tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49422089627704088782024-03-16T14:52:46.340-04:00Living the Small Town LifeDevonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.comBlogger868125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-4844561127704929692020-12-27T20:26:00.005-05:002020-12-27T20:26:35.244-05:00Boo: 2006-2020<p style="text-align: center;"> I know I don't post here often, but for anyone who ever followed me years ago I thought I would just make a quick post that our old Boo pup had to be put down on December 23rd.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWBx4-vmDqe59enAilCetebZLUbVG4AefLSmQckkzxzzGX43bJ7l0il8HGLQm35szNlMxdWh1KQwInqdmDAWiqVwjI8ECjJZU_KoHpuBjBEpiFgKNYDjnW4h6_Dt1_ropNne37vubrEn7/s513/10399904_1201610233191_4635578_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="513" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWBx4-vmDqe59enAilCetebZLUbVG4AefLSmQckkzxzzGX43bJ7l0il8HGLQm35szNlMxdWh1KQwInqdmDAWiqVwjI8ECjJZU_KoHpuBjBEpiFgKNYDjnW4h6_Dt1_ropNne37vubrEn7/s320/10399904_1201610233191_4635578_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">She lived a long, good life -- 14.5 years! She spent about half her life with us, but as we started having babies and our house kept getting smaller (ha!)... and she needed a couple of surgeries on her "knees"... she started spending more time with my in-laws who had a one story house. It was such a blessing for them to have a distraction over the years of my father-in-law's cancer battle. Once he passed in 2016, Boo was a constant companion to my mother-in-law. They became the very best of friends. We visited some, but with Eloise's dog allergies (oddly acquired after Boo moved out of our house), she was always miserable and it had to be limited.</span></div><p style="text-align: center;">Boo battled cancer off and on for a couple of years. My mother-in-law opted for Boo to have surgery a couple of times, but at her old age and with the fast-growing mast cell tumors, she finally got to a point where she wasn't eating much and could barely get up to go out (without being completely assisted by a harness). It was a hard decision for my mother-in-law to have to put her down, but we fully supported it. We went out for a final visit just before the vet appointment. It was a pretty emotional time, but it was the right thing to do.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYt5hFVgfXK-ym3noLNZmCvp-fGYnyp-CIBrHzjmkZbXNyl4SMqkKy9t1_1SFvEMuMXZGE_08bOPtjgNMAqmiuDZGZxVSKBWxT57uRRwzroSE0QBND92gV58z1HBXzwxs4o0L7SY5uYrE/s2048/IMG_20200701_155031339_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1153" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYt5hFVgfXK-ym3noLNZmCvp-fGYnyp-CIBrHzjmkZbXNyl4SMqkKy9t1_1SFvEMuMXZGE_08bOPtjgNMAqmiuDZGZxVSKBWxT57uRRwzroSE0QBND92gV58z1HBXzwxs4o0L7SY5uYrE/s320/IMG_20200701_155031339_HDR.jpg" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">Dogs are not people, but they can still hold a very special place in our hearts.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Boo will always be in our memories. 💕</p><p style="text-align: center;">May 4, 2006 - December 23, 2020</p>Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-37145095684224685422019-07-23T15:47:00.001-04:002019-07-23T15:47:29.173-04:00Another year... Another month... Another day<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been over 2 years since my last post!</div>
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Our little guy recently turned 2 and he is</div>
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just a hoot! What a blessing he's been</div>
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throughout the last 2 years. His sisters </div>
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adore him (except when he is demolishing</div>
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their toys with his trucks!).</div>
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We are preparing for a move to a new house,</div>
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just across town. It has been an interesting</div>
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process, to say the least. Actually... I think</div>
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frustrating is more accurate. It's a long story</div>
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and I won't get into it here - goodness knows</div>
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my mother and sister have heard me re-hash</div>
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it a number of times. It's probably just best</div>
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to let it go... </div>
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So we're hoping to be in the</div>
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new-to-us house in the next few weeks.</div>
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Then there will be the scramble of unpacking</div>
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and getting settled while I try to get our</div>
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homeschool curriculum all planned out and</div>
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organized. Luckily, I use "Sonlight" which</div>
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has the lessons all planned, but I have an</div>
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order to things that I like to follow and I'll</div>
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need to get that all worked out. It's hard to </div>
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believe Eloise will be in 4th grade and Dinah</div>
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in 1st! Time flies! I hope to enjoy this </div>
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schooling year more than I have the past</div>
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couple. There are challenges with anything,</div>
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but I found it particularly challenging having</div>
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a newborn and toddler last year while trying</div>
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to navigate schooling 2 kiddos. I'm hoping</div>
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this year doesn't have quite the bumps that</div>
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last year did! I guess we'll see!</div>
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It's a dreary day in PA, but thankfully it is</div>
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cool outside. Eloise is battling a random fever,</div>
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so I'm going to make some homemade chicken</div>
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soup and rolls for dinner and pray that her body</div>
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continues to fight off whatever it is she caught.</div>
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I hope to be back a little more often</div>
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in this space... I kinda miss it!</div>
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😁</div>
Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-87268580577085240112017-07-17T14:44:00.000-04:002017-07-17T14:44:03.975-04:00He's Here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj422ynKeVGtwp6VInOq3YAq5geS1v-As6cXw-fEWmyqz2MM02p5txyH2SALGh2LXbuwmHIhO1F-Fgobty7Hx69KSpXQPPgwMJS_ePw6OpMrE5kQgXBHtQnlUtD-j-MKs5L8HxIUKdboG-3/s1600/IMG_20170708_075600815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="901" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj422ynKeVGtwp6VInOq3YAq5geS1v-As6cXw-fEWmyqz2MM02p5txyH2SALGh2LXbuwmHIhO1F-Fgobty7Hx69KSpXQPPgwMJS_ePw6OpMrE5kQgXBHtQnlUtD-j-MKs5L8HxIUKdboG-3/s400/IMG_20170708_075600815.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Dusten Matthew</div>
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7/7/17</div>
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2:02AM</div>
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8 lbs, 7.6 oz</div>
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20.5"</div>
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Welcomed home by his 3 big sisters!</div>
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(Two of which surprised us with a stomach bug!)</div>
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Everyone is well now and we are counting </div>
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our blessings!!</div>
Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-21792667490696388122017-07-04T07:54:00.002-04:002017-07-04T07:54:53.089-04:00We're Still Here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are still here, I just haven't made the effort to post on the blog in quite a long time!</div>
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Eloise finished up first grade (second grade, here we come!)...</div>
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and Dinah finished up pre-K. Not sure if we'll move on to Kindergarten</div>
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or not yet. We may just focus on learning to read this year as we adjust </div>
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to having a new baby!</div>
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Speaking of new baby... he/she is due any day. </div>
