:27:03.038-07:00the girl who ate the kitchen sinkLorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-32476025999036982332015-03-22T06:26:00.000-07:002015-03-22T06:33:41.551-07:00A birthday letter to my sweetie Bean<center>
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She
has magic in her eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Do you see it? The wealth of
possibilities just bubbling over? She believes absolutely anything is
possible. She thinks I can do anything….and is just beginning to question
if I will be around forever.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She makes me want to wear a cape,
to sweep her away from any tough situation, to wrap her in my arms and keep her
safe. Everyday.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Today she turns six.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It sounds so trite to say that the
last 2,191 days have been blinked away, but it most definitely feels as though
they have. I blinked and she was born. I blinked and she could
walk. I turned around to cook dinner and she was talking. I stopped
for 15 minutes to help her brother with school work and she could sing, turn a
cartwheel (well…sort of) and swim. I ran to the grocery store and
she up and started Kindergarten. (damn grocery store)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Of course, what I’m neglecting
here, are the million hugs and “I love you, Mommys”. Each one of those is
etched into my soul and though they are fleeting – they are the most special
because they mean she feels loved, she feels cared for and respected.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So…without further adieu, here is a
quick note to my birthday girl:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<em>My Sweet Girl,</em><o:p></o:p></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">When
you were born, I was so taken by your dark hair and those chocolate eyes, I
couldn't bear to look away. I forced myself to let other people hold you,
if only to spread the joy that seeped from your pores.</em><o:p></o:p></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I
now find myself having a similar experience. While you have grown from a
helpless infant to an ‘I can do it’ toddling toddler to the independent
little treasure you are now, I have often held my breath, hoping I would know
when to hold your hand and when to stand behind you with a little push.</em><o:p></o:p></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">When
I look into your eyes, I see possibilities. You truly believe ANYTHING
can happen.</em><o:p></o:p></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">And
that is magic….</em></div>
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<em style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19.5pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">The kind of magic I will bottle and do my best to sprinkle
over you as you sleep each and every night. You can’t put a price on that
kind of faith in the world.</span></em></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">During
this last year, I have seen the most significant changes in you – more than
walking, more than talking….as these are tremendous milestones, they seem
rooted in the physical. What I am witnessing now is the growth of your
mind, of your heart. You are learning compassion and empathy. You
are learning to give, to hurt, and to be you.</em><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19.5pt; margin: 2.6rem; text-align: start;">
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">You
are a beautiful little soul Bean. From you I have learned patience, I
have experienced family, and I have evolved. I am a better person for
having you in my life.</em><o:p></o:p></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Happy,
Happy Birthday Baby Girl…..wishing you a million days that reflect the
possibilities you see.</em><o:p></o:p></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I
love you to the moon and back and every stop in between.</em><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19.5pt; margin: 2.6rem; text-align: start;">
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Love,
Mommy</em><o:p></o:p></div>
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<img alt="Lorie" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3kVnrizjwbsPovhB1mu2hf4iBSXHh6XdoNb_NmiEmzTYvJ7En9lP1bwRzEMwUYLP33HgvubOAdmjmsTLw5M4splB9Fte-Z-4AejedrlVcNZihsbHMBVcVYXr-cvGQNSKg-9MUbtLmOjy/s1600/sign.png" /></center>
Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-83335696066503120372013-07-12T06:56:00.001-07:002013-07-12T06:56:31.956-07:00A little catching upWow!! It's been four months since I've last written. I really had every intention of writing, but just didn't have the motivation. So...without further adieu...<br />
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My last entry was a letter to my sweet Bean for her fourth birthday. <br />
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Every year, she picks out what type of cake she wants for her birthday. It's a tradition that my Daddy passed on to my brother and me when we were little. So...it only seems appropriate that I pass along that tradition to my kiddos as well.<br />
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This year, Ellie's birthday fell on a Friday. That means that she would be a day care and that she needed to take her party to all of her friends in her class.<br />
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Fortunately, she wanted to bring cupcakes to her friends. Hot pink ones - to be exact. So...I obliged and created 24 mini cupcakes for her to take to school. Complete with spinkles, glitter and princess crowns.<br />
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You can see from the icing around her lips that she already sampled her sweet treat before all of her friends.<br />
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Now...we were hosting her family/friends birthday party on Sunday...two days later.<br />
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She decided that she wanted a Minnie cake for her birthday. The traditional Minnie cake pans were boring, so we decided to make a cake completely off the cuff.<br />
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I had to purchase a few new pans and start designing the cake. This is what I came up with:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEF4aSh-KrVbuv2bp4uLkz5yH5SzwOhnCHW04yyb_dPO7efQMXO-xQw3QW8Q4BiJcf9_J6sk23CkfGPsxdWd09X59VAZkdLvBQYTx-5e0Dt07LSEuKG2BXy60eWtSdTZGcgyZWzOZa-rJ/s1600/pans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEF4aSh-KrVbuv2bp4uLkz5yH5SzwOhnCHW04yyb_dPO7efQMXO-xQw3QW8Q4BiJcf9_J6sk23CkfGPsxdWd09X59VAZkdLvBQYTx-5e0Dt07LSEuKG2BXy60eWtSdTZGcgyZWzOZa-rJ/s320/pans.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
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Now...I don't do fondat. I'm not good at it and I find it to be incredibly frustrating.<br />
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So...I enlisted the other half of Double Dees bakery...and her mom. :)<br />
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I made the cakes earlier in the week, so all that we needed to do on Saturday was decorate the cake with buttercream icing and marshmallow fondant.<br />
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Now...as you can see from the pan picture, there were three levels to this cake. The bottom level consisted of three layers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHwxcXSs2cQoI7FCEz61MNlypcAFnAWNxHUPOnqPDdkkwU2wx3aaOXjzLSX93SROwu9XK04bOOGjSzHum418jApIDU9GrW8kUlMWN8yZg2EaNOydGZdWiNeccoFvennmKwO0Ed2waE-NA/s1600/cake+and+icing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHwxcXSs2cQoI7FCEz61MNlypcAFnAWNxHUPOnqPDdkkwU2wx3aaOXjzLSX93SROwu9XK04bOOGjSzHum418jApIDU9GrW8kUlMWN8yZg2EaNOydGZdWiNeccoFvennmKwO0Ed2waE-NA/s320/cake+and+icing.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZuy4HgNWRujelXMyD0s4zBUgW3v7xnFyKXw6svGvXMyfax9HKa8kVaxMwQF-N7AhDVMCg_onNSzUC1FNbfArVgGQA2Nunhe6aVYIXNaMKGjMLrATWiVqK00nA3oI6LagDMxNP-npVYS4/s1600/smooth+finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZuy4HgNWRujelXMyD0s4zBUgW3v7xnFyKXw6svGvXMyfax9HKa8kVaxMwQF-N7AhDVMCg_onNSzUC1FNbfArVgGQA2Nunhe6aVYIXNaMKGjMLrATWiVqK00nA3oI6LagDMxNP-npVYS4/s320/smooth+finish.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
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And before you can even think about applying fondant, you have to make sure that your buttercream icing is smooth.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboggOXUiWb0HZGq8J8OeKxzC6IPEq2JwSeGABiFQdaOl_6INKY-Eenn-VuVic09e0sXvqM015C5XZ6GrSjvk_dFVoTje9FADJyCz4XLo-37kMhwF_SHLdPNr9xmjjlAmQWHyFHE3IMuw0/s1600/cake+and+fondant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboggOXUiWb0HZGq8J8OeKxzC6IPEq2JwSeGABiFQdaOl_6INKY-Eenn-VuVic09e0sXvqM015C5XZ6GrSjvk_dFVoTje9FADJyCz4XLo-37kMhwF_SHLdPNr9xmjjlAmQWHyFHE3IMuw0/s320/cake+and+fondant.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
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After we got the bottom layer finished, we started stacking the additional layers. <br />
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The second layer consisted of a small, square cake - covered in zebra print sugar sheets. To be honest, I probably should have made the zebra stripes out of black fondant. The sheets were a pain in the butt.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVHRy_UN3oAHeD9u3_6V6DIIBmWamhlu1AyEnK968K_PxZ3IX5xxGcVkJJjUeBDEOjfL5YJXXti7-F5msL66duIJlyL7nCyMF8Wc95ps0BIMAGCmAxpyWY-bcMahku3gaa6EMY_QpHyVS/s1600/two+levels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVHRy_UN3oAHeD9u3_6V6DIIBmWamhlu1AyEnK968K_PxZ3IX5xxGcVkJJjUeBDEOjfL5YJXXti7-F5msL66duIJlyL7nCyMF8Wc95ps0BIMAGCmAxpyWY-bcMahku3gaa6EMY_QpHyVS/s320/two+levels.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
Now...it was time to add Minnie's signature head. And...add a few finishing touches to the second level.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6pGxMNzSsaIys0WXs7j8XUsuBddoHKRbhAO4z-D5DUlcZE1aETJVHPLdoFBQvxpEBrxuSG9DrHHdZPMPe-NrJa-b0U5JQVl9o-4lQxmcr-neCq-FbF-Zku1JqRjAynjGskS6RxUihTo-/s1600/three+levels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6pGxMNzSsaIys0WXs7j8XUsuBddoHKRbhAO4z-D5DUlcZE1aETJVHPLdoFBQvxpEBrxuSG9DrHHdZPMPe-NrJa-b0U5JQVl9o-4lQxmcr-neCq-FbF-Zku1JqRjAynjGskS6RxUihTo-/s320/three+levels.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
Finally, after six hours of working on this cake, it was finally finished.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJolhE9338xJGBZmVggnsbSQibifY-D-CkbefCksRlsp5oH7ihUVI5CCPLqDQ12yg1FAYt-uHRrJuzKN9_h26uCyyURHIsvV5ZI_32iYKeVWDKJB6zB6kjQx6hvxi5mlbwDWoxmW8SMkMS/s1600/Minnie+Cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJolhE9338xJGBZmVggnsbSQibifY-D-CkbefCksRlsp5oH7ihUVI5CCPLqDQ12yg1FAYt-uHRrJuzKN9_h26uCyyURHIsvV5ZI_32iYKeVWDKJB6zB6kjQx6hvxi5mlbwDWoxmW8SMkMS/s320/Minnie+Cake.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2S621rILf8AZ7dlek22F9SwmEn0dUY1Cnz4ozGZSGDOhjuLEuDgzmo2f2I7EeqWfMZp7C4sKoyu7HXM8jr7jv7FdwO4Kca07wVOw_FCURaNTzSUwO8Bn5eLp1z-CZB1uTeFeSNtNoda-/s1600/minnie+cake+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2S621rILf8AZ7dlek22F9SwmEn0dUY1Cnz4ozGZSGDOhjuLEuDgzmo2f2I7EeqWfMZp7C4sKoyu7HXM8jr7jv7FdwO4Kca07wVOw_FCURaNTzSUwO8Bn5eLp1z-CZB1uTeFeSNtNoda-/s320/minnie+cake+2.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
