tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36320397918363535212024-03-05T06:50:32.075-06:00My Beautiful DayKamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.comBlogger351125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-66465776985757667982018-02-10T22:09:00.000-06:002018-02-10T22:09:19.714-06:00FearlessIt seems to be a trend for me that I forget my blog exists. Lately I have been working on updating it, and have used the excuse of "I haven't figured out the links at the top of the page" for why I am not writing. So, here I am! Stepping past my excuses, broken links and all, and writing what's on my mind (and yes, I will eventually get those links figured out). <br />
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I digress ...<br />
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More than two years ago, this saying danced its way across my computer screen and took my breath away.<br />
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Every single piece of this phrase excites me! The moment that I first read it, I claimed this as my own - I was going to be fearless. I wanted to figure out what it was that I was most passionate about and to pursue it with fervor. <br />
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The more time I spent trying to figure out what it is that sets my soul on fire, the more bummed I became. I truly convinced myself that I was passionate about <u>nothing</u>. I didn't have any idea in mind as to what it was that I would want to pursue. I didn't know if I was searching for a career that made me feel this way, or if it were a volunteer opportunity, or if it should be my family, or ....<br />
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I drove myself crazy trying to figure it out!<br />
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Thankfully, I was able to let it go and stopped giving it any thought. I knew I would figure out what my passion was, and I knew (like most things in life) I had to stop trying to control the outcome to really understand what it was.<br />
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Fast forward more than a year later and I've come to realize that I am discovering those passions and starting to pursue them. Health and fitness is definitely one of those avenues, and I'm excited to follow this new journey and see what direction it takes me. Helping people is another passion. Church/my relationship with God yet another. Personal development makes the list as well.<br />
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There are so many things that excite me about life, and I cannot express my thankfulness for the passion within me that chooses to live each day with vivacity! I do my best to set a goal for every day, even if it's something incredibly small like making my bed, I feel so accomplished when my goals are achieved.<br />
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I challenge you to go out and find what you are passionate about and start pursuing it, little by little, day by day. <br />
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Life is such a gift and I am grateful to be living such a blessed and amazing adventure!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/350/7B03B9630EDD3280F25A3BDD5ADE1D24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0;" /></a>Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-36728829163897756522016-10-18T18:10:00.000-05:002016-10-18T18:10:05.510-05:00Decorating Made EasyIt feels a little strange to be writing a new blog post when I haven't been blogging for over a year, but this is something I want to share with the world, and my blog is a great venue to do so ... so - I'M BACK!<br />
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In the past year, Claire (our oldest) has graduated high school and moved on to college, our family has moved to a new home to be near extended family, our kiddos have enrolled in a new school, I left my job to be home with the kids during this transition, and Monte has continued to be a rockstar in keeping us all sane through these transitions. <br />
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While all of these things deserve a blog post of their own, the thing I am focusing on today is our new home - more specifically, decorating this home! It is no secret that decorating is not my forte. My mom, Sharon, and my sister, Tanya, are <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">amazing</u> decorators and seem to have this crafty eye that comes naturally to them. I, on the other hand, was not blessed with this gift so it is no surprise that I turn to mom and Tanya when I need help in this area! After finding a feature wall idea that I loved on Pinterest, I started purchasing items for my own wall. Two years and a new house later (no joke), I decided it was time to get these things hung up! So after a full day of shopping at some of the fabulous stores and sales that we have in the area, I was able to pick up some more pieces to make this wall complete, and Tanya and mom made their magic happen.<br />
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I went from this:<br />
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To THIS:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFOIINsUZfDnW1B2ZcKkeh4otCtQvyoryZjw48LIgEEUt0zONZqCSXHABjGQncSzfV7L9D02OqPuWECMf5tEuV7qzagFTAZGBdGL5AB2E20oEpa6A-hs-IvuLNoUFfTo3QaqBI_nFDw/s1600/Wall+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFOIINsUZfDnW1B2ZcKkeh4otCtQvyoryZjw48LIgEEUt0zONZqCSXHABjGQncSzfV7L9D02OqPuWECMf5tEuV7qzagFTAZGBdGL5AB2E20oEpa6A-hs-IvuLNoUFfTo3QaqBI_nFDw/s400/Wall+3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Mom and Tanya - thank you SO MUCH for your help on this transformation. I am IN LOVE with this new space in my home and can't wait to have people over to see it!</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/350/7B03B9630EDD3280F25A3BDD5ADE1D24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px;" /></a>Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-23826352098855305122015-03-04T09:26:00.000-06:002015-03-04T09:30:01.546-06:00An Apology to Every Introvert I've Ever KnownRecently on Facebook my friend, Yolonda, posted this picture:<br />
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After reading through this list, it stirred up a lot of thoughts within me. You see, I am an extrovert - and quite an extreme extrovert at that! I have always thought of my extroversion as a great thing, almost as if I was given a gift, but it wasn't until I married Monte that I realized my extroverted personality can also be the very thing that made me a bully.<br />
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A bully. Wow, it hurts just to type that.<br />
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It's true, though. The more I learned about Monte and his introverted personality, the more I realized that I have not at all been accommodating or understanding of the introverts in my life. One of the things I realized I have <u>always</u> done, but maybe never saw that I was doing it, was that I misinterpreted an introvert's need for down-time and quiet as them being sad or sullen. I was bound and determined to cheer them up, when in reality the very thing they needed from me was to be left alone! <br />
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When I look back over my life I realize there have been so many times that I have disrespected other people, though it was quiet unintentional, entirely because I didn't understand them. There are so many times that I remember flat out steamrolling Michelle, my best friend in high school, which is likely a huge part of the reason that our friendship didn't withstand the years. If someone was not extroverted, I flat out didn't understand them and didn't find a way to truly show them that I cared. I'm not saying that I was a jerk to people who weren't like me (at least not on purpose), but I am saying that I wish I had a deeper understanding of how to truly show love and respect to introverts in a way that they could receive it.<br />
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So, to every introvert I have ever known in my life, please take this as my formal apology if ever I have dismissed you or made you feel less-than-amazing. It has never been my intention to hurt anyone. I'm sad that truly learning the differences between introversion and extroversion, and learning how to respect and care for the former, was not something that happened early in life for me. <br />
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In a house with seven people, I feel as though part of me is growing into a need for calm and quiet. Introverts, I tip my hat to you ... it may have taken marrying one of you and having five kids to get me there, but I respect and appreciate your need for solitude!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/350/7B03B9630EDD3280F25A3BDD5ADE1D24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-18764323248864889202014-09-21T11:49:00.000-05:002014-09-21T11:58:05.941-05:00Just A Wife. Just A Mom.<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">10 months. That's how much time has passed since I last updated my blog. It is completely amazing to me that I have let that much time slip by, but it seems to have passed in just a mere moment - not in ten long, dragged-out months.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's not that I haven't had things to write about (I have, a lot actually), or that I have lost my passion for writing (I haven't, not at all). It's more that I think I've been caught up in a game of trying to find myself, so much so that I lost myself completely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let me rewind. My last update (that post I wrote 10 months ago) told you that I was back at work managing a salon. Now this update will tell you I'm back at home being a stay-at-home mom! While I truly enjoyed having a job outside of our home and having an identity outside of "wife and mom", my household just does not function as well when I'm not here during the day to put the pieces in place. It was SO hard to not be available to be here when my kids were sick (or to have to call in to work because my kids were sick). It broke my heart that I wasn't immediately here when Claire had her very first (and extremely minor) fender-bender (I can't really even call it that - neither vehicle had any scratches or dents of any kind ... it was just her first experience driving in a nasty snowstorm). As Iain began the baseball season and Ellis started soccer, I was realizing more and more the importance of me being here and being available for my children in this season of life. So with that realization (and a LOT of discussion with Monte) I made the decision to leave my job at the salon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There I was, six mere months later, back in the place I started. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Isn't it funny? The very thing that I was running from in life was the fact that my identity had become <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">"just"</u> a wife and mom, and yet the very position where I am the most needed in this life is to be Monte's wife and to be my children's mom. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The problem I have with that is the fact that I am an extreme extrovert. I need to be with other people! I need to communicate and to socialize and to just be allowed to be an adult who doesn't have to wipe her child's nose once in awhile. :) The irony is that I have always known that I wanted to be a wife and a mom -- this is something that my high-school friend, Anna, confirmed to me the other day. She remembers me saying that I didn't care to choose out a career - I didn't really WANT to go to college (even though I did go), entirely because I knew my biggest calling in life was to be a wife and a mom. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The irony is the fact that I got just what I wanted, and yet I still seek to have an identity beyond this dream-come-true life that I live.