tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75617531515461591802024-03-12T16:54:05.900-07:00Blessings AboundUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger306125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-82445253657827150462014-02-03T12:29:00.001-08:002014-02-03T12:29:19.707-08:00Monday, MondayWow, it's been a little while since I've updated what's been happening out here. I guess without the option to add pictures to the blog (still not working! grrr!) I lose interest. But there's been a lot going on that I don't want to forget to record, so I'd better get back to it.<br />
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This past weekend was a whirlwind! My sister and brother in law came in with their family on Saturday evening. They brought my mother in law, too, and a friend of one of their daughters so that made six people we had for dinner. The kids have SUCH a great time together - the girls are about the same ages as Owen and Sammy, so they had LOTS in common. It was quite the madhouse here, especially in the basement where they all had a great time on the Rip Riders. <br />
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On Sunday morning we met them for breakfast at the Hampton Inn, where they were staying. Then they left to go to Chicago, where friends of theirs have an annual Superbowl party. I went a couple years ago with the kids and Chris went last year while I was in AZ, but we opted out this year. It was nice to watch the game here at home.<br />
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Today I registered the boys for Monday classes with a homeschool co-op. I had gotten wind of it a few weeks ago and was immediately very interested, as it will allow the boys to get some "classroom" experience, but just once a week. <br />
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At 10am, I have Luke in a class called "Busy Hands" where he will learn fine motor skills, including cutting, writing, tracing, sewing boards, etc. At the same time, William will take a geography class using Legos. While they are in those classes, I will have the older boys with me for study hall, where we will do some math lessons. (There wasn't an appropriate class for them in that first slot.)<br />
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At 10:45, all the boys will go into class. William and Luke will have a gym class, while Owen and Sammy take the Legos Geography class William took at 10am. At 11:30am, there is a 1/2 hour break for lunch. We have to pack our own and I volunteered to wipe down the tables afterwards. Each parent has to sign up for at least one chore. I'm so glad I got there before all that was left was cleaning the bathrooms! Yuk! Parents have to stay in the building while the classes are in session, so I'm excited to get some reading done! (Currently reading "Dark Places" by Gillian Flynn - SO GOOD!)<br />
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In the afternoon, Luke and William go into a 1.5 hour class called Storybook Art. They will read a story and then do activities around it. It's for ages 3-6, so perfect for them. Owen and Sammy will take Readers Theater, where they will learn to read out loud to a group with expression. Owen is pretty good at this, but Sammy's shyness makes it harder for him. I warned them that there were almost all girls on the sign-up sheet for this. Owen said, "YEAH!," but Sammy was less than enthused. <br />
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At 12:45pm, while their brothers are still doing Storybook Art, they will go to Creating with Clay. I know I fall short in teaching them art, so I wanted to make sure they got exposure to it here. The last classes of the day will be Beginning Spanish for William, Sammy and Owen and ABC Learning for Luke. He already knows his letters, but this will reinforce them and get him more exposed to writing his letters. He missed the first semester, which covered the first 1/2 of the alphabet, but I'm sure he'll be just fine. <br />
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The semester starts on February 17 and runs for 10 weeks. I estimate the cost at approximately $20 a week for everybody (maybe a little more). We'll see how it goes and if we want to continue in the fall. Because of this cost, I am looking into cheaper (even free!) curriculums for us for next year. My Father's World has been great, but as I do my research I have become more confident that I can create my own curriculum that will cover all the basics and not cost $500 a year. <br />
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Chris is working his "princess shift" today (only 8 hours) so we are taking advantage of his evening off by going to Lake Geneva's Winterfest. I've never been before, but have always wanted to. It's the site of the National Snow Sculpting Competition and I've always been impressed by the pictures I've seen of the sculptures. We are going to have to bundle up (it's in the teens!) but at least the sun's out!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-39857921450660535902014-01-24T09:06:00.001-08:002014-01-24T09:06:08.591-08:00In My BedBrrrr!!!! It's so very, very cold out there...and snowy....and windy! I have such a hard time getting motivated to EVER leave the house these days. In fact, I have a hard time getting up in the morning. <br />
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My bed is my favorite place. It's warm and snuggly and my window looks out onto the wooded side of our property, so even with the curtains open I enjoy just laying there gazing at nature. Most of the time, I have company in the bed: Bushy. He is also a big fan of my bed because it's about the only place he can get any peace in the house. In fact, yesterday he felt so comfortable there, he puked on it - twice. I had an emergency laundry job at 9pm. Such fun.<br />
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One of my favorite things to do as I'm trying to get to sleep at night is to close my eyes and imagine myself in other beds and rooms I've slept in over the years.<br />
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First, I remember the room I shared with my sister growing up. It had bright red carpet - yes, bright red carpet - and pale pink walls. We had bunk beds and, because I was older, I mostly occupied the top bunk. My poor sister had to put up with me rearranging the room 3-4 times a year (something I've never outgrown!) so our beds were in just about every position they could be in that little 12'x12' room. I can still remember our desk for homework and, later, make-up, and the baby animal posters I had all over the walls. I remember when we figured out that we could crawl out the window onto the roof and go visit our brothers next door. I loved that little room.<br />
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Then I move on to the house we inhabited during my high school years; no more bunk beds for us. We had a big walk-in closet that doubled as storage for large pots and pans, since the room was right off the kitchen. My dad built a small desk in there to do my homework, but it was always freezing so I rarely used it. The carpet in the room was green and the walls were again, pink. I had the wall over my bed covered with corkboard and at first I thought I'd never be able to fill it, but it didn't take me long at all! I loved that the phone was right outside the room because I could talk to my friends in relative privacy. (That's when phones were still corded.)<br />
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My college dorm room in Vermont- I actually had two, since we moved to a different building the second semester. The first one was so tiny, it was changed to a single after my roommate and I moved out. I loved it, though. I had my bed right near the dormer window and I can remember the view perfectly, especially after our first big snowfall. The second room was much bigger but lacked character since it was in a newer building. I woke up one morning to a song: "Where the Streets Have No Name," by U2. It was one of those perfect spring mornings and someone had it blasting from their window for the guys who were playing "mud football" on the front lawn. Whenever I hear that song, I am instantly transported back to that sunny Saturday in May, one of my last in Vermont. It was such a magical time in my life.<br />
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When I was in my mid-20's I shared a flat with a guy and my room was right near a tree. It was as close to sleeping in a tree house as you could get without mosquito bites. The house has been torn down now, but whenever I drive past I see that tree and remember my time in that flat. Bittersweet memories.<br />
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I remember the bed in Chris and I's apartment when we first got married. I remember kneeling down next to that bed as I waited for the results of my pregnancy test, praying it would be positive. I remember those times when we would first get into bed and our beloved cat, Sir, would crawl up between us. I remember moving that bed to our first house and laying with my newborn Owen in it.<br />
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When I'm in my bed now, it usually means that everyone I love is within a few feet of me and the peace and security I feel wraps around me as I drift to sleep. I remember the blessings of the past and am so thankful for the present. Is it any wonder I never want to get out?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-75660399665930850472014-01-16T08:18:00.001-08:002014-01-16T08:21:18.095-08:00On FacebookMost of us love Facebook - a few hate it, are distrustful of it - but most of us love it. I am one of those people. I joined Facebook about five years ago, just to see what it was all about. It's predecessor, MySpace.com, seemed like something for the younger set to use to meet up with friends or potential dates. I was married with a family - who on earth would I want to connect with?<br />