Whew! Thank goodness! That was one crazy cake to create, but the Bean loved it and was her face says it all.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYXCuCnMNkYUeovgjNEM6CzBUkQVgKrgd_9nO6xta2H05lvVopVwMMwcvze4hJO3RFYmYAlutaTUksuFumKOeX6FgAU3LRxVoT9XX-y6iw5bay-J3g-3w59DRCXILcd8jN2KMjq74R7Jy/s1600/ellie+and+her+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYXCuCnMNkYUeovgjNEM6CzBUkQVgKrgd_9nO6xta2H05lvVopVwMMwcvze4hJO3RFYmYAlutaTUksuFumKOeX6FgAU3LRxVoT9XX-y6iw5bay-J3g-3w59DRCXILcd8jN2KMjq74R7Jy/s320/ellie+and+her+cake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Happy birthday Bean! Until next year...xoxo<br />
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<center><img alt="Lorie" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3kVnrizjwbsPovhB1mu2hf4iBSXHh6XdoNb_NmiEmzTYvJ7En9lP1bwRzEMwUYLP33HgvubOAdmjmsTLw5M4splB9Fte-Z-4AejedrlVcNZihsbHMBVcVYXr-cvGQNSKg-9MUbtLmOjy/s1600/sign.png" /></center>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-79132778086025807562013-03-22T05:18:00.000-07:002013-03-22T05:18:07.541-07:00A letter to my Ellie Bean on her fourth birthday<div style="text-align: left;">
To my sweet Ellie Bean,</div>
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Today you turn four years old. For months, you’ve been talking about your birthday. You’ve been telling everyone everywhere we go that it’s your birthday soon; at the store, at the bank, at the Y, and even while we were picking up mommy's medicine at the pharmacy. You happily exclaim that "Your birthday is in March!" Your excitement about your big day is pretty charming.</div>
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Almost Four</div>
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I don't know if you know this, but you’ve done a lot of growing up this year. You’re leaving the shell of your toddler years behind and you’re headed straight into kid territory. It’s kind of terrifying and exciting all at once.</div>
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As a mom, there’s this small side of me tangled up in emotions about the reality that most of your life lived so far you’ll never remember when you’re my age. And that’s kind of sad when I think about it. All the cuddles we’ve shared and giggles we’ve delighted in, you won’t remember when you’re older. Some of the best moments of my life shared with you, won’t really be a part of your memories.</div>
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One year</div>
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On the other hand, a few moments when I’ve really blown it, you may not remember those either. Like the time you decided to get into my vanity and splatter-paint our bathroom floor with seven different colors of nail polish. Oh yeah...flourescent pink, orange and green; midnight blue with sparkles, red, purple and of course...shocking pink. You were playing so quietly in your room while I was doing dishes after our day out together. I remember Lucas walking down the stairs and telling me that I "had to come upstairs"...now. I was surprised to smell nail polish in the middle of the staircase. I was shocked to see that it looked like someone took enormous amounts of paint and went all Vincent VanGogh all over the floor.</div>
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Ellie Van Gogh's Artwork</div>
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I should’ve laughed and grabbed a camera for one unforgettable picture (actually...I took a picture with my phone, but not until HOURS later), but instead I was frustrated and ticked-off. It was such a huge mess and I'm pretty sure that I was high from the toxic fumes of nail polish remover for three days. Truly, that was not one of my finer moments in parenting: scrubbing dried nail polish off of a linoleum floor with nail polish remover while you cried your eyes out. I’ve found comfort in thinking and hoping that maybe you’ll never remember that moment.</div>
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But now you’re four, and you’re bound to remember things. After all, I remember a lot of things when I was four: I remember climbing up onto a mantle and jumping off of it - landing on a brick, breaking my toe.</div>
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I remember my Dad decorating the best Wilton cakes for our birthdays. It was incredible to watch him transform those cakes into works of art. To this day, it is one of my best memories. Hands down.</div>
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I remember riding Mr. Banana-Man on the sidewalk in front of our condo with Uncle Kyle. Actually...I think that he was riding Mr. Banana-Man and I was pushing him with all of my might - praying that he didn't fall off and get hurt.</div>
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I remember curling up in my Mom's lap - just so that I could be near her. I always thought that I would remember the way her heartbeat sounded and the way that she smelled. While I can't remember those things, I do remember what it felt like to be wrapped up in her arms and to feel her unconditional love. </div>
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Which makes me think, Ellie, that you’re about to do the same. At four years old, you’re going to remember some of these memories that we’re making right now – you’ll be able to recall details, like what you were wearing when you took a fall, or if your dad helped you pick out your birthday pan or if I responded in a way that made you feel loved and cared for.</div>
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Of course, there are memories that you and I have shared that are already impacting your world view, and they will continue to do so for the rest of your life, but it is unlikely that you’ll be able to recall the tiny details of those memories. Instead, like small candles, they cast a glow over your view of self and the world.</div>
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I hope I’ve been a good steward of your heart, so far, little dove. I hope I’ve lit good candles in your life. It’s my prayer. I breathe it out with a sigh every time I see you sleeping soundly in your bed (or Lucas'). The remnants of the tiny cherub-baby I held in my arms for the first time when I gave birth to you, me - overcome with love and crying uncontrollably till someone asked me if I was okay. That baby is still there in my arms. I see her in the corners of your mouth, in the tips of your fingers, in the way your arms fold around your face when you sleep.</div>
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The other night, when I was pondering all of this: the memories I’m leaving on the hearts of my children, I was absent mindedly getting Lucas ready for his shower. I was thinking about this coming of age that you’re in and how much I hope to do you both right. Exactly as I was thinking those thoughts, Lucas wrapped his arms around me, put his hand over my heart and said, “I know. I know.”</div>
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I gasped audibly and looked at him like a ghost had just spoken. How did he know?</div>
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Leave it to your spirited big brother to speak to me like a prophet about my own mothering.</div>
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Someday, when you’re a mother, you’ll know this to be true: the child is the prophet and the mother is the disciple.</div>
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I promise you, it is true.</div>
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But you’re not a mother just yet. At four years old, you’re in the cradle of childhood. I hope that you enjoy it all. I hope that I can help you gather up each carefree lesson of the day, and that you’ll enjoy the innocent happiness of your youth. I hope that I will help fill your years with insightful and beautiful memories.</div>
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I pray that I’m a good steward of your love, of your childhood, of your innocence. I pray this for you, I pray this for myself, on your fourth birthday, my sweet and dearest Ellie Bean.</div>
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With all the love a heart can hold,</div>
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Momma</center>
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Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-31281786598946315452013-03-08T12:24:00.001-08:002013-03-08T12:24:18.663-08:00Finding my groove...he was wearing orange<div align="left">
My emotions have been on a roller coaster today. I've been frustrated, down-right pissed, humbled and loved. And that was all within an hour!</div>
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My morning started off busy as usual - fifteen projects to complete without enough money, time and resources. And that's at my 7:30 - 4:30 big girl job.</div>
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Unfortunately, I was sent over the edge by a company that I did some freelance work for. I designed a marketing piece and created a branding standards manual, submitted the files and have heard crickets from the company. No response, no "I hate your work", no payment...nothing. Zilch. Nada. Zip. </div>
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Um....ain't nobody got time to work for free! Pay me.</div>
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Anyway. I decided that I was going to go for a run to work off some of my frustration.</div>
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I headed over to the Huber Heights YMCA and hit the track. </div>
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While I was warming-up, I noticed a group from Montgomery County MRDD start walking on the track also. The coordinator that was with them made sure to keep everyone in a single file and along the railing.</div>
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During the middle of my run, I still hadn't found my groove. I was struggling, out of breath and thought that I was going to die. As I ran past the group, the gentleman at the front of the line gave me a thumbs up and the biggest smile ever - like I was winning an important race. </div>
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It was at this particular moment that I found my groove - he was on the track wearing a flourescent orange shirt and smiling at me.</div>
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I couldn't help but reach out and hold his hand - even if it was only for a brief second. I wanted him to know that his act of kindness didn't go unnoticed. </div>
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I'm not sure what his name is or what part of town he is from, but I want it to be known that he made a difference in my life. </div>
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In today's world, we use the word "retarded" so flippantly. Do you think that those individuals that use it actually know it's true meaning and definition? </div>
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To let it be known...I DESPISE that word. It's offensive when using it to describe someone or a situation. It makes you look ignorant when you use that word, so please...stop.</div>
