tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15120895660753492392024-03-13T11:09:56.600-04:00Mommy RamblingsChristyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.comBlogger202125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-72703685831221218882014-03-08T15:37:00.001-05:002014-03-13T16:16:19.403-04:00Counting Blessings - March 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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29. Creative things that happen when the TV is left off.</div>
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30. The magic and silliness of sisters.</div>
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31. Pride in a mission accomplished.</div>
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32. Forgiveness granted and received.</div>
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33. Friendships that inspire you to see the beauty all around.</div>
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34. Knowing loss of loved ones isn't the end of the story.</div>
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35. That His grace is sufficient.<br />
36. Abundance of wonderful meat smoked by my hubby.<br />
37. Four thumbs up at dinnertime and fighting for claim of leftovers.<br />
38. Roads free from snow and ice.<br />
39. Exercise buddies.<br />
40. Dinner for two.<br />
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Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-63866304412320262252014-02-10T18:57:00.000-05:002014-03-08T15:30:11.483-05:00Counting Blessings - February 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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1. Battery charger - redeeming the car battery and a rough start to a Monday morning.</div>
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2. Hot Coffee.</div>
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3. Beauty of winter - viewed from inside a warm house.<br />
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4. Favorite pens on sale.<br />
5. Crafty love notes from Sage.<br />
6. One set of school 'valentines' ready to go.<br />
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7. Mystery tracks in the snow that encourage interesting conversations.<br />
8. Natural remedies that are helping postpone Paul's hip replacement.<br />
9. Chickens that are still laying eggs despite the bitter cold winter - (they are housed inside a garage at Paul's work).<br />
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10. Round two of school valentines ready to go - hershey kiss 'mice'.<br />
11. Sunshine 'dripping' from the icicles.<br />
12. A dog that makes us smile - even if it does mean one more family member for me to pick up after.<br />
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Valentines Day Blessings:<br />
13. Stickers, balloons on a stick and self inflating balloons for the girls<br />
14. Doggy puzzle for Sage (to soon be replaced by one that isn't so difficult)<br />
15. Butterfly puzzle for Regan<br />
16. Homemade chocolate covered strawberries for all (no photo - you will just have to trust that they were beautiful and delicious!)<br />
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Birthday Blessings:<br />
17. Warm sunny winter day - perfect for making a snow caterpillar.<br />
18. Regan helps make a birthday cookie.<br />
19. Celebrating 8 years of our little 'Sagie'!<br />
20. Fun family times at the bowling alley.<br />
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21. Hearing Regan's first band concert - despite blizzard conditions outside.<br />
22. Home safe, sound and warm on another day of school closings <br />
23. Warm sunny afternoon that allowed us to play outside on our day off.<br />
24. 'Cocoon' on snow our our caterpillar - reminding me that change (spring) will come!<br />
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25. Homemade sourdough bread.<br />
26. Window drawings.<br />
27. Winter Olympics<br />
28. Messy kitchens</div>
Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-1397320269747828602012-11-03T19:50:00.000-04:002012-11-03T20:37:07.078-04:00The Luckiest KidIf there are any lottery players reading this, you might want to ask Sage what numbers to play. She is quite possibly the luckiest person I have ever met. She just always seems to win stuff!<br />
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Last night was 'Harvest Festival' at our girls school. It's a carnival night with silent auctions and raffles that our parents' organization uses to raise money. Before we even went to the event, I told Paul 'maybe Regan and I should just skip the raffles and let Sage play all the tickets...since she is the one who always wins'.<br />
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Well, of course that idea wasn't going to fly, at least not with Regan. So, we split 36 tickets between us. The girls each played 14 tickets and I was left with 8 to vie for prizes of my choice.<br />
<br />
The girls were very excited about two beta fish that were part of the raffle prizes. They were chattering about how many tickets they were going to 'spend' trying to win one. I kindly explained that fish aren't that expensive to buy, and I was limiting them to one ticket entry for the fish. Well, of course one ticket is all it took for Sage to be the proud new owner of 'Laker'. (Fortunately<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">, for me, the girls want to donate him to Regan's class, who recently lost their class fish to old age.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23394282@N04/8152094579/" title="DSC_9914 copy by vanderpc4, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_9914 copy" height="1024" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7276/8152094579_cb0234d4b6_b.jpg" width="683" /></a><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">Sage's next item of interest was a Razor Flash Rider 360. Apparently there wasn't anything else in her sights, as she stuffed her remaining 13 tickets in it's raffle box. As I'm sure you have surmised, she won that raffle as well. Needless to say, she was one excited kiddo! (Having one winner and one non-winner in the house afforded us many teachable moments the next day.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23394282@N04/8152096487/" title="DSC_9915 copy by vanderpc4, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_9915 copy" height="683" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7133/8152096487_6b9687e664_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">The night was not a total loss for Regan and I though. We made a cake, together with some friends, and entered it in the adult category of the cake decorating competition. We captured a first place ribbon and a gift card to our favorite local baker!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23394282@N04/8152119054/" title="DSC_9908 copy by vanderpc4, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_9908 copy" height="680" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7112/8152119054_8846ff457b_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></span>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-15463607051263978662012-10-29T21:08:00.001-04:002012-10-30T07:26:02.723-04:00Converstaions - Take 2Regan: <i>Mommy, how much did that tulle cost for Sage's Halloween tutu?</i><br />
