tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27288782916288910492024-03-13T11:40:58.433-07:00Everyday MomentsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.comBlogger529125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-73500289096550302652014-01-06T19:20:00.002-08:002014-01-06T19:20:55.366-08:00hello 2014!Cheers for a new year!<br />
Cheers for 2013 and the trials we overcame. cheers for 2013 and the memories that will always be cherished.<br />
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I have plopped down in front of this computer about 16 times (or maybe more...who can remember?) to start one of my posts and without fail, something has come up every.single.time. I remembered that load of laundry that needed to be switched to the dryer before the clothes had a chance to wrinkle. One night the thought of needing to get all of our lunches prepped for the following week popped into my head and so up the stairs and to the kitchen I headed. And yet, even with neglecting yet another post, there are always jobs left undone and dirty toilets to be cleaned. Imagine that. <br />
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I <strike>fall</strike> crawl into bed almost every night thinking of words I want to share and memories I want to post, and then poof! There goes another 24 hrs.<br />
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So tonight as I sat down to eat my supper at 8:37pm I made a decision. I'm going to write. I'm going to write <em>right now</em>. <br />
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Where to start: Best memories of 2013? Lessons learned and hard times overcome over the last twelve months? Goals for the new year? Our 2013 Thanksgiving and Christmas memories? Fun crafts and decorations around our house during the holidays? Bible verses and lessons that have literally made my mouth drop because they have been that applicable to where I am in life right now? Or, maybe I could just start with....Now. <br />
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Keeping things simple...<br />
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1. It's cold here. And I don't mean 20 degrees cold. I mean -20's cold (with a windchill of -50s cold). So cold that all Minnesota schools have been shut down for today and tomorrow.<br />
2. I seriously tear up almost every day thinking about how fast my boys are growing up. Sometimes I will catch myself staring at them as I try and soak up every little detail so as not to blink and have them disappear.<br />
3. I get overwhelmed almost day with my house and all the stuff...and the messes. Love the memories. Hate the messes. Working hard to simplify some things in 2014 (been on this mission and have been working towards simplifying our stuff since 2012. Sad isn't it?)<br />
4. Started feeling the Baby move at the end of 17 weeks (just a few days later than I felt Cooper) but love that now I am feeling it move even while I'm working throughout my work days. It makes me so happy I find myself constantly smiling over it. <br />
5. Experimenting with quite a few crockpot recipes these days and thankful as heck for that large cooking pot that saves me every single week.<br />
6. Listening to "Pieces" by Meredith Andrews and "Just Say Jesus" by 7venth Time Down. Loving 98.5 and all it's goodness in tunes.<br />
7. Reading "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young and literally inhaling every single passage multiple times a day.<br />
8. Craving "alone time" to read, write and think creatively. It's been a long time...<br />
9. Sooo loving our new sheets that Nana and Poppie got us for Christmas. I am literally sleeping 100 times better on them as I visit Dreamland.<br />
10. Striving daily to not be anxious over anything. Did I mention this is literally a DAILY focus (thought upon all.throughout.the.day)<br />
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So thankful for this bit of quiet reflection before turning in for the evening. The dishes can wait yet another day.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-11872132765595561392013-11-22T18:45:00.000-08:002013-11-22T18:45:39.692-08:00littlest pumpkin to arrive...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, for the first update...<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Our Littlest Pumpkin is due to arrive April 2014!!!</span></strong> </div>
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We are very excited and feel so very blessed!! The boys love to come up and feel mama's tummy as it has been growing super fast. :) Please pray with us for our sweet little pumpkin over these next several months. (and for this mama's strength and energy to hold up with everything else in life going on besides this!! Thank ya much! ;))</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-89704296824736842262013-11-04T18:51:00.003-08:002013-11-04T18:51:54.677-08:00Happy Fall Y'all!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hope you and your family are enjoying all that Autumn has to bring...</div>
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Will be back soon for an update on life around here!</div>
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Blessings to you and yours,</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-40994139213872729262013-09-16T20:07:00.003-07:002013-09-16T20:07:45.221-07:00his first day of Kindergarten<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't believe my baby is old enough to be starting Kindergarten. I've known for years though that when the day came, Parker would be nothing but smiles...one foot paused for mom to take her picture and one foot aimed right for the door. Ready to take on Kindergarten with enthusiasm and confidence. :) We started the day off right with a healthy and filling breakfast of eggs, toast and fruit, while filling our souls with a short devotion time...and then we were off. I snapped every picture that I could and got as many hugs and kisses as allowed before walking away from my child, who had the sweetest and seemingly excited expression on his face as he sat down at his new seat at his assigned table.</div>
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After Parker's first day, his daddy and I asked him what his favorite part about it was. His response: eating lunch in the cafeteria. :) Most other days since then he has told us that playing outside has been his favorite part of Kindergarten. I believe he truly loves it all though. Both of his teachers have come up to me and said that numerous times throughout several of the first days he would approach them with a hug and say, "I love Kindergarten. It's so much fun." Hearing that gives me a happy happy heart. When Clay and I asked him if he had made some special friends he told us no...that everyone in the class was his new friend.</div>
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<em>Always keep that cheerful attitude and sweet heart, Parker. Love others as you love yourself. Listen well and ask lots of questions. Dream BIG. Your Daddy and I love you always. Be a Light for Him forever and always.</em> </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-82924115135136367182013-09-09T19:05:00.001-07:002013-09-09T19:05:21.796-07:00his first day of Preschool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My baby has started Preschool. Last Tuesday, I dropped him off at his all-day preschool trying hard to hold back the tears. I knew he would be excited and totally into all the activities once we left and he got settled, but saying bye was hard "cause I no like you weave!" The last several months, Cooper no likes anyone leaving. ;) <br />
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He was happy to put his new "school blankie" from Rassie in his very own locker/cubby. The blue Buzz and Woody backpack that he's carrying is the same one that his brother had for his first day of Preschool/daycare.<br />
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After we picked Cooper up after school on Day 1 and asked him how his first day at Preschool went, he said, "I no like!" When we asked him why, he responded (with his right hand pointer finger up in the air), "Cause da teacher told me Shhh!" hahaha! Love love. <br />
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He is actually doing very well and the teachers say he is having a blast...after the first few minutes of drop off that is. :) One of my favorite parts at the end of the day is when I walk back into his classroom and he gets this huge grin on his face and runs into my arms. I LOVE that he is so happy to see me and doesn't want to let go of me until we get to the car (where his blankie and "B" are waiting for him! ha!).Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-38501536260633069132013-09-02T19:49:00.002-07:002013-09-02T19:49:39.525-07:00MN State Fair 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What would a summer be without our traditional Minnesota State Fair excursion?! This is the first year that we have ventured to it without the accompanient of our friends. Click for previous years: <a href="http://carrienolen.blogspot.com/2012/09/pictures-from-our-summer-in-minnesota.html">2012</a>, <a href="http://carrienolen.blogspot.com/2011/09/fair-food-and-friends-11.html">2011</a>, <a href="http://carrienolen.blogspot.com/2010/09/saturday-state-fair-bday-party-and.html">2010,</a> <a href="http://carrienolen.blogspot.com/2009/09/mn-state-fair-2009_03.html">2009</a>. Clay kept asking me if I had contacted anyone, and each time I laughed and said it was on my never-ending "to do" list and it obviously had, unfortunately, not made top priority. :( We missed everyone this year but still had a wonderful as a family getting to play and eat lots of fair food!<br />
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Cooper was continously happy because, well, he was constantly being fed! lol. Corndogs, strawberries and cream, fries, Hawaiian shaved ice, popcorn, Sweet Martha's cookies, a slice of pizza, and tater logs. Did I forget anything? I think I was the only one who changed the tradition by not opting for my typical picks...the thought of all the fried foods didn't settle too well with me this year so I stuck to my apple, a couple of tater logs, strawberries and cream and of course, some sweet Martha cookies! The boys inhaled everything else for me quite happily. :)<br />
