tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64038541116978146072024-03-13T08:59:58.864-07:00Mommy......A work in ProgressAshleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.comBlogger257125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-73786770487123418592013-11-08T08:34:00.000-08:002013-11-08T08:44:11.218-08:005 on Friday<div class="THE-GOOD-LIFE-BLOG-FIVE-ON-FRIDAY-button" style="margin: 0 auto; width: 275px;">
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Well, it's finally Friday and in mom world it doesn't mean much, but it does mean that my poor hard working husband has some time off; a full weekend, in fact! He has been working 90 hour work weeks lately and it has been brutal on all of us. I am going to keep this post short and sweet with a fun little link up I found today. So, here's five randoms coming at ya!<br />
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1.) I am way too excited about the new Seahawks scarf I am getting today. It is, after all, blue friday! And in this house we take that seriously. ;) We are die hard Seahawks fans..... no kidding, even the littles.<br />
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2.) I just blew through my new book for book club in two days! It isn't a book I would ordinarily gravitate toward but I could not put it down. It was a tear jerker, though. If you are looking for a good book I recommend Sarah's Key. I also just read Wild by Cheryl Strayed and that was really good too!<br />
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3.) I am down 13 pounds in the last 50 days! I have recommitted to working out and being healthy. This is not a diet for me, this is about being healthy and making better choices and setting a good example for my kids. Simply by being more active and more aware of what and how much I am consuming I have lost this weight. My goal is three more pounds by Thanksgiving and then another five by Christmas. It is a little slow going, but I know it is better this way.<br />
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4.) Can we talk Grey's Anatomy for a minute? While I love this show and always have, I am a bit frustrated with the story lines this season. Not so much with what is happening, but how there never seems to be a resolution with them. It's just on to some other big drama from week to week without resolving some of the other plot lines.... don't leave a girl hanging and can't we get a little more screen time for Jackson Avery?! I mean, come on, he sure is fun to drool over, I mean look, at!<br />
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5.) I am almost done with Christmas shopping already. Yes, you read that right. I usually procrastinate till the last few weeks but I wanted to really enjoy the season and take some pressure off. So, after next week we should be all finished up. ;)Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-75637024991423982362013-11-05T08:37:00.000-08:002013-11-05T08:37:34.912-08:00Our Summer Catch Up<br />
Now, that we are firmly in the midst of Fall, heading toward Winter, I felt it was time to (finally) catch up on our Summer.<br />
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Aside from our trip to Vegas there was so much fun going on this Summer. I feel like it was non stop.<br />
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*be prepared for LOTS of photos<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfwet7sxIVhFV9lMtYJDGi1X78ynTrmJDkJzXRvkKXulfLAekcGYS62-KK16xoQeWlHb3IEJqJE2JZW29IDvXCAZmxG-yhVkUL5ZXVRrF1DFY3r5nWCRi5RJuHxLCAJm6JaB26TuNE8fF/s1600/Summer13.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfwet7sxIVhFV9lMtYJDGi1X78ynTrmJDkJzXRvkKXulfLAekcGYS62-KK16xoQeWlHb3IEJqJE2JZW29IDvXCAZmxG-yhVkUL5ZXVRrF1DFY3r5nWCRi5RJuHxLCAJm6JaB26TuNE8fF/s1600/Summer13.1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were LOTS of park trips</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPv7zWDb1eO6NM-mC3UMLuokD_5QRXDEQs_5X6o_9NKdxgg5kHS0gNUPDStGtOiW9dgXBYYLfkVt1ilf1hFvpElzyPnnn6lBWVtSUiiqPL0Q_3C6Xii1FLHUX6kXjoV9LWJCLp4sJzZOHS/s1600/summer13.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPv7zWDb1eO6NM-mC3UMLuokD_5QRXDEQs_5X6o_9NKdxgg5kHS0gNUPDStGtOiW9dgXBYYLfkVt1ilf1hFvpElzyPnnn6lBWVtSUiiqPL0Q_3C6Xii1FLHUX6kXjoV9LWJCLp4sJzZOHS/s320/summer13.2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DIY chalkboard from an old door</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAm4rxvAHShBpmlyB3tY48cRI8M_7TwcBo4VhqANG0sjFZ8HIME3xR_b6hkjJQUfRDIRMy-gfD01LSnQTOWKwJekWkI2paGxYAxpb1gcp6vI0BCBptcKKQ9dHemYfqyGHZKmnFkg0z3H-/s1600/summer13.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAm4rxvAHShBpmlyB3tY48cRI8M_7TwcBo4VhqANG0sjFZ8HIME3xR_b6hkjJQUfRDIRMy-gfD01LSnQTOWKwJekWkI2paGxYAxpb1gcp6vI0BCBptcKKQ9dHemYfqyGHZKmnFkg0z3H-/s320/summer13.3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One family hike</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot cocoa and firepits and roasted marshmallows</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVd0ELtDQGCbEtXyAbgZzkWT0bbGX3EGrHzgKYQbr2DwU1VyY5qTudoeNmNqJPYQtSCAFS1aUANKKR5wcZ0TM1ZDBacwndUJ9KCs7sk9YkS8wlm3sjbJ3UdWmYM7p24JjSPIc_2Psm02WZ/s1600/summer13.6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVd0ELtDQGCbEtXyAbgZzkWT0bbGX3EGrHzgKYQbr2DwU1VyY5qTudoeNmNqJPYQtSCAFS1aUANKKR5wcZ0TM1ZDBacwndUJ9KCs7sk9YkS8wlm3sjbJ3UdWmYM7p24JjSPIc_2Psm02WZ/s320/summer13.6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first trip to the state fair and yes, that is Kendra all.by.herself. She insisted. What a surprise. I was freaking out a little</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16cr8iiW85_D-07aNo9MF2_q9UbskXljgIQ8oW6AEIva14muvIxpTjhsh4PuMNOPVENz0K2DnqvMtesni_QkaNj4WKvMt0u0ITK6yOCODw7qIpQ7tUgASOS0s-0ZjTSEzoi-h8o6WDuLL/s1600/summer13.9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16cr8iiW85_D-07aNo9MF2_q9UbskXljgIQ8oW6AEIva14muvIxpTjhsh4PuMNOPVENz0K2DnqvMtesni_QkaNj4WKvMt0u0ITK6yOCODw7qIpQ7tUgASOS0s-0ZjTSEzoi-h8o6WDuLL/s320/summer13.9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A trip to a specialty cupcake shop! So many choices.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach trips to search for crabs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubbles and food coloring in the water table</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little sassafrass turned 3!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0nPuWC857Q89OYJxMPhDS7uAdIxMNCJ4ratfrJSKamTV1lonnV6BAFyqhTgvL7SlYO3RGhj5OWD0zplsxzMxH0DG0j4JHuS4t-uwcpsVbzRF6EBMkjALJsnfFKjPf_vTjI9E_RebR5WF/s1600/summer13.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0nPuWC857Q89OYJxMPhDS7uAdIxMNCJ4ratfrJSKamTV1lonnV6BAFyqhTgvL7SlYO3RGhj5OWD0zplsxzMxH0DG0j4JHuS4t-uwcpsVbzRF6EBMkjALJsnfFKjPf_vTjI9E_RebR5WF/s320/summer13.15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Special pony rides</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ia2uClWNR-0XMY78v2EuUzfxm16s9d261RpV94m0CATefGNoWG_UvT2ljRVoPJgjSw30ZORGUQwR1v8jBmNnECpC67pCyFpmoY_Bxn5VDisTDj5-6nhul6uN2Pl2nuT0gNyqKusL-W7c/s1600/summer13.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ia2uClWNR-0XMY78v2EuUzfxm16s9d261RpV94m0CATefGNoWG_UvT2ljRVoPJgjSw30ZORGUQwR1v8jBmNnECpC67pCyFpmoY_Bxn5VDisTDj5-6nhul6uN2Pl2nuT0gNyqKusL-W7c/s320/summer13.16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GIANT waterslides</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr64W4EDbX-GPosP9M6zvlDAGjBqkFjL8ZVllBmWIDH8Ef8an44QK8SbnjeHqut9suKvZks0vIp12X0g0bXpw8Y-wSkR0rRCRYwlW49tEGjERM28TnyxxJ_OzTtgZAmFFQyEgYRt4_5QT5/s1600/summer13.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr64W4EDbX-GPosP9M6zvlDAGjBqkFjL8ZVllBmWIDH8Ef8an44QK8SbnjeHqut9suKvZks0vIp12X0g0bXpw8Y-wSkR0rRCRYwlW49tEGjERM28TnyxxJ_OzTtgZAmFFQyEgYRt4_5QT5/s320/summer13.17.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reunions with best friends and kiddos</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYI36aypj9cyXnyxIBeBSp8kVSuo6_N1JUXWHZSKlDVjF2pbp6n8-xzfDPc34cZi7HIsAMZsFhS1UvyUFOiB3Avnl8LbZvzPI6k5YMHTf3EgJ11hgUyZ57hu5oFQydxYljtvcBTBP4A1AN/s1600/summer13.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYI36aypj9cyXnyxIBeBSp8kVSuo6_N1JUXWHZSKlDVjF2pbp6n8-xzfDPc34cZi7HIsAMZsFhS1UvyUFOiB3Avnl8LbZvzPI6k5YMHTf3EgJ11hgUyZ57hu5oFQydxYljtvcBTBP4A1AN/s320/summer13.20.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">blackberry picking to be made into cobbler (by the hubby)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJd3xM4fp2zYBbtdMbW8bxdGUwnobfoNR8Iat8HC3eUvp4EuMZmprSTdsDLCa8nUSE8fJl3vZxFdkyUq_O5o_bMfXudgQq9TxF28nP14p-v4HFngC5w3_qLQE_W78Nh7qbEXTxHXtzUh8/s1600/summer13.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJd3xM4fp2zYBbtdMbW8bxdGUwnobfoNR8Iat8HC3eUvp4EuMZmprSTdsDLCa8nUSE8fJl3vZxFdkyUq_O5o_bMfXudgQq9TxF28nP14p-v4HFngC5w3_qLQE_W78Nh7qbEXTxHXtzUh8/s320/summer13.19.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A trip to the zoo!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEqv0_A8qFlBYgxJA9bI2ZY7gCz-Z3ZIUHoq_NuIfEm3lOaoyOdRhBkRWR_v1BM_gLWMkjc3ugYvOdEWfBqx8E-SPvIu5tFw6cBAFciv6UlicL6yDSuScq4um0qX8Bm7IWgOG3HvD3nzM/s1600/summer13.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEqv0_A8qFlBYgxJA9bI2ZY7gCz-Z3ZIUHoq_NuIfEm3lOaoyOdRhBkRWR_v1BM_gLWMkjc3ugYvOdEWfBqx8E-SPvIu5tFw6cBAFciv6UlicL6yDSuScq4um0qX8Bm7IWgOG3HvD3nzM/s320/summer13.21.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoor concerts</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInhUZv-b8_iCOsKTMQPY6B27w9teVVdGKu6gljkWUIcQnmP9S7oO04UjYhiKUyzaDvHU4RDqIzzXuVqch8QfWQi_CFPSlsLdOiM7IKLuuqE_355aBO4J_VhDYZFKts3m84902_igjwHPt/s1600/summer13.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInhUZv-b8_iCOsKTMQPY6B27w9teVVdGKu6gljkWUIcQnmP9S7oO04UjYhiKUyzaDvHU4RDqIzzXuVqch8QfWQi_CFPSlsLdOiM7IKLuuqE_355aBO4J_VhDYZFKts3m84902_igjwHPt/s320/summer13.22.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More pony rides</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgt96_gjKV1BE6gdcgKvNYiAWE-KO2DEVm4uqIoG4F_W1cqlPSH2LNAH4DXiB7KN0JcFiWkj-RXxb31wU-Ypw2uEx8SmCKSpTV4LwZhWrN6EXaVlLPuhgSL8Gn8Eb6pm6-C9C-LEQu1tgu/s1600/summer13.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgt96_gjKV1BE6gdcgKvNYiAWE-KO2DEVm4uqIoG4F_W1cqlPSH2LNAH4DXiB7KN0JcFiWkj-RXxb31wU-Ypw2uEx8SmCKSpTV4LwZhWrN6EXaVlLPuhgSL8Gn8Eb6pm6-C9C-LEQu1tgu/s320/summer13.23.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">face painting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ax57iw_-Wqv0jqMrVt4e98hYHCBN0xNBGm6zynZnv6YPfJ4Wj4L6zeYCfG_o4uhGxSk146Kqy5V9fqf55_p1C0Fmued6xLhy_OsYS1dr-PfjgZ_9AEDE1pFu319qm60Elj9a5hAH7276/s1600/summer13.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ax57iw_-Wqv0jqMrVt4e98hYHCBN0xNBGm6zynZnv6YPfJ4Wj4L6zeYCfG_o4uhGxSk146Kqy5V9fqf55_p1C0Fmued6xLhy_OsYS1dr-PfjgZ_9AEDE1pFu319qm60Elj9a5hAH7276/s320/summer13.24.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">petting zoo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwpWwhfRTgZLIk2WZeVHd7J_Y_w7hs4qujYi2hx_BVp_nU_Y81yVKaKX5nkRD_i4MKFG1P3TTWD7LcXro0aKJpplf1iiCLiA9c9sH5vRPiOHRN34-jNDtAosvj1prsTJY16fiWq1mLnWW/s1600/summer13.