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We are impatiently waiting!</div>
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Today we are headed to a 4th of July parade!</div>
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Hope you have a wonderful, safe holiday with your friends</div>
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and family!</div>
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Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-62797614425780924122017-01-24T15:48:00.000-05:002017-01-24T15:48:08.358-05:00Birthdays!<div style="text-align: center;">
Dinah and Eloise had birthdays this month!</div>
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The 4 year old! </div>
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The 6 year old!</div>
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Each year I write the girls a letter on their birthday.</div>
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I also do it at random times throughout the year... but</div>
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I make sure to do it on their birthdays.</div>
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I tell them a little about themselves, silly things</div>
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they have said or done, their favorites, and about</div>
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their special day. Since I got a polaroid instamax</div>
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camera for my birthday this year, I took a little</div>
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picture of the birthday girl, put it in the envelope</div>
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with my letter and sealed it up. I put their names on</div>
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the outside and then stick it in their memory box.</div>
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Recently, I had to go out and buy BIGGER memory</div>
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boxes! I went through the old ones and shed many</div>
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tears at the memories of pictures, special baby items, </div>
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drawings, little notes and ultrasound pictures. </div>
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There were many sealed envelopes (from me!) in</div>
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the boxes. My hope is that one day when they are</div>
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older (out of school or even older than that), they </div>
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will open those boxes and appreciate the memories</div>
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and, especially, the words that I have written just</div>
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for them. We never know what circumstances we</div>
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may find ourselves in. If something happens to</div>
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me - young or old - I want my girls to remember</div>
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the good (and bad)... and how much I love them.</div>
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I know you don't need notes and trinkets to express</div>
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your love. We can show love to each other every</div>
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day - but I'm quite the sentimental type and I</div>
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hope my girls appreciate the time I've taken to </div>
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write things down for them.</div>
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I've even started a Memory Box for the new baby</div>
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(due in July!). So far it only contains ultrasound</div>
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pictures, but I plan to start adding to it with a letter</div>
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or two before baby is born. </div>
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My mom's mother passed away unexpectedly </div>
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from a brain aneurism when my mom was only about 6</div>
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years old. She has a spiral bound steno notebook</div>
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(from the early 1960's) that has her mother's </div>
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words and handwriting in it. It's a journal of sorts that</div>
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tells little bits and pieces of her life with her husband</div>
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and 3 kids. What a special thing to have so many</div>
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years later! It may seem silly - but I treasure that</div>
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book! I will never know my grandmother here on</div>
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earth, but I have a glimpse into who she was and</div>
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the joys she shared.</div>
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Do you (did you) keep a memory box for your</div>
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child/ren? </div>
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Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-50173329491747481652016-12-05T12:12:00.000-05:002016-12-05T12:12:39.454-05:00Audra turns TWO<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We had a princess party for Audra's 2nd birthday!</div>
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Cinderella's friends (above) decorated the dining room.</div>
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All of the Disney princesses decorated the tree (below).</div>
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The girls helped color the princesses. </div>
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The girls wore their Halloween costumes!</div>
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Snow White, Cinderella and Belle</div>
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(though I didn't get a good picture of Dinah as Belle to share!)</div>
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We had family and our neighbors over for dinner and cupcakes! </div>
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A family picture... with a balloon string down the middle...</div>
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and a crying Dinah! (While Audra and El were being goofy!) </div>
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And finally... the last present!</div>
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Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-64366736116367450752016-11-03T09:00:00.000-04:002016-11-03T09:00:19.600-04:0023 Months!<div style="text-align: center;">
I try to be on the ball posting pictures of the girls</div>
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each month as they go from birth to two years. </div>
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Just something I've always liked to do to see how</div>
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they've grown each month.</div>
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I totally dropped the ball for Audra this past month.</div>
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I was so engrossed in getting their Halloween Costumes</div>
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finished that the day pass me by without much of a </div>
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thought.</div>
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So... I caught her right after her nap.</div>
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Here she is in all of her cheesy glory and silly nap hair!</div>
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Less than a month and she'll be TWO!</div>
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Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-70792008564837533032016-10-31T16:00:00.001-04:002016-10-31T16:00:12.311-04:00Happy Halloween 2016!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Halloween from Snow White, Cinderella and Belle!</div>
Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-16177479909541244752016-09-24T12:34:00.000-04:002016-10-05T17:05:12.371-04:00Park Day!<div style="text-align: center;">
Last week was a Homeschool Day at the Playground.</div>
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Our neighbor watched Audra while she napped. </div>
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I was thankful for the cooler weather so that the girls </div>
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could wear long pants and sweatshirts (to keep any </div>
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potential peanut residue off of them).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Cnwaiesp2dtCdIYRaq1b80w2o16aCYAReEQO2eCU4D4I-KyChgApqKF7WVSBmZrjP-flLC7YGigum3GIBbT3Q0HZynPdTRvcPtIoRlYo6qP0J6h8zzIwFiafBWSgob-m5skBB_jTYVnM/s1600/Sept16-D+007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Cnwaiesp2dtCdIYRaq1b80w2o16aCYAReEQO2eCU4D4I-KyChgApqKF7WVSBmZrjP-flLC7YGigum3GIBbT3Q0HZynPdTRvcPtIoRlYo6qP0J6h8zzIwFiafBWSgob-m5skBB_jTYVnM/s400/Sept16-D+007.JPG" width="300" /></a> </div>