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Each person has his or her own unique abilities. That's what make us all different, beautiful and quite frankly...US.</div>
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The man out on the track today didn't see differences between me and him. He saw an opportunity to show me compassion and seized it. Little did he know that I needed it at that exact moment.</div>
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You never know what struggles other people are facing, what battles they are enduring or what's going on in their life. Fortunately, LOVE is a universal language that we all speak and can understand.</div>
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So...thank you. Thank you for showing me love and compassion today when I wasn't able to give it to myself. Thank you for showing me that the way to inspire can be as simple as a thumbs up and a smile. And thank you...for allowing me to share your gift to the world.</div>
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When I grow up, I hope that I am able to touch the lives and hearts of those around me like you did to me today.</div>
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So...until we meet again on the track, this is adieu. xoxo</div>
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<img alt="Lorie" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3kVnrizjwbsPovhB1mu2hf4iBSXHh6XdoNb_NmiEmzTYvJ7En9lP1bwRzEMwUYLP33HgvubOAdmjmsTLw5M4splB9Fte-Z-4AejedrlVcNZihsbHMBVcVYXr-cvGQNSKg-9MUbtLmOjy/s1600/sign.png" /></div>
Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-80825285995498047172013-03-04T05:40:00.003-08:002013-03-04T09:00:39.395-08:00Beans, beans good for the heart...and chocolate chip muffins!<div align="left">
Yesterday, I hosted a 31 Gifts party. My girlfriend decided to sign up as a rep and sent me a text asking if I would host a party for her. Umm....OKAY!!!! I heart 31 bags - they are so practical and useful. And because this is my blog and I can do whatever I want, I'm totally going to shameless plug my party. lol. If you would like to place an order, here is the link:</div>
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<a href="https://www.mythirtyone.com/shop/catalog.aspx?eventId=E2911497&from=DIRECTLINK" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.mythirtyone.com/<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>shop/<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>catalog.aspx?eventId=E2911497&f<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>rom=DIRECTLINK</a></div>
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Anyway.</div>
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I decided to make all of my guests test pilots for a new recipe that I wanted to try. (Don't worry...they thanked me later)</div>
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A few weeks ago I had a Vegan Mini Chocolate Chip Muffin that was to die for! It was made from garbanzo beans! I know...I couldn't believe it either. It just melted in my mouth and tasted like gooey cookie dough.</div>
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So...I decided that I wanted to make them. Fortunately, everybody <em>loved</em> them! Thank goodness...it could have been awkward if people were getting sick and spitting them out into my trash can.</div>
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The recipe came from Veg News (<a href="http://www.vegnews.com/">www.vegnews.com</a>). Just in case you don't want to head over to their site, the recipe is below:</div>
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<strong>WW Points +</strong><br />
<strong>3 per mini muffin</strong><br />
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1/2 cup quick-cooking oats<br />
1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed<br />
2 tablespoons applesauce<br />
1-1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil<br />
1/2 tablespoon vanilla<br />
1/4 teaspoon baking soda<br />
1/4 teaspoon salt<br />
1 teaspoon baking powder<br />
3/4 cup brown sugar<br />
1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips <br />
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<strong>Directions</strong><br />
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1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease mini-muffin pan or cookie sheet. In a food processor, process oats, garbanzo beans, applesauce, vegetable oil, vanilla, baking soda, salt, baking powder, and brown sugar until completely smooth.<br />
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2. In a medium bowl, combine batter and chocolate chips. Into mini-muffin pan, scoop dough. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before removing from muffin pan.<br />
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Makes 24 mini-muffins</div>
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Now...just in case you are like me (a complete visual), here are a few pictures of my process. And really...it's okay to drool. </div>
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I don't have a food processor, so I used my blender </div>
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The processed dough and chocolate chips </div>
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Waiting for the oven to preheat. I really should follow the directions. </div>
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Ta-da! Finished muffins!</div>
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Seriously...you should make yourself some. They are delicious in your mouth.<br />
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<img alt="Lorie" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3kVnrizjwbsPovhB1mu2hf4iBSXHh6XdoNb_NmiEmzTYvJ7En9lP1bwRzEMwUYLP33HgvubOAdmjmsTLw5M4splB9Fte-Z-4AejedrlVcNZihsbHMBVcVYXr-cvGQNSKg-9MUbtLmOjy/s1600/sign.png" /></center>
Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-13507070046581037132013-01-25T07:45:00.000-08:002013-01-28T08:12:40.451-08:00Star Wars Cookies<div align="left">
Truth be told, I cannot <i>wait </i>for this weekend to be over! Not gonna lie...I'm a little Star Wars'd out.</div>
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On Wednesday, my mom, Ellie and I made buttercrisp cut-out cookies. I have to admit...they were pretty BA. We used my Grandma Gert's recipe, rolled out the dough and cut out almost six dozen Storm Troopers, Yodas, Darth Vaders and Boba Fetts.<br />
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Even though they are super adorable as is...I couldn't leave them unfrosted.</div>
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So...last night I put myself through sheer torture.</div>
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I whipped up a batch of royal icing, divided all of the icing up into six different air tight containers, tinted the icing, and began my five hour adventure.</div>
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Oh...that's right. It took me five hours to frost those buggars.</div>
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But...it was all a labor of love for the birthday boy.<br />
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I have to admit. I'm pretty bad ass. I mean...the cookies turned out pretty amazeballs. Don't ya think?<br />
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<img alt="Lorie" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3kVnrizjwbsPovhB1mu2hf4iBSXHh6XdoNb_NmiEmzTYvJ7En9lP1bwRzEMwUYLP33HgvubOAdmjmsTLw5M4splB9Fte-Z-4AejedrlVcNZihsbHMBVcVYXr-cvGQNSKg-9MUbtLmOjy/s1600/sign.png" /></center>
Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-31475674540970962432013-01-24T08:27:00.004-08:002013-01-24T08:27:56.719-08:00Double Dees Bakery...Pun Intended<div align="left">
January is the month of Lucas....my not-so-little-anymore prince.</div>
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He recently turned the big seven on January 13th. I know...I say the same thing! I'm not old enough to have a seven year old! And oh...aren't you sweet, but I already know that I don't look 35!</div>
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Anyway. Enough about how young and adorable I am. Back to Lucas.</div>
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Like any seven year old his age, he is <em>obsessed</em> with Star Wars. </div>
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So when it came time to ask him what kind of cake he wanted for his birthday, it was a no-brainer - R2-D2. Everyone's favorite and lovable Droid.</div>
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You see, I make Wilton cakes for birthdays. It's a tradition that my Dad started when my brother and I were little. He would spend hours upon hours picking the perfect pan, baking the cakes (my Mom actually did that part), and decorating them to perfection with what seemed to be millions of tiny stars.</div>
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It's a tradition that I fell in love with and was eager to pass on to my kiddos. It's a special moment to have your child pick out their own pan, make an amazing cake and give a piece of art and yourself to your child for his/her special day.</div>
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Unfortunately, Wilton stopped making the R2-D2 cake pan in 1980. It's now selling on eBay for a small fortune.</div>
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So...my sister-in-law and I decided that we could make our own 3-D, R2-D2 cake...and ROCK it!</div>
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I made four double-chocolate fudge cakes in two 6x3 Wilton pans during the week. After the cakes cooled, I wrapped them in saran wrap and stuck them in the freezer.</div>
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I also used Wilton's ball cake pan in order to make the top of R2-D2's head. So...all in all, there were five cakes that were made.</div>
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Meredith (SIL) came over on the Saturday before the family party and we got to work - making three different types of buttercream icing, construcing a stable design to stack the cakes on, and making rice krispie treats for his legs.</div>
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And by the way...we are both <em>messy </em>bakers. This is what my kitchen looked like as we started this adventure.</div>
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This is the rest of the process....<br />
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And after five and a half grueling hours....R2-D2 was complete.<br />
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Lucas and Aunt Meredith</div>
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Lucas and Me!</div>
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And finally...Double Dees Bakery!</center>
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So there you have it...our first 3-D cake that was a complete work of art that we could share with the birthday boy.</div>
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Happy birthday sweetie boy! Love you to the moon and back!</div>