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The impetus for me joining was actually because I saw on our church website that my pastor had a Facebook page. "He's MY AGE," I thought. So I figured it was worth checking into.<br />
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Some of my first "friends" on Facebook were people I knew and saw every day: old friends I'd stayed in touch with, co-workers. But then other people started finding me, people I hadn't seen or heard from in YEARS but who I always had fond memories of. That was when I started loving it and even though I know it's a time-suck, I can't stop hopping on to see what my community of friends is up to every day. <br />
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Twelve years ago when my dad died, I remember being so surprised to see one of my best friends, Michelle, at the funeral home. I was surprised because I hadn't called her to tell her, but she had heard through the grapevine and, of course, showed up. The only person I had called with the news of my dad's death was my boss, for obvious reasons. Who wants to call someone with that kind of news unless they really NEED to know? And crying over the phone? Totally not for me, if I can help it!<br />
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When my brother, Daniel, was found unconscious at work a year ago I didn't call anyone, but I did put out an urgent prayer request right away on Facebook<em>. </em>It was so easy to call for help through a keyboard because no one could hear me crying or see me breakdown. Almost instantly, the voices from my past rang out, "We're praying for him!" and I felt surrounded by love and hope. As the week went on and it became apparent that the outcome wasn't going to be good, I received message after message of condolences from people I hadn't seen in years, but who felt compelled to let me know that somehow, in some way, I had made an impact on them. I was so very grateful.<br />
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The day after Daniel died, I wrote the following note entitled "To All My Friends..." on Facebook. A year has passed, but I still have not forgotten the kindness they bestowed on me. I will never forget it.<br />
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<em>"Every man dies. Not every man really lives." - my favorite line from "Braveheart"</em><br />
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<em>As most of you know my younger brother, Daniel, died suddenly this past week. The doctors say that he was probably gone within five minutes of biting into whatever he had ordered for lunch last Tuesday. The hospital kept his body alive until yesterday, which allowed my mom, brother and sister to get to Arizona to say goodbye, and also for his organs to be donated to others who needed them. It was his final act of kindness.</em><br />
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<em>Daniel was a loner. He had been all his life. He had a handful of friends growing up, but none that really "stuck." The year I was a senior in high school and he was a freshman, friends would come up to me asking me if I knew the kid in their accounting class with the same last name (VanLoozen). Pretty tough to say no with that last name, huh? They would be so surprised when I told them that, yes, that's my brother. He's so quiet, they'd say. So reserved. Doesn't talk to anyone. <strong>Yes, that's my brother</strong>. </em><br />
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<em>He lived with three cats and an equal amount of fish tanks, filled with an exotic array of fish. Daniel never married, never knew the joy of his own children and had one confidante in the world: my mom. After he got out of work, he would call her and they talked for hours about politics, science, history, his pets, whatever. In the end, it was good that the allergic reaction happened at his work because someone found him quickly; if it had happened at home, it may have been days before anyone noticed. </em><br />
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<em>It's a natural reaction whenever someone you love dies unexpectedly and so young, to take stock and consider what it would be like if you were to die tomorrow. Would you change anything about the way you're living now? Would you have any regrets? What would be your final thoughts on your way out of this world and into the next? After this week, I have a few thoughts that I feel compelled to share with you, my friends - both "Facebook" and otherwise. </em><br />
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<em>It's strange to think that I would sit here the day after losing one of my siblings feeling <strong>so incredibly blessed</strong>. This week I have received the kindest words of support and love from people I haven't seen or heard from in YEARS - people I wasn't even sure remembered me! I want to make sure <span class="fbUnderline">each and every one </span>of you know that you are my friends here on Facebook for a REASON. You have touched my life in a special way - <strong>all of you </strong>- and made it so full of love and laughter. I am so, so grateful to have crossed paths with each of you, whether it was in grade school, high school, at a former place of employment, if you're a relative I hardly ever get to see, or if I just happened to pick up the phone one day when you called to book a retreat. (You know who you are!) It truly amazes me to think I have been lucky enough to know so many wonderful people and even luckier to call you all my <strong>friends</strong>. So when I think of that line from Braveheart, I know that <strong>I have truly lived</strong>, mostly thanks to all of you. </em><br />
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<em>It's been a busy week and I haven't had a chance to personally thank everyone who has prayed for my family and I, but please know that each prayer has been felt in our hearts and is appreciated more than you'll ever know. </em><strong><em>Thank you, thank you, thank you all.</em> </strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-71949215967439251092014-01-15T08:34:00.002-08:002014-01-15T08:34:29.387-08:00On purringIt's hard to believe it's been a year since <a href="http://wisconsindreyers.blogspot.com/2013/02/loss.html">we lost my brother</a>. Nothing will ever feel the same to any of us. It was so incredibly sudden and unexpected and it was hard on all of us, but especially my mom. <br />
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Last night I was laying in bed thinking about what I would post today, the one year anniversary of the day we got the call. I was very sad, crying, and believing that my mom and sister were probably far off in Michigan doing the very same thing. But then he came....Bushy. And my plans for this post changed.<br />
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I don't love having animals. I think it's a <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7561753151546159180#editor/target=post;postID=6417149136613415985;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=87;src=postname">good thing for the kids</a> because they learn compassion and, in theory, how to take care of something. But really it's Chris and I who take care of the pets around here. Sometimes it seems like more effort than it's worth but then there are moments, like last night, when I can't imagine my life without them.<br />
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Bushy is almost 12 years old - I have always loved older animals. They get to a certain age and they are just so wonderful! He climbed up beside me and started purring. Oh, the sound of a cat purring! I know it really means that they feel safe and loved, but it translates into "YOU are safe, YOU are loved." I stroked his soft fur and realized that in 12 years he has given me far more than I could ever give him.<br />
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My mind drifted to Sir, our wonderful black cat, who lived to be only 10 years old. He was an amazing cat. He had an air of dignity that I've never before sensed in an animal. Chris and I were absolutely shattered when he died. He also comforted me through many heartaches. I will always miss him.<br />
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Then there was Muffin, my beloved cat that I had from the age of 11 until I was 24. I had my senior pictures in high school taken with her. There had been so many horrible days in high school when I had come home and collapsed onto my bed in tears. She would instantly come out from under the bed and through my sobs, I could hear her purring. <em>You are safe, you are loved</em>. I don't honestly know how I would have made it through those years without her.<br />
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My sister is fortunate that she has not only three cats, but that one of them happens to be one of my brother's cats. Although Daniel had three cats, Kringer was the only one he really loved and so my sister brought him back to Michigan with her when she left Arizona last year. I'm sure Kringer is bringing her a lot of comfort during this difficult week. Hopefully she will let my mom spend some time with Kringer, too. I think it would be wonderful therapy for her.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-91307051737306163952014-01-14T11:54:00.003-08:002014-01-14T11:54:45.098-08:00DiscouragementYes, I have a job - two jobs, actually - but I am primarily a homemaker. It's something I spent many hours at my desk job dreaming about doing. I was so excited when I quit that job. I couldn't wait to cook meals and clean and organize my house.<br />