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They had a blast!</div>
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Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-59946791279532879432016-09-21T20:45:00.000-04:002016-09-21T20:45:46.323-04:00First Day of School<div style="text-align: center;">
Has it really been over a month since I last posted!? Where does the time go?? We started school on August 18th and I have been busy trying to keep up with normal every day things (I wish I could just get organized!). I've also had quite a few orders from my Etsy Shop to fill (which has been a blessing as I have tried to start some Christmas shopping. Every little bit extra helps!)</div>
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I keep up with a blog for my family (separate from this one), and I wanted to share my thoughts on our first day of school and our decision to homeschool. I hope maybe it will encourage others in their journey:</div>
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August 19, 2016</div>
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We started school yesterday! Runny noses, sneezing and all!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_q6WKU1QDFu73h3AYy0EagxrUqCVfgzoO_hTRgsOirS2VIQ4Xnca3tO1JtBBm5DeNabdzqTCDv6rXr7ZqhT_bateQv2vZ13MeSMhEnrGYu-ZwnbsVZ_MtvXtkmJBlHAU5T3ihXz_D8U/s1600/August2016-+034.JPG" style="color: #993322; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_q6WKU1QDFu73h3AYy0EagxrUqCVfgzoO_hTRgsOirS2VIQ4Xnca3tO1JtBBm5DeNabdzqTCDv6rXr7ZqhT_bateQv2vZ13MeSMhEnrGYu-ZwnbsVZ_MtvXtkmJBlHAU5T3ihXz_D8U/s400/August2016-+034.JPG" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was a challenge getting pictures with the dim, rainy lighting...</div>
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and a 20 month old who kept creeping into each one! Ha!</div>
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Dinah started Pre-K!</div>
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We are using an online "Getting Ready" course through</div>
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Easy Peasy. There is also a physical workbook that </div>
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goes with it that she colors, traces and writes in.</div>
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<i>(A princess crown and high heels? Why not!? We homeschool!)</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBoY-E0G09MG8itvqu9GKBqL1m_5aZ91UCBuwJnQ-3GwHZjrYgu_WxVFkHfVznFYdOvvtPdkfoXYgbSCv-Qf7n14h1psg3qrg12-9CfQFg95BwW3Eogo6JAV52fgSgVxgXlVI4kdNejU/s1600/August2016-+007.JPG" style="color: #993322; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBoY-E0G09MG8itvqu9GKBqL1m_5aZ91UCBuwJnQ-3GwHZjrYgu_WxVFkHfVznFYdOvvtPdkfoXYgbSCv-Qf7n14h1psg3qrg12-9CfQFg95BwW3Eogo6JAV52fgSgVxgXlVI4kdNejU/s400/August2016-+007.JPG" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="300" /></a></div>
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Eloise is in FIRST GRADE! I know, we started her a little</div>
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young with Kindergarten last year, but she did really well.</div>
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This year we are using Sonlight curriculum, which is literature</div>
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based. Since Eloise is an early reader (and lover of books),</div>
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we thought this would be a good fit. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRryaM0fsCzLvBEnCrynUAm1vNztliL3tj87pA2sNBETzaWze7ijqZeJcF6QkffKjS7WOqke-xxP-mAUxdEcmP_2vFz7K9Vm40GpYf-56jorNSx1e2Blpdc99PRGg6inVcWqQjs6iR3Q/s1600/August2016-+016a.jpg" style="color: #993322; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRryaM0fsCzLvBEnCrynUAm1vNztliL3tj87pA2sNBETzaWze7ijqZeJcF6QkffKjS7WOqke-xxP-mAUxdEcmP_2vFz7K9Vm40GpYf-56jorNSx1e2Blpdc99PRGg6inVcWqQjs6iR3Q/s400/August2016-+016a.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="300" /></a></div>
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So far, so good!</div>
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She especially loves the Read Aloud time. We are reading</div>
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Charlotte's Web and she doesn't want to put it down!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpziMaXnH5TKFShNL5TU7rmf4eGGCJEO1ZwcL4StU-K1RTGNtVuog2KO9Hicl8i2XcEzKD_d0Nz53bEVdA14f-HV6KkZJNYQ-2VqHt3FWWjWSvgQtAjpyC7q-ExvVSPI5kNymPX_gCtUA/s1600/August2016-+017.JPG" style="color: #993322; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpziMaXnH5TKFShNL5TU7rmf4eGGCJEO1ZwcL4StU-K1RTGNtVuog2KO9Hicl8i2XcEzKD_d0Nz53bEVdA14f-HV6KkZJNYQ-2VqHt3FWWjWSvgQtAjpyC7q-ExvVSPI5kNymPX_gCtUA/s400/August2016-+017.JPG" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div>
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While Dinah took a little snooze... Eloise helped me make </div>
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some "First Day of School Cookies"!</div>
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We split our first "week" into two days this week and</div>
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three days next week (so we can take some time to ease</div>
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into things and also be able to visit/help out with my mom</div>
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while she is still recovering, if she needs us). After that</div>
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we'll be on a normal 5 day schedule.</div>
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I know I've said it before, but I am so blessed to be able </div>
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to homeschool! I was just reading in a book by Charles</div>
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Stanley <i>(called "Waiting on God" - highly recommend!)</i></div>
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last night.. and this jumped out at me:</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>... the Lord allowed those negative circumstances to touch </i></div>
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<i>you because they provided an opportunity for Him to </i></div>
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<i>position you for greater blessing and to glorify Himself.</i></div>
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<i>If you always keep that in the forefront of your mind, you</i></div>
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<i>will be absolutely astonished at all the Father teaches you</i></div>
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<i>and accomplishes through you in the course of your trials.</i></div>
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Looking back to when Eloise was first born, Cory was NOT</div>
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a proponent of homeschooling. Can't blame him, really. It </div>
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was not what he "knew" and it didn't make sense to him not</div>
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to send your kids to public school. I hoped and prayed that</div>
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someday Cory would see things my way by the time Eloise</div>
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was ready for school. Little did I know, a peanut allergy</div>
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would be the catalyst for Cory to agree to homeschooling.</div>
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I have a hard time being thankful for that peanut allergy. It </div>
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wreaks havoc in my ideal "normal life"... but looking at the</div>
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big picture... What is "normal" anyway? Normal to you</div>
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may not be normal to me... it's what we make of life and </div>
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where we put our priorities. If you know my husband at all... </div>
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education is a high priority to him. And if you would've </div>
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asked him 3 years ago if our kids would be homeschooling... </div>
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it would have been a resounding, NO! But as these past </div>
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few years have shown us (through the trials of his dad's</div>
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illness and dealing with Eloise's food allergies), sometimes </div>
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priorities change. Yes, education and learning are VERY </div>
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important. But LIFE is much more important. Keeping</div>
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Eloise home because of her food allergies may seem a bit</div>
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extreme to some... but to us, it is a way to keep her safe, </div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
especially in these younger years when WE are her caretakers.</div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
We are responsible to keep her safe and healthy and guide</div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