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The weather was nice: cool and sunny. Quite a few people, but not enough to drive us crazy until later in the day. And with a wide stroller device like ours, it's quite easy to part the thick waters of crowds. ;)<br />
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We spent a fair amount of time watching the horses in the arena this year and the remaining time was spent "playing with big boy toys." We had to sit on, look at and/or pretend to drive every truck, tractor, digger, 4-wheeler, mower, gator, and front-end loader that we passed. I am so not joking.<br />
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We ended the day late afternoon by slurping down some Hawaiian Shaved Ice and then headed for the buses to get these boys home, bathed and ready for a first day of Preschool and also for Kindergarten Assessment day. I can't believe my babies are growing up as fast as they are. Just glancing back at pictures of them last year sent me into a tearful reality of how fleeting our days are and how much they have changed in the last 365 days. Wow. They truly are no longer babies. They are little boys!!! Busy, busy little boys at that. :)<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-56027368101378555352013-08-31T20:34:00.000-07:002013-08-31T20:34:06.968-07:00my little chefs on a Saturday morning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This morning, after a busy week of work, I couldn't wait to spend some quality, downtime with my boys. We got in the kitchen and started making
eggs and toast for breakfast. Parker wanted to make the eggs all my himself...and he did. He was sooo proud. And Cooper was in charge of the toast (sort of). I had to relieve him of his duties when he started just eating the butter and the strawberry rhubarb preserves out of the containers. ;) It was a joy to be in there with them though, watching them so happily at work. Then later in the morning, after the kitchen was clean and a load of laundry was in the washer and dryer, I went upstairs to find Parker playing make-believe with his train, tractors, trucks and sleeping bags. He was so into his little game that I hated to interrupt. <br />
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....meanwhile, Cooper was attempting to hide his sneaky little self downstairs. Kinda hard to hide all that cuteness, wouldn't you say?!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-3684934117048565732013-08-17T19:57:00.001-07:002013-08-17T20:10:37.977-07:00our garden project: herbs and vegetables<div style="text-align: left;">
In 2011, I tested my green thumb by planting a variety of herbs on our deck. Needless to say, my thumb didn't turn out to be so green. The poor herbs died a few months later. I missed my plants last year, so when 2013 rolled around I had already decided that somehow, I was going to figure out how I could not only give the herbs another chance, but how I could also dip my does into some potted vegetables.</div>
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A friend of mine came over to help me...since I truly had no idea what I was doing. She was gracious enough to supply me with all of the herbs and vegetables that we are growing for this summer: Patio tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, and cherry tomotoes. For herbs: mint, basil, thyme, cilantro, parsley and now rosemary. My little plants make me happy to no end! Admittedly, instead of curbing my desire for a large garden, by diving into this little project, it has made me want to throw all of our stuff in a moving van and hightail it to the nearest farmland available for purchase. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pictures taken on August 2, 2013</span></div>
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In the evenings lately I have so enjoyed walking outside just before the sun goes down with a glass of wine in hand to check on my plants. And then of course, on a few rare occasions I make a fool of myself in front of my neighbors by squealing and jumping up and down over my budding vegetables...<em>ahem, </em>which I may or may not have done tonight.<br />
The plants are doing really well, except they are all outgrowing their pots. They need bigger spaces. I am hoping to solve that problem next year; I have already started looking at possibilities that would work even in our little patio space.<br />
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Fast forward from August 2 to this past Wednesday, August 14. Our first baby tomato was ready to be plucked from its vine. It only lasted long enough for a quick rinse as Parker decided it was the <em>bestest</em>, juicest tomato he had ever seen and promptly popped the whole thing enthusiastically in his mouth. :) The boys and I picked 3 more this afternoon and those actually made it to the kitchen...no thanks to my tomato-lovin' child. ;) <br />
Have I mentioned how stinkin' happy I am about our little plants!!! They put the biggest smile on my face each day. Truly theraputic...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Picture taken on August 2, 2013</span></div>
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<strong><em>"And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness." James 3:18</em></strong></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-88380067893682157102013-07-28T21:02:00.000-07:002013-07-28T22:05:50.696-07:00Moms Connect Leadership Retreat 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today I was blessed to be able to attend <a href="http://wooddale.org/">Wooddale's Moms Connect</a> Leadership Retreat with this fabulous group of women <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Vanessa, I am so sorry but blogger is cutting off your sweet self in both the group pics :( Boo.)</span> The retreat was held at the <a href="http://www.minikahdaclub.org/">Minikahda Club</a> Paddle House in Minneapolis. Seeing so many of these women after the summer break and getting to fellowship together was definately a highlight of my weekend. LOVE these women so much. They consistently inspire me to be a greater woman of Christ, a better wife and a better mother. So excited to work with them again this year! A slight change from last year, I will be attending the evening group in Edina instead of the morning group at Eden Prairie due to a change in my family's schedule.<br />
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I am starting a new job tomorrow.<br />
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Transitioning once again, from work-at-home mom to a working outside the home mama. This go round, I have been at home for 1 year and 4 months. My first lay off in Minnesota took place in January 2009...January 15 to be exact. I remember the day well because it was the two year anniversary of my dad's passing. It made sense for our family for me to stay at home for awhile, but then the time came for me to jump back in the workforce which led to a new job start in spring of 2011. One year later, history repeated itself. Tragic at the time, but a blessing in disguise. That's usually how it works isn't it? :) So much going on this past year...thankful to have had more flexibility with my schedule to be able to be at home with the boys and make precious memories with them. I have cherished being with them this past year...treasured and documented the not-so-good moments as well as the incredible ones. <br />
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Though I look at this change as being bittersweet, I am going to embrace the opportunities that come with it. This first month before the boys start school will be a little bit tricky and challenging, but I anticipate that come the second week in September, we will feel like old pro's. :) I feel so thankful that for this initial transition the boys are with our Texas family living it up and enjoying the spoils that having 3 aunts, 1 uncle, 1 set of grandparents and 1 great-grandparent brings. Yesterday I got a few pictures from KK and Nana...any guesses where they were?
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If you guessed the circus you are correct. Word has it that they had a good time. ;) I think everyday in Texas with this crew is a grand adventure for our boys. <br />
<em>Thank you so much Nana, Poppie and girls for taking care of our boys for a little bit for us. We appreciate it so much!! Please give them big hugs and kisses from their mama and daddy. :)</em><br />
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...oh, and just in case you are wondering, the crazy hats were part of the party. :) I chose to decorate mine with things that reflect me: hot wheels cars (all over our house with 2 boys), pen (I love to write), a moms connect business card (because I am passionate about this group and in growing in Christ with other women of faith), a piece of Lindor dark chocolate (no explanation needed there ;)), a tube of MK lip gloss (love my lip gloss and I sell it), an airplane (a passion is traveling and I am married to a pilot), a book (yes, I hung a book from my hat because books are that much a part of me!), a bullet (as of June this year, I am legal to carry a gun in Minnesota...which makes my husband quite proud...which I think is cute), and of course photographs of our family (once again, no explanation needed.) And finally, to represent a Southern background, a handmade purchase tag hanging off the side just like my fellow Southerner Minnie Pearl would have flaunted. ;)<br />
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And now it's off to this bed for this working mama...wish me luck! :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-49450568427946421172013-07-23T10:07:00.002-07:002013-07-23T10:10:08.657-07:00Lake Ann Beach and Summer fun!A couple of weeks ago the boys and I went for an afternoon play at <a href="http://www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us/index.aspx?NID=284">Lake Ann Beach</a>. One thing I love about this state is the vast number of lakes that surround us. You don't have to drive far to find a lake to either fish in, boat in, or swim in! At many of the lakes, there are walking paths through the surrounding woods, baseball fields with games going on, playgrounds, concession stands...the whole works.