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P.S. Still wondering about our bakery name? My maiden name is Dees and Meredith married my brother - so, she's the new Dees. Get it? Double Dees Bakery?! Buahahahaha! </div>
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Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-54657959383037103432013-01-16T07:20:00.002-08:002013-01-17T05:08:00.345-08:00Oh...can it!<div align="left">
Within the past few years, I've had a small obsession with canning.</div>
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I remember my Grandma Bea canning everything from her garden - green beans, pickles, and the like. The ball jars lined an earthy ledge in her cellar. As a matter of fact, I would be willing to be that she still has green beans from 1982!</div>
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Unfortunately, I am not gifted when it comes to the world of food. I know, I know. You totally wouldn't know that by looking at me. lol</div>
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I have a tendency to burn water, turn homemade yellow cake into cornbread and generally screw up anything that I try to cook or bake.</div>
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However, Justin got me an amazing gift for Christmas - one that I had put on my list a few years prior but never received. (Probably because he knows that I would mess everything up. Good thinking on his part)</div>
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I received a Ball canning set for beginners, a collapsable funnel and a jar gripper (to pull the hot jars out of the boiling water).</div>
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Now...this may not sound exciting, but I was all sorts of giddy! There are so many things that I can make and preserve!</div>
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So...I put my abilities to the test last night - I made homemade no added sugar apple butter and preserved it!</div>
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To be completely transparent, I made it for my mom for her birthday (which is on Friday). The girl that has everything is receiving homemade apple butter and freshly baked bread (by me, of course!) for her big day! I mean really...who doesn't love delicious food?!</div>
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And just in case you want the how to's of this delicious recipe, they are listed <a href="http://thegirlwhoatethekitchensink.blogspot.com/p/recipes.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-80105820809684915372013-01-14T07:11:00.000-08:002013-01-14T07:17:23.374-08:00A letter to my sweetie boy for his birthday: Seven is a big deal!<center>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wWBf9cO58K0/UPQePjJsLJI/AAAAAAAAAi4/LFBuX3JhK04/s1600/Lucas+Nicu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" jea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wWBf9cO58K0/UPQePjJsLJI/AAAAAAAAAi4/LFBuX3JhK04/s200/Lucas+Nicu.jpg" width="200" /></a>My Dearest Lucas,</div>
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Yesterday was your birthday. The big seven! I won't scar you with too many details of our first meeting, but I can tell you that even though it was a rough beginning for both of us (your dad, Eema and the medical staff too), it still melts my heart thinking about you and hearing your "cry" for the first time.</div>
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You have brought me nothing but pure joy since that very first moment. Watching you grow, absorbing the world around you, inquisitive and delighted to learn, I’m reminded each day of the treasure you bring into my world.<br />
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As all mothers do, I have goals, dreams and wishes for you. I have, as you can imagine, dozens of them, but on this seventh anniversary of our first moment together, I will limit myself to the seven that I wish for most.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mhb-SIzPJxY/UPQeQqJv80I/AAAAAAAAAjI/GcueXML-MVo/s1600/lucas+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" jea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mhb-SIzPJxY/UPQeQqJv80I/AAAAAAAAAjI/GcueXML-MVo/s200/lucas+and+me.jpg" width="149" /></a><em> I wish for the kind heart</em> <em>I see you in now to stay firmly in place</em>. Keep it, nurture it, handle it with care. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you are too sensitive. You are the first to hold your sister’s hand when she is scared, the first to run for the ice pack when someone is hurt, the first to tell me that you love me when you see that I am upset. The best part of my day is the joy infused by your smile, your hugs, the tender way you put your hand on my face or suddenly say, “Mommy, how was YOUR day?” I couldn’t live without your affection and kindness.</div>
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<em>Don’t ever apologize for who you are, for what you want, for how hard you have worked or where you are going in life.</em> I don’t doubt you will work hard, but I can already see signs that you are quick to apologize, to back down. <em>Don’t.</em> You have learned this from me and I wish I could take it back. Stand your ground, be proud of you. Do not live to make others happy or to measure up to someone else’s expectations. Be Lucas. This is enough.</div>
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<em>Be a student. Be a teacher.</em> Learn at every opportunity. Read. Be inquisitive. Ask. And when you know something and know it well – teach others. Do not hoard your knowledge, your gifts – share them. There is inherent beauty in being both student and teacher. It is a gift to learn and a privilege to teach. After all, you teach me something new every day.<br />
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<em>I wish you wins and losses, trophies and empty shelves.</em> As much as I would love to see you succeed in everything you do… as much as I believe in your gifts, I must wish you challenges. For it is within the losses, the 3rd, 4th and 5th places, and the failures that your character will be built. It is my job, as your mom, to do my best to guide you through these moments. If everything was to be easy for you, you would be ill-prepared for the ‘real’ world. I promise you, life is not always easy.<br />
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<em>Your dreams: do them.</em> Your heart: follow it. Your family: treasure them. Your friends: be loyal to them. Your fears: embrace them and allow them to make you stronger. The money you earn: respect it. Your passion: LIVE IT.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--abC36OolDg/UPQeRFXgU8I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/Ml7uz6Vl9NI/s1600/lucas+bunny+ears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" jea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--abC36OolDg/UPQeRFXgU8I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/Ml7uz6Vl9NI/s320/lucas+bunny+ears.jpg" width="320" /></a><em>Seek joy. </em>Every single day, find something that makes you happy and do it. Be it big or small – an act of kindness, listening to a song you love, calling a friend, watching the Browns with your dad - it quite simply doesn’t matter. What matters is that you spend a portion of each day smiling and laughing. You have such a beautiful smile and a belly laugh that I love to hear. And for the record, even when you think that I'm not watching or listening, I am. Those moments bring joy to my heart, tears to my eyes, and a smile to my face. Thank you.</div>
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And my ‘one to grow on’ -<em> I wish to be here for each of your moments</em>…. to keep you on track.</div>
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Lucas, you are what bliss looks like in a little boy. You are dirty and messy, you snuggle and love me. I melt when you say, “I haven’t had my hugs and kisses yet today, Mommy” or "Huggie!" I adore that you need to be all sprawled out in your bed at night in order to sleep. I love it that you still sleep with Bear, Snoodle, and Smokey. I will never forget your need for a story before bed, how you still love to snuggle with me and how a good dance-a-thon can bring out the sillies in all of us.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y3yYku0Z2u0/UPQePQhmuyI/AAAAAAAAAi0/c7mPizTvXtQ/s1600/Lucas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" jea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y3yYku0Z2u0/UPQePQhmuyI/AAAAAAAAAi0/c7mPizTvXtQ/s200/Lucas.jpg" width="133" /></a>And nothing gets to me more than hearing you say, “I love you, Mommy”. Thank you, my sweetie boy – for picking me to be your mommy. There is nothing better in this world.</div>
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I will <em><strong>always</strong></em> love you, my buddy.</div>
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Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-89375075932182868732012-12-03T12:13:00.001-08:002012-12-03T12:13:27.333-08:00We adopted an elf<div align="left">
On November 30th, we became the proud parents of an...elf. Emily the Elf...to be exact.</div>
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She showed up on our doorstop in a brown kraft paper bag with purple ribbon and festive red and green tissue paper that cloaked a magical gift from Santa.</div>
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You see...Emily is on a very special assignment. Santa sent her especially to our family so that she could report back to him every night on Lucas and Ellie's behavior that day. Each night she flies back to the North Pole to relay our family's information to the "big guy". I mean...how else is he going to know whether to put the kiddos on the <em>Nice List </em>or the <em>Naughty List</em>.</div>
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She even came with a book that we loved reading together.</div>
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We learned lots of things about Emily. For starters, you can't touch her - she might lose her magic if you do. And let me be clear when I say that in no way shape or form should you touch her. Ellie almost had a cow just at the thought of me having to move Emily off of the syrup bottle with my hands. That's right...all out panic mode - full of crying and irrational bouts of how Emily won't be able to return to the North Pole, how Santa will never know that she's <em>awesomesauce</em>, blah....blah....blah.</div>
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Secondly, Emily thinks that she is hilarious. </div>
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You see, every morning, she hides in a new location than the previous night. She does this to make sure that you know that she's watching...<em>always watching</em>.</div>
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Nothing spectacular happened the first night that we got her. She sat perched on our mantle in the living room.</div>
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When Saturday morning rolled around and she was still in the same spot - Ellie started asking questions. Dammit! Why didn't that crazy elf move????!!!!!</div>
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Fortunately, she decided to get off her ass Saturday night and fly back to the North Pole. Sunday morning arrived and the kiddos flew down the stairs to see if she was still sitting above the fireplace.</div>
