tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80173705393903966412024-03-13T20:10:59.614-07:00I'd Rather Be Barefoot...Taking Life One Step At a Time.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-73867343862550164812016-04-21T13:50:00.001-07:002016-04-21T13:50:05.940-07:00Beauty....the Ugly Truth<span style="color: red;">If there's one thing I've learned over the past 3 years it is that I am not in control. I repeat-NOT in control. That's tough for a Type A like myself. There are lots of things I lose control of all the time. Here are a few fun ones:</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">1. My Emotions</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">2. My Temper</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">3. My Attitude</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">4. My Words</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">5. My Reactions</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">I could go on a bit longer but why do that? When I began to lose control of my body and health about 3 years ago, it was the most frustrated I had ever been. It started small. Allergic reactions here and there to things I'd never been allergic to. Constant colds and sinus infections. Depression and severe mood swings. Weight gain in my mid-section only. All of these things just started appearing out of the blue. After multiple diagnoses, lots of medications, and lots of money later, I now know and have control of my body again (no thanks to the medications, mind you). Sure it wasn't the answer I wanted to hear, but the answer could have been far worse. And I must admit, though not easy, the changes I have made in my life have been the most beneficial changes I could have ever made. The biggest change for me has been realizing that although there are hundreds of things I can't control, there are 2 things that I can control. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">*I can control what goes IN my body.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">*I can control what goes ON my body.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Celiac Disease dictates what goes IN my body, but I have decided to take it one step further and begin to control more of what goes ON my body. Why? Because my health matters to me. It matters to my family. It matters to my friends. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">As I began my elimination diet, I really looked (for the first time) into the products I use every day. I love products. My mother is a PRODUCT JUNKY so I get it honest, but she beats me hands down in the product war. What I didn't love as I begin to research were the scary statistics I began to see about the personal care product industry, specifically the cosmetic industry.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">I sat with my mouth gaping open as I watched and listened to the CEO of Beautycounter talk about the cosmetic industry. The following information comes from her research.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Let's do a little question/answer session, shall we? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: lime;">Q: When was the last year that the federal government actually regulated what the cosmetic industry puts into their products?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: lime;">A: Although we would hope the answer is 2015 the actual answer is 1938. 1938.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Q: How many chemicals have been introduced in the United States since World War II?</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">A: A staggering 80,000</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Q: How many of those said chemicals are actually tested for safety?</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">A: 90% of those chemicals are NEVER tested for safety yet they go in our products (and are sprayed all over our food).</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">Q: Europe has banned 1,300 chemicals from its personal care products. How many have the United States banned?</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">A: 11. Yes. Eleven.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">To go along with that information, statistics show that 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. It used to be about 1 in 20.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">1 in 3 children will be diagnosed with autism, some form of ADD, or severe allergies or asthma. It used to be about 1 in 7.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Is this about over diagnosing?</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"> Are our genetics changing? </span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">I believe it's far more reasonable to say that the change is coming from our environment.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">We are all concerned about testing products on animals, yet we are now the ones that these products are being tested on. Companies can declare anything they want to be "natural and organic" because there are no federal laws governing them. <b> I want products that are safe.</b> I <b><u>deserve</u></b> products that are safe! </span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">BeautyCounter is one of the first lines that I have found that actually has a "Never List". This list contains 1,500 ingredients that will NEVER be a part of their products. These ingredients are chemicals that are linked to cancer, infertility, childhood diseases, and allergies. Beautycounter is partnered with Gwyneth Paltrow's line <i>Goop</i> but a little more budget friendly than ol' Gwyneth's products. At first, I was hesitant to try the products because I've had my share of less than desirable products. It's that product graveyard in my drawer that I empty out every 6 months. I've been thrilled to finally find something that I love AND that I can feel safe putting on my skin. Trust me, I've been asked to sell every product known to man. I'm not a sales person. I don't like asking people to spend money or buy things. At heart, I'm an educator. That's what this opportunity is for me. It's a way to educate people about something I am learning about through my own experience.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">You and I may not have very much in common, but I'm sure every person who reads this blog knows someone with cancer, someone with severe allergies, someone who has struggled with infertility or someone who has a child with ADD or autism. These issues are rising at a staggering pace. And ladies, this goes beyond makeup (even though the makeup I use from them is FAB)! This goes into what we put on our children, the bubble bath we sit them in at night, and the sunscreen we lather on them during the summer. Even if what I do by using these products is the smallest way to help, it's still something I can do to help.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><u>CHALLENGE:</u></b> </span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">1. Read the labels on your products. Know what is in them.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">2. Research for yourself! Check out www.beautycounter.com to see that "never" list. They also list every ingredient in their products from A-Z.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">3. Let me know if you are interested in trying these safe products for yourself or for your family. I can tell you my TOP 5 products that I absolutely love.</span></div>
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4. Watch for yourself. Go to You Tube and search 'The Ugly Truth About the Beauty Industry'. You'll hear Gregg speak more on this topic and do a much better job than my ramblings.</div>
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Most importantly, remember that we have the power to change the products that are being provided to us! Choose wisely. Yes, they may be more expensive, but so are medications, surgeries, and treatments. Start small. Do what you can. Every little change matters.</div>
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XOXO!!!</div>
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Amanda</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-49054671271566446632016-02-11T14:32:00.001-08:002016-02-11T14:32:18.534-08:00The Crowd<span style="color: red;">Alright, Alright....we lost. I've moved on now, but boy was I devastated on Sunday night! I've been a Panthers fan for as long as the team has been around and was so thrilled to see MY team in the Super Bowl! For years, I've watched the Super Bowl because I like football, but deep down I really could have cared less who won. This year I was invested! I had the right spirit wear, the right food, and I just knew this was our year to bring home a victory. The saddest part of the night was tucking my crying 9 year old super fan into bed. He just didn't understand how we could lose, and I didn't have an answer for him except that sometimes we all lose. That's a hard concept for a little guy to accept. He hugged Sir Purr a little tighter that night as he slept.:) </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">As sad as I was for the loss that night, I was even more sad in the days that followed to experience the true aftermath of a major athletic competition. I'm sure it happens every year, but this year was so personal because that was MY quarterback and MY team that everyone was talking about! I'm not writing this post to defend anyone or say who is right or who is wrong. I'm writing this because as I was watching post after post after post, it reminded me so strongly of Jesus. <strong>(Trending Facebook Post: Amanda Mallery equates Cam Newton to Jesus...you won't believe what happens next!)</strong> It was mind boggling to me to see such hatred pour out of people who otherwise probably hadn't said much about Cam Newton in the past year. People started picking out every questionable facial expression, every instance of negative body language, and literally tearing this professional athlete to shreds. Forget every kind gesture Cam has made on the field, every hour of community service he has done that none of us know about, or the way cameras captured him kindly congratulating Peyton on the field after the game. This man is immature, disrespectful, arrogant, and deserved to lose. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">How does this remind me of Jesus? I'm always drawn to Palm Sunday. It was one of my favorite holidays as a kid. Our church always celebrated it with palm leaves, dancing children, and a dad-blasted DONKEY! Yes, this live donkey would march down the church aisles with a poor man (Jesus impersonator) riding awkwardly on its back hoping that the thing wouldn't just stop and relieve itself in the aisle (and one year it did)! We would sing and shout "Hosanna" and wave our palm branches as Jesus walked by us. The unbelievable thing to me as a child was that this day actually happened in history! This man who had done countless good things for people was loved and adored by not only his inner circle but by strangers as well! What a crowd! How loved he must have felt! However, I wonder if some of that love, joy and adoration made Jesus wince just a little bit. In His infinite knowledge, Jesus knew these same people would soon turn on him in a moment's notice. The same crowd yelling "Hosanna" would soon be yelling "Criminal". The palm leaves would be traded in for whips and the donkey would be traded for a splintered cross. Imagine looking into the same crowd of faces days later and seeing hatred where there once was love, profanity where there once was praise, and ultimate rejection where there once was ultimate acceptance. How quickly these people, this crowd, were influenced and how quickly they turned. Are we the crowd???</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Now, I'm not saying Cam Newton performs miracles or heals people with his touch. There's a big difference between Jesus and Cam. There's a big difference between Jesus and all of us. Jesus was perfect. I do think that we can relate ourselves to the crowd though. How quickly I turn at times when my prayers aren't answered the way I want them to be. How quickly I can turn when bad things happen to good people and bad people are rewarded with good things. How quickly I begin to point out all the mistakes and flaws my friends have when one of them hurts my feelings or leaves me out. It's scary how easily I see everyone else's problems, but sometimes I refuse to identify problems within myself. When I think of that press conference that Cam did after losing, I placed myself in his seat and I knew exactly what my competitive self would have done. I have a terrible attitude after my son loses at hockey. If I was the main face for losing the biggest game of my career so far and they kept asking me why I lost, I'm almost positive I would have said something to the tune of "I don't know <strike>moron</strike>. Why don't you get your <strike>butt</strike> on the field, give it a try, and let me know." I may have even flipped the bird (just being honest). I know my husband is shaking his head in agreement because he knows it's true. It's a weakness of mine but guess what? We all have them. Weaknesses. Things we stink at. Things we struggle with. Things we pout over and stew about and never move past. We are human. So is Cam. So is Peyton. So is Odell Beckham Jr. (as much as I don't like him) and every other person in the spotlight...including presidential candidates (sensitive spot for some). We make bad choices, immature decisions, and emotional reactions. Why do we not expect and allow for others to do the same? </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">To me, one of the saddest realities of the death of Jesus was that His death was at the hands of his followers. At the hands of his friends. Even though He knew it was coming, it had to hurt even worse knowing who it was coming from. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">It's ironic to me that one of the saddest realities of our human existence today is the tearing down, degradation, and assault of people....by other people. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Fortunately, most everyone in Facebook land has moved on to bigger issues such as Beyoncé's performance, Jim McIntyre's bad decision making, and the always exciting presidential debates. I hope we can all exercise a little more "crowd control" in the future. It's easy to tear down. Let's try building up next time OR just exhibiting a little self control. My FB news feed and my blood pressure sure would appreciate it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">**And for those who like to say that they used Cam Newton as a way to teach their children a life lesson in how not to act....kudos to you! I used <strong>your</strong> posts to teach my child how NOT to act on social media. I call that a WIN WIN!! </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Amanda</span><br />
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-19776732007929598462015-07-12T19:01:00.001-07:002015-07-12T19:01:30.579-07:00A New (Expensive) Journey<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red;"><strong>2 small bags of gluten-free snacks from Earth Fare: $100.00</strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: red;">And so begins the journey.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: red;">A few years ago I started noticing small food allergies. My lips would blister and swell when I ate Thai food. Chinese food made me feel like I was legitimately having a stroke. I determined perhaps I was allergic to Thai food and after paying a little more attention determined I was also allergic to MSG. I probably still have those food allergies....now with a much bigger one attached. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Fast forward to a few months ago and a 10 pound weight gain in my stomach only and I realized I may have a bigger problem. Food was becoming my enemy. If I could make it through the day without eating at all I would have done it! Unfortunately, I become quite HANGRY when I don't eat so I continued to eat my normal foods with the terrible side effects afterwards. I actually can't believe I'm posting this picture, but it helps to show what certain foods were doing to my body. Granted, no one has ever accused me of having a 6 pack, but my stomach has only looked like this once before and it was December of 2006 when I was 9 months pregnant!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was me after a veggie burger, salad, and water. Yep...9 months pregnant....but not pregnant.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">I was so incredibly miserable after every meal. I would spend my nights sweating and writhing in pain. My bladder became so weak I could barely go an hour without using the bathroom (and for a teacher, that spells trouble). I had terrible heartburn and indigestion. I was so fatigued that I was falling asleep behind the wheel of my car in the middle of the day. I basically had every symptom of being pregnant without the fetus inside! KJ was so alarmed after meals when he would look at my stomach and feel how rock hard it was. I knew something was very wrong with my body but I had no idea what it could be.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Long story short, I had blood work done about 2 weeks ago and sure enough my levels came back abnormal. The disease it pointed to was Celiac. I had heard of it before, but had no clue what all it entailed. I was scheduled for an endoscopy to biopsy tissue from my small intestine. I had this procedure done this past Friday. I had a nice anesthesiologist and a very nice nap. The doctor came to see us in recovery and said she doesn't normally like to make a diagnosis before the biopsy comes back, but there was more than sufficient evidence that showed the effects of Celiac disease in my body. I immediately knew that although this "gluten free" thing may be a fad for some, it was about to become a required lifestyle for me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">So.....there we have it. Food really was poisoning my body! It's hard to think about changing my food for the rest of my life, so I just have to take it one day at a time. It will be expensive, inconvenient, annoying, and frustrating, but it can be done and I can do it. I will be the annoying person at restaurants, the friend at the party who "can't eat that", but I will also hopefully start to feel better, sleep better, have more energy and not be carrying the literal weight of what gluten filled foods do to me. This auto-immune disease stops here.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">I'm on day 2 of my journey and I've already stood in the aisles of the grocery store and cried. My budget can't afford this lifestyle, but I have the support of a loving husband-to-be who will excitedly eat gluten free with me even when he doesn't have to and family who I know will support me with ideas, recipes, and healthy cooking when I'm with them. I also have the cutest 8 year old who asks me "Is that gluten free?" before I put anything in my mouth...ha! He's so concerned!</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">What is your job? IF you have any experience in this area at all please send me anything you think would be helpful! Tips, recipes, snacks, restaurant ideas, etc.! I'd love to hear from you!</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">My tip: Gluten Free Donuts are Bomb-Diggity. That's really all I've learned so far! :)</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Amanda</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">#glutenisthedevil</span></div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-23321995289212366332014-06-05T09:52:00.001-07:002014-06-05T09:52:40.790-07:00
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Good Night a Livin...if you only knew how long it took me to publish this blog! When you don't post in over a year, it's a nightmare to try to post. Thanks, Google Security!</span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> <span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">To
finally sit down and write about my experiences in the past 18 months is overwhelming,
yet I find it so exciting I can hardly control my fingers on the keyboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not because I am thrilled to share it, and
certainly not because I have had the best 18 months of my life, but more
because I have accepted this time in my life and I’m really just ready to lay
it all on the table and…not to overuse a phrase that’s been overused lately
but…let it go!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I thought about
writing this journey in a blog, it came to me in stages and that’s exactly how I will
write it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I’m titling this first
stage <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Declaration</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The organized <strike>nerd</strike> in me likes things that all start
with the same letter, so all the other stages to follow will also start with a
D.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesssssss!!!!! </span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think when you go through something as
traumatic as a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Divorce</b>, you
experience all kinds of stages from the very beginning to way past the actual
finality of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Divorce</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some of you, the past sentence has
already rocked your world because you had no idea I am <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Divorced</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I have
been…I am …and will always have that stigmatism with me for the rest of my life
(there’s my declaration).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll always
have to answer those awkward questions that come up every once in a while,
always have to give a little more explanation in certain situations, and always
have to feel that little sense of failure that the people pleaser in me hates
to feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do think that after writing
this, I will be able to move on in a way I haven’t yet<strong>. </strong>Part of moving on happens when you accept responsibility.<strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I accept full responsibility for the demise
of my marriage.</strong> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eighteen months ago,
I would not and could not have said that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, I’ve learned that the blame game gets me nowhere, finger
pointing only points out more flaws in me, and trying to prove something only
makes me frustrated.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please understand, I am writing this for
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is my journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not yours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These were my choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one else’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do
not need your sympathy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not need
your approval or disapproval.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
need you to delete me off your friend list on Facebook...or add me for that
matter!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t need you to invite me to
church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t need you to ignore me in
public or give me the silent treatment or refuse to wish me well on my birthday
or other special holidays. I don’t need to be excluded from the invitation list
because I “no longer really have a family to come with”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t need to be the topic of your conversation…although
I’m flattered you would think to talk about me! I don't need to be called "disgusting" or a "homewrecker".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve experienced all those things
already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I need from you is to keep