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwpWwhfRTgZLIk2WZeVHd7J_Y_w7hs4qujYi2hx_BVp_nU_Y81yVKaKX5nkRD_i4MKFG1P3TTWD7LcXro0aKJpplf1iiCLiA9c9sH5vRPiOHRN34-jNDtAosvj1prsTJY16fiWq1mLnWW/s320/summer13.25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKY7EsCxuYWpVLhdMrGRZBXK_HnuHwaOncVnTPqvL9jo2Wukn9v9T_Ou4Kp39zJrCKVoVoqsqq7NeyK0s7nGp6_B-3eNiVkoTM7cY8vt8QSbZbE4s-bO1enNKVa4krSB9OW8ACowAd7N1/s1600/summer13.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKY7EsCxuYWpVLhdMrGRZBXK_HnuHwaOncVnTPqvL9jo2Wukn9v9T_Ou4Kp39zJrCKVoVoqsqq7NeyK0s7nGp6_B-3eNiVkoTM7cY8vt8QSbZbE4s-bO1enNKVa4krSB9OW8ACowAd7N1/s320/summer13.26.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of fresh veggies in our garden</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEOEJlUuGJagblywmTTxzFeROYbRKQ-ttoOWIo0c58hWvyhHC9KEaVdDWZXJFg5-hZfP8TUYDFqAp3fYc5a_fouTWtBo6LCP6D1zFHFLaJHeoLxgYWh2x0bP-yN3LzX3H9RU2OoIKYVF6/s1600/summer13.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEOEJlUuGJagblywmTTxzFeROYbRKQ-ttoOWIo0c58hWvyhHC9KEaVdDWZXJFg5-hZfP8TUYDFqAp3fYc5a_fouTWtBo6LCP6D1zFHFLaJHeoLxgYWh2x0bP-yN3LzX3H9RU2OoIKYVF6/s320/summer13.27.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">swim lessons</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVhFn7173Akrnnw18wyI28unhxZ7R-6W6jPHdpNPm9WP04jb2pz-w1avZwK_WT159L2HRAA6-4CnbO9Ke-VYdZ2Lap9c1r0aqXpdXHx9La8VwFTo1tgu2srEZv8m_eTjSHXtokZfN3lGy/s1600/summer13.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVhFn7173Akrnnw18wyI28unhxZ7R-6W6jPHdpNPm9WP04jb2pz-w1avZwK_WT159L2HRAA6-4CnbO9Ke-VYdZ2Lap9c1r0aqXpdXHx9La8VwFTo1tgu2srEZv8m_eTjSHXtokZfN3lGy/s320/summer13.28.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ten year high school reunion</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfO5mIvUuugD8yyZkQ_Sz9ZQ8rD9U8BRI8bznex8Wz6ZoBqLwKk_QNdL3gE2LtpxYKgsl7qsOm1FCXXd37YI-DkQOSXM4cy2VTfhsjdaUwRG3VKSlzT6eY7qrN1gnrqP82x906Bz1e0446/s1600/summer13.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfO5mIvUuugD8yyZkQ_Sz9ZQ8rD9U8BRI8bznex8Wz6ZoBqLwKk_QNdL3gE2LtpxYKgsl7qsOm1FCXXd37YI-DkQOSXM4cy2VTfhsjdaUwRG3VKSlzT6eY7qrN1gnrqP82x906Bz1e0446/s320/summer13.29.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brandon's first 5k with the kiddos</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iClWszlKHdicDFF1BkyOujnfI7TZHUlQup1D0ETBtVQrPO2cSO-GRJmXZIWEiM9Wc13B6GADOz3EZ69XE-8Dy83_HMnDWkJqhKw57wHFAyzs7JYmDZulmePVABoMVBJvfOu6uj5cKBv8/s1600/summer13.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iClWszlKHdicDFF1BkyOujnfI7TZHUlQup1D0ETBtVQrPO2cSO-GRJmXZIWEiM9Wc13B6GADOz3EZ69XE-8Dy83_HMnDWkJqhKw57wHFAyzs7JYmDZulmePVABoMVBJvfOu6uj5cKBv8/s320/summer13.30.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carnival came to town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFW-gCT2fewJu9mBTqf1r9658oG3oaEzSZw2cIeNnRCrDj7l-IR-l3y2rIfUFPCMarXWR7E51DfTKeOvSpQEbki_Poc7ei5cfbWrFSFsSkO45e_XBBF5P8N0zMrmCaeu-Xsfurj74Ri0nh/s1600/summer13.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFW-gCT2fewJu9mBTqf1r9658oG3oaEzSZw2cIeNnRCrDj7l-IR-l3y2rIfUFPCMarXWR7E51DfTKeOvSpQEbki_Poc7ei5cfbWrFSFsSkO45e_XBBF5P8N0zMrmCaeu-Xsfurj74Ri0nh/s320/summer13.31.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DIY chalkboard table. We are obsessed with chalkboards around here. ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1b2BCVDhqzK68xKSQkjav8e1JD-ZGPemP9GfG-oEKxfu8V7vndmzpYRErfea_oM-Y3BLAdZYgXsJfvaYl0DkxOQxGc6oWn8klMZA-I00W_utvYabTmcOEiBFIJ-OXnqSzFP9ZieDG-TWB/s1600/summer13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1b2BCVDhqzK68xKSQkjav8e1JD-ZGPemP9GfG-oEKxfu8V7vndmzpYRErfea_oM-Y3BLAdZYgXsJfvaYl0DkxOQxGc6oWn8klMZA-I00W_utvYabTmcOEiBFIJ-OXnqSzFP9ZieDG-TWB/s320/summer13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More smores!</td></tr>
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We had such a full summer and were very blessed with lots of amazing weather. It's hard to believe that it came and was gone in the blink of an eye.Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-86475463835634966452013-10-25T11:27:00.002-07:002013-10-25T11:27:10.286-07:00TGIF.....Just kidding<br />
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I slept in this morning, my kids were well behaved and we had plans to hit up a once a year consignment sale. The makings of a good day, or so I thought.<br />
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I call it the calm before the storm. Th s**t storm, that is. Figuratively and literally, unfortunately.<br />
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There are no Fridays in motherhood. In fact, hubby just went on shift so I am flying solo. So, of course this would be the opportune time for things to go awry. Right?!<br />
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I had just gotten out of the shower and was drying my hair when Jax came running in saying he needed to potty. (warning; TMI ahead!) I left him to be and he called for help right away. He hadn't quite made it on the toilet. In fact, he made it everywhere but the toilet and then he tried to clean it, bless his heart. That only made it worse, though. So, he was covered and the floor and the wall and the bath mat and his clothes. You get the picture. I stripped him down and put him in the shower and attempted to scrub everything up. I ran out of disinfectant wipes and resorted to spray and toilet paper. In the meantime Jax was crying that the shower was getting cold. Yes, it was. So, I hurried and cleaned up and jumped in the shower(again) with him and by this time the shower turned icy cold. Ugh...we never run out of hot water and today we did. So, we scrubbed off quickly and hopped out.<br />
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It was then I realized that all the towels were down in the dryer all the way in the basement. So, I grabbed a comforter and made do. After we were dressed I knew I needed a coffee (or four) stat! Well, no luck for me. We were out! So, I did what anyone would do. Loaded the kids up and ran through the coffee stand to order a triple americano, in my sweats, with wet hair and no make up. Yup, I am that mom today. Toys on the floor, laundry piled high and top ramen for lunch.<br />
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Here is hoping tomorrow is better! Happy Friday!<br />
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<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-67022008304700468142013-10-19T21:50:00.003-07:002013-10-19T21:50:42.943-07:00Bits and Pieces<br />
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I feel like it has been forever. I haven't been so good at keeping this blog up to date and as a result I feel like I have been missing out on your lives. I am happy to say that I am finally pretty much caught up on my blog reading (until tomorrow, of course) and it has made me realize that I have missed blogging so much. It is a nice little escape from the monotony that the day to day routines can become. Lately, by the end of the day I am so exhausted that all I want to do is curl up on the couch with a glass of cider or wine and catch up on my shows (and boy, there are a lot of them!). Honestly, I have so much I want to blog about that it overwhelms me. I need to finish my Vegas posts and recap our summer, not to mention Kendra's third birthday, and that was all months ago! Time sure is flying.<br />
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So, bare with me as I transition back into blogging and try to get caught up.<br />
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Here is just some random pieces about some of our day to day happenings around here, as of late.<br />
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Hubby has been working crazy insane hours and I feel like a single parent to three, yes, I said three kids lately! No, I didn't have another, but I have started watching a 2 year old boy four afternoons a week. Call me crazy, but having a 2, 3 and 4 year old running around hasn't been as difficult as I thought it would be. Yes, some days are hard, but for the most part it is working out really well! Kids are loving having a playmate and it's nice to make some much needed extra money and still be at home where I want to be with my kiddos.<br />
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Jax is in his second month of his second year of preschool and he is loving it! I can't believe that this time next year he will be in full day kindergarten five days a week! My momma heart can't handle that.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTl8zcWiln9OY4QYTCsrtLXEp_5GKJNNVuwSQGJFOPVz_g6nZ-U9wBTQC8oH7NYpKvx7ZKxFVaqo1cDgRMISNvSBIT77oDPDlfNiq5vMmhMWG4Xt4sn9oyRBlEalKVvtsyoilf3LEP-hFN/s1600/jax-first+day+of+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTl8zcWiln9OY4QYTCsrtLXEp_5GKJNNVuwSQGJFOPVz_g6nZ-U9wBTQC8oH7NYpKvx7ZKxFVaqo1cDgRMISNvSBIT77oDPDlfNiq5vMmhMWG4Xt4sn9oyRBlEalKVvtsyoilf3LEP-hFN/s400/jax-first+day+of+school.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bless his little heart, he said he wants to be a stay at home dad when he grows up! He said he wants to cook and clean. I told him he has plenty of opportunities to practice that now. :)</td></tr>
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Kendra is her normal sassy independent self. I will say, though, that she gives me a run for my money. Plus, she is going through this wonderful non sleeping phase. She wakes up at least three times a night crying and wanting in to bed with me! She was always such an amazing sleeper and I don't know what happened. I can tell you that I am ready for this phase to be over. I feel like I haven't had a good night of sleep in months! Speaking of which, I think that is one of the reasons I got a migraine Wednesday and was down for the count. :( Lack of sleep and too much stress is not a good combo.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMLLWi-twKgx2bqib9GYbKUdFlU6jjeuahzZfs-O-3UZpQB8YGkhO1_4jc9kiRZLXh-2vierEPDROek6TUxntNkZ05qpOwfEfcsLWfaF7rHV6EENn-AvvQ6U-GkuyHufXis1G4YvQXXrf/s1600/kendrastyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMLLWi-twKgx2bqib9GYbKUdFlU6jjeuahzZfs-O-3UZpQB8YGkhO1_4jc9kiRZLXh-2vierEPDROek6TUxntNkZ05qpOwfEfcsLWfaF7rHV6EENn-AvvQ6U-GkuyHufXis1G4YvQXXrf/s400/kendrastyle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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On a plus side, I have lost ten pounds in the last thirty days! I know, I can hardly believe it! I decided it was time to get more serious and I have been very conscious about what and how much I am eating. I am making every effort to work out at least five days a week too. I feel great and am very excited about all the progress so far. Can't wait to see more changes in the next few months. If you are on myfitness pal, find me! My username is Ashdiane1224.<br />