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Thank God that she wasn't there. lol</div>
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Lucas was too tired to look for her and Ellie decided that she wanted pancakes for breakfast.</div>
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So...like any amazing mom, I asked Ellie to pull the syrup out of the fridge. This is what she found when she opened the door:</div>
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What came next were full belly laughs and excited chatter about how Emily was drinking maple syrup and in the fridge. <em>Magic I tell you...it's amazing.</em><br />
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Unfortunately, the kiddo's jovial spirit didn't last. They became grumpy, lost their listening skills and were generally...little terrors. <br />
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So...this morning, Emily left them a little message<br />
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Now seriously...I would <em>totally</em> be good if my elf spelled it out for me - in M&M's!!!!<br />
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The babes got a kick out of her message and the fact that she spilled an entire bag of M's on the counter.<br />
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Silly kiddos. And elf. Can't forget the elf. lol<br />
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So...now we're on to day three. I wonder what will be in store for us tomorrow? Something fun, creative and clever - no doubt.<br />
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Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-45811116423418316772012-11-28T12:51:00.001-08:002012-11-28T12:55:28.239-08:00Getting my groove back<div align="left">
Holy cow! Where has this month gone?!?! I feel like November completely flew by and the holidays (meaning Christmas and my birthday) are already upon us. </div>
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Sometime in November, I decided to recommit to myself. In my mind, that meant getting in the running groove again, paying attention to what I'm putting in my pie hole and generally just getting back into a healthy groove.</div>
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I did really well for my recommittment week and then the week leading up to Thanksgiving. Then all hell broke loose.</div>
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I started out counting my points on Wednesday - the day before we celebrated everything that we were thankful for during the year. </div>
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At 1:00 in the am, Lucas ran into our room screaming, "I B-A-R-F-E-D!!!!!!!" Like any sick and pathetic six year old would do. That one small event was the game changer.</div>
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By the time that 10:00 am rolled around on Thanksgiving day, Justin and I had been up for 24 hours, washed roughly 12 blankets, gave Lucas a shower and was just plain cranky.</div>
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Thank goodness that we cleaned the majority of our house the week prior.</div>
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Anway. Lucas was sick and miserable until Friday. Which is no good, because that just means that Ellie is going to get it at some point.</div>
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And that my friends is exactly what happened.</div>
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At 2:00 am on Saturday morning, Ellie started with the incessant puking.</div>
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Again, another sleepless night, laundry at all hours of the morning and two cranky parents.</div>
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I'll spare you the details, but the bug ran rampant through our house. *sigh*</div>
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Fortunately, it helped tame my temptation to over induldge at Thanksgiving and the days after. Although I'm not going to lie...I did put away almost an entire cherry pie. Mmmmm.......pie.</div>
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Needless to say, I was a little nervous about checking in at the Fat Farm today. I mean, I didn't count points for a week, I ate a cherry pie <em>and</em> woofed down a 3 Musketeers yesterday. And might I add that it was the best 3 Musketeers....<em>ever!</em></div>
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Anyway.</div>
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I went to the meeting today and weighed in. To my surprise, I lost 1 pound! I can't even describe how excited I am to be back on the losing streak. </div>
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Normally, I would be all sorts of bent out of shape about losing only one pound, but this picture totally puts it into perspective.</div>
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With today's weigh-in, I've lost a total of 21.7 pounds. </div>
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Not only am I ridiculously proud of myself, but I feel so much healthier. Plus...I have a race to train for in April.</div>
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................gotta run!</div>
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Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-56092959906047192072012-11-19T11:55:00.001-08:002012-11-20T06:39:53.434-08:00Iced Pumpkin CookiesOkay...so as you know, I signed up for a cookie exchange on the SITS Girls forum of bloggers. <br />
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I decided that I wanted to try something different this time instead of making traditional chocolate chip cookies. According to Lucas, I should have stuck with Grandma Gert's chocolate chip cookie recipe.</div>
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Anyway. <br />
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I decided to make Iced Pumpkin cookies. These cookies remind me of fall. Our house smelled of spicy scents yesterday while I whipped up pumpkin, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg.</div>
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Lucas helped me mix the incredients and decided that mid-way through mixing the "dough" that he didn't want to try one. "Pumpkin just isn't his thing." Um.................it's a cookie. Who cares what it tastes like!</div>
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The dough was a little more like thickend cake batter and I for sure thought that I messed something up. I dolluped dough on my cookie sheets and baked for 20 minutes like instructed.</div>
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While I waited, Ellie helped me make the glaze. She actually tried eating it out of the bowl once it was finished. lol. And I would too. I mean...who <em>doesn't </em>love confectioner's sugar, milk, and vanilla all mixed together?</div>
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So...we pulled the cookies out when the timer went "ding" and we placed them on our cooling rack. After 15 minutes, the cookies were cool enough to drizzle with the glaze. This is how they turned out:</div>
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They ended up being more cake-like than cookie-like. These little buggars were super moist and soft with just the right hint of fall spices and sweetness.<br />
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I'm not going to lie...out of 36 cookies, Ellie ate four, Justin ate one, I ate one and Lucas smelled one and said, "I'm not eating this!" <br />
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I packaged them up so that I could get them <span style="font-family: inherit;">shipped</span> off to OR today, but when I checked on them before putting them in the box, they were soggy. :( The moisture from these bad boys was trapped in its container. So...I'll be taking my original box home and swapping them out for the cookies at home that I was going to save for Thanksgiving.<br />
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Oh well. Lesson learned - do not put these cookies in an air tight container. They will get soggy! Let them sit out on a plate for a day or two. I promise...they will still be moist and melt in your mouth.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Servings: </b>36</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Serving Size: </b>1 cookie </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Calories: </b>89</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Fat: </b>3.2 g </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Carbs: </b>14.1 g </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Fiber: </b>0.5 g</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Protein: </b>1.2 g</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Points</b>+: 2 pts</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here are your ingredients:</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 tsp. baking powder</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 tsp. baking soda</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 tsp. ground cinnamon</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/2 tsp. ground cloves</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/2 tsp. salt</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/2 cup light butter, softened</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 1/2 tsp. Stevia (or 1 1/2 cups sugar)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 cup canned pumpkin puree</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 egg</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 tsp. vanilla extract</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Glaze</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 cups confectioners' sugar</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">3 Tbsp milk</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 Tbsp melted light butter</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 tsp. vanilla extract</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves and salt; set aside. In a medium bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup of butter and Stevia (or sugar). Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 tsp. vanilla to butter mixture, and beat until creamy. Mix in dry ingredients. Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls; flatten slightly.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool cookies, then drizzle glaze with fork. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">To make the glaze, combine confectioners' sugar, milk, melted butter and 1 tsp. vanilla. Add milk as needed to achieve drizzling consistency. Enjoy! <b> </b> </span></span></div>
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Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-24885447985290810732012-11-16T08:44:00.003-08:002012-11-16T08:44:51.100-08:00The cookie exchange is here! The cookie exchange is here!<div align="left">
Okay...so here's the deal. I decided a while ago that I should start a blog. I would chronicle my weight loss challenge and be completely transparent in my road to gaining my health back.</div>
