tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-108294832024-03-07T03:49:32.988-05:00I'm So Funny (Sometimes)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.comBlogger1253125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-90687937090605653992014-01-03T14:20:00.001-05:002014-01-03T14:20:56.298-05:00Evolving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmY2-z0X11b8blC0Mvk7tlBOSRx1b646CfyTxdsyMWhQ0VENa9PmthPpwwFj_7EHIMOPem4i6WmRdP_Y4nJjrjmdm_mV_Ff_-OFZ7EzJBRO9yy6Noqh_vbOISaCNYVwSCNPJO/s1600/Alice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmY2-z0X11b8blC0Mvk7tlBOSRx1b646CfyTxdsyMWhQ0VENa9PmthPpwwFj_7EHIMOPem4i6WmRdP_Y4nJjrjmdm_mV_Ff_-OFZ7EzJBRO9yy6Noqh_vbOISaCNYVwSCNPJO/s320/Alice.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I used to trap myself in the ideal that people shouldn't change, and then I went to therapy. I now realize that people not only can change, but they should. Change has made me a much happier person.</div>
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As you know, last year I made the hard decision and retired this successful spot online. I moved on to a great little blog that was created for the purpose of supporting myself through some changes, specifically learning to love being a stay-at-home mom. I am proud of what I created here and what I created at <a href="http://inloveathome.com/">InLoveatHome</a>, but I can't stop changing. I'm evolving all the time and I am sick of jumping ship when a subject gets uninteresting to me.</div>
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I came up with a solution....create a blog that allows for evolution. Make myself a place where I am not confined to writing about funny things or even things about the home. I wanted a place that would support me in my aspirations to write. My youngest is going to kindergarten this year, and I want to really dig in to my dream of writing a novel. I can't shake the haunting feeling that I am not getting any younger, and I shouldn't wait for a sunnier day.</div>
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So, with great risk of looking like a total fool I have created a space just for me. O.k it's only 1/8th of a place so far. I still have a lot of work to do.</div>
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If you feel so inclined to follow me or support me in my dream, please know you are welcome to join me at my new blog. The title bears my name and I hope to stay there for, well, forever. See you there. <a href="http://alicewgold.com/">alicewgold</a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-84624094090236029012013-06-21T18:08:00.000-04:002013-06-21T18:09:54.250-04:00So happy with the new blog.Starting a new blog is the best thing I have ever done. I am learning so much and feeling myself become a better person just because I have chosen to focus on what matters most.<br />
<br />
Today I wrote about one of the <a href="http://inloveathome.com/2013/06/21/lessons-from-the-trail-the-mother-bird/">good lessons</a> I learned on the trail last week. I don't know if I would have had my eyes open for it without the blog. It is the best feeling knowing that I am heading in the direction God wants for me. The best feeling!<br />
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I think I might start taking one old post from here and repost it over there until I feel I have transferred everything over that I really care about. This way I will also get practice in the editing department. It's the start of something new. It feels so right to be here with you...high school musical is awesome.<br />
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P.S. come over and like me on my new FB page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Inloveathome?ref=hl">inloveathome</a> as the imsofunny FB page will be retired on Monday and eventually so will this whole blog.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-7036361128958278482013-06-13T11:37:00.000-04:002013-06-13T11:37:02.654-04:00In Love At HomeOver at my new blog <a href="http://inloveathome.com/">InLoveAtHome</a>, I have touched on the subjects of<br />
<br /><a href="http://inloveathome.com/2013/06/12/summer-sanity/">Summer Labor</a> - My kids are earning their school clothes.<br />
<a href="http://inloveathome.com/2013/06/10/raising-girls/">Raising Girls</a> - My hubby is the best father of daughters.<br />
<a href="http://inloveathome.com/2013/06/07/affection-for-dummies/">Affection</a> - Some girls like it like boys.<br />
<a href="http://inloveathome.com/2013/05/22/pooping-in-peace/">Bathroom Serenity</a> - Yes this post is titled "Pooping In Peace" and one of my girls asked if I thought anyone would actually read it.<br />
<a href="http://inloveathome.com/2013/05/21/how-we-love-being-rested-vlog/">Sleep</a> - Extra sleep helps parents be happier.<br />
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and more.<br />
Come join me where the blogging hasn't stopped<br />
and where I really am learning to love motherhood.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-49283241676826849732013-05-16T14:25:00.000-04:002013-05-16T14:48:08.240-04:00A Whole MonthI've been on my new journey for a whole month and it's been somewhat like detox. I don't feel the need to check my e-mail anymore as there won't be anything there for me of social importance. I'm surprised because I am kind of enjoying the solitude. I have had a lot of time on my hands to get in touch with myself.<div>
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I'm an attentionmonger. It's been kind of fun to attack this weakness. Liberating to not need people as much.</div>
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It also can be lonely. I have become more aware of how extroverted I am. I need more social in my life, but unlike my past I need the social to have meaning. I am trying to focus on quality instead of quantity. I want to start a bookclub. I feel like my bookclub ladies in Knoxville were some of my closest relationships that made a difference in my life.</div>
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I've been reading a lot. In the past two days, I have enjoyed two books: Lucky by Alice Sebold (LOVE HER) and Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielson. Both have given me perspective for me. I am blessed. I also need to be happy with a very small sphere of influence even if it's just my own little family.</div>
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The one thing I have been feeling a lot in the past month is that there is something out there for me. There is some way that I will make my stamp on the world, I just don't know what it is. I feel like I need to figure it out. It's been a little frustrating.</div>
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Am I supposed to adopt more kids? Have more kids? Write an inspirational book? Just keep living my quiet little life and enjoying my family? Then I go back to my self peptalk of "Alice, you can't live your life for other people to notice. You just have to live your life FOR other people."</div>
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I think the thing I notice the most about people who truly influence others is that they are comfortable in their own skin. My skin? It doesn't fit quite right. I am working on it.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-57605171300253430442013-04-24T15:34:00.001-04:002013-04-24T15:34:23.357-04:00Letting goI've talked about starting a new blog for forever, but I just didn't have the courage to let this one go.<br />
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I still haven't figured out how to completely walk away as I don't want to let my life chronicled here for the past 8 years to be lost forever. I think I will post once a month or so here just to keep this alive for all the work and writing and photos and memories.<br />
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But, this is my big announcement. I am finally strong enough to say goodbye. It's a big deal. This place has been my refuge in many many hard times. My readers have been there for me giving me the will to go on. I am bawling as I write this. Truthfully, bawling. I'm going to miss you all. I'm going to miss this support system. I'm going to miss this blog and it's worn torn pages, like a big old journal I've hauled with me everywhere I go. I feel like I am throwing it into a bonfire or onto the shelves of a daycare full of toddlers.<br />
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But, God has wisely and ever so gently worked with me to help me to NOT need the approval of others.<br />
<br />Yeah, I'm still a work in progress and some days I do better than others. Today is a struggling day, but I have to do it, it's the right thing.<br />
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I am letting go of this blog in the hopes that I will love myself enough, and look to God for what I really need, what none of you really could have given me all along.<br />
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I have started a new blog. I need an outlet in this next phase in my journey and I am the kind of learner that learns best by writing. I have debated and even wrestled with the Lord over the new blog. I can't let it become a crutch. I can't want it to be HUGE, like I've done all along here. The world's approval does not matter. The only thing that matters is if I am living true to my God and what He asks of me.<br />
<br />Right now what He has asked of me is to be home with my kids. Like I said in the last post I am struggling with His request. I have trust issues. I have resentment. I have pride.<br />
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My new blog is the place where I will focus on learning to love being at home because that is what He has asked of me, and even though I have been parenting for 14 years I still have a lot to learn. So much to learn.<br />
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I can't market it. God has told me that much. I can't write for the approval of others.This is something I will have to battle within myself every day, but in the long run I know it will give me more peace. The only way I can healthfully blog is if I am using it as a measuring stick for my approval or as a place to solidify what I learn. So, I won't have comments enabled on my new blog.<br />
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I hesitate to even share the new place with you, but really, I won't even know if you are reading, and I hope I get to a place where I won't care if you are. Not that I won't care about you and our friendship, but that I won't care if I blog for a million people or just me. I want to blog for me and keep it between me and my God because He's bigger than a million people.<br />
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<a href="http://inloveathome.com/">Here</a> it is. Follow me on my journey if you'd like.<br />
I hope it will be full of profound wisdom, straight from God.<br />