her to learn how to make good decisions on her own.</div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
We are responsible not only for raising her up to make</div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
sound, earthly decisions... but more importantly, we are</div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
called to raise her up according to the scriptures. So </div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
one day, whether it be 5 years from now or 85 years </div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
from now, she will know her Father in Heaven. That</div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
Everlasting Life is more important than our life here on</div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
earth. So, (if I'm not having a pity party food allergy day)</div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
if you ask me if I'm thankful for that darn peanut allergy,</div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
I will tell you YES! Because through the many years of</div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
anxieties of dealing with it, God has been working on my</div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
heart. I have been reluctant and have many times just </div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
flat out refused to listen... but He's continually working </div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
in me. And because of that, I am able to train my children</div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
up in the way they should go. And if it took a peanut </div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
allergy to get me to where I am today... to where WE are,</div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
I'd never go back to where I was before. So again, I am</div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
thankful to be able to homeschool my children. To keep</div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
them with me during the day. To laugh. To cry. To play.</div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
To make cookies. To read. To pray. All of these things</div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
I have ALL day to do with my children. Not just a window</div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
between breakfast and the school bus or getting home, </div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
homework, dinner, baths and bedtime. ALL DAY!</div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
I wouldn't trade it for all the money a job could give me.</div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSauaoh0bPWnMs3yymqrZJ-7vh87MEErw2BBAwQYAULsI9pIZumnI_fG81JiIB070AZbuI95N4JwmD4jpA1yTI6RTUtO2DM9Hy3RsWbNcCOW48SiVo5wXXpojIqjtyr-1iw2tbrVZJpoY/s1600/August2016-+008.JPG" style="color: #993322; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSauaoh0bPWnMs3yymqrZJ-7vh87MEErw2BBAwQYAULsI9pIZumnI_fG81JiIB070AZbuI95N4JwmD4jpA1yTI6RTUtO2DM9Hy3RsWbNcCOW48SiVo5wXXpojIqjtyr-1iw2tbrVZJpoY/s400/August2016-+008.JPG" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">
I am BLESSED.</div>
Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-7351268017450016372016-08-15T21:33:00.002-04:002016-08-15T21:33:48.526-04:00Bread and Braids!<div style="text-align: center;">
Things have felt a bit out of sorts lately!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have been getting Eloise and Dinah's homeschool stuff organized...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(First Grade and Pre-K!)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWqZPgRt0aQ7tXobq6quveXLkQ0n59oh5rTJFkMQ70nWE-ufbU5VE9R_BTRYTqWlqLTMYwAA7AyugRa5yz_aJtlbGmaXYDDVbvQELz2Uzj6F5_fz2YQzyc6gyaFk1f92GV2slc42k8osQ/s1600/Aug2016-B+029.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWqZPgRt0aQ7tXobq6quveXLkQ0n59oh5rTJFkMQ70nWE-ufbU5VE9R_BTRYTqWlqLTMYwAA7AyugRa5yz_aJtlbGmaXYDDVbvQELz2Uzj6F5_fz2YQzyc6gyaFk1f92GV2slc42k8osQ/s400/Aug2016-B+029.JPG" width="300" /></a> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As well as general upkeep at home, Cory with back pain from </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a herniated disc, medical appointments (good news, thankfully!),</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a few custom sewing orders (<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/smalltowngal01">HERE</a> is my shop!), </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and then my mom getting thrown from her horse a little over </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a week ago! It's really put a kink in things, but thankfully my</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sister's family and aunt <i>(who live much closer to my parents than</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>me)</i> have been taking the brunt of caring for my mom now that</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she is home from the hospital. Instead of taking the time to </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
write it all out - you can read about the Horse Mishap <a href="http://countryblossom.blogspot.com/2016/08/in-all-states-of-dilemma-or-of.html">HERE</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(on my sister's blog)</i>. My mom is healing and resting!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's all we can ask for right now... and are grateful it wasn't</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
much worse!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is a little of what we've been up to...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The girls love to help me bake!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4u_Pj9XgYfdpVxGOp-CbQRNAFBc2OnvGP1s2mYFoLFvPYcP4luhcglbZvwVF7CZgorUnE1L9W-DHA8H66LtaY1QndwrTE4VtOdjKjtJvyVAYMXkzwzPLMtFnue6QbJvptAeLZR5O1av7f/s1600/Aug2016-B+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4u_Pj9XgYfdpVxGOp-CbQRNAFBc2OnvGP1s2mYFoLFvPYcP4luhcglbZvwVF7CZgorUnE1L9W-DHA8H66LtaY1QndwrTE4VtOdjKjtJvyVAYMXkzwzPLMtFnue6QbJvptAeLZR5O1av7f/s400/Aug2016-B+002.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSXsgMrITbYnGrpUlh29rciwzlTyECNE1vZDFBeRe8_5ZbcaLhCf83FIInBk4GGp2AhoaeoC31PLLeAiGPbzvpNP5dom241WfTtVyTTcWFyQN8j5bhsbNNQtxvMPSmeYSrxtFBzP4L1aG/s1600/Aug2016-B+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSXsgMrITbYnGrpUlh29rciwzlTyECNE1vZDFBeRe8_5ZbcaLhCf83FIInBk4GGp2AhoaeoC31PLLeAiGPbzvpNP5dom241WfTtVyTTcWFyQN8j5bhsbNNQtxvMPSmeYSrxtFBzP4L1aG/s400/Aug2016-B+008.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Delicious blueberry bread, made with coconut sugar, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
no eggs and whole wheat flour (and more!). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXDnnayQoeca3WSA-XqHhS0QWquRHtV9viliXLIYzu1t1Spk5fj015lPmI-faQ0juK9P0YrVZJaIHZ0ikrCqfiMaSUgATYL4On5Bq19TkP6F-vo1RdpYf4tBhQWORGTnddIymPaMlSXol/s1600/Aug2016-B+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXDnnayQoeca3WSA-XqHhS0QWquRHtV9viliXLIYzu1t1Spk5fj015lPmI-faQ0juK9P0YrVZJaIHZ0ikrCqfiMaSUgATYL4On5Bq19TkP6F-vo1RdpYf4tBhQWORGTnddIymPaMlSXol/s400/Aug2016-B+011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Eloise and I enjoy making weird "squiggles" on paper </div>
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and then seeing what we can create from them!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEwotrQEmrhLWpqf37v0-w1_H_xIw9UDSZ2xTwEsaJ3HumfVvknXkCXkB8bplBtqi0_GdYyrPcJcHlXOlZzJYAviNgL-TYvuDTdVATu6pzAfujjxPJ-bHcpgKVPhfXapPBUZayaif4lmx/s1600/Aug2016-B+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEwotrQEmrhLWpqf37v0-w1_H_xIw9UDSZ2xTwEsaJ3HumfVvknXkCXkB8bplBtqi0_GdYyrPcJcHlXOlZzJYAviNgL-TYvuDTdVATu6pzAfujjxPJ-bHcpgKVPhfXapPBUZayaif4lmx/s400/Aug2016-B+018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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She creates a picture from my squiggle and I create one from hers! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjku-EzLTZ7PrG7WIrc83KQE0Q1574tApvq5qo1dw2vRok1g-81m-z7MwbQ4rqJHs8E_NObLEhdtOWazUcXupjwIiUmavh58QtbBgiB-RaC9C3_bbKKM_ZzJtEUsVoYbnIJxTvnUtjjAWjn/s1600/Aug2016-B+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjku-EzLTZ7PrG7WIrc83KQE0Q1574tApvq5qo1dw2vRok1g-81m-z7MwbQ4rqJHs8E_NObLEhdtOWazUcXupjwIiUmavh58QtbBgiB-RaC9C3_bbKKM_ZzJtEUsVoYbnIJxTvnUtjjAWjn/s400/Aug2016-B+022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We attended my cousin's wedding a couple of </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
weekends ago! The pictures from inside were </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pretty grainy... but here are a few from outside!</div>
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It was a beautiful day!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaToYKuSNL-3iiQCH8K4U5b3zQOMii-1QESrCPCFsEuFrgBRgV-I_T3icqQnGeSQ4XHHCrepvCmkmHQUP5PpmlDv0Iz-04msfWl4BXNhFFNLGu1U5bGv3PGmLvrov3_Ml4zG0xBCOChRI/s1600/Aug2016-B+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaToYKuSNL-3iiQCH8K4U5b3zQOMii-1QESrCPCFsEuFrgBRgV-I_T3icqQnGeSQ4XHHCrepvCmkmHQUP5PpmlDv0Iz-04msfWl4BXNhFFNLGu1U5bGv3PGmLvrov3_Ml4zG0xBCOChRI/s400/Aug2016-B+033.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QCR2d2jAzWwpJNVILg4Pni3JnH9FflQ8qy-aYlysxJ3kaCTfKGAyJhRK15iVQTWJZALuMDALO5TSpMbdzg0CFYP4jpWWFEXDLYtYyyy9Pm0pIBH-8-TLPZRBQdlOJCHUl8ZvQFrcLM1t/s1600/Aug2016-B+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QCR2d2jAzWwpJNVILg4Pni3JnH9FflQ8qy-aYlysxJ3kaCTfKGAyJhRK15iVQTWJZALuMDALO5TSpMbdzg0CFYP4jpWWFEXDLYtYyyy9Pm0pIBH-8-TLPZRBQdlOJCHUl8ZvQFrcLM1t/s400/Aug2016-B+054.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGe4plU6RhnbB7uKThsz0viDUHIY1u3p4IDmWL3N5oH1qEg3tTctopZeB5mgmOWbDgKWKZRGlPrieSUcV9j1W3-gIF3gDbM0pb4wW0OHUWjZoI4GASp0vtkShpz2jBF7_Yys827EBSTZG/s1600/Aug2016-B+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGe4plU6RhnbB7uKThsz0viDUHIY1u3p4IDmWL3N5oH1qEg3tTctopZeB5mgmOWbDgKWKZRGlPrieSUcV9j1W3-gIF3gDbM0pb4wW0OHUWjZoI4GASp0vtkShpz2jBF7_Yys827EBSTZG/s400/Aug2016-B+056.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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My parents gave me an Instax Polaroid camera for my birthday...</div>