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Mommy:<i> I really don't know sweetie. Mommies have to do about 5 bazillion things everyday, so I really don't keep track of how much every little thing costs.</i><br />
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Sage: <i>MOomMmyy...you do NOT do five bazillion things a day! </i><br />
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Mommy: <i>No? You don't think so?</i><br />
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Sage: <i>No. You only do like 5 things a day.</i><br />
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Mommy: <i>I only do 5 things a day? OK, then tomorrow I am going to get myself out of bed, eat breakfast, get dressed, brush my teeth and fix my hair. Then, I am going to do nothing for the rest of the day. OK?</i><br />
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Regan: <i>No! NO! No Mommy! (Glaring darts at Sage) Sage - if Mommy only does five things it means no getting our lunches ready, no ride to school, no gymnastics, no awana, no ride home from school, no waking us up in the morning.....</i><br />
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Sage: <i>Ok, I guess maybe you do five bazillion things a day. Maybe even a googol. (Shuffles around for a few minutes) Mommy? How do you spell present?</i><br />
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About 10 minutes later I was treated to a 'God's-eye' carefully decorated with beads and a sweet note saying 'I love you Mom. I hope you like the present.' She let me know that it could maybe be my birthday present too...(the one they forgot about last week).<br />
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Love those kiddos! There is never a dull moment! :)Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-29002989440611148482012-08-08T22:29:00.000-04:002012-08-08T22:29:13.045-04:00Conversations....Some conversations just need to be recorded and remembered.<br />
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Today, as Sage and I were having dinner together:<br />
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Sage: 'So, I still don't know how babies get in their mommies bellies.'<br />
Mommy: 'Well, we'll talk about that more when you are a bit older.'<br />
Sage: 'Well, Fudge knows. And he is younger than I am.' (Super Fudge by Judy Blume is the current favorite audio book at our house)<br />
Mommy: pauses...searching for how to respond.<br />
Sage: 'Does God put them there?'<br />
Mommy: (big smile) 'Yeah, kind of sweetie.'<br />
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...and before either of us could give the conversation a second thought, my little chatterbox had moved on to other important topics like how to do a proper cartwheel and did I know that turtles hibernate.Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-39595120922603804972012-01-22T20:39:00.000-05:002012-01-22T20:39:10.555-05:00Love NotesSage absolutely loves to make things for me...all the time. She draws and colors and creates so many things that there is not any possible way for me to keep them all. Now that she is learning to write and spell, well kindergarten spelling anyway, it is especially fun to see what she comes up with. She is definitely our tender-hearted child. Sometimes this can be a frustration, as she can be oversensitive to certain things. Often, though, it melts my heart and reminds me how lucky I am to be her mom.<br />
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Here are the notes she made today for Paul and I.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23394282@N04/6746055309/" title="Sage_Love_Notes by vanderpc4, on Flickr"><img alt="Sage_Love_Notes" height="745" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6746055309_306a349b5d_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><br />
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Interpretations:<br />
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While we were in the process of making cookies, she came to me with the one on the right, which says <i>"Thank you mom for the cookies I am going to love them love Sage"</i><br />
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In search of a new church to call home, we have visited several over the last few months. Today, she wrote this note to Paul after our second week at the one we believe will be our new home. <i>"Dad please let's stay at this church Love Sage"</i><br />
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I love my job. <3Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-68285488574323191092011-11-30T21:51:00.000-05:002011-11-30T21:51:34.562-05:00They're Back!!Our mischievous little friends have returned for the holiday season and have brought their antics with them. The girls were anxiously waiting for their return the day after thanksgiving and the elves did not disappoint.<br />
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They showed up ready to party and had the girls beds filled with balloons and some streamers on their doorway.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23394282@N04/6434150323/" title="DSC_9044.jpg by vanderpc4, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_9044.jpg" height="1024" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6434150323_c911431c09_b.jpg" width="680" /></a><br />
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The girls used the balloons and extra streamers to decorate the railing in the loft.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23394282@N04/6434145229/" title="DSC_9042.jpg by vanderpc4, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_9042.jpg" height="1024" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6434145229_2258b5d31f_b.jpg" width="639" /></a><br />
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The next morning they were found having some fun in the pantry. They turned some flour into an opportunity to make 'snow' angels.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23394282@N04/6434155647/" title="DSC_9045.jpg by vanderpc4, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_9045.jpg" height="680" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6434155647_abc0154148_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><br />
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The elves made the trip with us to Detroit for the weekend and their mischief followed us there as well. Ellie and Heather found the spare roll of toilet paper and did a bit of decorating in the girls room of the hotel.<br />