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's the funny thing - it was a movie that changed my perspective. I'm not joking!! Monte is hunting this weekend along with our two oldest boys. Claire is at a two-day cross country meet (so the team stayed overnight in a hotel). That left me home alone with my two youngest boys. We decided that we were going to have a movie night, so I rented three movies. One of them happened to be "Moms' Night Out". I started watching it when I crawled into bed and fell asleep in the middle of it (I'm known for not being able to stay awake for a movie if it's started after 8pm!). The next morning I decided to finish the movie - and the part of the movie I missed was exactly what I needed to hear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Even though sometimes I feel like my work isn't important, even though I feel like I don't contribute to our family as much as I could or should - the only person that I'm letting down in all of this is ME. I have set such high expectations for myself, and they're just not realistic. Being a wife and a mom is a HUGE job. The only person who expects perfection out of me in this position really is ME. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Isn't that ironic ... I am my own worst enemy sometimes!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Through this wonderful (albeit a little cheesy) movie, I was reminded that God designed me specifically to be in this place. He equipped me with what it takes to be great, and by first allowing me to fill myself with His word and His spirit every single day I am equipping myself further to love my family the way that God intended me to love them. I'm not perfect. I make mistakes. I screw up more things than I care to admit - but that's okay. My family doesn't love me any less. God doesn't love me any less.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm perfect for this position, and I need to start truly being present in the place that God put me - because then I can thrive and do my best right where I am!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">[Side Note] For those who were asking, I did find something that lets me get out and be with other ladies for a bit! I am now an Independent Advisor for Lia Sophia. I have always LOVED their jewelry (I truly have pieces in my jewelry box that I purchased YEARS ago) and now I get to earn tons of free jewelry while spoiling women with great deals on it, too! Take a look at my website <a href="http://www.liasophia.com/kamirude" target="_blank">here</a> and contact me if you want to host a party or place an order!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/350/7B03B9630EDD3280F25A3BDD5ADE1D24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-11251471362684531512013-11-17T07:32:00.000-06:002013-11-17T07:32:06.429-06:00I'm So BUSY My Head Is Spinning ...It's no secret that I'm not good at updating my blog. I really, truly am sorry for that. I wish I had the passion for writing and the time to do it that I used to have ... but I just don't! I don't think that's a bad thing, though. Here are some of the great things that are keeping me busy:<br />
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- I went back to work almost two months ago. I am managing a salon in a town near me and I absolutely LOVE it! My life is a little more chaotic, and trying to balance it all out doesn't always work out the best, but at the end of the day I am a <u>much</u> happier wife and mom because I have this job!<br />
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- Ethan has been in daycare since I started my job and it has been SO good for him. Miss Holly (his daycare provider) is completely amazing! He is learning so much and he loves the other kids at his daycare. Plus, he's REALLY happy to see mommy pick him up at the end of the day, which makes this mama's heart SO happy!<br />
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- Claire will be 16 next month! She currently has her learner's permit (for driving) and is doing her best to figure out the chaos of controlling a vehicle. She's doing pretty well, though I do wish we had more time to dedicate to letting her drive more frequently.<br />
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- Monte and I will celebrate our 5th anniversary in a few weeks. I can't believe that we have been a family for five years already! Those years have flown and our kids have changed and grown so much - it's almost unreal! I am hoping that the next five years slow down so I can truly enjoy the time that my kids are still living at home with us!<br />
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- I'm starting to wish that I was a little less of a morning person! Days like today are great days to sleep in a little bit, but my eyes popped open at 5:30am and there was no going back to sleep. My family and friends make fun of me that I go to bed right after I put Ethan in bed at 8:30pm, but it is so nice to be awake and refreshed in the morning!<br />
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- Ethan and I have started a bedtime routine that I love! After I put him in his crib, he wants me to crawl in there with him and snuggle. We will snuggle, make airplanes out of our hands, play "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" and pretend that his crib is a ship. The other night he wanted me to get daddy to climb in there with us .. he doesn't quite get the fact that there's just not enough room!<br />
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- I attended Women of Faith in St. Paul again this past October and it was SO wonderful. Great time with amazing friends, wonderful music, phenomenal worship, great speakers. I LOVE it!<br />
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There are lots of other things going on, too, but those are the highlights! I hope to blog more regularly, but unfortunately I can't make any promises. For now, now that I'm missing you!! :)<br />
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Peace out, girl scout!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/350/7B03B9630EDD3280F25A3BDD5ADE1D24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-7288350954756492282013-08-27T07:22:00.001-05:002013-08-27T07:25:03.107-05:00Mommy FAIL.<br />
This past week we were up north at a cabin on a lake in central Minnesota - just the seven of us, with nothing on our agenda but relaxation and time to spend together. It really was a wonderful week away - we spent a lot of time fishing, swimming, making meals and taking walks among other things. <br />
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<i>Ellis, Colin and Iain proudly display their morning catch!</i></div>
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It was during one of our walks that I learned a parenting lesson that I felt all the way down to my toes. We had been walking for a couple of miles and I really had to use the bathroom, so we stopped in to a local resort and Monte and the kids played in the game room while I headed to the lobby in search of a restroom. On my way back out through the lobby I was caught behind a family of three, slowly meandering their way through the hallway toward the exit. Since I didn't want to be rude and rush around them I, too, slowed my pace and drifted through the hallway toward the door. I watched the couple in front of me, listening to their accent that hinted the obvious fact that they were not originally from Minnesota. I watched their little boy who moved back and forth through the hallway, not really paying attention to where he was walking, but instead being distracted by all of his surroundings, as little boys often do. <br />
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Then it happened.<br />
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I saw the easel sitting nearby that was displaying a large sign promoting the various activities the resort was currently offering. I saw the little boy walking toward the easel, all the while looking the other way. I saw his foot get caught on the easel leg. I saw him trip and I saw the sign begin to shake. The boy's dad very nonchalantly reached out his hand and steadied the sign while the boy's mom reached down to the ground and extended a hand to help him up. A very familiar fire of frustration began to burn inside me, and I expected to immediate hear the boy's mom scold him for not paying attention. What she said left me speechless:<br />
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<b><i>"Oh dear, that must have hurt. Are you okay, sweetie?"</i></b></div>
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The fire inside of me immediately was quenched as I watched this display of a mother's love. Instead of being frustrated with her son for not paying attention, she was concerned that he may have hurt himself. She was filled with love for him and that love was her only reaction.<br />
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How many times has it happened in my life that I have scolded my children for not "being good"? How many times have they been distracted and I have allowed that to frustrate me? Too many.<br />
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This is a lesson that has stuck with me and one I am deeply trying to put into action in my own life. I want to be a mom who first loves in all things.<br />
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So while this felt like a major Mommy FAIL, I know that it is going to lead to Mommy Victories, too. <br />
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I'm grateful for this lesson, grateful for being humbled. <br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/350/7B03B9630EDD3280F25A3BDD5ADE1D24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-10681199892064268582013-07-09T11:01:00.001-05:002013-07-09T12:55:10.813-05:00Keep On Keepin' OnI haven't been great at updating. In all honesty I haven't been great about keeping up on most things - when did life get to be so insanely busy?! We're in the full swing of summer at our house and are staying busy with baseball, soccer, cross country, driver's education (for Claire) and a new job (also for Claire)! At this point in life, my main job is chauffeuring my kids to the many different activities we have going on. I am often so busy with our schedule's craziness that I find I'm not sure what to do with myself when I get some downtime. Like right now, as I'm sitting in the waiting room at a local car repair shop, I'm realizing that I can't handle just sitting and watching "The Price Is Right" ... I need something else to keep me busy, thus this blog post is being created!<br />
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The issues with my truck are minor - my air conditioner just needs a little love so it can operate correctly, and with this amazing heat wave we're experiencing in Minnesota, I'm okay with having to wait to get it fixed!</div>
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I recently realized my need to update when I had many of you asking if we had sold our house. The answer to that question is a big fat NO! We had received an offer that came in significantly lower than our asking price, but beyond that we had a lot of showings that didn't result in anything more. I don't think that would have bothered me so much if we didn't have five kids to get out of the house every time someone wanted to see it! So, after much discussion, we made the decision to take it off the market.</div>
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I was initially a little frustrated that we won't be moving, but we have since found a church right here in our little town that we really like, and I'm believing that this is a great thing for our family. Being we enjoy the church so much, I think that takes some of the sting away from not selling!</div>
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So that's where we're at - moving forward and walking together in life, enjoying the heat of the summer and looking forward to some milestones that are coming up soon!</div>
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Through it all, we are moving forward together and choosing to Keep On Keepin' On!</div>
Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-72098676817992070832013-05-28T10:00:00.000-05:002013-05-28T10:00:07.426-05:00Sell My House!I know I mentioned in a previous post that we currently have our home on the market in anticipation of selling and moving closer to our extended family. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnXwrGj70A5Q0wfipspSZmZ6rfqyJXLehfpc7b9E6ozfK5iaRi0Ek7OQ1gY3GkbF7Y-f3QBW4-Hk-eFmP9dTQ6wOdY6vZPy-w1oH20e6A_jptX_mqzJPIKlCopbF5uAGT00nDI1lEIQ/s1600/4339366-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnXwrGj70A5Q0wfipspSZmZ6rfqyJXLehfpc7b9E6ozfK5iaRi0Ek7OQ1gY3GkbF7Y-f3QBW4-Hk-eFmP9dTQ6wOdY6vZPy-w1oH20e6A_jptX_mqzJPIKlCopbF5uAGT00nDI1lEIQ/s400/4339366-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Our home, desperately searching for its next owner!! :)</i></div>
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When we listed our home on February 25th, I was filled with excitement and anticipation about what this journey would bring. Now, 92 days, 25 showings and five open houses later I would have to admit that my spirit is dragging.<br />
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We have already reduced the price once with anticipation of drawing the attention of new buyers, but unfortunately we have yet to draw the attention of someone who wants to buy our property.<br />
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I can't help but feel frustrated at the fact that it hasn't sold. I can't help but feel frustrated with the whole process. I can't help but feel frustrated at the possibility of it not selling and our family not moving.<br />
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In my frustration, I can't help but wonder if it is God's plan to keep us in this house, or if there is a possibility that He is trying to teach us something through this long journey. I can't help but let my emotions go on a roller coaster of their own - getting super excited and hopeful for a sale, and then bombing out at the bottom and being super frustrated and ready to just pull the house from the market.<br />
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I've never been through the sale or purchase of a home before, so I think I came into this sale with unrealistic expectations. However, 92 days of people telling you they're not really interested can start to wear on you after awhile.<br />
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<i>Lord, my faith is taking a beating here. I really haven't been able to see beyond what I want to know if it's what You want for our family. Please remove the blinders from my heart and my eyes and allow me to see what You desire for us. Open the doors that need to be opened and slam shut the ones we shouldn't even look at. Help us to put our trust in You. </i><br />
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<i>... and I really would love it if You wanted to bring us a buyer. I really really would :)</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/350/7B03B9630EDD3280F25A3BDD5ADE1D24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-24948242488703470592013-05-24T21:31:00.001-05:002013-05-24T21:42:04.989-05:00If I Could Have a Conversation With My Children's Mother ...No, I don't mean a conversation with myself. I mean a conversation with Kelley. She was my four oldest children's mother (so, if I were being technical, my step-children's mom). She was killed in a snowmobiling accident when my oldest was 10 and my youngest was 2. She was a phenomenal woman - a loving wife, sister, daughter, friend - and most of all, an incredibly devoted mother. I often wonder what a conversation with her would be like.<br />
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<i>Kelley had one very beautiful smile, and my kids tell me she loved hats!</i></div>
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I imagine that we would sit down with our cups of coffee and, all jealousy aside over both of us so dearly loving Monte, I think we would have a great conversation. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGhv1JplZ3uViyFmsEQvMSA8I8ARzEMDcUkPQgX5N2_bNlHwibqL9e4kCUBwqRCKnxodXS3AaDwB5kgGo9qcPbBSxq_z_NuP4ZHVfjIzY0Z4mZmOu2hszOt6W20dg6ihF5BTgXDljPw/s1600/baptism.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGhv1JplZ3uViyFmsEQvMSA8I8ARzEMDcUkPQgX5N2_bNlHwibqL9e4kCUBwqRCKnxodXS3AaDwB5kgGo9qcPbBSxq_z_NuP4ZHVfjIzY0Z4mZmOu2hszOt6W20dg6ihF5BTgXDljPw/s1600/baptism.JPG" /></a></div>
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<i>Kelley and the kids (from left to right) Iain, Colin, Ellis and Claire on the day of Colin's baptism.</i></div>
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There are a lot of questions that I would love to ask her. I would love to know what her dreams were for her children. I would love to know where she envisioned them years down the road as they move into adulthood. Did she know that Claire wants to be a neurosurgeon? Was she aware of Iain's dream of playing baseball for the Phillies? Did she see Ellis's love for outdoors as something that will follow him into adulthood and a career? What did she dream for dear, sweet Colin (who was only 2 when she passed away)?</div>
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<i>Kelley, Colin, Ellis, Claire and Iain in the pool on a family vacation to Breckenridge, CO.</i></div>
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I would love to ask her how she dealt with the stress that can come with raising so many kids. I would love to know if there was a system she followed in her day-to-day routine, or if she was able to just "wing it". I want to know how she handled it when one of the kids would sink into a "funk" of a mood and what she did to help bring them out.</div>
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<i>Ellis, Iain, Kelley and Claire dealing with a funk of a mood while on a family hike!</i></div>
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I want to know what she dreamed her relationship with her kids would be like. Did she see her and Claire being incredibly close? Would she and Iain enjoy playing sports together? Would she jump in on a game of hunting with Ellis and Colin? Part of me truly believes that the answer to all of these questions is a big, loud YES! Knowing her love for her kids, I have no doubt in my mind that she would have given anything she possibly could to be close to them and make them happy. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9B-gAwIkl_iwOcUwQHubVkVWAtFvHfriZhH-BSIYk-R0rglPnNQSoC1jA7j2lA6p9s6eJjRU95-MSnQh0_CRgQmAPZT3Pm1laN8D5HM3BUemlvU1t8dLSywjqB0AVIbMAcyWJRARCDg/s1600/2gals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9B-gAwIkl_iwOcUwQHubVkVWAtFvHfriZhH-BSIYk-R0rglPnNQSoC1jA7j2lA6p9s6eJjRU95-MSnQh0_CRgQmAPZT3Pm1laN8D5HM3BUemlvU1t8dLSywjqB0AVIbMAcyWJRARCDg/s1600/2gals.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Kelley and Claire on a paddle boating trip.</i></div>
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More than anything, I want to ask her if she knows how much I truly love her children. I know my love for them can never be what her love for them was - there is absolutely nothing that can replace or match mama's love; but my love for them is fierce. I want the absolute best for them in this life. I want them to know each and every single day how unconditionally loved they are. I want them to know that our home is always a safe place for them and that they can always come to Dad and me about anything, anytime. And I really want Kelley to know that.</div>
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I want her to know that I think I'm doing a good job raising her kids - because, I promise, I am trying with absolutely everything in me. </div>
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I want her to know that everything is alright. I really do.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/350/7B03B9630EDD3280F25A3BDD5ADE1D24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-35810790322831448692013-04-30T13:43:00.000-05:002013-04-30T13:43:47.598-05:00A Life Beautifully LivedA week ago today, on Tuesday, April 23, my Grandma Evelyn passed away. She was 90 years old and had lived a very full life. My sister and I, along with our two youngest munchkins (Khloe and Ethan) were able to go visit her a few weeks ago - a visit for which I will forever be grateful. I got to look into my Grandma's beautiful blue eyes and tell her just how much I love her and I got to hear her talk about her excitement to finally see Jesus face-to-face. She was at a point where she was done with everything here - there was no more reason to eat when she could be feasting in Heaven. I am so thankful that she had Jesus in her heart, which means that we will see each other again!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCCAppgIOzywlsJQSYaJ7DqEVg-JdR3SQEh2NuOLq-dAAUtdRKqVew4nP5ikej93xcI52aDkYPec4Ra4tNTPMxJXzuAAZavmcjCgXNOj5vtAGrS2ZI2pQ39f9WDTQhLnIqyl-uCg1ZA/s1600/160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCCAppgIOzywlsJQSYaJ7DqEVg-JdR3SQEh2NuOLq-dAAUtdRKqVew4nP5ikej93xcI52aDkYPec4Ra4tNTPMxJXzuAAZavmcjCgXNOj5vtAGrS2ZI2pQ39f9WDTQhLnIqyl-uCg1ZA/s400/160.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Grandma and I - February 2011</i> </div>
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Growing up, we would visit my Grandma every Saturday (as we lived only 15 minutes apart) and we would spend time together playing 'Kings in the Corner' and eating Pinwheel cookies (which were my favorite, once upon a time). We would listen to "Wheeler Dealer" on the radio and watch "The Andy Griffith Show" and "The Waltons" on TV. My memories of her are priceless and she will forever be in my heart.<br />
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<i>Khloe, Grandma, Ethan and I - February 2011</i></div>
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I love you so much, Grandma! Enjoy your reward, dance with Jesus and eat the feast prepared for you. I miss you like crazy and can't wait to see you again!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX26Tlhs9Lsb56-oL2Kx27b7sMXueirFfmJihrJrZPu8hy4sb9KK0WIT08leHpxC2hyphenhyphenrIYgFJW_5VowKwHOFeSZo7q8ZdVhuYKthyphenhyphenqWk8AC_RcfQLFFmgNlmq9Im727xfrP2Ex5MEyxw/s1600/Grandma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX26Tlhs9Lsb56-oL2Kx27b7sMXueirFfmJihrJrZPu8hy4sb9KK0WIT08leHpxC2hyphenhyphenrIYgFJW_5VowKwHOFeSZo7q8ZdVhuYKthyphenhyphenqWk8AC_RcfQLFFmgNlmq9Im727xfrP2Ex5MEyxw/s400/Grandma.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
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<i>Evelyn Anderson</i></div>
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<i>July 16, 1922 - April 23, 2013</i></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/350/7B03B9630EDD3280F25A3BDD5ADE1D24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-78339145578451551132013-04-02T07:44:00.001-05:002013-04-02T07:44:07.058-05:00Ethan-ismsMy darling little boy is now almost 29 months old. Funny that I put it that way when I promised myself I wasn't going to count his age month-by-month, so allow me to correct myself: my darling little boy is now two-years-old. <br />
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He is a ball of energy and excitement! He loves to play outside, to "drive" my truck (in other words, to sit in the driver's seat and hit every button and switch he can find!), to chase each other through the house, to play, but most of all he loves to TALK!<br />
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Here are some of the precious things that come out of his mouth quite frequently (that I'm blogging about because I don't ever want to forget them!):<br />
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<u>"My Rumple-Tum-Tum"</u> - this is what he calls his belly! It's my fault, really, because I started telling him that his stomach was his "rum-a-tum-tum", and that changed into rumple-tum-tum. It's incredibly cute, though!<br />
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<u>"Christmas Clear"</u> - if the kids are in trouble and Monte is correcting their behavior, he often ends with asking them if it's clear to them how they're supposed to behave. They say yes, he then asks them "How Clear?". The expected response is "crystal clear", but Ethan has this one just a little confused!! :)<br />