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And....speaking of changes. I do have some changes coming this way when it comes to the blog. I need a new design (desperately) and I am pondering the idea of a name change.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids and I at one of the MANY pumpkin patches we have already visited. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-30553029819946566202013-10-16T20:02:00.000-07:002013-10-16T20:02:33.994-07:00No Words....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lately, I feel as though I have no words. Okay, well, I have words, but seem to have lost the ability to put pen to paper. Or in this instance, keys to keyboard. I don't know what it is. Maybe it's that I have SO many ideas that I have a hard time focusing in on one idea that I get overwhelmed and instead choose to write or do nothing.<br />
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So, in an effort to get back into the swing of things and being more consistent with blogging, I am just going to start writing and whatever comes, comes. <br />
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Life has been good and full lately, but not without challenges. There have been challenges lately and some all time low moments, but still we persevere, because what else would we do?<br />
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On that note, I will leave you with some adorable pictures from a recent mini photoshoot the kiddos had done. My good friend and super talented photographer Laura took these pictures. You may know her from blogging over at <a href="http://www.bitsofsweetness.com/2013/09/seven-seconds-til-i-hit-ground.html">Bits of Sweetness</a>. <br />
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I have many more where these came from, but beings that it literally took me days to get these to download I will save them for another time.<br />
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I hope to get back into blogging more regularly, again, but who knows, I seem to say that all the time! So, I hope all is well with you. I will be spending quite a bit of time hopping around to your blogs now.Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-32367543325864398642013-08-14T09:24:00.002-07:002013-08-14T09:24:53.997-07:00Sometimes I throw tantrums.........<br />
I interrupt your normally scheduled posts (who am I kidding? I don't have any scheduled posts) to bring you this; <b>Sometimes I throw tantrums.</b> Like full on little kid tantrums. Not proud of it, but hey, at least I own it.<br />
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You know, I try to be a good example for my kids and not let them see my anger get the best of me but we all know that there are days when we just can't handle it. Most of the time I try to excuse myself and take a "mommy time out" but sometimes it gets the better of me and I erupt.<br />
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There has been known to be crying, maybe some foot stomping, definitely slammed doors and once or twice rolling around on the ground (okay, I kid). Seriously, though, I would love to be calm, cool and collected all the time and the perfect example, but I can't. That is not realistic. I am a yeller. I do not like that about myself and I am working on it, but I am not there yet and honestly, who knows if I ever will be. I hate that my reaction is to yell and I hate that I feel like that is the only way I am getting people to listen to me. I sometimes feel like the invisible women until I yell to get attention. <br />
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With that said, I can not expect,nor do I, for my kiddos to be perfect little specimens. They are four and three and boy can they have a tantrum or two. I blame part of that on myself and part of it as normal behavior. What's important here is to always make sure <b>I </b>apoloqize after a tantrum and explain that there are better ways to handle my feelings and to try harder. Plain and simple. If they can see me own it and make and effort then maybe, just maybe, they will too.<br />
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But....sometimes everybody just has to throw a tantrum!Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-28232027233826068662013-08-02T19:14:00.000-07:002013-08-02T19:14:10.305-07:00Viva Las Vegas (part 3)<br />
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Our first morning in Vegas was spent sleeping in, not only because we could, but because the lady next door was coughing/vomiting so hard that I could hear her through the walls ALL.NIGHT.LONG. Seriously guys, it was ridiculous!<br />
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Anyways, I sent Brandon down to Starbucks (which, sidenote here: everything is so much more expensive! Two mochas and two pastries were close to $25.00 dollars. So much for a cheap breakfast).<br />
<br />While Brandon was down getting breakfast my phone rang. I checked caller ID and it was my dad. Normally he doesn't call so early and never when I am on vacation. He just doesn't. So I had a bad feeling. Unfortunately after talking to my dad my bad feeling was confirmed. My grandfather had fallen from the top of a ladder when it gave way. He was up at their property on the river and was alone. He laid there for hours before anyone found him. He was transported two hours away to a trauma hospital and was listed in critical condition.<br />
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At this point I started bawling, not knowing what to think. My dad reassured me that although he was listed as critical due to the extent of his injuries, none of them were life threatening. I could breathe a bit easier. I asked for him to call me with an update as soon as he had one and when my grandpa woke up.<br />
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Brandon came back to the room all excited to head to the pool and found me crying in bed. I knew my grandpa would be okay, but knew he probably wouldn't be the same and it wouldn't be okay for awhile. I was feeling so bad knowing he had just laid their alone in pain.<br />
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After I calmed down some we headed to the pool and soaked up the sun pretty much all day. I kept the phone at my side at all times and by mid afternoon I had an update. My grandpa had awoke and was in a lot of pain, but the morphine was helping some. The doctor had come in and said that he had a broken pelvis, cracked ribs and cracked hips, but miraculously did not need any sort of surgery. They said he was in great shape for a man his age and that would aid in his recovery.<br />
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After spending about a week there he finally made it back up here closer to home to a rehab facility. I wish I could say that he is so much better, but he isn't. He IS improving, but it is going to be a long, hard and painful recovery and he may never regain the same movement he had before. <br />
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Needless to say, I wasn't feeling up to any crazy shenanigans and we didn't leave the pool until that evening to attend another show and that in of itself is a whole other post. <br />
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-24089889998558196282013-07-31T16:35:00.003-07:002013-07-31T16:35:32.039-07:00Viva Las Vegas (part 2)<br />
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After I switched off my phone the hubby and I caught a taxi to our hotel and were hoping we could check in early. We were very early and figured at the very least we could drop off our luggage and go in search of food. We had been up for 7 hours already at that point and all the stress of the morning was catching up to me.<br />
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The hotel was nice enough to check us in early and after dropping of our luggage we set out on foot to find the Hash House A Go Go. I had heard excellent things about this place from lots of people. It was quite a long walk and by the time we found it I was famished. The line was huge and they said it would be a 30 minute wait. Somehow,we got called back only about 15 minutes later. Let me tell you, this food did not disappoint! Definitely worth the walk and the wait.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was Brandon's chicken and waffles. Don't ask. It doesn't sound appealing to me, but he said it was good. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was an eggs benedict with a creamy red pepper sauce. The biscuits were made from scratch and the ingredients were so fresh they tasted like they were from the garden.</td></tr>
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After breakfast we wandered around a bit waiting for the clouds to clear. It was quite overcast and we were hoping the sun would make an appearance. By two in afternoon I was tired of waiting and headed for the pool anyways. It was warm enough at this point, and we settled in our lounge chairs with a couple drinks and just relaxed. We spent most of the rest of the day at the pool and after changing we figured we would look for somewhere to eat before our show at 9:30. We found a restaurant called Twin Peaks that had an amazing view of the strip.<br />
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After a dinner of grilled chicken tacos and sliders we wandered around the strip some more and made our way to the MGM eventually, where we had tickets for the Beattle's Love show by cirque de Solei. I had been so excited for this because I had never seen a cirque show and heard how good they were. At this point, though we had been awake for so long and I was so exhausted. The show was so good but, I was so tired that I ended up nodding off. :( We ended up leaving a few minutes early and we crashed by 11:30. So much for a crazy first night in Vegas. ;)Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-61039124243599093402013-07-30T08:21:00.000-07:002013-07-30T08:21:27.217-07:00Viva Las Vegas!<br />
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Now I have that song stuck in my head and I bet you do too now!<br />
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Well, last Sunday the hubby and I took off for a quick trip to Vegas. It was much needed and so fun. We flew out early on our anniversary and made it to Vegas by 9:15 am. Now, I am not a flyer and it took a lot of coaxing to get me on that plane. I knew I would have fun and knew I wanted to go, but I cried a lot. The older I have gotten the worse my fear of flying has gotten. I took a couple of children's benadryl and luckily that helped make me pretty drowsy. I *thought* about having a bloody mary on the plane, but since it was only 7 am I figured it might not be socially acceptable.<br />