being exactly who you have been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because
I’ve realized that when you are at your darkest, only a handful of people walk
with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only a handful of people can
handle your imperfect-ness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only a handful
of people are actually brave enough to ask and listen to all the gory details
without being offended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only a few
choice people can love you the same way they did before you disappointed
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only a choice few know…really
know…all of the stages I have been through in this process, and I definitely
owe them countless hours of therapy payments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So there’s my post for today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Declaration</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you could see the tears I’ve cried typing
out this stage, you’ll know why I can only write about 1 stage at a time. Even typing the words is hard. I don't know why, but it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those of you who had no idea, I’m sorry
to hit you with this on the gloomiest day we’ve seen in TN this summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those of you who already know, I hope
these next few posts shed a little more light on the pain of divorce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a sin, and apparently it’s considered a
BIG 10 sin (you know, we Christians love to rank our sins), but it’s a sin that
a large percentage of people are dealing with, and at the end of the day I hope
you can remember that they (we) are people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sinful people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each with our own set of sins that we deal
with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My sin is ugly and public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your sin may be private, but it’s still just
as ugly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So while you sit and watch
pornography in the privacy of your home, or put another five thousand dollars
on your credit card for your spending addiction, or continue to steal Internet
or cable from your neighbor, I’ll continue to deal with my sin of divorce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that’s a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Declaration</b>….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-40748733780934208882013-05-25T06:44:00.000-07:002013-05-25T06:44:24.001-07:00The Great Pretender<span style="color: red;">Let's just go ahead and get it out of the way. You are all saying..."long time, no blog"...yeah, yeah. I get it. Now get over it and read. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong>The Great Pretender</strong> is a song I remember listening to when I was younger. I grew up listening to Oldies...every day...all day. Reason? My dad was a kick butt lead singer in a band called The Spontaines and sang with all kinds of cool "oldie" people, so we listened to Oldies. And I loved it. No complaining here. It was magical to drive around in our large...emerald green...white cracking leather seated.... Cordoba (yes you read that right).... where the horn had a short in it and would honk randomly while driving...all the while listening to great old songs from the 50's and 60's. I can honestly say that I still love that music...and shockingly still know most of the words.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">So..back to <strong>The Great Pretender</strong>...that song is all about being sad and lost, but pretending that everything is ok. This is me. I've known it my whole life. I'm just now, at 32, willing to accept it and do something about it. I also know it about other people. If I'm pretending in certain situations, then I know others are too. Society forces us to. Human nature forces us to. Even the people we love the most force us to pretend some times. And in some situations, pretending is good! Lord knows if we all acted like we wanted to in every situation, or said what we really wanted to in every situation, none of us would have any friends! NONE. :) So, here are my thoughts on pretending and what I've learned over the past several months. As always, these are my thoughts. You don't have to agree with them or like them, but most of the responses I get are always things like ..."you read my mind"...."you said exactly what I've been thinking".....and those make me smile. I'm willing to deal with the small backlash I always get to speak my mind....I can live with that...or pretend to anyways. ;)</span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">1.) Pretending is a part of life.</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;"> We are forced from a young age to pretend. "Use your imagination"...."pretend you are a princess"...."let's play pretend"! Some of you even had imaginary friends...I'm going to pretend like that 's normal...but I'm really not so sure. :) Some kids are forced to pretend just to survive daily life. They live a life no child should have to live and the only escape for them is possibly to pretend. Pretend they are living another life...pretend things that are happening to them really aren't. Others of us pretended at a young age simply because it was fun. I'm not sure at what age pretending goes from fun to frustrating, but it does at some point. At some point we are told that we have to stop pretending and start being honest. Honesty then becomes a huge issue and we are forced to just immediately stop playing pretend and live our lives not playing games any more. I wonder why the transition is hard for all of us? ;)</span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">2.) People pretend to like us and we pretend to like other people.</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;"> Were you ever forced as a child to play with someone? To invite someone to a party? To pretend to like a family member? (ha!) The answer should be a resounding YES. I do the same thing as a mother to Noah. "Noah...go play with him!" "Noah...BE NICE!" I get that look from him like "For heaven's sake mom, I DON'T WANT TO!!!" and yet I still push him to pretend. It's my way of thinking I am making Noah a better person by loving everyone, but let's just be honest...I am forcing him to make choices and act a certain way for me and not for himself. (Note to readers: I am not in any way saying it is ok for my child to be mean to another child...but I shouldn't force him to be best friends with someone he doesn't like...get it?) </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">It's a hard pill to swallow thinking that people pretend to like us. I feel like, for the most part, that people are generally nice to me. If I had to make a list right now of people who just didn't like me at all, I don't know that I could come up with anyone. Ok...maybe 2? I don't know. The reality is...there are probably multiple people I could put on that list if people stopped pretending. We've all experienced the horrible feeling of thinking someone is your friend and then finding out how they really feel...right? That's a part of life. It hurts, it sucks...but it's reality. Sometimes we just don't click with people. We force friendships, force relationships, and know in our hearts that we just really don't like that person and they really don't like us...but we continue to play the game every time we see them. It's the right way to handle the situation. I don't feel there is ever any reason to just be mean to someone, but it's still all a game. A big game of pretend.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">3.) We pretend like everything is always OK.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">I AM THE MASTER OF THIS. DO NOT DARE TRY TO TAKE AWAY MY TITLE. I WILL WIN EVERY DAY...EVERY TIME.</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Someone I love dearly told me last week that one of the things she admires most about me is that no matter what I am going through (hell at the moment, by the way) that I come to work every day with a smile on my face and a cheerful attitude and no one would ever know I am hurting. I was thankful she admires that in me...but then I thought...doesn't that make me a BIG FAT LIAR???? The more I thought about it, the more I don't think that is the case. We can't drag our baggage into work. I have a job to do...kids to love...and things to teach. In essence, I am "on stage" every day at my job. I can't crawl into my cubicle, lay my head on my desk, or go into the bathroom stall and let it all out. I have to pretend I am ok so that my kids can get through their day with happiness and joy...my main goal as a teacher. We learn to pretend to adapt to our situations. We pretend so we don't lose our jobs. We pretend so we don't lose friends. No one wants Debby Downer as a friend, right? You know that person...you avoid them at the grocery store because the second you ask.."How Are You?"...you regret it ....big time. By the time they finish their woeful story, your ice cream has melted in your buggy and you hate your own life too. How did that happen? ;) But we don't want that person to be honest...we literally want that "I'm good" answer even if they aren't good. Why is that? I think it's because sometimes hearing what people are going through is just plain uncomfortable for us. What can we do to help? Say "I'll pray for you" and then we don't. Say "let me know if you need anything" and then cross your fingers that they don't call and actually need something. Yep...I think if we were honest, that's exactly what most of us do.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">4.) My Point</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Lord, I ramble. My point is....don't be a pretender all the time. Find those people you can be 100% honest with. Pretend when you have to...to keep your job...to keep out of the looney bin (although time away would be nice..ha!)...you know those important times. :) I've done a lot of pretending in my life and it's coming back to bite me in the you know where. I'm ok with it now..it's a part of life...a part of my life and a part of my "growing up" you could say. Everything that happnes in our lives is a part of our story. I wouldn't change a thing about my life. Why would I want to? It's brought me here. It's helped me help others. It's forced me to be a better person...a better me. </span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">Final Thought: I'm done pretending. So I'll totally understand if you avoid me like the plague at the grocery store. ;)</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;"></span><br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-81294484247583875962012-12-31T20:25:00.002-08:002012-12-31T20:25:10.868-08:00A Kodak Moment....Happy New Year, Faithful Readers...all 10 of you! I have officially been blogging a year and I must say I did better at it then I thought I would. You see...I like to start projects, but usually struggle in finishing them. <br />
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You all know how I feel about resolutions. I just set myself up for failure when I make resolutions, therefore I don't. I certainly have things I want to work on this next year, but I would rather take life one day at a time. I always get nervous for new years to start. 2012 has been a good year for us and I always wonder what the next year will bring. Will it be better? Worse? Hmmm....we shall see. Whatever the new year brings, I know I am thankful to be healthy and alive to experience it.<br />
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I thought I would end this year's posts with my favorite pictures from each month. Looking back on these photos brings back so many memories. That's why I'm such a picture taker...how in the world would you remember an entire year without pictures? <br />
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So enjoy these monthly pictures...I hope they make you think back on your year as well. Our family is not perfect and our lives are not perfect, but we do enjoy life. I hope you plan on doing the same in 2013!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FmJc0DEUKu0/UOJbDTU5idI/AAAAAAAABIk/41OB9paeBxc/s1600/January+2012+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FmJc0DEUKu0/UOJbDTU5idI/AAAAAAAABIk/41OB9paeBxc/s400/January+2012+069.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">January: This picture makes me laugh. Emily and I were so leary of who was in that costume. YIKES!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M6d1uAhmZuw/UOJb1s7x2xI/AAAAAAAABI0/oU0UG4eJSdY/s1600/Sharks+Game+February+2012+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M6d1uAhmZuw/UOJb1s7x2xI/AAAAAAAABI0/oU0UG4eJSdY/s400/Sharks+Game+February+2012+023.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">February: Celebrating with my dear friend, Beth, on the arrival of her miracle, Delaney Jane.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fKqw89BXI5A/UOJcroX5z3I/AAAAAAAABJA/Y8305TM46L8/s1600/Brad+Paisley+Concert+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fKqw89BXI5A/UOJcroX5z3I/AAAAAAAABJA/Y8305TM46L8/s400/Brad+Paisley+Concert+031.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">March: Brad Paisley with the girls. A fab night almost ruined by tornados. Glad we got to rock our cowboy boots!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RGPeCgEHkdM/UOJdSAsIHwI/AAAAAAAABJ0/puGLUXRg7B4/s1600/Easter+2012+135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RGPeCgEHkdM/UOJdSAsIHwI/AAAAAAAABJ0/puGLUXRg7B4/s400/Easter+2012+135.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">April: Easter with my family and the large snake that decided to move into our front porch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jMADKTcCeGs/UOJeORFrQrI/AAAAAAAABKE/c-89ggYZb5M/s1600/Field+Day+2012+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jMADKTcCeGs/UOJeORFrQrI/AAAAAAAABKE/c-89ggYZb5M/s400/Field+Day+2012+014.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May: Field Day with my sweethearts. Loved watching them "play" their hearts out!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8UlgDX10AUo/UOJe_ZTwIaI/AAAAAAAABKU/WQJLBof5uZA/s1600/Hawaii+Vacation+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8UlgDX10AUo/UOJe_ZTwIaI/AAAAAAAABKU/WQJLBof5uZA/s400/Hawaii+Vacation+063.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June: Our anniversary trip to Kauai. This picture represents my happiest place...any beach...any where.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s3VDYZkTExQ/UOJgqbkIK4I/AAAAAAAABLI/Zg3KZItVQXw/s1600/Camp-New+York+2012+108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s3VDYZkTExQ/UOJgqbkIK4I/AAAAAAAABLI/Zg3KZItVQXw/s400/Camp-New+York+2012+108.JPG" width="306" /></a></div>
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July: So many pictures to choose from this month, but this little man stole my heart on this trip. So blessed to have him as my nephew.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PAbzsUHZTvk/UOJhJKBO0GI/AAAAAAAABLQ/jsCol7Ma8ho/s1600/Amanda's+32nd+Birthday+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PAbzsUHZTvk/UOJhJKBO0GI/AAAAAAAABLQ/jsCol7Ma8ho/s400/Amanda's+32nd+Birthday+029.JPG" width="387" /></a></div>
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August: I love this picture of my birthday night. It reminds me that I love to meet new people...I think our funny glasses connected us. ;)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4uMZVa98rz0/UOJh6EDwG0I/AAAAAAAABLc/7ubZmDdDJqk/s1600/August+2012+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4uMZVa98rz0/UOJh6EDwG0I/AAAAAAAABLc/7ubZmDdDJqk/s400/August+2012+003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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September: Our last official lake/pool day of the season. So many great memories spent by the water this past summer.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ucb3-ZCPE30/UOJiO62Oi7I/AAAAAAAABLk/b6YpUcruYjQ/s1600/Disney+2012+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ucb3-ZCPE30/UOJiO62Oi7I/AAAAAAAABLk/b6YpUcruYjQ/s400/Disney+2012+046.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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October: My parents first time at Disney World! Priceless family time.<br />
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November: Well...kind of October...but this was close to November 1st. Loved my boys' costumes this year!<br />
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December: Sheesh. I don't even know how to describe how much I love this picture. I won't try. Thank you Leah Price Photography for capturing the love between Noah and I. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So from my family to yours, Happy New Year! Enjoy every season, every month, every week, every day....and for goodness sake...take pictures!!! I'm so glad I captured these moments!</span></div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-49213397887806376792012-12-18T20:59:00.001-08:002012-12-18T20:59:14.903-08:006 Years Ago....My darling Noah,<br />
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6 years ago today we waited with expectation for you. Nervousness....anxiety....impatience....as you waited and waited...and waited to come. You were not early, nor were you on time. You came late...you came when you wanted to...when doctors forced you to. I'm convinced you were doing it on purpose already to your "I hate being late" mother. :) A sign of things to come.....<br />
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5 years ago today we celebrated your first birthday. Slews of people came to celebrate with you. It was Western theme...you were our little cowboy. You made a mess of your cake...threw it at your party guests....laughing the whole time. A sign of things to come....<br />
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4 years ago today you turned two! Boy, was it a circus! We worked so hard to transform our basement into the perfect circus for our boy. Bouncy houses, games and pinattas....you shot people with the ping-pong gun. A sign of things to come....<br />
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3 years ago today we watched you turn 3! You wanted a shark themed birthday. We "Shark-Taled" it up. You wanted a cookie cake...we got the biggest one they made. We bought you underwear and made you giggle. You threw your new underwear at your friends. A sign of things to come...<br />
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2 years ago you were our Superhero! You turned 4 along with Captain America, the Hulk, and Iron Man. You begged for bounce house...we obliged. You wanted me to make your cupcakes...I did....and they rocked (if I do say so myself). You got in trouble for climbing on top of the bounce house. A sign of things to come.<br />
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1 year ago Chuck E. Cheese was no longer avoidable. It was your 5th birthday and we entered the 7th layer of hell on a Friday night at CEC. You wore a shirt that lit up to music...it was rad. You played with every single one of your friends and tried to make them all feel included. I cheated in the ticket blaster and got in trouble with the waitress. A sign of things to come....wait....<br />
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And this year, on your 6th birthday, you made an ultra-fabulous gingerbread house at school yesterday. Your teacher is amazed with how smart you are. You are a reading machine. You are the class clown (as I witnessed this week in your room). The girls giggle at everything you say. You "forget" to eat lunch because you talk too much. A sign of things to come.<br />
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And on this day, my heart literally bursts with love for you. I don't know how to love you more, but everyday I do. 4 days ago, kids your age lost their lives in a senseless tragedy. They will never have another birthday. So even though every birthday in the past is memorable, this one....even more so. Enjoy every moment, Noah. The times we drive you crazy....the times when rules get on your nerves...the times when your feelings get hurt...the times you laugh so hard you can barely breathe. Enjoy them. Celebrate them. Embrace the things to come.<br />
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Today...I celebrate YOU. You are my greatest joy. You are my biggest adventure. You are the best thing I have ever done. I can't wait to see what is to come.<br />
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No....I love you more,<br />
Mom<br />
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-13856184479267270932012-12-16T06:09:00.002-08:002012-12-16T06:09:48.462-08:00What I do Know....I consider myself a writer. I have no published books and no one knows my name as an author, but writing is definitely one of my top forms of self expression. I know it's time to write another post when my fingers are almost itching to get to a computer. <br />
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In light of what happened in CT on Friday, I realized how many things I do not know. How many things I do not have answers for now and will never have answers for until I am with Jesus for eternity. I know God will probably wait as long as He can to call me home because He just isn't ready to deal with my rapid fire questioning. And who knows...maybe He will just bless us all with ultimate knowledge upon arrival so He doesn't have to answer a million questions. Can't you just see Jesus saying.."Now Amanda...you know there are no stupid questions but I really need to get back to the business of being God"...;)<br />
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In this post, I thought I would just write some things that I do know. Remember, you may not always agree with the things I say and that's ok. I can certainly respect you for your opinions and beliefs and I know my friends do the same for me.<br />
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So in regards to what happened on Friday, here's what I know....<br />
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1. I know God is in control. Our generation is not the first to experience evil. God didn't take a snack break at 9:00 on Friday morning and return for the angels to fill Him in on what happened. These things happen because we live in a sin filled world with sin filled people...myself included.<br />
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2. I know that regardless of what the news said about the gunman being "Brilliant", "Remote" "had a personality disorder", etc....let's just get down to business and be honest. This guy is a total jerk-wad. Plain and simple. (I could have used a more grown up word than jerk-wad, but didn't want to offend.) However, once I've said that in anger, I have to think a little more maturely. Had he not killed himself, perhaps one day he would have come to know Jesus. Perhaps he would have asked for forgiveness. Would Jesus have forgiven him? Could I forgive him if my child had been one of his victims? Whew....on this rainy Sunday, that's a tough pill for me to swallow. Honestly, I know God would have...not sure I could. <br />
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3. I know that what happened at that school is every teacher/school administrator's worst nightmare. I am on the safety committee at my school and we have a plan. Every school has a plan. Plans just don't always work in situations like this. I have probably run through in my mind what "I would have done" a thousand times this weekend. And I honestly get nauseated every time I try to run through it. I've been in lockdowns before...real ones. Sitting there in a dark corner of your classroom with 20 kids, not knowing what's going on in the halls of your school, doing everything you can to reassure the worried little faces you see, pretending it's just a drill. Your heart pounds out of your chest. Your mother's instinct takes over and you go into protective mode. What those teachers did? Not surprising at all. That's part of our job. Those kids in my classroom are MY kids from 8-3. I wouldn't let anyone hurt Noah and I'm certainly not going to allow anyone to hurt my other 19 babies. <br />