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Almost three years later, I laugh at my excitement for such tasks. Discouragement has set in BIG TIME! <br />
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Cleaning the house is an exercise in futility. The only time it ever seems really clean is when the kids are gone. If they're here, it's a matter of minutes - no, seconds! - before they throw something somewhere it's not supposed to be.<br />
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Organization? I LONG FOR IT! But there aren't enough hours in the day for me to get this place organized. If I do have time, the most important thing to organize would be my "home office," but that would be really hard to do, considering I don't even have a desk with drawers. I have a two drawer filing cabinet with only one working drawer. My files sit in paper boxes on a table. Pathetic.<br />
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The worst discouragement, though, is with regard to cooking meals. I cannot begin to explain how disheartening it is to NEVER (and I do mean NEVER) make a meal that everyone here likes. And it's not just that they don't like it - it's that they complain LOUDLY when it's something they don't like. The list of things they won't eat is staggering!<br />
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A friend of mine with four boys the same ages as mine posted yesterday on Facebook about how excited she was to make spaghetti for the kids because she loves to see their big smiles. Big smiles? Mine make gagging noises. <br />
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The BEST I can hope for is for two of the four to tell me the meal is "not bad." Since I started staying at home, I have completely abandoned any sort of love - or even tolerance - I had for cooking. In fact, I don't even like it when the kids ask me what's for dinner when I'm in the kitchen. Too many times, my response has been answered with "EW!" or "Can I have something else?" So I end up snapping at them just for asking.<br />
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My husband has been working afternoons for some time now, so I've given up trying to make anything decent. It's usually some variation of pizza (either a frozen one, or put on crescent rolls, bagels, etc) or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. But now Chris will be working a day shift that allows him to be home in the evenings and that's a whole different ball game.<br />
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You would think, perhaps, that life would get easier with another adult her to eagerly eat whatever I serve. WRONG! The list of things Chris refuses to eat is almost as lengthy as the boys': no sour cream, cream cheese, mayonnaise, cream soups in ANYTHING! Even the slightest hint of any of those things and he won't touch it. As far as meat goes, he wants almost nothing but red meat. He will eat ground turkey in lieu of hamburger, but is VERY particular about chicken. He will eat a little once in a while, but all fat has to be completely removed. Dark meat? NO WAY! Sausage and/or pork he will tolerate, maybe once a week. And both he and the kids agree on the fact that almost all vegetables are disgusting.<br />
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I have given up on the idea that I can ever prepare a meal that I enjoy myself, but the fact that now I'm responsible for making FIVE people meals that they may or may not enjoy. I don't want meals to be redundant, but there are only about 3 or 4 that they will all eat. And anything they won't eat the first time, DEFINITELY won't go over on Day 2. Wasted food is an almost daily occurrence around here.<br />
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I'm just having one of those days and it helps to write about it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-56248820515809795062014-01-14T06:06:00.000-08:002014-01-14T06:06:22.954-08:00Still no picturesIt's so frustrating that Blogger won't allow me to upload pictures - it's been a WEEK! But I figured I'd better post something anyway, otherwise I will fall out of the habit again. So here's a random update about what we've been up to:<br />
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- The boys and I started our Unit Study on the Olympics yesterday. It didn't go quite as smoothly as I'd hoped, but I'm sure it will be better today. I purchased the download from <a href="http://www.unitstudies.com/">www.unitstudies.com</a> for just $5.00 last week (price went up to over $10 by now, I think.) I really like the format and all the links to videos, which keeps the boys interested. I got a free lapbook download with my purchase, so we will start on that project maybe on Friday. It will be a nice keepsake for them.<br />
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- Chris is still working crazy hours (7am-7pm) most days but every few days he gets a reprieve and works what he calls his "princess shift," which is just 7am-3pm. Having him home at 3:30pm is very, very strange. I actually have to care about what's for dinner now! It's also hampering my TV schedule; I missed the Bachelor last night because he was home! Oh, the HORROR! The kids are really happy to have him home more and we are thinking by early February he should be on his regular "princess" shift full-time, with weekends off. <br />
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- I have started getting up in the mornings before the kids. For a long stretch, I was staying up until close to midnight and sleeping until 8 or 8:30am. That meant we didn't usually start our school day until close to 10am. With Chris getting up at 5:30am, I am more inspired to get out of bed and have a cup of tea while it's still quiet. I also stocked up on a few good books, which I'm enjoying. Right now I'm reading "The Giver," which was recommended to me by one of my former babysitters and it will be made into a movie later this year.<br />
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- We went to our homeschool group's meeting yesterday for "Bubble Science." One of the mom's led the class - she used to be a science teacher - and it was wonderful! The kids were put into different age groups and had all different experiments to do. I got to talking to a woman who was new there and she told me the reason she doesn't normally come to the Monday meetings is because she has her kids enrolled in classes at Quest for Kids, a private group in Janesville. She told me they offer classes every Monday from 10am-2:30pm (with a break for lunch) and that they are AMAZING! Parents teach everything from ABC's for the little ones, music lessons for the older ones, and she herself teaches a Lego class. I think it sounds great and she's going to email me more info.<br />
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- Expecting more snow today - just a couple of inches, but enough to freshen it up. I'm already anxious to sit in the sun in my beloved lawn chair in the driveway and read books, but I realistically know that's 4 months away. (sigh) At least we have our vacation to Pigeon Forge, TN to look forward to; we leave exactly two months from yesterday! Woo hoo!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-74152043625232114802014-01-06T08:44:00.001-08:002014-01-06T08:44:16.272-08:00Happy Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's my mom's birthday today and since I'm a good daughter, I won't publicly state how old she is. I don't know if it matters anymore. We spend the first 1/4 of our lives bragging about how old we are (Owen will be the first to tell he you he's "ten and a HALF!"), the next 1/2 of our lives trying to hide our age (I'm well into that stage right now!) and then we eventually come full circle and tell everyone who will listen how old we are. I still remember how proud my grandma was to tell people she was 90, 91, 92.... She loved to hear people tell her how great she looked! So my mom is probably nearing that stage, but I want to be respectful in case she's not quite there yet.</div>
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I'm feeling very sad today because I can't give her the one thing I know she'd like for her birthday: a call from my brother. He's with her, though, I know. He always will be. </div>
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Despite this year's tragic events, my mom has led a pretty blessed life. Sure, she's had her share of hardships, but she taught me to take those in stride because she always does. She's one of the strongest people I know.</div>
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This is my favorite picture of her:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQzC46Q_jK60PRdKTUCMx3pXXpZO3V4soC37x4v4hSeCr9z8tbAQW4aEzBJP4XyqQDMtcE7mj1Du_diHd7To6gE75NXDTTtlsI20FIs8MtPMmkL05u7CmZ8MJqAHTiHprEhFeeQZuRCo/s1600/mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQzC46Q_jK60PRdKTUCMx3pXXpZO3V4soC37x4v4hSeCr9z8tbAQW4aEzBJP4XyqQDMtcE7mj1Du_diHd7To6gE75NXDTTtlsI20FIs8MtPMmkL05u7CmZ8MJqAHTiHprEhFeeQZuRCo/s1600/mom.jpg" height="296" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm not sure how I ended up with it, but I'm glad I did. She played the piccolo in her high school band. I remember her telling me that she cried while playing Pomp and Circumstance at her graduation ceremony. She loved high school and was voted "Most Flirtatious" in her senior class. (Not at all surprising to anyone, even now.) <br />
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I look at this picture and see a young girl, full of hopes and dreams for her future. I wonder if it turned out anything like she thought it would. She was married to my dad for 34 years, raised four kids, had a career at Ford Motor Company and is now retired and enjoying her 7 grandchildren. I'd say she's led a pretty full life. She'd most likely say the same.<br />