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Monday morning they brought the girls some holiday chapstick, complete with a message on the bathroom mirror.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23394282@N04/6434159015/" title="DSC_9162.jpg by vanderpc4, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_9162.jpg" height="1024" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6434159015_922697eb89_b.jpg" width="680" /></a><br />
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Tuesday, they made their way outside with the decorations. The girls still cannot figure out how they write with this snow type stuff on the windows. Regan had fun adding her own touch, drawing some peace signs in the letters.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23394282@N04/6434161647/" title="DSC_9165.jpg by vanderpc4, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_9165.jpg" height="680" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6434161647_146e53af23_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23394282@N04/6434164119/" title="DSC_9168.jpg by vanderpc4, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_9168.jpg" height="1024" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6434164119_b2a914857b_b.jpg" width="680" /></a><br />
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Today, they found the dry erase markers and had a bit of fun with some family photos. Well, Ellie did anyway. Sage left Heather in her backpack and neglected to feed her crackers and ice water and sprinkle her with the necessary magic snowflakes.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23394282@N04/6434167051/" title="DSC_9170.jpg by vanderpc4, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_9170.jpg" height="680" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7161/6434167051_ec6ab4da3b_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><br />
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Wonder what else the next few weeks will bring for excitement! Those two sure like to have fun while we are sleeping!Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-50697284031549161632011-10-27T10:37:00.000-04:002011-10-27T10:37:01.665-04:00Firework by Regan (Third Grade)Regan's writing from her third grade writers workshop. They have worked on these in class since the beginning of the school year, constantly fine tuning them to add more detail and interest. We are very proud of our little writer! I guess all those hours she spends reading are sinking in! :D<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23394282@N04/6285772439/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011_10_1_Firework_by_Regan by vanderpc4, on Flickr"><img alt="2011_10_1_Firework_by_Regan" height="1024" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6047/6285772439_4911110c60_b.jpg" width="775" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23394282@N04/6286293478/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011_10_2_Firework_by_Regan by vanderpc4, on Flickr"><img alt="2011_10_2_Firework_by_Regan" height="1024" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6053/6286293478_b606d6207e_b.jpg" width="763" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23394282@N04/6286293552/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011_10_3_Firework_by_Regan by vanderpc4, on Flickr"><img alt="2011_10_3_Firework_by_Regan" height="1024" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6039/6286293552_c426da574a_b.jpg" width="789" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23394282@N04/6285772971/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="2011_10_4_Firework_by_Regan by vanderpc4, on Flickr"><img alt="2011_10_4_Firework_by_Regan" height="1024" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6060/6285772971_de6ba6483d_b.jpg" width="792" /></a>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-25676644664232963902011-09-15T22:58:00.000-04:002011-09-15T22:58:35.344-04:00Silly Dog<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23394282@N04/5986684560/" title="DSC_7558 by vanderpc4, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_7558" height="680" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6137/5986684560_de452fb86f_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><br />
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I love this little dog, she just has so much personality and always seems to find new ways to make me laugh. Tonight, she was walking around with a small stick type rawhide hanging out of her mouth like a cigarette. This, in itself was quite funny (or maybe I'm just easily amused. LOL!)<br />
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Later, I noticed she was carrying the same rawhide stick around while going in some strange places. I watched her as she went behind and around a chair by the window, then walked over to a blanket on the floor and nosed it around a bit. Not satisfied, she continued to the small space between a foof chair and the wall, but then seemed to sense I was watching her and left for the foyer. I suspected that she was trying to hide it for some reason. When she came back from the foyer empty mouthed, I went and found it - under a bench and behind a shoe.<br />
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I carried the stick back and showed her that I found it and teased her a bit with it before giving it back to her to see what she would do. She wandered around a bit more, poked around a bit more and finally hid it in our sunroom, on the couch, under a pillow.<br />
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Paul snatched it up and gave it back to her again. She wandered around and would not settle until she didn't think we were watching and finally nestled the rawhide behind a different shoe, next to a hutch in the dining room.<br />
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It's funny to watch her and wonder what is going through her little doggy mind. She has several other rawhides, of various shapes and sizes and isn't hiding them and has never displayed this behavior before (with the exception of one 'real' bone, in the presence of two other dogs at my brothers home.)<br />
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What are you thinking, my silly little doggie? :DChristyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-40310373664999545052011-09-13T20:20:00.000-04:002011-09-13T20:20:26.398-04:00New Routines and Lots of Time in the KitchenThe first week of school flew by in a wink and we are still sorting through what our routines will be. One thing I have been enjoying is having more time to spend in the kitchen. I love baking with the girls, but it is definitely easier and faster to get things done by myself!<br />
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This week I have had fun trying some new things as well as making some tried and true recipes. Here are some of the things I made:<br />
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<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/breakfast-cookies-recipe/index.html">Breakfast Cookies</a> - we have made about 8 or more batches of these since finding the recipe. This weeks were cashew and pepitas.<br />