If you aren't into that kind of thing, I hope you will have a change of heart.<br />
Not because I need you at my new place online, but because God needs you, and someday answering to Him is all that is going to matter.<br />
<br />
Wow. This is bitter sweet. It feels like a funeral and a baby being born at the same time.<br />
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Thank you all for you friendships. Thank you for your support.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-47151698653158610852013-04-16T13:29:00.000-04:002013-04-16T13:29:11.990-04:00But I don't wannaLiving a life on faith is not for the weak or faint of heart.<br />
It is not easy.<br />
In fact, it may be the hardest thing we are required to do.<br />
Actually, I think I can safely say it is the hardest thing we will ever do.<br />
Not just in this life, but in our whole existence.<br />
This life is the test.<br />
Are we going to trust that God has a plan for us or not?<br />
Are we going to prove that we will be strong no matter what he throws our way?<br />
<br />
As I mentioned, I have been feeling the need to be home more with the kids. We originally thought that we would be able to move to make up the difference in our income loss if I quit my job, but it looks like God is not only asking me to quit, but also asking us to stay in our home for now. Double whammy.<br />
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I gave my two weeks notice at work yesterday. I don't know how we are going to make it financially except to say that we have a year supply of wheat and I know how to make bread.<br />
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God is giving me an opportunity to master the finances. I am about to become even more frugal then I thought was possible.<br />
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That's putting it nicely.<br />
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What I really feel is what I said in my prayers last night.<br />
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"No God. I don't want to do this. I've already been poor. I'm sick of being poor. I trusted you last time when you told us to go to law school with three kids and then open a failed law practiced, and look where that got me. I don't want to do this. Why?"<br />
<br />
And the answer comes: "Because you have more to learn."<br />
<br />
and then<br />
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"And this time it's going to be easier and it's going to have a better ending. Just trust me."<br />
<br />
Me:<br />
But I don't wanna.<br />
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Last night, I closed my prayer in tears, not feeling any peace. Sick to death for Boston. And worried sick for the little girl that was abducted in Provo.<br />
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And then today, I made my depressed self get out of bed and pray again.<br />
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"Please God, just get me through today. Help me trust. Give me peace. Bless them all."<br />
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I head out on my run with a heavy heart.<br />
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And 2.5 miles in, my song comes on.<br />
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And I remember where I have to look for peace.</div>
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As I warm down, I get this news:<br />
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And God says</div>
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ever so humbly</div>
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"See I've got this Alice."</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-65905048078775527862013-04-12T14:14:00.001-04:002013-04-12T14:14:19.486-04:00Who the heck is Mae JemisonAbout a month ago my 5th grader, Sophia, came home with the information on the school's wax museum. She was to pick an American hero to impersonate. They gave her a list of great choices such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Helen Keller, and Rosa Parks. We talked the choices over and forgot about it.<br />
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A few weeks later, after a long night at work (I now work 4 nights a week to subsidize what we call the Obama tax/health care) I came home and helped LG with the delayed bedtime rituals. As we went through Sophia's backpack, she remembered to tell me that she had chosen her wax museum hero that day because it was the deadline. (Way to be an absent mom! - And how I would pay) My excitement was immediately erased as she informed us that she had chosen....wait for it......<br />
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Mae Jemison.<br />
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"Who the heck is Mae Jemison?" my hubby and I questioned simultaneously.<br />
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"The first female African-American astronaut," Sophia answered innocently enough. (But I know that deep down inside she was really like, "I'll show you, mom, for being at work."<br />
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My mom radar immediately alarmed, "Did you say African-American?" as I carefully reanalyzed my 11 year old very blued eyed, very blonde haired, very Caucasian daughter.<br />
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It's times like these that I am 100% convinced someone has hidden a secret "gotcha" camera somewhere in the couch cushions. And times like these happen every day at our house.<br />
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LeGrand couldn't contain his overly exuberant smile headed in my direction with the subliminal message of, "Thank heavens I have the Y chromosome. It's all you babe."<br />
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Today I am proud to announce that I not only immediately committed, but embraced my daughter's dream of being the first Caucasian girl dressed as the first African American female astronaut.<br />
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After 2 hours at the thrift store, 1 hour at the sewing machine, 5 hours at the computer, 1 hour printing, taping, and pinning (and re-washing and pinning after the other daughter's judgement error of spilling a bottle of coke on the orange outfit waiting to be worn on top of the nightstand ), 1 hour of wig trimming, 2 hours overseeing the poster making, 1 hour of help with the speech, and 3 hours of searching for the right make-up, a stroke of genius with the snow boots that look like they belong on the moon, and 30 minutes of haggling (and losing) to the girl to let me do it before she went to school, I gladly share the end result.<br />
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And yes, she tore off the wig in less than </div>
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two seconds after I turned off the camera.</div>
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(I forgot to mention the special trip to Sally Beauty Supply</div>
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for what I learned is called a wig cap.)</div>
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And even then the wig was still too itchy.</div>
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White girls are so whimpy</div>
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about their beauty aides.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2TV8hLC6TfNo-e0VgKnu4FGxkuE-Ixhc7Dq_oBQNtlqe_sSGp5pxDg9BQSY6ni3sEng5RGQdcZG0UAPzWTZYx7NcK3seX5FGBR-axh-nZhPaf1ZPrfGzNN1J7TXnG9whUUMK/s1600/mae1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2TV8hLC6TfNo-e0VgKnu4FGxkuE-Ixhc7Dq_oBQNtlqe_sSGp5pxDg9BQSY6ni3sEng5RGQdcZG0UAPzWTZYx7NcK3seX5FGBR-axh-nZhPaf1ZPrfGzNN1J7TXnG9whUUMK/s400/mae1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's at times like these that</div>
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homeschooling doesn't sound so crazy.</div>
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And just in case you moms are ever</div>
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called upon for the same task,</div>
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here is everything you ever need to know</div>
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about</div>
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</div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
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D<span class="TitleChar">r. Mae </span>Jemison<o:p></o:p></div>
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in the first person</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I was born on October 17, 1956 (which would make me 57
now) in Decatur, Alabama. My parents were Charles and Dorothy Jemison and I was
the youngest of three. I am still alive today and achieving many things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> I was
raised in Chicago and graduated high school at age 16 and went to Stanford University
on a scholarship. I graduated from Stanford with two degrees! One was a
Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, the other an Associate
Bachelor degree in African and Afro-American studies. I later attended Cornell
medical school and achieved the requirements to become a medical doctor. I then went to West Africa with Peace Corps
to be a medical doctor from 1983-1985.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> I
then came back to America and became a doctor in Los Angeles, California. I was
also a dancer so at the time I was deciding which I should be. Should I be a
dancer or a doctor? And I still wanted to achieve a childhood dream, a dream I
had since kindergarten, I wanted to go to space. Many people told me that I
couldn’t go to space because I was a woman. But I applied to NASA to become an
astronaut and they accepted me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> On
September 12, 1992, I blasted off into space becoming the very first
African-American women ever to go to space. I went into orbit on the Space
shuttle Endeavor and I was in space 7 days 2 hours and 30 minutes. My space
mission was called STS-47. On that mission I was the science mission
specialist. My mission was a joint operation between the U.S.A and Japan. My experiments
dealt with bone cell research. With me I brought a picture of my old dance
crew. I proved many people wrong that day. I also fulfilled my dream to be an
astronaut. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> Since
getting back from space I quit working at NASA. For a while I was a professor of
developing countries and advanced technology at Dartmouth College. I got to be
the only person who has been to space to act on the TV show “StarTrek: The Next
Generation”. I have created the Jemison Group which works to bring advanced
technology to people worldwide and fosters a love for science in students. Now
I speak at a lot of engagements, am the President of two technology companies, and