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and I had fun taking some photos at the reception!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3soFvwlYuvfbM6dPlUcWnf8hZ9OZnOFMhPzbVi42yvwoy_oVPRXJyq3gv0_8uN_Ya0aXyvaZoETURieU-0_Sn1bliTT3oR_7WWPsbMgpQbu47sqpqnZWGLDyYdx8D7xfOWP4Z8JVGbA0/s1600/Aug2016-B+079BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3soFvwlYuvfbM6dPlUcWnf8hZ9OZnOFMhPzbVi42yvwoy_oVPRXJyq3gv0_8uN_Ya0aXyvaZoETURieU-0_Sn1bliTT3oR_7WWPsbMgpQbu47sqpqnZWGLDyYdx8D7xfOWP4Z8JVGbA0/s400/Aug2016-B+079BLOG.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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And I taught Eloise how to braid!</div>
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She was a quick learner!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(I'm talking, maybe.. 30 seconds!)</div>
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<br /></div>
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It has been wonderful having her want</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to braid my hair all of the time!</div>
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Does anyone else love having their</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
hair brushed and played with?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So relaxing!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IRLInsp1BjZoizD86DMd97cnWElkbuO-Ga54NacXD_QeTrllDqE_9AO7rHLCgUoFy5tDNn4hKw8sf4bNLVtlhrAQC_rWah-CmXqhP6KZB8FpUsd3pZRQls5_ciTzbsUZ3MqwQJkXJG-U/s1600/August16-C+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IRLInsp1BjZoizD86DMd97cnWElkbuO-Ga54NacXD_QeTrllDqE_9AO7rHLCgUoFy5tDNn4hKw8sf4bNLVtlhrAQC_rWah-CmXqhP6KZB8FpUsd3pZRQls5_ciTzbsUZ3MqwQJkXJG-U/s400/August16-C+043.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I think she's doing a pretty good job!</div>
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Summer's almost over!</div>
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Hard to believe!</div>
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Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-51304667059167952982016-08-05T12:13:00.001-04:002016-08-05T12:13:34.107-04:00A Celebration!<div style="text-align: center;">
Last month Audra turned 20 months old!</div>
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And I turned 33!</div>
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I had a nice day out with my sister (a rarity!)...</div>
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and a nice evening with my little family.</div>
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We had homemade chocolate pudding pie...</div>
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And I got a few presents! </div>
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<i>(Cory knows me so well!)</i> :)</div>
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Hooray for birthdays!</div>
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Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-42579823393002875132016-06-27T10:22:00.001-04:002016-06-27T10:22:58.875-04:0019 Months!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FjxrWbMQmG1IfvX6OBgTiYC1_Vr4I_iO_R_1MdwIWHk6JAoQvyxHQBtZb1jH-jzTPoDrNH3vff0g4G7DL-JMYtO1kbilAN0M0-9jl6rMMo4BskZDUc4Hm2SHNdPPuTO9vNDZhOKlmGnf/s1600/June16-F+043blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FjxrWbMQmG1IfvX6OBgTiYC1_Vr4I_iO_R_1MdwIWHk6JAoQvyxHQBtZb1jH-jzTPoDrNH3vff0g4G7DL-JMYtO1kbilAN0M0-9jl6rMMo4BskZDUc4Hm2SHNdPPuTO9vNDZhOKlmGnf/s400/June16-F+043blog.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br />Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-18178151479728208422016-06-23T17:02:00.001-04:002016-06-23T17:02:02.500-04:00Girls!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmfy2koSTzaOFWXIdooJlC3h8pJh4502ozgxLK6tjoeotUPfN6CAXNIhMG6bs49jGf36exfRmyyY18F8y4_iqHaBItSoSs7sltz9unA_qevub9b6PRbjizBanyly7PWZMzg7XqjwhHYvN/s1600/June16-D+026Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmfy2koSTzaOFWXIdooJlC3h8pJh4502ozgxLK6tjoeotUPfN6CAXNIhMG6bs49jGf36exfRmyyY18F8y4_iqHaBItSoSs7sltz9unA_qevub9b6PRbjizBanyly7PWZMzg7XqjwhHYvN/s400/June16-D+026Blog.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br />Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-37333958969258713882016-06-13T20:04:00.004-04:002016-06-13T20:04:51.236-04:00Summer Days<div style="text-align: center;">
Holy Moly! </div>
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It's been a month since I posted!</div>
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Time has flown.</div>
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Eloise finished up Kindergarten and is enjoying </div>
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spending her days playing with her sisters!</div>
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Audra turned 18 months old!</div>
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She says all sorts of words and phrases.</div>
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She is still a fire cracker (exhausting)!</div>
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And is very interested in the potty - woo hoo!</div>
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Dinah enjoys "reading" books, writing her letters and playing.</div>
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We got Eloise and Dinah bunk beds (but we're keeping them as singles for now).</div>
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Out went the old crib and toddler bed! :( It made me sad to see them go, but</div>
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we were able to get a little money back for the bed and the crib went to my cousin</div>
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who was in need of one. </div>
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Audra is using the old crib/toddler bed that Eloise and Dinah have both used. </div>
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They are all three sleeping in the same room now... which means Cory and I </div>
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have moved out of the living room after 10 months!</div>
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FINALLY!</div>
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We've been enjoying the cool, breezy days here with the windows open!</div>
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It's been nice to be able to go outside in the comfortable weather.</div>
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I also introduced Eloise to the game of LIFE (my old one... not sure what it's like</div>
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these days). It's been fun playing when Audra naps! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4xC7AZOuf4olSFTHCgg_TjA2Ghv4Q8ohZcjuSyRk4DjrdTvtZ4Xen4toQvBBkULGaSNMe6mh_FEkZrAfY7dOmWVpnQxuHXmdWhcWy8v1oM5oXRj1xSqU8U5jNJ6_O9UDVWZd7pfdqL65/s1600/June16-B+006blog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4xC7AZOuf4olSFTHCgg_TjA2Ghv4Q8ohZcjuSyRk4DjrdTvtZ4Xen4toQvBBkULGaSNMe6mh_FEkZrAfY7dOmWVpnQxuHXmdWhcWy8v1oM5oXRj1xSqU8U5jNJ6_O9UDVWZd7pfdqL65/s400/June16-B+006blog.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-66521737392326397712016-05-13T14:12:00.000-04:002016-05-13T14:12:08.396-04:00Food Allergy Awareness Week<div style="text-align: center;">
I know I've been MIA lately... </div>
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Honestly, I have a separate private blog for friends and family </div>
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that isn't censored on personal information like this one is (for the most part)... </div>
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so I spend most of my blogging time over there!</div>
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<br /></div>
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BUT, I wanted to share a few things today!</div>
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If you've read my blog for any length of time, you know that </div>
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Eloise has severe food allergies to eggs and peanuts. </div>
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I am continually surprised by how much people don't know about </div>
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food allergies, but then... I was once that person also, </div>
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so I'm not sure why I'm so surprised! </div>
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My life has become totally engulfed in avoiding El's allergens</div>
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that it's just second nature to me. Though even at home, where we </div>
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live in a nut-free environment, any little hive or sneeze makes me</div>