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Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-74545359837173262362014-01-04T14:36:00.004-08:002014-01-04T14:36:52.105-08:00For me! Chris bought me a watch for Christmas. It was a REALLY nice watch - one of those Citizen Eco Drive ones - and it cost over $100. YIKES! I've never had a watch that cost that much. I know it took him a long time to decide on the right one and he read all the rave reviews for it, but when I opened it I couldn't hide my disappointment. It was a nice watch, but not my style. I think it's very difficult to choose a watch for another person; I bought one for Chris a few years back and he promptly took it back.<br />
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My real issue with the watch was how expensive it was. I prefer cheap watches because then I don't feel badly when I want to switch it out after a year or two. This is the same reason I won't spend $400 on a Coach purse; I would have to carry it for a decade to warrant that sort of expense!<br />
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He returned my watch and let me order my own. And I got TWO for $40 - not bad! <br />
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I ordered a classic look for work and if I ever have an opportunity to go somewhere fancy...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSSJ1PDuQ8pBvDD3lhZWfIXk6YN-ZMDx8A7f4fKB4eXIevJ3jT_PsrGSHRuvCsswroMIuds2aNHpDBBC-wVDsOCCTQmxeIypiLDWkBZNinfNGUlaU5MIbGgDwYX7bxn8gmfpmVh98jIA/s1600/IMG_20140104_160832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSSJ1PDuQ8pBvDD3lhZWfIXk6YN-ZMDx8A7f4fKB4eXIevJ3jT_PsrGSHRuvCsswroMIuds2aNHpDBBC-wVDsOCCTQmxeIypiLDWkBZNinfNGUlaU5MIbGgDwYX7bxn8gmfpmVh98jIA/s320/IMG_20140104_160832.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And then I ordered a fun one for everyday wear with my jeans...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDxBZKHw64TCk56fnR_g4ROMhdju-xPocq_iARTHXH-A6eBRWsGwQJDKm6wU4poWIDWXrdB1E-yvAra7loFeb_ACBRrp592BB9vP-Q3VabXaENNoLxY7w8hMooNWVBD8r98CkNO3pvTg/s1600/IMG_20140104_155031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDxBZKHw64TCk56fnR_g4ROMhdju-xPocq_iARTHXH-A6eBRWsGwQJDKm6wU4poWIDWXrdB1E-yvAra7loFeb_ACBRrp592BB9vP-Q3VabXaENNoLxY7w8hMooNWVBD8r98CkNO3pvTg/s320/IMG_20140104_155031.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Isn't it cute? Those are safety pins with colored beads on them all around the band. <br />
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Another reason it would be difficult for someone else to purchase a watch is wrist sizing. I had to read the reviews on both of these to make sure they would fit my very small wrists. I'm happy to report they do, and are really comfortable.<br />
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Merry Christmas to me!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-16118159681638518652014-01-04T14:29:00.001-08:002014-01-04T14:29:01.773-08:00GRRROWWWL!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
William got a little gypped at Christmas. It's difficult to keep track of exactly how many gifts there are for each kid. We realized it too late, when we were already in the thick of things with wrapping paper flying everywhere and William just quietly watching everyone else. He never complained or even said anything, and that made me feel even worse. </div>
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I mentioned it to Chris later and he said that we need to buy him the stuffed cheetah he's been wanting for two years. Sometimes kids ask for stuff and then forget it later. (Like when 2 year old Sammy said he wanted Immonium AD because he saw a commercial for it!) But William has been asking for a stuffed cheetah since before his fifth birthday so it was high time we got him one.</div>
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Chris had him pick it out on the internet and use some of his birthday money for it. When it came, it was a little shocking...</div>
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Apparently neither of them read the dimensions because both Chris and William were surprised to see how big this thing is. William insists on sleeping with it, even though there's very little room left.</div>
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You know what the best thing about getting something big is? The box...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzU9BMm6bLG7uVi83gcaU6ufgU-GfeEm1nPXIC35RWyOfV6rHBV7hkm3oRUVOmO2w_7xlWQgGfcmqR5YKJV9uDLdq8_UwprFikzCRzwWXduGf0LTG-SSkRT2XCWPmvhVgl60qq_nzmAng/s1600/IMG_20140103_160327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzU9BMm6bLG7uVi83gcaU6ufgU-GfeEm1nPXIC35RWyOfV6rHBV7hkm3oRUVOmO2w_7xlWQgGfcmqR5YKJV9uDLdq8_UwprFikzCRzwWXduGf0LTG-SSkRT2XCWPmvhVgl60qq_nzmAng/s320/IMG_20140103_160327.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-57389708147262815682014-01-01T07:00:00.000-08:002014-01-01T07:00:00.371-08:00Welcome, 2014!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Even in the new year, there are some things that never change....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9U85aQyghhPVxbCbpIAw9PmVpEZcZ9C3ugTcpEJiagwh0svDU-h0Vpy3wIENXA_SQCRDjylWIMGyo_Vd1sNxR-yYPSmWqW_bcMDh0IfK52dlr4glmHCaBLvRnTJj-gyBpZ65XadNtYw/s1600/100_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9U85aQyghhPVxbCbpIAw9PmVpEZcZ9C3ugTcpEJiagwh0svDU-h0Vpy3wIENXA_SQCRDjylWIMGyo_Vd1sNxR-yYPSmWqW_bcMDh0IfK52dlr4glmHCaBLvRnTJj-gyBpZ65XadNtYw/s320/100_0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have this nice little basket in the hall bathroom that nicely holds two extra rolls of TP. I understand that I am likely to be the only one who will restock it with fresh rolls, but do they really need to throw the empty rolls in there? Really?</div>
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Sammy worked hard the other day making paper snowflakes. None of the other boys were at all interested, but he worked at it for over an hour. We pressed them in a heavy book for a couple of days and he was excited to put them up today. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7MZcM0sM5Ry9WeIJzWTJ66UMHR5lTkCeRxr0xtQWkAP4-cEwU3t5vrW9QthlTCl9eF5ePQ-YJ8YJG5VqeWriQUaxYk_G4_mXsalFc5p_85sqeeAnOX8nC-e1t6n6mdUg-OulaT3OLZk/s1600/IMG_20131231_113126_090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7MZcM0sM5Ry9WeIJzWTJ66UMHR5lTkCeRxr0xtQWkAP4-cEwU3t5vrW9QthlTCl9eF5ePQ-YJ8YJG5VqeWriQUaxYk_G4_mXsalFc5p_85sqeeAnOX8nC-e1t6n6mdUg-OulaT3OLZk/s320/IMG_20131231_113126_090.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vLfeBrZa9WsY5BaSCH0TaKungQ34zfT7QE80KrhPmAxVEh6LXMviblr4cAzyEydoxazqdRN6p72yVSn3to1NUmW2S6BD4QkgtJGbzzzKgDKJUx4f2JrfzPzOJECyrFWdt5UIX8-Xvjc/s1600/IMG_20131231_113331_373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vLfeBrZa9WsY5BaSCH0TaKungQ34zfT7QE80KrhPmAxVEh6LXMviblr4cAzyEydoxazqdRN6p72yVSn3to1NUmW2S6BD4QkgtJGbzzzKgDKJUx4f2JrfzPzOJECyrFWdt5UIX8-Xvjc/s320/IMG_20131231_113331_373.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Looks appropriate, too, because we just got another 4" of fresh snow last night.</div>
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There's one thing I forgot to add to my resolutions post from yesterday and that is SAVING $$$:</div>
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One of my Facebook friends posted a 52 week savings challenge and I'm going to stick to it this year. The idea is that you put money in an envelope each week: $1 on Week 1, $2 on Week 2, $3 on Week 3, etc, etc. A couple people commented that it would be very difficult to save the larger amounts at the end of the year because it's so close to Christmas. I agree! And the way my business works, my pay fluctuates tremendously month to month. So I am going to put the money in the envelopes and then check off the week I did, going in no particular order. By the end of the year, I will have over $1300 in these envelopes. Pretty nice, huh?</div>
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Happy New Year to everybody! Hope it's a great one!</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-8422841194344656152013-12-31T10:06:00.002-08:002013-12-31T10:06:15.271-08:00Resolutions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The end of the year always makes me a little sad and I've been sadder this December 31st for obvious reasons. I'm saying goodbye to the last year my brother ever saw. I'm thinking of my mom, who next week will experience her first birthday without a call from him. And we're all coming up on the one year anniversary of the day that changed our family forever. </div>
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But, of course, time marches on. And I'm trying to focus on the new beginning we will all have at midnight tonight. I like to think that the upcoming year will be better and that I, as a person, will be better, too. Here are the ways I would like to improve in 2014:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKThF5z8Xt26LVcjnUwDCetJlEJNL40TlerNR5RHGc8DuEIWZcLk5Fed6xGwLEYZTw4xUOibblaZG9nQ5KBSb-NeuxRW0TCjeycoAo4_Aw5jJ5M_7snMZkcOIlVGCQWy6Gh47xAKRRIw/s1600/15+minutes+outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKThF5z8Xt26LVcjnUwDCetJlEJNL40TlerNR5RHGc8DuEIWZcLk5Fed6xGwLEYZTw4xUOibblaZG9nQ5KBSb-NeuxRW0TCjeycoAo4_Aw5jJ5M_7snMZkcOIlVGCQWy6Gh47xAKRRIw/s320/15+minutes+outside.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