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Luckily, it was a good smooth flight and an easy landing. Upon landing and turning on my phone I did a quick check of facebook (yes, I am a social media addict) and something in my feed stopped my heart and made my stomach churn all at the same time.<br />
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There were all these posts about a 4 year old being shot and killed on our street. A 4 year old, <b>Jaxson's age</b>, and on our quiet little street. Our street where my babies were still supposed to be peacefully sleeping. And....the suspect was still at large; armed and dangerous. I frantically started calling my mom and step dad and got no answer. So, I sat there and continued to call over and over until someone answered. Of course my kiddos were okay, and in fact my parents had taken them to their house and were headed out of town, which meant I could breathe easier.<br />
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I then learned of who the little boy was. I didn't know this family personally but I walked by their house everyday and saw the little boy play. My heart is broken for them. The circumstances surrounding his death are still a little hazy. It was reported that it was an accidental self inflicted gun shot wound, then it was reported a homicide by the father, who fled the scene. Then, it was once again reported to be an accident and the man did eventually turn himself in.<br />
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So, after this unsettling news Brandon told me to turn my phone off and just put it away so we could enjoy ourselves. I think I will stop right here because this post is already lengthy enough as it is. We can pick up tomorrow where we left off. :)<br />
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-34589483656545661152013-07-14T19:44:00.003-07:002013-07-14T19:44:45.801-07:00Currently; The Jaxson Edition<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Currently (Jaxson edition):</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Loving:</b> Swimming lessons. I am so </span></span>happy we decided to do swimming lessons this summer. We got a great deal for starters and more importantly I have already seen such a change in the kids around the water. I hope this is something we can continue.<br />
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<b>Eating:</b> Anything and everything. This boy is going through a growth spurt again! He is actually starting to pass his friends in height. He has always been a little short, but now he is getting some length but he is so skinny still.<br />
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<b>Reading:</b> Okay, well HE isn't reading yet but we are signed up for a summer reading program through our library, and although he loves reading already, the extra incentive of crossing off minutes as he reads is great!<br />
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<b>Looking forward to:</b> Preschool. He talks about his class and teachers all the time. He already has planned out what he wants to bring for show and tell. <i>He doesn't start up again until September. </i><br />
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<b>Not looking forward to:</b> Kindergarten. Only because he knows he needs more immunizations before he can go. :)<br />
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<b>Wanting:</b> To go to the zoo. The day we were going to go it rained so we had to postpone. That was two months ago and we still haven't made it yet.<br />
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<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-23946193339498259822013-07-03T17:00:00.000-07:002013-07-03T17:00:48.896-07:00Time keeps on ticking away In the blink of an eye another month has passed. <br />
I have been savoring all of this uninterrupted time with my kiddos and making the most of our summer.<br />
Here are some photos of the things we have been up to. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE26jDfhuG6Ina0H_SIw_OCbke2CTOyK5o2RIWJgfbK-PzX6gQK8VbZffwZY7TLDB5EbxVpLka3pUeoSRVKngDXItx23M-5FpG4FGr-os9337sud4WZUvlR6Wsv-xQsGAQNPyr_x6pI0pP/s960/summer3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE26jDfhuG6Ina0H_SIw_OCbke2CTOyK5o2RIWJgfbK-PzX6gQK8VbZffwZY7TLDB5EbxVpLka3pUeoSRVKngDXItx23M-5FpG4FGr-os9337sud4WZUvlR6Wsv-xQsGAQNPyr_x6pI0pP/s320/summer3.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDORFnOv3gD48TQbnDFxPh7avnOhhbI0Uv6cogPI_ZUGSoL_g9n86GLE8K_K9o4YRPakql6LMsxWv7VPi_xrVgFuCZ_tp261K-mWzuOjYHiB9-AnoOXJq2SL3xB7x32SIlG5SPlDIzU1I5/s960/summer1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDORFnOv3gD48TQbnDFxPh7avnOhhbI0Uv6cogPI_ZUGSoL_g9n86GLE8K_K9o4YRPakql6LMsxWv7VPi_xrVgFuCZ_tp261K-mWzuOjYHiB9-AnoOXJq2SL3xB7x32SIlG5SPlDIzU1I5/s320/summer1.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzW-erm3jux2sfhaqg9_Z04VxiX7nEhBal425IXDBF4HWOKu9uO1sKBLxZEBnxIGugglCLrsapCcvoY6PujIKXJE-Q6rxrBuSzgNeE5cGAG_OttY-wHifmjl8KUmklW6cVvAA9MffFWOzj/s960/summer2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzW-erm3jux2sfhaqg9_Z04VxiX7nEhBal425IXDBF4HWOKu9uO1sKBLxZEBnxIGugglCLrsapCcvoY6PujIKXJE-Q6rxrBuSzgNeE5cGAG_OttY-wHifmjl8KUmklW6cVvAA9MffFWOzj/s320/summer2.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trips to the aquarium </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3n9THNgNP4bRhEH43t829Zc0uO9f1zG5Y4I6TNneTyZtpI86Y6sctmDfDpKoGrVLfWTXIkUwG8NgEZ8J-OqQIHn6e6V4acT-B-lZhyphenhyphenJpU9xOgAMjS8UIvCoekOrCiberKqIPsGMFsLYT/s206/summer4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3n9THNgNP4bRhEH43t829Zc0uO9f1zG5Y4I6TNneTyZtpI86Y6sctmDfDpKoGrVLfWTXIkUwG8NgEZ8J-OqQIHn6e6V4acT-B-lZhyphenhyphenJpU9xOgAMjS8UIvCoekOrCiberKqIPsGMFsLYT/s320/summer4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swinging</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOyDJ2Y2Wi9OtWiIi43u3vi0amFVXfYKuoz2DcdpklaaJkVkvNpnqBWbq2PmTLhAIYydMUjPaPKkXiLkh3f8_3XmhqVkcJLbuvtJYguzYRyudGDjkaMn_QghbctezMdjNMcSbHo19vTyv/s206/summer5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOyDJ2Y2Wi9OtWiIi43u3vi0amFVXfYKuoz2DcdpklaaJkVkvNpnqBWbq2PmTLhAIYydMUjPaPKkXiLkh3f8_3XmhqVkcJLbuvtJYguzYRyudGDjkaMn_QghbctezMdjNMcSbHo19vTyv/s400/summer5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">popsicles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuM141pmX78NHRlXjsrcu5hYVwVikrbl86fsDC0SdvPYXaGEYoKVqoOmFDa63XyQS7SyKGcVAT07Y3GqyxkWT-GK-_Yq7xMBDHNY84fgLa25WOXPcYtOvAN2BwFez5xDfEZO0lXdkT7fhR/s612/summer6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuM141pmX78NHRlXjsrcu5hYVwVikrbl86fsDC0SdvPYXaGEYoKVqoOmFDa63XyQS7SyKGcVAT07Y3GqyxkWT-GK-_Yq7xMBDHNY84fgLa25WOXPcYtOvAN2BwFez5xDfEZO0lXdkT7fhR/s320/summer6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">amazing parks!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEz_OgWRn0Ay-MOwEAI_ERLqj0YD__1KKy7aVZB4kSoDYlsexxsidt_qzQPG7etLKxruRTfvD3Z2hKRNdzPTk7Xc4awb4dvdg_4wzDY2WM0dLYlezji-YWgCxx-Cz5JedteVfOui9oiNK/s612/summer7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEz_OgWRn0Ay-MOwEAI_ERLqj0YD__1KKy7aVZB4kSoDYlsexxsidt_qzQPG7etLKxruRTfvD3Z2hKRNdzPTk7Xc4awb4dvdg_4wzDY2WM0dLYlezji-YWgCxx-Cz5JedteVfOui9oiNK/s400/summer7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">early morning runs to the coffee stand and through town to hit up the garage sales.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vLgjJB6ex-3CF9k1wo1KDIJn_7LWOSGwmhTuix_lGw9lDEcicznC6jTjJzlxSGJ-Y1Ky0eoquWkZt7ygAZsiqNkBFb7V_aAC3NWc814f5N1NPodKGTRU_94liUzEfXSTNw5oIwqnc2UD/s612/summer8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vLgjJB6ex-3CF9k1wo1KDIJn_7LWOSGwmhTuix_lGw9lDEcicznC6jTjJzlxSGJ-Y1Ky0eoquWkZt7ygAZsiqNkBFb7V_aAC3NWc814f5N1NPodKGTRU_94liUzEfXSTNw5oIwqnc2UD/s320/summer8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lots of pool time with our makeshift waterslide</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Wy0EBCn1cVNkG8pbcuPaTbMwo4zIHLyDoML2lA13PtLTzbuIbSJ34-x6DPtxQqEAAQFz6hVbVThj-Bi0SPMLuc0BrIA5diLhtSdsqS3jMWb28cEkXS7IuvDRiUv3-7Yv5AxowzzAh79v/s612/summer9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Wy0EBCn1cVNkG8pbcuPaTbMwo4zIHLyDoML2lA13PtLTzbuIbSJ34-x6DPtxQqEAAQFz6hVbVThj-Bi0SPMLuc0BrIA5diLhtSdsqS3jMWb28cEkXS7IuvDRiUv3-7Yv5AxowzzAh79v/s320/summer9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids' first trip to Rainforest Cafe</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPO1vIeqeTYkbt7DqOLfcPB8f4E-fbN0jzR-XAZui_wAZFDtXgGYkAtNyD06TOhyphenhyphen7EKH2XtND_PMfLU_TTG9FtgoPwHFQ5gaWtE-VuAUc6L6UbpLleCxvi-Os5iN7MYDmmoVK1mR_qJm_4/s612/summer11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPO1vIeqeTYkbt7DqOLfcPB8f4E-fbN0jzR-XAZui_wAZFDtXgGYkAtNyD06TOhyphenhyphen7EKH2XtND_PMfLU_TTG9FtgoPwHFQ5gaWtE-VuAUc6L6UbpLleCxvi-Os5iN7MYDmmoVK1mR_qJm_4/s320/summer11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Splash parks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinez_-f7IP1ACKWCM2ncAo0_8tPTbUNAffx5FmLpxMwdiIGNmBve5BoGPp0tck4NX2rWOd_-6vkTHVPjSL1yb04RVy_xKMHzvU5xE6oipFkMf1mC7m73wdebam5jpHV_6BgYFJWotOCvP5/s612/summer12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinez_-f7IP1ACKWCM2ncAo0_8tPTbUNAffx5FmLpxMwdiIGNmBve5BoGPp0tck4NX2rWOd_-6vkTHVPjSL1yb04RVy_xKMHzvU5xE6oipFkMf1mC7m73wdebam5jpHV_6BgYFJWotOCvP5/s320/summer12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubble blowing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2F8cEJtKZOP6Vbvt9gCn6RVraSEsD6xH0T-2QsSGLtdOckGoje830OpOF-t13O2UdknRH8aX913vMxmArIHOk_SU2m4sZ7RtgYQQV-isbR0MDjrQKVQ3muBB3eiFKfn5tqgFt5ty-tdl/s206/summer13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2F8cEJtKZOP6Vbvt9gCn6RVraSEsD6xH0T-2QsSGLtdOckGoje830OpOF-t13O2UdknRH8aX913vMxmArIHOk_SU2m4sZ7RtgYQQV-isbR0MDjrQKVQ3muBB3eiFKfn5tqgFt5ty-tdl/s320/summer13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smores</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYnZIpssM8crE5rhV2V-IFOClbIeLzi5qit01EXiEpbJWpbUu-sTgxENAu2x1_MLjVY0rSZxdFigOXRpgnvEZ6FG17dGXaWGmqiTiCe38Y2-_Mj-NIUwWuvPA5CjXnExEMIKSz43F8hX_/s612/summer14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYnZIpssM8crE5rhV2V-IFOClbIeLzi5qit01EXiEpbJWpbUu-sTgxENAu2x1_MLjVY0rSZxdFigOXRpgnvEZ6FG17dGXaWGmqiTiCe38Y2-_Mj-NIUwWuvPA5CjXnExEMIKSz43F8hX_/s320/summer14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DIY projects like this chalkboard table</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8Mi27vvkOeVsuae5jPfevcy5R1yeUGjWOxiEYKdL6QRDiv-6U7lwN3ZjpfZcKELs0JsmrbhygmTqgoWc1x_Jj4KeTA2ROizM3pElGHVZ-LVjxk4Ys7ca8hl_E-U8PWGhH8h1wNhBYxtE/s612/summer15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8Mi27vvkOeVsuae5jPfevcy5R1yeUGjWOxiEYKdL6QRDiv-6U7lwN3ZjpfZcKELs0JsmrbhygmTqgoWc1x_Jj4KeTA2ROizM3pElGHVZ-LVjxk4Ys7ca8hl_E-U8PWGhH8h1wNhBYxtE/s320/summer15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">art projects at Home Depot</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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What have you been up to?!Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-47761288494333504242013-06-05T08:22:00.000-07:002013-06-05T08:22:17.397-07:00And then the bridge fell...................<br />