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For a while, I was a consistant blogger. I wrote something every week and wondered how in the world people blogged every day! I have a lot to talk about, but come on. </div>
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Then...I started to slack off. I'd write when I felt like it - which was almost never. lol. Then I found a little inspirtation on the <a href="http://www.thesitsgirls.com/" target="_blank">SITS Girls</a> website.</div>
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I find myself blogging more, getting involved and even participating in random conversations! I know...who am I?</div>
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Anyway...I noticed that the SITS Girls were having a huge upcoming event and I wanted to be a part of it - a Cookie Extravaganza! I mean really...who doesn't LOVE cookies???!!!!!</div>
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So...I took a chance and signed up. </div>
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Today, I received my email with my cookie exchange partner - the ever fabulous Sara Llyod from <a href="http://www.domesticallychallengedgrrl.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Undomestic Goddess</a>!! And yes folks...because I gave you her URL...you should totally check out her page! I'm sure that you can relate to what she's dishin' out - I know that I can. lol. I mean really...she had me at "Burning Water".</div>
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Anyway...we are participating in a cookie exchange together! I'm super excited to be exchanging cookies and recipes with a new friend from Oregon. Although...I'm pretty sure that poor Sara should be scared. We all know how well I cook and bake. </div>
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Fortunately for her, I'm not going to spoil the cookie fun here, but I promise to make something delicious (hopefully). I'll probably send nutrition facts too - and WW points values. Just in case.</div>
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Let's just hope that Grandma Gert's recipe comes through for me. It would be unfortunate to make my new friend sick - hmmmmm. </div>
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Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-86770924931225603472012-11-14T11:25:00.000-08:002012-11-14T11:25:12.140-08:00What are you thankful for today?<div align="left">
It's Wednesday, hump-day and day 14 of my "30 Days of Thanksgiving" project.</div>
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I decided to take a break today from all the <em>serious </em>posts and be thankful for something totally trivial - shopping. And not just any shopping my friends...Christmas shopping.</div>
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Recently, I've been on this kick about getting all of the kid's Christmas shopping finished and out of the way relatively early. And by early, I mean anytime before December 23rd. I mean...there's nothing like waiting until the last minute to shop, stressing out, missing shipping deadlines, finding yourself actually <em><strong>in</strong></em> a store fighting with people and then having to find solace in a bottle somewhere. Which in most instances, it's in the bathroom of the store that I'm in. Listen...don't knock airplane vodka until you try it. They make it pint sized for a reason.</div>
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Anyway. I accumulated $20 in Kohl's cash and decided to get Ellie's last present with it. I mean...I was going to Kohl's at lunch to purchase one item. It should have been a safe decision, right?</div>
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Fair Warning.......the holiday madness has already begun. </div>
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Thank goodness that I wasn't there to shop. I was there for one item and one item only: Gymnast Dora. </div>
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Ellie is all into gymnastics at the moment. And Dora. So...combine the two and you have a win-win Christmas present. Plus...I figured that if she doesn't like it, we'll just blame it on Santa.<br />
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Now...here's the best part of my trip. Originally, Gymnast Dora was $32.99. Ridiculous - I know. She was on sale for $23.09 - lucky me. I had $20 in Kohls cash, so Dora only cost $3 plus change!!! <br />
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I heart Kohls!<br />
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Anyway.<br />
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Like I said earlier, I'm thankful that I was able to finish up my Christmas shopping for the kiddos. I mean...if I waited any longer, it would have been a disaster. lol.<br />
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What are you thankful for today?<br />
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Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-1567882397467481602012-11-13T09:55:00.001-08:002012-11-13T09:55:26.149-08:00Day 13: Finally caught up<div align="left">
It is with <em>this</em> post that I am finally caught up! Woo hoo! </div>
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Today's thankful post is about friends. </div>
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Friends come into our lives for reasons beyond our understanding. They may stay for a life time or only for a short time. It totally depends on the purpose of the relationship. </div>
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Throughout the years, I have made and lost a lot of friends for reason both within and out of my control. </div>
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However long the stay, my life has been touched in numerous ways by all of my friends that have come, gone and stayed in my life. </div>
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Thank you for sharing your life with me - no matter how long the duration. ♥</div>
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Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-83838434549387800482012-11-13T09:06:00.000-08:002012-11-21T08:30:34.594-08:00What day are we on anyway?<div align="left">
I know...I know. I've missed a few days. To be honest, I'm not really sure where I left off, so...I'll just pick up here.</div>
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Day 12: Today and everyday, I am thankful for my Ellie Bean! </div>
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Ellie is my three year old, independent, strong-willed child. She is a <strong><em>complete</em></strong> mini-me: fiercely independent, wild, absolutely hilarious, <em>very </em>opinionated, doesn't know a stranger, full of sass and doesn't really mind putting you in your place when need be. </div>
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My mom just laughs and says that she is me through and through. I didn't know if I really believed her until I saw her give me a look that I know that I give. Then it hit me, "Shit! I'm in for a world of trouble!" </div>
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And then there are those moments, like this morning, where she comes bouncing into our bedroom at 7:04 am singing, "Mommy! Mommy! Mommmmmmmmmmmyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!" With one swift scoop of my arms, I picked her up, swung her around, and listend to her full belly laugh. A laugh that I hope that I will remember forever.</div>
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She is my sunshine, my Ellie Bean and everything in between. I love you Bean and I am <strong><em>so</em></strong> thankful that you chose <em>me </em>to be your mommy. </div>
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P.S. She totally laughs just like me. Can't you almost hear her?</div>
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Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-33174699668109231762012-11-09T06:40:00.001-08:002012-11-09T06:40:19.651-08:00Okay...so I skipped a day<div align="left">
I know...I know. I skipped a day. I was thankful for something - promise! I even wrote it on my FB page. Unfortunately, I just didn't feel like blogging about it. So...in case you were wondering, on day eight, I was thankful for the ability to ask for strength. Lucas' parent/teacher conferences were last night and I needed all of the strength that I could summon.</div>
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ANYWAY...on to Day Nine!!!</div>
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Today, I am thankful for the ability to own my own business - <a href="http://www.shoppersnicketys.com/" target="_blank">Persnickety's Resale Fashion Boutique</a>. There is something magical about owning your own brick and mortar store.</div>
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I'm completely enchanted with the color scheme. I fall in love with our window display every time that I look at it. Over the past year, we've come to know and love our customers like our own family. And of course...I <em>heart </em>that adorable "boutique boy" that knows everything there is to know about our business.</div>
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I am uterly thankful and blessed that we are able to live the American dream and show our children what owning a business is like - the good, the bad, and the ugly that comes with it. It's so important for Lucas and Ellie to know and understand that with hard work and persistance, owning a local community establishment is totally feasible.</div>
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I feel blessed that we able able to connect with our community by offering the trendiest and funkiest children's clothing and accessories at affordable prices. What I find humbling and truly amazing, is that in turn, <strong><em>we</em></strong> have been bleesed by the members of our community. We have been welcomed with open arms and have become a "family" of sorts.</div>
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And for that...I am truly <em>thankful</em>.</div>
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Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-4755747459553576962012-11-07T10:37:00.001-08:002012-11-07T10:57:29.877-08:00Day Seven: A re-commitment to myself<div align="left">
I can't believe it...I've made it seven whole days of giving thanks for lots of different people and things in my life.</div>
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Today, I'm taking a moment to be thankful for fresh starts. </div>
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It's not really a secret - I've been quite the slacker the past few months in regards to my eating habits and my exercise activity. There's no excuse really, although I'm sure that I could blame it on my vacation in September.</div>
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Instead of continuing down the road of unheathy heating, oversized portions and a sedintary lifestyle, I decided to re-commit to myself today. I deserve to be healthy and fit...dammit! </div>
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So...I checked in at FF Anonymous, have logged everything that I have put into my pie hole, and have committed to going out for a run this evening.</div>