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***Some of you are still worried because I said I'm on the school safety committee..I know it.*** ;)<br />
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4. I know that when I look at the pictures of these victims, I know without a shadow of a doubt that it could have been me. It could have been any of us. And it could happen again. We like to build our lives with false security. We like to think we are safe. And we should be able to think that. We shouldn't have to worry when we drop our kids off at school, or go to the mall, or go to the movies. But I do know we are not guaranteed tomorrow. Plain and simple. Whether it be an illness, a car accident, or a horrific event that we happen to be a part of...LIFE IS FRAGILE. It is fleeting....it is fast. <br />
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5. I know that relationships are important. In my life, relationships are a top priority. Matt and I were talking last night that if it had been my school on Friday, and I hadn't made it out...what would I have wanted to make sure of? My immediate answer was "that the people I love knew that I loved them." Did I say it? Did I show it? It's what matters most to me.<br />
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So in all of the things that I don't know (which outweighs what I do know by a lot), these are just some things that I do know. I also know no one likes a blog without pictures (fact) so I'll leave you with a couple.....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keepin' It Real...Christmas Card Photo Prep...right after N smacked me in the face with that hideous hat. :)</td></tr>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-81854506197167544502012-11-09T14:23:00.002-08:002012-11-09T14:23:11.669-08:00Honest Confession Friday<strong>Honest Confession #1: I am a total blog drop out. I admit it.</strong><br />
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So I have just been incredibly busy these past few months. I've managed to keep up my Facebook page pretty well and post the important stuff and pictures, but my blog has really suffered. However, I must say, if something in my life has to give...this is going to be it. I'd rather be a blog dropout than have no social life..ha!<br />
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I thought it would be fun and interesting to do a little Honest Confessional Friday. I have a lot on my mind and it feels good for me to write (type) it out. It's my own personal relief and I feel it is long overdue for everyone to hear my skeletons again...I gave you so much in 2011 so I can't let you down in 2012! :)<br />
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<strong>HC #2: I am disappointed in the election results.</strong> I mean..I'm not really into politics. Listening to people just BS non-stop drives me crazy. I work in education...I hear all the things both parties will "do for education" and yet.....well you get the point.<br />
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<strong>HC#3: I don't hate people who voted for Obama and I don't hate Democrats.</strong> I have differing views, but that's what makes us Americans. Do I believe people should work if they can? Yes. Do I believe we should get free handouts? No. Do I believe that everyone is really trying to provide for their families and just need a little assistance? No. When parents drop off and pick up their kids from school in pajamas, I don't believe they are trying. Just my opionion. It's my blog...I can say it. ;)<br />
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<strong>HC#4: I don't usually try to pretend that the things I like are what others should like</strong> BUT...Gloria Jean's Butter Toffee coffee with Almond Joy creamer is THE YUMMIEST. Try it!<br />
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<strong>HC#5: I am getting excited about the holidays.</strong> This year, we are not buying Christmas presents for ourselves (except for Santa gifts for Noah) and are instead choosing some families to buy for. I've always known it's better to give than receive, but let's be honest...I LOVE PRESENTS!! However, I think I am actually more excited this year to shop for other people. We have SO MUCH and literally are in need of nothing. Why not provide Christmas for those who are struggling this year? Noah is not thrilled about the idea (yet)...he sees a new toy and says "Well..I guess we are going to get that for some other kid"...ha! I think he'll grow into it (maybe). :)<br />
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<strong>HC#6: I am getting stressed about Christmas card pictures.</strong> Do you have those friends who send their Christmas cards out and you get them on December 1st? Yep...that's usually my reminder to actually get some! Trying to be ahead this year, but I'm already behind. Story of my life.<br />
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<strong>HC#7: I am obsessed with the song "Heart Attack" by Trey Songz.</strong> I do that. I latch onto songs for periods of time and listen to them incessantly. Last month it was Taylor Swift's "Begin Again" and before that was the entire "Country Strong" album. Songs speak to me. I do feel like a 13 year old though listening to 1 song over and over.<br />
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<strong>HC#8: School has been RIDICULOUS lately!</strong> I have worked more 12-13 hour days these past few months than I ever have before. I am so thankful for my friends at work. If I didn't love my co-workers, I would have been in a big ball of tears a long time ago.<br />
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<strong>HC#9: I cannot believe my baby boy will be 6 in December!</strong> We are pretty sure he will be our only one (unless God plays a fun trick on us) so it's just unbelievable to me that he has grown so fast. I get these glimpses of him when he was a baby, toddler, etc. and then I look at him now and it just blows me away. Watching him sing "God Bless the USA" at school today literally brought me to tears. His innocence and heart for other people is exactly what I prayed for in a child....his independence/stubborness...not so much...but it will be useful in the future. I know it!<br />
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And last but not least, HC#10... I know this one will really shock everyone. It shouldn't because I am a human being...but it will. Even my family will read this for the first time....sorry Mom...ha!<br />
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<strong>HC#10: I have been going to counseling.</strong> (BIG SIGH OF RELIEF) I don't know why it bothered me at first to admit it, but it did. If I'm really honest, I think WE ALL NEED COUNSELING AT SOME POINT IN OUR LIVES...HAHA! My mind has been a real battleground lately. Matt and I have been married 10 years and for some reason I suddenly started to panic about being married FOREVER. I started questioning everything we have worked so hard for...our marriage, our family, and basically just started questioning myself. Talking with someone has been so helpful for me. I think we (women especially) give so much and do so much for others that we lose a piece of ourselves in the process. I started feeling like I didn't even know what I wanted anymore. So I am discovering things about myself that I haven't discovered in a long time. My first session, I literally just cried the whole time...what a mess...ha! But now that I got some things out, I look forward to just going and talking to someone. She probably wants to tell me to STOP TALKING sometimes, but she's a great listener (better than my 1st graders). :)<br />
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So there you have it people. Great gossip material right? I'm thinking some people got tired of reading at #4 and never even made it to #10! I know a blog with no pictures is no fun so I'll put a few of my favorites up.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom's 1st time on Splash Mountain...BAHAHAHA!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living a dream...watching Rascal Flatts for the 1st time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOVE it when my friends have darling babies! Sad I look more rough than the mother...but...this is my Sunday look. :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't post their pics on Facebook, but here is my life 5 days a week. They wear me out, but I'm honored to be their teacher!</td></tr>
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I just love this woman. Plain and simple.<br />
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-2329979069520742622012-08-19T17:42:00.004-07:002012-08-19T17:43:50.917-07:0032 is "Magic"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red;">I was told this year by a friend that 32 was the "Magic" year. I got really excited until I realized he was talking about Magic Johnson. See...he equates every age with an athletes number and 32 just so happened to be Magic's number (I learned something new there).</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">To be honest, I have really struggled with this birthday. I am usually thrilled to have a birthday and celebrate the entire month! For some reason, 32 has thrown me for a loop. I think I can finally start to tell a difference physically, emotionally, and mentally in myself. I see my face looking different (not a bad different..just different), my body not fitting into those cute young clothes quite like it used to, and my eye sight slowly getting worse...darn Direct TV channel guide...ha!</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Don't get me wrong. I love my life. I love what I've helped build, worked for, and I love the prospects of my future. I also love my 30's. I feel so much more grounded than I did in my 20's. I know so much more about myself (as cheezy as that sounds) and am able to relax a little more in the knowledge that I am comfortable being me. Why does it take so long to discover who you really are? I guess maybe at some point you just run out of the energy it takes to try to be someone you aren't. :)</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">My birthday weekend started a week early because one of my work besties was going to be out of town on my birthday so we had to celebrate early! It was a great back to school/Amanda's birthday bash with some of my absolute favorite girls. I am blessed to be starting another work year with all of them with an extra special blessing of Kate. Kate's worked at Claxton for a while, but now she is on our team! Our RockStar status just went through the roof! :)</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Happy 23rd!!! I did switch the candles because this was way more appealing! However, I don't know that I'd go back to 23...my 20's were stressful!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">The day before my birthday, we ordered lunch at school from Firehouse. Did you know you get a FREE sub at Firehouse on your birthday? Well, you do now! That week, I had caught the girls off guard a few times and blown my "teacher whistle" to startle them. Well, on Friday, they got me back. When I opened the door to lunch, they all blew their whistles at me and startled me..ha! Rachel always says payback is tough! ;)</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Rocking the pink party hats! We bust these out for ALL the birthdays!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">The day of my actual birthday (the 18th), a few of us went to dinner at the new Mexican place, Chuy's. We were anticipating a long wait...I mean...when Cheddar's first opened here you couldn't get a seat there in under 2 hours! Cheddar's, people!!! I mean..it's good...but not THAT good!</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">We waited almost 2 hours at Chuy's, but the atmosphere is nice to wait in. We sat out on the patio, drank some margaritas, and had chips and salsa from their self serve bar. It actually didn't feel like "waiting" at all. I had to sing "Happy Birthday" to myself with the waiter because he couldn't sing. Hey-you gotta do what you gotta do!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We missed you at dinner Jennifer, Beth, and Kate!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Sweet James offered to take care of all of us girls on my birthday!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">After dinner, we headed downtown to meet Kate because her husband is the drummer in a band that was playing at Barley's. The name of their band is Hot Shot Freight Train and they are great! We just enjoyed a girls night listening to music and having some down time after a LONG first full week teaching at school. Teachers need to have FUN on the weekends!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Kate's husband Caleb is the drummer for the band and he gave me a birthday shout out from the stage! We love you, Caleb! :) And yes...I'm rocking some pink 80's glasses because I'm an 80's child at heart...woo hoo!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Today, I had a great birthday lunch with my dear sweet Melody. All of my friends, though different from each other, play a huge role in my life. They each have a special place in my heart and I know they are in my life for a special purpose. Love you, Mel!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k3Sl6t7NO24/UDF8cO0L3rI/AAAAAAAAA_k/Cu2PmRtwaGU/s1600/081912172511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k3Sl6t7NO24/UDF8cO0L3rI/AAAAAAAAA_k/Cu2PmRtwaGU/s400/081912172511.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Side Note: I think her daughter, K, looks like Malibu Barbie. Or Skipper. ;) And of course my son can never make a normal face.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">As I was thinking of my past birthdays, there are some I remember so clearly. My blue cookie monster cake birthday, a birthday on my mom's bed surrounded by balloons, my Minnie Mouse birthday when I was honestly a little too old for Minnie Mouse, and my 16th birthday party that was full o' drama..ha! </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Even though I love my home in TN and I love my friends more than anything, there are times when there is nothing more I want for my birthday than to just be home. I love this song from one of my favorite movies, 'Country Strong', because it reminds me of...well...home. :)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Keep Celebrating....</span></div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-90821095988983718882012-08-12T09:40:00.001-07:002012-08-12T09:40:29.697-07:00Random Ramblings<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Just a little random post to remind myself how we spent our last few weeks of freedom!</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Enjoy looking at the pictures without having to read the monologue from me. :)</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">*One of my favorite Girls Night Out was at the Melting Pot. I love the Melting Pot, but does anyone else SWEAT PROFUSELY at this place? I just had to show you how "steamy" it gets in there! I spent hours (not really) straightening my hair for no reason at all...it started curling up after 5 minutes of our steam bath. Next time we go, I'm wearing my bathing suit. ;)</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Can't wait to meet you, Eva Kate!!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"> *We spent countless hours swimming and sunning this summer. It's our favorite way to spend those long summer days.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">I took this picture of our friend, K, and was speechless when I looked at it. She totally looks like Peter walking on the water! :) Hallelujah.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">I think this picture sums up Noah and K's relationship perfectly...or any guy/girl relationship! She looks thrilled to be listening to him..ha!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Melody and I discovered that when swimming, my son has an uncanny resemblance to Eddie Munster or an Italian mob boss. Ha!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"> *When it was time to go back to work, everyone was kind of depressed. So I found these fun mustaches at Old Navy and brought them for a good laugh. It is so incredibly hard for me not to smile in pictures. I think we all laughed uncontrollably the second after it flashed. :)</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">And Baby Minardo has a mustache on too! :)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">*We enjoyed lots of company this summer. I enjoy making dinner in the summer for friends because I have time to <strike>ruin food</strike>...cook.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">*We have been looking forward to Noah's first day of Kindergarten all summer! He is so ready for school and I can't wait to see how smart he really is. :)</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6uKwrGE5CG0/UCfYFFGdR6I/AAAAAAAAA8Y/yNT7yU7ZA9I/s1600/Summer+2012+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6uKwrGE5CG0/UCfYFFGdR6I/AAAAAAAAA8Y/yNT7yU7ZA9I/s320/Summer+2012+006.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Daily ritual of combing "the hair"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k4taHtLGuTM/UCfYHZ-CViI/AAAAAAAAA8g/3tHQPp_wFK4/s1600/Summer+2012+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k4taHtLGuTM/UCfYHZ-CViI/AAAAAAAAA8g/3tHQPp_wFK4/s320/Summer+2012+008.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Could he be any cuter? I think not.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dR6pEToMjNg/UCfYKJwgwlI/AAAAAAAAA8o/sjcdYWTambY/s1600/Summer+2012+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dR6pEToMjNg/UCfYKJwgwlI/AAAAAAAAA8o/sjcdYWTambY/s320/Summer+2012+010.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Lola was just wondering when we would leave so she could go back to sleep.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Iyb96QBNIc/UCfYMSWQDiI/AAAAAAAAA8w/KagmLtt-mIY/s1600/Summer+2012+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Iyb96QBNIc/UCfYMSWQDiI/AAAAAAAAA8w/KagmLtt-mIY/s320/Summer+2012+011.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Love this boy and the fact that we both have sleepy eyes and smiles together.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KGhk09OuC_g/UCfYOfqe6BI/AAAAAAAAA84/DvLrNZdVfGQ/s1600/Summer+2012+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KGhk09OuC_g/UCfYOfqe6BI/AAAAAAAAA84/DvLrNZdVfGQ/s320/Summer+2012+012.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">So special that Nana and Paw-Paw got to take Noah to Kindergarten.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ei1tb6hX7c/UCfYVGhB_MI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/u4Dmjm38H6Q/s1600/Noah+Kindergarten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ei1tb6hX7c/UCfYVGhB_MI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/u4Dmjm38H6Q/s320/Noah+Kindergarten.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Noah's wonderful teacher, Mrs. Smith. God Bless Her Sweet Heart!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">*And one last picture to "keep it real"....I have learned to "let it go" a little more this summer. It's not important to always have a clean house. It is important to always have a little fun. :)</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"> Keep Walking Friends....</span><br />
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<br /></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-51240094943523482392012-07-30T18:57:00.004-07:002012-07-30T18:57:55.478-07:00SpaTini 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">SpaTini 2012 has come and gone so quickly...</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p0uDl7yzRRc/UBXwiyOrMtI/AAAAAAAAA2g/xJlyqQY1J_w/s1600/Ecard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p0uDl7yzRRc/UBXwiyOrMtI/AAAAAAAAA2g/xJlyqQY1J_w/s320/Ecard.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: red;">I actually love to camp for real..like in the woods...with a tent...and no showers. But my precious mother? She is definitely the woman in the poster above. Girlfriend loves her hotels, coffee, and 25 minute facewash routines with WARM water.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Any time the 3 of us get together, we are always in for good food, good drinks, and good laughs (not to mention a little irresponsible debit card activity).</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">We always stay in Biltmore Park which is about 2 hours from Knoxville and 2 hours from Charlotte..it's the perfect halfway meeting spot for us! The Hilton hotel is in the square and it's surrounded by places to eat and places to shop...not to mention a movie theatre for all you movie buffs! We are way too talkative to go to the movies together.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span><span style="color: red;">We started Friday with a great lunch at 131 Main and then it was off to the spa! Sensibilities Spa is located right inside the Hilton so we don't have to drive (great thing since most of you saw my mother after her last spa treatment). Don't think we want her on the road!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rwp6GaS14as/UBX2ExUZ_YI/AAAAAAAAA3M/Y2mF_Oubf74/s1600/hot-stone-massage-flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rwp6GaS14as/UBX2ExUZ_YI/AAAAAAAAA3M/Y2mF_Oubf74/s320/hot-stone-massage-flower.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;">I opted for the Hot Stone Massage and a Pedicure this year. The pedi was simply because my feet have been walking (barefoot, of course) on hot pavement all summer and needed some TLC. I was super excited to try the hot stone massage as I had heard mixed reviews on it. Let's just say...I AM A FAN OF THE HOT STONE MASSAGE.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Listen. I am a terrible relaxer. I feel silly getting massages. I am usually freezing to death during the massage and am ALWAYS thinking of stuff when I really am supposed to be zoning out. This time was different. I was actually relaxed and never got cold since there were 150 degree hot stones being used to massage me. I even had little hot stones in between each one of my toes! HEAVEN!!! Needless to say---momma liked and recommends. ;) (PS..I was NOT holding a flower during my massage...ha!)</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RwML-9BuAY/UBX2aDgd7zI/AAAAAAAAA3U/N8DTzKsW6yc/s1600/travinia.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RwML-9BuAY/UBX2aDgd7zI/AAAAAAAAA3U/N8DTzKsW6yc/s1600/travinia.png" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Friday night we went to our favorite Italian place Travinia and had a wonderful dinner (slightly interrupted by an obnoxious, loud mouth Northerner who needed some southern women to put him in his place). ***SIDENOTE---Men...it is extremely unattractive and RUDE to yell and snap your fingers at your female waitress.*** Just sayin'.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bCScURAOyXw/UBX2yPYWK-I/AAAAAAAAA3k/K7QOyI70Xt8/s1600/Travinia+girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bCScURAOyXw/UBX2yPYWK-I/AAAAAAAAA3k/K7QOyI70Xt8/s400/Travinia+girls.jpg" width="256" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">With our fabulous waitress at Travinia...she needed to feel some Southern love after her rude Yankee customer. :)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Saturday we headed to Biltmore Village for a little girl time including shopping and lunch. We had a great time browsing and looking around and stopped at a yummy little place called The Corner Kitchen for lunch.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6qmL2qIR3c/UBX3jYuw1WI/AAAAAAAAA3s/ZWBIksGPKNc/s1600/Corner+Kitchen+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6qmL2qIR3c/UBX3jYuw1WI/AAAAAAAAA3s/ZWBIksGPKNc/s400/Corner+Kitchen+Sign.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5x1AS-QTp1g/UBX3stMKi-I/AAAAAAAAA30/JZLfd7AvFEo/s1600/Corner+Kitchen+Asheville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5x1AS-QTp1g/UBX3stMKi-I/AAAAAAAAA30/JZLfd7AvFEo/s400/Corner+Kitchen+Asheville.