I am sure some of you saw the headlines, "I-5 bridge collapses and plunges cars into the Skagit River".<br />
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That is the bridge I cross multiple times a week and on May 23rd both north and south bound lanes of the freeway fell into the river, literally, and took with it three cars.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievq-7nc_W6Zypd1kRzRwKgQerhStE6X-9GbYir4yVkqEoc3YNdRWH6wCOzJ4k77WPsEDbEy9a3SGQDe7RxQbChYCaPcn7-xLFl5qP7yBa3wWKpn8X1-1Zhx3kxuh25dPYMg7gpQszfEQX/s1600/bridgecollapse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievq-7nc_W6Zypd1kRzRwKgQerhStE6X-9GbYir4yVkqEoc3YNdRWH6wCOzJ4k77WPsEDbEy9a3SGQDe7RxQbChYCaPcn7-xLFl5qP7yBa3wWKpn8X1-1Zhx3kxuh25dPYMg7gpQszfEQX/s400/bridgecollapse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnRBCl9xwZ48To4LjG0ArvZI3TZadlJL2BIj27qTdSH0lIjh2tq-Fch99kZy_POsToJotr7sUXvCzU4Nk9MXUKG-0cZ1rUymk25YV6JiTYRVax5K62wpTVEu45Rs9M8LicpFgtYwPolNv/s1600/bridgecollapse1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnRBCl9xwZ48To4LjG0ArvZI3TZadlJL2BIj27qTdSH0lIjh2tq-Fch99kZy_POsToJotr7sUXvCzU4Nk9MXUKG-0cZ1rUymk25YV6JiTYRVax5K62wpTVEu45Rs9M8LicpFgtYwPolNv/s400/bridgecollapse1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
By some miracle, only THREE cars plunged into the river during what is normally a busy commuting time. Of these three cars, no one was seriously injured. <br />
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A truck carrying a large load hit a gerter causing the structure to become damaged and it immediately fell apart.<br />
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This is just so crazy to me. Crazy because this is our main transportation through our valley and over the river. Crazy because I cross it all the time and have for years, and crazy because no one was hurt. <br />
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My husband was on duty this night and was one of the first people on the scene.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNoEtbms-FN-FJZB3TmNUoP_xi6CJo6sQoLLcKjRDt1EKfg9LItJ_m4Go2_m4l6Vw9gNPPJ4YIQpJTQT4guTvP6Ng1diEa_YdnbEtgEouBBQRkMg4gp5bMVdCyynoe3h2lYo50z-uvVKd3/s1600/brandonbridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNoEtbms-FN-FJZB3TmNUoP_xi6CJo6sQoLLcKjRDt1EKfg9LItJ_m4Go2_m4l6Vw9gNPPJ4YIQpJTQT4guTvP6Ng1diEa_YdnbEtgEouBBQRkMg4gp5bMVdCyynoe3h2lYo50z-uvVKd3/s400/brandonbridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He is on the right giving the survivor a hand</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Thinking of what this could have been like I thank God that it wasn't much worse. The only thing we have to deal with is the traffic. Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-42396703487946320442013-05-19T19:23:00.001-07:002013-05-19T19:23:04.380-07:00Olympic Game Farm<br />
After we packed up all our belongings and left the beach house we headed straight for the <a href="http://www.olygamefarm.com/"><b>Olympic Game Farm.</b></a> I have wanted to go here since I was a child and had never been. I think I was more excited than the kids to go!<br />
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I wasn't exactly sure what to expect, but I knew we could bring wheat bread, and only wheat bread, to feed to the animals. Some of the animals were enclosed (like the lions, tigers wolves and bears) but most were free to roam.<br />
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They said we could stop and take our time feeding the animals. They did recommend to not come to a complete stop around the elk and buffalo since they <i>could</i> charge the car.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjR1AeBueoNdIp8wRqjd8BEiGjzBIe1D6SEVpiRc7mGEQnt6bfeeJvDAumAyk32qbNnfD9rxn45-bf407X-PiiV3eJkwGJLK5smFh8FJxwtywvks27crRChKia76brKWM-LqibZ2dugh7/s1600/sequim2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjR1AeBueoNdIp8wRqjd8BEiGjzBIe1D6SEVpiRc7mGEQnt6bfeeJvDAumAyk32qbNnfD9rxn45-bf407X-PiiV3eJkwGJLK5smFh8FJxwtywvks27crRChKia76brKWM-LqibZ2dugh7/s400/sequim2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty sure Brandon let out a little scream when this guy licked his hand trying to get the bread. I just laughed!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bears were so cute and they knew it. He would sit and wait for me to throw bread and then he would catch it. After he ate it he would wave. Of course, he was so darn cute doing it that I just HAD to throw him another piece. These animals are smart. They obviously eat well.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The zebra slobbered all over the car.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVW1Y3q43X6PckJJDDC_AJ6MaN9a-9aHomSfKOPBcQ6G5o2Lybx02UVkGbu-YVoWeUimKOA0eSytTWqHkS9Wa66-BLfg8u3yuISLGplqeb9wZCOwyRanbYr6P64eo5Tb3uUndW8z99G4Gf/s1600/sequim7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVW1Y3q43X6PckJJDDC_AJ6MaN9a-9aHomSfKOPBcQ6G5o2Lybx02UVkGbu-YVoWeUimKOA0eSytTWqHkS9Wa66-BLfg8u3yuISLGplqeb9wZCOwyRanbYr6P64eo5Tb3uUndW8z99G4Gf/s400/sequim7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Llamas were hilarious! They would all converge on a single car in a big group and pretty much block you from driving away while they stuck their heads in your car as far as the possibly could. I was laughing so hard. It was just as funny to watch them chase down the car in front of us as it was to have them run after ours!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I am so glad we took the time to stop here. The kids entrance was free and adults were only $12.00 and that was for ALL day. Definitely a good deal and something we plan on going back to again. <br />
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-66123627888469683322013-05-13T22:28:00.001-07:002013-05-13T22:28:15.836-07:00Currently (the Kendra edition)<br />
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Kendra Noel (also know as sassafras, sissy, miss sassy pants and sister belle)<br />
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Currently she is:<br />
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<b>Loving</b>: all this unseasonably warm weather! This girl could live in dresses and bikinis and she is so happy to have been able to wear them so often. She has been on our new swing set constantly and has mastered the art of the squirt gun fight. Yeah, we have two squirt guns so two guesses as to who always ends up soaked! Me!<br />
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<b>Disliking</b>: all this crazy schedule changing that has been going on with Daddy's work. To be honest, none of us at home really like it all that much. :(<br />
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<b>Craving</b>: Okay, well this girl loves to eat, but some of her favorite snacks right now are apples, bananas, watermelon, pirate booty and turkey pepperoni.<br />
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<b>Wanting</b>: Well, she wants anything. Just like her momma, take her to a store, no matter what store it may be and she will find something. ;) In all seriousness, she really has been loving anything Hello Kitty for sometime now and she is still asking me to get her ears pierced. Oh, and let's not forget her wanting a diamond ring because , as she says, " I don't have one, though, Mommy". I had to wait a lot of years for mine, child, so you will be waiting too!<br />
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<b>Listening to</b>: Anything her brother says. Oh my. She is full of it. I can not believe some of the things she says. We will save that for a different post because I could fill this page with some of the hilarity that has been coming from her, lately. I catch her quite often making up songs and I like to peek in and listen when she doesn't know I am there. It doesn't get any sweeter than that!<br />
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<b>Her Favorite things are</b>: Heels. No joke. It is no secret that my child loves heels. I honestly don't know where she gets it from. I have a little bit of a purse obsession but not shoes. This is all her own thing. If you follow me on instagram I am sure you have seen plenty of photos of Kendra with "her" shoes. She has been known to search through my closet for the "perfect pair" to match. And gosh darnit, if she really doesn't come out with the perfect pair everytime. That girl really can coordinate and she knows exactly what she wants! Every morning when I got to get her out of bed she generally has already been up and picked out shoes and is wearing them. She then proceeds to ask if she can go to my closet and pick out heels since hers are broken. <b>Every.single. morning</b>. It has become our routine. How can a 2.5 year old love shoes this much?! She asked me just the other day why she didn't have green shoes to match her dress. I said white would do just fine. She looked at me and said she needed shoes in every color for her shoe closet. Um, since when do you have a shoe closet? She was simply referring to her closet. :)<br />
When we pulled up to the beach house last weekend the first thing she asked was if there would be high heels for her to wear. When I said no, she then asked if any of the girls had packed some that she could borrow. Good thing I was thinking and I did pack a pair just for her. :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting at a young age (this was last year)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brother's cowboy boots three sizes too big! She literally wore the soles off of one.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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She keeps me on my toes and makes me laugh so much. I wouldn't change a single thing about her. So blessed to be her mommy, even if it is giving me a head full of gray hair. For reals, guys, I am going gray at the ripe old age of 28. :(Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-78368872464186718492013-05-12T21:49:00.001-07:002013-05-12T21:50:24.170-07:00A Weekend at The Beach, part 1<br />
A couple of weeks ago we took a mini vacation to the peninsula here in Washington to a little town called Sequim. We had to drive an hour to the ferry and take a quick trip across the sound to Kingston where we had to drive another hour or so to reach our destination. Sequim is about 70 miles north of Forks, Washington. I know a lot of you know all about Forks! Unfortunately this time we weren't able to make the drive there. By the time we were able to check into our beach house the kids were sick of being in the car!<br />