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I actually read this book in 2012 and haven't been able to consistently stick to spending 15 minutes outside each day, but the ideas have stayed with me. I would recommend this book to anyone, but especially moms, because it shows the many ways getting outside is good for the soul no matter what time of year. Of course this is especially difficult during these tough Wisconsin winters (it was 8 degrees outside this morning!) but I really want to make the effort this year.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhIM5NzmRvI05dGl49Qcy3jK2a-KAlARF0eNSxVIjZRjJuyEL4CxMilPR93bSlPc-fuJ1M9afthJiQ5R2ulGkIdkBVVuLse4nlJMwnIJVVI9gnPRSbKvlBmo6gfvWr5OOCriifmqgTkI/s1600/2014+calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhIM5NzmRvI05dGl49Qcy3jK2a-KAlARF0eNSxVIjZRjJuyEL4CxMilPR93bSlPc-fuJ1M9afthJiQ5R2ulGkIdkBVVuLse4nlJMwnIJVVI9gnPRSbKvlBmo6gfvWr5OOCriifmqgTkI/s320/2014+calendar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am soooo excited about this little gem I picked up last night. I want to work on organization and my time management skills and this calendar posted in the kitchen should help tremendously. I still love and use my Erin Condren planner faithfully, but this will help with the schedules for everyone in the family, not just me. I like how the side of it has Post-it notes that I can grab whenever I need one. (Hopefully the kids won't figure out what those are!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGLLrQDnRxd5NDLWR3zHMBDyk4QRuu2ioF6bwHDzlSJqhuySGlpdOMEfTBHJkdckzZtlM6krYVDDboORTSAV9i4KMpJiZ4_UU0Cy2zlT1F-_lzPch8mpkbOl9DRl2XpX4LfHk6b44NXc/s1600/feet+on+scale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGLLrQDnRxd5NDLWR3zHMBDyk4QRuu2ioF6bwHDzlSJqhuySGlpdOMEfTBHJkdckzZtlM6krYVDDboORTSAV9i4KMpJiZ4_UU0Cy2zlT1F-_lzPch8mpkbOl9DRl2XpX4LfHk6b44NXc/s1600/feet+on+scale.jpg" /></a></div>
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No list of New Year's Resolutions would be complete without the resolution to lose weight. I say this every year, but this is really going to be THE YEAR for me to get to my ideal weight. That's 20-25 lbs away, but I just know I can get there by summer and maintain for the remainder of the year.<br />
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In addition to the general resolution about getting outside more, I also want to start running again. I was running 2 miles a day for about 6 months when William was a baby, but stopped that winter and never started up again. This is the year I WILL run a 5k! I can hardly wait!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-15396249139549067712013-12-26T13:03:00.001-08:002013-12-26T13:03:09.606-08:00Sledding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are thrilled with the amount of snow we have. (For now, anyway. Ask me again how thrilled I am in March when we are still knee deep in it!)</div>
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Today we went sledding at a cool hill in Elkhorn, about 10 minutes from our house. It's a little ways off the road, as opposed to the other (more popular) hill around here. I prefer to not have to worry about cars at the top of the hill if I decide to sled down with one of the little guys. </div>
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It was really cold and windy so we only stayed about an hour. We met a new-ish friend up there - she has three boys, ages 9,8 and 7 and homeschools them all, too. Needless to say, we always have a lot to talk about!</div>
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Here are a few pics...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2MGHmtrXP2BLUjfUua4pN2pBDM6a5wNxt560LtiQNdPw7VbJKoox1K1nC9z7j2fNAv2liJPTHy1f7e7C4OB1Hi5rXM7GLXzmRbl5mVY_qKUKvQ47HsQ-FoO7sHDJ5irJPz9P9Sn3Q5w/s1600/100_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2MGHmtrXP2BLUjfUua4pN2pBDM6a5wNxt560LtiQNdPw7VbJKoox1K1nC9z7j2fNAv2liJPTHy1f7e7C4OB1Hi5rXM7GLXzmRbl5mVY_qKUKvQ47HsQ-FoO7sHDJ5irJPz9P9Sn3Q5w/s320/100_0023.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-78838548400572233702013-12-26T12:57:00.002-08:002013-12-26T12:57:38.992-08:00Christmas 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The children were nestled all snug in their beds....</div>
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But Chris and I, who hadn't gotten to sleep until close to 1am couldn't sleep from the excitement, so got up at 6:15am. Chris kept wanting to wake the boys up, but I insisted we wait. At 7:30am, we finally heard voices and eavesdropped from the hallway for a few minutes. They were so cute, excitedly talking about what might await them in the living room. They were a bit disturbed by the fact that I had sealed their doorway with wrapping paper, but loved that moment when we told them they were free to rip through it. </div>
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It only took about 10 minutes for everything to be unwrapped and, as suspected, the tablets were a huge hit....</div>
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We settled on the Nabi 2 for both the little boys and the older boys got the Samsung Galaxy Tab in the 7" size. William is perfectly content with his "kid" tablet, but Luke is frustrated that his won't do exactly what Owen and Sammy's do. For instance, the Nabi has no voice command but Luke keeps yelling things at his tablet anyway because he sees his older brothers doing it. Maybe he just thinks his is hard of hearing.</div>
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I got the warm socks I've been wanting/needing for so long. But the best part was the homemade tags William made when he wrapped them.</div>
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Chris asked the boys to wrap the gifts without me seeing the day before and as soon as they were done, out came Luke.</div>
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Luke, whispering: "Mama, we got you new socks for Christmas."</div>
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William: "NO, Luke! You weren't supposed to tell her we got her SOCKS!"</div>
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Luke: "Sssshhhh, William! It's a SECRET!"</div>
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They are so funny!</div>
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All the boys got toothbrushes in their stockings, but only Luke's plays a song. He loves that song "Dynamite" so when I saw this toothbrush that plays it, I had to get it for him.</div>
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The only problem is that he wants to listen to the song so badly, he walks around the house holding like a phone with the bristles in his ear. Pretty gross.<br />
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We had such an amazing Christmas, especially because Chris was ACTUALLY off work. Hallelujah! That almost NEVER happens and we were so lucky it did this year, especially with all the other people at his job having time off. He will likely have to work on New Year's Eve, but that's really no big deal. We don't do much on NYE anyway.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-80861551132583913612013-12-25T19:01:00.001-08:002013-12-25T19:01:13.273-08:00Christmas Eve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have always loved Christmas Eve. When I was a kid, that was the night we would go to my cousin's house (we called her "Aunt Sue" because she was quite a bit older, but she was really my cousin). My memories of her house on Christmas Eve are primarily of candlelight and soft Christmas music playing. She had two kids, but her house always seemed in perfect order. The food was not at all fussy; mostly just hors d'oeuvres. She had a few things to do in the basement (shuffleboard, an arcade game and a pool table) so we were never bored. I also loved driving home and seeing the lights, with the anticipation of Christmas morning still in front of me.</div>
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Chris and I were just comparing our childhood memories of Christmas Eve and his were very different. He and his family went to his Aunt's house, where there was NOTHING to play with and he and his sister were bored to tears. He dreaded it every year and got out of going as soon as he became old enough to beg out and stay home alone. Funny thing is, his aunt's house and my cousin's house were/are separated by about 2 blocks. Isn't that so strange??? So even though Chris and I didn't meet until high school, we were within a couple hundred feet of each other every Christmas Eve for our entire lives. Even after 12 years of marriage, there are still new things I find out about him all the time. </div>
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This Christmas Eve, I believe the kids and I discovered what will be a new tradition for us:</div>
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After dinner, I told them to clean their room and they would get to open one present. They were able to correctly guess it would be new pajamas, since we did the same thing last year. I love the idea of new pajamas - sure wish I'd gotten some myself! The boys also got new slippers, since they have been wearing holes in all their socks running around the concrete floor in the basement.</div>
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They were quite excited to open the PJ's and then they all showered/bathed and got into them. I had them zip on sweatshirts and we loaded up the car to take a tour of the lights. The Grand Geneva does "Christmas in the Country" lights that are really something to see. My plan was for the two little boys to fall asleep, but that didn't end up happening, so when we got to Grand Geneva we ended up going in. Yes, in their PJ's. (I was dressed, of course.)</div>
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The resort was teeming with people who were enjoying all the many decorations they put up. Each year is a different theme. I'm sorry I didn't get any pictures of the displays but the lighting was bad and I only had my phone. I did snap this one of the boys, though:</div>