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<a href="http://enlightenedcooking.blogspot.com/2008/02/home-made-lara-bars-energy-bars-part-3.html">Lara Bars</a> - or Lara balls as we call them, since I make balls instead of bars. I made the Cashew Cookie dough ones, adding oats and chocolate chips. They tasted like no-bake cookies!<br />
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<a href="http://marcussamuelsson.com/recipes/homemade-whole-wheat-graham-crackers-recipe">Homemade Graham Crackers</a> - This recipe turned out OK to snack on, but were a bit hard and unsuitable for s'mores. I used my new-to-me pasta maker to roll out the first half of the batch. It worked pretty well for getting the right thickness, but I have to work on my rolling technique a bit after watching and learning from some youtube videos.<br />
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<a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/06/springy-fluffy-marshmallows/">Homemade Marshmallows</a> - I know, not my typical healthy fare, but sometimes you just have to try something! I let the girls each try one plain. Sage didn't care for them and Regan said she could taste the egg?? However, hey made the best s'mores!! Even Regan said they made the best S'mores ever!<br />
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<a href="http://www.endlesssimmer.com/2011/08/30/smore-than-you-can-handle/">S'mores</a> Bars - After two nights of s'mores by the campfire, a bundle of homemade marshmallows leftover and two packages of stale graham crackers - I decided to make this S'mores bar recipe. It lived up to it's post title of 'S'more than you can handle', in that I found it overly rich. For someone who loves anything sweet, even sickeningly sweet, this is very uncommon for me. After one sample, I sent the rest of the pan to work with the hubby, as I couldn't bear to eat another bite!<br />
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<a href="http://www.thesneakychef.com/free_recipe_legal_donuts.php">Legal Donuts</a> - I found this recipe last week while looking around for healthy alternatives to bringing cupcakes to birthday parties at school. I had been wanting to buy a donut pan and they were on sale at our supermarket this week - so, what's a girl to do?? :D They turned out moist and tasty.<br />
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Lest you think that all we did was eat baked goods all week (although the overload of baking did cause DH to ask me if I was pregnant! LOL!), I did actually do some cooking too!<br />
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<a href="http://www.thesneakychef.com/blog/2010/03/crunchy-chicken-tenders.html">Crunchy Chicken Tenders</a> - I made this recipe from Sneak Chef tonight for dinner. I didn't have the ingredients for the Orange Puree (carrots/sweet potatoes), so I substituted canned pumpkin. They turned out delicious! We will definitely be making these again. I made extra today and am going to see if they freeze well.<br />
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Did you make anything yummy this week? Bon appetite!Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-91367626059743730822011-09-05T21:37:00.000-04:002011-09-05T21:37:20.618-04:00Back To School EveI was doing some blog reading the other night and came across <a href="http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/2011/08/back-to-school-fashion-show.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Eighteen25+%28eighteen25%29&utm_content=Google+Reader">this post at Eighteen 25</a>. I loved the idea of a back to school fashion show!<br />
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We didn't go all out, with the food and such, but we implemented the dressing up and photoshoot part! I am so happy that this will be one less thing we have to do tomorrow, on an already crazy first day of school morning. <br />
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Here are a couple of favorites:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23394282@N04/6118230607/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Regan by vanderpc4, on Flickr"><img alt="Regan" height="683" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6078/6118230607_bd4b8f14a5_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23394282@N04/6118774290/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Sage by vanderpc4, on Flickr"><img alt="Sage" height="683" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/6118774290_288d880a59_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">The backpacks are packed, Regan's lunch is made and the 'first day' pictures are taken! Here's hoping tomorrow will be smooth sailing! :D<br />
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(The idea for the notepad with their names and grades was inspired by some other blog reading, but I can't remember where!)</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-50363395937137078452011-09-02T15:45:00.000-04:002011-09-02T15:45:07.399-04:00What's New and ExcitingIt's September (I know, I completely missed August here on the blog - but I'm going to just pick up where we are right now)! It is a season of change, for us, and for most families with school age children. It is our last week of summer vacation before both girls head to school next week!<br />
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Regan will be starting third grade and Sage will be entering Kindergarten. They are both very excited! We rode our bikes to the school and they got to check our their classrooms. Regan met her teacher too - Mrs. VanderMeulen.<br />
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We finally had our garage sale! We had been talking about it and preparing for it all summer. We wanted to have it at my in-laws condo (better location) and it worked out perfect that their subdivision was planning one for last weekend (meaning I didn't have to advertise and more traffic!! :D ). I had told the girls they could have the proceeds from any of their toys that were sold - but, that we would have to discuss how the money was going to be spent. They have been talking about getting a fish tank for quite a while and we ended up finding two at the neighborhood sale. <br />
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I intended to set up the smaller one right away, and see how it went. Then, set up the bigger one later if they kept an interest in taking care of the fish and small tank. Daddy had other plans though. A few hours and $80 of their garage sale money later - we have two working fish tanks, stocked with fish and supplies to last about a year. The girls didn't even bat an eye at spending the majority of their $120 garage sale proceeds on the fish tank. Easy come, easy go, I guess!!<br />