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But, let me back up a bit here. For years my dad's side of the family has talked about taking a trip together or renting a house for a weekend away, but that is all it had been; talk. Life is busy when so many people are trying to coordinate their schedules. A few years back my dad moved to Sequim and fell in love with it (although, he isn't there now) and it turned out our family has a pretty rich history there and lots of living relatives we didn't know!<br />
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So, when the opportunity came up to rent this amazing place in a town full of our family's history we jumped at the chance!<br />
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The picture doesn't do it justice, but this places was amazing!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had amazing views of the beach and just a little trail to take to have our own beach access!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Now, some of you are probably thinking, "but this is Washington, how warm can it be?" I am happy to report that it was a gorgeous weekend and that we have been having record high temps around here. Did you see that this past Monday we were the hottest state in the country?! It blew my mind too.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the life, I tell you!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We spent a lot of time at the beach!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we even went kayaking for the first time together and managed to stay alive! ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids' kayak stuck to the beach</td></tr>
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This place was amazing! There were five bedrooms, two of which had two beds and three couches that folded out to beds. There were two kitchens and three bathrooms and as many amenities you can think of. We definitely enjoyed the hot tub and use of the kayaks. They had every possible game you can think of and a plethora of outdoor toys and games as well. We could have stayed at the house all weekend and have had enough to entertain us.<br />
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The first night there we grilled hamburgers for dinner and the second we did pulled pork sandwiches. It was so relaxing to just be with my family and spend some quality time all together. I honestly would say it has been over a decade since we have been together for this long. It made me realize how fast the years are flying and how fleeting it really is. We vowed to make this an annual thing. You see, this weekend was special because it was something in Sequim called the Irrigation Festival. Kind of a funny name, I know, but it basically started as a celebration years ago to commemorate when three men (one being my great great grandpa) figured out how to irrigate the prairies and make the land usable. There are street fairs, performers, parades, fairs and all kinds of things. It was neat to be part of something that someone we were related to had a direct hand in.<br />
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We are already venturing on picture overload so my next post I will show you pictures of the big game farm we visited! You don't want to miss that. <br />
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-10174260881388810402013-04-28T15:43:00.002-07:002013-04-28T15:47:01.875-07:00Jaxson's 4th Birthday!<br />
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I know, I know, we all say it, but seriously how is my baby growing up so fast?! In the blink of an eye my little guy has grown into such a little <b>man</b>! I have been so blessed in this life to have the opportunity to be momma to this sweet, sensitive, caring, smart and bossy little guy. He is such a little leader and go getter. Right now he loves to tell jokes and they are beginning to finally make sense and be funny! He loves Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Transformers, Iron Man and anything to do with sea animals. He has such a love for reading and has an endless stream of questions constantly! At least we have moved beyond the "why" phase after I say everything. Don't worry, Kendra still has that one covered for me. ;) His favorite color is blue and his favorite food is probably spaghetti with green beans and cottage cheese. He goes back and forth between saying he wants to be a zookeeper at the San Diego Zoo and a fireman who works with Daddy.<br />
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He is a definite nurturer and always seem to be in tune to the feelings of the people around him, especially me. He is a bit more cautious then his sister when it comes to doing things he perceives as "scary" but he is not shy when it comes to meeting people and striking up conversations. He has made me so proud and I can not wait to see what this year holds for us!<br />
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So, with all that said we celebrated Jaxson's birthday with an under the sea family party last weekend (two days before his actual birthday).<br />
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Total momma fail since I took hardly any pictures at all! Oops. </div>
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The cake turned out so well and was really yummy! </div>
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On Tuesday he was VIP at preschool and brought a special treat for snack for all of his friends.<br />
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I spent the morning with him at preschool and afteward we headed to a nearby town with friends to go to Jump Zone, which is an indoor jump park complete with different bouncy houses and slides. It was so fun! We had some admission passes we had gotten at an auction and this was the perfect opportunity to use them. After the kids got sufficiently tired we went to an AMAZING ice cream place with all local home made ice cream. There were some interesting flavors, such as avocado, which was what Brandon had. It was surprisingly good! I had a dark chocolate orange chunk and I want to go back just for that. To.die.for!<br />
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After ice cream we headed to a local park to enjoy some warm weather!<br />
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Last night we celebrated with his friends at a local play area called Jungle Playland. We are still recovering from all of that fun! Pics of that to come later! Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-1727434743845540252013-04-19T11:00:00.000-07:002013-04-19T11:02:50.499-07:00Friday's Letters<br />
<br />
Dear bipolar weather- I am soo over you! Sunny one day and thunder storms the next. I am getting stir crazy being cooped up inside.<br />
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Dear Hair- You are finally going to get in for some much needed TLC. Cut and color here you come!<br />
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Dear Self - Snap out of this funk you have been in. Seriously! There is always so much to be thankful for. Remember to focus on that when things are tough.<br />
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Dear Kendra- You continue to challenge and amaze me all the time. The things you say crack me up. Where do you get this stuff?<br />
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Dear Jaxson- I can not believe that you will be four in four days! How did this happen?! I can not wait to celebrate you and all that you mean to me and have brought to my life.<br />
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Dear husband- I know you have been working so hard and doing so much for us. I am thankful, I may not always express it the best, or even say it as much as I should, but no matter what, I will always be thankful for the time you have spent on our family. <br />
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Dear weekend- Be good to me. That is my only request.<br />
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<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-23506227708857857882013-04-15T21:50:00.000-07:002013-04-15T21:50:43.695-07:00An apology of sortsI want to apologize to you, my readers for my lack of posting, lately. I have been <i>feeling </i>so much lately and have so much I want and need to say and don't even know where to begin. Things are good, just a little heavy, if that even makes any sense.<br />
<br />
I seemed to have taken an unplanned break from blogging and it has been just what I have needed. There are "things" I need to say and I will say, but do you ever get that feeling of being so overwhelmed with things that instead you just do not do anything at all? <b>Guilty as charged right here</b>. Sometimes I have zero motivation and instead of doing a little at a time, I just do nothing.<br />
<br />
I guess that is kind of how it has been with my blog lately. I have soo many words that instead of writing them all down.... I keep them all inside. But, something has been stirring within me lately and it has been telling me that it is okay to share some more of myself on this space. Deeper things and the not so pretty things that we all go through but choose to skim over at times.<br />
<br />
I don't want to always (emphasis on the always) skim over these things. Sometimes it is okay to let people know that I feel defeated at the end of a day or that sometimes before the day has hardly begun that I am ready for it to be over already. It is okay to say that my husband and I have been fighting a lot....that marriage counseling may be on the horizon. It is okay that somedays I feel like a complete and utter failure at being a mom. <b>It is okay to let my guard down</b> and let people in. I am by no means perfect and I do not pretend to be. I am a mess in some areas of my life and I will be the first to admit that. But, I fight like heck to get close to that perfection and there is no shame in that. <br />
<br />
I guess what I am saying is that in order for you all to understand where I am coming from, I need to let you in a little bit more.<br />
<br />
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-88601377434983558892013-04-08T09:22:00.002-07:002013-04-08T09:22:49.999-07:00Spring Break ...by the numbers<br />
<br />
Our Spring Break:<br />
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<b>1 </b>ER trip<br />
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<b>1</b> fun filled Easter<br />
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<br />
<b>3 </b>really nice sunny days and <b>5</b> rainy ones!<br />
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<b>4</b> birthdays celebrated!<br />
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<b>1</b> trip to Perch and Play<br />
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<b>1</b> trip to the park and beach<br />