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jump into action to make sure she didn't accidentally come</div>
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into contact with something she is allergic to.</div>
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This week is FOOD ALLERGY AWARENESS WEEK! </div>
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Normally I am not all about assigning special "weeks" or "months" for things. </div>
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But, of course, this one is near and dear to my heart... </div>
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so I can understand why some people are passionate about </div>
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other specially designated days, etc.</div>
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Here is a little graphic I made with some information...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDJEDBWu1sH7nkw_jZWJx3wLA_Uuif3cfENahnTJwOEbgiyLoeENqLf4MiIe2iW5tgdcOgHXdGBqaF4y932j3z4xaoahc7HsgyCgV732CNWKZVnBgX_RosEEDQer5nEa8jIeh22m9O1SY/s1600/IamachildwithFA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDJEDBWu1sH7nkw_jZWJx3wLA_Uuif3cfENahnTJwOEbgiyLoeENqLf4MiIe2iW5tgdcOgHXdGBqaF4y932j3z4xaoahc7HsgyCgV732CNWKZVnBgX_RosEEDQer5nEa8jIeh22m9O1SY/s400/IamachildwithFA.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Someone lost their first tooth!)</i></div>
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<i> </i></div>
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Did you know that 1 in 13 children now has a life threatening food allergy? </div>
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That's roughly 2 in every classroom! (Thankfully we homeschool - last day </div>
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of KINDERGARTEN!! Hooray!). I took El to a library program this </div>
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spring and in just the small group of children and adults that attended there </div>
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was peanut and egg allergy (Eloise), a boy with red dye sensitivity and </div>
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shellfish allergy, a little girl with wheat allergy, a little girl with gluten allergy, </div>
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2 adults with several food allergies and a librarian who learned she was all </div>
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of a sudden allergic to peanuts and milk in her early 60's! </div>
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(Food allergies can develop at ANY time in your life!) </div>
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That's a lot for just a small little town and a small little library! </div>
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It's more common than people realize. Research shows that </div>
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allergies DOUBLED between 1997-2007. Of course, I can speculate on </div>
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reasons why... but I am no medical or scientific professional, so I won't </div>
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get into all of that! </div>
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As a mother who deals with the anxiety of food allergies every time we </div>
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step foot out of our own home (and sometimes while in it), I would urge you </div>
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to think a little bit about those around you when you're out and about. </div>
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Don't touch people's babies or offer them food without checking with </div>
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a parent first (not saying any of you do!) and if you're hosting a party </div>
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or get-together for children, maybe inquire if there are any allergies to be aware of. </div>
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Trust me, it will be appreciated by the parents!! At Halloween time, </div>
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maybe look into the Teal Pumpkin Project. You put a teal pumpkin </div>
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out on your porch so Food Allergy kids know that they can get safe </div>
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(non-food) treats at your house! (But please, don't mix them in a </div>
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bowl with food items as even the outside of wrappers can be contaminated </div>
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just from being in a factory with allergens).</div>
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Also consider things like bird seed that usually contain or are manufactured</div>
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around peanuts and tree nuts. Garden/Potting soil often has peanut shells</div>
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as a filler. And also know that company's are required by law to list</div>
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any allergens that their food products may contain, but they are NOT</div>
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required to disclose if the items are made in a nut free facility or even</div>
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manufactured on the same production lines as allergens.</div>
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If you are trying to get information just from a label, it most</div>
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likely is not complete information. The allergy community often are</div>
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making phone calls and sending inquiry emails as to the safety of food items.</div>
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I recently learned that there are lighter fluids that many contain peanut oil</div>
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due to the fact that they use "recycled oils" from restaurants and</div>
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can't guarantee that peanut oil or other allergens weren't in the mix.</div>
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Never would've thought of that one, would ya?</div>
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Me either.</div>
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In other words, Food Allergies are not so cut and dry!!</div>
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Taking time to educate yourself, even a little means so much!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_GGyTruDNnXI89vGeYg63ywnRxdp1JXmtYynI28o9FqhigdoLfx2OA3ZgTEXc-_l5sdB9wiz_iHq_jdTqQqZ0yE_0FXLOJQK9dvIg0qI5RKQWj20fPogpc79m-5YXEWFrPeFKGyDPTb_/s1600/May16-B+060blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_GGyTruDNnXI89vGeYg63ywnRxdp1JXmtYynI28o9FqhigdoLfx2OA3ZgTEXc-_l5sdB9wiz_iHq_jdTqQqZ0yE_0FXLOJQK9dvIg0qI5RKQWj20fPogpc79m-5YXEWFrPeFKGyDPTb_/s400/May16-B+060blog.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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This summer, Eloise plans to trying to raise enough money to buy </div>
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some Food Allergy Awareness Children's Books to donate to our local library!</div>
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<br /></div>
Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-3773870578789806252016-03-30T10:34:00.001-04:002016-03-30T10:34:13.013-04:00Happy Easter 2016!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QQkiVDIVwm_C0gWHI0KQVzWXCmKgCfRlUCb4zPAOtlFM8309mEU_3KeEXAQlSgd5hE7eprDohBuKjZLl5SNPP2C7-m_HYs0ekBKVaSxK6oZFTy-7mfnQEoAQClsRW0YECkLLs2cpA87m/s1600/march-16-F+161aBLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QQkiVDIVwm_C0gWHI0KQVzWXCmKgCfRlUCb4zPAOtlFM8309mEU_3KeEXAQlSgd5hE7eprDohBuKjZLl5SNPP2C7-m_HYs0ekBKVaSxK6oZFTy-7mfnQEoAQClsRW0YECkLLs2cpA87m/s400/march-16-F+161aBLOG.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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HE is Risen!</div>
Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-27792422107277842002016-03-11T17:05:00.001-05:002016-03-11T17:05:43.605-05:00Homeschool Outing!<div style="text-align: center;">
Today was Eloise's first official homeschool outing! </div>
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I think I may have been a tad bit more excited about it than she was...</div>
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</div>
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We traveled to a local State Park to visit the Sugar Shack</div>
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where they tap and make maple syrup!</div>
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</div>
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Eloise got the chance to help drill the hole and also clear the </div>
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sawdust out of the hole. And at the end... got a sweet taste!</div>
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</div>