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While searching Google today for a little inspiration, I ran across this:</div>
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Every time that I run, I always feel like I can't breathe and that I'm going to die. lol. This just proves that running is as much of a mental sport as it is physical. <br />
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So...I've psyched myself up and I'm going to "keep going". As a matter of fact, I've decided that the only way that I would really push myself was to sign up for a race. On April 7, 2013, I am running my first half marathon.<br />
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Duh, duh, duh......dunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn<br />
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I want to do it. I know that I can do it. I just need a little motivation.<br />
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Well...lucky for me, my motivation comes in the shape of a little oval sticker that says 13.1. That's right folks...I want the fucking sticker for my car. I don't care what my time is or if I have to crawl across the finish line. I am going to finish and I am going to put that stupid sticker on my car!<br />
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So...here's to training for the next four months. Let's hope that I don't croak in the process!<br />
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Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-46636208967876435362012-11-06T07:31:00.000-08:002012-11-06T07:31:32.968-08:00Day Six: The March of Dimes<div align="left">
It's November 6th and most people are captivated by the election and exercising their right to vote. While my constitutional right is important to me, I decided to be thankful for an organization near and dear to my heart: The March of Dimes.</div>
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As you may or may not know, premature birth runs rampant in our family. Lucas was born eight weeks early and Ellie was born six weeks early. </div>
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I remember those days incredibly clear. My water broke while I was at work - January 10, 2006. I remember calling the hospital and the woman asked me if I was positive that my water broke. She then asked me if I "peed" on myself. Um.......................pretty sure I wasn't sure what to say to that one.</div>
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My hospital stay was horrible. I received antibiotics because my water broke early and Lucas needed to stay put for as long as possible, I was allergic to the antibiotics, I received an amniocentesis to check his lung function (which wasn't good), and to top it all off...Just wasn't allowed to spend the night with me because I had a roommate. </div>
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On Friday the 13th, I remember crawling to the bathroom so that I could get sick. I was also bleeding and 5 cm dialated. Thank goodness my mom decided to come early for breakfast. She found me on the floor and called the nurses. Thus began the delivery from HELL.</div>
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I'll spare you the gory details of his birth. lol. You can go ahead and thank me now...or later. Which ever is convenient for you.</div>
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Anyway. When Lucas was born, he was blue. Or so I was told. I didn't see him. All I know is that he was wisked off to the NICU and I received some much needed pain meds.</div>
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I remember the nurses telling me that he was the fatest baby in the NICU - he weighted 6 pounds 1 ounce when he was born.</div>
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When I saw him for the first time, I didn't even recognize him - he was attached to a vent, had all sorts of tubes connected to him, was under the bili lights and was being extensively monitored. I couldn't even touch him - his body was too sensitive.</div>
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I remember feeling hopeless and helpless. Why was this happening to my baby? When I look back...he was the healthiest baby in the NICU - I just didn't see it at the time.</div>
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Fortunately for us, we had a great support system with the NICU staff and the local March of Dimes chapter. As a matter of fact, Lucas only spent eight days in the NICU and was finally able to come home on January 21, 2006. One of the happiest days of my life.</div>
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<strong><em>Then three years later, our sweetie girl decided to make an early entrance to the world.</em></strong></div>
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I went for a massage on March 21, 2009 and was told that they didn't have my appointment on the books. I remember feeling completely heartbroken because the girl that I was talking to booked the appointment the week prior.</div>
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I got in my car and cried the whole way home. Stupid hormones.</div>
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I called my mom in the afternoon and told her that I thought that I was having contractions, but that I wasn't positive. Like any amazing mom, she told me to call the doctor. And like any stubborn daughter that didn't want to have a baby in March, I didn't.</div>
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Justin was working that evening and I decided that I wasn't going into labor. She wasn't due for six more weeks.</div>
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I watched the same Discovery Channel special about Abraham Lincoln six times. I paced, and paced, and paced some more.</div>
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Finally, Justin called the doctor at 5:00 am and we were told to get to the hospital! Naturally, that meant that I should take my time. lol.</div>
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When we arrived, I was 7 cm dialated and the nurse asked me if I was having the baby naturally! Um...HELL NO!!!! </div>
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Again...I'll spare you the details of her birth. I know...I know. You're welcome.</div>
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When Ellie was born, she was so red that she was almost purple. Her bilirubin was through the roof and her sugar was low.</div>
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Despite those facts, she was sent to the regular floor and I was able to take her home two days later.</div>
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Unfortunately, that didn't last. She was re-admitted to the hospital and placed in the NICU.</div>
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Her liver wasn't expelling blood platelets, her bilirubin was still through the roof and she had a broken clavicle. </div>
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Again...I felt helpless. I couldn't fight this battle for her. And yet we had a support system that helped us through her hospital stay.</div>
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Her dedicated nursing staff was amazing. They always took my calls, answered questions, and took the best care of her when I couldn't be there. </div>
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And for a second time, we were re-acquainted with the local March of Dimes chapter. It's amazing to feel the support of others that have a passion for helping babies and their familes fight the fight.</div>
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With a little help from our friends and family, we made it through five days of what seemed like an eternity. Ellie was released from the hospital on March 30, 2009.</div>
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Lucas, age 6 and Ellie, age 3</div>
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Everybody's story is different. Yet we all share one common denominator - our children didn't get their full nine months.</div>
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With the help of the March of Dimes, babies are getting their full nine months, families are receiving much needed education, and support is being offered to all of those who want and need it.</div>
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The March of Dimes helped my family through those dark days of uncertainty in the beginning. I encourage you to check out this article and learn more about how they are helping those who need it most. <a href="http://newsmomsneed.marchofdimes.com/?p=12353">http://newsmomsneed.marchofdimes.com/?p=12353</a></div>
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Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-5029324528443580792012-11-05T12:58:00.003-08:002012-11-05T12:58:45.878-08:00Day Five: You had me at...rubber bands/<div align="left">
Holy hell...I've made it to day five without missing a day or a beat. That's a small win in my book!</div>
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I decided to write about rubber bands today. I know...why write about rubber bands when I can write about the love for my children, husband or the like? Well...I'll tell you why.</div>
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My hair is out of control. </div>
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Justin asked me to try some new shampoo. Instead of getting my shampoo and conditioner separately, he got the all-in-one kind. Unfortunately, his attempt to be frugal backfired. Instead of saving time and money, it left my hair staticky and stuck to my face every single day.</div>
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Now granted...the all-in-one shampoo and conditioner might have worked if my hair were shorter. You see, I haven't gotten a haircut in almost six months. To be totally transparent, it's driving me bat shit crazy!</div>
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Anyway...I digress. Back to rubber bands.</div>
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As life would have it, my hair was sticking to my face - due to the static. I couldn't handle it one more second.</div>
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So...I rummaged through my desk drawer and found an oversized rubber band. I pulled my hair back into a ponytail and secured it with said rubber band.</div>
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And there you have it folks...a ponytail</center>
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I guess I did learn something from the Girl Scouts afterall...use your resources wisely! Pulling my hair back out of my face was most definitely a resouceful decision.</div>
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So, here's to rubber bands for saving the day and my hair crisis!!!</div>
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Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-68220568574608421432012-11-05T05:21:00.002-08:002012-11-05T05:21:28.122-08:00Day Four<div align="left">
Day four was yesterday - Sunday:Funday.</div>