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The other thing the girls did at the garage sale was have a snack stand. We baked some granola bars and breakfast cookies and made lime-aid and crystal light. They sold a snack and a drink for $1 and raised a total of $42 toward their <a href="http://gifts.compassion.com/">Compassion International</a> goals. (They girls have each picked out some items they want to buy for children in need.) All day at the garage sale, they were so excited about the money they were earning for their gifts - even more excited than they were about the money they were earning for themselves (from their toys). I hope their giving hearts will continue all of their lives. :)<br />
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I have been busy this week stocking my freezer up for winter. We bought a bushel of peaches at the farmers market this week ($22) and I've made some peach freezer jam. The rest will get eaten fresh or sliced up and frozen - to be used in smoothies, for pancake topping, etc. Today we picked up 8 dozen ears of corn ($20) to be put up. And earlier this week, I cooked up a huge batch of Tortellini Soup (14 meals!!) and stocked an entire shelf of the freezer! YUMMY! <br />
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So thankful for the abundance of blessings!Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-43989712301087702662011-07-31T18:18:00.003-04:002011-07-31T18:32:00.758-04:00Aggravation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23394282@N04/5995077433/" title="DSC_8676.JPG by vanderpc4, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/5995077433_91d55536a3_b.jpg" width="1024" height="680" alt="DSC_8676.JPG"></a><br />
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I seem to remember playing this game as a kid, maybe with my grandparents or camping with the family? It's a game Paul's family has also grown up with, but their family calls it 'marbles' and uses a homemade wooden board.<br />
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I've had this game in the camper for some time and last weekend we pulled it out at the campground. It's really fun that both girls are now old enough to play and we can make teams and play as a family.<br />
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Regan asked last night if we could get it out of the camper and play a game at home. We had a fun night playing with all four of us. Seems the competitive apple hasn't fallen far from the tree(s) and it gets a bit nuts...but we have a lot of laughs.<br />
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We've played a few two player games today, as well. Sage seems to be the luckiest one this weekend...which I guess is good, as she tends to abandon the game if she thinks she is going to lose! LOL!Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-49339831011214575182011-07-24T22:36:00.000-04:002011-07-24T22:36:03.447-04:00Beautiful EndingsThursday night, Paul scored a last minute opening at Ludington State Park - one of our favorite places to camp. We packed the camper Friday and headed up in the evening. The hot weather of this past week made for some great playtime in the sun and water.<br />
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After we got set up Friday night, the girls enjoyed playing in the channel that flows into Lake Michigan as we watched a gorgeous West Michigan sunset.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">We also did lots of bike riding, too much eating of ice cream and, despite a few scraped up knees, had a great time. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope your family is enjoying summer before it disappears!</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-22049913903946055352011-07-18T21:17:00.000-04:002011-07-18T21:17:38.648-04:00Lost ToothA couple months ago, I was thinking about the fact that Sage had not lost any teeth yet (she turned five in February). Regan lost her first tooth before even turning five. The strange thing was, even though Regan lost her first tooth so early, it didn't seem, to me, like Sage was old enough to lose any yet? Well, I guess she is officially old enough.<br />
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Saturday, Sage complained that her front teeth hurt when she was eating carrots. I suggested that she may be getting a loose tooth. Sure enough, by bed time, she could wiggle one tooth a bit. On Sunday, she talked about and fussed with that loose tooth all day. Shortly before bed, she announced 'I pulled my tooth out Mommy!'. I was quite surprised that she worked it out that quickly!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">There is something about a toothless grin that is beyond adorable. :)</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-20221161819441590252011-07-16T21:57:00.000-04:002011-07-16T21:57:21.892-04:00InspiredAs much as I enjoy finding my own inspiration for creative ventures, I think it is even more exciting to watch the girls when they are inspired.<br />
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This week, our local garden club had it's annual show at the library. Each year, they host an event where a limited amount of kids can come and make an entry for the youth part of the show. The garden club provides a theme and supplies for the kids to do their projects.<br />
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This years theme was 'Under the Big Top' - a circus theme. Instead of flowers for the kids to arrange, they had fruits and vegetables. The kids were asked to create circus themed animals or characters from them.<br />
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Sage's event was in first, in the morning. Regan helped Sage decide on a horse and helped her pick out the main body parts to make it. I had to help quite a bit with assembly, as it was hard to get toothpicks into the sweet potato body! :D We all worked together to give the horse a fancy 'blanket' on it's back. The girls were quite thrilled with the finished product!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HykSLdxfT8s/TiI-DFHpPCI/AAAAAAAABlM/413U-yYeiDg/s1600/DSC_8522_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HykSLdxfT8s/TiI-DFHpPCI/AAAAAAAABlM/413U-yYeiDg/s1600/DSC_8522_600.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Regan's session didn't start until after lunch. While we were home, she came up with her own plan for making a dancing dog, with a tutu, balancing balls on it's nose and paper umbrellas in it's hands. She even drew it on paper to show me! :) When we went back to the library to make hers, she got right to work making her cute little dog. She planned and assembled most of it herself, but needed a little help getting toothpicks into the sweet potato too. We worked together to make a trapeze and a set of juggling balls to finish her fine pup!<br />
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On Thursday, the girls were beyond thrilled to find out they had both won 'Best of Show' for their respective divisions! They even got to have their picture taken with all the other winners and it was in yesterdays local newspaper. <br />