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<u>"The Forte Giant"</u> - this comes from an episode of Little Einsteins. In the specific episode, there is a giant (called The Forte Giant), who sings "Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum". Ethan loved this so much that he often will go and put on anybody's shoes, stomp his feet and sing out "FE-FI-FO-FUM! ... I'm a Forte Giant!"<br />
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He's also a truth teller (which is great!). For example, last night Monte saw him eating a piece of chocolate right before bed, so he (Monte) asked me, "did you give Ethan this chocolate or did he just take it?" Before I had a chance to say anything, Ethan looks Monte square in the eyes and says, "I just take it." :)<br />
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He's such a silly little boy who makes me laugh all the time! I'm so grateful that he is mine :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/350/7B03B9630EDD3280F25A3BDD5ADE1D24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-2757145282949631222013-03-04T10:15:00.001-06:002013-03-04T11:24:19.693-06:00Randomly UpdatingIt seems as though I've abandoned my blog, which I truly kind of have. Life has been extremely busy for me as of late ... these are the things we've been up to since my last post:<br />
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My amazing husband and I celebrated four years of being married (and no, this picture isn't from our anniversary .. I just realized we don't have many "just us" pictures anymore!).</div>
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We celebrated Christmas as a family (this was the picture on our Christmas card).</div>
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We threw a surprise birthday party for Claire, and some of her friends came over and spent the night.</div>
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Monte and I went on vacation to Playa del Carmen, Mexico where we stayed at an incredibly beautiful hotel and spent as much time in the sun as possible!</div>
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We celebrated Colin's 7th birthday with a Lego cake made by the world's best nanny, Krista!</div>
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Our front-toothless birthday boy got lots of great presents, too!</div>
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I've done a lot of snow removal...<br />
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... and plan on doing more with the anticipated 6 to 10 inches of snow that we're supposed to get in the next two days!</div>
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And unfortunately, we've had many bouts of sickness sweep through our family.</div>
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We also are listing our home for sale with anticipation of moving to a suburb that is closer to our extended families! There has been so much going on and so much change lately - and that is why I've been away from the blog. Here's hoping I learn to update more regularly! :)</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/350/7B03B9630EDD3280F25A3BDD5ADE1D24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-56972732350872621662012-11-16T08:12:00.001-06:002012-11-16T08:12:44.092-06:00I'm Too YoungAs of late, this is a theme that has been replaying in my life over and over and over and over, and I don't understand the reason. It seems that 28 is the new 15 when it comes to receiving advice from me. Granted, this isn't the case in all situations, but in many it truly is. I can't help but wonder why. It seems that it is the same few people who continue to talk down to me in the "you have no idea what this is like" stance. <br />
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Really? Would I be offering up my opinion or ANY amount of advice if I didn't understand where you were coming from?<br />
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No. I truly would not.<br />
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I find myself feeling frustrated at the fact that people look at me as being younger. Let's be honest - there are not many women who are near my own age who are in the place of life where I am. A few, yes, but not many. A majority of my friends are about 10 years older than I am, and when I am with them, they don't point out my age difference or make me feel any less relevant because of it. <br />
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So why do others? Why is it that other people fixate on my 28 years as being inexperienced? There are so many areas of life that I have too much experience; heartache, loneliness, desperately wanting something more ... check, check and check. Love, laughter, a live overflowing with happiness ... done, done and done! Anger, frustration, sadness ... been there, done that. <br />
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So maybe this all goes back to <u><a href="http://www.mybeautifulday.net/2012/11/good-at-being-me.html" target="_blank">this post</a></u>. Maybe it really is more about me being confident in the woman that God created me to be. I am a mother to five awesome children, a wife to one very amazing man, a scheduler of our busy lives, a manager of our household, a laundry goddess, a cleaning guru, a Norwex-seller extraordinaire, an accounts payable representative, a referee of all fights, a judge of the "trials" that happen between siblings in our home, a daughter to three amazing parents (three because I have a step-dad, too!), a sister to three phenomenal siblings, a sister-in-law, a step-sister, an aunt, a cousin, a friend and an extreme goofball.<br />
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A woman with a huge desire to use my life experience to help others. To let my story be the thing that touches them and teaches them about the love of our Savior.<br />
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So yes, I am only 28. If my 28-year-old self doesn't qualify to offer advice to you, please just simply say "thank you" instead of talking down to me. You may not think that I understand because of where my life is today, but I have been deeper in the trenches than most people know, and I have one very awesome God to thank for walking with me through those trenches and leading me out into glorious light.<br />
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Beautiful, shining, victorious light ...<br />
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<i>Photo courtesy of Google Images</i></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/350/7B03B9630EDD3280F25A3BDD5ADE1D24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-12879167627795075492012-11-09T13:18:00.001-06:002012-11-09T13:18:34.335-06:00Happy Birthday Ethan!This past Wednesday (November 7th) we celebrated Ethan's 2nd birthday! We had so much fun! We started the day with a nebulizer treatment, since our birthday boy is currently fighting off a nasty cold ...<br />
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We had "Ethan's choice" for dinner, which turned out to be Macaroni & Cheese with hot dogs (I really wasn't surprised that he chose that .. he is a two-year-old, after all!) and followed that up with some really yummy cupcakes ...<br />
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Ethan opened his present - a bouncing Tigger doll - and couldn't eat his cupcake fast enough to be done and play with it!<br />
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Then, once he was playing with Tigger, I couldn't get him to turn and look at the camera even once!<br />
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Happy 2nd Birthday my little love! I am so grateful that you are mine and that I have had the last two years with you in my life. I hardly remember what our family was like before you arrived! Daddy and I love you SO much!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/350/7B03B9630EDD3280F25A3BDD5ADE1D24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-70818608944462333822012-11-02T07:49:00.003-05:002012-11-09T13:26:18.619-06:00Good at Being Me<div style="text-align: justify;">
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This is something that has been on my heart for about a month. I had the privilege of sharing it with my MOPS group yesterday, and now I want to share it with you. Looking back over the past (almost) four years, I have found that there were so many times I felt I didn't measure up. It started out with motherhood. Jumping in head-first to being a step-mom to four kids is one of the best blessings I've ever been given, but it also is one of the most frustrating learning journeys that I've been on. You see, I really thought I was doing a good job - I was staying on top of our housework and laundry (which I now realize was truly a miracle!), I was making dinners, I was playing with the kids and helping with homework. Sure, we had a hiccup every now and then, but life really seemed to be going smoothly.</div>
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Then I started following mommy blogs.</div>
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There are few things in the world that tear me down the way that reading a mommy blog can. Those blogs that give advice for all of the tough moments, that show pictures of the perfect birthday parties and the perfect children who's clothes always match, who's hair is never messy and who always have the perfect, attentive smile.</div>
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I hated other mommy blogs! Suddenly I began to think that I wasn't good enough. My kids would fight. My little boys' clothes rarely ever matched (because I had made the decision that I wasn't going to be the mom who forced her kids to wear what she picked out for them). My youngest threw major fits in the store. Oh my goodness, I was completely convinced that <i>I wasn't a good mother</i>.</div>
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Then I met my neighbor.</div>
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She was (and still is) a very wonderful woman - a loving mother and the keeper of her own busy schedule. The crazy thing about my meeting her was that initially I really wanted to have a friend nearby. I was so excited to meet her and be her friend. However, the more that I learned about the way she ran her household, the more <b>I started to do comparisons and made myself feel like I wasn't good enough.</b> We would get together for playdates and her kids would eat the organic snacks that she had packed, all the while my kids were eating Pop Tarts. I found myself eventually withdrawing from that friendship because I didn't feel like I was as good as her.</div>
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Fast forward to my first year in MOPS.</div>
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Initially I was so excited to be part of this group. I longed and desired for friendships from other moms - women who understood what it was like to walk this journey. It didn't take long, though, for that old comparison monster to creep up and completely destroy my first year of MOPS. I decided that I couldn't be friends with one woman because she was far too beautiful - she had it all together and both she and her kids were always dressed to the nines. I couldn't be friends with another woman because she was the perfect mom - just like all of those mommy bloggers I read about. Another woman was friends with my organic living neighbor, so she must not want to be friends with someone who feeds her kids Pop Tarts and candy bars. </div>
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The list went on and on. I found myself so lonely in that first year of MOPS, coming with the expectation to meet friends and find relationships, yet allowing the comparison monster to control my thoughts so deeply that I kept myself distanced from ever knowing these women on a deeper level. </div>