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;">I cannot discuss what went on after lunch but I will say it involved the White House/Black Market store...several outfit changes...and some super cute red shoes. I may have passed my Sorceress of Shopping title to someone else. ;)</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k6HebTn4BC0/UBc3brMy-jI/AAAAAAAAA5c/Z-vCposIOTE/s1600/mom+shopping+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k6HebTn4BC0/UBc3brMy-jI/AAAAAAAAA5c/Z-vCposIOTE/s320/mom+shopping+2.JPG" width="240" /></span></a><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: red;">That night, we went to a fabulous dinner spot called the Red Stag Grill. It is in the bottom of the Grand Bohemian Hotel and we had a great dinner in a fabulous atmosphere. I would highly recommend this grill if you are looking for a dinner on the "fancy-shmancy" side. PS...I ate Elk for dinner! Delish!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The room we ate in (with a slightly smaller table)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can't tell...but the menus LIT UP when we opened them...ha! We were extremely excited by this!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cHptjW297Ic/UBc33hX-QGI/AAAAAAAAA5w/aCqnTi7wI30/s1600/Deana+and+I+at+red+stag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cHptjW297Ic/UBc33hX-QGI/AAAAAAAAA5w/aCqnTi7wI30/s400/Deana+and+I+at+red+stag.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0onWM3AB0N8/UBc38y_MgAI/AAAAAAAAA54/Jo7bspki2Yk/s1600/Mom+and+I+Red+Stag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0onWM3AB0N8/UBc38y_MgAI/AAAAAAAAA54/Jo7bspki2Yk/s400/Mom+and+I+Red+Stag.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qeru_o2ejso/UBc4CKCJVII/AAAAAAAAA6A/J_zyWmrM-Oc/s1600/Red+Stag+Dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qeru_o2ejso/UBc4CKCJVII/AAAAAAAAA6A/J_zyWmrM-Oc/s400/Red+Stag+Dinner.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<br /><span style="color: red;">After dinner, my party animal mom didn't want to go to bed yet, so we sat outside on the patio at another place and had a little champagne and people watched (best sport ever).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Nwz-kB1njk/UBc4qXSf8jI/AAAAAAAAA6I/Mt2iYBsVRxY/s1600/Deana+and+I+sharing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Nwz-kB1njk/UBc4qXSf8jI/AAAAAAAAA6I/Mt2iYBsVRxY/s400/Deana+and+I+sharing.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The Temptress of Mixology strikes again! This is her idea of fair sharing the champagne? I think not. ;)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Sunday morning we always eat at Tupelo Honey for breakfast. YUM! I despise breakfast food but they make an amazing "breakfast bowl" with black beans, goat cheese grits, bacon and melted cheese. I add a little hot sauce and BAM...my kind of breakfast. (Some of you probably just threw up in your mouth.) If you are ever in A-Ville, I highly recommend looking it up!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">All in all, there are few things in life that I enjoy as much as a weekend with my mom and sister-in-law. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">I love to laugh..we laugh. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">I love to eat..we eat. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">I love to shop..we shop.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">I love to dance at clubs...we...ok I haven't gotten them to do that quite yet.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">LONG LIVE SPATINI WEEKEND!</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"></span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-18203949428751402762012-07-13T16:39:00.000-07:002012-07-13T17:39:32.813-07:00I Can't Make This Stuff Up...<div class="yiv39177334MsoNormal" id="yui_3_2_0_1_13422200074911061">
<span style="color: purple;">This post needs some explanation. Actually...my whole family needs explanation. ;)</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">Every year, my dad, brother, and husband go on a "Father-Son Fishing Trip". It's called the "Smackdown in Cherokee Town" and they compete for 3 days to see who can catch the most fish. Of course, up until 2 years ago, the women were doing our womanly duty of watching the kids. Now that the kids are older, they both go on the fishing trip with the boys and WE GET TO HAVE A LADIES ONLY SPA WEEKEND!!! This will be our 2nd annual ladies trip while our men are out fishing for the trophy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">To go along with this annual tradition, my hysterical brother sends out an e-mail every year to "announce" the trip and get us all excited about it. We get a guy e-mail with the fishing competitor list and a girl e-mail with the spa participator list. I had to post this year's e-mail about our ladies trip because I literally about peed my pants and was doubled over laughing so hard that Matt thought I couldn't breathe...and I really could not.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">I wanted to share this e-mail so you could laugh along with us. If you know my family, this is no surprise. If you do not know my family, you will probably wish you did after this. :) The best part is dedicated to my sweet mother...who lives for massages. Last year after her massage, my sister-in-law and I saw her wandering around the spa in a trance with hair like Michael Myers. After we fell over laughing, we checked on her to make sure she was ok. She looked like a mental hospital escapee...for reals. She REALLY enjoyed her massage and evidently her hair did too. ;)</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">Well...enjoy this e-mail from my brother. He truly missed his calling in life....</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" id="yui_3_2_0_1_13422200074911060" name="BM__MailAutoSig" rel="nofollow"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13422200074911059" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_13422200074911058" style="font-family: "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">What happens when 3 women converge upon the quiet, sleepy town of Asheville, NC….complete and utter CHAOS! </span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Yes that’s right native Asheville citizens, lock up your children and your household pets because the 2<sup>nd</sup> Annual Mother-Daughter Spatini Festival is about to hit your town in a LARGE way! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">From July 27-29, these 3 women will drink, shop and massage their way through the town of Asheville in hopes of coming back to reality refreshed and energized to face the challenges ahead of them. But beware, in order to be refreshed and energized, they will tear your city apart in a matter of 48 hours! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Be on the lookout for these women as nothing but trouble will follow their winding path!</span></span></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">MOST WANTED SPATINI FESTIVAL MEMBERS</span></span></u></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Name: Amanda Mallery</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Nickname: Sorceress of Shopping</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Crime: Her wand will mesmerize you as she snatches up everything in the store right before your very eyes!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Tip: Do not shop during the weekend of the Spatini Festival</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Name: Deana Hicks</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Nickname: Temptress of Mixology</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Crime: Her smile is devilish, but as soon as you are hypnotized, she has ordered another drink….on your tab!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Tip: Do not visit any establishment where Adult Beverages are sold</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Name: Mary Hicks – The Ringleader</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Nickname: Michael Myers</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Crime: Once she has been to the spa, she roams the town in a trance with crazed and unruly hair looking for her next victim!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Tip: If you hear the Theme Music to Halloween….she is nearby….run</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">If you run into any of these wanted women, do not make eye contact! You are urged to seek shelter immediately and contact your local authorities. In case of city evacuation, please follow the nearest evacuation route and leave as soon as possible! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Please tune in to the Emergency Broadcast System for further instructions!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I'm telling you...when I saw that picture of Michael Myers and the walker...I about died. Just wanted to share!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">*I will try to get a real picture of mom after the spa for this year...haha!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-68592099231717352682012-07-11T11:21:00.001-07:002012-07-11T11:21:01.703-07:00For the Haters ;)Listen. I know this only applies to about 5% of the general population, but I just had to get it out there. I ran across some pictures today while cleaning out my camera of NY pictures (that blog will come soon) and had to share them.<br />
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I know personally that when someone asks me what I do for a living, I am busting at the seams proud to tell them I am a teacher. I think all careers are respectable and I commend everyone for doing a job you love or simply doing a job to provide for the needs of yourself or your family. I am fortunate to have a job I believe I was made to do.<br />
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So...when you find yourself a little bitter (ahem) about teachers having the summer off, keep in mind all the work that goes on the other 10 months (yes...summer is now down to 2 months) of the year. I am in no way patting solely myself on the back. Teaching is a team effort between tons of different players. However, these pictures sum up why I do what I do. Why I dream of classroom organization at night, why I get excited about Dr. Seuss Day and why I am already excited to meet my new kiddos. If it's a disease...I hope I never find the cure.<br />
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This first picture is from the first day of school...it is his version of writing a "story".<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And yes..what you see is random letters strung together to make a "sentence".<br />
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Now...this is his letter to a future 1st grader at the end of the school year. Ya'll...I'm not lying one bit when I tell you that I cried when I saw this. We worked SO HARD all school year to develop this child and to see his progress and share it with others literally made me emotional...happy emotional.</div>
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I see periods, space between his words, and several words spelled exactly right! Are you crying tears of joy yet??? Ha!<br />
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Well, just thought I would share my happiness upon rediscovering these pictures. I am gearing up for a new school year (I go back August 2nd...kiddos come back August 10th) and ready to work hard another 10 months. This may just be my motivation! ;)</div>
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I am also extremely thankful for these 2 women and the impact they had on my Noah this past school year. He came a little into the year and they welcomed him in with open arms and loved him like I do. We love you Yancey and Marsha! :)</div>
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*Noah wanted me to make sure everyone knew it was Pajama Day that day..ha!</div>
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In Short, TEACHERS ROCK! :)</div>
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Keep Walking, Friends.....</div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-1211597521632793692012-06-25T13:35:00.000-07:002012-06-25T13:35:18.733-07:00Ka-ua-iWell, if I'm honest...and that's what this blog is all about...I spent 10 days in Kauai and I just learned how to spell Kauai today. K-A-U-A-I. For some reason, despite my fantastic spelling skills, I could not remember for the life of me how to spell this island! <br />
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Hawaii? Easy.<br />
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Maui? Simple.<br />
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Kauai? I still type the word so slowly and have to sound it out in my head. I want to spell it Kawaii..and come to think of it...that makes perfect sense! Hawaii...Kawaii. Why don't people think of these things? I guess I'll have to visit again to get it in my head. ;)<br />
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We had a wonderful time in the Garden Island. We celebrated our 10 year anniversary which is so hard for me to believe. And yes...we got married young...because I have been married 10 years but am still SUPER YOUNG...right? ;) I got married at 21 which is so unheard of these days! I could do a whole blog post on marring young (the positives vs. the negatives) hmmm.....maybe one of these days.<br />
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I am not going to bombard my blog with the 1, 572 (no lie) pictures that we (my husband) took. I will post a few albums on my facebook page for you to view the pictures, but here is a run down of our week with a few pictures included...some of MY favorites...because it's MY blog. :) What that means is...I like pictures with people in them...husband likes scenery pictures. My blog will have mostly people pictures but I will certainly include the beautiful scenic pictures in the facebook albums. The scenery is definitely something to be seen and the pictures don't really even do it justice.<br />
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Ok...on to the week! Here are some of the highlights of our trip! I hope these pictures make you want to start saving your moo-lah and GO! It's a must see, people!<br />
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After flying from 8:00 a.m. Knoxville time and landing at 8:00 p.m. Hawaii time (which is really 2:00 a.m. Knoxville time), we were really happy to see this sign!<br />
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And I was even more excited to know that this was where I would be spending the next 9 days! You can see from the palm trees how breezy it was there. The Tradewinds are present there every month except August (according to the locals) and there is never a humid moment. We in the South appreciate that because we know what humidity does to our hair. Right, ladies? (*Disclaimer--this in no way means my hair looks fab on this trip because, let's face it, I am not one to fix my hair and put on make up to lay out at the pool/beach. Can I get an Amen? ;)<br />
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The first thing we loved about Kauai was that it was much smaller on a touristy scale than Maui. Our resort in Maui was HUGE. Probably about 3 times the size of this one. However, we didn't see the crowds here in Kauai that we saw in Maui. Smaller resort...less people. Nice.<br />
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Our first night there, after lying in the sun all day and sipping pina coladas (which were insanely good and probably insanely fattening), we went to dinner at a place called "Roy's". I didn't really expect to go to Hawaii and eat at a place called "Roy's"...that sounds more like an East Tennessee place. ;) It was recommended by a local couple we met and it was delicious! They even brought us out an anniversary dessert (after asking us if we were on our honeymoon) which I thought was very sweet. I'm not sure they knew how to spell "anniversary" because the end of the word looks kind of fishy to me...like they weren't sure so they made the cursive writing all fancy in case they misspelled it. But hey...I can't spell the name of their island so I really have no room to talk.<br />
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The next day, we hopped in our Jeep (squeal!!!) and literally drove almost the entire island coast. It was beautiful to see the coast line and all the little beach parks along the way. Here are some pictures from that drive. Imagine me hanging out of the Jeep snapping shots...cause I was. I felt like a National Geographic photographer on location. It was awesome.<br />
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We also snorkeled on this day. I love the beach. I love the ocean. It's my favorite place in the world and where I plan to retire one day. But I am petrified of swimming in the ocean. I don't like walking on the ocean floor where things touch my feet and since my brother's favorite movie was "Jaws" when we were young, I obviously have a large fear and respect for the creatures in the ocean. It's their home, people! If I invade their territory and get eaten, it's kind of my fault... which is why I usually am content to sit on the beach and watch it. I did want to snorkel though. We snorkeled on our honeymoon in Aruba and I didn't want to be a big chicken 10 years later. This picture is when we were finished...thus the big smile...and horrible hair on my part.<br />
P.S. Snorkeling with longer hair is a nightmare...talk about knots. ;)<br />
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The next day, we drove up to the Canyons. I'll be honest in saying that when I knew we would be gone from the beach for a day, I was not a happy camper. However, the sights we saw from the Canyons were absolutely incredible. I am so glad we experienced it first hand by walking it.<br />
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Then, of course, we had to walk ALL THE WAY up to the TOP. Because these views were not enough. I smiled and put on my hiking shoes and away we went. I literally crawled the last few feet up to the top after all of the climbing (literal climbing). It was brutal, but we made it! And my gel manicure survived! :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty happy at first...even though most of the trail looked like this...straight up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "I want to kill you" look towards the end.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally at the top. And yes...that is sweat that covered every part of us.<br />
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The next day was relax day...hallelujah! We kind of did 2 days "on the go" and 1 day at the resort. It helped us not get bored, but also kept us relaxed as well. That night, we went to a fun place called Keyoki's for dinner. I LOVE that almost every singe place we ate was outdoor dining. It still felt like you were at a restaurant, but instead of walls it was all nature. Guess that is the advantage of beautiful weather/temperature 365 days a year!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt loved the glasses they served Mai-Tai's in. So...he brought home a few..ha!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our entertainment for the evening. They were in the middle of playing and I nervously walked up to take their picture. They stopped playing, posed for me, and then continued on playing. Everyone in the restaurant died laughing...and then I had to tip them for that! They were awesome!</td></tr>
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One of my favorite days was when we did the raft tour of the Napali coast. We did a semi-private tour on a small raft. There was only 5 of us total and our boat was small enough to go inside the caves on the coast...a dream come true for my husband. A dream come true for me was sitting in our raft with hundreds of dolphins swimming all around us and being able to lean down and pet them in the ocean! I was a happy girl! We also saw sea turtles (which attract tiger sharks) and got to snorkel a little bit too...once we were far away from tiger shark area.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No zoom lens needed! :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the sea caves we got to go in. One of these caves was used in the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure if the water color stands out here, but inside these caves the water was unlike any other color we have ever seen. Gorgeous!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful scenery all the way down the coast.<br />
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The last major thing we did outside of the resort on this trip was our all day hike. Notice I didn't say it was my favorite thing. It wasn't. However, I knew my husband wanted to do this hike more than anything and after all he did to plan this trip for us, I was going to suck it up and git 'er done. <br />
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The hike was 8 miles total. Not alot some of you may say. However, this was no trail hike. I can't even classify it as a hike. It was torture. Climbing, scaling rocks, crossing streams on slippery, itty-bitty rocks, pulling yourself up on tree roots, and FIRE ANTS...ok...not my idea of vacation.<br />
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The result? An over 200 foot waterfall pouring down into a big fresh water pool to swim in. It was unlike anything I have ever seen up close. I am so glad we did it, but boy was I hurting by the end. We took pictures of us at every mile and when we look back at them, Matt always says.."man, we look rough"..ha! We did because it WAS rough!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking up the coast the whole time. Beautiful views!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mile 1...still happy hikers!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mile 2...a beautiful beach! This is where most of the hikers stopped. Not us. (And yes, I realize now it looks as if I am giving the "West Side" sign...I am not)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mile 3...hiking through bamboo forests. Matt is still smiling. I am getting a little leary of what's to come. We had to wear our hats backwards most of the hike due to all the climbing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mile 4. Thrilled to be at the waterfall! Dreading the walk back.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course, this isn't even half the waterfall. You can't get the whole thing in the camera when you are right up on it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swimming in the ICE COLD water. I have never felt water that cold. Your body just goes numb.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting the hike back. I was freezing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mile 5...fake smile.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mile 6...my legs are starting to shut down at this point. Back at the beach with 2 miles to go.</td></tr>
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*Note to readers...I did not post Mile 7 picture because I may or may not have been giving Matt the bird. I was ready to be DONE!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mile 8..finished. Oh GLORIOUS DAY!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reward!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well deserved dinner after that hike from Bubba's Burgers!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And of course...topped it off with Hawaii's amazing shaved ice!</td></tr>
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Well...this post is much longer than I planned so I'll stop here. I covered most of the basics and you can check facebook later for more pictures. Much later...since this post took me about 2 hours I can only imagine how long it will take to upload hundreds of pictures on facebook!<br />
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I will leave you with a picture of my absolute favorite memory of Kauai.<br />