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<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-33887625730288129852013-04-04T21:16:00.000-07:002013-04-04T21:16:58.672-07:00Never Have I ever.....<br />
Okay, I know I have been a bit absent, as of late (doesn't that seem to be a theme, lately?) but I couldn't resist partaking in this link up because I loved this game! It was a frequent late night slumber party game in high school and then later, a late night drinking game. You know the one right, I say "never have I ever...... fill in the blank" and if you have then you take a drink.<br />
<br />
So, let's get down to it!<br />
<br />
<b>Never have I ever</b>.......been able to sit through the entire movie the Exorcist. I love scary movies, but this one bothers me.<br />
<br />
<b>Never have I ever.</b>....... drank gin without spitting it back out. Yuck. It tastes like pine needles.<br />
<br />
<b>Never have I ever</b>.........been skydiving or scuba diving. No thank you!<br />
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<b>Never have I ever</b>........ sung karaoke in a bar, but I want to!<br />
<br />
<b>Never have I ever</b>........ been to a blogger meet-up! Where are all of you pacific northwest bloggers?!<br />
<br />
<b>Never have I ever</b>........not cried when watching Titanic, The Blindside and Up Close and Personal. Every.single.time!<br />
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<b>Never have I ever</b>....... washed my car myself. That's what the hubby is for, right? ;)<br />
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<b>Never have I ever</b>......changed a flat tire. That's what Les Schwab is for, right?<br />
<br />
<b>Never have I ever</b>.......made homemade lasagna! Hope to rectify that this month.<br />
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<b>Never have I ever</b>.......ran a marathon.<br />
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<b>Never have I ever</b>......been to a hockey game!<br />
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So, how many drinks would you have had to take?!
<a href="http://heavenstomeighan.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Never Have I Ever" src="http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg485/fancyfrugalblog/NHIELinkup1_zps88d72620.png" /></a>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-40015088526721312242013-04-01T09:39:00.000-07:002013-04-01T09:39:00.808-07:00Kendra's First ER Trip :(<br />
I have always known that Kendra was going to be the child who would most likely break a few bones throughout her childhood. She is adventurous, daring and has no fear. Not good qualities when you are 2 1/2 and don't know any better. I figured between her and Jax that she is going to be the child to keep me up at night worrying more.<br />
<br />
Well, Friday morning we made our first trip to the ER with her. Not for any of the above reasons, though.<br />
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So, Friday morning she woke up whiny, but that has been a constant theme for her (she is 2 1/2, remember?!). She wouldn't eat but she had just woken up so I chalked it up to that. She perked up a bit, and was acting like her normal self. I figured the whining could just be attributed to the fact that I had to wake her up to get ready to take Jax to preschool.<br />
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We were almost to preschool when she started squirming in her seat and complaining about wanting out. Once again, all normal behavior. By the time we got to preschool she was crying. We walked Jaxson in and as he ran off to greet his friends I pulled her into my arms to talk to her. I felt her head and she didn't feel warm but she was shuddering. I set her down for a minute to tell the teacher something and when I turned around she had thrown up all over. :( I helped her clean up and apologized. I didn't want everyone thinking I intentionally brought my sick daughter in and exposed everyone.<br />
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By this point all she wanted was to be held. We got in the car with the intention of going straight home.<br />
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She fell asleep which I considered a blessing, because she seemed exhausted. She got sick on the way home and I had to pull over and pull her out but it was too late.<br />
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When we got home she was shuddering and complaining about being cold. She came in the house and laid down on the floor and instantly was out. She kept kind of waking up and then going back to sleep. I let her rest for awhile, but was starting to feel uneasy. I took her temp and let me just say it was sky high! It must have peaked really quickly, because she was not warm at all just an hour before. I gave her tylenol but she instantly threw it up. <br />
<br />
I tried to wake her up and she just wouldn't really come to. She was responsive, but very lethargic. Her eyes were glassy and she wouldn't move. I didn't even hesitate, I just loaded her in the car. Normally, when my kids are sick I let it kind of play out and try not to over react. Because, there have so many times I was sure my kids were super sick and then I get to the doctor and they act perfectly fine and then I feel kinda silly. But, this was so different. I had never seen her like this before. The fact that she had a very high fever, couldn't stay awake and couldn't keep anything down and that it all happened in the matter of an hour, was enough to make me take her right in.<br />
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Her fever had gone done some by the time we got into the triage room, but she was still so lethargic and wouldn't talk or move. They got her settled in a room while we went through everything. They tried to give her Zofran which would dissolve under her tongue, but she wasn't having anything to do with it. She is like her momma, when she is sick she wants to be left alone and if she isn't she gets MAD. I had called Brandon to come to the ER, because I didn't want to be alone. He showed up as we were struggling to get her to take the meds. She took one look at daddy and started crying and held out her arms. He got her to take it right away. As soon as it took effect we were able to start meds for the fever. In the meantime, they wanted a urine sample. That is difficult on a dehydrated not potty-trained child. They said they would have to use a catheter. I started crying. I had to step out of the room and leave Brandon with her. I knew I would lose it and make it worse on her but I felt horrible for not being there. Que the momma guilt x 100!<br />
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As soon as her fever broke she started to feel better. She sat up and even drank some water. She was still refusing juice and Popsicles and they were concerned about getting fluids in her. The doctor kind of laughed that she refused all the sweet stuff and just wanted plain water. </div>
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They determined that she had a double ear infection (her first ever!) that had been brewing for some time but that she had shown no signs or symptoms until it got really bad. I honestly would have never known. She never complains of anything and hadn't shown any signs up until that morning. I felt so bad thinking that I somehow missed something and this whole thing could have been prevented. They said she probably has a very high pain tolerance and that her little body all of a sudden couldn't handle it when the fever got so high.</div>
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By the time we got home she was already acting so much better and by mid afternoon, the fever was gone she was no longer nauseous, she was eating and drinking and wanting to play.</div>
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It was such a scary morning and so strange that she went from fine to really sick to fine again all in the matter of five hours!</div>
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-59295066504413598192013-03-27T09:29:00.001-07:002013-03-27T09:29:12.454-07:00Quieting your inner voice<br />
Sometimes, quieting your inner voice (when it is being a critic) can be a very good thing. Learning to drown out your own negative thoughts about yourself is essential. But, sometimes, when you have silenced the voice inside of you that wants to stand up for yourself or to let "you" be heard then you have a problem. I have a problem.<br />
<br />
Rewind about ten years or so ago and I was the girl who would freely and happily give you my opinion on any matter. Really. You ask , I will tell you. Now, I don't mean to say that I was rude, condescending or righteous about it. Not at all. More that I wasn't AFRAID to state my opinion.<br />
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Now, as I got older I realized the value of sometimes keeping my mouth shut. We all aren't going to agree and that is okay. It really is. I have said it before and I will say it again, just as much as I believe in something, someone may just as fervently believe the opposite. That is okay. We can respect one another and respect the fact that we have the right to even have differing opinions. <br />
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But, somewhere along the way of always trying to keep the peace and not rock the boat I have lost the ability to stand up for my opinion at all! This is no ones fault but my own. No, I don't need to go shouting it from the rooftops, but I also don't need to let fear of the "fall out" bother me either. I am a little stunned to think that fear governs so many of my decisions these day. It shouldn't and I can not allow it to anymore.<br />
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So, in short, what I am trying to say is that I need to <i>sometimes </i>be more vocal about my thoughts and feelings, especially when people question some of the things that I hold the most dear.<br />
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<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-15320701824129610112013-03-24T10:05:00.000-07:002013-03-24T10:05:50.166-07:00My Debut Party (and a recipe)!<br />
As I had previously, briefly mentioned, I have joined Usborne Books and More as a consultant. I am so excited about this you guys!<br />
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I fell in love with their products last year after I had attended a home show. I tossed around the idea of signing up then, but it just didn't feel like the right time. I have since just been having fun ordering more books to add to the kids' collection. That is the thing about books...... I will always be spending money on books for my kids. This is a product that I will forever be needing.<br />
