tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13603668620204792292024-03-05T19:14:14.605-06:00The Joy of Galosheshillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.comBlogger203125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-12359361683375346482019-10-30T16:38:00.001-05:002019-10-30T16:38:12.069-05:00Back in the Saddle AgainWell hello there! I had to step away from the blog for a quick 3 years. It was that time I started a cookie business, that time I potty trained a human, and that time I adopted a dog. So really I've not been up to much, but I'm glad to share this space with you again. I've got lots of favorites to share and can't wait to get started. Stay tuned! hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-42508520752101126082016-02-06T14:28:00.001-06:002016-02-06T14:32:02.096-06:00What I Read: December / January EditionWow! It's been months since I've written a blog post! Now that the holidays are over and my students have finished their writing process, I have once again returned to devouring books. I read so much faster and so much more often on my Kindle. Why is that? I truly would love to solve that mystery, but in the meantime I'll simply keep enjoying my escapes into so many fascinating lives and the truths we can learn about our Creator when we learn about His created.<div><br></div><div>So that I can look back and remember what I've read and so that you can hopefully glean something for your reading list, here's what I read in December and January. So much credit is owed to the blog and podcast by "Modern Mrs. Darcy." She has truly kept my to-read list long and stacked with wonderfully engaging tales tailored just to my liking. It's hard not to read when you can't put a book down!</div><div><br></div><div>December:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo46emTCc9jo-JK-IPYHGvo49MhEFnUSgRYK24Sf71JEz7Nyp3IZjbLwsT0zugyoGjl73KePGO4kMceGYzo0zY_Zb965DpKdAP54y5lhrlcjdDHpIV4pCwQ3l5XRkleT5MVUyNJh_RLiGh/s640/blogger-image-1600717946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo46emTCc9jo-JK-IPYHGvo49MhEFnUSgRYK24Sf71JEz7Nyp3IZjbLwsT0zugyoGjl73KePGO4kMceGYzo0zY_Zb965DpKdAP54y5lhrlcjdDHpIV4pCwQ3l5XRkleT5MVUyNJh_RLiGh/s640/blogger-image-1600717946.jpg"></a></div>This was incredibly fun and fruitful and has sent me on a quest to have a clutter-free home. Surprise bonus: insight into a Japanese woman's life and stuff and day. Turns out we're not that different after all. Loved that cherry on top.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKaPjIpNtV9ap3VQOxqg4y0jxqxP8NEYPWTn7V19JhjBOf2NLjaqfL7idXEp3oiKiXI-_ZmpT2mMjuHQmLexijtOI6yW6t5SfFoIfMKZhrNezT3YuDQvt-HIA9lgGPICJfGrEH9KcGlEh/s640/blogger-image--1181447272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKaPjIpNtV9ap3VQOxqg4y0jxqxP8NEYPWTn7V19JhjBOf2NLjaqfL7idXEp3oiKiXI-_ZmpT2mMjuHQmLexijtOI6yW6t5SfFoIfMKZhrNezT3YuDQvt-HIA9lgGPICJfGrEH9KcGlEh/s640/blogger-image--1181447272.jpg"></a></div>Nothing here was new, but it was a refreshing read nonetheless. Sometimes it simply helps to hear someone else validate ways to keep the plates spinning.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aJT77U08bHsIOKD2R77kpbVnpvNKNmOgqfm3BEwa3txx5sR5AQ58kApoylOgVnIlceBLeejxDt-VcFdWMUCMuaEPg_EhCqU_4FJhnsE1xPV7TF6WYo8BYMN1xBLdJLa_Qw2YPQKTmZ8-/s640/blogger-image-720318344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aJT77U08bHsIOKD2R77kpbVnpvNKNmOgqfm3BEwa3txx5sR5AQ58kApoylOgVnIlceBLeejxDt-VcFdWMUCMuaEPg_EhCqU_4FJhnsE1xPV7TF6WYo8BYMN1xBLdJLa_Qw2YPQKTmZ8-/s640/blogger-image-720318344.jpg"></a></div>I recently discovered my love for the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator. The analysis I've gleaned from pamphlet-sized books like this one and podcasts like "The Personality Hacker" have been invaluable to me and truly answered prayer to aid me in growing and learning through challenges.