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For our anniversary, we went to a small outdoor Italian restaurant. The singer there heard it was our anniversary and called us up to the front. He sat us down in front of him and sang us a love song he had written and then gave us his CD with it on it. It was SO SWEET and SO EMBARRASSING at the same time! We ran into him at a lounge later and he ran over to us again asking us how our trip had been and to "say hi to Noah for me"...Bahahahaha! He was a riot (and I think a little drunk)! :)<br />
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Hope you enjoyed a glimpse of our trip! We SO enjoyed our first long trip by ourselves and have already started planning our 20th anniversary trip. I'm kidding...but not really. ;)<br />
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Aloha!</div>
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</div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-54950783670326730392012-06-07T20:09:00.002-07:002012-06-07T20:09:51.546-07:00It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!<span style="color: red;">I told my friend, Travis, the other day that summer was definitely the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. He agreed...with the exception of football season....die hard Vol fans up here, remember? ;) </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">I. Love. Summer.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Yes, I know I'm off work and that plays a major role, but I also just love the things that summer brings. For most of us, it brings vacation, cookouts, late night firefly catching, me botching up homemade ice cream and my favorite thing...lying by the pool/lake on HOT summer days. I love it!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">So...before we venture on our vacation tomorrow morning, I just wanted to blog one time about all the fun I am already having this summer.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">One. slight. problem.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">I have currently *misplaced* my little $500 camera with all my pictures on it. Now, most of you would be stressing and panicking by this point, but please understand this is so typical of me. I place things in "very logical places" and find them 5 months later and think "why the heck did I put this here?" This is genetic....my father does the same darn thing....so is it really my fault? I think not. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">My current punishment is that I have to carry our extra large Nikon on our vacation. Every time I strap that albatross around my neck, I'll be wondering where my little cute camera is that has fabulous start of summer pictures on it! :(</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">So...all I can leave you with are my pictures from my latest pool day with my favorite co-workers....</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Beth and our sweet Delaney Jane...1st pool day for her! :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Some of my favorite girls</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Thanks, Mr. Yates, for the Sonic drinks and picture taking!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KweTp0e0K1A/T9FrPy5IpzI/AAAAAAAAAs8/AeyIQCyl-N4/s1600/060712165158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="264" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KweTp0e0K1A/T9FrPy5IpzI/AAAAAAAAAs8/AeyIQCyl-N4/s320/060712165158.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">One of my favorite candids...these girls bring me so much JOY! *And we laugh this hard/often at work too. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Well, my husband is gently "reminding" me that I need to finish packing for vacation.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">I hope the start to your summer has been fantastic and only continues to get more fun!</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">ALOHA ;) Hawaii....here I come!</span></span></div>
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-28299675697053932902012-05-20T17:00:00.000-07:002012-05-20T17:00:31.239-07:00Matters of the Heart....<span style="color: red;">There are 3 things that I believe all true Southern girls love:</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">1. Sweet Tea</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">2. Biscuits and Gravy</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">3. Their daddies</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Perhaps I should have put Dads first because my dad is at the top of my list. I love both of my parents dearly, but I am a daddy's girl at heart. This doesn't mean that we never had any arguments...Lord only knows how my parents survived my teenage years (I was HORRID)! But I also know how fortunate I am to have 2 men in my life who love me unconditionally. My daddy is the first, and my "dad approved" husband is the 2nd. I also love knowing that if my husband ever did anything to hurt me...my daddy would kill him...for reals.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">So with my dad being the topic, I wanted to share the miracle God has recently worked in my family...more specifically...in my dad's body. Just wait till you read this.....</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">My dad had been having some pain that felt like digestion issues/heartburn, etc. After some time, they decided to head to the doctor. His family doctor sent him to Sanger Clinic (which was closed)...who sent him back to his family doctor (which was also closed by then)...so he ended up at Urgent Care. They did some blood work, mentioned gall bladder issues, and sent him home. I don't remember all the ins and outs from there, but somehow dad ended up having a stress test last Friday. I was surprised when I got a call from Matt at work saying that they had seen the results of the stress test and had taken dad immediately to the hospital. Now...I wouldn't consider myself an extremely emotional person, but when it comes to matters of my parents...I am a big ol' baby.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">That Friday afternoon was horrible...sitting and waiting on news from my mom...wondering what was going on...and feeling like I should be there. I knew I couldn't do anything, but I just wanted to be there. Those are the moments that I hate living away from home.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">When we got the phone call, mom had found out the details from the doctor. </span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="color: red;">Here are the FACTS:</span></u></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;">1. My dad has suffered from several (# unknown) "silent heart attacks". This means that he doesn't have the typical symptoms of a heart attack.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">2. My dad's main artery is 100% blocked...yep...you read that right...totally blocked...MAIN artery.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">3. His other 4 arteries are each 25% blocked.</span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="color: red;">Here is the MIRACLE:</span></u></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;">My dad's body miraculously MADE ITS OWN BYPASS. We saw it with our own eyes on his "tree" that the doctor printed for us. Had his body not done that, our family's reality would be a lot different now. The doctor says it is not impossible for this to happen...but it's very rare. He could not explain it. Of course not. Miracles are hard to explain.</span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="color: red;">The Aftermath:</span></u></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Dad is on several medications and starts a rehab type program this next week. They are hoping with medicines and monitored exercise that the arteries will begin to expand and blood flow will be better. The next big date is June 22nd. If by this point, there is still pain happening, open heart surgery may become necessary. We are praying that this does not have to happen.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">A lot of people have asked me why I didn't post all of this on Facebook, and I really don't have an answer to that. I guess it was just one of those personal things that I didn't want to quickly "air" and have 750 comments of "I'm sorry" and "I'm praying for you"...I think I felt like that would be just too overwhelming. Of course, I let those close to me know what was going on so that they could begin to pray, but sometimes FB just seems like too much of people airing out their dirty laundry for sympathetic comments. I wanted to take the time to process and understand what happened, so I could make sure ALL the details were shared.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">I do hope you will continue to pray for my dad. Not because all of you know him, but because you know me. And not because you all love my dad, but because you love me. Daddy always told me that GOD told him at a very early age that HE would bless our family. HE has...and HE continues to...in ways just like this.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">And here's a face to remember when those prayers are going up....</span><br />
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-63967865353464312442012-05-06T18:08:00.001-07:002012-05-06T18:08:26.728-07:00Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder...<span style="color: red;">I know you've missed me. I know the 16 of you who actually read my blog have been waiting with anticipation for my next entry. I will make you wait no longer....</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong><u>Get ready to read the most boring post ever. ;)</u></strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">We are on the countdown to summer here in the Mallery home. We are at 2 and 1/2 weeks and I. can't. wait. I'm ready for a summer filled with sun, fun, and lots of traveling! It seems as the school year winds down, things really start to wind up for us. We have been on the go a lot and enjoying every minute of it! So...here are the pictures to document all of our important (and not so important) events!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fli6GLTKTTg/T6cTk0mWlCI/AAAAAAAAAos/pC8O0YHylNU/s1600/April+2012+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fli6GLTKTTg/T6cTk0mWlCI/AAAAAAAAAos/pC8O0YHylNU/s320/April+2012+002.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Guess who started playing hockey too? Jesus take the wheel! Bring on the dental and E.R. bills! ;) (and yes...I made him let me take his picture and post it on here...what a sport!)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e10BfzOqB_Q/T6cTptIdAOI/AAAAAAAAAo0/8Y3BIcGiZM8/s1600/April+2012+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e10BfzOqB_Q/T6cTptIdAOI/AAAAAAAAAo0/8Y3BIcGiZM8/s320/April+2012+033.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This is his "baseball ready"...ha!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HtIcZ2x9UBQ/T6cTsKoXvEI/AAAAAAAAAo8/aNwK9z1MRHs/s1600/April+2012+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HtIcZ2x9UBQ/T6cTsKoXvEI/AAAAAAAAAo8/aNwK9z1MRHs/s320/April+2012+041.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eOdGOMhlf3o/T6cTugmpOOI/AAAAAAAAApE/yaXGymEay-A/s1600/April+2012+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eOdGOMhlf3o/T6cTugmpOOI/AAAAAAAAApE/yaXGymEay-A/s320/April+2012+042.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Proudly displaying his city- scape at the Claxton Art Show! So proud of him!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HE9uhp8FvlI/T6cTvxBRvwI/AAAAAAAAApM/MdJqMyX4ifI/s1600/April+2012+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HE9uhp8FvlI/T6cTvxBRvwI/AAAAAAAAApM/MdJqMyX4ifI/s320/April+2012+043.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Honestly, this is better than anything I could do today!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OZ2IS0YqQSI/T6cT7KpmxGI/AAAAAAAAApk/3oOelfMWPIk/s1600/May+2012+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OZ2IS0YqQSI/T6cT7KpmxGI/AAAAAAAAApk/3oOelfMWPIk/s320/May+2012+011.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Still playing (and loving) hockey! We love it too!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oojcssiyKck/T6cT9t3ux_I/AAAAAAAAAps/cxhey9eK0i8/s1600/May+2012+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oojcssiyKck/T6cT9t3ux_I/AAAAAAAAAps/cxhey9eK0i8/s320/May+2012+017.JPG" width="212" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Rachel had these napkins at our Cinco De Mayo party...I thought they were so appropriate! ;)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WuSjhzW7p0s/T6cUAG8k6xI/AAAAAAAAAp0/DY9kliHkStY/s1600/May+2012+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WuSjhzW7p0s/T6cUAG8k6xI/AAAAAAAAAp0/DY9kliHkStY/s320/May+2012+021.JPG" width="212" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Rach and Delaney!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qk01hw03PMA/T6cUE54PprI/AAAAAAAAAp8/O2Sy4ONd2q0/s1600/May+2012+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qk01hw03PMA/T6cUE54PprI/AAAAAAAAAp8/O2Sy4ONd2q0/s320/May+2012+022.JPG" width="212" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Daddy and Noah having some backyard fun.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--beAbqaimYs/T6cUIeDVUpI/AAAAAAAAAqE/2m2Zrc2Qtyg/s1600/May+2012+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--beAbqaimYs/T6cUIeDVUpI/AAAAAAAAAqE/2m2Zrc2Qtyg/s320/May+2012+023.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">1st grade teachers always look for a reason to party! Cinco de Mayo was a great excuse!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iJ6SZY8WnW8/T6cULeyGxwI/AAAAAAAAAqM/SubBEiC1Je0/s1600/May+2012+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iJ6SZY8WnW8/T6cULeyGxwI/AAAAAAAAAqM/SubBEiC1Je0/s320/May+2012+031.JPG" width="212" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Funny t-shirts of the night: "Yearbook.com-Greg Minardo". Evidently, he looks like an ostrich when he runs..ha!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_CBgAKe-8PI/T6cUPFCnSAI/AAAAAAAAAqU/O0qucVQ78XE/s1600/May+2012+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_CBgAKe-8PI/T6cUPFCnSAI/AAAAAAAAAqU/O0qucVQ78XE/s320/May+2012+032.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">2nd funny t-shirt of the night...I'll let you read that one.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DydkUKTJo6w/T6cUSUoEy_I/AAAAAAAAAqc/d5oMKzUH83s/s1600/May+2012+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DydkUKTJo6w/T6cUSUoEy_I/AAAAAAAAAqc/d5oMKzUH83s/s320/May+2012+033.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Noah decided to use the doggie door as his entrance/exit!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9W6PnaG2Vu4/T6cUUaECGCI/AAAAAAAAAqk/OYp5g42h528/s1600/May+2012+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9W6PnaG2Vu4/T6cUUaECGCI/AAAAAAAAAqk/OYp5g42h528/s320/May+2012+038.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">My sweet friend, Beth, with her baby girl.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ggPkQr07lok/T6cUXm-lMfI/AAAAAAAAAqs/eB1WyNcWiWE/s1600/May+2012+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ggPkQr07lok/T6cUXm-lMfI/AAAAAAAAAqs/eB1WyNcWiWE/s320/May+2012+041.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Noah and Molly...snuggle buddies!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cj4CwbOvpUA/T6cUZjHn2oI/AAAAAAAAAq0/Fa6U5fUjKA4/s1600/May+2012+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cj4CwbOvpUA/T6cUZjHn2oI/AAAAAAAAAq0/Fa6U5fUjKA4/s320/May+2012+044.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Happy Cinco de Mayo! (or National Margarita Day)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F1roe7JsuJs/T6cUbVGCiYI/AAAAAAAAAq8/DAOG7Jh-rjY/s1600/May+2012+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F1roe7JsuJs/T6cUbVGCiYI/AAAAAAAAAq8/DAOG7Jh-rjY/s320/May+2012+046.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Noah and his hockey buddy, Jaden. Both are huge Shark fans!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GJtpIpg58EU/T6cUc33MwQI/AAAAAAAAArE/DlLmurM_JAg/s1600/May+2012+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GJtpIpg58EU/T6cUc33MwQI/AAAAAAAAArE/DlLmurM_JAg/s320/May+2012+047.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Noah with his baseball team at the UT baseball game!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5lRsQKsRf7A/T6cUd2QL2WI/AAAAAAAAArM/4RY0S8MB8SE/s1600/May+2012+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5lRsQKsRf7A/T6cUd2QL2WI/AAAAAAAAArM/4RY0S8MB8SE/s320/May+2012+054.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The UT team. Side Note: I love men in baseball uniforms. There is something so "old school" about them...I think they are just classic!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1oJ7k54pg_g/T6cUfDF1FJI/AAAAAAAAArU/Pr2kgAtuKvo/s1600/May+2012+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1oJ7k54pg_g/T6cUfDF1FJI/AAAAAAAAArU/Pr2kgAtuKvo/s320/May+2012+058.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Noah and his team getting ready to run the field with the players.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-no8EzvHLnY0/T6cUgBmfkGI/AAAAAAAAArc/Pxi3x1gcZro/s1600/May+2012+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-no8EzvHLnY0/T6cUgBmfkGI/AAAAAAAAArc/Pxi3x1gcZro/s320/May+2012+065.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wuVbgW2jPKs/T6cUhJrFGFI/AAAAAAAAArk/9L9QnRvCXp4/s1600/May+2012+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wuVbgW2jPKs/T6cUhJrFGFI/AAAAAAAAArk/9L9QnRvCXp4/s320/May+2012+070.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cxjYtrFHdlo/T6cUqFrgHTI/AAAAAAAAArs/nx08vm0yXRI/s1600/April+2012+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cxjYtrFHdlo/T6cUqFrgHTI/AAAAAAAAArs/nx08vm0yXRI/s320/April+2012+079.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Somebody was in the neighborhood and had to make a pit stop! I love me some Delaney Jane!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ngiIPh0qBH0/T6cT0MN_qoI/AAAAAAAAApc/iLFk0EcT4RA/s1600/April+2012+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ngiIPh0qBH0/T6cT0MN_qoI/AAAAAAAAApc/iLFk0EcT4RA/s320/April+2012+080.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YCws0mSaKAY/T6cTyJWwA8I/AAAAAAAAApU/U0RFb10bk7E/s1600/April+2012+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YCws0mSaKAY/T6cTyJWwA8I/AAAAAAAAApU/U0RFb10bk7E/s320/April+2012+077.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">And finally...my favorite picture of the bunch. One of our 1st graders wrote a story about "HORSES"...except she forgot that extra "s" and the whole story is about "HORES". The last page sums it up perfetly.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">"Last, put all the HORES in the rodeo"</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Let's just say we all laughed until we cried on the 1st grade hallway. I can't think of a better place to put all of them either! Well done, anonymous 1st grader, well done!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Keep Walking...and Laughing Hysterically.....</span></div>
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</tbody></table>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-2721314826376001042012-04-25T16:58:00.000-07:002012-04-25T16:58:26.037-07:00A Walk on the Wild Side...<span style="color: red;">I have always had a love/hate relationship with nature. </span><br />
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<u><strong><span style="color: red;">Things I Love:</span></strong></u></div>
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<span style="color: red;">1. Warm weather</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">2. Wind</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">3. Thunderstorms</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">4. Starry skies</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">5. The smell of campfire</span></div>
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<u><strong><span style="color: red;">Things I Hate:</span></strong></u></div>
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<span style="color: red;">1. Bradford Pear Trees (or trees of death as I call them since I'm highly allergic).</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">2. Random bugs flying in my eyes and mouth.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">3. Any kind of reptile (especially big ones called snakes)</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">4. Mosquito bites</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">5. "Wild" animals (bears, or any other scary animal that attacks humans)</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">At our school, we have a really cool area out back called the Wetlands. They built it last year so that as the years go by, we can grow the wetland and our kiddos can enjoy looking and studying the 'critters' and plants that a wetland brings. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">I've ventured out there a time or 2 with my kiddos and my heart is always beating so fast! Going into nature with 17 kids is a big responsibility! They released a black snake in the wetlands to "take care o' business"...if you know what I mean. Well, the first time we headed out there, I was met by my friend Ms. Carr and she informed me that our "friend" was out there. Her kiddos almost stepped on it...YIKES!!!!! I cautiously walked around with my kids and we saw lots of cool things (fortunately, I saw the snake heading away from the wetlands as we approached). One of my kids told me with such excitement that this was the first woodpecker he had EVER SEEN! I was so glad I was there to see that moment! We also saw some cool silkworm nests high up in the trees. My kids are such eagle eyes!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Well, yesterday after school I went to a class that was all about the wetlands. At the end of the class, we went out there to check the traps that one of the teachers had set earlier. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"> <strong>*Flashback*....when I was a lifeguard, the scariest part of my day was "checking the traps". I would take the lid off real fast, jump back, and peek into it usually finding a frog or a pool toy but just knowing I'd find a snake.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">So needless to say, I wasn't too thrilled to check the traps. I planned on staying at the back of the group in case something large was in that trap. So how I ended up doing this....I'm not so sure.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s1HGOGvNToM/T5iNC4Vu0FI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/uOgb_926WXE/s1600/Noah+and+the+wetlands+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s1HGOGvNToM/T5iNC4Vu0FI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/uOgb_926WXE/s320/Noah+and+the+wetlands+2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><strong>Side Note: I swear that trap was out a lot farther then it looks, my rubber booted foot got stuck big time in the mud, and yes...I'm wearing pearls. ;)</strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8jg471cA_28/T5iM8u50FsI/AAAAAAAAAoI/u4caMiHrdGU/s1600/Amanda+and+the+wetlands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8jg471cA_28/T5iM8u50FsI/AAAAAAAAAoI/u4caMiHrdGU/s320/Amanda+and+the+wetlands.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Hoping and praying there is nothing big in that trap. I love how our leader is clapping for me like I just won the Nobel Peace Prize or something..ha! Luckily, there were only fish in there. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">In one of the traps, we did find some extra large tadpoles. They looked like snake heads with itty-bitty tails. Noah was fascinated and got to get an extra close look!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VKnmOEJgrTw/T5iN1SzRrxI/AAAAAAAAAoY/8oj83U-2EO4/s1600/Noah+and+the+wetlands+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VKnmOEJgrTw/T5iN1SzRrxI/AAAAAAAAAoY/8oj83U-2EO4/s320/Noah+and+the+wetlands+3.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eebs7pazXb8/T5iN_tz3K6I/AAAAAAAAAog/ePfTt6qBInQ/s1600/Noah+and+the+wetlands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eebs7pazXb8/T5iN_tz3K6I/AAAAAAAAAog/ePfTt6qBInQ/s320/Noah+and+the+wetlands.