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Justin, the babes and I headed down to the Lucky Dog yesterday afternoon to have lunch, watch the Browns and Bengals games, and see my Bets. </div>
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The kiddos were super excited to see "Aunt Betsy". I'm pretty sure that they didn't care about what the Browns or Bengals were doing on screen. To be honest, it was probably a good thing that they weren't watching. Instead, they were running around, making new friends and trying to win stuffed animals with the "claw" game. </div>
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I mean...I totally know that the "claw" game is a money trap - nobody ever wins! Yet, I stood there with the kiddos feeding it dollar bills. Finally, the kids got bored and decided to walk away - empty handed.</div>
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Fortunately for Ellie, one of the Browns Backers was sitting by us and decided to give her the white "bengal" tiger that he won. You would have thought that it was Christmas! She beemed and carried that tiger around with her all afternoon, evening, and at bedtime too. "Tigie" has found a great home.</div>
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As day four came to an end, I found myself thankful for football Sundays with my family and bestie. </div>
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Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-11045725607990312882012-11-05T05:12:00.002-08:002012-11-05T05:12:52.870-08:00Day Three of Thankfulness<div align="left">
Well...the weekend hit and that is the reason why I didn't blog my days three and four of thankfulness. So...I guess I'll go ahead and take care of that now.</div>
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On Saturday, I was getting ready to head to the shop. You see, Saturdays are my only days that I get to work my shop and be hands-on with the everyday happenings. </div>
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Anyway...before I left, I was sitting on the chaise in our bedroom - talking to Justin. As I was getting ready to stand up and head out, he grabbed my hand.</div>
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Now...I'm not going to get all sappy. He wasn't holding my hand, but rather challenging me to a thumb wrestling match! And like any over confident person...I took him on!</div>
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I will have it be known that I WON the thumb war wrestling match!!! I even beat him with my left hand...and no, I didn't play dirty either and entrap him with my index finger. </div>
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I beat him fair and square.</div>
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And with that in mind, here is day three: Today I am thankful for thumb wresting on Saturday mornings with the best husband ever. Btw...I won!</div>
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Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-22195925185985523552012-11-02T07:19:00.002-07:002012-11-02T07:19:16.791-07:00Day 2 of Giving Thanks<div align="left">
Well...we've made it to day two of giving thanks. Not going to lie...most years I don't even make it this far. lol</div>
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However, today's day is dedicated to my favorite little boy...</div>
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Lucas is my six year old, my baby and a complete Momma's boy. He has my Type A personality, talks <strong><em>non-stop</em></strong>, is completely hilarious and could pick-up your spirit in five seconds with only a few words and a hug. He is definitely a lover, people pleaser and wildly sensitive. </div>
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While he is all of those things that make my heart (and anyone else that is near him) melt, today....he was my alarm clock. And for that...I am truly thankful and grateful.</div>
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At 7:48 this morning, his boundful energy popped into our bedroom and yelled..."I MISSED THE BUS!!!!!!!" lol</div>
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Not sure what happened, but apparently I didn't set the alarm. </div>
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Despite the chaotic morning of quickly getting dressed and sprinting out the door like an Olympic athlete, I still find it easy to be thankful for those treasured moments with my sweetie boy.</div>
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Lucas...thank you, for choosing me to be your mommy. Love you to the moon and back.</div>
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Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-85021410885042200842012-11-01T08:25:00.001-07:002012-11-01T08:25:44.372-07:0030 Days of Thanks Starts Today!<div align="left">
It's November 1st and I am starting my "30 Days of Thanks". Far too often I take for granted all of the things that I am thankful and grateful for - it's part of the busy lifestyle that we have all grown accustomed too. </div>
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I find myself getting in the car and driving with the babes without checking my sugar first - just because I have faith that my sugars are fine. I complain that I have nothing to wear when I search for an outfit in my walk-in closet. I never worry about how I am going to put food on the table so that we can nourish our bodies with healthy food.</div>
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While I am thankful and grateful that I make it safe and sound to my destination, that I "have" clothes to wear and that my family doesn't know what "going hungry" means, I have a tendency to just "gloss" over it. So, instead of "glossing" over the months where candy and the bird run together, I wanted to take the time to share what I am truly thankful for.</div>
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Here's to Day One: I am thankful for insulin. </div>
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When I was five, I was blessed with Type I Diabetes. I remeber going to Diabetes Camp when I was six and receiving an oversized "Pigs are Precious" t-shirt. You see, back then, my insulin came from those precious little oinkers. </div>
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At the age of six, I took a small stand and decided that since pigs were keeping me alive, then I wouldn't eat them. lol. I'm sure that Wilbur and all of his piggie friends were relieved.</div>
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Fortunately, modern medicine has made enormous growth and I no longer use insulin derived from pigs, but rather insulin developed in a lab. </div>
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No matter where my insulin came from, it has always kept me alive and for that...I am truly thankful.</div>
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Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100220869737256807.post-90281233133763613352012-10-15T08:13:00.001-07:002012-10-15T08:39:53.361-07:00If I had my own cooking show...<div align="left">
...we would be in the poor house...continuously!</div>
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It's not really a secret - I hate to cook and bake! I think that the tables might be turned if what I was attempting turned out to be gorgeous AND taste delicious. Unfortunately, I have a tendency to f**k things up when I'm in the kitchen. </div>
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However, I have been getting a little adventerous and trying new recipes. For instance, check out these "Blue Cheese Chicken Burgers" that have become a staple in our household.</div>
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And just in case your mouth is watering and you <em>have to have</em> the recipe, here it is:<br />
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<strong><u>Blue Cheese Chicken Burgers</u></strong><br />
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2 sprays cooking spray</div>
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1/4 cup(s) barbeque sauce</div>
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1 1/2 tsp Red Hot</div>
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1 pound(s) extra lean ground chicken breast</div>
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1/2 cup(s) uncooked scallion</div>
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1/4 cup(s) dried plain breadcrumbs</div>
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2 tsp minced garlic</div>
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1/2 tsp salt</div>
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4 items mixed grain hamburger buns</div>
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2 cup(s) romaine lettuce</div>
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1 large tomato (cut into 8 slices)</div>
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2 Tbsp blue cheese, crumbled</div>
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<strong><em>Instructions</em></strong></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 13pt 21.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Off heat, coat a grill or grill pan with cooking spray; preheat to medium-high.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 13pt 21.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">In a small bowl, combine barbecue sauce and hot pepper sauce. In a medium bowl, combine chicken, 1 tablespoon of barbecue sauce mixture, scallion, celery, breadcrumbs, garlic and salt. Using wet hands (to prevent mixture from sticking), form chicken mixture into four 1/2-inch-thick patties; brush top of burgers with some remaining barbecue sauce mixture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Place burgers on grill, sauce side down; brush tops of burgers with remaining sauce. Grill, turning once, until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Lightly toast open-faced buns on grill during last minute of cooking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 21.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">To serve, place 4 bun bottoms on each of 4 plates. Top each with 1/2 cup of shredded lettuce, 2 tomato slices, a burger, 1/2 tablespoon of cheese and a bun top (cheese will melt a little from hot burger). Yields 1 burger per serving. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong>Prep Time: 15 Minutes</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong>Cook Time: 10 Minutes</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong>Serves: 4</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong>Weight Watcher Points: 8</strong></span></div>
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I hope that you love them as much as we do. I look to serve them with corn on the cob and fresh watermelon and strawberries. For a burger, one ear of corn (I half mine - so really, you can have two pieces), two cups of watermelon and one cup strawberries...dinner will only set you back 10 WW Points Plus! To me...that's a lot of food AND it won't break your points bank. :)</div>
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So...until next time...</div>
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Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05518237294242994570noreply@blogger.com0