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While we were at the library for the photo, the girls thoroughly enjoyed looking around at the rest of the flower show. They especially enjoyed all the cut flowers and both inquired about entering some of our own sometime.<br />
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Today, Regan found some really pretty lilies of some sort along our bike path. The girls each picked one to take home. They were tickled pink when I told them they could make their own 'flower show' using our colorful bottles and flowers from our yard and landscaping. I gave them a pair of scissors and let them go to town. When they were finished, they had made a beautiful display to adorn our dining room table.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_--Sc9y5yI/TiI-CMYY7XI/AAAAAAAABlI/54NlE5t2q9A/s1600/DSC_8555_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_--Sc9y5yI/TiI-CMYY7XI/AAAAAAAABlI/54NlE5t2q9A/s1600/DSC_8555_600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X4V6olN0wVQ/TiI-FpCzRdI/AAAAAAAABlY/Srl5CTMfoBo/s1600/DSC_8542_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X4V6olN0wVQ/TiI-FpCzRdI/AAAAAAAABlY/Srl5CTMfoBo/s1600/DSC_8542_600.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">How can all that color not bring JOY to the room?</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-15030338917062889402011-07-06T19:43:00.000-04:002011-07-06T19:43:07.409-04:00Highlights from a Great Fourth of July Weekend<div style="text-align: center;">.</div><div style="text-align: center;">.</div><div style="text-align: center;">.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We had a great Fourth of July weekend in Battle Creek. <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">We found a campground to stay at and spent Friday through Monday having lots of fun there! </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c3_KOKwp5GI/ThTr-rbdnMI/AAAAAAAABko/ClcZj1LjKPc/s1600/DSC_7899_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c3_KOKwp5GI/ThTr-rbdnMI/AAAAAAAABko/ClcZj1LjKPc/s1600/DSC_7899_600.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Sage learned to ride her bike without training wheels.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VV-Rdg_cPGQ/ThTsmnB-fGI/AAAAAAAABks/Xv42lEo-ueo/s1600/DSC_7925_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VV-Rdg_cPGQ/ThTsmnB-fGI/AAAAAAAABks/Xv42lEo-ueo/s1600/DSC_7925_600.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The girls were right at home in the campground pond and spent many hours looking for frogs and turtles, and, of course, swimming.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LhhoC30WgDs/ThTtB1FWUXI/AAAAAAAABkw/NjHDamQ-Ncs/s1600/DSC_7913_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LhhoC30WgDs/ThTtB1FWUXI/AAAAAAAABkw/NjHDamQ-Ncs/s1600/DSC_7913_600.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They caught a 'little' friend - with Daddy's help.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-twSyaxtu2yY/ThTwvysZnwI/AAAAAAAABlE/V_rHIMh745c/s1600/DSC_9187_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-twSyaxtu2yY/ThTwvysZnwI/AAAAAAAABlE/V_rHIMh745c/s1600/DSC_9187_600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> On Saturday, we took a trip to Binder Park Zoo. The girls were thrilled to not only see giraffes, but to feed them too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZwQOtOLCCw/ThTtjBa_DjI/AAAAAAAABk0/k5vNzmrYZng/s1600/DSC_7951_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZwQOtOLCCw/ThTtjBa_DjI/AAAAAAAABk0/k5vNzmrYZng/s1600/DSC_7951_600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Sunday, we watched a couple of hours of the Field of Flight Airshow with Aunt Jenny, Uncle Terry, Dustin and Alena. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fcHgFA_8Now/ThTuZRM2-8I/AAAAAAAABk4/Fk4dwS_UZus/s1600/DSC_8254_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fcHgFA_8Now/ThTuZRM2-8I/AAAAAAAABk4/Fk4dwS_UZus/s1600/DSC_8254_600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Paul and Uncle Terry stayed to watch the Blue Angels, while Aunt Jenny and the kids and I went back to the campground to cool down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kM-J-Jb6plg/ThTu2EsKlmI/AAAAAAAABk8/MGS7GaA53Aw/s1600/DSC_8433_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kM-J-Jb6plg/ThTu2EsKlmI/AAAAAAAABk8/MGS7GaA53Aw/s1600/DSC_8433_600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Paul and the girls and I went back to the airport at night to see the 'Balloon Illum'....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zCyKVEVxG3I/ThTvYSWB07I/AAAAAAAABlA/k9yHH1IEWLU/s1600/DSC_8496_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zCyKVEVxG3I/ThTvYSWB07I/AAAAAAAABlA/k9yHH1IEWLU/s1600/DSC_8496_600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and the fireworks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monday, we packed up and headed home midday and caught up on laundry and a few chores and relaxed for the rest of the evening. As the fireworks in our community went off late Monday evening, I was thankful we had already had our fill of fun for the weekend. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hope your holiday weekend was filled with lots of family fun and memories!</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-40351629985627118912011-06-29T21:07:00.000-04:002011-06-29T21:07:08.180-04:00Summer Fun<div style="text-align: center;">Summer, at last! This is why we endure the sometimes long Michigan winters. This is why we (well, Paul mostly) do(es) the upkeep on the pond. This is pure joy. :D</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CQ4pE2MPi4I/TgvL5QUL0qI/AAAAAAAABkg/2MkpEaPLgLE/s1600/2011_06_SummerFun_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CQ4pE2MPi4I/TgvL5QUL0qI/AAAAAAAABkg/2MkpEaPLgLE/s1600/2011_06_SummerFun_600.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What is your favorite part of summer?</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-26405096162654470592011-06-25T21:00:00.003-04:002011-07-01T08:43:54.854-04:00Maxi-Mopping<div style="text-align: left;">So, the girls have still been on a Pippi Longstocking kick. I found one version of the movie on Netflix, and they have watched it three times in the last week. There is a scene in the movie where Pippi and the neighbor kids scrub her house floors by dancing around with scrub brushes attached to their feet. Every time we watch the movie, the girls ask 'can we do that sometime?'. Every time they ask, I think of a friend of mine who had her sons 'maxi-mop' her kitchen floor (before they were old enough to know what was attached to their feet...lol!).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Today, I pulled my rug out the kitchen and the floors were terribly dusty and needed a good cleaning. I figured it would be a great time to let the girls have some fun! :D</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SPBwK8tsCIw/Tg3A95f7WJI/AAAAAAAABkk/mexk_QYMIrQ/s1600/MaxiMop_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SPBwK8tsCIw/Tg3A95f7WJI/AAAAAAAABkk/mexk_QYMIrQ/s1600/MaxiMop_600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Regan wants to know if they can do this every week! </div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-29851939748027108022011-06-24T21:04:00.001-04:002011-06-25T21:08:44.337-04:00Life with Girls<div style="text-align: center;">Conversation at our house this morning:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Regan: Mommy, I don't have any comfy shorts to wear today.