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It took another year in MOPS and having a baby of my own for me to really allow myself a little bit of grace. It took having these women tell me that it's not easy and to give myself a break. It took God radically changing my heart for me to move forward and away from the comparison monster.</div>
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Now, one of my best friends is that woman who dresses to kill. I completely love the woman who is friends with my neighbor. The mom who seemed to have it all together - she and I are getting closer in our friendship. The irony of becoming friends with these women was that <i>many of them admitted to feeling the same way about me</i>. <b> I was completely blown away</b>. Here I thought I was not good enough, I thought that I wasn't as good at being a mom as any of them - and some of them admitted to feeling like they didn't measure up to me.</div>
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Why do we play this awful comparison game? God didn't create me to be like you - nor did He create you to be like me! We all have our own attributes and abilities that make us who we are. It has taken such a long time for me to really grasp this concept, but I finally am to a place where I really own who I am. I am high maintenance, though rarely ever late. I love the days when I can wear my sweats all day long. I am trying to become a runner, though I don't yet enjoy it. I love to have people over to my house and will welcome you with open arms, but don't judge me that I need to vacuum my floors. In fact, don't bother taking your shoes off - it's probably safer that way! I am not good at crafts and rarely ever attempt them. I am learning to be a good (step)mom, but am thankful each and every day that God offers me grace when I fail. I love coffee dates with girlfriends. I am confident in the woman that God has created me to be and I pray that my confidence doesn't ever scare anybody away from wanting to be my friend. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkTxZANweUAcz4xBxMhv-QuGCysIqh3CRtfTSIdySST9MWGKaihxqYh7jXWLkRKYfAIFKHxvLX77z3lxWdpVQksTEZc4ejlWGoKOt44qBGm7nLrEq6-kyzcTt4TsbL9PO0abivYVHiQ/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkTxZANweUAcz4xBxMhv-QuGCysIqh3CRtfTSIdySST9MWGKaihxqYh7jXWLkRKYfAIFKHxvLX77z3lxWdpVQksTEZc4ejlWGoKOt44qBGm7nLrEq6-kyzcTt4TsbL9PO0abivYVHiQ/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Me (far right) with my dear friends Susan, Amy and Allison before the 10k we ran together.</i></div>
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I am simply me - and <b>I rock</b> at being me! <br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/350/7B03B9630EDD3280F25A3BDD5ADE1D24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-48323929531961427362012-10-22T08:10:00.001-05:002012-10-22T08:13:36.150-05:00Happy Monday - A Guest Blogger!Good morning and Happy Monday to you all! Today I am very excited to announce that I have a guest blogger here on My Beautiful Day! My guest is my oldest brother, Jeremy. He is an amazing brother, a husband and father to four beautiful kids (the last of whom is not yet two weeks old!), among other things. He also is the one person who harasses me constantly that I'm not good at keeping up with writing on my blog - and every time he says this to me, I always tell him that he's welcome to do a guest post and that way my blog will have new content. Well, this time he took me up on it! What he wrote is something he posted on his Facebook page and told met hat I could use it for his guest post. I love what it says and appreciate any <u>positive</u> feedback you might have for him. Even if you aren't in agreement of what he says, at least be positive with your response. <br />
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So, without further ado, here is my big brother!<br />
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<b>Minnesota Marriage Amendment</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">As the days to voting get closer the more I hear and see people putting there opinion of why they are voting yes, or no on the Marriage Amendment. I have had discussions on this issue with people. And when asked why I am voting yes for the Amendment I tell them that that is the way God intended it. And for some people they understand. Others want more of and explanation. I would tell them the Scripture </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">Genesis 2:24</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">New International Version (NIV)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">And say there is one scripture with two examples. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">Example 1: Father and Mother.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">Example 2: Man united with his Wife.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">Still for some this is not enough. And I never had more than scripture and saying that it the way God intended it. For some still not enough.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">I prayed for a better answer. I got the answer a couple weeks ago and will share it with you all. It is a story from my baseball playing days. I will relate it to the issue at hand, the Marriage Amendment after the story and why I still plan to vote yes.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">I was 17 years old playing American Legion Baseball in my home town of Perham. This day we were playing New York Mills. Two towns just 10 miles apart. Now this game was like any other with two teams and two umpires. One ump for the bases and one in the “box” behind home plate. The thing that made this game different for me was the umpire behind the plate calling balls and strikes was my Father. And his home town that he grew up in was New York Mills the team we were playing. Most players on both teams and most fans in the stands knew the ump was my Father. I came up to bat for the first time and as I walk to the plate I can hear the fans for the visiting team start to say, “Oh the ump is going to favor the batter. It is his son. This is not fair.” With that the ump takes out his brush and cleans home plate just as I am digging in the batters box. Once he is done he looks up at me and says, “You better be swinging boy.” To which I reply, “If it is a strike blue I will swing.” (Blue is the nickname for ump most players call him that).</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">Well the ump says, “Play ball.” And I get ready for the first pitch. As it comes to the plate I think it is just too far out side and let it go. The catcher catches the ball and I hear the ump say, “STRIKE ONE!” My head instantly turns straight back and looks at the ump, my Father, with confusion and I shake my head in disbelief. The second pitch now come and it is even further outside of the strike zone and I let it go. To which the ump says, “TWO!!” This now means I have two strikes against me. I step out of the batters box and look at the ump my father and shake my head in even more disbelief. After roughly 20 seconds I step back in to the box and get ready for the next pitch. As it comes I remember it being so far out of the strike zone in my mind that if I swung at it I would not have been able to put my bat on it. Then hear the umpire say,” STRIKE THREE YOUR OUT!!” Right there I wanted to argue with the umpire. I wanted to get right in his face and yell at him and tell him how he was wrong. But I stopped. Because I know that there has never been an umpire that has changed his mind on a strike call once he made the call. And arguing my point was not going to change the fact that I just struck out on what I though were three balls for pitches. The Ump called them strikes. That made them strikes. It did not matter that I thought they were balls.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">Now you might be saying how does this story relate to the Marriage Amendment? Let me show you.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">Let us put you in this game. But the game is not a baseball game. It is the game of life. There is an Umpire in this game of life. He is Jesus Christ. He is not calling balls and strike but truths and lies. The batters box at this particular time of the game of life will be the voting booth. In which the pitch thrown to you will be the Marriage Amendment. But the best part about this game is that even before the pitch is thrown to you the Umpire, Jesus Christ, is telling you to vote yes. He is saying, “I created man in my own image and created woman to be his wife.” And any argument or disagreement you try to have to change his mind on that call of the game will not change it. Cause it is the Truth. He said so. And when your time comes to be judged by the Umpire in the game of life, Jesus Christ, don’t let your no vote on the Marriage Amendment be a replay that he asks you why did you vote no when I told you in the Bible that Marriage is between a man and a women. Because any explanation you give to him still will not change his mind on the call. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">I hope this helps anyone who believes in Jesus to vote yes for the Marriage amendment.</span></span><br />
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Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-63215566464628918382012-10-14T11:34:00.000-05:002012-10-14T11:34:12.559-05:00"Working Out" Is My Four-Letter-WordCan I be honest about something? Before I ever had a baby, I had <i>that</i> mentality. You know the one; it occurs when you look at a woman with children and wonder why she hasn't yet lost her baby weight. The one where you assume it's because she's too lazy to work out and has no self-control over what she eats.<br />
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If it were possible to kick my own butt for ever thinking that way, I certainly would!<br />
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Now, almost two full years after having Ethan, I can't help but resent how much of a struggle it really can be to lose that weight. I know that I've come pretty far from where I was, and I know that I do look good (no arrogance here *wink, wink*), but I also know that I would feel so much better about myself if I were to lose those last 10 pounds.<br />
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While I know that I will likely never be my size 0/1 little self again ...<br />
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<i>~ I won't lie - I miss being this little! ~</i></div>
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... would it be okay to be a size four ... <i>without</i> the muffin top?!</div>
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So I have begun the battle. While I already have been doing lap swimming in the mornings, I have found that it's just not enough. My metabolism goes up and then plummets down during the day when all I do is swim at 5:10am. I have tried doing Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred. This has worked for me in the past when it came to really losing that initial baby weight (you know, the weight that was supposed to come off when I was breastfeeding ... then breastfeeding didn't go so well for my babe and I had to stop by the time he was only two months old). It just doesn't seem to help truly tone and lose the remaining weight.</div>
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What now? Well, I once again have joined a local gym. But this time, I'm truly very committed to making it work. I have a goal in mind and a date by which I want to achieve it. I have met with a personal trainer (compliments of the gym that I joined!) and laid out a workout plan. I am striving toward truly building and toning muscle, while hopefully shedding the remaining flab.</div>
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Now, the biggest struggle for me is convincing myself to GO to the gym. It's getting going in the morning and getting my butt there. It does help that I have a group of girlfriends who go there a few times a week - I am trying to line up my schedule so I can be there when they are and I can be faithful to going. I so desperately want the end result, and I still have to convince myself every day that the daily work and the struggle to get myself to do it is completely worth it.</div>