Love this. We are blessed to live within walking distance to three different parks!!! The free outdoor entertainment areas literally saved us last summer after our move, and has been just as enjoyable for us this summer, though we have not frequented them quite as much as last year.<br />
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Clay and I took them out to <a href="http://www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us/index.aspx?NID=284">Lake Ann</a> late one afternoon for a ride in their Ford pickup truck through the beach area and the walking trails. Not having a yard, the boys have not ridden in the Power Wheels much this summer. It has been a fun treat the few times Clay has loaded up "Little Blue" in Troublemaker and let the boys take a wild spin through the vast, "power-wheels-kid-friendly" region that Lake Ann has to offer. Parker has definately earned his Power Wheels license by maneuvering "Little Blue" through some of the woodsy and hilly trails around Lake Ann, through the picnic area beside the beach, and the steeper, green hills that rise and slope around the active baseball and soccer fields. And when Cooper drives...well, it is full-speed ahead all the way. Watch out on-lookers! ;)</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-54375194047819118292013-07-17T22:43:00.000-07:002013-07-17T22:51:14.917-07:00Flying solo and Disneyworld 2013When the time came for us to depart our family and friends in Mississippi, the boys and I were happy that we were flying over to Texas to continue the visiting and fun times with more family. In a just a few short days, the boys would be flying out to Florida with their grandparents and aunts to visit Mickey Mouse and friends. The plan was for me to do the drop off in Houston, stay for a few days of visiting and Disney prep, then fly back to Minnesota to pack my own bags and pick up Clay, where we would fly out to join family for a few days of theme park fun. <br />
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On the morning that I was to fly back to Minne, without the boys, I shocked myself by sitting at the terminal gate in tears. There I sat with a delightful venti Chai tea latte (extra whip cream) in hand, a good book to read, and the busy aircraft just out the window in front of me, and yet I did not quite know what to do with myself and the all that luxurious time...so, I do what seemed like the most logical thing to do at that time. I cried. ha! Yep, you read that right. As I sat there thinking how still and quiet it all was (in this busy airport no less) I just cried. I think the businessmen sitting on either side of me thought I was insane. I tried to fake like it was allergies, but between the frequent sniffs and wiping of the eyes, I don't think my idea passed. Crazy right?! Here I am, in much needed rest and quiet...without kids so that I can think, process, and <em>just be</em>...and yet I cry the very hour that I leave my kids. ha! How pathetic. Aaahhhh...I think when you are just so used to doing practically everything with a two year old and a five year old, that when you finally do get that chance to use the bathroom by yourself in a public facility or take a sip of Chai tea out of peace and not out of desperation, you just go numb...at least that's what I did. You question what you are supposed to be doing and if you are doing it right. (I <em>am</em> referring to the simple things like using the bathroom, washing your hands, sipping your tea and boarding an aircraft.)<br />
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Your routine as a mother is not about yourself and the task at hand; it is about including your little ones in the processes and making sure they are safe while learning about and accomplishing the functions. Everything I do throughout the day with my boys is a learning opportunity for them, so naturally I want to break down and teach the individual parts of the processes that we do <em>every single day</em>. (And no, the lady in the nearby stall does not care how to take the toilet paper off of the roll and yes, she already knows what not to touch in a public restroom. What?!) Can I actually board an airplane without juggling a stroller, purse, diaper bag, 2 kids and 2 roller carry-on bags? Am I capable of doing that anymore? Why is it that these simpler tasks seem so difficult now?<br />
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As the gate agent started the boarding process, it took me a few minutes to realize that I was not loading first...I didn't need the extra time to strap both children into their seats with the safety seatbelts. I didn't need the extra time to collapse and cover the stroller before placing by the door at the end of the terminal. I didn't need the extra time to get out the blankees, b's (paci's), snacks, and airplane books and distribute them to child #1 and child #2 now settled in their seats. I didn't need to then get all my 4 bags stored in the above hatches. <br />
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I checked my seat number again. Middle of airplane. I would be the third group called. I can do this. Oh wait? Have I used the restroom yet? Yes. I did that 15 minutes ago. (I couldn't remember because there was no drama attached to it.) <em>Checklist:</em> Put purse in carry-on bag. Zip suitcase. Get out handbag. Place book, pen, paper, and phone in handbag. Chai tea in hand. <em>Was that my section that was just called? </em>I slowly get up and walk to gate agent. She scans and then hands me my boarding pass; <em>thank you Lord that I am on the flight.</em> Walk down ramp. Wait in line to get on aircraft. One roller bag. One shoulder bag. One chai tea latte in hand. Step on airplane. Smile at flight attendant and say hello to crew. Walk down aisle until I reach my seat. Placed bag directly above seat. Sit down with Chai tea in hand and handbag on floor beneath seat in front of me. Text family to let them know I am on flight and to check on boys. Buckle seatbelt. (No one is sitting next to me.) I sit and stare out window and at seat in front of me for several minutes (not sure how long). I teared up...well, maybe cried just a bit more. At some point, I pull out book "The Five Love Languages of Children" by Gary Chapman and pen. I sip Chai tea as I read and underline. About mid-flight, a lady just behind me on the other side of the aircraft leans up to tell me she's proud of me for reading this book...that she thinks all parents need to read this book. I agree. Back to reading. As the plane descends onto the Minneapolis runway, I close the last page of the book. End of flight. End of book. Wow. Is it really that simple?<br />
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I realized after the flight, that although I truly enjoyed reading a book from start to finish during flight, and being able to sip my chai tea and not worry about a wandering little hand with a toy airplane knocking over my precious drink, that I missed the crazy. I missed the busy. I missed the lessons learned and the adventure that comes on a flight with two small boys. Yes, I cherished and was thankful for the quiet time. I needed it. However, this trip showed me how much I enjoy sharing each traveling experience with my little men. <br />
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No matter how hard and long the days get sometimes, the responsibility of a mother is the most cherished one of all. One that I do not take for granted. And one that I will be forever grateful to God for entrusting to me.<br />
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Disneyworld</span></em></div>
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<em> June 2013</em></div>
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<em>The Nolen Family</em></div>
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<em>Parker: age 5 1/2</em></div>
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<em>Cooper: age 32 months</em></div>
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Words nor pictures can do justice to express the happiness and pure excitement that I watched spread across my little boys' faces during the three days that Clay and I were there to join the family for some fun at Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Each day held new wonders and new adventures for both. Parker and Cooper had a full 7 days of fun at Blizzard Beach, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios.<br />
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The current favorite Disney characters for the boys...besides Mater of course!...are Chip and Dale. Parker and Cooper have a Classic Chip n' Dale DVD that has a selection of classic shows that feature the chipmunks, so naturally, the two boys were excited to see the characters in life!<br />
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The boys stayed with Nana, Poppie and the girls at Disney's newest resort, <a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/art-of-animation-resort/rates-rooms/">Art of Animation</a>. Parker was so proud to show his daddy and me his bedside spot...right where Mater snored soundly with him. :) Orange traffic cones for lampshades, coneshaped carpet designs, coneshaped designs on the curtains, toolbox style dresser drawers...no detail left forgotten. It was the perfect little boy's suite. <br />
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Clay and I opted for the <strike>"under-construction, cheap, check-the-mattresses-for-bed-bugs"</strike> more economical, off-site friendly hotel. ;) He and I would meet the family each day for rides and memories and then say goodnight and part ways until the next day.<br />
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<em>Favorite rides:</em><br />
Carrie: Soarin' at Epcot<br />
Parker: (he says something different everytime I ask...he truly loves them all!)<br />
Cooper: Cinderella's Carousel, It's a Small World, Nemo, Dumbo...happily smiling with every ride though!<br />
Clay: Thunder Mountain at Magic Kingdom<br />
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<em>Nana, Poppie and girls, thanks for taking such amazing care of our boys at Disney and for including us in some of the fun!!</em> <em>Clay and I were so excited to be able to go and be a part of the theme park adventure!</em></div>
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**Currently, I am working on getting up to date with our family's Project Life albums and in getting all of our Disney trip memorabilia and pictures sorted through and recorded in the books. This year, I am being much more selective than I was in 2008 and 2009. In <a href="http://carrienolen.blogspot.com/2009/01/christmas-memories.html">2008</a>, we were there for Christmas and in <a href="http://carrienolen.blogspot.com/2009/10/disneyworld-2009-part-1.html">2009</a>, for the <a href="http://carrienolen.blogspot.com/2009/11/disneyworld-2009-part-2.html">Halloween celebration</a>...and for almost <a href="http://carrienolen.blogspot.com/2009/11/disneyworld-2009-part-3.html">2 weeks</a>... so more actual Disney decoration is printed and displayed in our albums during those years than will be this time. For this trip, I am focusing more on conversations and funny things that the boys did and said than actual pictures.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-24351503721811658802013-07-12T21:23:00.000-07:002013-07-12T21:23:10.588-07:00a trip to my Southern state<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Mississippi Summers=</strong></em></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Fireflies, family gatherings, sweltering humidity, easy tans, magnolia trees, muddy toes in the green grass, bubbles all around,