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The Grand Geneva also has a gingerbread house competition. Each entry is numbered and you get to vote for your favorite. We all loved looking at the 50+ creations, most of them VERY creative. Here are a few of our favorites...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRWPlts6edOcgqr2uOWQ4WqH-gLWKLvlFsIXwmw4RLPEIv9VsepN3FUSdOLtq1hGX25QuQSZ2UCB8zEQwlLUNKLSMY9X1f4ekKPijC99VCiBaXVxfwl-wFaDpmF9K1BWC1ZWprQNyjS0/s1600/IMG_20131224_191934_271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRWPlts6edOcgqr2uOWQ4WqH-gLWKLvlFsIXwmw4RLPEIv9VsepN3FUSdOLtq1hGX25QuQSZ2UCB8zEQwlLUNKLSMY9X1f4ekKPijC99VCiBaXVxfwl-wFaDpmF9K1BWC1ZWprQNyjS0/s320/IMG_20131224_191934_271.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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After we were done walking around, we stopped at the little café and each of the boys wanted a scoop of gelato. I grabbed myself a hot chocolate and reveled in getting to spend a snowy Christmas Eve at such a beautiful place with my four beautiful sons. We had such a wonderful time!</div>
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Chris didn't get home from work until 11:30pm but we will be happy to have him accompany us next year. We all decided it would be a wonderful tradition to start and are already looking forward to doing it again in 2014.</div>
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Merry Christmas!</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-58263097868112989702013-12-24T12:35:00.003-08:002013-12-24T12:35:34.379-08:00Anticipation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As I'm sure you can guess, Christmas Eve seems like an extra long day for us. Anticipation and excitement runs high on both sides, for both the givers (us) and the gives (them). Chris and I are so very excited to give the boys their gifts tomorrow morning but are a little worried that we may never be able to top this Christmas. The $500 Best Buy credit we got when we bought our furniture in February is going to make this Christmas VERY memorable for the boys. </div>
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To add to the length of the days, I've practically become a single parent. Chris has been working 7pm-7am for the last 10 days and even when he had a couple of days off, he still had to sleep during the day to maintain his body's schedule. It's been soooo difficult to keep the boys quiet all day while he needs to sleep. Between being cooped up inside and the excitement of Christmas, they have been nothing short of obnoxious. Gotta love little boy energy, right? </div>
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In an attempt to keep them quietly occupied, I've been enlisting their help in baking a lot of seasonal goodies. This morning we made Peanut Butter Balls using <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/peanut-butter-balls-ii/">this recipe</a>. I prefer the ones that use graham cracker crumbs to shredded coconut or any other filler. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3FgXXjRO6ZfI5DexU3KN579uGSiJkxCUgu-8qu_-Ia0lnxk2pGmYoO7L0CyNAV7vhzbOS605CBg4Rb0RHADRfRSNWfok3qnNoe0jcJue42rfoYYG6a5cknZxg2UO82z19rPRs2DfVrk/s1600/100_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3FgXXjRO6ZfI5DexU3KN579uGSiJkxCUgu-8qu_-Ia0lnxk2pGmYoO7L0CyNAV7vhzbOS605CBg4Rb0RHADRfRSNWfok3qnNoe0jcJue42rfoYYG6a5cknZxg2UO82z19rPRs2DfVrk/s320/100_0059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em>As my three elves rolled the balls, we debated whether or not these </em></div>
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<em>should be considered a cookie or a candy. What do you think?</em></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmiphufP9fqZHBeq5PM4tkJX5-ONrUgZhaau1lz2goeiKeJmEAZyIeOm1FJ6MmrgKiUmKkbV7YOdwoptYCkwL1Fr6DAEdaabD5SzMHY8a2NkAjVloFXISspGQft6d82lGj_aNzMkPJAf0/s1600/100_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmiphufP9fqZHBeq5PM4tkJX5-ONrUgZhaau1lz2goeiKeJmEAZyIeOm1FJ6MmrgKiUmKkbV7YOdwoptYCkwL1Fr6DAEdaabD5SzMHY8a2NkAjVloFXISspGQft6d82lGj_aNzMkPJAf0/s320/100_0060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unfortunately, I have no "after" pics of the tasty little morsels, but suffice to say they are a HUGE hit. I remember going to my grandmother's house on Christmas Day as a child and she would have plates of assorted cookies set out to much on; these peanut butter balls were my absolute favorite! I have only made them once before in my life YEARS ago for a work party, but am going to try to make them more often now that I know I have such enthusiastic helpers.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-46492836887816965562013-12-24T09:24:00.003-08:002013-12-24T09:24:28.418-08:00White Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is our eighth Christmas in Wisconsin and I think only one of them so far hasn't been "white." Most years, we start building up snow that first week in December and by Christmas we have a few inches. This year, we had snow starting in mid November and haven't seen much of it melt, so by this past weekend we had about 4 inches on the ground. But it needed to be freshened up for Christmas and boy, was it!</div>
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We watched for the storm all day on Saturday - oh, the excitement around here! But it really didn't hit until early Sunday morning. When all was said and done, we had about 7" and the boys were thrilled! Here are some pictures of them enjoying the snow...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVEjLFq2EKVLW_lRg-3_1b2DHZh4gdel4kM3Bwr-_qlgxFVQMjFA5YYKgdoTLEPb5jaDvRX-igRAgXmI1cg_ch7l1raGyynjzNbxNmy5Kvqz3htyVM_CyLgYw7J5yIvavu14oz4PeS8Q/s1600/100_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVEjLFq2EKVLW_lRg-3_1b2DHZh4gdel4kM3Bwr-_qlgxFVQMjFA5YYKgdoTLEPb5jaDvRX-igRAgXmI1cg_ch7l1raGyynjzNbxNmy5Kvqz3htyVM_CyLgYw7J5yIvavu14oz4PeS8Q/s320/100_0046.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Owen, age 10</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnz705rzTsaJ82VOMSyNGKRwl8XZ4uFsw5em1gwvIAbawPM71Jvpy71szIpQjWqhZwrCx51z5khKc7zXi7VuCd1OyFJJHrLOl-rpgnL2tBYPyzslop8i2L7L4oTjbLFDKsf7uYISrmX4/s1600/100_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnz705rzTsaJ82VOMSyNGKRwl8XZ4uFsw5em1gwvIAbawPM71Jvpy71szIpQjWqhZwrCx51z5khKc7zXi7VuCd1OyFJJHrLOl-rpgnL2tBYPyzslop8i2L7L4oTjbLFDKsf7uYISrmX4/s320/100_0047.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>William, age 6</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0DQ3-Co78MKvN6TAonfhG0mpPuJaxEPIu74GYq4v5w-PllRR9lG1-tyYju9Yjvkz9e8KOi3hBQJ1dBVq5_PLWjE_9kUjfyDvTKmuPlS-lvgHDgPjN_GWSMVTzw0X_ggbP09cWAWtUFA/s1600/100_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0DQ3-Co78MKvN6TAonfhG0mpPuJaxEPIu74GYq4v5w-PllRR9lG1-tyYju9Yjvkz9e8KOi3hBQJ1dBVq5_PLWjE_9kUjfyDvTKmuPlS-lvgHDgPjN_GWSMVTzw0X_ggbP09cWAWtUFA/s320/100_0048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sammy, almost 9</span></em></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZ6CyRI7b76afhiMxmHAsj0U_zV-_oxHO-cqaQLGYFlll25K3qQvu65pmiE6DhPty4DdE_AK77Y-kSGvL7igWBu6ZAXThbNCh4kPG9DdevbG4lS7WV2a7Xe6Ca842-o0s6hnuP_nGDSQ/s1600/100_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZ6CyRI7b76afhiMxmHAsj0U_zV-_oxHO-cqaQLGYFlll25K3qQvu65pmiE6DhPty4DdE_AK77Y-kSGvL7igWBu6ZAXThbNCh4kPG9DdevbG4lS7WV2a7Xe6Ca842-o0s6hnuP_nGDSQ/s320/100_0051.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Luke, age 4</span></em></div>
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Luke never was much of a fan of the snow. Remember <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7561753151546159180#editor/target=post;postID=3167698187072671333;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=165;src=postname">this post?</a></div>
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I took Scrabble for a walk and let me tell you, he is not a fan of the snow either. He sure looked cute in his little coat, though, and I enjoyed the walk. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCh-ntRGwRSz8Qi8DzhPOx_B-Ir8yoX_YAcumbubqoNtAzxEhASPrJaZ8ZJLbMmDYMhnLdYygmQnGSna3hoEPeIiUqQxffldVCWqfr9QMyTOmxCN1-5OSbj3_rigJl6bbbdZC9Xto4OyI/s1600/100_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCh-ntRGwRSz8Qi8DzhPOx_B-Ir8yoX_YAcumbubqoNtAzxEhASPrJaZ8ZJLbMmDYMhnLdYygmQnGSna3hoEPeIiUqQxffldVCWqfr9QMyTOmxCN1-5OSbj3_rigJl6bbbdZC9Xto4OyI/s320/100_0052.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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More than the snow itself, I love the excuse to stay home. I've become quite the hermit in the last few months; I don't think I've ventured out in almost a week now. It's just so nice to hole-up when it's cold and snowy and focus on what I love most. And that's all right here in this house.</div>
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Merry Christmas!</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-1492941686887759792013-12-24T09:09:00.005-08:002013-12-24T09:09:57.140-08:00William's 6th Birthday Not my most timely post ever, but I write this blog more for myself than anyone else just to record all the moments that make up our life as a family together. Birthdays are always fun for us to celebrate being a family and what the birthday boy brings to it. We celebrated William's birthday a day early because Chris had to work on Saturday the 14th.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxNdaC2B3xDE2b3-geDG07XPNdFmCdLkzHWgIYmKcIkUbFago-kAX8NhMrhlMQmiCOixCu6Wffw5w-IPqALTJN7tkc_Xj4MYPTcijPDOq6NmfhIzAXKevnQ46U-okc54VgHyco2RHddg/s1600/100_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxNdaC2B3xDE2b3-geDG07XPNdFmCdLkzHWgIYmKcIkUbFago-kAX8NhMrhlMQmiCOixCu6Wffw5w-IPqALTJN7tkc_Xj4MYPTcijPDOq6NmfhIzAXKevnQ46U-okc54VgHyco2RHddg/s320/100_0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can see our neighbors, Nick and Erin, in the background. I think they like the invitations they get six times a year to come over for cake and ice cream. No gifts allowed, except this time they brought William an obnoxious prank hand buzzer. I just love it. (sarcasm)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYw10Ai4qKvtNaBlNeexVwIP5b-lZcJ-JZZNLq7ZaVkdKAFOA0qjeUtCcMWKnW2lZsXLYvXTpPPbxig7oy0mi2VM_jS1YJmH2KuhUQ9-IwVGu5mFnWQVuYc-9Qu9joQDA5obOiQquJgY/s1600/100_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYw10Ai4qKvtNaBlNeexVwIP5b-lZcJ-JZZNLq7ZaVkdKAFOA0qjeUtCcMWKnW2lZsXLYvXTpPPbxig7oy0mi2VM_jS1YJmH2KuhUQ9-IwVGu5mFnWQVuYc-9Qu9joQDA5obOiQquJgY/s320/100_0003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We got to Stonefire Pizza Company around noon on Friday and my friend, Darcy, met us for lunch. She adores William and works just down the road, so it was a nice chance for us to see her and vice versa. William felt VERY special that she took the time to come see him and wish him a happy birthday.</div>