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It's true. "Working Out" really is my four-letter-word. This time, I am determined to conquer it!</div>
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Now just to convince my body to stop craving junk food ... :)</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/350/7B03B9630EDD3280F25A3BDD5ADE1D24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-58455974130281250922012-09-13T11:19:00.002-05:002012-09-13T11:19:54.917-05:00FaithfulI'm surprised at how often God continually amazes me. I know that sometimes I should expect that He will, but I am still blown away by Him ALL. THE. TIME.<br />
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It's no secret (at least not on here) that I have felt distant from God. My life has been incredibly hectic and I have felt a lot of self-pity in the fact that there wasn't quiet time. My prayer recently has been that God would show me where there is quiet time in my life and that I would learn to fill it with Him.<br />
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He has been so faithful.<br />
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My life is filled with quiet moments. Yes, they are just that - moments. But they are moments that I so desperately need to keep my cup filling up. It might be the five minutes I have while Ethan is splashing in the bathtub and I am sitting on the floor keeping my watchful eye on him. It might be the sweetness of tucking Colin into bed at night and having him want me to crawl in and snuggle with him in that tiny twin bed. It might be through loving my children that I discover God's ultimate love for me.<br />
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It might be through allowing Ethan to say our mealtime prayer last night, which went something like this:<br />
"Father ... thank you ... food ... bless ... bodies ... (mumbling something I don't understand) .. day .. jeeus name ... AMEN!"<br />
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And you know what? We let that be our prayer. He has the sweetest heart, and he may not fully understand what he's saying or the fact that he's saying it to God, but it showed me just how much we can teach our children by the way we are living out our own life.<br />
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So I'm choosing to be thankful, and in that thankfulness, I am seeing more of Him everyday. <br />
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As I draw closer to God, He is faithful and, as He promised, He is drawing closer to me.<br />
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<i>And I love it!</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/350/7B03B9630EDD3280F25A3BDD5ADE1D24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-71139398858874177502012-09-09T07:36:00.003-05:002012-09-09T07:40:07.513-05:00If I Could Go Back ...I've spent a lot of time in reflection this past week. Now that my four big kids are back in school and it's just Ethan and me at home, there's a lot of extra time to reflect! This has been an amazing week. God has spoken some true revelations into my heart and has met me where I am. I am so thankful for where I am in life and I truly wouldn't trade this spot for anything ...<br />
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... with the exception of one thing.<br />
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About three years ago, a very good friend and I had a falling out. I'm not talking a small deal, either, I'm talking an <b>I-can't-believe-you-said-the-things-that-you-said-and-we-should-never-talk-again</b> kind of falling out. The hardest part of this for me has been the fact that, as the years have passed and she hasn't been part of my life, the hole in my heart where she used to be keeps getting larger. She had been my BFF (that's "best friend forever" for those of you who don't understand pre-teen acronyms!) since fourth grade. <i>Fourth Grade!!!</i> A huge part of our falling out was my fault. See, I said a lot of <u>extremely judgemental</u> things in an email to her. Things that I should have never said - or thought, for that matter. Those things were the <s>straw</s> concrete block that broke the camel's back.<br />
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Through the years, I haven't always been the best friend I could be to her. In fact, when I look back, I realize that I really was a very selfish friend. I used her as a sounding board to air out my problems, but I never gave her the chance to talk about her life, too. I realize now that I was afraid to hear about her life. I was afraid because I was jealous. Jealous of her family and their wholeness. Jealous of the fact that she went to college and was doing what I likely should have done. Jealous that she seemed to always have it all together.<br />
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It's amazing to me that our friendship even lasted through those years. If I were in her shoes, I likely would've walked away from me a long time ago.<br />
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However, through this past week of reflection and quiet time with God, I began to realize just how much I have missed out on by not having her in my life. I miss the connection of a phone call just to catch up (she lived across the country, so phone calls were usually our only option). I miss emailing her just to see how she's doing. I miss hearing stories of her sweet little boy (or her ever-expanding family, as word-of-mouth has informed me that she's expecting her third baby soon!). I hate that she has never met Ethan or that my one and only chance to ever be pregnant and birth a child wasn't shared with her.<br />
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I simply flat-out miss her.<br />
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If there were something that I could do or say to bridge this expansive canyon of a gap between us, I would do it in a heartbeat. I wish she could know just how much I miss her and how truly sorry I am for not being the friend I should have been. More than anything, I wish she understood how badly I want to reconcile this fight and be her friend again.<br />
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If I could go back and change the things I said and did, I would do it. But since I can't go back, I can only move forward and hope and pray that somehow our friendship will be restored. This is my true heart's desire.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnDNfzUc2E_nhoN5w0lnn4OfSGZ66ko-9dcXW_Xop-qOD4Y5qSDa0sT2wgkgskpM470Bmt_RdrYIi4gcfVbof4D-Yz561S_6dEAA236tf8ObyrPLop29_zHS82twPL3nKmz4NlFPktQ/s1600/friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnDNfzUc2E_nhoN5w0lnn4OfSGZ66ko-9dcXW_Xop-qOD4Y5qSDa0sT2wgkgskpM470Bmt_RdrYIi4gcfVbof4D-Yz561S_6dEAA236tf8ObyrPLop29_zHS82twPL3nKmz4NlFPktQ/s400/friends.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Picture courtesy of Google Images</span></i></div>
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<i>Lord .... You know my heart. You know how strongly I wish that I could go back and fix the wrongs I've done. But I can't. Now all I can do is ask for forgiveness. Forgiveness from you and forgiveness from this friend. Please let her somehow see my heart, let her know how deeply she is missed, and please, please, please bridge the gap in our friendship. I don't want to have to miss her anymore. I want her to be part of my life. Please, Lord. Please.</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/350/7B03B9630EDD3280F25A3BDD5ADE1D24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-18634259764877894962012-08-24T10:02:00.004-05:002012-08-24T10:02:59.587-05:00Lost and WanderingHave you ever been in a position where something in your life is just 'off', or even wrong, and you want so desperately to fix it but yet you can't seem to move your foot to take that first step?<br />
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Or is that just me?!<br />
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I haven't updated my blog in ages. Part of that is because I really have been busy, part is because I haven't had the motivation to do so, and part of it is because I've been afraid to be truly transparent with you. You see, right now in my life I am struggling. I am fighting an internal battle that I don't fully understand, which makes it difficult to express and explain to all of you.<br />
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My heart and my soul are screaming, desiring, begging me to indulge in a deeper relationship with my Creator. Longing to go back to the woman I once was. The woman who first sought after God, and everything else fell into place surrounding that.<br />
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The problem and the very thing stopping me from getting there is <i style="font-weight: bold;">me.</i> Me and every factor living under the roof of my home. There is always so much going on that it is so easy for me to make excuses. We have sports all year long. The kids have different school things going on. We had friends over for dinner and they stayed late, so I just have to sleep in. I just flat out don't feel like going to church. Monte had a really busy day at work and it would be best if he could just relax at home. <br />
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In my head, it takes a lot of effort to get to church. Ethan has separation anxiety, so dropping him off at the childcare is sometimes difficult - even when I know that his crying stops within just a few minutes and he does <u>just fine</u> without me. In fact, I know that he plays and has fun while he's in childcare! It's just those moments of tears when I drop him off and when I pick him up that make it hard. Or maybe they don't make it hard at all, but maybe they just create an excuse for me.<br />
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I want to be the woman that I know I was five years ago. I want to be the woman who puts her relationship with God before anything else. The person I am right now - the mom who's patience wears thin and she snaps at her kids, the wife who is less understanding and loving that she sometimes should be, the one who yells - this isn't me. This isn't my heart.<br />
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When I am at church I am me. When I can open my heart and lay it at the throne of God - <i>I am me.</i> I want the church-Kami to be the every-day-life-Kami. <br />
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<i>Lord, I need you. I am empty and dry. Please fill my heart and soul to overflowing with You. Please help me to make You a priority in my life. I need You. I so very desperately need You. Help me to be the woman that You have called me to be.</i><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_eYbJPSuV30?rel=0" width="420"></iframe> </div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/350/7B03B9630EDD3280F25A3BDD5ADE1D24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-19314204019304205782012-08-01T07:50:00.001-05:002012-08-01T07:54:43.811-05:00A Peek Into My Home: The KitchenA few weeks ago I wrote <u><a href="http://www.mybeautifulday.net/2012/07/to-share-or-not-to-share.html" target="_blank">this post</a></u> in which I shared that we had recently remodeled our kitchen. I was feeling a bit hesitant in posting about it due to some negative feedback I had received from a random reader when posting about our home addition a couple of years ago. After I had written the post a few weeks ago, however, I received so much wonderful feedback from you that I decided to go ahead and open the window of my blog up and share our renovation.<br />
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In keeping up with something that I started WAY too long ago and haven't kept up with it at ALL, I am including this as part of my "A Peek Into My Home"series.<br />