love to spend time my cats in Houston, TX where I live.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Next year, I am hoping Bella will be wise enough to pick Bill Gates, like this smart neighbor.<br />
Of course, we would have to chop off all her hair and dye it blonde.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZNJ0MhJmsKkvZKvEchoerNpymh9vtG9yOmaGJ8MfUegem-EV7m9rCJbttd2kDac60VEGMtG7e0ZqSNp7n1v3cYT-DMgQ5dXWc5wT1iWNND90rPg9WszcMT8EdskkSQJ0SgPt/s1600/kade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZNJ0MhJmsKkvZKvEchoerNpymh9vtG9yOmaGJ8MfUegem-EV7m9rCJbttd2kDac60VEGMtG7e0ZqSNp7n1v3cYT-DMgQ5dXWc5wT1iWNND90rPg9WszcMT8EdskkSQJ0SgPt/s400/kade.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-15966786560005324992013-04-11T13:14:00.001-04:002013-04-11T13:14:08.787-04:00It's about time.A gem of further reminding.<br />
<br />
God isn't too mysterious sometimes. <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQjS5Emg1Et9DnBY-tzhUP3jI4NXCpaEESMLn-JNHoM1Lovta9WVQzS4xdJk8kBXDJxGuwBgwHxqj-AMcjHjvwoGwccLoM4CQdGt7UMfSZwzEzro1F6lmU_m-uTFLVSj0H2cV/s640/blogger-image-1198543791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQjS5Emg1Et9DnBY-tzhUP3jI4NXCpaEESMLn-JNHoM1Lovta9WVQzS4xdJk8kBXDJxGuwBgwHxqj-AMcjHjvwoGwccLoM4CQdGt7UMfSZwzEzro1F6lmU_m-uTFLVSj0H2cV/s640/blogger-image-1198543791.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-54430980404569669732013-04-10T13:41:00.003-04:002013-04-10T13:45:15.266-04:00My jobThis weekend the message came to me for the thousandth time.<br />
It was a clear as a bell, like it always is when I stop to listen.<br />
It was an answer to my two pages of questions to God.<br />
<br />
It came from Bruce D. Porter and was entitled <a href="http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/beautiful-mornings?lang=eng">Beautiful Mornings</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVc12IhE-RmlkMiSAnfMsxxJjTE9EP0CJShDv5BFZAjEPIYciH0sYfLHWvg5wvzJiGJpBfMeAAuAsSTSNYAcwrYZhpuO-6c3w_hyoCDrsuqqmH09plkvNIuklshJEpWs9x_l_/s640/blogger-image--745592205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVc12IhE-RmlkMiSAnfMsxxJjTE9EP0CJShDv5BFZAjEPIYciH0sYfLHWvg5wvzJiGJpBfMeAAuAsSTSNYAcwrYZhpuO-6c3w_hyoCDrsuqqmH09plkvNIuklshJEpWs9x_l_/s400/blogger-image--745592205.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
I do this every 6 months. I write down all the life struggles that I am having in form of questions to God and then I spend a whole weekend <a href="http://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2013/04?cid=HP000032&lang=eng">listening to living prophets</a>, and I listen for the answers. They always come through the gift of the Holy Ghost. God whispers them directly to my soul. This time there were 18 specific answers all small parts to my journey back to Him, and all connected to one another.<br />
<br />
My questions varied from how can I afford to go back to college to should we move to a cheaper place to save money. How can I strengthen my marriage? What is my life mission and how do I accomplish it? How can I be happy in my calling? (I meant my job at church but had no idea until I listened intently that I also needed this answer for my calling in life)<br />
<br />
All the answers pointed to my most important title: mom<br />
<br />
Pleasing God needs to be my first priority. When I make pleasing God the top priority in my heart, my husband and children rightfully earn their places at the top of my to-do lists. If pleasing God means that I have to quit my job and live on rice and beans, so be it. If it means that I don't get to go back to school for another year or two, it's o.k. I need to live my life on God's timetable and with his rules because He is where I will find the greatest happiness. If I never get the dream house or the coveted vacation because I limped through hubby's law school and supported him through the aftermath (and beyond - for the next 40 years of student loan payments) and encourage my children's extra-curriculars it will be to my glory: eventually.<br />
<br />
For me the answer is always that MY JOB is to nurture my children and support my husband. My job is to let go of my need for approval in the eyes of others. I have to let go of the Western culture of acquiring wealth. I even have to let go of my need to achieve certain things because if I am doing it for me and not for Him, it's wrong. It'll never be right no matter how wonderful.<br />
<br />
It's so ironic that after recommitting myself and finding inner peace,<br />
my beautiful morning looks like this:<br />
<br />
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"Mom, do you know what this is?</div>
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It's my job to do."</div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAjBnGl0O_uPz_PH3vMaa-J6qHXoxdSuZ5M4fglVlAbcs5R3Ato26mX9Tzyr7ngEUMNe1NkeYBFes7HEVn3nVyZWk0tRoWv5VlKx553onqYBWg091Ym6nMJrHG5LjFxQdEFed/s640/blogger-image-1282990645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAjBnGl0O_uPz_PH3vMaa-J6qHXoxdSuZ5M4fglVlAbcs5R3Ato26mX9Tzyr7ngEUMNe1NkeYBFes7HEVn3nVyZWk0tRoWv5VlKx553onqYBWg091Ym6nMJrHG5LjFxQdEFed/s400/blogger-image-1282990645.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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"Mom, move out of my way!</div>
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.....</div>
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I'm looking for something important.</div>
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Can you help me find it?"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigl6UhBGNjHvkU3C1PkvrHrVI-_xrHYu-1hKG2ff8PfWpoDHsv4glT6NDPeWxaXkKt6XFEEpUQDBPbuDnyA_T7hHiJoS24FUmZ7WCYUOEUdkV1fyl2PaPEaBAvvvWvYjG9GGZw/s640/blogger-image-136400787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigl6UhBGNjHvkU3C1PkvrHrVI-_xrHYu-1hKG2ff8PfWpoDHsv4glT6NDPeWxaXkKt6XFEEpUQDBPbuDnyA_T7hHiJoS24FUmZ7WCYUOEUdkV1fyl2PaPEaBAvvvWvYjG9GGZw/s400/blogger-image-136400787.jpg" width="299" /></a></div>
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Who knew inner peace would be so loud?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxiqUAYBgjC1_iVVesnsi3biYg78VRXRSJ09_vwH5WGDzU32OgA0s1RtFraVkZ8t9DmhvACj5NWi3FVwCjpztdV-3Yk0tp0KQP043He9SYFdlQjRRNONwkSBAnuA4ANp_2B1ke/s640/blogger-image-1544049219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxiqUAYBgjC1_iVVesnsi3biYg78VRXRSJ09_vwH5WGDzU32OgA0s1RtFraVkZ8t9DmhvACj5NWi3FVwCjpztdV-3Yk0tp0KQP043He9SYFdlQjRRNONwkSBAnuA4ANp_2B1ke/s640/blogger-image-1544049219.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or rainy?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAQpHF3SAorHcgPeVQm7RvPgMq-kai4QyGV1GDW5q_fWlYpXARt9x229lFRtD4QPSNa-n6whdbaEQ-XimSEwEu5w7R9BjgpBCn5fxd-bheCbxy-sZbDWbiZjOY461X54oXq8s/s640/blogger-image--371692159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAQpHF3SAorHcgPeVQm7RvPgMq-kai4QyGV1GDW5q_fWlYpXARt9x229lFRtD4QPSNa-n6whdbaEQ-XimSEwEu5w7R9BjgpBCn5fxd-bheCbxy-sZbDWbiZjOY461X54oXq8s/s640/blogger-image--371692159.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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and disguised </div>
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as one mess after another</div>
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for me to clean?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Once again I am brought to my knees.</div>
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Please God, help me to understand.</div>
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Help me be humble.</div>
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Help me love my job.</div>
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Help it to make me happy.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And I just found this on facebook and must include it</div>
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for my Mormon friends.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX07hN5MXsWAitHcUiJAt4OHryRA8mgY7BbByKWSqaquZzYnR1Cd78kV3UQQeXzFVPLO_1eaTz5j4zrA6AWqwSYnuQ6ItRQq19yOhmBkNJqOanIVl0r3NJzuwgSmLJaQcVsXNl/s1600/nursery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX07hN5MXsWAitHcUiJAt4OHryRA8mgY7BbByKWSqaquZzYnR1Cd78kV3UQQeXzFVPLO_1eaTz5j4zrA6AWqwSYnuQ6ItRQq19yOhmBkNJqOanIVl0r3NJzuwgSmLJaQcVsXNl/s320/nursery.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I guess things could always be worse.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-7540310153964389492013-04-08T15:32:00.000-04:002013-04-08T15:32:14.956-04:00Book Review: Parenting with Spiritual Power<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16235827-parenting-with-spiritual-power" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Parenting with Spiritual Power" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358756392m/16235827.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16235827-parenting-with-spiritual-power">Parenting with Spiritual Power</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6618169.Julie_K_Nelson">Julie K. Nelson</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/554884936">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
You know the old philosophy that parenting doesn't come with a manual? <br />
Well, it's crap. <br />
If you have The Holy Bible, you have one of the greatest parenting manuals in existence. <br />
<br />
If you add to the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the teachings of the living prophets, and you are still struggling as a parent, Julie K. Nelson has written this book just for you. I have been so touched as I have read this book: God has given us great stories to help us with the most important work we are called to do as parents. If you, like me, need help in applying those resources, then you need to get your hands on a copy of this book ASAP. It is truly an inspired parenting manual.<br />
<br />
I have long studied principles of parenting and found many of the most important theories I've learned over the years in the pages of this book. Truth just oozes from the pages of "Parenting with Spiritual Power." Oozes. As I read I found myself amazed at how many modern-day applications there are in the ancient scriptures. I know that sounds lame, but it's true. I have learned a lot of these truths already in my own study, but to find them gathered together in such an easily applicable format is almost too good to be true: but it's not. This book is full of truth in one easy-to-read resource.<br />
<br />
If you want to learn more about depositing into your children's banks of self-worth, setting reasonable boundaries, how to positively correct your children, live sacrificial lives, stomp out anger and develop greater charity as a family, and how to show faith in your children this book is for you. Like me, I believe you will be totally shocked at all you've been missing when studying the scriptures. I've had the handbook in my hands all along, I just didn't realize that I needed Julie Nelson to translate it for me.<br />
<br />
Thank you Julie. I recommend this book for all parents, even those that aren't Mormon. What a wonderful and much needed resource for all of us.