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This is the only picture I could get of the boys together, as they watched a cartoon on one of the TV's. We had the place practically to ourselves, so we made a day of it just running around playing and munching on the buffet.</div>
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One last shot of the birthday boy. Ain't he a cutie? Hard to believe it's been six years since I fell in love with this little guy. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-8688103576662984482013-12-17T17:46:00.003-08:002013-12-17T17:46:31.347-08:00Christmas Memories...of chocolate I am a certified choco-holic. There's no getting around it and I'm not at all ashamed to admit it. My brother has a funny story from when I was in high school and his girlfriend knocked on the door to my room, only to hear me yell "Don't anyone dare coming in here unless you have chocolate!" (I was a little, um<em>....moody</em>...in high school.)<br />
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But my love of chocolate goes way, way back to before high school. It may have started the Christmas when both my sister and I received Whitman's samplers for Christmas.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-g0LGAopvu9g2LvJFu0PfWTuMIuZVTtQYZzB2xZ0x_TdKH_Uzbom4rhyphenhyphene5K8_jSLZKRRinSC4zeXoZ9eXN_xdIn7BVizkdDDJnSFpEjHf4wpVrvDb0IiS3Ck7vYOuZTYfkGj0aeSwj0/s1600/whitmans+sampler.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-g0LGAopvu9g2LvJFu0PfWTuMIuZVTtQYZzB2xZ0x_TdKH_Uzbom4rhyphenhyphene5K8_jSLZKRRinSC4zeXoZ9eXN_xdIn7BVizkdDDJnSFpEjHf4wpVrvDb0IiS3Ck7vYOuZTYfkGj0aeSwj0/s1600/whitmans+sampler.png" /></a></div>
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Looking back, this may have been one of my favorite Christmas gifts ever. I felt so "grown-up" to think that I had an entire box of candy all to myself, to eat whenever I wanted. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGD_GlYGhXbZKNT72UWN6X1AV_Qxk-CRTrrZE9i9h85YeccyqbEzoH_nV82YgB8ROAwN4XwbFruj_jQp8hU1d0LvJCOLEHfhfGQElfJIpdyVIc8B-zjXN-CkSwBjnYJef6Vec-DnqHUPM/s1600/whitmans+sampler2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGD_GlYGhXbZKNT72UWN6X1AV_Qxk-CRTrrZE9i9h85YeccyqbEzoH_nV82YgB8ROAwN4XwbFruj_jQp8hU1d0LvJCOLEHfhfGQElfJIpdyVIc8B-zjXN-CkSwBjnYJef6Vec-DnqHUPM/s1600/whitmans+sampler2.png" /></a></div>
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I love how the inside of the lid had a diagram so you could easily find your favorites. The caramels were first to go, then the ones with the nuts. I would eventually (and by "eventually" I mean within a few hours) get to the fruit crème ones. Those candy coated almonds in the center? Those were last. I only ate those once all the chocolates were gone AND I had already licked all the wrappers.</div>
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Being the chocolate fiend I am, my box was gone pretty quickly and it didn't take long before I started eyeing my sister's. She tried to dissuade me from eating hers by taking each remaining chocolate out of the box and licking it right in front of me. I was undeterred. Seriously, she would have had to pee on them to stop me. I stole quite a few. Sorry, Katie!</div>
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I did get a little bit of candy and gum to put in the boys' stockings this year, hoping they will love it as much as I did. I'm so very excited for Christmas this year - perhaps more so than the boys! It's going to be EPIC!</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-91356572478543456162013-12-16T12:36:00.003-08:002013-12-16T12:36:38.528-08:00Homeschooling Group Christmas PartyI took a couple of pictures, but nothing I care to post. We went to our Homeschool Group's Christmas party this morning. The boys were cranky about getting dressed and out the door so early (9:30am is early for us these days) but eventually got in the car. On the way there, I gave them all a lecture about how I do this stuff NOT for myself, but for THEIR benefit. They listened (I think) but didn't say a word.<br />
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Our Homeschool Group is FABULOUS! They had presentations done by some of the kids on Christmas around the world (Japan, Norway, Columbia and Italy) and then the kids all got to make ornaments. After that, they had a wonderful hot chocolate bar with tons of homemade cookies. It was so nice! <br />
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Afterwards, the boys got to run and play - the highlight of their morning, for sure! - while I chatted with a fellow homeschool mom with three boys, ages 7, 8 and 9. It was great to connect with her and we're already talking about activities for the kids in the new year. <br />
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Apparently there are going to be a bunch of free homeschool classes offered started in January: science, canning and cooking are a few of the subjects. I'm so excited!<br />
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Tomorrow afternoon, I'm taking the boys next door for a class on deer, presented by our neighbor. He is an avid hunter and self-proclaimed "deer expert" so I told him he needs to talk to the boys. I've had them jot down a few questions for him and he has lots of props: deer heads, a ton of antlers and even venison jerky for them to sample. I'll take some pictures there.<br />
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Chris has his schedule for the next couple weeks and it's insane: lots of 12 hour shifts and almost all of them 7pm-7am. It's so hard on him to try to sleep during the day when he has to work the midnight shift and it's also hard on me, trying to keep four active boys quiet. I told Chris I will pray for him and I'm praying for me, too. Life would be so much easier if he had a regular day schedule, but it's not to be for now. At least he does have Christmas Day off and we're so excited to spend it together as a family.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-64281301288450217532013-12-16T12:27:00.001-08:002013-12-16T12:27:27.241-08:00Christmas Cards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've always had a hard time with Christmas cards; I never know quite what to do with them! This year I found an idea on Pinterest that I thought might work and now I don't think I'll ever display them any other way!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1BP1F5ZggqM02t3eIRik4dJP9IMmrt8c5-6dbZaUiVFrx8fnN7HnAlzDZ8hBVoKm8usqpuVjAzzO4-vd3sghfFQ_-TK-w4Ado9tsL27xDw_4fLQCJVEX0FmVbVmJF4TwuPN2wuLK3M0/s1600/IMG_20131214_135121_287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1BP1F5ZggqM02t3eIRik4dJP9IMmrt8c5-6dbZaUiVFrx8fnN7HnAlzDZ8hBVoKm8usqpuVjAzzO4-vd3sghfFQ_-TK-w4Ado9tsL27xDw_4fLQCJVEX0FmVbVmJF4TwuPN2wuLK3M0/s320/IMG_20131214_135121_287.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I found a package of mini clothespins in my craft box and now I just keep them inside the cupboard so I can easily attach any cards that come in. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGdShSCa03f5TLHrIgyXYwJqUXbiB4yJu_8veZG3RfCwCg1TU1YPD8T7rCJCYJ0Yu3Iw3tolP4EHetiVAgazGf-4GI0iZJ7DWOjrxv05-_ucHYf_Rp_7B9i2Wdjl2PDD4CVjZSZNlNkc/s1600/IMG_20131214_135127_010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGdShSCa03f5TLHrIgyXYwJqUXbiB4yJu_8veZG3RfCwCg1TU1YPD8T7rCJCYJ0Yu3Iw3tolP4EHetiVAgazGf-4GI0iZJ7DWOjrxv05-_ucHYf_Rp_7B9i2Wdjl2PDD4CVjZSZNlNkc/s320/IMG_20131214_135127_010.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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I love that now I can see all the beautiful pictures everyone is sending out these days! It will be difficult to take them down at the end of the season.</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-58511793037163310272013-12-14T19:21:00.004-08:002013-12-14T19:21:45.377-08:00Snowy Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
What could be better than spending a cold Saturday morning watching the snow fall? Watching the snow fall on a bunch of guys working.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWb8_ik2I72eSuYkk65fMzJIOeqkSf3YvkOSiyLLuh2qK31a-LJ9VYTxSMifEiLweIWTTerHqPfLvM6QounMAn9zXbFmjaFEc8K4MLTH4mhoQrlLQN3MMzqrvZDJC45dLkFZJg3KrFax4/s1600/IMG_20131214_084435_586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWb8_ik2I72eSuYkk65fMzJIOeqkSf3YvkOSiyLLuh2qK31a-LJ9VYTxSMifEiLweIWTTerHqPfLvM6QounMAn9zXbFmjaFEc8K4MLTH4mhoQrlLQN3MMzqrvZDJC45dLkFZJg3KrFax4/s320/IMG_20131214_084435_586.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>A long time ago I had a sweatshirt that said "I love work: I could sit and watch it for hours." Ain't that the truth?</em></span> </div>
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Three guys with chainsaws made short work of that tree that came down at the</div>
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neighbor's house last month. The trunk is still there, but they cut through all the branches</div>
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and had a big fire going in the middle of the snowstorm. </div>