white pants, painted toes, baskin' robbins treats, pearls with every outfit, summer sandals,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> and fresh peaches and berries.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The first several years after moving to Minnesota, I would find myself getting home to Mississippi quite frequently. This due to many factors: the majority of my business was in the South, my dad's health was going down fast, friends weddings were happening every other month...we had no friends or connections up North, Clay was flying all the time, so why not? :) Over the last two to three years, we have not been able to get down there nearly as often as we would like. It is a blessing in one way because we now have such a strong base up here: church, friends, our kids activities, community events, and the breathtaking outdoors here in Minnesota keeps us happily busy and occupied with life. In another way however, we find ourselves desperately homesick for family and friends back home. So much that by the time we find ourselves visiting our loved ones, we (Clay and I) joke about how pathetic we are. Honestly, from the time the plane lands in Memphis, TN or Houston, TX (well, maybe the day after we land...after we've had a good night's sleep and have caught up on a little rest...flying non-rev with kids is no small task) we are just like our kids vying for our parents' attention: "Mom, look at me! Look at me!" haha!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Our family is amazing about it though. They love us, care for us, tend to us, spoil us, listen to us (and listen, and listen and listen...) :) Bless our sweet family and friends. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">We were thankful to get a good summer dose of Mississippi during the beautiful month of June. The boys got in great family time with the grands, the great's, and pretty much everyone in between. :) I rang in my 30th birthday here, saw family and friends, watched Parker attend his very first Vacation Bible School at my hometown church with my childhood Bible Drills leader (what a blessing this was! Mrs. Karen has always been and always will be amazing!! She raised 4 children...3 of them boys so she knows what's she's doing!), and the most fun part of all...seeing the huge grins of pure happiness on my sweet little men's faces as they enjoyed the simplicity of it all. I will let the pictures below speak for themselves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thanks to each of you</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">for making our trip so very special. We enjoyed seeing y'all and appreciate your sharing part of your summer with us. Thanks to my precious mama for making me feel like royalty (as usual) while in Grenada--<span style="font-size: x-small;">because if anyone saw me when I landed in Memphis that warm day in latter May, you would know I certainly looked far from anything having to do with royalty.</span> My sweet mama treated me to a pedicure, haircut, new clothes, shoes, jewelry...seriously, I felt like a new person when I left for the Memphis airport headed to our next destination.</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bless her heart, when I landed in Memphis last Fall, the day after I flew in, she told me to shower and dress and we were going shopping. I said, "For what?" She said, "Honey, I hated to tell you this but I wanted to cry when I saw you get off the airplane in those jeans yesterday!" haha! Yep. It was pretty bad...and I don't think this time was much better.</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well, thank goodness that's one of the things mama's are for...and thank goodness mine just so happens to be from the South--she knows how to shop! ;) <em>I love you, mama. Thanks for sharing some Southern style with me. I needed it. :)</em> </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-72808702690388808492013-07-06T19:48:00.000-07:002013-07-06T19:50:23.179-07:00a morning of strawberry picking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This morning, the boys and I ventured out to Arlington with a neighbor friend who introduced us to <a href="http://www3.mda.state.mn.us/mngrown/vendor/Kathleen's_Gardens_(286).aspx?vm=2">Kathleen's Gardens</a>. I don't know what I was more excited about, seeing the views of the countryside and the industrial and hobby farms or getting to pick strawberries with the boys. Both were a true delight! <br />
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Before stopping at the strawberry patch, we pulled off at the Hillcrest Cafe for a breakfast of omelets, pancakes and sausage. Omelets for Ann and me. Pancakes and sausage for the boys. If you're not in a hurry and wanting some old-fashioned country cooking, add this place to your "to visit" list when you're in the Southwestern part of Minnesota. <br />
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The prices can't be beat and the quality is top-notch. Guaranteed to make you want to eat every single bite off of your plate. :)<br />
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Part of the enjoyment of the meal was watching the locals sip their coffee and munch on their eggs and toast while they talked about how there crops were doing this year and what the weather was supposed to be doing tomorrow and the next day.<br />
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Following the quaint, cafe visit, we drove down long straight roads surrounded on both sides by flowing cornfields and soybean plantations to get to our final destination--Kathleen's Gardens.<br />
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I learned some things from Ann along the way (who grew up on a Minnesota farm)...for instance, the corn this year is running three weeks behind. I learned what each farm that we passed was purposed for: crops, dairy, turkey, pigs. The big crops that we passed today were soybeans and corn. Wheat and beets are also large producers in this state.</div>
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It's strawberry picking time! </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">To remember: Cooper spent the majority of the time picking strawberries off the vines and popping them straight into his little mouth. The latter picture of him with his hand on his tummy was when he unbuttoned and unzipped his pants, poked his tummy and told me he was full and he was taking a poop. The next 10 minutes or so were completely peaceful as he stood there focused on nature and the task at hand. I think I got more strawberries picked in that 10 minutes than I did the rest of the time. ha! When he was done with his job, he grabbed one more strawberry off of a vine and proclaimed, "I weady to go home now. I tired. I take poop and need B." And that was that. Off he went to the car. :)</span><br />
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Tomorrow I am looking forward to taking these delicious strawberries and making several jars of strawberry rhubarb jelly with them. Yum! It will be my first time to experiment with canning. I can't wait!!! This might turn into a new love. ;)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-84214043339345072702013-07-05T21:45:00.001-07:002013-07-05T21:45:37.823-07:00our July 3rd & 4thOur community knows how to go all out for the 4th.
It's fun to be a part of the celebration. Families start laying out chairs, umbrellas, and blankets the day before the big parade to ensure they get their "spot." We are lucky to be within walking distance of the parade route, so we have nabbed great locations the last two years...in the shade!! <br />
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Our 4th of July consisted of hanging low around the house early in the morning, attending the parade, baking cupcakes, a get together with some friends for a cookout, a smores bonfire with neighbors and the fireworks finale. One of my favorite moments of the day was watching with a smile as the boys would run down to the curb during parade time to try and catch a piece of the thrown candy and goods. :) It was too cute. Cooper had a little side business going as well. He figured out that he could smile as this young boy (probably age 10) and the little boy would give him a piece of sweets out of his bag. It took me a few minutes to realize what was going on, but I caught on after the 3rd or 4th trip up to our blanket as he delivered his single piece of candy, ran back down the hill, across the sidewalk, next to the little boy where he diligently stood next to "little boy" and looked at him. I observed the little boy smile, reach his hand in the bag and pull out another treat for my two year old. I even caught a piece of what he said to Cooper, "Wow. You're a quick little candy eater!" The young fellow's mom laughed later as we talked and said that "He (her son) told me that he couldn't resist the little boy's sweet look." ha! Aaaaa...watch out world. He's a smart one, he is.<br />
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Though good times were had, I would not be completely honest to not mention that we (or I) terribly missed our family back home on this special day. A big crew of family were gathered in Mississippi for a traditional 4th of July BBQ and family gathering. Ahhhhhh....it about killed me to hear of the fun they were having--not to mention the good food that was being eaten. ;) These guys know how to cook, let me tell ya. <br />
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Growing up, many of our 4th of July's were spent in Oxford, MS at our grandparents house. It was an extended family celebration complete with all day laughter and fun, lots of food and of course, nothing but good ole' fashion fun. We would walk down to the nearby city park and mark our spot on the hill (for years, the fireworks were shot here; it was not until many years later that they moved the city 4th of July celebration to the stadium.) Entertainment (bands, baseball games, shows, etc.) lasted for hours. The parents and grandparents, great-aunts and great-uncles would sit and watch the entertainment while visiting over the "good 'ole times" and waving hello to a childhood friend and <em>their</em> entourage of now grownup family. <br />
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Everyone caught up with everyone on everything. No one worried about where their child was or who else was at the park. It was a trusted place with trusted people. While the grownups relaxed over sweet tea, lemonade, and good coversation, all of us children did what we did best...Run. Play. Run. <br />
And then when we finally realized we were a little thirsty, we would skip over to our family's blanket for a drink of coke. Of course, shortly after that we were on to the next lively activity. The year the kids were able to start walking the walking paths in the woods by ourselves was a special one, making us think we had done something really good to earn that independent privilege from our parents.<br />
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I'm sure it was rather hot on those days, but I do not have a recollection of ever being hot, which is amazing considering the July temps and humidity in Mississippi.<br />
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As my brother and I entered late Jr. High and Highschool, traditions changed some based on church activities, which usually involved us being on a mission trip or camp over the 4th, but man, I will always remember those early July 4th celebrations with family. I hope that my boys will be able to look back and have such fond memories over their summer holidays as I do now. Hopefully, we are off to a good start! Though not with extended family, at least we were celebrating big, in our own way. Only thing that would have made it better would be if Clay could have been there too. :)<br />
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The day before, the boys and I ventured out to the community festival to look at the variety of carnival rides and activities. Each of the boys got a few quarters to participate in the 25cent Kiddie Games that were available from 4:30-8pm. Cooper played the Duck in Pond and Ring Toss games. Parker played Ring Toss, Bumper Cars, and Jacobs Ladder. We missed Family Day where rides were $2, so we opted out of any rides this year. There's always next year! <br />
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I do so love this time of year!! And love the warm weather that Minnesota brings...without the humidity! ;)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-5152317785743313572013-07-04T21:57:00.001-07:002013-07-04T21:57:13.542-07:00Happy Independence Day!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thankful for our freedom. <br />
Thankful to those who have and who continue to fight for our freedom. <br />
Thankful for a strong community that goes all out to make this the special, important day that it is. Thankful for a healthy family on a beautiful July day. <br />
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Missing all of our sweet family and friends back home, and the Pilot, who is actually in Toronto today. Happy 4th, babe. We missed you; wasn't the same without you.<br />
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May we all continue to cherish the sweet summer days that this country has to offer us, whether in the tip-top North or the deep South. :) Sending cool summer breezes and temperature wishes down to my Southern friends. <br />
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xoxo<br />
carrieAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-82131115426063373672013-06-14T21:36:00.001-07:002013-06-14T21:36:23.561-07:00Rounding out Spring, Dancing into SummerSoccer games, Preschool end of the year activities and graduation, Storytimes in pjs with special smoothies,
a playdate at the Arboretum with friends, talk time on the phone with grandparents, a Dallas friend coming for a visit, and afternoon playtime outside the house with trucks and diggers = Summertime is on its way!! <br />
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After finishing up the last of our spring activities, we were ready to play in the South for a bit to start our summer off with a bang! January to May was nothing short of a crazy whirlwind for our family...and though we haven't reached steady waters yet, the storm is definately calming. I am literally dancing into our summertime fun!<br />
Over the last several weeks we have been busy traveling, seeing family and friends in Mississippi and in Texas. Oh, what a blessing that precious time was for me and for the boys. At 4:45 tomorrow morning, Clay and I are hopping on a plane headed for Orlando to meet the rest of Clay's family at Disneyworld for a few days. I should be in the bed sleeping soundly before my alarm goes off at 4am, but of course, I had stubbornly decided that this post must go up before we left. :) I am soooo excited to be running off to this magical place with my boys! The cameras are charged and ready to go..."It's a Small World After All" has been the tune in my head for the past 3 days...DisneyWorld, here we come!<br />