<br />
<br />
You can buy the book for just $11.04 at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Parenting-Spiritual-Power-Julie-Nelson/dp/1462111688/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365448844&sr=8-1&keywords=parenting+with+spiritual+power">Amazon</a> or $13.99 at <a href="http://www.deseretbook.com/Parenting-Spiritual-Power-Julie-K-Nelson/i/5104186">Deseret Book</a>. After reading this book I can honestly say I would spend double that. Really, can we even put a price on better parenting?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/418700-alice">View all my reviews</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-71212405066601767032013-04-03T15:34:00.000-04:002013-04-03T15:34:17.042-04:00Easter Photos 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've decided I really shouldn't torture the family with a photo shoot more than twice a year. </div>
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It's pretty painful for them (and me) to have the required patience with my budding interest in photography. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I find solace in one thing:</div>
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I am being a great example</div>
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of diligent pursuit of hobbying.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I hope that all my girls</div>
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will have hobbies</div>
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that they love and enjoy</div>
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and don't give up</div>
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for any reason.</div>
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(especially when they are moms)</div>
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<br /></div>
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The pictures may look good</div>
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but trust me</div>
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they took a good hour or two</div>
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and there were many many outtakes.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Thank </div>
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goodness </div>
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for</div>
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digital.</div>
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My favorite moment of the day:</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
making out with LG</div>
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while the kids watched</div>
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and/or</div>
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hammed it up for camera.</div>
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My second favorite moment:</div>
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watching the girls enjoy the shore.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Note to self:</div>
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no guardrails</div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Crazy Family.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm really bummed</div>
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we didn't get a good one</div>
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of this set-up.</div>
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<br /></div>
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really bummed.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-1018901371327725032013-03-27T03:35:00.001-04:002013-03-27T03:35:39.592-04:00The Mom Test<div style="text-align: center;">
It's 12:50 a.m.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because I am a mom</div>
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this is how I spent the last</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
15 minutes of my life.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I was in a dream</div>
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and then there appeared</div>
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Sophia</div>
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my 11 year old</div>
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at the side of my bed.</div>
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I opened my eyes</div>
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because</div>
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she was covered in</div>
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florescent paint</div>
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and saying</div>
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something</div>
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that </div>
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I couldn't quite understand.</div>
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She called to me</div>
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and so I knew</div>
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it was important</div>
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but I couldn't</div>
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get a handle of what</div>
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was happening</div>
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in my dream</div>
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until I let it</div>
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register</div>
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"Mom, I just puked."</div>
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<br /></div>
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I wasn't dreaming.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I flew out of bed</div>
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using the wings</div>
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that God installed</div>
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just for moments</div>
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like these.</div>
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If I would have looked</div>
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back I would</div>
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realize that</div>
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my partner in crime</div>
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couldn't help it</div>
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that God didn't</div>
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make him for this job</div>
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and that is why</div>
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he hadn't moved</div>
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an inch</div>
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or an eyelid.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Before I knew it</div>
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I had stripped</div>
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down every inch</div>
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of that top bunk.</div>
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Of course</div>
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it was the top.</div>
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And of course</div>
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I needed those wings</div>
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so as not to</div>
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wake the one</div>
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sleeping on the bottom.</div>
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<br /></div>
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No need to mention</div>
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the smell or color</div>
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of the foulness</div>
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or how it sloshed</div>
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from pillow</div>
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to sheet</div>
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to comforter.</div>
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I looked down at my</div>
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daughter</div>
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to see her</div>
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use the trashcan</div>
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I had somehow provided</div>
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before flying into action</div>
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on the bedding.</div>
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The florescent</div>
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colors were gone now.</div>
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I blinked to make sure.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Before I could get my bearings</div>
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I started to remake the bed</div>
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and then thought to ask</div>
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"Sophia,</div>
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do you want to sleep on the couch?"</div>
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The answer came quietly,</div>
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"Yes mom, that's a good idea</div>
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but I have all this gross stuff</div>
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all over me."</div>
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<br /></div>
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"Is it just on your shirt?"</div>
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"I got a little on my cast,</div>
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and it's all in my hair."</div>
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<br /></div>
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In to the bathroom</div>
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we flew.</div>
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I cleaned</div>
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off her arm cast</div>
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(and chuckled</div>
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at the thought</div>
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of the flu</div>
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and a broken arm</div>
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at the same time)</div>
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with a Clorox wipe</div>
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in between</div>
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the heaves into the toilet.</div>
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I applied</div>
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the two plastic</div>
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bags and rubber bands</div>
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that I had so</div>
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neatly stored</div>
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under the bathroom sink</div>
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yesterday.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I then turned her around</div>
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and stripped her down.</div>
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She's at a private age.</div>
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11 is tricky.</div>
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Somehow I was</div>
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instinctual enough</div>
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to just know</div>
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to have her step into the</div>
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shower before removing</div>
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her soiled clothes.</div>
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<br /></div>
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"Sophia,</div>
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did you start your period, too?"</div>
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As in,</div>
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on top of</div>
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the broken bone</div>
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and puking.</div>
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She looked at me confused.</div>
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<br /></div>
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"Or did you</div>
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just poop your pants?"</div>
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<br /></div>
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She sheepishly answered</div>
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that she thought</div>
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that wasn't her period.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I plugged</div>
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the tub</div>
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and started the warm water.</div>
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Then I gathered the</div>
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dirty clothes</div>
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and the dirty linens</div>
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and headed to the laundry room.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I got the worst</div>
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loaded into the washer</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and realized that the 13 year old</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
never started her laundry</div>
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like her told her to</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
before heading to work</div>
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this afternoon</div>
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or yesterday afternoon,</div>
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depending on the time.</div>
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Thank goodness</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
for adolescent</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
irresponsibility.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I grabbed</div>
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an extra blanket</div>
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and headed back upstairs</div>
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to the couch</div>
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where I found an</div>
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almost empty roll</div>
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of duct tape</div>
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which someone</div>
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had not put away.</div>
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The item that</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
had been alluding</div>
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my memory</div>
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for the past two days</div>
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came to me.</div>
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Compound W</div>
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needed to be added to</div>
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the grocery list.</div>
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Baby Caroline's</div>
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wart must be attended to.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Compound W</div>
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combined with</div>
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duct tape</div>
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is the best</div>
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antidote</div>
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for warts.</div>
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I actually</div>
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learned that</div>
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before I had</div>
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kids</div>
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if you don't</div>
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count the hubby</div>
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and his massive</div>
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wart on his right knee</div>
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that I cured</div>
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shortly after marriage.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I washed and rinsed her hair.</div>
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twice.</div>
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And handed her</div>
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some soap</div>
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to take care</div>
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of the backside.</div>
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I held up her right arm</div>
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wrapped in plastic.</div>
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Placing back the soap</div>
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I told her to rinse with water.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I took care of the towel</div>
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which I had given her to rest</div>
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her broken arm on.</div>
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I guess the ledge on the tub</div>
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wasn't big enough,</div>
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it was floating at her feet.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I ran (I mean flew)</div>
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into her room</div>
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and grabbed her</div>
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comfy shorts,</div>
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undies,</div>
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t-shirt,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and a cami</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
because times like</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
these are too harsh for bras</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(even if she does</div>
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normally wear hers to bed)</div>
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and she will appreciate</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
the extra layer</div>
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of support.</div>
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How do I know?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Because I am a mom.</div>
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And I always pass the test</div>
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even when I am failing.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Here I sit</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
watching, typing,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
shaking my head in disbelief,</div>
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not even longing</div>
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for sleep to come back to me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Because I am a mom.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And I am always on duty.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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Always.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Notice her favorite</div>
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scooby doo blankie?</div>
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I made it for her</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
when she was seven</div>
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and without even realizing it</div>
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I had grabbed it off</div>
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the couch downstairs</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
while fetching</div>
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the other warmer</div>
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blanket</div>
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just</div>
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before flying</div>
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back upstairs</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
30 minutes ago.</div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKPioJczED83Ll845dE2AUXTLNlAZ5IarrG5efZchsxPAzdFG2Gii4NR3NMubzUUNmBCbX5jly_NSv1nCxzhd5EBc6Za0cmva3t8wUUtudeNenRFfRs0Gd6Rn8lYXWzeqTPkH/s640/blogger-image--1456344060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKPioJczED83Ll845dE2AUXTLNlAZ5IarrG5efZchsxPAzdFG2Gii4NR3NMubzUUNmBCbX5jly_NSv1nCxzhd5EBc6Za0cmva3t8wUUtudeNenRFfRs0Gd6Rn8lYXWzeqTPkH/s400/blogger-image--1456344060.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-7941790569758895242013-03-25T12:51:00.000-04:002013-03-25T15:21:12.607-04:00Just say no to mom jousting.I recently read <a href="http://www.rageagainsttheminivan.com/2013/03/lets-bring-holidays-down-notch.html">this</a> blog post<br />
after it was shared several times<br />
by my friends on facebook.<br />
Rage Against the minivan wrote it.<br />
Can I rage against the minivan too<br />
even if I drive one?<br />
<br />
This is my two cents today.<br />
Parents don't have to tell other parents<br />
what to do or not to do.<br />
Parents have to grow a backbone<br />
and tell their kids to NOT expect something<br />
just because other kids have it.<br />
This is the problem with our society in general.<br />
Parents are all competing<br />
instead of supporting each other.<br />
<br />
Sometimes (actually all the time)<br />
we just need to check out of the<br />
Mormon mommy blogger culture.<br />
<br />
"Oh, you throw huge themed parties for your kids,<br />
well my kids must have that too."<br />
<br />
You read 10 books every night.<br />
You always have ironed clothes.<br />
You have sterile bathrooms.<br />
All your clothes are from Matilda Jane.<br />
You have an elf on the shelf.<br />
You have a 5 course meal every night?<br />