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It was quite entertaining from the warmth of my living room. Thanks for the show, guys!</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-43968032594914494582013-12-14T19:18:00.001-08:002013-12-14T19:18:09.849-08:00Happy 6th Birthday, William<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I can hardly believe it's been six years since I sat in this house holding my new baby boy. Even though I had spent nine months dreaming of a girl, I fell in love with William immediately. He was the most peaceful baby, totally content to lay on my chest for hours and hours while watching his brothers play. Those first few days with a newborn are so special and with William perhaps even more so, since those days were spent at home rather than in a hospital.</div>
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But as wonderful as he was as a baby, I couldn't have begun to imagine what he'd grow up to be:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9Zl8xOe1qJF_tf0VEdatzAeAD6Rt7CGqs9KXjajcB2I8G99NGrMOmCfqOs6dRqOYc6pabooUWfEMlYCDHPZ4LUR0Od9AoTbE9mJno7DqoORDMMRhEmglx9iZtydhQWYkKYJPYmY4ObU/s1600/IMG_20131212_192153_940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9Zl8xOe1qJF_tf0VEdatzAeAD6Rt7CGqs9KXjajcB2I8G99NGrMOmCfqOs6dRqOYc6pabooUWfEMlYCDHPZ4LUR0Od9AoTbE9mJno7DqoORDMMRhEmglx9iZtydhQWYkKYJPYmY4ObU/s320/IMG_20131212_192153_940.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My William has the sweetest, most generous heart of just about anyone I know. Everyone who meets him tells me what a sweet soul he has. He is on fire for Jesus and has been for a few years now. He is in Sparks at AWANA this year and has already ripped through over half of his first book, a book that's supposed to last all year. He already knows all the books of the New Testament in order, which is amazing for a little boy of barely six years old.</div>
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He is driven to learn and that makes me think he will be a huge success in life. He tries to keep up with his older brothers in school, so has jumped onto the two computer programs they use daily: Seterra.net and Xtramath.org. If you ask him where Kansas is on a map he can point it out and can also tell you what 6+5 is. Amazing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabx13kkECr6oNWOVKhhP6cggh9G_QioG3JFNO_hPi_xaGcXqSaeVmmyDJM8D8z84qzEdahFwJ9Rglp_YcDtVCh1k82ajUh9786S5hfvq3xVF9uFIYZsCGrYQcIU83wPPR_TQ-un36Ksw/s1600/IMG_20131212_192200_340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabx13kkECr6oNWOVKhhP6cggh9G_QioG3JFNO_hPi_xaGcXqSaeVmmyDJM8D8z84qzEdahFwJ9Rglp_YcDtVCh1k82ajUh9786S5hfvq3xVF9uFIYZsCGrYQcIU83wPPR_TQ-un36Ksw/s320/IMG_20131212_192200_340.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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For his birthday we spent Friday at Stonefire Pizza Company and that was fun for all of us. Our friend, Darcy, stopped by for lunch since she works just down the road. She adores William - always has - and couldn't miss the chance to see him on his birthday. The boys all had a really good time. I just love that we celebrate birthdays as a family and don't spend a bunch of money on toys. Really, when you have three brothers you don't even need any toys.</div>
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But we had to get him a little something...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDecuAHsuY0GXEiK5614lRGXMTMDuAvPQVFLn2W8PJ8BAL_6ylAksrRG9fP6yYwIU-kRn3ortgEbhbWx737NffLiAY4O62OI02bh84lxhC2Py8YpkJTreKAXKuB5U1mmJ2i3a3ja0ano/s1600/IMG_20131214_091545_393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDecuAHsuY0GXEiK5614lRGXMTMDuAvPQVFLn2W8PJ8BAL_6ylAksrRG9fP6yYwIU-kRn3ortgEbhbWx737NffLiAY4O62OI02bh84lxhC2Py8YpkJTreKAXKuB5U1mmJ2i3a3ja0ano/s320/IMG_20131214_091545_393.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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We screwed up by not getting ANYTHING for Luke for his birthday back in September and thought because he's only four, he wouldn't notice or would forget. Boy, were we wrong! Pathetic comments from him here and there over the last couple months guilted us into getting him something and giving it to him yesterday. They just love playing Superheroes together!</div>
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Happy Birthday to my Sweet William! I love you more than you'll ever know!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-22090805932081449692013-12-13T08:12:00.001-08:002013-12-13T08:12:47.240-08:00Time to Party!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'll do a sappy post tomorrow about the six wonderful years we've had William, but today is for celebrating. We are headed to Stonefire Pizza Company for the day, which is where we went last year, too. </div>
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But for now I'll leave you just with a couple of my favorite pictures of the day he was born, December 14, 2007.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuN1KJykD0-E3TsW_mysMqlt404-Jbc241ptMvBX8FypugXW8DNvLFK4GiulATxHD8BQ2qCjfRHLQS2KJn3hEmK-h0LMa8CKUFk6jZX2-S2uAZNahQvpJHC7ZO3hiPfl3qjFRG4WwUKg/s1600/william+side+by+side.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuN1KJykD0-E3TsW_mysMqlt404-Jbc241ptMvBX8FypugXW8DNvLFK4GiulATxHD8BQ2qCjfRHLQS2KJn3hEmK-h0LMa8CKUFk6jZX2-S2uAZNahQvpJHC7ZO3hiPfl3qjFRG4WwUKg/s320/william+side+by+side.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-76864129360518236312013-12-13T08:10:00.002-08:002013-12-13T08:10:31.290-08:00Haircuts!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I can't begin to tell you how happy I was when Chris pulled out the clippers yesterday. All four of the boys were WAY overdue for a "mowing," as my neighbor calls it. It's not the best picture, but they are all looking fantastic now.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPsFEXhD4no_Hmc_sD9zzH-hZjHuBmTD4Kz-iGLLYlXIaJ-kGUN_9PPiMVABiZa-__t5QmmRpOZe7f6MEKL_i_nPJO5Y0jQ4nIh2-WLZh39JwPfWYw9Qd9JWAG81-xhai62tLV0FPDGE/s1600/christmas+haircuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPsFEXhD4no_Hmc_sD9zzH-hZjHuBmTD4Kz-iGLLYlXIaJ-kGUN_9PPiMVABiZa-__t5QmmRpOZe7f6MEKL_i_nPJO5Y0jQ4nIh2-WLZh39JwPfWYw9Qd9JWAG81-xhai62tLV0FPDGE/s320/christmas+haircuts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What a blessing it is that Chris cuts their hair. It literally saves us hundreds of dollars a year! </div>
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Add to that the savings that my wonderful friend, Darcy, does my hair (color and cuts) </div>
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at no charge and we are very, very blessed indeed!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7561753151546159180.post-10940740990673843822013-12-11T12:08:00.002-08:002013-12-11T12:08:56.440-08:00Some last minute Christmas shopping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was so glad to have most of my Christmas shopping out of the way before Thanksgiving. Going to Michigan gave me the push I needed to at least buy for the relatives there so I could take the wrapped gifts myself, rather than pay to have them shipped. Gift cards seem so impersonal to me, so I prefer to have a wrapped gift for everyone. </div>
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I think I did pretty well with the custom address stamps I had made for the adults in the family. My sister and brother opened theirs while I was there so I'm hoping to see them put to use if/when I receive their Christmas cards in the mail. (Mine already went out - sometimes I amaze myself!)</div>
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Since the big gifts for the boys this year is actually kind of small in size (tablets) I was looking for something to bulk up the presentation for Christmas morning. I know the boys will absolutely LOVE the tablets and that we probably couldn't have gotten them anything they'd want more, but both Chris and I agree that we like to have a WOW pile for them under the tree in the morning. We will wrap the tablets in really large boxes he's getting from work, but I needed a little more. </div>
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Enter, the LL Bean Catalog with these little beauties:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeinobPQ-iimGBpuxYslcXkLivlkBWZnt3oOgxGPakXSur6bCRPIDMQ8rfRDjeb6pk7BUC6kfJPvF_9sRWOPVqDcyqdNWwZFjPgMZJIDoWhAWFLsIbLCgtajPaP7e-2pravYKdgh8GA4/s1600/sleds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeinobPQ-iimGBpuxYslcXkLivlkBWZnt3oOgxGPakXSur6bCRPIDMQ8rfRDjeb6pk7BUC6kfJPvF_9sRWOPVqDcyqdNWwZFjPgMZJIDoWhAWFLsIbLCgtajPaP7e-2pravYKdgh8GA4/s320/sleds.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
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They're called Slope Sliders and it was only $24.95 for ALL FOUR of them! Plus, my catalog came with a $10 off promotional code AND free shipping! Can't beat that!!! I read the reviews and people loved that they're so light kids can carry them up the hills by themselves with that handle. That was all I needed to know! This might actually be our first year that Chris and I won't have to drag a kid in a sled back up the hill. We're getting WAY too old for that!</div>
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I think both Chris and I are more excited for Christmas this year than the boys are, but that's because we already know how THRILLED they're going to be with what they get. </div>
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Giving is soooo much better than receiving!</div>
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Chris is allowing me to go shopping tomorrow afternoon before I have a work appointment and that's when I will pick up William's birthday gift; we're celebrating his birthday on Friday.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0