</div><div><br></div><div>January:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zUhWxdcqrvLyXe5TEmUM8y2uyUwZLmVQe3q7sxUZPeOxItINKtIMzj-2lsXTpPl2S1JSKTMTNKpBsR1MQmBz4MrqRUq6kTo2wnop5vtuNCoNb67Kd96kq-lKIslbDFs76KjS2CFscq2t/s640/blogger-image--750616964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zUhWxdcqrvLyXe5TEmUM8y2uyUwZLmVQe3q7sxUZPeOxItINKtIMzj-2lsXTpPl2S1JSKTMTNKpBsR1MQmBz4MrqRUq6kTo2wnop5vtuNCoNb67Kd96kq-lKIslbDFs76KjS2CFscq2t/s640/blogger-image--750616964.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Wow. What an enthralling biography! I cannot say enough about this book! Whatever your views on Johnson, this is well worth the read. Goodwin is a gifted biographer and was the guiding source for the film, "Lincoln." This was simply so so interesting. I LOVE when reality collides with an engaging story!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioR7rrw1_CBFv-8RRP3pRe7XzwMc45pcBzdbJ4o7rsX5m2VPGIQLhAo02CDWSxFdYTWUcOu7UNqA09uqcwLcp04jgIby0DqIZ_VoGPFuGkPGKxqcLuDaq3PYROp840lgSCuxC075McV2Uw/s640/blogger-image--1425585139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioR7rrw1_CBFv-8RRP3pRe7XzwMc45pcBzdbJ4o7rsX5m2VPGIQLhAo02CDWSxFdYTWUcOu7UNqA09uqcwLcp04jgIby0DqIZ_VoGPFuGkPGKxqcLuDaq3PYROp840lgSCuxC075McV2Uw/s640/blogger-image--1425585139.jpg"></a></div>This was short and sweet and cute. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULOboI0IBlJtdtilbk_VZxSm47l_F7nTa_ZWP5JIQtwQCx9moPEvx1GwTz8Lv8vai5lAf30HL2vE9GwBFrhNVEPAGhFJ-M6kxAeXYhhkleWWSIA0CzCjnhGGSm0c2wuyr8lXY4_6ZlmOU/s640/blogger-image-1906826954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULOboI0IBlJtdtilbk_VZxSm47l_F7nTa_ZWP5JIQtwQCx9moPEvx1GwTz8Lv8vai5lAf30HL2vE9GwBFrhNVEPAGhFJ-M6kxAeXYhhkleWWSIA0CzCjnhGGSm0c2wuyr8lXY4_6ZlmOU/s640/blogger-image-1906826954.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This was fun. I would tell you how I learned to tame my fly-aways in my hair-do now, but on second thought that doesn't seem poised enough. You'll have to read for yourself, my dear.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_unRlR-mR1o0KT9S_6DyJkTY2XEvpoSppP3JmYFHJhMmIChnjCX1FEm5hAYV205AexKlhSgUUmO7sHLhbTqprLD5UcLdrQ3YchXV6gOA5Hm_yuKX81emSpTgJQZ1yad5WBDhkP54T9Azt/s640/blogger-image-517733543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_unRlR-mR1o0KT9S_6DyJkTY2XEvpoSppP3JmYFHJhMmIChnjCX1FEm5hAYV205AexKlhSgUUmO7sHLhbTqprLD5UcLdrQ3YchXV6gOA5Hm_yuKX81emSpTgJQZ1yad5WBDhkP54T9Azt/s640/blogger-image-517733543.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The class I teach motivated me to buy this as I thought I could glean some great tips to pass along to my students. Not only did I do that, but I also found some wonderfully applicable ways to improve my own teaching and course design as well. It was quick and beneficial! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And we can't forget this one:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblYY6CNKDrGsri2CwdKp62JHG3MazC98Ndi5IN2NL3DnzwDex9i-7Ii7MAbwyItubTN3ChWzpSX6lowWWnmMcLNQVlAhUbBU3CvpecwzbX3N2oXeFo3ZpRKkWy0eBUnJBd3wZUogDvYi_/s640/blogger-image-2030488407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblYY6CNKDrGsri2CwdKp62JHG3MazC98Ndi5IN2NL3DnzwDex9i-7Ii7MAbwyItubTN3ChWzpSX6lowWWnmMcLNQVlAhUbBU3CvpecwzbX3N2oXeFo3ZpRKkWy0eBUnJBd3wZUogDvYi_/s640/blogger-image-2030488407.jpg"></a></div>"Dragons Love Tacos," by Adam Rubin. Paired with tacos for dinner, of course.