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I had kept this idea in the back of my mind and when I saw that this is the 24th anniversary of the company and they were having some great incentives for signing up, I knew it was the right time! I snagged the mini kit for just $24.00 (which the books alone are valued at over $100.00!) which came with everything I needed to get up and going.<br />
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Now, please don't think that this is a sales speech, because it isn't. Rather, I think of you all as friends and as friends you better believe you would have been invited to my open house debut last night. I was so nervous. Yes, everyone that came I knew. I love the product, which makes it easy to sell, but I was nervous about doing my little speech. I had a few little stumbles but everything went so well! I made a pretty decent commission, earned ton's of free books as rewards and booked two more parties! <br />
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I can tell this business is going to be a great fit for me. I can adjust it around my schedule, get to basically talk and have fun with friends, I get some "me" time out of the house and make some extra spending money. On top of that, I don't ever forsee a time when I am not buying books for my children and this is a great way to get my books at a discounted price. Even if this never turns into a lucrative business I am okay with that. I may just spend all of my earnings on the books anyways!<br />
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I tried a new dip recipe for the party and oh my! It was so good and so easy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thelovelycupboard.com/2011/09/5-layer-greek-dip.html">source</a></td></tr>
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The above pic and link will take you to the original recipe. I changed mine up a bit by adding diced roma tomatoes and omitting the olives. The only reason I omitted the olives was because I didn't have them on hand.<br />
It was so simple and delicious! I may have been responsible for eating half of it. Oh well!<br />
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If you want to check out my online catalog or have any questions about the products let me know!<br />
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<a href="http://www.u3963.myubam.com/">Ashley's online Usborne Catalog</a>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-64742114468138310482013-03-18T09:43:00.003-07:002013-03-18T09:43:29.366-07:00The Belle of the Ball<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Okay, not really but I like the title!<br />
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Let me just say that I woke up in a terrible mood on Saturday morning and was super stressed. Did I have good reason to be? No. Just was and I couldn't shake it. :(<br />
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I had to search a lot to find a dress for this event because I was looking for something long and formal. Long dresses and I don't go together very well due to my by height. I found a dress I fell in love with but it was so long..... I ended up paying to rush alterations on it and when I picked it up two days before the event it wasn't right. :( At this point I was almost $200.00 into a dress I will probably only wear once (hopefully not, though!) Luckily, she fixed it just in time. Crisis averted ;)<br />
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I had my hair and makeup done too on Saturday and was really running behind. I had been rushing and rushing all day and when I finally made it home I had to pretty much just send the kids out the door with the grandparents. Somehow, I forgot to pack a coat or any type of sweater, socks or even a brush for myself. Oops!<br />
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Once we finally got settled into our hotel I was able to finally breath and relax and get excited for the night to come.<br />
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You guys, our room was amazing! It had a jacuzzi and fire place in the room and view of the marina. We are already trying to come up with a time we can go back and actually spend some time in the room.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPxWGTqCdt3sQVnTmDUFEN8f_WhZQ1TiACkw6zvzhzBVQn0FaB8OFGbXUNyzEi_dUTGDzcrjAHkW3aPqWXFUBEdYtYXcijjkxaqwcoz3A-2QL7B3yMacYb4Tev1ShpExdgjo3GwoRQV7P/s1600/bellwether1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPxWGTqCdt3sQVnTmDUFEN8f_WhZQ1TiACkw6zvzhzBVQn0FaB8OFGbXUNyzEi_dUTGDzcrjAHkW3aPqWXFUBEdYtYXcijjkxaqwcoz3A-2QL7B3yMacYb4Tev1ShpExdgjo3GwoRQV7P/s400/bellwether1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">showing off the jacuzzi! You better believe that I used this when we got back, even though it was 1 am!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We met up with some other couples for appetizers and drinks in one of the rooms and then all took a shuttle over to the event. It was so nice because someone had volunteered their time and vehicle to shuttle people back and forth so we didn't have to worry about paying for and waiting for taxis.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My handsome hubby! Wish he would wear his uniform more often.</td></tr>
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Since none of us had never been before we didn't know what to expect. It was quite crowded but so fun. There was a separate room set up for a silent auction. This event was put on by a local fire department to benefit the Burn Camp. It is such a great cause and one that we have been supporting for years. I was happy to get the bidding started on some items. We ended up winning a family pass to Jump Zone, which is a fun center filled with bouncy houses, mazes and slides. We have been wanting to go and now we have excuse!<br />
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It took people awhile to get out on the dance floor. I don't know why, because the band was great and played a great variety! We spent most of our night on the dance floor. Brandon and I have no rhythm so it made it interesting but oh, so fun!<br />
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There was a photographer taking portraits and we ordered one! I can not wait to see how it turned out. There may have been a group photo taken as well but my memory got a bit foggy at one point. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJY3zXihyphenhyphenl9XliGTRWwQ2_plJmev5Ee6QqAFYaoIfeiV8MpkjpdEe_ECHjpdJu3VVns4WvWLXL_wl3c2jKn-hYWp5Yg9TtnhBKRXoKmuWkE-WqJLNcdM4ECct5oROreKU5RxE2jkS4Oh2/s1600/bellwether4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJY3zXihyphenhyphenl9XliGTRWwQ2_plJmev5Ee6QqAFYaoIfeiV8MpkjpdEe_ECHjpdJu3VVns4WvWLXL_wl3c2jKn-hYWp5Yg9TtnhBKRXoKmuWkE-WqJLNcdM4ECct5oROreKU5RxE2jkS4Oh2/s320/bellwether4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I don't know why we haven't done this before! We had so much fun and plan to make it an annual event!<br />
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After leaving the dance we went back to the hotel and played catch phrase and had some snacks.<br />
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We finally made it bed around 2 am. Brandon was up at 7 and couldn't go back to sleep.<br />
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He threw back the blinds to let the sun in and I may have yelled some choice words at him and kicked him out of our room! I can not be held responsible for words spoken while tired!<br />
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We checked out by ten and found a great little restaurant for brunch. After the most delicious eggs benedict ever (seriously!) we stopped at Trader Joe's and then headed home.<br />
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<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6403854111697814607.post-62698820434971145062013-03-13T10:30:00.000-07:002013-03-13T10:30:14.138-07:00The winter of our lives....<br />
<b>"The Rose"</b><br />
*lyrics by Bette Midler<br />
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Some say love, it is a river<br />
That drowns the tender reed.<br />
Some say love, it is a razor<br />
That leaves your soul to bleed.<br />
Some say love, it is a hunger,<br />
An endless aching need.<br />
I say love, it is a flower,<br />
And you its only seed.<br />
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It's the heart afraid of breaking<br />
That never learns to dance.<br />
It's the dream afraid of waking<br />
That never takes the chance.<br />
It's the one who won't be taken,<br />
Who cannot seem to give,<br />
And the soul afraid of dyin'<br />
That never learns to live.<br />
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When the night has been too lonely<br />
And the road has been too long,<br />
And you think that love is only<br />
For the lucky and the strong,<br />
<b>Just remember in the winter<br />
Far beneath the bitter snows<br />
Lies the seed that with the sun's love<br />
In the spring becomes the rose. </b></div>
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I have loved this song forever.<b> </b>For some reason, it has always touched a special place in my heart, especially the last four lines.</div>
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Throughout my life in times of struggle or sorrow, these lines have sporadically popped into my head and into my heart.</div>
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Sometimes in the Winter of our lives it is hard to see that Spring is coming. I know I struggle with this. When we are in the midst of sorrow or hardship it can be hard to see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.</div>
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We can feel like the "snow" is too deep, the seed was not planted deep enough, the sun's rays will never penetrate or Spring will never come.</div>
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Trust me, I have been there. I have been deep in the icy depths of Winter and wondered if Spring would ever come. It does. It always does. ALWAYS. </div>
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I have been struggling with "things" and "stuff" lately. I try to keep it positive and light on this blog, so I haven't let you in as much as I could or maybe should have. </div>
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Like a flower blooming I have felt myself undergoing a transformation. It hasn't been an easy one and I am still a long way from where I need to be......but my point is there were moments in the past (very near past) that I felt like I could hardly come up for air. Somehow, I always have.</div>
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How ironic that Spring is quite literally (and figuratively) right around the corner for me. </div>
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12650224055229257819noreply@blogger.com6