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: red;">This boy loves dirt, animals, and getting messy. I'm so glad he's mine! :) He talked about this experience all night long and wants to 'set traps' here at home. No telling what we would find in these East Tennessee traps!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Get outside with your kids! We "save" earthworms after a rainstorm by putting them back into the soil. It's some of the most fun I have with my little creature.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Keep Walking...and Keep Wild!</span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-49900155423788063912012-04-11T18:05:00.000-07:002012-04-11T18:05:03.770-07:00Eyes Swollen Shut & Snakes on a Front Porch (AKA Easter 2012)<span style="color: red;">Gah....can't anything in my life just be N-O-R-M-A-L?? The answer is no. I'd be bored with normal. </span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">Friday, April 6, 2012</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;">I woke up on this glorious Friday morning excited to have the day off and prepare for my family to head to Knoxville. It was a beautiful day and I was ready to take a longer than 10 minute shower, dress up, and turn into Martha Stewart for the day.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Instead, I woke up with my eyes almost swollen shut due to allergies, a cranky 5 year old who didn't want to leave the house, and the dread of having to go to Walmart on Good Friday (don't do it, people!). So...I popped my new allergy pill (long story there), forced my boy out the door by bribing him with cheese dip at Salsaritas, and put a smile on my (swollen) face to all Walmart shoppers. $125 later (still don't know what I bought that cost that much), I headed home to unload my "hostess with the mostess" groceries just in time for my family to arrive. </span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">SIDE NOTE.- I had bought "no bake" cookies at Walmart and was trying to slap them on a pretty serving tray and pretend I made them...but my brother and his family got there too early and busted me. SHAMEFUL!!</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;">BACK TO STORY...</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">I'm walking up to my front porch with an armful of groceries and 6 glass bottles of beverage (ahem...)and I see a little "familiar" head sticking out of the crack in my front porch <strike>that my</strike> <strike>husband keeps telling me he's going to have fixed.</strike> I bent down to say hello (and I mean..right in it's face because I'm a lover of all lizards) and about died TWICE when I saw what I saw. I saw a big ol' snake face with his big ol' beady eyes and big ol' forked tongue looking right at me. I say I about died twice because A.) I almost had a heart attack right there on my front lawn and B.) I backed up so quickly I nearly tripped over my monkey grass and cracked my head right there on the sidewalk (not to mention I may have yelled a few "choice" words)...sorry...it's just what I do when I'm startled enough to lose my breath. I believe my brother was only concerned and proud of the fact that I didn't drop the beverage bottles. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Well I did what any Southern girl would do...I called my brother, then my daddy, then my husband to tell them about the snake and demand that they "do something"! </span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">Brother: "What do you want me to do about it?" </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;"> Daddy: "Just reach in there and pull it out!" </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">Husband: "He's not going to bother you..he's more scared of you". REALLY??? Really.</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;"> <u>NO HELP WHATSOEVER.</u></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">So there you have it...not only did I provide food for my family this Easter weekend, but I also provided good ol', free, redneck, snake wrangling entertainment. My dad even went so far as to pick up a fake snake at the Dollar Store and hide it in various locations outside...help us, Lord!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">No...we have not seen the snake in 2 days. Various explanations?</span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">Me: "He probably realized that wasn't a good place to hide since we come up and down the porch a lot." </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">Sister-in-law: "She's probably way back in there protecting lots of baby snake eggs." </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">Brother: "He probably climbed in your house somehow and will show up in your toilet."</span></strong><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">There are no words.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">We ended up having a great weekend despite the snake incident...I won't bore you with the details because if you are anything like me...I look at blogs for the pictures. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: red;">Another Side Note:</span></u></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">Matt says I'm "vain" for worrying about it, but I look horrendous in our Easter pictures. My allergies have been awful this year and my eyes/face has been swollen since last week. I'm not fishing for "I think you look GREAT" comments...I just don't want you think I'm pregnant or dying. ;) Ok...I'm finished.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Unk_NYuv2M4/T4YmQw76AjI/AAAAAAAAAhI/MH6JpVy1hH0/s1600/Easter+2012+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Unk_NYuv2M4/T4YmQw76AjI/AAAAAAAAAhI/MH6JpVy1hH0/s320/Easter+2012+006.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"> Mom already digging through my cabinets upon arrival.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4INZFKAjq_o/T4YmTbDyo_I/AAAAAAAAAhQ/Q0Damc9CKZI/s1600/Easter+2012+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4INZFKAjq_o/T4YmTbDyo_I/AAAAAAAAAhQ/Q0Damc9CKZI/s320/Easter+2012+007.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"> Festive bottles with Easter bunnies on them ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yZeeSrXKnB0/T4YmUUqipLI/AAAAAAAAAhY/SsrjlItjxsI/s1600/Easter+2012+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yZeeSrXKnB0/T4YmUUqipLI/AAAAAAAAAhY/SsrjlItjxsI/s320/Easter+2012+008.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7vCooCtF8yo/T4YmWXvF4cI/AAAAAAAAAhg/nCU9NnpUb4E/s1600/Easter+2012+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7vCooCtF8yo/T4YmWXvF4cI/AAAAAAAAAhg/nCU9NnpUb4E/s320/Easter+2012+010.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_XSuZYzStZ8/T4YmXwVyUpI/AAAAAAAAAho/aS5zWK4UdTw/s1600/Easter+2012+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_XSuZYzStZ8/T4YmXwVyUpI/AAAAAAAAAho/aS5zWK4UdTw/s320/Easter+2012+013.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"> Easter baskets from Nana and Paw-Paw!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jnH5_L0p4wA/T4Yma55GRBI/AAAAAAAAAhw/aJd52hpuois/s1600/Easter+2012+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jnH5_L0p4wA/T4Yma55GRBI/AAAAAAAAAhw/aJd52hpuois/s320/Easter+2012+014.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jJJKlkoeino/T4YmcWYWspI/AAAAAAAAAh0/MeboMHckKKY/s1600/Easter+2012+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jJJKlkoeino/T4YmcWYWspI/AAAAAAAAAh0/MeboMHckKKY/s320/Easter+2012+018.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"> New swimsuits!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N-qFNxaDvfM/T4YmeAXycBI/AAAAAAAAAiA/xvCoRrh36Zc/s1600/Easter+2012+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N-qFNxaDvfM/T4YmeAXycBI/AAAAAAAAAiA/xvCoRrh36Zc/s320/Easter+2012+022.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gfpkgIEFLso/T4YmfGY71BI/AAAAAAAAAiI/rahg0-x6bsA/s1600/Easter+2012+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gfpkgIEFLso/T4YmfGY71BI/AAAAAAAAAiI/rahg0-x6bsA/s320/Easter+2012+024.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"> Fake tattoos are fun for all ages!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GFiIyTLtSyY/T4YmgcsQSWI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/DWdVBikEX5s/s1600/Easter+2012+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GFiIyTLtSyY/T4YmgcsQSWI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/DWdVBikEX5s/s320/Easter+2012+028.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"> Setting up for the glow in the dark egg hunt!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XPDUX7EmI4w/T4YmiAns4eI/AAAAAAAAAiY/sF02QT7sUkQ/s1600/Easter+2012+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XPDUX7EmI4w/T4YmiAns4eI/AAAAAAAAAiY/sF02QT7sUkQ/s320/Easter+2012+029.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"> Glow in the dark eggs!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQSTMXW88BQ/T4Ymj3_Id0I/AAAAAAAAAig/1Wqq5SSVMY8/s1600/Easter+2012+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQSTMXW88BQ/T4Ymj3_Id0I/AAAAAAAAAig/1Wqq5SSVMY8/s320/Easter+2012+033.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hd8RnE9kI8w/T4YmleOit6I/AAAAAAAAAio/kE-I0_XTbbs/s1600/Easter+2012+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hd8RnE9kI8w/T4YmleOit6I/AAAAAAAAAio/kE-I0_XTbbs/s320/Easter+2012+036.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ECvTd2guwEA/T4YmmrHphqI/AAAAAAAAAiw/HiFFgb7ilCc/s1600/Easter+2012+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ECvTd2guwEA/T4YmmrHphqI/AAAAAAAAAiw/HiFFgb7ilCc/s320/Easter+2012+038.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"> Some of Noah's biggest fans!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6RqZafQMoOI/T4Ymn87U0gI/AAAAAAAAAi4/5FIzzyMsQI8/s1600/Easter+2012+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6RqZafQMoOI/T4Ymn87U0gI/AAAAAAAAAi4/5FIzzyMsQI8/s320/Easter+2012+039.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"> Deana thawing out her feet after hockey practice...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PXRuIa1Qmig/T4YmpC8xdlI/AAAAAAAAAjA/Dl5K_Hh3EA0/s1600/Easter+2012+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PXRuIa1Qmig/T4YmpC8xdlI/AAAAAAAAAjA/Dl5K_Hh3EA0/s320/Easter+2012+040.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7tFfVufuCE/T4YmqUSFmsI/AAAAAAAAAjI/A9QDAQDzBqo/s1600/Easter+2012+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7tFfVufuCE/T4YmqUSFmsI/AAAAAAAAAjI/A9QDAQDzBqo/s320/Easter+2012+041.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3rt7emGw9cc/T4YmsYKWJUI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/f28wHoYqEzk/s1600/Easter+2012+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3rt7emGw9cc/T4YmsYKWJUI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/f28wHoYqEzk/s320/Easter+2012+043.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Uav2pLkOFU/T4Ymt5hcTlI/AAAAAAAAAjY/4dqN64S-lxQ/s1600/Easter+2012+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Uav2pLkOFU/T4Ymt5hcTlI/AAAAAAAAAjY/4dqN64S-lxQ/s320/Easter+2012+045.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"> Sticking a shovel in the snake's home = not smart.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BUtlNsFS5BQ/T4Ymu07yTDI/AAAAAAAAAjg/GyQMra2VFzk/s1600/Easter+2012+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BUtlNsFS5BQ/T4Ymu07yTDI/AAAAAAAAAjg/GyQMra2VFzk/s320/Easter+2012+046.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"> These may just look like eggs...but they are my 1st batch of boiled eggs...ever! :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLg5NOpOsOs/T4YmwT1cICI/AAAAAAAAAjo/teiEOAMtLbc/s1600/Easter+2012+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLg5NOpOsOs/T4YmwT1cICI/AAAAAAAAAjo/teiEOAMtLbc/s320/Easter+2012+050.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pn_PEIhrd3Y/T4Ym0JK-IMI/AAAAAAAAAjw/95BLUXIHK-0/s1600/Easter+2012+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pn_PEIhrd3Y/T4Ym0JK-IMI/AAAAAAAAAjw/95BLUXIHK-0/s320/Easter+2012+052.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A0T0m3WLmF8/T4Ym12sID6I/AAAAAAAAAj4/E0uNQkq0Lkc/s1600/Easter+2012+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A0T0m3WLmF8/T4Ym12sID6I/AAAAAAAAAj4/E0uNQkq0Lkc/s320/Easter+2012+053.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E51V-9WQvgo/T4Ym4RGo-SI/AAAAAAAAAkA/kN_6iuWuOOc/s1600/Easter+2012+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E51V-9WQvgo/T4Ym4RGo-SI/AAAAAAAAAkA/kN_6iuWuOOc/s320/Easter+2012+060.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-McyAMLKsQL0/T4Ym56yI7BI/AAAAAAAAAkI/XI81xYtkArs/s1600/Easter+2012+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-McyAMLKsQL0/T4Ym56yI7BI/AAAAAAAAAkI/XI81xYtkArs/s320/Easter+2012+063.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"> Lola is thrilled about dyeing eggs...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cl3B46Y5Kis/T4Ym9GpyuAI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/mCBIgWz1JKE/s1600/Easter+2012+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cl3B46Y5Kis/T4Ym9GpyuAI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/mCBIgWz1JKE/s320/Easter+2012+064.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"> So is Dad...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-22-AJLl8JXs/T4Ym-UZ4JuI/AAAAAAAAAkY/4agk9sX3abg/s1600/Easter+2012+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-22-AJLl8JXs/T4Ym-UZ4JuI/AAAAAAAAAkY/4agk9sX3abg/s320/Easter+2012+070.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hD-JZigq6LY/T4YnBh6l8CI/AAAAAAAAAkg/ljY-3D7Twrw/s1600/Easter+2012+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hD-JZigq6LY/T4YnBh6l8CI/AAAAAAAAAkg/ljY-3D7Twrw/s320/Easter+2012+080.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"> Swearing to the Silly String oath provided by Nana</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E4mwTS-VzPc/T4YnCgoNjYI/AAAAAAAAAko/HzJ473OdT_0/s1600/Easter+2012+082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E4mwTS-VzPc/T4YnCgoNjYI/AAAAAAAAAko/HzJ473OdT_0/s320/Easter+2012+082.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nb2Ow67LKBU/T4YnEwugKXI/AAAAAAAAAkw/zyT4oNdNsbw/s1600/Easter+2012+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nb2Ow67LKBU/T4YnEwugKXI/AAAAAAAAAkw/zyT4oNdNsbw/s320/Easter+2012+087.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-no8th-cXAQc/T4YnHSnxxNI/AAAAAAAAAk4/0pJNKbxXglQ/s1600/Easter+2012+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-no8th-cXAQc/T4YnHSnxxNI/AAAAAAAAAk4/0pJNKbxXglQ/s320/Easter+2012+089.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--8x1KWr_SBI/T4YnIh8ZhLI/AAAAAAAAAlA/iSJq2MJGVoQ/s1600/Easter+2012+091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--8x1KWr_SBI/T4YnIh8ZhLI/AAAAAAAAAlA/iSJq2MJGVoQ/s320/Easter+2012+091.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zRyATbLOzHw/T4YnKmeZNAI/AAAAAAAAAlI/IqNG-y7g53k/s1600/Easter+2012+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zRyATbLOzHw/T4YnKmeZNAI/AAAAAAAAAlI/IqNG-y7g53k/s320/Easter+2012+092.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"> Parents Night Out!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-akBNqtFLqDg/T4YnMAqG-7I/AAAAAAAAAlQ/fG2IoN_wtoI/s1600/Easter+2012+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-akBNqtFLqDg/T4YnMAqG-7I/AAAAAAAAAlQ/fG2IoN_wtoI/s320/Easter+2012+094.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_fxy85i_8YI/T4YnON1TEwI/AAAAAAAAAlY/RRaKDQmpk-c/s1600/Easter+2012+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_fxy85i_8YI/T4YnON1TEwI/AAAAAAAAAlY/RRaKDQmpk-c/s320/Easter+2012+095.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"> Filling up our candy bucket at Mast!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hWiJ2ptwspw/T4YnQLAPJ3I/AAAAAAAAAlg/hg03dA4Vlxc/s1600/Easter+2012+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hWiJ2ptwspw/T4YnQLAPJ3I/AAAAAAAAAlg/hg03dA4Vlxc/s320/Easter+2012+096.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"> Worst Candy Ever...Circus Peanuts.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JsB3wT_XLEE/T4YnRz5QhKI/AAAAAAAAAlo/Tdk9-VlwHW0/s1600/Easter+2012+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JsB3wT_XLEE/T4YnRz5QhKI/AAAAAAAAAlo/Tdk9-VlwHW0/s320/Easter+2012+098.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--wh_7XDpztw/T4YnTcVBqEI/AAAAAAAAAlw/1BrZWAhFNvo/s1600/Easter+2012+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--wh_7XDpztw/T4YnTcVBqEI/AAAAAAAAAlw/1BrZWAhFNvo/s320/Easter+2012+104.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"> The Easter Bunny delivered!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jZ7xsOn6Lp8/T4YnVwN0qTI/AAAAAAAAAl4/G1mzNRp_XqU/s1600/Easter+2012+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jZ7xsOn6Lp8/T4YnVwN0qTI/AAAAAAAAAl4/G1mzNRp_XqU/s320/Easter+2012+106.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k4p_sTz8J7U/T4YnYEWpa9I/AAAAAAAAAmA/GoDupAfvUoA/s1600/Easter+2012+110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k4p_sTz8J7U/T4YnYEWpa9I/AAAAAAAAAmA/GoDupAfvUoA/s320/Easter+2012+110.JPG" width="239" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fYvIM709cSw/T4YnZYHGRtI/AAAAAAAAAmE/ERgg-wglLW4/s1600/Easter+2012+111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fYvIM709cSw/T4YnZYHGRtI/AAAAAAAAAmE/ERgg-wglLW4/s320/Easter+2012+111.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tYWt2I1RVa8/T4YnckpkMEI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/XGkMoj8N15Q/s1600/Easter+2012+115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tYWt2I1RVa8/T4YnckpkMEI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/XGkMoj8N15Q/s320/Easter+2012+115.JPG" width="214" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cnJBkXrAa9k/T4YnfnKnv7I/AAAAAAAAAmY/HB6gW-I3uew/s1600/Easter+2012+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cnJBkXrAa9k/T4YnfnKnv7I/AAAAAAAAAmY/HB6gW-I3uew/s320/Easter+2012+116.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LCPITiiUJCo/T4YnhOdG7KI/AAAAAAAAAmg/FSBZxf8CcEA/s1600/Easter+2012+120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LCPITiiUJCo/T4YnhOdG7KI/AAAAAAAAAmg/FSBZxf8CcEA/s320/Easter+2012+120.JPG" width="214" /></span></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sCs34kAz0_c/T4Ynj4Ldj7I/AAAAAAAAAmw/OGuYpkgMYmc/s1600/Easter+2012+125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sCs34kAz0_c/T4Ynj4Ldj7I/AAAAAAAAAmw/OGuYpkgMYmc/s320/Easter+2012+125.JPG" width="260" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q64OrLXOogo/T4YnlbVbROI/AAAAAAAAAm8/iUWBFyTNVx8/s1600/Easter+2012+126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q64OrLXOogo/T4YnlbVbROI/AAAAAAAAAm8/iUWBFyTNVx8/s320/Easter+2012+126.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mSEMz4PTiL4/T4YnomGgKhI/AAAAAAAAAnE/ikDDgmAmbvk/s1600/Easter+2012+128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mSEMz4PTiL4/T4YnomGgKhI/AAAAAAAAAnE/ikDDgmAmbvk/s320/Easter+2012+128.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EX0uDYjyhrk/T4Ynp9SuBxI/AAAAAAAAAnM/Zoq72t0hkBo/s1600/Easter+2012+132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EX0uDYjyhrk/T4Ynp9SuBxI/AAAAAAAAAnM/Zoq72t0hkBo/s320/Easter+2012+132.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ouxi1YLQWIY/T4YnqzErAgI/AAAAAAAAAnU/GPbUJdHtEtw/s1600/Easter+2012+135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ouxi1YLQWIY/T4YnqzErAgI/AAAAAAAAAnU/GPbUJdHtEtw/s320/Easter+2012+135.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Happy Easter from my crazy family to yours!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">Keep Wrangling.....</span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-49982429999628510342012-04-08T13:55:00.000-07:002012-04-08T13:55:32.300-07:00Deep in the Heart of Texas...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Over spring break, we were lucky enough to be able to visit the great state of Texas! I was so excited to get to see some of my family and see Dallas! These 2 were happy as clams on the plane. Me? I'm taking the picture with shaky hands. ;) I survived.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kc5CMWTpuN0/T4H2Payo2iI/AAAAAAAAAcg/QYDvZzWbcKU/s1600/Texas+2012+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kc5CMWTpuN0/T4H2Payo2iI/AAAAAAAAAcg/QYDvZzWbcKU/s320/Texas+2012+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> My Uncle Larry welcomed us at the airport with balloons and gummy worms! ;) We headed back to the house to rest a little bit from our long day of driving and flying.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dXVTmFQ3SGY/T4H2RvsuuJI/AAAAAAAAAco/w7ZZnK-AazE/s1600/Texas+2012+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dXVTmFQ3SGY/T4H2RvsuuJI/AAAAAAAAAco/w7ZZnK-AazE/s320/Texas+2012+007.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Noah being loved on already with a new Shark book and Shark DVD!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bt1WLrbtPVI/T4H2SRk7QeI/AAAAAAAAAcw/dS5dFhwJBwM/s1600/Texas+2012+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bt1WLrbtPVI/T4H2SRk7QeI/AAAAAAAAAcw/dS5dFhwJBwM/s320/Texas+2012+010.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a-auWSm5b7A/T4H2UZKAeMI/AAAAAAAAAc4/RUWNYGCK914/s1600/Texas+2012+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a-auWSm5b7A/T4H2UZKAeMI/AAAAAAAAAc4/RUWNYGCK914/s320/Texas+2012+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Hanzo, the dog, became our new buddy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1F91uRytIzQ/T4H2Vd4wbCI/AAAAAAAAAdA/yDIqqPB7Bvo/s1600/Texas+2012+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1F91uRytIzQ/T4H2Vd4wbCI/AAAAAAAAAdA/yDIqqPB7Bvo/s320/Texas+2012+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> After dinner that night, we did what my family does best. We googled the nearest Krispy Kreme and hit it up! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The next day, we headed to the property where my aunt works to check out the longhorn, bulls, buffalo, and beef-alo (yes...a cow and a buffalo...yikes.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-INNL-TMUO40/T4H2X2Ab54I/AAAAAAAAAdI/mVG55q5eEko/s1600/Texas+2012+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-INNL-TMUO40/T4H2X2Ab54I/AAAAAAAAAdI/mVG55q5eEko/s320/Texas+2012+021.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HqRlzOdzyDM/T4H2ZlD6s_I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/zrUeWuTjotQ/s1600/Texas+2012+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HqRlzOdzyDM/T4H2ZlD6s_I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/zrUeWuTjotQ/s320/Texas+2012+023.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Pdv6pNql-M/T4H2a9CoY4I/AAAAAAAAAdY/1ixpQyW64RE/s1600/Texas+2012+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Pdv6pNql-M/T4H2a9CoY4I/AAAAAAAAAdY/1ixpQyW64RE/s320/Texas+2012+026.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jsrQqa4zHOM/T4H2dMzdZxI/AAAAAAAAAdg/L4VakP8D05E/s1600/Texas+2012+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jsrQqa4zHOM/T4H2dMzdZxI/AAAAAAAAAdg/L4VakP8D05E/s320/Texas+2012+029.JPG" width="156" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Wishing this was my backyard...I'm in heaven!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ebjw3nU1DjE/T4H2eonGPLI/AAAAAAAAAdo/RDFXBxv4PL8/s1600/Texas+2012+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ebjw3nU1DjE/T4H2eonGPLI/AAAAAAAAAdo/RDFXBxv4PL8/s320/Texas+2012+037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ldNwhDNvdTY/T4H2gRV_niI/AAAAAAAAAdw/a1xOeQpIinU/s1600/Texas+2012+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ldNwhDNvdTY/T4H2gRV_niI/AAAAAAAAAdw/a1xOeQpIinU/s320/Texas+2012+040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> N was talking to me about all the animals ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After that, we hit up some shopping and the boys went ice skating! Noah couldn't wait to show Uncle Larry how well he can skate!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wt7vJMABH2I/T4H2iQ54_BI/AAAAAAAAAd4/8l8wfJtj0PU/s1600/Texas+2012+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wt7vJMABH2I/T4H2iQ54_BI/AAAAAAAAAd4/8l8wfJtj0PU/s320/Texas+2012+047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tia60OQw1s8/T4H2kW5bjVI/AAAAAAAAAeA/a9g7ZcLtvJ4/s1600/Texas+2012+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tia60OQw1s8/T4H2kW5bjVI/AAAAAAAAAeA/a9g7ZcLtvJ4/s320/Texas+2012+051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Noah and Aunt T making silly faces on the carousel!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kwfTv5Te-GE/T4H2l5yJ26I/AAAAAAAAAeI/t8OJQqE644w/s1600/Texas+2012+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kwfTv5Te-GE/T4H2l5yJ26I/AAAAAAAAAeI/t8OJQqE644w/s320/Texas+2012+053.