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Here are pictures from the day!</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-h0NyAP1yUmUIrr_6PAha1xQOEjO8T7JhoqLZhStdQpKSGeMWhnCwJOPxc7cjNv8U6Yu84HCNlOQmNaRnWRVjU0Ji6_6_4Z92GJQkCcOmAEF7KCy8MKFZE9SnSwDfXcG1GOCmvxIj8ZeF/s1600/March16-B+023blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-h0NyAP1yUmUIrr_6PAha1xQOEjO8T7JhoqLZhStdQpKSGeMWhnCwJOPxc7cjNv8U6Yu84HCNlOQmNaRnWRVjU0Ji6_6_4Z92GJQkCcOmAEF7KCy8MKFZE9SnSwDfXcG1GOCmvxIj8ZeF/s400/March16-B+023blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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El and I decided that we definitely want to try to </div>
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make our own Maple Sugar Candy!</div>
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</div>
Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-70835367923942234932016-02-26T11:42:00.002-05:002016-02-26T11:43:32.426-05:0015 Months!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZRfdudXu9szptOBxqANwZEylz6oTQh5dDHGGgvSgoBISoYAd921DO-vOMAx1qDsU4NFNGMf4ZozS5RghZYMZtZI1EVIbHdYjwnAS3M0h6yJsS0u9rV2wh6DicZAtKRZGCkLuI80IWPIn/s1600/Feb16-G+028BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZRfdudXu9szptOBxqANwZEylz6oTQh5dDHGGgvSgoBISoYAd921DO-vOMAx1qDsU4NFNGMf4ZozS5RghZYMZtZI1EVIbHdYjwnAS3M0h6yJsS0u9rV2wh6DicZAtKRZGCkLuI80IWPIn/s400/Feb16-G+028BLOG.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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This ones a rascal!</div>
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But she's a sweet rascal!</div>
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Happy 15 Months Audra!</div>
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<br />Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-58626185190308976632016-02-21T08:10:00.004-05:002016-02-21T08:10:45.859-05:00Roasted Seeds!<div style="text-align: center;">
Our girls LOVE spaghetti squash</div>
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roasted in the oven! </div>
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Last year when we did our first little garden, </div>
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we grew our own... and that was a BIG hit.</div>
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I don't know why I didn't think of it before,</div>
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but last week I decided to roast the seeds and</div>
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see what the girls thought of them.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I used <a href="http://www.modernalternativekitchen.com/2013/08/roasted-spaghetti-squash-seeds/#.Vsm26ebHhi2">THIS</a> recipe that involves soaking</div>
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and drying them to break down the phytic acid.</div>
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(Super Easy!) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJJVf1OkOxk2x-it5t-GjdgSVW0YoWZ2GhJdEC_ZhDNUa12sl1FMS_wRO6MBNtgLlsQe3i7cWGuFKbcaFqclHBFWQsk96WwpYx3rJhZkArJHnaLhhO9Mu3qoXJ7JjaucKHJJGkiekqafk/s1600/Feb16-D+003BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJJVf1OkOxk2x-it5t-GjdgSVW0YoWZ2GhJdEC_ZhDNUa12sl1FMS_wRO6MBNtgLlsQe3i7cWGuFKbcaFqclHBFWQsk96WwpYx3rJhZkArJHnaLhhO9Mu3qoXJ7JjaucKHJJGkiekqafk/s400/Feb16-D+003BLOG.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I *may* have used a little too much oil...</div>
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but they definitely turned out delicious and</div>
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got rave reviews from my older two!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mDPR-GFlN6cqbSBSdR4LXLFTZJNF1Z5oRNnCUNUFiDKc5_eCcr4ZfMWkX8sUluv49jBgKNzBnuERnaC74SmDPWpbQ-UyLoHpnLhERy3t8RrDL_nweuOcaFP3sVKnT7TpdEEPW6-m8blK/s1600/Feb16-D+006BLOG.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mDPR-GFlN6cqbSBSdR4LXLFTZJNF1Z5oRNnCUNUFiDKc5_eCcr4ZfMWkX8sUluv49jBgKNzBnuERnaC74SmDPWpbQ-UyLoHpnLhERy3t8RrDL_nweuOcaFP3sVKnT7TpdEEPW6-m8blK/s400/Feb16-D+006BLOG.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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YUM!! </div>
Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-14038316007366360812016-02-12T14:49:00.000-05:002016-02-12T14:49:10.302-05:00Pet Rocks!<div style="text-align: center;">
Things are getting back to normal around here after the craziness of the </div>
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past week with funeral arrangements, etc. Though "normal" is the word I use, </div>
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it still doesn't seem 100% normal. I suppose that will come with time. </div>
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I appreciate those who took time out to comment on my last post or </div>
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message me with words of encouragement and prayer. Thank you! </div>
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It will not be easy for many days to come, but we have </div>
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wonderful memories to last a lifetime.</div>
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Eloise has been continuing on in her first year of school. </div>
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I have to admit, math is just the PITS for her. But we push through. </div>
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It honestly wouldn't be so bad if I didn't get so frustrated about it</div>
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(my stress level has been HIGH!). This week we worked on a unit about Pets. </div>
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So, one of the activities was to make a Pet Rock. </div>
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Just what we need... a pet rock! (Or three!) </div>
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But considering we don't currently have room for a real pet at this time, </div>
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I thought it'd be a nice project and distraction from all that's gone </div>
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on the past week. The girls were excited! And we got a little <i>fancy</i> with </div>
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some left over fabric and notions from Halloween!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNJHnVT1gTstRDFC-twki9LvWPDW_UrvUyunKWASKFMxJAmeqgZTXJqY5MLxcERu8To7AukpWjLudmWApz_eZ1wuZoyJn_4D7L1XiWHMQKzDjduQaDwdLbeeQheuOPVuoSWgNUjVxjFvT/s1600/Feb16-B+020blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNJHnVT1gTstRDFC-twki9LvWPDW_UrvUyunKWASKFMxJAmeqgZTXJqY5MLxcERu8To7AukpWjLudmWApz_eZ1wuZoyJn_4D7L1XiWHMQKzDjduQaDwdLbeeQheuOPVuoSWgNUjVxjFvT/s400/Feb16-B+020blog.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Now, we just have to keep them away from Audra so she doesn't rip them apart! ;)</div>
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Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-54002012888019070642016-02-04T09:04:00.000-05:002016-02-04T09:06:40.618-05:00A Sad Day<div style="text-align: center;">
Just a quick note to let those who have followed throughout the years </div>
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know that my father in law passed away in the wee hours this morning. </div>
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Prayers in the days to come would be appreciated!</div>
Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-14735789139890825402016-01-28T21:04:00.000-05:002016-01-28T21:04:07.032-05:0014 months!<div style="text-align: center;">
Audra recently turned 14 months!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIapFWZQ6wh0R64mTb9by47riIgC1r8zjvP0yyDCrpaYqkvx1OyCMaPszq4ZiW5ty1vYpA7g6cI_wI6AiFKSdVm087DWAN8SQ_gORlp_69qSj7A6Qn3RscTelrcGu-8NezR07g2fGmek7M/s1600/jan2016-H+027blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIapFWZQ6wh0R64mTb9by47riIgC1r8zjvP0yyDCrpaYqkvx1OyCMaPszq4ZiW5ty1vYpA7g6cI_wI6AiFKSdVm087DWAN8SQ_gORlp_69qSj7A6Qn3RscTelrcGu-8NezR07g2fGmek7M/s400/jan2016-H+027blog.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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My baby is growing so fast... too fast!</div>
Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-62003810591551231972016-01-23T21:18:00.002-05:002016-01-23T21:18:50.488-05:00El turns FIVE!<div style="text-align: center;">
Today is Eloise's 5th Birthday!</div>
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I can hardly believe it!</div>
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It's gone so fast!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsULMdr9yihh3ebyX0qi4vRkmgsQy5CZXuXqfH8xoejh7zo2MVuxTMx1gaga68UW1lmVz2WBU8js6aEv9XDLN6v90ZO-7HVno3pmt681HKcrbHkH16K6jGtB6nST-V8pr2FHvHDgZNuh8D/s1600/Jan16-G+063blog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsULMdr9yihh3ebyX0qi4vRkmgsQy5CZXuXqfH8xoejh7zo2MVuxTMx1gaga68UW1lmVz2WBU8js6aEv9XDLN6v90ZO-7HVno3pmt681HKcrbHkH16K6jGtB6nST-V8pr2FHvHDgZNuh8D/s400/Jan16-G+063blog.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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We had an enjoyable day, though under sad circumstances.</div>
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I haven't posted here lately with updates about my father-in-law.</div>
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If you have kept up with my sporadic postings over the years, </div>
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you would know he's been battling cancer. Last Sunday he</div>
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took a turn for the worse and had to be flown to a major</div>
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hospital. They sent him home this past week on hospice.</div>