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...and when I return, plenty of fun pictures to share from the trips to the three states!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-67613036758543691122013-06-01T19:25:00.000-07:002013-06-01T19:25:00.992-07:00Packing Priorities: Five year old and Two year old style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The boys and I are down in the good ole' South enjoying some time with family.<br />
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For the past month--since the boys found out about our summer travels--they have enjoyed loading up their backpacks each day with goodies of all the treasures they planned on taking down to Texas and Mississippi. (key word there is "planned.") Their backpacks were so stuffed full of cars, trucks, swimsuits, and whatever else their little hearts fancied, that they couldn't even zip or lift the things. ha! Each day, a little something different was added. One particular morning I walked into the boys' room to find Parker stuffing his bathing suit and a pair of socks in his backpack (on top of all the cars, toys, and little figurines that were already in there). He said, "Mom! I decided I might need a pair of socks for the trip, so I am packing a pair of socks in here. And we need to make sure we get LOTS of swimsuits cause we will be swimming a lot." He was quite serious.<br />
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When the flight took off on Wednesday morning, both boys had kept true to their word. Their backpacks consisted of three small toys, a pair of sunglasses, and a pair of binoculars. Parker also packed his Leap Pad for airplane games. I roared when I opened Cooper's bag. I had spent far too long looking unsuccessfully around the house the day before for his "B's" (aka paci's). I shouldn't have worried. At the bottom of Cooper's barnyard backpack was a pile of 7 pacifiers. He had apparently gone around the house rounding them up when I was busy gathering up our clothes. In that pile of B's was one of the green ones from the hospital that they give infants. ha! He had a "b" in every color and every style...I guess with that he was ready to go! (I am curious where he found half of these! Some of them had been missing for quite some time. I guess he had secret hiding spots!)<br />
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(I will insert picture of paci's in backpack here after loading pics to computer)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-43633113700103551052013-05-23T22:15:00.000-07:002013-05-24T19:20:22.215-07:00Little boys, rubber boots, and rain puddles = a splishin' splashin' good time!<em>Splish splash. Swish Swash.</em> Two little boys, 1 froggy rain jacket, 4 pairs of rubber boots (you know, two pairs for wearing and two pairs for filling up with water and fitting your bare toes into until it's time to switch and fill up another pair for more waterfall effects), and plenty of rainfall. Sounds of laughter and squeals coming from two little boys. Loving these moments with my little men.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pictures taken on May 19, 2013</span></div>
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After almost a week of solid rain, the boys and I decided it was time to get out the rainboots and do some splishing and splashing. So happy we did.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jN98dIvbZzI/UZ2BqaFC0VI/AAAAAAAAJTY/qMENbRVYjJ4/s1600/141.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jN98dIvbZzI/UZ2BqaFC0VI/AAAAAAAAJTY/qMENbRVYjJ4/s640/141.JPG" width="640" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-35211647513757046512013-05-13T11:31:00.002-07:002013-05-13T11:31:55.487-07:00a quick hello!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">...just popping in to say "hello!"</span> </div>
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Hope the warmth of spring has found its way to your hometown. We have persevered through some teasing days of 60 and 70 degree weather followed by drifts of rain, sleet and snow and temps below 40. Though we are not packing up our coats and gloves just yet, most of this family's winter gear has been stored for later this year. Hoping that the cold weather is behind us now...on to warm, sunnier days! :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-24145788938099449942013-04-19T06:00:00.000-07:002013-04-19T06:00:07.597-07:00April "showers" in Minnesota - a winter snowstorm<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Written on Thursday, April 18:</em></span><br />
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Whoever said that "April showers bring May flowers" must never have traveled to Minnesota in the "spring." Though Minnesotan's are accustomed to crazy temperature changes and snow still on the ground in April, this state hasn't seen a winter snowstorm in April for more than 20 years. Leave it to 2013 to change that. For someone who doesn't watch the news or the weather channel, it might have been a bit of a shock to have this weather start pounding down...thankfully, I have people who care about me and know that I do not pay attention to either of those above mentioned channels, so they call me to inform and prepare me. :) By noon today ice pellets were falling fast and hitting the ground hard. The boys and I were at the church; I drove around back and dropped Parker off at preschool and headed home s-l-o-w-l-y. I didn't want to end up in a ditch like the other 8 or so cars I passed within that 8-9 mile radius. Thank you, Lord, for 4-wheel drive. And thank you, Lord, for sending me a husband who is stubborn enough to not let me talk him into getting a minivan here in Minnesota, for I would have been one of the 17 or so vans I saw stuck or pulled off the road today.<br />
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Of course, when heavy weather hits, the Pilot gets excited. I have long since discovered a pattern with him; if a blizzard or snowstorm comes, he climbs in Troublemaker to see what he can see and to see who he can help that might be stuck. Then, he always suggests that I not worry over cooking, and takes us out to eat (usually to Red Lobster...1. because we love it so much and 2. because it would just feel wrong to go anywhere else during the above mentioned condition...it's where we always happened to be when major snowfalls occurred earlier in our marriage...random, but quite true.<br />
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All 4 of us load up in Black Stallion (that would be my Explorer) and head towards the nearest Red Lobster. <em>Thank you, family, for our gift cards; we enjoy using them so much at random times such as this!!! </em>I try hard not to crack up as the Pilot excitedly talks about the weather conditions and how "bad the roads are," "do you see how well our 4-wheel drive is working right now?" and quite a few comments and suggestions regarding other drivers and how they were not doing so hot...according to his knowledge. <br />
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I start a video recording. Parker is being silly and asking 10,000 questions as usual regarding the exact things his daddy was talking about. Clay gets a phone call; it's Nana. Hi Nana! They talk for a few seconds. His 7 year old Iphone <span style="font-size: x-small;">(yes, everyone please pity him now and it will make him feel slightly better. :))</span> --"that was the second Iphone ever to come out"--shut off. Clay calls Nana back. It shuts off again. After attempting 4-5 conversations that were unsuccessful, the Pilot gave up on that notion and frustratingly shared with me that he needed a new phone. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(You have to either live in this household or know Clay very well to understand why at that moment, the only comment I could muster was, "Yes dear, you do need a new phone very badly. And we will get you one one day; it's on the list... I tried to sound sympathetic, but I don't think I did.)</span><br />
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Meanwhile, Cooper is sounding quite whiny in the backseat--not your typical crying and wailing whining, but your lips-poked-out-for-no-reason-other-than-to-fuss-and-pout-over-absolutely-nothing type whine. And please, let me tell you, that our little mister has the whine down to a science. Have you ever seen the PBS show Calillou? It's his favorite. Picture Calillou's voice but about 10 times more dramatic and whiny and you have our little mister's "whine." <br />
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I am happily snapping pictures and videotaping the roads, the noises, the date and time, the comments...pretty much everything. It might have been quite the comical moment if you had been a fly on the wall. <br />
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We did arrive to Red Lobster safe and sound and now, were rather hungry. Thank goodness for those lobsters out front and for the restaurant's dream biscuits. Dinner was fabulous as usual. Of course, the boys and I were all done by the time poor hubby started on his snow crab legs. ;) He has to peel everyone else's first so it ends up being quite the ordeal. ha! I have to laugh every time. The boys are diving in as soon as he lays it on their plates. We try to tell them to slow down and savor each bite, but I truly don't think it even makes it on their taste buds before going down. Ahh, the memories we will have of eating at this place with our boys. :)<br />
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On the way home, both boys fell fast asleep before we had even made it a few miles. It kinda made me a little sad for them to miss the drive back, because in my opinion, driving in the snow in the evening under the lighting of the streetlamps helps make up for the "inconvenience" the snow and ice bring our way during the day. It is a beautiful sight...and feeling. Heavy snowfall topped with bright, glowing street lights...and a peacefulness. Hard to describe. You just have to see it. <br />
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Anyway, after pulling onto our street the Pilot announced that he thought he might pull out our snowblower to "warm it up." We got it two years ago and it has only been used once <span style="font-size: x-small;">(for a couple of reasons.)</span> After getting the boys to bed, we both ventured out to the garage. The lightbulb blows. <em><span style="font-size: x-small;">(remember to add that to our "to do" list..."our" meaning the Pilot's.)</span></em> I poured myself a glass of White Zinfandel, pulled up my hoodie, and stood calf deep in the snow while the Pilot happily snowplowed. At this moment, I thanked God for 3 things: 1. for dear hubby being home during this wild weather 2. for my sweet glass of wine and 3. for the beauty and peace of the snowfall<br />
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A mini run-down of our day in pics: <span style="font-size: x-small;">(minus Moppets, Parker's school and Clay's dr. appt, the 4 times diarrhea diaper incidences, the wet-bed sheets, the laundry room, a few other things that visitors of this blog would probably appreciate my not sharing)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>How I found Parker this morning when I came downstairs to get in the shower</em></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">In case it's hard to tell in the picture, it's an orange pepper.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Where Cooper ran to and what he grabbed as soon as he got back from his drive with his daddy in Troublemaker.</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>First thing Parker wanted to do when he got home from school...shovel the snow out of our driveway.</em></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">After 16 calls, 2 text msgs and 3 voicemails to the Pilot's un-workable phone, I was relieved to see Troublemaker pulling in the neighborhood. The little mister and his daddy had decided to play in the snow a little on their way home and help a few people who were stuck on a nearby hill...wish you would have told your worried wife ahead of time about that, babe!</span></em> </div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">How the roads looked on our way to eat supper. An accident every several feet it seemed like.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Snow crab at Red Lobster. Yum!</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Me outside with my wine hunching over from the cold wind that blew snow in my face as the Pilot was snapping the picture.</em></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Pilot at work snowblowing neighboring driveways. (He says it was to truly "warm up the snowblower" after not using it for a year; I happen to know the boy got quite enthusiastic about putting that thing to work this evening though!)</span></em></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-44216687824203491852013-04-18T11:49:00.000-07:002013-04-18T11:58:37.689-07:00last year: our visit to Texas and the Houston Rodeo 2012Last March I uploaded my photos from our last minute, spring Texas trip with the intention of posting after the journaling was complete. As you can see, it never happened. I am feeling little guilt over it though remembering all that we had going on in our lives at that point. Since I posted this year's trip, I thought now might be an appropriate time to share pictures from our 2012 Texas travel. The pictures and memories were too good not to and it will be fun to take a quick trip down memory lane.