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I do have to give a few shout-outs to the people who helped Monte and me make this renovation a possibility! A big thank-you to Stacy Klone from <a href="http://kitchenwerks.org/" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">KitchenWerks</a> for helping us to look at our space and figure out what would be best for the functionality of our home and for introducing us to the people who helped make it all a reality!! We are so thankful to have been able to work with you and are absolutely thrilled with the final product! One of the people Stacy introduced us to is Perry Charpentier from <a href="http://minnesotahomeservices.com/members/pj" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">PJ's Home Improvement</a>. Perry did our cabinetry - building our new pantry, new cabinets and drawers, and my amazing spice rack in the kitchen. I can't say enough good things about his work - Perry is an amazing craftsman and I will happily have him back if any further projects come up. I am so completely thrilled with his work! Finally, a big thank-you to Jayne Morrison from <u><a href="http://www.jaynemorrison.com/" target="_blank">Jayne Morrison Interiors</a></u> who helped us choose out our beautiful Cambria quartz counter tops, our new kitchen sink and our faucet. Jayne is definitely gifted and we are happy to have been able to work with her!<br />
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So, without further adieu, here is our new (and incredibly awesome) kitchen!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2Y-EZTAZqE_hp98-bagtgWZjKIV46P5ILphFl4hmI9L-TkG4ZiO_yjsHqRwPxXAL9zPTQ4BnieFh_LrTh2R0zAsxVM2UzhC0QGBfyjep6EChP5OR9l7prKRjjiKDBsxCkDUYFNOSHA/s1600/078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2Y-EZTAZqE_hp98-bagtgWZjKIV46P5ILphFl4hmI9L-TkG4ZiO_yjsHqRwPxXAL9zPTQ4BnieFh_LrTh2R0zAsxVM2UzhC0QGBfyjep6EChP5OR9l7prKRjjiKDBsxCkDUYFNOSHA/s1600/078.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>This is the view of the kitchen when you're entering from the office/back hallway.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKePANDNUkLJiJIYcBp1IuLFdoXhJ3-qHfXq3KAnAfJJlXDMLjPa0jxBy59V6zFQK3HhcSkRJy9pmBui_zPQeYPrzbdHOeR8UftFdmBV3ADOnJnFJMPE-0KTTuXfr-tLRsqyfBaf9Eaw/s1600/080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKePANDNUkLJiJIYcBp1IuLFdoXhJ3-qHfXq3KAnAfJJlXDMLjPa0jxBy59V6zFQK3HhcSkRJy9pmBui_zPQeYPrzbdHOeR8UftFdmBV3ADOnJnFJMPE-0KTTuXfr-tLRsqyfBaf9Eaw/s1600/080.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Here you will notice that our island is no longer two-heights (where previously, the back of it was bar-height to accommodate eating). We removed the higher portion, expanded the cabinets beneath the counter to 24" and put one solid counter top on it. Best. Idea. EVER.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimH5SxsbWFKoIq9Uavw9s7M5rVRe7HDKLgQ02_Ua-qWhyphenhyphenV3fjUrPtUPIFavPYUGspkQE-f__oOI1miKJNa30aW5cGm19apcUdtvwcplq9V7X2AKyauW-NHT6IpzEf_HH8v2GOMLlfeQw/s1600/081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimH5SxsbWFKoIq9Uavw9s7M5rVRe7HDKLgQ02_Ua-qWhyphenhyphenV3fjUrPtUPIFavPYUGspkQE-f__oOI1miKJNa30aW5cGm19apcUdtvwcplq9V7X2AKyauW-NHT6IpzEf_HH8v2GOMLlfeQw/s1600/081.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>This is our new built-in made by Perry. I can't stress enough how phenomenal he is at what he does. This piece is completely beautiful - and I must admit, I just LOVE having all the extra storage in the kitchen (instead of having my pantry in our basement like it previously was).</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhZXJNVFvDm7QfNv_CxKBrhPSMKPYek9F0iodm-aaAQkEZtWdprwzMUrsUJAyoIz4cnKW4RCY4HHCv5HWWG6qPcx5jfmYGsuds9o2gMIVH4VMzGn4SiQmF2yE14ODbmOzHF6BOAswDg/s1600/082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhZXJNVFvDm7QfNv_CxKBrhPSMKPYek9F0iodm-aaAQkEZtWdprwzMUrsUJAyoIz4cnKW4RCY4HHCv5HWWG6qPcx5jfmYGsuds9o2gMIVH4VMzGn4SiQmF2yE14ODbmOzHF6BOAswDg/s1600/082.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>My camera lens isn't wide enough to capture this entire cabinet without moving the kitchen table, but the cabinet is so beautiful that I had to make sure you have the chance to see it all!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HrYNwpQVbUvh-b1VcJeY-G-U3OUSjWyEkn66T4qEoWQuJM_687KbeCc9ahlnoQrQBY3f4gxX452CJEKm9Sj-9iYLzlDS2AzJbpW5dIFVdHPYSJeHbGfCCYkwW1yREQGKHvXVfcs9Dw/s1600/085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HrYNwpQVbUvh-b1VcJeY-G-U3OUSjWyEkn66T4qEoWQuJM_687KbeCc9ahlnoQrQBY3f4gxX452CJEKm9Sj-9iYLzlDS2AzJbpW5dIFVdHPYSJeHbGfCCYkwW1yREQGKHvXVfcs9Dw/s1600/085.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>I can't help but stare at it ... it's just that beautiful! :)</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMP5w6vP4p9x6Lf0M7PlVW7YiPb4P0v5mmkNITBpdPiZ5Hjxk1hr2mX98hvqB3q6_tHk3N3vCy2NSCEgIi1D1pFoPt9-L0sx0NJrz4RDflhgksx1y1KjVKRPt3jvQWwKOgxBu3ktbgA/s1600/086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMP5w6vP4p9x6Lf0M7PlVW7YiPb4P0v5mmkNITBpdPiZ5Hjxk1hr2mX98hvqB3q6_tHk3N3vCy2NSCEgIi1D1pFoPt9-L0sx0NJrz4RDflhgksx1y1KjVKRPt3jvQWwKOgxBu3ktbgA/s1600/086.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>This is our new kitchen table. I have always wanted a round table, and with the expanded island and the new built-in pantry, we no longer had room for our rectangular table. So, we sold that table and purchased this one and I do not regret it for one moment. This is such a fantastic piece of furniture!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERHu0-G_nPkJhER_nhA_jHBnyqpiZBtrEHlZ56PQW-A6oyD8gwZTmN3eo8XqWYG5LFm8C_NxvSUMVbeNlL4njGh7BrRJkPRWowXgJDtjWTqwtRWfD7ZRWVSwt7TPTjwjy4MhmOqELZw/s1600/087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERHu0-G_nPkJhER_nhA_jHBnyqpiZBtrEHlZ56PQW-A6oyD8gwZTmN3eo8XqWYG5LFm8C_NxvSUMVbeNlL4njGh7BrRJkPRWowXgJDtjWTqwtRWfD7ZRWVSwt7TPTjwjy4MhmOqELZw/s1600/087.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Here you will notice the four drawers on the lower cabinets (they used to be cabinet doors with pull-out drawers inside of them - Perry made new drawers for us which has turned out to be SO much more convenient). We also put in new quartz counter tops from Cambria. I absolutely love them! You will also notice the beautiful backsplash which my husband and our awesome friend, Chris, tiled together. The backsplash was the last thing that we did in the kitchen and it brought the entire renovation to completion for me!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfRWrwI-qpSE3Y_FBFx3XtWTyM878x9-Def9o6CZJXmyzz2PLqOcvAXTmziErFX_av9-7CHb1n4-1gtZlxo_YYOSWaRwakUNRl75XY2oKCbkHH4kBHz10KNdE0AkXy94dGGZNa6HiKg/s1600/088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfRWrwI-qpSE3Y_FBFx3XtWTyM878x9-Def9o6CZJXmyzz2PLqOcvAXTmziErFX_av9-7CHb1n4-1gtZlxo_YYOSWaRwakUNRl75XY2oKCbkHH4kBHz10KNdE0AkXy94dGGZNa6HiKg/s1600/088.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>A glance into our kitchen from the lake-side living room. I would have put the dishes away before taking this picture, but I figure that the fact that I have five kids means my kitchen is hardly ever this clean anyway, so why give you a fake image of us?!?! :)</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsSyRISBck2-Pord6KGZ6sHYY6kZnljByfUqwa9rgpIo_U5MrBaSZZme5lhY8Y6iRws8k_RLuuOB2wOpy6zKRdCaABzRvLOaHNKg0ZJFEyaCyS0T9SuM-4mxmyNqq6sZ5_Cz85DSInw/s1600/089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsSyRISBck2-Pord6KGZ6sHYY6kZnljByfUqwa9rgpIo_U5MrBaSZZme5lhY8Y6iRws8k_RLuuOB2wOpy6zKRdCaABzRvLOaHNKg0ZJFEyaCyS0T9SuM-4mxmyNqq6sZ5_Cz85DSInw/s1600/089.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Our island was moved six inches into the dining room and the back cabinets on it were expanded to 24 inches. The counter top was made level and new counters were installed.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXU0gj6hnhGvvtNyN-z30L9aznaFwk6j6ayh_vcoTL9s3_5LLPj9eLXxCevWJiISKnqd_d1TPSnLo5qCctrk8mxe4XOoscK65DkDXsuxB7LtT-fThgEj7LfXLJVIG-5tGCqN8XiE1Ong/s1600/091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXU0gj6hnhGvvtNyN-z30L9aznaFwk6j6ayh_vcoTL9s3_5LLPj9eLXxCevWJiISKnqd_d1TPSnLo5qCctrk8mxe4XOoscK65DkDXsuxB7LtT-fThgEj7LfXLJVIG-5tGCqN8XiE1Ong/s1600/091.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Isn't that backsplash just beautiful?! Thank you honey and thank you Chris for all of your hard work!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkOONZDcQnq4OSavH9E2ZW8P29ZiAYJOk3KmV21eF69mbC4qKyZ6rw1eQAvZmKqlSVK4n3pjKuRwQ48vDLN35ayJmudewZw4Iu4KWgB4rHU6ewiZFVLrwsTNdC1oEZ_jktXjskzSWQg/s1600/093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkOONZDcQnq4OSavH9E2ZW8P29ZiAYJOk3KmV21eF69mbC4qKyZ6rw1eQAvZmKqlSVK4n3pjKuRwQ48vDLN35ayJmudewZw4Iu4KWgB4rHU6ewiZFVLrwsTNdC1oEZ_jktXjskzSWQg/s1600/093.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>This is our new faucet. I never thought that choosing out a faucet would be a big deal, but evidently it really is! We love this and are SO happy with our selection.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34ein2p90RBjJ2EfZb-pg408AGhKuwG9JsrATMkWHRafKEXz0lgMDN28iJGS68GmqLe67o8VDx_2Bc0N6_Fn4dbV_GGDMln6hyphenhyphengjgBpyajiIdPShFMK92nAiXezUN_24V6vUV82pEQQ/s1600/094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34ein2p90RBjJ2EfZb-pg408AGhKuwG9JsrATMkWHRafKEXz0lgMDN28iJGS68GmqLe67o8VDx_2Bc0N6_Fn4dbV_GGDMln6hyphenhyphengjgBpyajiIdPShFMK92nAiXezUN_24V6vUV82pEQQ/s1600/094.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Don't you love the spice racks that Perry made and installed in our cabinet? They make me so much more organized - even though this cabinet looks kind of insane!</i></div>
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That, my friends, is my new kitchen. Please let me know when you're ready to come over and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea with me - I'm ready to host! :)</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/350/7B03B9630EDD3280F25A3BDD5ADE1D24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-63889291770274044032012-07-30T13:48:00.000-05:002012-08-06T12:18:51.276-05:00Surviving the Summer Beautifully Requires Venus Embrace<script language="JavaScript1.1" src="http://oascentral.blogher.org/RealMedia/ads/adstream_jx.ads/ReviewBadge/OID3325_Venus_ReviewBadge_009/@x13"></script>
Today, my daughter is interviewing me about Summer Beauty Tips! Enjoy!<br />
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For more tips on staying beautiful all summer long, visit <a href="http://goo.gl/ReNR6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Getting Ready</a> with Kendall and Kylie Jenner and the <a href="http://goo.gl/JATpY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Venus page</a>.<br />
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For a chance to win a $50 Visa Gift Card, answer this question in comments:<span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> <b>"What's the best beauty tip you have shared with your daughter to prepare her for the summer or share your funniest beauty mishap!”</b></span></span><br />
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Have you checked out the <a href="http://goo.gl/tPbfV" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Life Well Lived section</a> of BlogHer.com? There are some great tips and expert posts on everything from Looking Your Best to Getting Happy and Getting Organized! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/350/7B03B9630EDD3280F25A3BDD5ADE1D24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-21441067750625185912012-07-20T13:13:00.002-05:002012-07-20T13:17:34.367-05:00Five Question FridayIt has been SO long since I've participated in Five Question Friday, but since I'm hoping to be posting more regularly, I figured this is a good way to keep me going! As you likely know, FQF is usually hosted by <u><a href="http://fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mama M</a></u>, but since she's enjoying some time away right now, you can hop over to <u><a href="http://katesworldbykate.blogspot.com/2012/07/5qf-july-19.html?m=1" target="_blank">Kate's blog</a></u> and join the party there!<br />
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #990000;">1. What do you call them- flip flops, sandals, thongs, or slippers?</span></b>
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Flip Flops. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqhJ2hi0IwXiIPT_ZkRMxhGw-5N9Lb24T5M56gwrHcwQ4hDu-fbWv_h8QwzKqBLTYFZZZXfU9GB_NlAq68u8yAWbeNomQeD-NojppaVMwhfEdYX0TNi_X6IeW1zmPlPPrnOOsOaN9cQ/s1600/flip-flop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqhJ2hi0IwXiIPT_ZkRMxhGw-5N9Lb24T5M56gwrHcwQ4hDu-fbWv_h8QwzKqBLTYFZZZXfU9GB_NlAq68u8yAWbeNomQeD-NojppaVMwhfEdYX0TNi_X6IeW1zmPlPPrnOOsOaN9cQ/s1600/flip-flop.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Picture courtesy of Google Images.</i></div>