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The doctor said 1-3 months... the hospice nurse said that</div>
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she will be surprised if he lives through next weekend.</div>
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She can just see signs he is exhibiting that point</div>
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toward that conclusion.</div>
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It's definitely sad.</div>
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My husband is grieving.</div>
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Though, honestly, he has been grieving for five years in</div>
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his own way(s). We have tried to look at the situation </div>
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with a positive outlook. The doctors didn't think he'd </div>
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live to see Eloise's first birthday... and here we are at</div>
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her fifth birthday. He wasn't able to be up and around</div>
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to enjoy the celebration... but he was there. He mostly</div>
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slept as his body is just so worn down and the medications</div>
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keep him drowsy. But we celebrated around him and</div>
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I am sure he could hear the girls in their excitement as</div>
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Eloise opened some presents and ate her special</div>
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homemade strawberry ice cream (while watching the</div>
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Frozen movie with my MIL). Pappy even smiled and</div>
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cooed at Audra and gave her a kiss before we left.</div>
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We appreciate all prayers... even just one that you may</div>
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have offered on our behalf over the years. We know that</div>
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God hears every prayer. He has answered ours in ways</div>
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we never expected. Though the "miracle of healing" </div>
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never came, we saw 4+ years worth of miracles as</div>
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Gene was able to wake up each day. Some days better</div>
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than others. But some days GREAT. Like the days</div>
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our girls were born. He was hoping to live for just </div>
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ONE granddaughter... and he ended up with THREE!</div>
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That sure is a blessing! He had several treatments that</div>
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we believe helped to prolong his life... but unfortunately</div>
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the last treatment (which would've helped him to walk</div>
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with a cane again - as he had been confined to a wheel</div>
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chair and walker for awhile), was a gamble. His health</div>
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was just too frail and his body couldn't handle it. We </div>
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didn't get the outcome we had hoped for... and while</div>
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we are sad that his time is coming to a close here on</div>
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earth, we are grateful for the time we've had. We are</div>
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grateful he lived to see one more birthday for Eloise...</div>
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he was always so proud of her.</div>
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I was talking to my neighbor this morning when she</div>
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called to wish El a Happy Birthday. I was filling her</div>
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in on Gene's condition... and she said she would never</div>
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forget answering the phone the night I had Eloise.</div>
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Gene was so excited and said, "We got us a girl!!</div>
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We got us a girl!!" He was so proud. And though he </div>
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won't be around to see her graduate from high school</div>
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or dance with her at her wedding... she has some</div>
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great memories of her Pappy.... and we won't ever</div>
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let her forget.</div>
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So. Happy 5th Birthday to our Sweet Eloise.</div>
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A blessing to so many... especially her Pappy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMc_Vhr_GC13Rkc88OMs9YutqdRgemZnk43JeVgwwS6U4aeklaLT6vfuxo6Fr1gC-w2V8IXuJ-8AsgDweAhIu2WuejRjHAvsEmesuXPZuN-ZKzrN6Xp6HVm8kNu4xaGyQwWZt6HICMsjP/s1600/Eloise+011blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMc_Vhr_GC13Rkc88OMs9YutqdRgemZnk43JeVgwwS6U4aeklaLT6vfuxo6Fr1gC-w2V8IXuJ-8AsgDweAhIu2WuejRjHAvsEmesuXPZuN-ZKzrN6Xp6HVm8kNu4xaGyQwWZt6HICMsjP/s400/Eloise+011blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Cory and his dad with Eloise the night she was born)</i></div>
Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942208962770408878.post-55319060338567979692016-01-08T16:54:00.000-05:002016-01-08T16:54:34.185-05:00A Yummy Recommendation!<div style="text-align: center;">
It's a new year. I don't do New Year Resolutions because inevitably I break them... and I have enough to worry about besides guilting myself with broken "promises". However, a general resolution I have built into my lifestyle (though I admit it is ALWAYS a work in progress)... is to try to do more healthy things for my family. Giving our girls a healthy building block from the start has been important in our roles as parents. Eloise's
(and now Audra's) food allergies have played a major role in that
decision... but in general, we just want our kids to be healthy and learn healthy habits. Of course we don't always do *the very best*. It's expensive and time consuming. Living on one income with 5 people is limiting in some respects. Cory always tells me when it comes to health and food, we will spare no expense - within reason, of course - haha! So I try to do my best to make things from scratch when I can. One thing that really bothers me is canned soup. Why is it that you can CAN your own soup at home with minimal ingredients, but what you buy at the store has more on the label than you can count on TWO hands? Not to mention the crazy names of things that are hard to pronounce - or even know what exactly it is or does. So, in an effort to cut back on canned soup - though we DO still buy some, mostly organic - I came across this<a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/homemade-cream-of-mushroom-soup"> CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP recipe</a> over at the Heavenly Homemaker Site. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPSvdoVGx8XUfZV72WOE2vDjeTx_67g_kyPJEvuedr-jMEO3vaJpZF87kVPQdOiwKwvV8GuQjsbOKmHoCKzlObFhG8gKuqIflcENpOfnVXiR6f8YKYha1D-KA7rb24AeZYcJAqr7wtHQE/s1600/jan16-C+030blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPSvdoVGx8XUfZV72WOE2vDjeTx_67g_kyPJEvuedr-jMEO3vaJpZF87kVPQdOiwKwvV8GuQjsbOKmHoCKzlObFhG8gKuqIflcENpOfnVXiR6f8YKYha1D-KA7rb24AeZYcJAqr7wtHQE/s400/jan16-C+030blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It has been my go-to recipe when I need a "cream of [insert whatever here] soup". I wanted to pass along the link so that you can give it a shot! It's SUPER easy to make. I usually make it while I'm standing at the stove doing other things and can keep my eye on it and whisk as needed. It can easily be frozen and thawed for a casserole or whatever your recipes may call for. Each batch makes approximately 3 "cans" of soup. You should check it out! While you're at the site, check out some of her other recipes, too!</div>
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Our Dinah Girl turned 3! </div>
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We had Homemade Birthday Ice Cream instead of cake!</div>
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</div>
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Our homemade ice cream consists of milk, maple syrup, vanilla and a pinch of salt. Cory is always the one who whips it up and I don't know where he keeps the recipe (maybe in his head?). If anyone would like the measurements, I will pick his brain and gladly email them to you! :) It is simple and delicious! Great for anyone with an egg allergy!</div>
Devonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16284466678871353733noreply@blogger.com2