Your kids are each in a music lesson, a sport, and a cultural extra-curricular...<br />
and you have 10 boys and 5 girls?<br />
You have a leprechaun that shows up for Christmas?<br />
<br />
Do you see how it can become a really huge problem<br />
when you try to do everything like everyone else?<br />
<br />
No. No. No.<br />
That's all it takes.<br />
<br />
And guess what?<br />
Your kids don't care.<br />
<br />
Or they may care<br />
and then when you say no<br />
they'll figure it out for themselves.<br />
<br />
Case in point.<br />
<br />
This is Bella<br />
pretending to be<br />
a leprechaun<br />
for Saint Patrick's Day.<br />
She thought that<br />
Caroline deserved some fun<br />
that we didn't want to provide.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0dbdkdvJZak" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/k3W47VXrqro" width="420"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-11624013065153612502013-03-19T13:15:00.001-04:002013-03-19T13:18:41.638-04:00Book Review: Deadly Undertakings<a href="http://www.greggluke.com/">Mr. Luke</a> sent me a copy of this book<br />
with no agreement for my review,<br />
and that makes him really super cool,<br />
and one of my favorite authors ever<br />
along with <a href="http://julienford.com/">Julie Ford</a>.<br />
<br />
My reviews are always honest.<br />
This book is definitely one that you won't regret buying.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15822596-deadly-undertakings" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Deadly Undertakings" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1346903630m/15822596.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15822596-deadly-undertakings">Deadly Undertakings</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1132841.Gregg_Luke">Gregg Luke</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/442336538">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
Gregg Luke has delivered once again. This creepy whodunit mystery about a serial killer who drains his 100+ year old healthy victims (yes plural) of their blood and the boyfriend/girlfriend police detective/assistant medical examiner duo who are trying to catch him is a perfectly blended half suspense and half love story. I love a good mystery especially when I can't figure it out until the very end, but even more I am a big sucker for a good love story. Why does it always surprise me when a man can write romance? Nice job Mr. Luke.<br />
<br />
Gregg is a fantastic author who knows how to pace a story just right to keep the reader engaged, masters in-depth characters, and draws us into his awesome imaginary worlds: even though you know they are fiction, Gregg Luke has a knack at making them seem very real.<br />
<br />
I always love reading books that are set in Utah, but this one was so creepy it almost made me wish it was set somewhere else. The bad guy(s)were oh so bad and the good guy(s) were not just perfectly good but perfectly flawed as well. This story is a great reminder that even broken people can be brave and they especially need to stay vulnerable. I love when there are subliminal messages towards mental health hidden inside the pages of fiction.<br />
<br />
I am torn between a 3 and 4 star rating,<br />
I think this books lies perfectly safe at 3.5.<br />
<br />
It definitely isn't to be read when you are home alone.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbqmlShReuL6iHd7304plWL-7ILfa6NL_-jY1VjYPoNobFGPrvWWJBlkh7lNk4KxORrIv8UqN4oOUZNorfN5o_V5vfJP4muvLrtzBKY_L2wOalv4iUP9k99eHflqfqR9LntmY/s1600/IMG_2288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbqmlShReuL6iHd7304plWL-7ILfa6NL_-jY1VjYPoNobFGPrvWWJBlkh7lNk4KxORrIv8UqN4oOUZNorfN5o_V5vfJP4muvLrtzBKY_L2wOalv4iUP9k99eHflqfqR9LntmY/s320/IMG_2288.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/418700-alice">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-60848045153748916162013-03-18T15:43:00.003-04:002013-03-18T15:43:55.401-04:00Winner for a Gaze Into Heaven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Saturday morning</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I picked a winner</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
for my <a href="http://imsofunny.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-gaze-into-heaven.html">book giveaway</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br />Congratulations</div>
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to</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Norina</div>
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who was my</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
#10 commenter.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvKCOaX1OmymaJKunYgrk2q2qPz8sdxoRRS2tzGnhLozb3sBTJAQ09fN_LqWxyea7kBYyQW-lKs-yc2ApCvYoxpwO-KihuCFlqMCEopKGYKc3STmAW7rE9wgNwhFgXfaWFsZd/s1600/IMG_2632.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvKCOaX1OmymaJKunYgrk2q2qPz8sdxoRRS2tzGnhLozb3sBTJAQ09fN_LqWxyea7kBYyQW-lKs-yc2ApCvYoxpwO-KihuCFlqMCEopKGYKc3STmAW7rE9wgNwhFgXfaWFsZd/s320/IMG_2632.PNG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I find it interesting</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
that Norina is my winner.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She had a really hard</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
miscarriage years ago</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and when she tried</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
to explain to me her</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
heartache</div>
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I didn't get it.</div>
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At all.</div>
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<br />Even though</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I myself</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
had experienced</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
2 miscarriages</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
of my own</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
at that time</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I just didn't get</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
the longing that she felt</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
or the sadness</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
at what didn't happen.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I get it now.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And even though</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I still don't believe</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I will personally</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
be united</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
with any of my</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
four miscarriages</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(even if this last</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
one was at 18 weeks)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I understand</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
others desire for that</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and I will welcome</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
more children </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
in the next life</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
if that is indeed</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
how it works.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I loved the part</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
in the book</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://imsofunny.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-gaze-into-heaven.html">Gaze Into Heaven</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
that talks about</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
babies all</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
going straight to paradise</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and being cared for by family.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There are no children</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
in hell.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And that is how it should be.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And that realization</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
has made my desire for</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
paradise</div>
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that much stronger.</div>
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I can't imagine</div>
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a world</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
where there</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
are no children.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I can only imagine that</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
those reunions</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
between</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
moms</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
babies</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
are some of the</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
SWEETEST</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
ever.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Congrats Norina.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am so happy</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
to give you this book.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I think that,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
like me,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
you will love it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-61592413074174437322013-03-15T14:40:00.004-04:002013-03-15T14:48:29.108-04:00Bend Out of Shape<div style="text-align: center;">
I have this great friend </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lynnae Boyer Weller.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She owns a little business called</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Savannah Balloons.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can learn more about her through her </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bendoutashape.com/">website</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/savannahballoons">facebook page</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her balloon skills are awesome.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is her version of</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy St. Patrick's Day</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzsC_RhNt2XdBFQejM_jKYB-lbn4Dyhi5TbGvFj_3dPedwl5b1dYkHvBi7PeX_7M_wDGBZ7EdrhwmaOjBCZ4xYwXCkTeWzTYrJCBVNl54qfDPPnm5rTSzCBFpbisiIZb3tLqk/s1600/leprechaun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzsC_RhNt2XdBFQejM_jKYB-lbn4Dyhi5TbGvFj_3dPedwl5b1dYkHvBi7PeX_7M_wDGBZ7EdrhwmaOjBCZ4xYwXCkTeWzTYrJCBVNl54qfDPPnm5rTSzCBFpbisiIZb3tLqk/s400/leprechaun.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love it when people</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
can make our world</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a better place</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with their</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
amazing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
artistic</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
abilities.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wish I had more artistic abilities.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I plan to read</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.hueandhum.com/2013/03/conversations.html">The Artist's Way</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to explore</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
if there is something</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have been missing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Remember I blogged about Lynnae's mom <a href="http://imsofunny.blogspot.com/2010/10/death-cannot-quench-nancy-boyer.html">here</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I miss her mom,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she always made me smile.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope you all have a great green weekend.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I plan to make some shamrock</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://imsofunny.blogspot.com/2013/02/utah-style-sugar-cookies.html">sugar cookies</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
clean house,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
squeeze in a date with my hubby,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and enjoy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
every last minute</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or our last lazy Saturday</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
before Spring sports begin.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wish you all the</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
luck of the Irish.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And just so you know</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
if you google</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
funny + st patricks day</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you are going to</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
see a lot of stuff about beer</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and even some naked redheads.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wpmdhdn-kEK9iyJIjA6eyJco1sx3jm3m0lA7jEQF7JDzw_LjV0WyncFpXQaRHoulcLY9sh-lGKJnFY9vcJyiE42tQ64WfXwhgM9WpGs3QnxlspEoj96emo-kLk2r3wGgd0TA/s1600/stpts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wpmdhdn-kEK9iyJIjA6eyJco1sx3jm3m0lA7jEQF7JDzw_LjV0WyncFpXQaRHoulcLY9sh-lGKJnFY9vcJyiE42tQ64WfXwhgM9WpGs3QnxlspEoj96emo-kLk2r3wGgd0TA/s400/stpts.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-69891248946464151342013-03-13T16:49:00.001-04:002013-03-13T16:49:18.274-04:00Rescued after 15 years, 6 months, 26 days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Take two llamas.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They are totally different from each other.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One is a pasty white blonde boy from the Bible belt</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
who is extremely intelligent, mild-mannered, and a lovely person.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The other looks almost Mexican (even though she isn't)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
is from Southern California</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and is fun-loving, a total control freak, and crazy like a fox.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They are both Mormon llamas</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and they have a lot of the same interests</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
like</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
the outdoors, music, family, education, spirituality, and playing volleyball.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkTF1m0iW9neKILuCB9SmsEEKwiuaDIhf_sx-8TpsngyTF5privzOdQzTiOFjUEewLZJmQ_RzYV-HUczyFbbC6C0Q3fRMmfVprnPRiqbACpq6q6kUk63Rxkyb2VMTJBNxx1bQ/s1600/two+llamas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkTF1m0iW9neKILuCB9SmsEEKwiuaDIhf_sx-8TpsngyTF5privzOdQzTiOFjUEewLZJmQ_RzYV-HUczyFbbC6C0Q3fRMmfVprnPRiqbACpq6q6kUk63Rxkyb2VMTJBNxx1bQ/s400/two+llamas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These are the two llamas.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just for the sake of the story.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They met on their Mormon missions.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They love each other very much.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One day they just knew they had to get married,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
so they started making plans.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The boy llama being the shy kid that he was</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
never proposed</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and the girl llama orchestrated every detail of their lives</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and was then resentful that they boy</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
never proposed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
15 years, 6 months, and 26 days later</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
they land themselves in the</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
office of the marriage counselor.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Again.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They tell their story of</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
love and marriage</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and how the boy llama</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
had another semester of college</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
to go in another state</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and the girl llama</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
was all stressed out</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and they just got hitched in 10 days.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The girl llama says</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"I was a mess, I started freaking out."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The boy llama said</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"I married her instead of finishing my semester</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
because I didn't want to lose her."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The marriage counselor llama</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
says</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Aw, that is so sweet.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In your own screwed up way</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
you let him rescue you.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
How romantic."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The girl llama</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
was like</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Why the heck did I stay up </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
all night</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
crying</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
when</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
we</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
watched</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ever After</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
wondering</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
why I sold out</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
to the ultimate</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
love story?"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhrFEC-Lo9H6pMSEcEDdFEy0KLsIKw8Cb-aDE0g_j_lWV7jpAGee0z669eZRk4_DnqAwolpP5Hs73TXdbhN4tTmB3wfSnynp-9n9kVAo4cBjPD6B_j2jm7SVAAt2RQdZLwpwX/s1600/white+llama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhrFEC-Lo9H6pMSEcEDdFEy0KLsIKw8Cb-aDE0g_j_lWV7jpAGee0z669eZRk4_DnqAwolpP5Hs73TXdbhN4tTmB3wfSnynp-9n9kVAo4cBjPD6B_j2jm7SVAAt2RQdZLwpwX/s400/white+llama.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Isn't he cute?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-58917174761493586742013-03-12T03:49:00.000-04:002013-03-12T20:17:30.822-04:00Book Review: Gaze Into Heaven<div>
<b>I love this book SO much that I am giving away a copy. </b></div>
<div>
<b>Leave me a comment with your e-mail address</b></div>
<div>
<b>and tell me which one of your family members </b></div>
<div>
<b>you are most anxious to meet in the next life</b></div>
<div>
<b>and I will pick one VERY lucky person </b></div>
<div>
<b>to get their own free copy.</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Giveaway closes on Friday the 15th at 11:59 p.m.</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
Disclaimer: I received a book in exchange for this review</div>
<div>
but my opinions are always true and 100% right.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16107847-gaze-into-heaven" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Gaze Into Heaven: Near-Death Experiences in Early Church History" border="0" height="200" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356194337m/16107847.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16107847-gaze-into-heaven">Gaze Into Heaven: Near-Death Experiences in Early Church History</a><br />
by<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/227241.Marlene_Bateman_Sullivan">Marlene Bateman Sullivan</a><br />
<br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/554884774">5 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
This is the best book that <br />
I have read in several years.<br />
It has completely <br />
changed the way <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I view my mortal life.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have sincerely </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
become a better</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
person just by</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
reading this book.</div>
<br />
<br />
All of my Mormon friends<br />
MUST READ this book.<br />
And even you non-Mormons<br />
will find this absolutely fascinating.<br />
<br />
Gaze into Heaven is a book of complied true near death stories organized in a way that is easy to read. Each chapter is a piece of the after-life puzzle answering individual questions like what is a spirit body like and are there cities in paradise? What a wonderful compilation of early church (Mormon) history this is. The stories are eerily similar. Maybe eerily is the wrong word - I found it absolutely testimony building that all the accounts concurred with one another. "By the mouth or two or more witnesses" and witness they did.<br />
<br />
These people who died and went to the other side and came back to tell us what they experienced did not know one another, but as I read their accounts I was stunned at the similarities. As I read the pages my life-long fear of dying dissipated. These Mormon pioneers described the freedom they felt as their spirits separated from their bodies, the joy they felt in the world with other kindred spirits, and the peace they felt in their passing and I found myself looking forward to the experience. For me that is a huge breakthrough. I cannot even explain my phobia of dying, its been debilitating at times. I am truly grateful to Marlene for writing this book and helping me have a greater understanding of my life now and into the eternities. <br />
<br />
This book has power in its pages. After getting acquainted with just the first few chapters I felt like I was on hallowed ground just viewing the cover. I didn't even have to open it to feel inspired although I did as frequently as was possible in receiving this balm to my soul. These stories are sacred like the temple and I am so grateful they have been shared.