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Blake Shelton in concert.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Parker making his own lasso.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Parker proudly showing us his lasso.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Zac Brown Band in concert.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Calf Scramble.</em></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Miranda Lambert in concert.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>View of the Reliant Center.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Photo above: taken by <a href="http://sarahhollinger.com/">Sarah Hollinger</a></em></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo above: taken by </span></em><a href="http://sarahhollinger.com/"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sarah Hollinger</span></em></a><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a3HqXQWO_3U/T5g21N16BJI/AAAAAAAAFCM/td2FLRAOBfY/s1600/Houston+Horse+and+Evening+Sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a3HqXQWO_3U/T5g21N16BJI/AAAAAAAAFCM/td2FLRAOBfY/s640/Houston+Horse+and+Evening+Sun.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo above: taken by </span></em><a href="http://sarahhollinger.com/"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sarah Hollinger</span></em></a><br />
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And this was what our little man was doing for weeks after our return. ;)<br />
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As I mentioned before, it was a last minute trip that I am sooo glad we went on last year. Just before leaving, I had lost my job and we found out that some work needed to be done in the rental house that we were living in that required us to be out of it for some time. To Texas we come! :) It was just the break and r&r we needed before revving up for the next several weeks of our move. </div>
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We love us some Texas!! :)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-52557294347935342782013-04-16T22:21:00.000-07:002013-04-16T22:21:29.880-07:00a Texas visit -- Houston Rodeo 2013I mentioned in a recent post that our family was and had been spending a little time in Texas. Just after the first of March, the boys and I flew down to the Lone Star state to visit
Clay's family. Parker and Cooper were so excited about the trip that the night before leaving (after they had each "packed" their backpacks and carry-on suitcase) hubby and I had a visitor about every half hour throughout the entire night. When we finally --and groggily-- rolled out of bed for good to head to the airport in the wee hours of the morning, we found Parker in his closet with his pillow, stuffed animals and blanket playing quietly. There is no telling how long he had been sitting in there (best we could figure, probably from about 3:30 or 4am when he had come into our room that last time). Clay and I decided that from now on, we are keeping trips a little more discreet than we did this time around. haha! (It's probably no surprise to anyone but neither of the two boys slept on our 3 hr flight either...good thing I had their travel bags stocked with fun activities and playthings!)<br />
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We hadn't been at Nana and Poppie's more than a few minutes and the boys were already asking to go to the neighborhood park. When we made our way over to the play area, both little men headed straight for the digger contraptions.<br />
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Parker and Cooper were quite intent on their job at hand. The boys would find and pick up these massive acorns and then bury them in the sand. Parker said that a big acorn tree would be growing soon.<br />
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Boys at work. Boys at play.<br />
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Lala had sent a treat for the boys to open as soon as they arrived. She decided they seemed to have so much fun with the Elf Glasses at Christmas that they needed Bunny Masks for Easter. Additionally, sweet treats were included in the package, which to the boys dismay, weren't allowed to be unwrapped and devoured right away. Ha! How can you not laugh when you see this picture? <em>Thanks Lala!!</em><br />
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Papa had flown in for the fun too! Parker and Papa immediately started in on a "hunting" conversation. <br />
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Then the aunts started arriving...Our boys don't get excited to see them at all. ;)<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(CiCi, I realized after I got home that I have like no pictures of you and the boys from the trip!! Boo... you're first on my list next time. :))</span><br />
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One of the highlights of going to Texas in March: RODEO! The day after we arrived the whole family (11 of us) met up at Reliant Stadium for the Rodeo and concert. The boys had quite comfy spots with Nana, Poppie and Papa. <br />
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We joked and said Cooper had the best spot in the house...right on Papa's lap. :)<br />
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Tim McGraw was a sold out concert. We couldn't get enough seats for all of us, so several of the group sat and the rest of us stood....which was totally fine with me. My ears still work when I'm standing. :)<br />
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Poor thing kept fidgeting with his shirt that wouldn't stay tucked in. Nana and I wanted to go up and fix it for him...or get him a longer shirt. Even with the wardrobe malfuntion, he still rocked the house with his voice and his enthusiasm for the crowd.<br />
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Running into a rodeo clown during one of our days at rodeo. He stopped to take a picture. :)</div>
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Poppie decided he and Parker needed to have their boots shined. (notice their hands)<br />
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Love Papa's expression in this one...<br />
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We walked around the vendor area briefly, but didn't spend much time here. Last year, we had spent a good bit of time visiting many of the booths, so we kinda new the specific ones we were interested in looking at this time around.<br />
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This was the one that had caught my attention last year: <a href="http://www.littlebustertoys.com/">Little Buster Toys</a>; I vowed I would stop by it in 2013 for some possible future gifts for the boys. A couple of years back, Parker was given his daddy's childhood barn that Poppie had made for him. We have gradually been adding to their farm collection so that our little men could enjoy many adventures with this special handmade treasure. Mostly, our collection consists of animals and tractors. I am particularly fond of the <a href="http://www.schleich-s.com/en/US/toys/farm_life/">Schleich farm animals</a>. Out of all of the ones we have tried out, these by far seem to be the nicest quality.<br />
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I could have spent a small fortune in this one booth...but I didn't. I picked up something for Christmas 2014 and then made a mental note of a couple of other things to pick up next year. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(cattle trailer and loading chute)</span><br />
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There was one more booth we needed to visit:<br />
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It was time for this little mister to get a cowboy hat! ...and what a handsome little mr. cowboy he was :)<br />
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The boys had fun looking at the livestock...<br />
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sitting on tractors their size...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>A particulary cloudy day at the fair</em></span><br />
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and "hanging" out with their aunts.<br />
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Uncle Michael had surprised the boys with these Texas pop-guns shortly after their arrival...they were a big hit. ;)<br />
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One of the favorite memories of the trip was a visit to Uncle Michael's family farm. I am going to let the pictures tell the stories from that day:<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Cooper's 1st time on a horse)</span> </div>
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The Pilot and I had a date night with an adults only evening at the Rodeo...I totally took advantage of the fact that I could carry camera in hand the.entire.time. without having to worry about quickly putting it away to chase after and grab hold of little straying childrens' hands!<br />
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If you ask Parker what his 2 favorite things were about our trip to Texas, he will say, "Seeing the cowboys at the rodeo and getting to ride horses." Clay and I also love watching the details of each of the events during the rodea. We literally sit mesmerized commenting on each of the participants and the action taking place. Unless it's a quick trip to the bathroom or concession stand, we don't want to leave our seats. Here's why...you would totally miss out on cool stuff like this.<br />
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Clay's favorite rodeo part to watch...the guys who round up and handle the wild horses and bulls after the events. I looked over at the Pilot, and that is where his eyes were fixed without fail every time. He was impressed with these guys and had quite a bit to say about them and their skilled and precise techniques.</div>
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Barrel racing and steer wrestling also caught our fancy...hubby likes to comment on the horses of barrel racing and the crazy flexible positions they can hit during the events.</div>
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...and my personal favorite...<br />
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Though I sit in my seat, palms sweating, talking about what fools the guys are for not wearing helmets, I do get on the edge of my seat to watch. Last year, we witnessed a number of serious injuries throughout the variety of nights. This year, I prayed for each of the guys before they went out (well, I asked the Lord to forgive the stupid ones who weren't wearing helmets and said a prayer of thankfulness for each one that was donning protective gear.) This year, at least on the nights we were present, fewer major injuries occurred. Though they did have an interesting time with some of the bulls (the bull in the picture below kept trying to jump out of the holding pin), over all it seemed to be a "safer" event than the ones we saw in 2012. (It was my prayers; I know it was. ;))<br />
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I didn't like this bull...after bucking its cowboy off, it wanted to run after everyone...including the people sitting in the nearby audience.<br />
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Who has heard about the Calf Scramble? Love this event. Thirty-five <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I think I am right on that number)</span> Juniors gather in the arena each night to run after, attempt to rope and pull back to the center a calf. That calf means scholarship money for them!! It fun and entertaining to watch, plus you get excited for the kids who get one.<br />
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And who could get my personal favorite from last year...Mutton Bustin'. I had never seen it nor had I heard of it before last rodeo season, so when I saw these preschoolers getting on the backs of the sheep, my heart wanted to leap out of my chest. I think I verbally announced how "adorable," "precious," and "cute" this event was a hundred more times than needed. I want Parker to do this next year sooo badly. Ahhh, how precious would that be?!<br />
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Jake Owen in concert...he loves Texas...at least he said he did at least 15 times during the concert...and Texas loved him.<br />
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During one of the songs, Jake had all the lights turned off in the arena and we lit up our cell phones. It was beautiful.