</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Stay tuned for more reading updates! This was fun!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div><br></div>hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-72159223875559852462015-11-24T21:32:00.001-06:002015-11-24T21:32:31.397-06:002 Squared Is Not 4. It's Just More 2.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>I ran down the street chasing my child in my pajamas this morning, as in all the way onto the next street, and with the little old retired baptist preacher who lives across from us (and who was already in his collared shirt and pressed jeans for the day at 6:00am) watching us. I thought for a moment how embarrassed I was. Then I decided no - you know what? I am a boy mom! I am a 2 year old boy mom and these pajamas were on sale at JCrew outlet and are fall / winter fabulous and I am gonna catch that kid so hear me roar!<div><br></div><div>And I caught that kid even though, Shel Silverstein, the sidewalk ending poses no real predicament to an escaped toddler. And when I caught that kid I scooped him up with his little legs flailing and all his free will squashed like a pancake and I marched him back home with pride.</div><div><br></div><div>Until.</div><div><br></div><div>Until I discovered once home that some random piece of laundry - I suppose the thermal shirt I had layered under my pajama sweater the day before - was hanging out from underneath. </div><div><br></div><div>(A note on the sweater: I <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">took my cues from the mannequin because, quite frankly, she seemed to have it all together and if she wears a sweater for pajamas and I wear a sweater for pajamas then maybe - just MAYBE - I will be like her. Calm. Skinny. Not running.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So, I could tell you I haven't posted here in months because I am full time working mama of a high maintenance clone, or I could tell you the truth: I am a princess trapped in a frat house. Please find me and return me to Nordstrom. </span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA418w1gVGIgcq5OKLi9s4TMLBrSP37h1csT1G77Ymr3qqerThYc526PL7TS7trZsAqdsTEtSQ9BQ6woWeF0rYYJhVQtKZV5oSp-eGXt60XqcbYugIYgZFEwR9G-0lzSEODbmYIqj-4ppP/s640/blogger-image--752096676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA418w1gVGIgcq5OKLi9s4TMLBrSP37h1csT1G77Ymr3qqerThYc526PL7TS7trZsAqdsTEtSQ9BQ6woWeF0rYYJhVQtKZV5oSp-eGXt60XqcbYugIYgZFEwR9G-0lzSEODbmYIqj-4ppP/s640/blogger-image--752096676.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sure, hot chocolate is fine. Let me just get a towel and another towel and follow you around like a hawk since you decide to pour your cup out wherever you are standing or sitting the second you decide you're finished. </div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4dZuN0qHxzfAJ7emLfFhkLgQE73S92s-wDsq9sNmfacerzf1Ow9lECHfZE50TcT5Kff1uIMgPk-6i0HNSxT7BicHTKkRd1Yvx_8MnFpqiRCqsktphFvYr3AISrue4aW-DG28ouTNHt_S/s640/blogger-image--97191924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4dZuN0qHxzfAJ7emLfFhkLgQE73S92s-wDsq9sNmfacerzf1Ow9lECHfZE50TcT5Kff1uIMgPk-6i0HNSxT7BicHTKkRd1Yvx_8MnFpqiRCqsktphFvYr3AISrue4aW-DG28ouTNHt_S/s640/blogger-image--97191924.jpg"></a></div>No. I didn't want all that on the shelves.