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We went to the ice arena to see where the Dallas hockey team plays and Noah walked away with this little Dallas Star cutie. He named him "Stripes"...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Later that night, we headed to the Blue Goose Mexican Cantina! My 2 favorite foods are BBQ and Mexian...I think I'd fit in there really well!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CSbR9zN2yTQ/T4H2oMqwu5I/AAAAAAAAAeQ/S5P7lvTAmXA/s1600/Texas+2012+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CSbR9zN2yTQ/T4H2oMqwu5I/AAAAAAAAAeQ/S5P7lvTAmXA/s320/Texas+2012+055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o4vxlU5neGI/T4H20nBVJvI/AAAAAAAAAeY/CX1mjE3FH7U/s1600/Texas+2012+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o4vxlU5neGI/T4H20nBVJvI/AAAAAAAAAeY/CX1mjE3FH7U/s320/Texas+2012+057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E5q7eHrrYdI/T4H23jYlq7I/AAAAAAAAAeg/IWB3ygSjO6M/s1600/Texas+2012+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E5q7eHrrYdI/T4H23jYlq7I/AAAAAAAAAeg/IWB3ygSjO6M/s320/Texas+2012+060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> My awesome cousins, Conner and Taylor, joined us for dinner. Noah loved them as much as I do!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We headed back to the house for some video games!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mGl9iDbrCEw/T4H241aktVI/AAAAAAAAAeo/h3w_-MXefPY/s1600/Texas+2012+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mGl9iDbrCEw/T4H241aktVI/AAAAAAAAAeo/h3w_-MXefPY/s320/Texas+2012+062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div align="center">The next day, we headed to Gatti Land. Matt and I thought it would be like Mr. Gatti's with a few video games. Boy, were we wrong!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8aJ7Vl6sQek/T4H26wVDepI/AAAAAAAAAew/wZX3QI1MnrE/s1600/Texas+2012+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8aJ7Vl6sQek/T4H26wVDepI/AAAAAAAAAew/wZX3QI1MnrE/s320/Texas+2012+068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Loving on our buddy, Hanzo, before we leave.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NrF4OM6-__w/T4H28QF9ofI/AAAAAAAAAe4/NdVMJEIwhYc/s1600/Texas+2012+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NrF4OM6-__w/T4H28QF9ofI/AAAAAAAAAe4/NdVMJEIwhYc/s320/Texas+2012+072.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4N5egDGSEBc/T4H2-qyeYoI/AAAAAAAAAfA/Cmmwhgntlxw/s1600/Texas+2012+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4N5egDGSEBc/T4H2-qyeYoI/AAAAAAAAAfA/Cmmwhgntlxw/s320/Texas+2012+073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We played here in kiddie-heaven for 4 hours! It didn't hurt that Uncle Larry gave Noah $40 worth of tokens! Oh MY!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nmnQM7afb6g/T4H3A-0Bm-I/AAAAAAAAAfI/9YqI0mdOky4/s1600/Texas+2012+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nmnQM7afb6g/T4H3A-0Bm-I/AAAAAAAAAfI/9YqI0mdOky4/s320/Texas+2012+074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Kiddie bowling lanes with little bowling balls..CUTE!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SORAnQO5SYA/T4H3Ch_J9kI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/lHk4oUHrbV8/s1600/Texas+2012+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SORAnQO5SYA/T4H3Ch_J9kI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/lHk4oUHrbV8/s320/Texas+2012+085.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Bumper Cars!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7nyJPpGQOT8/T4H3E9a7OiI/AAAAAAAAAfY/kgGGoq8vPqQ/s1600/Texas+2012+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7nyJPpGQOT8/T4H3E9a7OiI/AAAAAAAAAfY/kgGGoq8vPqQ/s320/Texas+2012+088.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Pirate Ship Ride!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GtfAEJOv6zA/T4H3F5cYDbI/AAAAAAAAAfg/WKbKFu64A4g/s1600/Texas+2012+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GtfAEJOv6zA/T4H3F5cYDbI/AAAAAAAAAfg/WKbKFu64A4g/s320/Texas+2012+092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Competitive Air Hockey with Aunt T!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fSEurYu1w_M/T4H3Imr-s6I/AAAAAAAAAfo/_QBkaeN2Gwg/s1600/Texas+2012+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fSEurYu1w_M/T4H3Imr-s6I/AAAAAAAAAfo/_QBkaeN2Gwg/s320/Texas+2012+093.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-93lwfyn_GTA/T4H3KGFh0BI/AAAAAAAAAfw/x6P1rh63scs/s1600/Texas+2012+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-93lwfyn_GTA/T4H3KGFh0BI/AAAAAAAAAfw/x6P1rh63scs/s320/Texas+2012+094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Of course, my child wanted his WHOLE FACE painted. Yay!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fMo0H6m9dd4/T4H3Mbf_20I/AAAAAAAAAf4/UR9ihPG7fsw/s1600/Texas+2012+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fMo0H6m9dd4/T4H3Mbf_20I/AAAAAAAAAf4/UR9ihPG7fsw/s320/Texas+2012+096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div align="center">We headed back to the house for some swimming and grilling out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zBEk36XifYg/T4H3OlqeFfI/AAAAAAAAAgA/3vdC_n1276E/s1600/Texas+2012+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zBEk36XifYg/T4H3OlqeFfI/AAAAAAAAAgA/3vdC_n1276E/s320/Texas+2012+100.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1_obZjZ5kX4/T4H3RxMqCVI/AAAAAAAAAgI/BrxN9UbMWXI/s1600/Texas+2012+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1_obZjZ5kX4/T4H3RxMqCVI/AAAAAAAAAgI/BrxN9UbMWXI/s320/Texas+2012+101.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KDmq454SjCo/T4H3TDv7bDI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/rLdr038_utU/s1600/Texas+2012+117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KDmq454SjCo/T4H3TDv7bDI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/rLdr038_utU/s320/Texas+2012+117.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We were all worn out by the evening!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RrXfClvMSIM/T4H3UQygmUI/AAAAAAAAAgY/W16LONwdPpI/s1600/Texas+2012+119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RrXfClvMSIM/T4H3UQygmUI/AAAAAAAAAgY/W16LONwdPpI/s320/Texas+2012+119.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Noah got a hold of one of Conner's masks! This one STILL gets me!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">The next day, we ended our trip in Texas with some good old fashioned motorcycle riding! My uncle is just a rockin' Harley riding Texan and we loved getting a chance to ride!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JUmezEl9k3g/T4H3W6yol9I/AAAAAAAAAgg/MIqEIL3MBBg/s1600/Texas+2012+120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JUmezEl9k3g/T4H3W6yol9I/AAAAAAAAAgg/MIqEIL3MBBg/s320/Texas+2012+120.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-864jfM5VVv4/T4H3afKNJHI/AAAAAAAAAgo/GMdgiZya8SU/s1600/Texas+2012+125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-864jfM5VVv4/T4H3afKNJHI/AAAAAAAAAgo/GMdgiZya8SU/s320/Texas+2012+125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f9Ln3NydFrE/T4H3b4EzusI/AAAAAAAAAgw/MEXJqHlCY1s/s1600/Texas+2012+129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f9Ln3NydFrE/T4H3b4EzusI/AAAAAAAAAgw/MEXJqHlCY1s/s320/Texas+2012+129.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Val9Hp6wUjA/T4H3d9rdi4I/AAAAAAAAAg4/AYACsLAJK9M/s1600/Texas+2012+138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Val9Hp6wUjA/T4H3d9rdi4I/AAAAAAAAAg4/AYACsLAJK9M/s320/Texas+2012+138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I sure do love my Uncle La-La! (what I called him when I was little)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you all could say a prayer for my uncle as he has another surgery tomorrow morning in his battle against cancer. We know that he is strong and God answers prayers, so we are hopeful. If anyone can kick cancer's tail, my Uncle La-la can! :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We love you Uncle Larry, Aunt T, Conner & Taylor and can't wait to visit again! I definitely left a piece of my heart Deep in the Heart of Texas....</div><br />
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<div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ptZeriFeno/T4H3g5bmikI/AAAAAAAAAhA/JhHXNpYJP9g/s1600/Texas+2012+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ptZeriFeno/T4H3g5bmikI/AAAAAAAAAhA/JhHXNpYJP9g/s320/Texas+2012+104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-61933711617702616452012-03-17T07:57:00.000-07:002012-03-17T07:57:30.222-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Freedom- exemption from external control, interference, or regulation.</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;">This post has been a long time in the making and a long time coming. Not in the sense that I ever thought I would have a blog and write about it so all of my friends and family could have some kind of reaction to it...but more like it's been a battle in my mind that's been dying to get out but I was too ashamed or nervous about what the consequences would be.</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;">I think that's why I love my 30's. I can honestly say that people's opinions no longer matter to me. Love me or hate me...it has no effect on my day to day life anymore. However, I also think it has taken the Lord a long time to get me to the place I am today. The funny thing is...I feel farther away...yet closer...to the Lord than I have at any other time in my life. How is that possible? I'm not sure yet...but in writing this post, I am shedding some light on my current spiritual situation so that I can continue to learn something from it. The bonus would be that some of you would take something away as well. After reading this post, you WILL have a reaction to it. The reactions will probably be as follows:</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;">a.) "Honey, if I were Amanda Mallery, I would be double checking to make sure I was even really saved."</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;">b.) "Did you read Amanda Mallery's post? The devil sure has her fooled."</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;">-or-</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;">c.) "Holy Crap. I have felt that exact same way at one time or another." (meaning..you probably feel this way right now but you dont' want to admit it)</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Whatever your reaction...it's ok with me. The positive reactions will be shared with me on facebook, by text, or by e-mail. The negative reactions will be shared amongst the negative reactors...behind my back of course...even better. ;) But I am excercising my <em>freedom</em>...a word I thought I understood, thought I lived, and realized this year...I have no flippin' clue what it really means. It's my goal this year to search out <em>freedom</em>....true <em>freedom</em>....and make it mine.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I have been out of church for almost a year now. We visit from time to time, but we are not members anywhere nor are we looking very hard to become members somewhere. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>Does that disappoint me?</em> Yes...because I know better.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>Does it disappoint God?</em> I'm sure it does...because He knows I know better.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>Does He understand?</em> I think He does. Understanding it and agreeing with it are 2 different things. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> When I left my previous church, I knew it would be hard to break away from what I had known for 7 years, but I felt such...<em>freedom.</em> I couldn't explain it...and I felt awfully guilty about it at first. What kind of Christian feels more <em>freedom</em> when they leave a church? Isn't that <em>freedom</em> supposed to come from being a Christian who goes to church? This is where my "battle" began because I had/have no desire to be a part of another "church". I'm tired of what most "churches" are about...actually...I'm quite sick of it. I've seen too much with my own eyes...heard too much with my own ears...and then watched as the best dressed morphed into something on Sundays that I never saw during the week. This bothered me...because for a while...I was one of them. I was the face and the voice of something I didn't believe in. I was supposed to be experiencing <em>freedom</em>...but I was more enslaved than I have ever been in my entire life. Enslaved to rules I didn't see a purpose for...enslaved to pretending to be something I dont' even agree with...something I'm just not.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The following questions began to plague my mind...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">1. What is Christianity?</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. Why is it important in <strong>my</strong> life?</div><div style="text-align: left;">3. What is the truth that I know from the Bible? The non-negotiables? The "thou shalts and thou shalt nots"?</div><div style="text-align: left;">4. Whose rules have I really been living under? God's rules? Or God's rules interpreted by humans?</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Freedom- exemption from external control, interference, or regulation.</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I am not a follower. Sometimes...I just wish I was. I wish I could listen to something, hear the rule, and just follow it with absolutely no questions. In some aspects of my life, I am like this. I am not one to buck the rules at work. I'm not one to break rules in society and get kicked out of amusement parks, etc. But in my spiritual life, I just could never take a rule and follow it. I was always questioning its purpose and why that rule really mattered. I am still doing the same thing today and it frustrates me sometimes. A wise mentor in my life pointed out something I had never really thought about...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>my questioning things of the Lord is my seeking Him...and He loves it when His children seek Him.</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So here is all I know so far...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">1. I was saved on November 3, 1992 as a 7th grader. On that day, my eternal destination changed. I was not saved from alcoholism, drugs or abuse...I was just a middle schooler who knew God loved me and knew I didn't want to spend an eternity in hell. I asked Him into my life and started my list of Christians "do this" and "don't do this". That was a miserable way to live.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. The Holy Spirit guides my life and my choices. If He wasn't living in me, I would be buck wild...guaranteed. I don't believe the Holy Spirit guided me to throw away all my Mariah Carey CDs in 9th grade. That was an example of me following a human's interpretation of the Bible (fail). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">3. Christianity in my life is just that...MINE. I have learned to understand that my Christianity is MY relationship with Christ. And it's not always pretty...I probably spend more time questioning Him and what the Bible says...and He probably spends more time rolling His eyes and wondering when I'll ever just give over all my control and let it be. But I'm learning...learning to hear His voice, to follow His lead and do what He tells me.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">4.What does Christianity look like? To me...Christianity should be about encouraging and supporting people in their walk <em>right where they are</em>. Showing them Jesus, talking about Him, but not expecting them to conform to everything we think they should conform to overnight. The Bible says<em> "Be Kind to</em> <em>One Another</em>"...but what does that look like? Kind enough to let people run all over you? Kind enough to let people abuse you and not do anything about it? I just think there are so many "rules" in the Bible that we run with and never really think about what they really LOOK like in life. So many of us just know we are "supposed to be kind", but we've never given it a second thought. I don't want to go to church because I'm "supposed to"...that's not the kind of relationship with God that I want to teach my son.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">5. And finally, I know that true <em>freedom</em> comes from living a life that is pleasing to the One and Only. I don't know what that looks like 100% yet because God is still working on me from every angle. I honestly don't know if I will ever know what it looks like because I think God will be working on me until the day I die or He returns for me. I do know that I am no longer bound to the "law" of human beings. I am no longer doing things out of guilt, out of habit, or out of someone telling me that's what I'm supposed to do. I am doing the things that God impresses on me and continuing to seek Him and grow the relationship that is Mine....well...Ours. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> I am building my relationship with Christ<strong> <em>without external control, interference, or regulation</em></strong>. He is the only controller, interferer or regulator allowed. To me, that is true <em>freedom</em>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">2 final thoughts:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1BTOthPOOlY/T2SjAuNRmCI/AAAAAAAAAXw/dUWiDfipcOI/s1600/431092_10150606677582404_603402403_9119431_468067553_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1BTOthPOOlY/T2SjAuNRmCI/AAAAAAAAAXw/dUWiDfipcOI/s1600/431092_10150606677582404_603402403_9119431_468067553_n.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;">This is the type of woman I highly respect. She loves the Lord and she shows this by loving people in a way I don't even know that I could imitate. When people ask her: "How can you be a Christian and love someone who so openly goes against the things of God?" she responds by saying "How could I be a Christian and not love them?" It's families like the Geyers that our churches need more of. Real. Authentic. She is my encourager. The one person I can go to and tell her anything...and not get anything back but love. She's like my Jesus...on earth. ;)</div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;">And lastly, I love the deep thought behind Galatians 5:1...</div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;"><em>It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.</em> (NIV)</div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;">Translation: Christ died to set us free from a long list of rules and regulations. We don't use our freedom to do whatever we want because then we would be enslaved once again to our selfish desires. We must, however, stand against those who would enslave us with rules, methods, or special conditions for being saved or growing in Christ. (In the words of Madea...HALLELU-JER)</div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;">I see a tattoo blooming out of this thought. Breathe mom..I haven't gotten it...yet. ;)</div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;">Keep Walking...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-10156033577117327912012-03-04T17:36:00.000-08:002012-03-04T17:36:12.594-08:00This is Country Music....<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">I'm kind of a home-body during the school/work week. I don't like to work all day and then have to rush home and get ready to go somewhere for the evening. When I get home "late" (10:00), I don't feel like I have time to wind down and I don't sleep as well. In other words, my life is completely lame during the week...and I like it that way! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">This past Thursday, I was excited to spend the evening with an old set of friends. Change is never easy and sometimes when you leave something, it gives you the realization that things will never be what they once were. When Matt and I first moved to TN, we joined a small group at church that really changed our lives. This group was our family. Lots of us have moved on to new churches, new small groups, etc. so it was really nice to see all these girls again. I know that no matter what happens, these girls will always be there for me and my family.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oC1QJcp_d9Y/T1QUAeiyqCI/AAAAAAAAAV4/Dp4OilPyndc/s1600/Brad+Paisley+Concert+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oC1QJcp_d9Y/T1QUAeiyqCI/AAAAAAAAAV4/Dp4OilPyndc/s320/Brad+Paisley+Concert+002.JPG" width="312" /></span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Love all these sweet, sweet girls!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><><><span style="color: red;"> </span> </>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4-L20iKptEI/T1QRGAyx-CI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/p8xuB0HuVXs/s1600/Brad+Paisley+Concert+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4-L20iKptEI/T1QRGAyx-CI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/p8xuB0HuVXs/s320/Brad+Paisley+Concert+001.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">One of our fearless leaders, Amy</span><br />
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<div align="left"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Friday was Dr. Seuss Day at school, but honestly I just couldn't wait until Friday night! I knew Brad Paisley was waiting for us and I couldn't wait to get my Yee-Haw on! The weather was horrible and I had to wait out a hail storm to even get to dinner, but the worst of the storms hit while we were at the concert. We were oblivious to the weather by that point because BP put on an amazing show! We definitely got our money's worth!</span></div><div align="left"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qR0IB1jd1_M/T1QUlgz59WI/AAAAAAAAAWA/zMR5gm35mw0/s1600/Brad+Paisley+Concert+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qR0IB1jd1_M/T1QUlgz59WI/AAAAAAAAAWA/zMR5gm35mw0/s320/Brad+Paisley+Concert+018.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: red;"> Dinner at Aubrey's before the concert.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aNIFf7FG9bs/T1QUqPp2w1I/AAAAAAAAAWI/otJW2jwC_-4/s1600/Brad+Paisley+Concert+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aNIFf7FG9bs/T1QUqPp2w1I/AAAAAAAAAWI/otJW2jwC_-4/s320/Brad+Paisley+Concert+020.JPG" width="297" /></span></a></div><span style="color: red;"> It was 115 degrees in the Arena...thus my sweaty, flat hair before the show even started! Thanks, Thompson Boling.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jBfm4Z7Npe0/T1QUubh13AI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/B88ILLqRk8M/s1600/Brad+Paisley+Concert+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jBfm4Z7Npe0/T1QUubh13AI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/B88ILLqRk8M/s320/Brad+Paisley+Concert+019.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: red;"> Not really a big fan of Scotty, but he is surely a cutie-pie.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X8QaQTpBwh4/T1QUxD-8GLI/AAAAAAAAAWY/mFoGSFOSjUw/s1600/Brad+Paisley+Concert+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X8QaQTpBwh4/T1QUxD-8GLI/AAAAAAAAAWY/mFoGSFOSjUw/s320/Brad+Paisley+Concert+021.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JgyHLe1ceWc/T1QUzjdPPbI/AAAAAAAAAWg/rpoutD9Uc9s/s1600/Brad+Paisley+Concert+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JgyHLe1ceWc/T1QUzjdPPbI/AAAAAAAAAWg/rpoutD9Uc9s/s320/Brad+Paisley+Concert+022.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: red;">This gentleman thought he was Tim McGraw..ha! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JhocJSu5YqQ/T1QU2U3QEVI/AAAAAAAAAWo/zEGfIP7VHxg/s1600/Brad+Paisley+Concert+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JhocJSu5YqQ/T1QU2U3QEVI/AAAAAAAAAWo/zEGfIP7VHxg/s320/Brad+Paisley+Concert+023.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: red;"> Love me some Band Perry!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WoI2nsqHwTE/T1QU5WN3NzI/AAAAAAAAAWw/MKcEkpfadrk/s1600/Brad+Paisley+Concert+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WoI2nsqHwTE/T1QU5WN3NzI/AAAAAAAAAWw/MKcEkpfadrk/s320/Brad+Paisley+Concert+026.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: red;"> Brad was incredible! He sounds just as good live and puts on a very entertaining show.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TnxcCXEZ51E/T1QU829hhBI/AAAAAAAAAW4/Da9qswQr4hI/s1600/Brad+Paisley+Concert+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TnxcCXEZ51E/T1QU829hhBI/AAAAAAAAAW4/Da9qswQr4hI/s320/Brad+Paisley+Concert+033.JPG" width="213" /></span></a></div><span style="color: red;"> We were so surprised when Brad's BFF showed up to sing their romantic hit, "Remind Me". </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Avh4vyzu7Q/T1QVAO7XWtI/AAAAAAAAAXA/sFgKJqvJzE0/s1600/Brad+Paisley+Concert+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Avh4vyzu7Q/T1QVAO7XWtI/AAAAAAAAAXA/sFgKJqvJzE0/s320/Brad+Paisley+Concert+031.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: red;">Luckily, the peeps in front of us left early so we had great comfortable seats....rockin' our cowboy boots. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mcQg1GOGMLU/T1QVCy6L0QI/AAAAAAAAAXI/qHq8DuDw9Uo/s1600/Brad+Paisley+Concert+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mcQg1GOGMLU/T1QVCy6L0QI/AAAAAAAAAXI/qHq8DuDw9Uo/s320/Brad+Paisley+Concert+039.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div align="left"><span style="color: red;"></span></div><span style="color: red;">A concert isn't a concert without a little Krispy Kreme afterwards!</span><br />