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mommy: Why don't you wear your white pair?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Regan: Those aren't shorts, they are capris.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mommy: O...K...why don't you wear the comfy Land's End dress? </div><div style="text-align: center;">You know, the one <i>you</i> picked out last fall and have pretty much never worn?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Regan: I don't like that dress. I don't like dresses anymore.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Approximately five minutes later:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Regan: I'm wearing leggings with the dress.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mommy: That's fine. It looks great!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Regan: This dress is really comfy. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>When can we buy me some more comfy dresses, Mommy?</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> I really like this comfy dress!</b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ugRKAvUm9Xg/TgaGkXi9tLI/AAAAAAAABkQ/RjOIu-kQzrE/s1600/DSC_7696_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ugRKAvUm9Xg/TgaGkXi9tLI/AAAAAAAABkQ/RjOIu-kQzrE/s1600/DSC_7696_600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Heaven help me! LOL! :D</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-25182201247637567022011-06-20T11:44:00.000-04:002011-06-20T11:44:54.974-04:00A Weekend of CelebratingWe had a very fun filled three days this weekend. Friday, the girls and I kicked things off by bringing lunch to my parents. It was their 50th wedding anniversary! We had a nice time eating and visiting and had great weather for hanging out for a bit.<br />
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The girls and I headed back home mid-afternoon to get ready for a graduation open house Friday evening and to pack/prepare to leave Saturday morning to spend the rest of the weekend with my big brother and his family.<br />
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We hit the road at a fairly reasonable time on Saturday morning. We were able to stop and pick 30+ pounds of strawberries, before getting to the cottage around noon. Mom and Dad joined us for part of the afternoon and evening so we could all celebrate their anniversary. We ate a fabulous dinner together at Sam's Joint, then stuffed ourselves with some cake back at the cottage. :) Aunt Jenny also doted on Regan a bit with a belated birthday cake and gifts.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--tKiyKrTwVc/Tf9ptOSkcSI/AAAAAAAABic/pfJ_WUWe3XA/s1600/DSC_7685_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--tKiyKrTwVc/Tf9ptOSkcSI/AAAAAAAABic/pfJ_WUWe3XA/s1600/DSC_7685_600.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pVxqlevz7xI/Tf9pw9-Sj-I/AAAAAAAABig/7X5EotQfq4I/s1600/DSC_7687-Edit_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pVxqlevz7xI/Tf9pw9-Sj-I/AAAAAAAABig/7X5EotQfq4I/s1600/DSC_7687-Edit_600.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Sunday, we celebrated father's day, making sure our wonderful daddy enjoyed his day. The weather was perfect and the boys (Paul, Uncle Terry, and Dustin) were able to get some morning fishing in. We had a nice brunch together and spend the rest of the day on Uncle Terry's new pontoon boat. We finished our day with a fish fry before heading back home exhausted, but extremely grateful for the wonderful weekend.Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-52956581397728085112011-06-16T21:50:00.000-04:002011-06-16T21:50:19.449-04:00Pippi and AnnikaDuring the last week of school, Regan had the pleasure of reading about Pippi Longstocking. While I have heard of this cute character with the braids that stick out, I confess to not really knowing much else about her. Regan has spent the last week 'educating' me on the mis-adventures of Miss Pippi.<br />
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Today, the girls decided to dress up as Pippi and Annika. Regan rummaged through her clothes and found the best suitable 'brown' dress. We haven't quite figured out how to make braids that stick out, but she came up with the idea of wrapping her ponytails in a dozen or so colorful hair ties. :) She dotted her cheeks with some brown freckles and made herself a paper Mr. Nilsson (the little monkey) to attach to her shoulder.<br />
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Sage was assigned the role of Annika. Donning one of Regan's t-shirts as a dress, she set out to adding her own freckles to her face....in a much more colorful and plentiful fashion! :D<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6hHU1vu_WDs/TfqyN7OztJI/AAAAAAAABiY/L51c5tWTbrw/s1600/June16_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6hHU1vu_WDs/TfqyN7OztJI/AAAAAAAABiY/L51c5tWTbrw/s1600/June16_600.jpg" /></a></div>After finishing their costumes, they had fun role playing some of the scenes from the story. As I was prepping dinner, I was informed that I, 'the mommy', was already in heaven and the two girls were on a boat searching for Pippi's father. <br />
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What are your kiddos up to this summer? Anything fun?Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-85905106145042544202011-05-11T21:07:00.000-04:002011-05-13T16:52:04.093-04:00Spring has Sprung<div style="text-align: center;">I love this time of year, when everything finally starts to go green. The brown grass of winter turns to a blanket of green. The woods of dull gray sprouts a gorgeous lime green hue, full of buds on the trees. And our ornamental pear trees boast their own shade of green and an abundance of delicate white flowers, clumped into their little spring snowballs hanging on the trees.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-75on1jprIEg/Tcszm1WABtI/AAAAAAAABiU/Qe4C4bHTZ1g/s1600/DSC_6823_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-75on1jprIEg/Tcszm1WABtI/AAAAAAAABiU/Qe4C4bHTZ1g/s1600/DSC_6823_600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5yIwcuh_J8I/TcszmXLgyuI/AAAAAAAABiQ/BGnfloO3-ms/s1600/DSC_6820-Edit_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5yIwcuh_J8I/TcszmXLgyuI/AAAAAAAABiQ/BGnfloO3-ms/s1600/DSC_6820-Edit_600.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-54786662365101387612011-05-09T21:15:00.000-04:002011-05-09T21:15:48.621-04:00Mother's Day Notes<div style="text-align: center;">It was a beautiful weekend here, finally, in Michigan and my Mother's Day highlights started on Saturday. Sage and Daddy went plant shopping while Regan and I were at a Girl Scout overnight. While we were gone, they planted our hanging baskets, porch planters, annual flowers and veggie garden.