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
Buy the book in the stores or online at </div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.seagullbook.com/lds-products-770255.html">Seagull</a> or <a href="http://deseretbook.com/Gaze-Into-Heaven-Marlene-Bateman-Sullivan/i/5105020">Deseret Book</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gaze-Into-Heaven-Near-Death-Experiences/dp/1462111270/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360955844&sr=8-1&keywords=gaze+into+heaven">Amazon</a>.</div>
<div>
Go to <a href="http://www.marlenebateman.info/">Marlene's website</a> to learn more about the author.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here is one of Marlene's favorite quotes in the book from the experience of Thomas S. Thomas. </div>
<div>
Thomas' story was one of my favorites also.</div>
<div>
Thomas describes what he learned in his near-death experience in the spirit world.</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"All mental powers were restored. The fond memories of the past returned...your soul is endowed with wisdom and knowledge and filled with everlasting love...Distance is no barrier to transmit thought without instruments, or to travel under your own power. Your vision is magnified there; your future view is plain; desire for knowledge is inexhaustible; you are master of yourself intelligence is the key to all realms which makes an endless trail to all advancement and is a place of satisfaction and joy to the soul... </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The grand greeting you first receive is from your closest of kin - father, mother, brother and sisters - and all that are near and dear to you who passed from earthly life and arrived in the Great Beyond before you. Your nearest and dearest friends and many others come to greet and converse with you. They ask about the conditions of their kin, those whom you were acquainted with on earth, and all are anxious to learn of their kin's surroundings and conditions. You will find this a great meeting place of all souls, where information is eagerly sought, concerning earth's conditions, by those who have passed from earthly life and are in this stage of existence. These souls are now busy, in the future existence, working in different habitations. Many are from different spheres. All souls are fully enjoying their positions and surroundings. You read from their cheerful countenances a condition of contentment.."</blockquote>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/418700-alice">View all my reviews</a> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-11021930429193085412013-03-08T12:57:00.003-05:002013-03-08T12:57:42.713-05:00Daddy's Baby<div style="text-align: center;">
I guess LG had been trying </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to grow his hair out again.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hadn't noticed</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
until a few days ago he</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
lamented to me,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Alice, I forget how far back</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my hair has receded</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
until I grow it out."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bad for LG.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Good for me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love his hair buzzed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfv3qSTRKI-LjJtQaUUcC6w57T3JftX09aQbRiPCiPkNC6Vav_ZuOYdmsM-6fPR3yCUIVCtPgbxHVzQR0iU8_PsPhMtynB-VaOsJrjFJibIMLdMCRlCgMOpXdyCYCBpDohrsFt/s640/blogger-image--759716395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfv3qSTRKI-LjJtQaUUcC6w57T3JftX09aQbRiPCiPkNC6Vav_ZuOYdmsM-6fPR3yCUIVCtPgbxHVzQR0iU8_PsPhMtynB-VaOsJrjFJibIMLdMCRlCgMOpXdyCYCBpDohrsFt/s400/blogger-image--759716395.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Imagine my surprise</div>
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today</div>
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when Caroline</div>
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brought this photo to me</div>
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and said,</div>
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<br /></div>
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"Mom this is so strange.</div>
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Dad doesn't have pokey hair."</div>
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<br /></div>
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LG I guess</div>
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you are going to have to </div>
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keep</div>
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your</div>
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<a href="http://imsofunny.blogspot.com/2011/02/hokey-pokey.html">hokey pokey</a></div>
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style.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We're you trying</div>
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to grow it out</div>
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at hopes of</div>
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revisiting</div>
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those newlywed days?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Better luck next time.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-14452222620664374652013-03-07T12:22:00.000-05:002013-03-07T12:22:21.315-05:00Momming<div style="text-align: center;">
Did you know that there</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
are college degrees</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in family science?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I never got it when I was younger.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Why would anyone</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
go to all that school</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
just to learn how to</div>
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be married and have a family?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Can't anyone do that?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Doesn't everyone do that?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I felt that those who majored</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in family studies</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
were just doing so</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because they wanted</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
an easy Bachelor's Degree.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or they were looking</div>
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to build a resume</div>
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for their future spouse.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Look at me,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I want to</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
spend eternity</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in your kitchen."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The older I get,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the more I attend</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
marriage counseling,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am grateful for</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the other suckers who</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
went through all the work</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to help me to figure</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
out the complicated</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
parts that I never</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
understood back then.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And honestly: still don't.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
just like everyone else,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sometimes,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I get it right,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
without any studying at all.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes I get it right</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
out of sure dedication</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and practice.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the kitchen,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I need no therapy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am the boss.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In one small area</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've got the momming down</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to a science.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm a PHDmf.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
People Hone Down</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(my food)</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is a photo</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for evidence.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tuesday afternoon</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
this is what my kitchen counter looked like</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
right before I headed</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
out to my real job.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(ha ha - we all know</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
momming is my real job)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
white chicken chili, homemade bread,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and after-school cookies</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4bFKufCVKzqe4fjvpeeStVcLr0w6l60GGWu2IzJC19vI-vi6HxBlpCKP-vvlwyWzPLSC8xN9uJQiBy0AwdczHs4XwjXPut7w6a7Lua-tyKYP3Bgnxdvw-L-feLDFZkdVg-qR/s640/blogger-image-1987300131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4bFKufCVKzqe4fjvpeeStVcLr0w6l60GGWu2IzJC19vI-vi6HxBlpCKP-vvlwyWzPLSC8xN9uJQiBy0AwdczHs4XwjXPut7w6a7Lua-tyKYP3Bgnxdvw-L-feLDFZkdVg-qR/s640/blogger-image-1987300131.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Let me brag for a moment.</div>
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Just the other day,</div>
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while we were on our way to soccer</div>
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Abigail received a text</div>
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from a charming young man</div>
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with whom we attend church.</div>
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We had taken his family</div>
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some cookies the day before.</div>
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He said,</div>
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and I quote,</div>
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<br /></div>
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"I would marry you</div>
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just so I could get your mom</div>
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in the deal."</div>
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<br /></div>
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Fist pumps were had</div>
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all around.</div>
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This little exchange</div>
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made my day.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Add to the fact</div>
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that Abigail's boy buddy</div>
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at school</div>
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(who has learned to cook</div>
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out of sheer desperation</div>
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because his mom doesn't)</div>
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calls me</div>
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"the regular Rachel Ray."</div>
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<br /></div>
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And</div>
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<br /></div>
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The neighborhood</div>
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adolescents' each have</div>
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their own</div>
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favorites of mine</div>
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whether it be</div>
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pumpkin bread,</div>
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rolls,</div>
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cinnamon rolls,</div>
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chocolate chip cookies,</div>
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cake pops,</div>
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homemade bread,</div>
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pizelles,</div>
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or pizza.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Yeah I screw up</div>
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in the momming</div>
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category</div>
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often.</div>
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<br /></div>
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But today I just want to take</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
a moment to scream from my laptop:</div>
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"Guess what?</div>
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When it comes to</div>
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momming,</div>
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all it takes</div>
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is some skill in the kitchen!"</div>
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<br /></div>
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Momming comes naturally.</div>
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It comes best</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
while wearing an apron.</div>
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You can't learn it at college.</div>
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The reason any food is good</div>
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is because </div>
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the cooking of it has been</div>
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practices and practiced</div>
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and mixed,</div>
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and spooned,</div>
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and baked,</div>
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with LOVE</div>
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til it reaches</div>
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the status of</div>
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perfection.</div>
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<br /></div>
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God had it all figured out.</div>
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He gave us plenty of time</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
to get it right while they are young</div>
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and didn't know any different.</div>
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By the time</div>
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they just want to hang out with their friends</div>
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the moms who have put</div>
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in the most</div>
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hours</div>
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WIN!</div>
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<br /></div>