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<div align="left"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Saturday night we went out to dinner to "celebrate" my best friend, Tiffani's, 30th birthday. We were out of town the weekend of her birthday and with 2 little kiddos, birthday celebrations are a little different than they used to be!</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PzcT3r-S4W8/T1QWX03QsyI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/JokkF1TTMUg/s1600/Brad+Paisley+Concert+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PzcT3r-S4W8/T1QWX03QsyI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/JokkF1TTMUg/s320/Brad+Paisley+Concert+062.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: red;"> The fancy place we ate dinner..ha!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ed8_4GGrwro/T1QWb4E_cjI/AAAAAAAAAXY/a67riVp-Lh4/s1600/Brad+Paisley+Concert+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ed8_4GGrwro/T1QWb4E_cjI/AAAAAAAAAXY/a67riVp-Lh4/s320/Brad+Paisley+Concert+058.JPG" width="213" /></span></a></div><span style="color: red;">Noah and his buddy, Ella. Yes, she is eating 3 suckers. She likes variety. :) </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kp8jfvTyKwc/T1QWfSqSnEI/AAAAAAAAAXg/YrZ5pV5r1l0/s1600/Brad+Paisley+Concert+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kp8jfvTyKwc/T1QWfSqSnEI/AAAAAAAAAXg/YrZ5pV5r1l0/s320/Brad+Paisley+Concert+063.JPG" width="252" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Noah loves taking pictures of us in the car....I'm not sure why I look like I'm about to give him a knuckle sammich'.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NCDG5xTBVys/T1QWinNWV7I/AAAAAAAAAXo/AxNrRX_A_YQ/s1600/Brad+Paisley+Concert+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NCDG5xTBVys/T1QWinNWV7I/AAAAAAAAAXo/AxNrRX_A_YQ/s320/Brad+Paisley+Concert+064.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="color: red;">Enjoying a little Dunkin' Donuts for dessert. My how life changes with kids! </span></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="left"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">All in all, it's been a great past few days! As I sit here on Sunday night, I am still in a slight Nyquil coma and Noah has been throwing up for the past 3 hours. All good things must come to an end!</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Keep Walking....</span></span></div></td></tr>
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<div align="center"><span style="color: red;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: red;"></span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-28003852649139219472012-02-28T15:42:00.000-08:002012-02-28T15:42:44.059-08:00Weekend Frenzy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WliSJMPR1bw/T01eX6oAAiI/AAAAAAAAASQ/_7SSF2ksLK4/s1600/Sharks+Game+February+2012+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"></span></a></div><span style="color: red;">This past weekend was one of those weekends I wish I could KNOW for sure that Noah will remember when he's 30....but I don't remember many weekends from when I was 5, so that probably won't be the case. Glad I snapped some pictures to help him remember! :)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">On Friday, I was SO excited to get to go see one of my 1st grade team members and her new baby girl! Beth is so precious and even though we only met in August, I feel like I have known her my whole life. She and her husband tried for 3 years to get pregnant before starting the adoption process. God has fully answered their prayers this month...and QUICKLY! One day we were having a normal day at work...and the next...she was a Mommy! They still have pieces of the process to finish, but they are legal guardians to sweet, sweet Delaney Jane (LOVE that name)!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Here are some pictures of our visit...let me preface them by saying that on Friday nights...I am WIPED OUT. I feel exhausted and I look about as tired as I feel....loving 1st graders all week is hard on a girl! Give me a break and excuse the hot mess I look like...ha!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ABmLGSWOqI8/T01ZxqleRyI/AAAAAAAAARo/uux1VLx7sOg/s1600/Sharks+Game+February+2012+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ABmLGSWOqI8/T01ZxqleRyI/AAAAAAAAARo/uux1VLx7sOg/s320/Sharks+Game+February+2012+012.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">My 2 boys loving on a baby girl!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-riGv9NxVfRY/T01Z2x8IqTI/AAAAAAAAARw/2n2S7H7pLcs/s1600/Sharks+Game+February+2012+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-riGv9NxVfRY/T01Z2x8IqTI/AAAAAAAAARw/2n2S7H7pLcs/s320/Sharks+Game+February+2012+020.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Hoping Noah is this gentle when he has a little brother/sister. One can dream, right?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pj6glKzXjM8/T01Z524Kg2I/AAAAAAAAAR4/qLbQXBH7qAw/s1600/Sharks+Game+February+2012+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pj6glKzXjM8/T01Z524Kg2I/AAAAAAAAAR4/qLbQXBH7qAw/s320/Sharks+Game+February+2012+022.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">I have never seen a happier Mommy! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XeH_M7jQJUk/T01Z86zh7WI/AAAAAAAAASA/KDprK3jWe7o/s1600/Sharks+Game+February+2012+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XeH_M7jQJUk/T01Z86zh7WI/AAAAAAAAASA/KDprK3jWe7o/s320/Sharks+Game+February+2012+024.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Or a happier Daddy....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cjrFAeH0oSY/T01Z_X6yNxI/AAAAAAAAASI/gkhLucwo3wk/s1600/Sharks+Game+February+2012+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cjrFAeH0oSY/T01Z_X6yNxI/AAAAAAAAASI/gkhLucwo3wk/s320/Sharks+Game+February+2012+031.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Sweet Delaney Jane Goins....we are so happy you joined our Rock Star team! You are a perfect addition!</span><br />
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</div><div align="left"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">After loving on the baby, we packed up and hit the road to Nashville, TN! I love Nashville. It is such a fun place to be on the weekends! We bought Noah tickets for Valentine's Day to see his favorite hockey team, the San Jose Sharks, play in Nashville. I'm not gonna lie...it was hard going to the Nashville Predators Arena and not cheering for the Preds. We felt VERY alone... and hated...ha! And we realized how many times the TN fans say "You Suck" to the other team. Kind of obnoxious, but <strike>we participated last time</strike> so what can I say?</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">The highlight of the night was definitely when Noah was the ONLY Sharks fan to get a puck from one of the players! We got there early to watch the players warm up and it really paid off! He kept saying "I can't believe I got the puck!"...it didn't hurt that he was in full Sharks gear and is cute as a button. ;) Here are a few pictures from the 1st part of the trip...</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WliSJMPR1bw/T01eX6oAAiI/AAAAAAAAASQ/_7SSF2ksLK4/s1600/Sharks+Game+February+2012+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WliSJMPR1bw/T01eX6oAAiI/AAAAAAAAASQ/_7SSF2ksLK4/s320/Sharks+Game+February+2012+033.JPG" width="213" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="color: red;">We stopped by the REI store to pick up some things for Noah's upcoming fishing trip and our trip to Hawaii. (Did I mention we changed our anniversary trip from CA to Hawaii?) ;0 He fell in love with these gorilla shoes and rain jacket. He is now ready for some fly fishing Paw-Paw and Uncle Davey!</span></div><div align="left"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IHOQ2PAY5dw/T01ebpCE9zI/AAAAAAAAASY/7IFh4PhlIP8/s1600/Sharks+Game+February+2012+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IHOQ2PAY5dw/T01ebpCE9zI/AAAAAAAAASY/7IFh4PhlIP8/s320/Sharks+Game+February+2012+039.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">A well deserved snack after shopping!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LYjrLw0CQBg/T01eepsaPrI/AAAAAAAAASg/NIEumQEadkk/s1600/Sharks+Game+February+2012+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LYjrLw0CQBg/T01eepsaPrI/AAAAAAAAASg/NIEumQEadkk/s320/Sharks+Game+February+2012+041.JPG" width="213" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">My boys ready for the game!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HI92QmvSqJc/T01eiOlcifI/AAAAAAAAASo/O5PiICgdztE/s1600/Sharks+Game+February+2012+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HI92QmvSqJc/T01eiOlcifI/AAAAAAAAASo/O5PiICgdztE/s320/Sharks+Game+February+2012+046.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">I don't know who gets more excited about hockey...Noah or Momma! ;)</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iMztB8_jQNg/T01emo08S6I/AAAAAAAAASw/McwDlYZHmqc/s1600/Sharks+Game+February+2012+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iMztB8_jQNg/T01emo08S6I/AAAAAAAAASw/McwDlYZHmqc/s320/Sharks+Game+February+2012+050.JPG" width="213" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dUfnezWawxg/T01eqC3cvmI/AAAAAAAAAS4/3Hb368u4-aI/s1600/Sharks+Game+February+2012+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dUfnezWawxg/T01eqC3cvmI/AAAAAAAAAS4/3Hb368u4-aI/s320/Sharks+Game+February+2012+051.JPG" width="213" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Waiting patiently for the players!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nn7cfkI2DTo/T01et1bZcnI/AAAAAAAAATA/WBlRegNijGk/s1600/Sharks+Game+February+2012+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nn7cfkI2DTo/T01et1bZcnI/AAAAAAAAATA/WBlRegNijGk/s320/Sharks+Game+February+2012+052.JPG" width="213" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SlwgW_5KwP4/T01exB-CI4I/AAAAAAAAATI/HN5_TWumuE8/s1600/Sharks+Game+February+2012+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SlwgW_5KwP4/T01exB-CI4I/AAAAAAAAATI/HN5_TWumuE8/s320/Sharks+Game+February+2012+053.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Thank you random usher..and only other person in the arena...for taking our family picture!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Egs57NSqQsU/T01e1DgMZiI/AAAAAAAAATQ/OqzkJ0RXZEo/s1600/Sharks+Game+February+2012+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Egs57NSqQsU/T01e1DgMZiI/AAAAAAAAATQ/OqzkJ0RXZEo/s320/Sharks+Game+February+2012+056.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">One of our favorite players..."Big Joe" Thornton</span></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/-h6EQ2clkbE8/T01gi6S6HmI/AAAAAAAAATY/D-0Ntff_HYY/s1600/Sharks+Game+February+2012+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h6EQ2clkbE8/T01gi6S6HmI/AAAAAAAAATY/D-0Ntff_HYY/s320/Sharks+Game+February+2012+060.JPG" width="213" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">After we made our way back to our seats, we let Noah hold his special puck. Love the excitement in his eyes!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Although the Sharks lost, it didn't get this boy down. He loves the trip because he LOVES hotel rooms. The boy would live in one if we let him. Maybe he is destined for a career that involves lots of traveling and hotel stays? ;)</span></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJmaFn72Eqc/T01hAw1UBlI/AAAAAAAAATg/F76ZBNeyxPA/s1600/Sharks+Game+February+2012+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJmaFn72Eqc/T01hAw1UBlI/AAAAAAAAATg/F76ZBNeyxPA/s320/Sharks+Game+February+2012+062.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: red;"></span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="center"><span style="color: red;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: red;">The next day, we did something Momma wanted to do and that was to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame. Ya'll...I love music...and I definitely love me some country music. I also love History so I thought it would be something I would enjoy. It definitely was. </span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: red;">There were parts that really took me back to my childhood...riding in my Momma's bright green Cordoba that had a trick horn (nice, Mom) and listening to Oldies and Country music. It also took me back to Friday nights in my home where we watched Hee-Haw as a family. I looked forward to it every week. If you ever visit Nashville, you should check it out. Unless you are a country music hater...are there such things?</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aGitYofJevI/T01iuzP_n7I/AAAAAAAAATo/DTP5HoJwMNg/s1600/Sharks+Game+February+2012+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aGitYofJevI/T01iuzP_n7I/AAAAAAAAATo/DTP5HoJwMNg/s320/Sharks+Game+February+2012+067.JPG" width="213" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This reminded me of one of my favorite movies, Walk the Line. So wish I could have seen this concert in person!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m0PBCdYxsDQ/T01i9FkQPLI/AAAAAAAAATw/IzqcE-B40pw/s1600/Sharks+Game+February+2012+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m0PBCdYxsDQ/T01i9FkQPLI/AAAAAAAAATw/IzqcE-B40pw/s320/Sharks+Game+February+2012+068.JPG" width="213" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Loved watching Minnie Pearl on Hee-Haw!</span></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/-efMLIRwiWDg/T01jGjcPFpI/AAAAAAAAAT4/QYHqHxcsP6c/s1600/Sharks+Game+February+2012+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-efMLIRwiWDg/T01jGjcPFpI/AAAAAAAAAT4/QYHqHxcsP6c/s320/Sharks+Game+February+2012+070.JPG" width="213" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">For my parents...I felt like we needed to eat at the Sea-Farer after seeing this poster! ;)</span></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/-Ru2e5UNMGUM/T01jTBsxiqI/AAAAAAAAAUA/jqi1fXIKHSQ/s1600/Sharks+Game+February+2012+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ru2e5UNMGUM/T01jTBsxiqI/AAAAAAAAAUA/jqi1fXIKHSQ/s320/Sharks+Game+February+2012+073.JPG" width="213" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Outfit worn by my favorite Rascal Flatt...Gary. No comments from the haters. :) I D-I-G me some Rascal Flatts.</span></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/-hw2nBwappgI/T01jowKpo4I/AAAAAAAAAUI/c2gNv7sa9G0/s1600/Sharks+Game+February+2012+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hw2nBwappgI/T01jowKpo4I/AAAAAAAAAUI/c2gNv7sa9G0/s320/Sharks+Game+February+2012+076.JPG" width="213" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Everyone may have their opinions about Dolly (and her chest), but I know what she does for the children of East Tennessee and to me...she is a FIRST CLASS lady! Every time Noah sees a book, he says "Did Dolly get that for me?"...he loves getting her books in the mail.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">All in all, we had a great weekend! It ended on a major highlight when I found a Guns 'N Roses shirt at Forever 21...holla! I have a special place in my heart for GNR. Noah was delivered by C-section while GNR blasted over the speakers of the O.R. Maybe that's why he's so rebellious sometimes. ;)</span></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Hope you all have a great week!</span></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">P.S. Reason #34 why I don't blog every day. This post took me 2 hours to get finished due to all my "little" interruptions. :) Give me patience, Lord!</span></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">Keep Walking...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017370539390396641.post-4748377398310654472012-02-19T10:04:00.000-08:002012-02-19T10:04:34.160-08:00Happy Sweet 61, Mom!This is a <strike>serious</strike> tribute to my mom, Mary Ella...from her <strike>favorite</strike> (only) daughter, Amanda Kathryn...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r-nZNyCGDOk/T0Evr1OuUoI/AAAAAAAAAPY/--eDKSpd3U0/s1600/mom's+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r-nZNyCGDOk/T0Evr1OuUoI/AAAAAAAAAPY/--eDKSpd3U0/s320/mom's+picture.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't she a DISH??? This was actually probably around age 16. She would definitely be a "hottie" by today's standards.<br />
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</div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Dear Mom, </span></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">How do I love thee, let me count the ways....</span></strong></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AnfZ9Z7j_bE/T0Ew5ho1EBI/AAAAAAAAAPo/S--IMQsCKjA/s1600/February+2011+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AnfZ9Z7j_bE/T0Ew5ho1EBI/AAAAAAAAAPo/S--IMQsCKjA/s320/February+2011+048.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I love that you let me have rockin' bangs when I was little.</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X1-eURXADRk/T0ExMbhfDeI/AAAAAAAAAPw/bDriragwJdE/s1600/February+2011+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X1-eURXADRk/T0ExMbhfDeI/AAAAAAAAAPw/bDriragwJdE/s320/February+2011+049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I love that you wore short shorts and let Davey wear trucker hats to family reunions.</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-11MBX1fPG4M/T0ExZ1FLf0I/AAAAAAAAAP4/CCZ7PZS6E00/s1600/February+2011+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-11MBX1fPG4M/T0ExZ1FLf0I/AAAAAAAAAP4/CCZ7PZS6E00/s320/February+2011+050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">I love that you let us have an annoying blow up pool in the backyard and let me wear a 2 piece at an early age. ;)</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vXUGwDULMbQ/T0ExzWC7e7I/AAAAAAAAAQA/DUq7mSwxi7I/s1600/February+2011+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vXUGwDULMbQ/T0ExzWC7e7I/AAAAAAAAAQA/DUq7mSwxi7I/s320/February+2011+052.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center">I love that you taught me the importance of cleaning at an early age. It kind of stuck...kind of.</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QJl_3_AsmL4/T0EyAo3B3lI/AAAAAAAAAQI/bvurRwcQ1IA/s1600/February+2011+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QJl_3_AsmL4/T0EyAo3B3lI/AAAAAAAAAQI/bvurRwcQ1IA/s320/February+2011+053.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love that when I said I was "running away"...you packed my cooler for me and made sure I had my purse.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d1j4Mo3XGSc/T0EyPoqs7tI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/UyatenBQfEQ/s1600/February+2011+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d1j4Mo3XGSc/T0EyPoqs7tI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/UyatenBQfEQ/s320/February+2011+054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love that when I made a huge mess, instead of getting mad, you got your camera. PS...I do the same thing with Noah. :)</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/-WBjELTJmDJI/T0Eyduw4rTI/AAAAAAAAAQY/qNZ_3T5utgk/s1600/February+2011+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WBjELTJmDJI/T0Eyduw4rTI/AAAAAAAAAQY/qNZ_3T5utgk/s320/February+2011+055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love that you let me take time to "smell the roses"...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AAyPwFCX630/T0Eyrzt6hSI/AAAAAAAAAQg/Ybi4Zvw-F8Y/s1600/February+2011+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AAyPwFCX630/T0Eyrzt6hSI/AAAAAAAAAQg/Ybi4Zvw-F8Y/s320/February+2011+058.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love that Christmas was always a big deal in our house. ( Side Note: I wore that dress A LOT.) ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymyJFd2jjUA/T0Ey95JZRSI/AAAAAAAAAQo/HITtb_EUMhI/s1600/February+2011+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymyJFd2jjUA/T0Ey95JZRSI/AAAAAAAAAQo/HITtb_EUMhI/s320/February+2011+066.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love that we wore <strike>hideous</strike> matching dresses to the Mother's Day Banquets every year.</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/-86NvZ4Ph2_k/T0EzK4El5JI/AAAAAAAAAQw/DlflkLA-Zm4/s1600/February+2011+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-86NvZ4Ph2_k/T0EzK4El5JI/AAAAAAAAAQw/DlflkLA-Zm4/s320/February+2011+063.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love that you encouraged my flair for drama and attended EVERY play and game I was in.</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/-MFusGNjZ0Pc/T0EzeecGQuI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/Qg-l3oUF5rs/s1600/February+2011+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MFusGNjZ0Pc/T0EzeecGQuI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/Qg-l3oUF5rs/s320/February+2011+056.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love that you dreaded my high school graduation...but smiled at it anyways.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LbqmVK0cNI8/T0EzwEDQ1RI/AAAAAAAAARA/sNZuA4PpiUo/s1600/February+2011+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LbqmVK0cNI8/T0EzwEDQ1RI/AAAAAAAAARA/sNZuA4PpiUo/s320/February+2011+059.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love that I know you are probably saying "I can't believe my baby girl graduated college" in this picture.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zuOdYoqRVbo/T0Ez_4oGOnI/AAAAAAAAARI/n2jeLIgNEsU/s1600/February+2011+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zuOdYoqRVbo/T0Ez_4oGOnI/AAAAAAAAARI/n2jeLIgNEsU/s320/February+2011+062.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love that you "shook your tail-feather" at my wedding. I was a proud daughter.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9rsYVuUKR_Y/T0E0lC2JsDI/AAAAAAAAARY/bc-LhfQDbfQ/s1600/Family+Events+2011+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9rsYVuUKR_Y/T0E0lC2JsDI/AAAAAAAAARY/bc-LhfQDbfQ/s320/Family+Events+2011+053.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love that you are the best Nana in the world to Noah (and Peyton) :)</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VrcH4GlMGq8/T0E1Dt89uXI/AAAAAAAAARg/k02y0gcCfbo/s1600/November+December+2011+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VrcH4GlMGq8/T0E1Dt89uXI/AAAAAAAAARg/k02y0gcCfbo/s320/November+December+2011+089.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But most importantly, I love that I learned to be a good mother from watching you.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Birthday to the Best Mom/Nana in the World!</span></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We Love You!</span></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz6lUNKCYRVCtby6YT94e_fc5orYtJ3H-0e9Ke1ejGXdGZvsGautYq65zjzBck4UAAse6JLijlN7tbEWzOR4w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="center"></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07080422700155860932noreply@blogger.com1