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UKwxYv3h4W8/TciKVGdea1I/AAAAAAAABhc/EydEGQPHycw/s1600/DSC_6811_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UKwxYv3h4W8/TciKVGdea1I/AAAAAAAABhc/EydEGQPHycw/s1600/DSC_6811_600.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YAa1kNoxgmw/TciKmw-Y4uI/AAAAAAAABhg/bEU3MJoeMCI/s1600/DSC_6813_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YAa1kNoxgmw/TciKmw-Y4uI/AAAAAAAABhg/bEU3MJoeMCI/s1600/DSC_6813_600.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">On Sunday morning, Daddy found a special delivery package for me. It turns out I was nominated Time Magazines 'Mother of the Year'!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tEiVDuv6xnw/TciLW4UpVFI/AAAAAAAABhk/c0R0R9-VajE/s1600/DSC_6816_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tEiVDuv6xnw/TciLW4UpVFI/AAAAAAAABhk/c0R0R9-VajE/s1600/DSC_6816_600.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What qualified me for such an honor? I pack a mean lunch, can drive my daughter to school in two minutes flat and can talk on the phone and play on the ipad at the same time! :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">On Sunday afternoon, we headed to Holland to enjoy some of the Tulip Time festivities and enjoy the gorgeous weather outside.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A visit to the Arts and Crafts show yielded a new greeter for our front porch. (As well as a couple smaller greeters, seen in the annual flowers above - each picked out by the girls.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OfUROnoAiL8/TciMKdJ2_AI/AAAAAAAABho/f77qf-oZizk/s1600/DSC_6815_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OfUROnoAiL8/TciMKdJ2_AI/AAAAAAAABho/f77qf-oZizk/s1600/DSC_6815_600.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The craft show was followed by almost five hours of fun at 'Kinderplaats' - an outdoor venue for the kiddos.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l6ic_KFK3nc/TciNNo9bE2I/AAAAAAAABhs/lPcU-ea1_Ck/s1600/DSC_6721_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l6ic_KFK3nc/TciNNo9bE2I/AAAAAAAABhs/lPcU-ea1_Ck/s1600/DSC_6721_600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9H2KTl5tjvc/TciNhayKrYI/AAAAAAAABhw/MLkeyBfMmeQ/s1600/DSC_6731_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9H2KTl5tjvc/TciNhayKrYI/AAAAAAAABhw/MLkeyBfMmeQ/s1600/DSC_6731_600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3UeCfjVUlSw/TciN6X_dwyI/AAAAAAAABh0/kaxtO_p_UYk/s1600/DSC_6735_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3UeCfjVUlSw/TciN6X_dwyI/AAAAAAAABh0/kaxtO_p_UYk/s1600/DSC_6735_600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MO_H1NhL9YM/TciOOybr8uI/AAAAAAAABh4/JE5BSH2tmo0/s1600/DSC_6799_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MO_H1NhL9YM/TciOOybr8uI/AAAAAAAABh4/JE5BSH2tmo0/s1600/DSC_6799_600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BQFRoLh2F4g/TciOin1jztI/AAAAAAAABh8/5XSFuDeJFZM/s1600/DSC_6804_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BQFRoLh2F4g/TciOin1jztI/AAAAAAAABh8/5XSFuDeJFZM/s1600/DSC_6804_600.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
And, of course, there were photo ops...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3f8X4E33JIY/TciPOT3MaAI/AAAAAAAABiA/NenqWpeP_nY/s1600/DSC_6806_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3f8X4E33JIY/TciPOT3MaAI/AAAAAAAABiA/NenqWpeP_nY/s1600/DSC_6806_600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BQIEafyY9FQ/TciPkiD3mfI/AAAAAAAABiE/_eGfY_a_pJE/s1600/DSC_6745_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BQIEafyY9FQ/TciPkiD3mfI/AAAAAAAABiE/_eGfY_a_pJE/s1600/DSC_6745_600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nhjp2p5yXLw/TciQG6jV3DI/AAAAAAAABiI/9v5Xock5iaw/s1600/DSC_6742-Edit_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nhjp2p5yXLw/TciQG6jV3DI/AAAAAAAABiI/9v5Xock5iaw/s1600/DSC_6742-Edit_600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9gJD1bs6cFM/TciQkAgGtuI/AAAAAAAABiM/tSQHZugNrfc/s1600/DSC_6744_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9gJD1bs6cFM/TciQkAgGtuI/AAAAAAAABiM/tSQHZugNrfc/s1600/DSC_6744_600.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And we finished the day off with a yummy dinner at 8th Street Grille. (Of course, any dinner that I didn't have to cook would have been yummy!!) It was a perfect day and I am blessed to have such a great family and to be Mommy to my beautiful girls. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1512089566075349239.post-54837216436075159662011-04-23T10:30:00.000-04:002011-04-23T10:30:27.327-04:00A note from the 'other' Shelbi<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KYes2TGxqF0/TbLiXB3oEII/AAAAAAAABg0/eMoG0CqOIxA/s1600/DSC_6640-Edit_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KYes2TGxqF0/TbLiXB3oEII/AAAAAAAABg0/eMoG0CqOIxA/s1600/DSC_6640-Edit_600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Hi Michelle! I wanted to stop by and say hello. I know you are a dog person, but I really think that you and I would get along great. You see, nine years ago, my mommy named me Shelbi. <span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span>:)</span></span> At the time, it had something to do with my daddy and his love for some sort of Mustang car, but now, I know there was a greater purpose behind it. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For the past 6 years or so, I have pretty much lived in the basement of our home. I used to be a bit more social, but when those little rugrats, er, I mean girls came along, things got a bit crazy for me and I would mostly hide. Well, last week, mommy decided it was time for me to be more social or meet with an early departure from our home. They captured me and moved me to the girls’ bedroom upstairs. It is a really nice place and they are giving me lots of love there. I even have a window with a view! I am still a bit unsettled and the whining dog outside the door makes me a bit nervous too, but the girls are doing a great job of protecting me from her. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As I acclimate to my new surroundings and become integrated with my wonderful family, I promise you this Michelle. I promise that my daily meows of protest or pleas for affection will remind them of you. I will remind them that life is not something to be taken for granted. I will remind them that everyday is a gift and they need to make the most of it. I will remind them that life is too short to get upset over the small stuff. I will remind them to find JOY, everyday.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ok, I think that’s all I wanted to tell you. Now, I will go take a nap and dream of you resting peacefully as well.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Love,</div><div class="MsoNormal">The ‘other’ Shelbi</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03159572123532103210noreply@blogger.com1