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Our little cowboys.<br />
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...and this is how we all felt each time we left the hours of fun and excitement. :)<br />
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To our Texas family, thank you for the fun and for memories made. Thank you Nana and Poppie for having us. :) Thank you KK, Ashee, and Michael for working the Rodeo so that we can do sooo many fun things with y'all! It's like we get the Insider's Edition each time we come...so fun! love, love you all. xoxoAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-61369091724831332322013-04-15T09:50:00.000-07:002013-04-15T12:01:35.359-07:00Young Couples at work with 363 days Service Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This past Saturday, our Sunday School class came together to assemble sandwiches for <a href="http://363days.org/">363days.org</a>. It was a weekend I had been looking forward to for quite some time, remembering the fun times and good fellowship that came with assembling and delivering the sandwiches <a href="http://carrienolen.blogspot.com/2012/04/363-service-project-and-our-evening.html">last year</a>. <br />
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One of the reasons I love <a href="http://363days.org/">363days.org</a> is because as a Young Couple on a "young budget," Clay and I still feel as if we can come together and make a difference in the community. A volunteer can sign up to do as many or as few as they would like. If you are located near the Metro area, I would highly encourage you to check this organization out. <br />
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An idea for some moms out there...<br />
For one of your playdate get-togethers, assemble 100-200 sandwiches. The kids (ages 2 1/2 and up) can lay out the bread and put cheese slices on the bread. Also, they can help by bringing you the completed sandwiches already placed in ziploc bags for you to place in bread bags. If your kids are anything like mine, they will get so excited over feeling as if they are helping in a big way too! :)<br />
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Another idea...gather some families from your neighborhood to help with a 363days project. Get everyone involved...husbands, kids and all!<br />
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Nine adults were able to crank out 520 sandwiches in just under 2 hours...and that was with the "help" of two excited little children and a hungry baby!! Though we only had approximately an eighth of our class able to come help with the assembly of sandwiches, everyone was able to share in a part of it by either giving financially or by coming to help with the production part on Saturday, or both! Think about the possibilities with this project...to give 2-3 hours of your time and a minimal amount of money (about fifty cents per sandwich) even once a year WILL make a huge difference for MANY in need. It's making a difference specifically for 520 hungry people in the Twin Cities area this month just from our little group that has young kids, "no time," and a low budget. This is something I get really excited about!! It makes me feel like I have a small part in feeding the 5,000!! <br />
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And here were our special helpers who were working so hard throughout the morning. ;)<br />
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<em>"</em><em>The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." </em></div>
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<em>Proverbs 11:25 </em></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-69953590579455878752013-04-12T22:29:00.000-07:002013-04-12T22:30:42.657-07:00Snaggletoothed, a wintry spring, and a 1st trip to the dentist...and not necessarily in that order ;)<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Tuesday, April 2</em></span><br />
The boys and I at the <a href="http://www.mnzoo.com/">zoo</a>. Our favorite during this trip: the penguins.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Tuesday, April 2</em></span><br />
Time to see the dentist! Cooper sat next to me and observed before getting in the seat himself. :)<br />
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Parker is a pro at this whole dentist thing. ;)<br />
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<em>Cooper's 1st official dentist visit</em>. He did great! <br />
Both my boys enjoy going to the dentist and doctor...they always have. I am sooo thankful for that. Wish you could have seen how cute they were proudly showing Clay and me their dentist trip treasures and treats. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, a pencil, stickers and a tatoo. Some kids might not get very excited over new toothbrushes and toothpaste, but let me tell ya, mine do! Parker watched as I put everything up in its place (he wanted to make sure he knew where his stuff was. ha!).<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Thursday, April 4</em></span><br />
A playdate with Mr. Gavin. He fit right in around here. We are looking forward to many more playdates in the future with this little fellow! :)<br />
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Thursday, April 4</span></em><br />
Cleaning and organizing the toys...all the toys...every toy we have ever owned.<br />
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One huge thing marked off of my lengthy check list. And it only took me most of one day! The result: a much more organized play area. (and I have been amazed that after a week of playing, it still looks really good. Even when the toys are out, it just looks like less "stuff" and much neater, even though all we did we put away some of the more "infant" toys in an accessible bin for play for another day and purchase the five dollar, 3-tiered toy organizer to store smaller figurines and vehicles. Happy boys and Happy mama! <em>( I just realized that I need to take an "after" picture.)</em><br />
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...what I have been sweeping off of my kitchen floor almost every day the past two weeks. Playdough. Lots of playdough. We've been having fun in the kitchen. :)<br />
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tuesday, April 9</span></em><br />
Our little man lost his first tooth! <br />
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Our little man also got his face all scratched up on this very day. :( While shopping with the boys at Sam's Club for our sandwich supplies for an upcoming service project, our little man and mr. mr. got into a scrap over the cheese. Yes, the cheese. Cooper wanted to "hold" it. Parker wanted to save the cheese from Cooper "holding it." Cooper threw his hand out as if he was going to swat Parker and his little nails slid right down Parker's face. Ouch. He looked like quite the abused little boy for the next 24 hours. Poor thing. It made my heart sad. I snuggled him lots during the rest of that shopping trip. (He already wasn't feeling well that day.) :(<br />
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Other than the brotherly battle, it was a successful shopping trip. Fifty loaves of bread, quite a few pounds of sliced turkey and 500+ slices of cheese later, we were out the door headed to Parker's first soccer practice of the season. (I must say that the 50 loaves of bread spread out on my floor and the stacked deli meat that offers quite the interesting smell each time I open our fridge, have worn out their welcome. It's time to get these sandwiches assembled and out the door! :))<br />
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Parker was excited to start up soccer Tuesday night. Last Fall, he had a blast with it...which only slightly thrilled his daddy. ;) We decided if we were going to endure more of this cold weather and possible snowy conditions this spring (smart choice, see below...) without any form of a backyard or enclosed non-destructive play area, that we were going to need to get these boys involved in more (<em>ahem)</em> active and enthusiastic entertainment. It should be a fun season. :)<br />
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Same day...</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Before bedtime:</span></em> Our special note left for the tooth fairy. <br />
For free printable tooth fairy notes, <a href="http://www.handmadecharlotte.com/free-printable-tooth-fairy-notes/">go here</a>. (Or you can <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/250935010460066954/">click here</a>, to see it under my Pinterest board.) Thank you <a href="http://www.handmadecharlotte.com/free-printable-tooth-fairy-notes/">Handmade Charlotte</a>!!! <br />
Parker was excited to wake up Wednesday morning to find a "whole dollar" and some Tooth Fairy sparkles and fairy dust from her wings on his mattress.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Thursday, April 11</em></span><br />
Oh, and remember <a href="http://carrienolen.blogspot.com/2013/03/lately.html">that shoveling I was doing the end of last month</a>? Remind me next year not to worry about it. Thursday morning we woke up to this...<br />
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6 inches of heavy, blustery snowfall...that wasn't letting up anytime soon. <br />
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At least the <em>inside</em> of my home welcomes spring. ;) Would you believe I actually got out in this; I was NOT missing my MOPS meeting after not having it for like 4 weeks. It only took me an hour and 15 minutes to drive the 8.2 miles that it takes to get there. What an amazing MOPS meeting we had though; I always leave those events feeling so blessed and thankful and filled to the brim. :)<br />
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Guess what else happened on that snowy and blustery Thursday? Parker lost his second tooth. <em>Sniff. </em>We enjoyed another visit from the tooth fairy that evening.<br />
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Do you shop at Goodwill? As of this week, I do. There are some AMAZING deals to be found at this thrift store. Thursdays, all Toddler clothes and toys are half off, so the $3 shirts are now $1.50. Parker has practically no clothes for summer except for a few nice items I picked up on clearance at the end of last summer at a couple of my favorite stores...so I decided it was time to start picking up a few things for when the warm season decides to arrive. <em>(Summer, please come soon!! We miss you!!)</em><br />
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Here are four that I grabbed off the rack for Parker. Two Polos that look practically brand new and two more casual shirts that are also in "like new" condition.<br />
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I picked up two polo style shirts for Cooper too. All for $1.50 a piece. Nice!<br />
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Here is something else that I learned about Goodwill...every week they have a different special on their books. On the pricing tag is a color: Green, Blue or Yellow. On Sunday's and Monday's, all books that have that week's designated color are half off, Tuesdays all books $1.49...but here's the killer deal: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of that week the books labeled with that color are only 15 cents! A dream come true for someone like myself who is more obsessed with books than the latest fashion trends in the women's section. :) <br />
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I picked up a few reads this trip that looked like fun for our boys. Do you see the one titled, "Baby's First Prayers"? My childhood Bible Drills teacher, Mrs. Linda B., gave Parker the similar one in yellow titled, "Baby's First Bible" and that little book was read and looked at so many times that the plastic hinge finally broke off in 2011 (we still have it and read it even with no hinge!). This particular book was a sensible choice as Cooper crawled into bed holding that little blue book last night begging me to read him several of the stories out of it. Precious. <br />