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I love Flip Flops! No question about it. In fact, it drives me crazy when people (especially my mom, bless her heart!) refers to them as thongs. In my mind, thongs are underwear, not something you wear on your feet! Sandals are usually bigger, often involving straps that go around your feet or ankles. Slippers are soft and fuzzy and are worn around the house.<br />
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #990000;">2. Are you a "my kids can do no wrong" kind of mom or a "Johnny punched you? Well what did you do to him first?!" kind of mom? </span></b>
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Definitely the "what did you do to him first?" mom! I have learned (especially with Colin) that my kids come to me with only the part of the story involving what the other person did wrong. You would think, by now, that Colin would have figured out that I will ask him about his part in the story - and usually end up finding out that he started the punching/kicking/name calling. But I guess he just likes to have to have that part of the story dragged out of him!! ;)<br />
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Nope, I never consider them innocent until proven guilty. Well, almost never!<br />
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #990000;">3. Would you confront a good friend that looked/looks down on your husband/significant other?</span></b>
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I absolutely would. My husband is my <i>best</i> friend. He is the most amazing man I know and I have never loved anybody as fiercely and intimately as I love him. If there was a reason that someone close to me was looking down on him, I would definitely confront it. I can't imagine having a close friend not get along with my husband, and if there was any sort of an issue, I would want to resolve it immediately. If it weren't able to be resolved, I would likely have to consider the importance of that friendship in my life. I mean, come on, look how great he is ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio60hLWE3JVPVKFGXsfZRQwbEvx83-Up5F-sFGJ4w-yNYVfjXFo2Ag_IMVQHgSFZoTa2hm5zlcb7ZUahnqvDxspjLA2isS-YC0cAlPKRKxxdkhSuJ5grH-Du5youAvwVcOL3LUKSFgJA/s1600/_DCS5459.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio60hLWE3JVPVKFGXsfZRQwbEvx83-Up5F-sFGJ4w-yNYVfjXFo2Ag_IMVQHgSFZoTa2hm5zlcb7ZUahnqvDxspjLA2isS-YC0cAlPKRKxxdkhSuJ5grH-Du5youAvwVcOL3LUKSFgJA/s400/_DCS5459.bmp" width="350" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Thankfully, to my knowledge, I don't have that issue to deal with! :)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #990000;">4. Biggest pet peeve?</span></b>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Noises. Random white noise drives me crazy. On top of that list is the sound of people eating. Chewing. Smacking their lips. Swallowing. Eww. I can't handle it. Top that off with the fact that any noise starts to annoy me after awhile (including music!) and you find a woman (me) who is working very hard to allow God to increase her patience!! In a home with five kids, noise is inevitable!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #990000;">5. What's your favorite take out meal?</span></b>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Pizza Hut. It's been my favorite for a LONG time. Unfortunately, there is not a Pizza Hut anywhere near me. If I'm ordering take-out from my home, my first choice would have to be <u><a href="http://www.scottyb.com/temp.php?page=home" target="_blank">Scotty B's Restaurant</a></u> - SO yummy!! I love eating in there, too, because the staff are so friendly and the clean-up is WAY easier (because I don't have to do it)!! :)</span><br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/350/7B03B9630EDD3280F25A3BDD5ADE1D24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-1662128717991579432012-07-13T11:50:00.001-05:002012-07-13T11:52:02.818-05:00Seriously Healthy EatingThere's this guy I know who I really want to introduce to you. I've known him for probably five or six years now. His name is Ryan and he's loads of fun!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-h8clz9e6wxZ7pRZ147CNRZfK2W5IGlqux2AKCsSODJOMasJKDTS0Bj1Z4cHeOGdiucYKClw3L9TI1vVxJjVqybb8S3LZ0FWPPwb8tDPy8rzh21vFInvrLZnn7MhrldlmkGJwuM_I3g/s1600/n584378899_1216190_1056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-h8clz9e6wxZ7pRZ147CNRZfK2W5IGlqux2AKCsSODJOMasJKDTS0Bj1Z4cHeOGdiucYKClw3L9TI1vVxJjVqybb8S3LZ0FWPPwb8tDPy8rzh21vFInvrLZnn7MhrldlmkGJwuM_I3g/s400/n584378899_1216190_1056.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Ryan (on the left) with our friends Tony and Pete.</i></div>
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I met him and his fantastic wife when I dated her brother (for the record, while I was dating him I used to always say that, if it didn't work out and I was dating him just to be introduced to his amazing family, then it was worth it. That statement holds true to this day!). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqGQvuZdDYuiKzq2z4Cr19BLkccygNofw9M-kL6KeYTSai8AVS01ey08UP9OSIrB2GrZ7kXenOFgfzjjFM80Hg2X4dLEUsv-HAkiQqByESUeTFw-XmvrXcajqyF-z14-aotcxEFv2Rg/s1600/Ryanandkatie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqGQvuZdDYuiKzq2z4Cr19BLkccygNofw9M-kL6KeYTSai8AVS01ey08UP9OSIrB2GrZ7kXenOFgfzjjFM80Hg2X4dLEUsv-HAkiQqByESUeTFw-XmvrXcajqyF-z14-aotcxEFv2Rg/s400/Ryanandkatie.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<i>Katie and Ryan</i></div>
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He works in Youth Ministry - I actually worked with him for just over a year and would have continued to do so, but then I fell in love, got married and moved too far away to continue to work with that specific group.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyjgNNWzOzUgQPMOqWutwHLuQ4Y8dl_X2qAvXF4bId0rhyphenhyphenFiHYdV-BdDym711PWljTbdpQ_2pK7taE5cjfPwPP_fZWz0iHb1FdTusaNW92G81tgHE4CxIq917HGhaqkMyyb1pBhw9zg/s1600/castaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyjgNNWzOzUgQPMOqWutwHLuQ4Y8dl_X2qAvXF4bId0rhyphenhyphenFiHYdV-BdDym711PWljTbdpQ_2pK7taE5cjfPwPP_fZWz0iHb1FdTusaNW92G81tgHE4CxIq917HGhaqkMyyb1pBhw9zg/s400/castaway.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Our group of leaders at Castaway Club (a camp). I am the blonde in the center - Ryan is directly above me.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAKKV6d5xOmlZgLHWMBO5k532tG8MU5x8Sbn10DtnednYZk5EZaDilKVWndRsbUzIVcmatcQtHKZbrg3jmWE0eGRSU1JIHysA_4GSmUG07f87kzcUq4_rpsTiSYOurp3FQaR4_zhxYw/s1600/pastorryan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAKKV6d5xOmlZgLHWMBO5k532tG8MU5x8Sbn10DtnednYZk5EZaDilKVWndRsbUzIVcmatcQtHKZbrg3jmWE0eGRSU1JIHysA_4GSmUG07f87kzcUq4_rpsTiSYOurp3FQaR4_zhxYw/s400/pastorryan.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<i>Ryan preaching at Bethel College.</i></div>
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One of my favorite things about Ryan is the fact that he's pretty dedicated to healthy eating. When I say pretty dedicated, I actually mean really-stinking-incredibly dedicated. With the exception of Chipotle. We still can't agree on that place (he likes it, I loathe it).<br />
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Regardless of our differences, I still think he's a great guy! :) He recently started a blog all about food and healthy eating - and it is amazing! Do yourself a favor and get to know this fantastic guy through his new blog - <u><a href="http://ryanbraley.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Menu According to Ryan Braley</a></u> - and get a few great recipe and food ideas along the way. Make sure to become a follower of his blog, too, and give yourself a chance to get to know this awesome personality ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ofClBvVR-Rwkw6BvQJiftUwUCnihZYSx4jKBKNtCsAGGaeMrKm6t_Jvvjuo_7kjbSudtNiKVaazi1htZz4Q5udh40Mn-Pd2u-E9N3FB0gWwJuJeg1c5Z9RUMzJeD72hPSGZ35U_cKg/s1600/ryangoofball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ofClBvVR-Rwkw6BvQJiftUwUCnihZYSx4jKBKNtCsAGGaeMrKm6t_Jvvjuo_7kjbSudtNiKVaazi1htZz4Q5udh40Mn-Pd2u-E9N3FB0gWwJuJeg1c5Z9RUMzJeD72hPSGZ35U_cKg/s400/ryangoofball.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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You won't regret it ... I promise!! :)<br />
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<i>** All images, with the exception of the first, stolen directly from Ryan's Facebook page without his prior consent. :)</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/350/7B03B9630EDD3280F25A3BDD5ADE1D24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632039791836353521.post-36102561025244924752012-07-08T09:44:00.000-05:002012-07-08T09:44:12.974-05:00To Share or Not To ShareYesterday was an amazingly productive day. Colin and I went to Costco and Toys 'R' Us (he earned a reward, and his choice was a little Star Wars Lego set). Monte and our friend Chris tiled our backsplash in the kitchen. I took all of the kids swimming at the park near our home. We had a fun dinner on the patio and Monte and I spent the evening (after the little kids were in bed) playing Texas Hold 'em while sitting at our new kitchen table and admiring the new backsplash. It was an awesome day.<br />
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As Monte and I sat playing poker, he asked me if I would be blogging about the backsplash - putting up pictures of our kitchen remodel, now almost fully complete. My answer: I really don't know. You see, while I do fully understand that this is <b>my</b> blog and that I am fully able to talk about whatever I so choose, I am still hesitant to mention it. The reason? Well, a couple of years ago when Monte and I decided to put an addition on our home, I chose to blog about it. I wrote many posts like <u><a href="http://www.mybeautifulday.net/2010/02/renovation-update.html" target="_blank">this one here</a></u> that detailed where we were in the renovation process. I loved writing about it and sharing this exciting time in our lives with you! Until the day that someone decided to comment and tell me, in just a few cutting and painful words, that we were spending our money unwisely and that it wasn't okay, in this economy, to be putting an addition on our home. <br />
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It hurt. In fact, it hurt a lot.<br />
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I even went on to explain myself, to say that Monte and I weren't spending money foolishly; that we had planned and prepared for it and already had the money set aside. I explained that we still had money to fund our lives, money for the kids' savings accounts, money for bills, etc. etc. I don't know why I felt the need to explain myself, but I did. The catch: that same person came back with another rude comment. I don't remember what it was about, and I'm not about to go back through my comments to rehash that one, because even reading it to this day still brings a little ping of pain inside me. Leave it at enough to say that it hurt. <br />
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So, with that being my past experience, you can understand my hesitancy and why I have chosen to be a little more hush-hush regarding this current renovation. Monte and I have not been foolish with our money - we knew exactly how much we had to spend on this and made it happen within those means. However, the possibility of someone telling me how to spend my money and how to live my life keeps me from sharing.<br />
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Maybe I will find the boldness in me to share those pictures soon. Not yet, but maybe sometime soon! In the meantime, I will leave you with this incredibly cute picture of Ellis showing off his souvenir from Wall Drug in Wall, SD.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/350/7B03B9630EDD3280F25A3BDD5ADE1D24.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.com0