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFxI59Qm1rxfijAcrWjeFlYt455nNcl-Ogs6mHJy204pvwW82TLRS6RPqC9zMiUte5BzObRMr0hf9Tl1KVAumlmXd1rpfwJbJsPX1kChvYy5OcDpGIEQB7XX39-rKNJNVDNYluM_N_hSH/s640/blogger-image-42641556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFxI59Qm1rxfijAcrWjeFlYt455nNcl-Ogs6mHJy204pvwW82TLRS6RPqC9zMiUte5BzObRMr0hf9Tl1KVAumlmXd1rpfwJbJsPX1kChvYy5OcDpGIEQB7XX39-rKNJNVDNYluM_N_hSH/s640/blogger-image-42641556.jpg"></a></div>Nope. Didn't want that stuff on those shelves, either.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoTLB-bWBcVCu2lEqzDdVRuChMJ6vawv4RkNimmrIDr05S-jafIn0sOTgZH3safeNzD5d1Na93pP0IGmfqkLQx5rE3uRWGo0ihRx1bcDnSfiRPZmCPioeYsbqwpsGGijVWhZozD3W10B7/s640/blogger-image-969158857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoTLB-bWBcVCu2lEqzDdVRuChMJ6vawv4RkNimmrIDr05S-jafIn0sOTgZH3safeNzD5d1Na93pP0IGmfqkLQx5rE3uRWGo0ihRx1bcDnSfiRPZmCPioeYsbqwpsGGijVWhZozD3W10B7/s640/blogger-image-969158857.jpg"></a></div>See? I told you clothes were cool.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgzg73XVS8FsLFBlKxDr1cd7Xfcp9JJxGH80B5nZZeCNDsByZh6VCClxJaHR8PNPQh6kOfeESTY5HDyMQNXAe0bVGpls2n6BYEzqwWUa12F0sc4F9XmHIOLUnNlEkk4uMhGanscGy8_8a/s640/blogger-image-683329494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgzg73XVS8FsLFBlKxDr1cd7Xfcp9JJxGH80B5nZZeCNDsByZh6VCClxJaHR8PNPQh6kOfeESTY5HDyMQNXAe0bVGpls2n6BYEzqwWUa12F0sc4F9XmHIOLUnNlEkk4uMhGanscGy8_8a/s640/blogger-image-683329494.jpg"></a></div>Yes, your form is amazing. Yes, I'll announce you. Yes, I want the instant replay.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYG_nomvATl5OMcyLLo15wT8jrKDXlu6WLCEuMGrO-EBe31N5z-cQKot44qYKnPGPgW19EAqdvgq8mSkfDvm-KOO3KMniNw7rNk4M-9OtCjc2k934gZQFBiRzRMkqtT8id-xecXRtFvntd/s640/blogger-image--626377838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYG_nomvATl5OMcyLLo15wT8jrKDXlu6WLCEuMGrO-EBe31N5z-cQKot44qYKnPGPgW19EAqdvgq8mSkfDvm-KOO3KMniNw7rNk4M-9OtCjc2k934gZQFBiRzRMkqtT8id-xecXRtFvntd/s640/blogger-image--626377838.jpg"></a></div>Yes. You are PRECIOUS. No, in fact, I don't care that you don't want to hear it. </div></span></div>hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-45691938796904094462015-09-27T19:39:00.001-05:002015-09-27T19:39:30.771-05:00Thank You NotesThank you, South Texas, for forcing me to spend money to make it Autumn. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9oKKNqK2f4Xh0BfIz1ogA5Z8duLjtWnKvFF04Ac_P6a3UlBslA-yguglgdkRfktbSa9MalRtenaY2GTZ6H4fFDkiMesUsG1Fe2x8ZhZKe2X9BX7ClZ2YwRt6bXJKEe2lijCKFFkmudCy/s640/blogger-image-5544228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9oKKNqK2f4Xh0BfIz1ogA5Z8duLjtWnKvFF04Ac_P6a3UlBslA-yguglgdkRfktbSa9MalRtenaY2GTZ6H4fFDkiMesUsG1Fe2x8ZhZKe2X9BX7ClZ2YwRt6bXJKEe2lijCKFFkmudCy/s640/blogger-image-5544228.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIMIffya5WPUBKHF9Gt0tukuXOa7VpvjOSoSpc4yFMr53cIemSyf2HWeWKacvWSHBAhMUHFh279QMx3Wk0DnCPIWa57jB2t9hjbCT7pFIbSAZf3MmP1YEwHiEY4gNKYhhe7yK9aMrPmNy/s640/blogger-image-1797560464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIMIffya5WPUBKHF9Gt0tukuXOa7VpvjOSoSpc4yFMr53cIemSyf2HWeWKacvWSHBAhMUHFh279QMx3Wk0DnCPIWa57jB2t9hjbCT7pFIbSAZf3MmP1YEwHiEY4gNKYhhe7yK9aMrPmNy/s640/blogger-image-1797560464.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEACbKAjdOKP_C7_2ZDaWesKfG4vGktTgff1dRv8NAAnx8YIyk0ErOTMeCRj-j-I5dabnFSp6ar7liCqPJOC3PNui9iWNFL3J5Yk0DStEVzgM-g38tjJOaTd0TikOPfH7fRLpTKzvjXrt/s640/blogger-image--1618631889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEACbKAjdOKP_C7_2ZDaWesKfG4vGktTgff1dRv8NAAnx8YIyk0ErOTMeCRj-j-I5dabnFSp6ar7liCqPJOC3PNui9iWNFL3J5Yk0DStEVzgM-g38tjJOaTd0TikOPfH7fRLpTKzvjXrt/s640/blogger-image--1618631889.