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I also picked up a few "gift" books that looked to be brand new. I just love finding deals like that!<br />
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The boys and I are excited to have Clay back in Minneapolis this month for his home base. We will get to see him a few extra days, which is always nice. Aahhh....there has been so much going on around here, I seriously probably wouldn't remember half of it if I didn't write. everything. down. :) Sorry if this post is random and all over the place. I hope when I go back and re-read it tomorrow after some sleep it will still make sense. ;) That's a quick recap though, and I promised our family pictures of dentist visits and a certain snaggle-toothed boy. :)<br />
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<em>Random but true:</em> As I sit here squinting my eyes to see the computer screen and what I am typing--because of course it's way past my "should be" bedtime--I don't want to go to bed because of Audio Adrenaline's song, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U64bongHqYU">"Kings and Queens".</a> I slightly love it and don't want to stop listening to it. Maybe just one more time...ok, maybe three. But then, that is it! I am off to bed. We have an early morning ahead of us that involves assembling 500 sandwiches. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11899759299544528770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728878291628891049.post-68010592698683860372013-04-05T21:57:00.001-07:002013-04-05T21:57:34.210-07:00a visit with a bunny, Easter eggs hunts and coloring, Resurrection rolls, and a celebration of our Saviour!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our Easter weekend was filled with colored eggs, a bunny visit, smiles and laughter, kisses on sweet toes, Resurrection Rolls, surprises on Easter morning, us missing the Pilot, Resurrection eggs, many-times-a-read story of our sweet Jesus and His precious gift to us, an excellent morning of worship at our church, and even some much needed outdoors time...in the sun!! Our first walk of the season was taken this weekend! Yea!!<br />
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Friday afternoon, I got out our simple tools for classic Easter egg dyeing: mugs, hot water, eggs, food coloring, spoons, and paper towels...lots of paper towels. :) It wasn't until after I had the boiling water in the cups and on the stove, and the food coloring and eggs out, that I realized I didn't have any regular vinegar. I had every other kind: apple cider, white wine, rice....yada yada...but not plain vinegar. After a quick call to mama, who then consulted with Anne, it was decided I most definitely needed regular vinegar. Shoot. I sprinted to my neighbor's front door. No answer. Ran to my other neighbor. And another neighbor. And finally a fourth neighbor who did indeed have plain vinegar. Thank you Kathy!! Got back into the house where everything was still in one piece (well, except for a couple of eggs that Cooper had gotten a hold of) and the Easter egg coloring began!<br />
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Whereas Parker took his time expertly placing the eggs into the black mugs and gently taking them out, dear mr. mr. took more of the natural tendency to plop/throw/toss his eggs into the cups of the now warm water. (not many of his eggs made it out in one piece) I worked with him on it for quite some time, but somehow, my way just took the fun out of it for him. ;) He contentedly went back to plopping and pulling out, plopping and pulling out as soon as I left my post.<br />
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We weren't dressed fancy. Earlier that day, we had ventured outside and made quite the mess of ourselves in the slushy streets of our neighborhood. I guess in comparison, we cleaned up rather nicely for our egg decorating party! <br />
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Number of times I kissed those sweet toes this weekend: too many to count.<br />
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Saturday morning we ventured out on an Easter egg hunt at our church. Because of the weather, the event was held indoors. 2,000 eggs and 100's of kids. It went fast. Within less than 15 minutes, the official hunt was over. We took our time and counted our eggs, opened them to retrieve some edible goodies and then turned our eggs back in before jumping in the car to head home for more Easter fun. <em><span style="font-size: x-small;">One thing I learned from this hunt and from this weekend: Cooper can no longer wear 2t blue jeans...I decided not to show the picture of Cooper in his "capris" at the Easter egg hunt. No worries though! Most were blurry and off color anyway! :)</span></em><br />
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We prepared and baked Resurrection rolls later that day. The boys loved the finger-licking fun as much as the story and the process of the activity. ;)<br />
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Parker was sad because we didn't have his Bible here to read from like we did last year. (We accidently left it in Texas...soon to return though! Thanks Nana and Poppie!) I remembered at the last minute prior to starting our baking, that Cooper had his Bible downstairs and returned with it to find Parker beaming when he saw that I had a solution to our dilemma (because pictures are way more fun than small text in mama's Bible).<br />
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When Cooper was dedicated at the church, our Small Group gave this Bible to him. It is an AWESOME children's Bible! We had gotten used to reading from Parker's because there is a little bit more text and detail for his age, but for this activity, the story and illustrations were perfect! (We actually have several favorite Children's Bibles, based on ages...I will share those soon!)<br />
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After our Resurrection rolls came out of the oven, the boys couldn't wait to tear them open to see if the marshmallows were still there. Parker got this big grin on his face and exclaimed, "It's gone!" I said, "That's right, Parker. Jesus has Risen!" Parker then said, "Yes! Jesus has risen indeed!" <em>insert proud mama grin here.</em><br />
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I am a little sad to say that dear little Cooper didn't share the same excitement as his older brother. He wanted to know where his marshmallow had gone and who had taken it.<br />
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He was quite distressed over this actually. ;)<br />
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Sunday morning, the boys woke up to lots of exciting treats from the Easter bunny. Their favorite? A kickball that the Easter bunny found on clearance at Sears in December 2011 for $2. <br />
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We also enjoyed opening our Resurrection eggs this year. Parker knew the story well, so he liked to tell me what everything stood for when we opened them each day. Cooper just liked to open them all. ;)<br />
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I worked in the Climbers room Sunday morning and then enjoyed attending the Easter service--since our Sunday School class was cancelled for the holiday. Thanks Tammy, for snapping this picture of the boys and me quick before class!<br />
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Following church, the boys and I went to the Landscape Arboretum for a Bunny Brunch. Delicious food and a chance to see the Easter bunny...couldn't get much better than that for these two. As one of the workers kept an eye on my kids at our assigned table in the other room, my McAlisters Deli waitressing skills came in handy while I balanced the 3 plates of food in the buffet line and then successfully delivered the heaping plates to the two hungry boys. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Thank you McAlisters! I can't tell you how many times I have been thankful for the balancing skills I acquired from that highschool job...especially since having kids.</em></span><br />
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We enjoyed our brunch of fruit, veggies, chicken, fish, and all sorts of yummy festive food and then were greeted by the Easter bunny. I almost choked on my food though, when Parker looked him over curiously when the special guest was visiting another table and proclaimed, "Mom! That's not the Easter bunny! That's not even one of the Easter bunny's special helpers! That's a man dressed up in a suit; I can see his hair sticking out from the back of the mask!" <br />
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Oh Parker. My child who you can't sneak anything past. I didn't even try to fake it or cover it up. I said in a shocking tone, "Parker you are right! The Easter bunny and his helpers must not have been able to make it so they sent a man to dress up like him instead." That settled his mind and he decided that must be what happened. Real Easter bunny or not, Parker was still happy to sit with him and to get his picture taken with him. :)<br />
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Cooper really wanted to pull his pink, bushy tail; the Easter bunny man let him.<br />
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Before leaving, we checked out the fairy exhibits on display at the entrance of the Arboretum. Both kids were quite fascinated by the large displays featuring these tiny, whimsical creatures.</div>
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Parker stood quietly and checked out each of the little details. I loved watching his sweet expressions as it fascinated him. I snapped a couple of pictures of Cooper too...they were blurry (not sure if it was from me moving to grab his sneaky hands or from him being his little active self...probably both) as he kept sticking his hands in the exhibits, snatching the little creatures off of the delicate bridges and the pennies out of the miniature waterfalls and streams that others had thrown in hoping for wishes to come true. <em>Sorry guys. He did throw them back in with happy toddler force though! Maybe your wishes will come true twice! :)</em><br />
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Cooper and his Easter outfit (that used to be his brother's) with his Easter bunny that Nana and Poppie got for him. I tried to get a picture of both boys in the Easter outfits with their little bunnies. HA! <br />
(...and me playing around with some color stuff in Photoshop. I need a Photoshop for Dummies quite badly.)<br />
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Love that smile...even though you can't see those brilliant blue eyes in this picture. I can assure you those baby blue's were sparkling and shining even more on this particular day. When the Pilot gets home, I have plans to put Cooper back in this outfit and attempt more pictures. He's just too cute in it not to! <span style="font-size: x-small;">(his collar was unbuttoned in this picture..in case you're wondering why it looks a little high and funny.)</span><br />
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Easter morning 2010: Us with Parker in the Easter outfit.<br />
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You know, I noticed that many of my pictures through the weekend had terrible backgrounds, were blurry and out of focus and most were off color from being inside with tricky lighting. As I look through them though, I smile and feel thankful that I was able to record much of our weekend "as is." Just about everything was captured...off color or not. And that makes this mama Super Happy! <br />
I hope you and your family had a Blessed Easter holiday as well!<br />
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