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They can't resist bringing</div>
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their friends home</div>
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for some down home food.</div>
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They don't know it</div>
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but they are all getting </div>
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some good old momming</div>
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all of the time.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Every bite</div>
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includes a</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
subliminal message</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"drugs are bad"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"believe in yourself"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"I love you"</div>
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"I'm always here for you"</div>
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<br /></div>
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I might still have a bunch</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
of stuff to figure out, </div>
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but when I think of</div>
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my success in the kitchen,</div>
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I know </div>
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that even</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
without a college degree</div>
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I'm doing pretty good.</div>
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It's not that complicated.</div>
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It's called I love my kids</div>
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enough to cook for them.</div>
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<br />No matter how else I screw up,</div>
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I know one thing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As long as I feed everyone</div>
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til I die</div>
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I'll always</div>
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keep them coming</div>
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back for more.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Did I mention</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
that my girls</div>
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have all been fighting</div>
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over who gets</div>
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which recipes of mine when they</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
get married?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I told them I would</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
make them each their own</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
recipe box.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Maybe I won't have to cook til I die</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
after all.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://imsofunny.blogspot.com/2011/03/french-toast-for-masses.html">Thank goodness</a>.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-58905661507688768492013-03-06T01:16:00.000-05:002013-03-06T13:16:54.563-05:00Newga<div style="text-align: center;">
This little lion has been with Caroline from birth.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was a baby shower gift.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanks Aimee!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Caroline named her</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sometime in her first year.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her name is </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
New-Gu</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or Newga.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4INYlE66DrTnMAfpnhr_6Br06qutHQUCooLOJoattfLI6U9R3e35WpKKAk0qPrqHChTC2SJ-Q-qTHIMWCn6d1yb6rRSynMG-ycgIF8aCm5ooOtXKC5xaYgeLPXz07pkDmfVqY/s640/blogger-image--2026379027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4INYlE66DrTnMAfpnhr_6Br06qutHQUCooLOJoattfLI6U9R3e35WpKKAk0qPrqHChTC2SJ-Q-qTHIMWCn6d1yb6rRSynMG-ycgIF8aCm5ooOtXKC5xaYgeLPXz07pkDmfVqY/s400/blogger-image--2026379027.jpg" width="299" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Every night before this sleeping angel goes to sleep</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we have a routine.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We go potty, change into clean panties and p.j.'s, and read three books.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2NbwD5C7_ZbbVR8p8yeMENbpcckKYZOqdzsKft48ihkMKFDq5xeKbYOSjkmHBIMGEZhUHyhv4YTgiWa5mNL45iVZrDBZS3wtNyn6NMlP4DyNxLDU8lT1jsk_CPGcKkEqvP1I/s640/blogger-image--1386524280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2NbwD5C7_ZbbVR8p8yeMENbpcckKYZOqdzsKft48ihkMKFDq5xeKbYOSjkmHBIMGEZhUHyhv4YTgiWa5mNL45iVZrDBZS3wtNyn6NMlP4DyNxLDU8lT1jsk_CPGcKkEqvP1I/s400/blogger-image--1386524280.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We then give each other big kisses</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and I say,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"I love you the mostest."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She then repeats it back to me</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
anywhere between 5 and 10 times.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then I pull out Newga</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(the last step til sleep)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and proceed to shower Caroline</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
with kisses from her favorite lion pal.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Caroline always tells Newga to "Stop it Newga"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
while trying to hide under her covers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Newga promises to behave,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Caroline comes out</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and gives her a kiss</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and then shares with lioness</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
her favorite pink blankie.</div>
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<br /></div>
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As I walk out of the room</div>
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I say</div>
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"Goodnight Caroline.<br />Goodnight Newga."</div>
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<br /></div>
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Thank you to</div>
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Ms. Sunshine</div>
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(the pre-school teacher)</div>
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for a very permanent reminder</div>
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of how powerfully</div>
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this nightly ritual</div>
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speaks love</div>
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into Caroline's heart.</div>
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<br />Caroline brought this home on Valentine's Day.</div>
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I am so glad Ms. Sunshine</div>
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wrote down exactly what</div>
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Caroline told her</div>
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even if she had no idea</div>
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what she was talking about.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We all knew</div>
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exactly who Caroline</div>
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loves.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCZeYnYgmYeTH6q66zivYXEORcfAALRqx0j5Hsz3gZnLUS-rYoy3ec1ZHSfzPXPiV0Hj1t_pnOPhieBB8oLETpqlf8mDqbW12voobMZbHKzIFz4SUIHeD12u-cG2Fmn_N25Jf/s640/blogger-image-392894181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCZeYnYgmYeTH6q66zivYXEORcfAALRqx0j5Hsz3gZnLUS-rYoy3ec1ZHSfzPXPiV0Hj1t_pnOPhieBB8oLETpqlf8mDqbW12voobMZbHKzIFz4SUIHeD12u-cG2Fmn_N25Jf/s640/blogger-image-392894181.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I am so grateful to God</div>
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for giving me Caroline.</div>
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She is spoiled rotten.</div>
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We all love her so much.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Thank you God for Caroline</div>
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and for Newga</div>
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as a nightly reminder of</div>
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how blessed I am</div>
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to love and be loved.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-68930141777322368012013-03-05T16:59:00.002-05:002013-03-06T12:57:56.371-05:00My own worst enemy<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been reading the most excellent book</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
called</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gaze-Into-Heaven-Near-Death-Experiences/dp/1462111270/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362518811&sr=8-1&keywords=gaze+into+heaven">Gaze Into Heaven</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(review coming soon)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It chronicles near-death</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
experiences of Mormon pioneers</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and it has been life altering for me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as I have pondered</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the after-life.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What will it be like for</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
me to meet my maker</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and account for mortality?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I really really hope that</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the good outweighs the bad.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As I recently talked with a friend</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
who has anorexia,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we discussed</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
how we all seem</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to just transfer</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
one bad behavior to the next.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She started struggling with anorexia</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
when she was overcoming</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a spending problem.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't seem to be disciplined</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
enough to stay under budget</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
while also staying under calorie allotment.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
And forget being happy and kind</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and under budget and under calorie.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's going to take me a lifetime</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to conquer all of the above</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
at the same time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But this morning</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
while running</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had an epiphany.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It comes from</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng">The Book of Mormon</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<h3 style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #4870b7; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/3.19?lang=eng#18" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mosiah 3:19</a></h3>
<div style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<snippet>19 For the <span class="highlight" style="background-color: #f6f2c3; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">natural</span> <span class="highlight" style="background-color: #f6f2c3; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">man</span> is an <span class="highlight" style="background-color: #f6f2c3; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">enemy</span> to <span class="highlight" style="background-color: #f6f2c3; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">God</span>, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the <span class="highlight" style="background-color: #f6f2c3; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">natural</span> <span class="highlight" style="background-color: #f6f2c3; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">man</span> and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.</snippet></div>
<div style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<snippet><br /></snippet></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHRXu0uoWukk6HdxmMZA8lBsP8vfvDRaX0KPaf8EiKFYIhNjYgtogClkJPiy2ziJbk9wtnJXc22NF8Q7VIzIEOES5TJfFvlprufXddIymKKE9TsHzKJLMoG5d2rnCKs-q0bLs/s640/blogger-image--1290661585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHRXu0uoWukk6HdxmMZA8lBsP8vfvDRaX0KPaf8EiKFYIhNjYgtogClkJPiy2ziJbk9wtnJXc22NF8Q7VIzIEOES5TJfFvlprufXddIymKKE9TsHzKJLMoG5d2rnCKs-q0bLs/s400/blogger-image--1290661585.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Like a ton of bricks</div>
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it hit me all at once.</div>
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<br /></div>
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My mortal body</div>
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is my own worst enemy.</div>
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My whole purpose </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
on this earth</div>
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is to show that my spirit</div>
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can be in charge</div>
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of my body.</div>
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<br /></div>
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My body is dead</div>
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without my spirit.</div>
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My spirit (me) is what makes </div>
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me (my body) do or not do anything.</div>
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<br /></div>
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When I struggle with stuff</div>
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it's not my spirit,</div>
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it's the flesh.</div>
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The flesh is naughty.</div>
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The spirit is perfect.</div>
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They are always at odds</div>
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with one another.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Hey body Alice</div>
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quit eating so much."</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Shut up spirit Alice,</div>
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you're so goody-goody.</div>
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We're gonna</div>
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eat drink and be merry til we die."</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Bad idea body Alice,</div>
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your spirit</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
wants to have its glorified form</div>
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and it knows a whole lot</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
more than you do.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm smarter.</div>
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I'm better</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and my whole goal </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
is to make you perfect.</div>
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I'm in charge</div>
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so put that doughnut down.</div>
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NOW."</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The flesh is weak,</div>
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the spirit is strong.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This may seem so simple</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
to you all,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
but it is an epic</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
principle</div>
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that I aim</div>
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to use</div>
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from now on</div>
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when trying to conquer</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
my transfer of</div>
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bad behaviors.</div>
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<br /></div>
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When my flesh is weak</div>
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I plan to tap into</div>
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that strong strong strong</div>
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spirit</div>
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and I plan to utilize</div>
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the God of all spirits</div>
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to help me </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
whip that body into shape</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
more often.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-1292257678127991962013-03-01T12:32:00.000-05:002013-03-01T12:33:32.062-05:00Sharing Time - I want to follow Jesus<div style="text-align: center;">
Post number 1400 today.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My blog has evolved.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love its ability to share information</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
on all levels.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today I am working on</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/08994_eng.pdf?lang=eng">Sharing Time</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for <a href="http://www.lds.org/topics/primary?lang=eng">Primary</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I get to teach 50</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3-8 year olds</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
all at once</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and try to keep their attention.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't wait.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I just got done creating this coloring page.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At the end of the lesson,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the kids will get to</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
express what they've learned</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in the way they like best:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
coloring with crayons</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXdEfHHDseugjSuqv0i3VIEd7GWth08qjJfnzcp0jTyg8o-Ai5jbdLl8yOde0Slm3p9COTnBTPQZJh4anjwTh_OrS2tUYDFD-9Pcn-Jyr4FwuvbywQy9INMgjc4HidUeadIF0/s640/blogger-image-1963771293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXdEfHHDseugjSuqv0i3VIEd7GWth08qjJfnzcp0jTyg8o-Ai5jbdLl8yOde0Slm3p9COTnBTPQZJh4anjwTh_OrS2tUYDFD-9Pcn-Jyr4FwuvbywQy9INMgjc4HidUeadIF0/s400/blogger-image-1963771293.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Before they draw,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I will be playing with them.</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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We'll sing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Do As I'm Doing</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
play a matching game</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
while standing up</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and sitting down.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They will learn</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
about the above 5 portraits</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
from Christ's life</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and how Jesus Christ</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
set an example for us</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and taught us all things that</div>
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we should do.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The list is endless</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
but we will focus on</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
working, being baptized, teaching, praying, and serving.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I love Jesus Christ</div>
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my Savior</div>
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and I love</div>
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that I belong to a His church</div>
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where the focus is</div>
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teaching and learning</div>
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at all ages.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And most of all</div>
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I love that I belong to a church</div>
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that knows</div>
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the best way for us to learn</div>
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is </div>
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for us</div>
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to teach.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Drop me a comment</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
or an e-mail</div>
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and I will send</div>
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you the</div>
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word doc.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-24580326916810115342013-02-28T17:19:00.004-05:002013-02-28T17:19:59.126-05:00I need a mom.I am sure you have all noticed my lack of posts this week<br />
because I know you all come here every day with super high hopes<br />
because I am the world's most amazing blogger.<br />
<br />
O.k. o.k. I'm not, I know.<br />
I may not be the world's best blogger<br />
and I am most certainly not the world's best mom,<br />
but guess what I am all they've got.<br />
They'll get over it eventually,<br />
after some good therapy<br />
that I will hold off on as long as possible<br />
so they have to pay for it themselves.<br />
I mean really<br />
if the choice is between therapy<br />
and cold cereal,<br />
I am pretty sure the shredded mini wheats<br />
or the more appreciated at the moment.<br />
<br />
What am I good for anyway?<br />
I'll tell you what.<br />
<br />
I always throw away the empty bottles in the shower.<br />
I always make sure that everyone is fed.<br />
I always make sure everyone has clean clothes.<br />
I am always the first one to hand over the trashcan when someone is sick.<br />
I buy all the food.<br />
I buy all the toiletries.<br />
O.k LG buys it, but I purchase it,<br />
and you all know that it's not the easiest task<br />
to keep household items in stock.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AszYS-7OKQfZyIU7qsmY3mIOzvoqWz9SRLTbGDVl9KN58SmmCAEdZnFtVarelZ_uzn0eWNIjJzwQZt473h-BonBRxTyLLAjaBKMgRgXk3hzkKD2YBSYzMtrHaGqX8pUV5JUI/s640/blogger-image-1552776712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AszYS-7OKQfZyIU7qsmY3mIOzvoqWz9SRLTbGDVl9KN58SmmCAEdZnFtVarelZ_uzn0eWNIjJzwQZt473h-BonBRxTyLLAjaBKMgRgXk3hzkKD2YBSYzMtrHaGqX8pUV5JUI/s640/blogger-image-1552776712.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
We never (I mean NEVER) run out of toilet paper.<br />
(O.k. we do all the time in our bathroom where<br />
at least a roll a day escapes through the floor vent<br />
and can never seem to replace itself. This always seems to happen<br />
when I am done with my after-run #2. I always get a little mournful when I notice that once again I am up sheeshcreek - and my husband has absolutely nothing to do with the disappearing TP or the empty dispenser and it really isn't his fault that he's at work when I am the most in need. I love bargaining with a three year old ever so carefully to bring me a roll of the most necessary item in the hygienist's closet that is missing from MY bathroom!)<br />
But it is never missing from the house all together,<br />
and that is totally because I am awesome.<br />
<br />
Caroline came home from pre-school today highly disappointed. She has been talking about kangaroo zoo for a month and they finally got to go today but after playing on the blow-up bouncy toys for the hour with her class, she turned to her teacher, and said, "This isn't a kangaroo zoo. There aren't any kangaroos." She was so totally bummed.<br />
<br />
I brought her home and gave her cheetos and an orange and then bought her some bubble gum.<br />
<br />
I got dinner ready, cleaned the house, showered off my running filfth, and even had two minutes to spare to write this post before running off to work for the fourth night in a row. When I come home tonight too tired to even check my facebook, I will realize for the hundreth time<br />
<br />
that I need my own mom.<br />
Every mom needs a mom.<br />
It's too bad mine lives in kangaroo zoo.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10829483.post-16339127923313045462013-02-22T16:14:00.000-05:002013-02-22T16:47:02.174-05:00Hide Yo Girls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The other day Abigail was hanging out in her cami.</div>
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She kept trying to push it.</div>
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A few weeks ago, </div>
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I told the girls they could wear their camis to bed</div>
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for comfort if they wanted.</div>
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<br /></div>
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LeGrand had enough and laid down the law.</div>
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"No more camis!</div>
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Before I know it,</div>
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you're going to be</div>
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wearing them outside too."</div>
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<br /></div>
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He told Abigail to go to her room and put on a shirt, "Now." She wasn't moving. He said, "You better get to it, or I am going to start stripping down right now, one piece of clothing at a time." I was cracking up. I told her to call dad on his bluff. There was no way he was going buck naked.</div>
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<br /></div>
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He got both his shirt off and his undershirt,</div>
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and took his belt off.</div>
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When he started unzipping his pants,</div>
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she ran off screaming</div>
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in horror.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I laughed and laughed and laughed.</div>
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LG put his shirts back on.</div>
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He was feeling all exposed,</div>
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especially since Abigail made fun of his bare body.</div>
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Or should I say bear body?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGCvlifEqz90Bp5F1AW8NIlxQJGKflnG7Ez6X-O1xqjTh5KHDR2j9lggawDKTmsR-4QC4kIAHxjxhCK6ljS-PqIt_I4WvJ5ZOSRVTxyNcUxO7Dl3hrJRatL00RdtOZMR21aBb/s640/blogger-image--1964149736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGCvlifEqz90Bp5F1AW8NIlxQJGKflnG7Ez6X-O1xqjTh5KHDR2j9lggawDKTmsR-4QC4kIAHxjxhCK6ljS-PqIt_I4WvJ5ZOSRVTxyNcUxO7Dl3hrJRatL00RdtOZMR21aBb/s400/blogger-image--1964149736.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We don't believe in letting our daughters as <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/04/19/granderson.children.dress/index.html?iref=allsearch">hoochie mamas</a>.<br />
We want to keep them sweet and innocent for as long as possible: their whole lives preferably.<br />
<br />
I was raised the same way. I am not going to lie. I hated it. As a teenager, I fought my parents on it daily. One time my mom tore a dress that I was wearing in two (right in front of my boyfriend) because she was sick of tired of me wearing things that were too short. (I hope my sister has forgiven me by now, it was her dress) I bought my own bikinis and wore them when my mom wasn't looking. I washed them myself and hid them away in the back of my drawers. I wanted to be like all the other girls. My brothers seemed pretty keen on making sure my sister and I dress modestly too, which we didn't understand because they were perfectly fine dating the girls who didn't really cover up. I now understand they were being protective.<br />
<br />
And you know what? WE ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE PROTECTIVE.<br />
<br />
Some people may think that our <a href="http://imsofunny.blogspot.com/2011/11/giveaway-halftees.html">modesty policy</a> is a little absurd, but do you know what? I don't care.<br />
<br />
While most of my girlfriends were having sex in high school and some ended up pregnant, I proudly stayed a virgin until I was married. I am glad that I did. I never regret that decision. Not a day in my life have I felt like I made the wrong choice. I want for my girls to be chaste and make the same choice to remain abstinent until they are married. And yes, dressing modestly has a direct correlation.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeSHSLXrpZiy0ifuyNCvJ0lHEHcE3wXbAKuC7IkgKWYl76nE6vBpwUR4OeMIJ4l9n5DZB-6Aw_EBQ83oDT1w3FPDToz0OsZzDQll4YmOPTdrQLC9AyWJI0OJ3lcZ5kfq5pftO/s640/blogger-image-1297149900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeSHSLXrpZiy0ifuyNCvJ0lHEHcE3wXbAKuC7IkgKWYl76nE6vBpwUR4OeMIJ4l9n5DZB-6Aw_EBQ83oDT1w3FPDToz0OsZzDQll4YmOPTdrQLC9AyWJI0OJ3lcZ5kfq5pftO/s320/blogger-image-1297149900.jpg" width="239" /></a>I love my sweet sweet girls.<br />
I love that they are pretty good about dressing modestly.<br />
They seem to get the principle that modesty <a href="http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/love-her-mother?lang=eng&query=modesty+principle+protection">provides protection</a>.<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">I want them to love themselves for who they are</span><br />
<a href="http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/10/to-young-women?lang=eng&query=protection+modesty" style="text-align: center;">amazing daughters of God</a><span style="text-align: center;">.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">They truly can </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">change the world</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">just by being </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">a source of light.</span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971378715777007757noreply@blogger.com3