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvhbJO-u_sWu3txe4o3MxD2hLN7cAkA3Fw2LEN-HnLeFdp0lXN_GVYYi-BOI7OT-N_hVtKd1r0b7dXqOl4XDeAuDP6BYE3AUaCtsTyyZyzwoWZKTMx8mTPoXnbwu63DD7nVXzjQ-Vps2l/s640/blogger-image-22343400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvhbJO-u_sWu3txe4o3MxD2hLN7cAkA3Fw2LEN-HnLeFdp0lXN_GVYYi-BOI7OT-N_hVtKd1r0b7dXqOl4XDeAuDP6BYE3AUaCtsTyyZyzwoWZKTMx8mTPoXnbwu63DD7nVXzjQ-Vps2l/s640/blogger-image-22343400.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Thank you, random coloring pages given to us by some man <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">at the Farmer's Market </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">dressed in green and leaves and twigs for being in my car when the candy store said they didn't have any tissue paper and I know they did.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">P.S. Thank you, self, for not cleaning out the car.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CzvLYSQu2wHYbkp4ODrf4HG3f2QfOekbNAFkynlUzGiM7-jcuXyvjEgzZvqurlvaAThyphenhyphenz_Vf05BDL-wU-HCpA7YOnAHKMN5_8UHW3otOMJWBrFHD1oqU-cDROU3QGBCiGgAZ7tcGMCh8/s640/blogger-image--1087386406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CzvLYSQu2wHYbkp4ODrf4HG3f2QfOekbNAFkynlUzGiM7-jcuXyvjEgzZvqurlvaAThyphenhyphenz_Vf05BDL-wU-HCpA7YOnAHKMN5_8UHW3otOMJWBrFHD1oqU-cDROU3QGBCiGgAZ7tcGMCh8/s640/blogger-image--1087386406.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Thank you, Oma and Opa, for watching Jonah so I could go out with a man named Howard. We had a nice time. I think we'll go out sometime again.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCmwe5FdJBOudgsZyaVeMtsv7vyvGi0zirNnIRwuna3Vay_Mi5aSBzcmP5L0t9GrUqv18KoNjNr2-zPTFVJvp2xzEm97AoCa-1M0ECNLrcqqgyLIXcDAnAvic2MDw20RzxVkUoso1EaOJ/s640/blogger-image--1448915825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCmwe5FdJBOudgsZyaVeMtsv7vyvGi0zirNnIRwuna3Vay_Mi5aSBzcmP5L0t9GrUqv18KoNjNr2-zPTFVJvp2xzEm97AoCa-1M0ECNLrcqqgyLIXcDAnAvic2MDw20RzxVkUoso1EaOJ/s640/blogger-image--1448915825.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Thank you, Jonah, for being on a COMPLETELY different diet than I am.</div><div><br></div><div>Really, it's so fun to drink a protein shake and plea bargain with you to eat one bite of anything breaded, cheesed, buttered, and sugared.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJQlht-R9UmEnIzQY4ef0fpdiSw2-qGBPk1xb9YdzPpND0bULqe8KKyR6OL6EbcJUC84zdQ0EYF7Kd565AdmzwIxQwrqRL0zRhNAzWRqazbnpbICLhivM1ww0pHFWn7xBYPl8wYN6t8ow/s640/blogger-image--1314781255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJQlht-R9UmEnIzQY4ef0fpdiSw2-qGBPk1xb9YdzPpND0bULqe8KKyR6OL6EbcJUC84zdQ0EYF7Kd565AdmzwIxQwrqRL0zRhNAzWRqazbnpbICLhivM1ww0pHFWn7xBYPl8wYN6t8ow/s640/blogger-image--1314781255.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you, Jonah, for saying, "Home" instead of "um," and "OK" like an adult, but in really odd places in the conversation.</div><br></div><div>Thank you, Jesus, for friends.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrxLPEgr0Rw7kB0mf2KnPYA356pnWzMeK2luIPv0bmT0SNAdT_OPtdaXE8PCHMUPr-DNR2KWd86a0IWoXqtXYOJyV20GoMmDvJbED7a8oUeiIyWp3b-FDm67yGtG0xWteE_1DHTJx3TZU/s640/blogger-image--785605474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrxLPEgr0Rw7kB0mf2KnPYA356pnWzMeK2luIPv0bmT0SNAdT_OPtdaXE8PCHMUPr-DNR2KWd86a0IWoXqtXYOJyV20GoMmDvJbED7a8oUeiIyWp3b-FDm67yGtG0xWteE_1DHTJx3TZU/s640/blogger-image--785605474.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrfugW2ZR1Kk3DBxu24RpLicvuSVfLlxtu26yXPpYvJhyVOVol865cRBzV4vZoMDgIrL4fmeVb7-1RoBMoMQn517PqSs3IGaauJhla0pwop6NWv-Z2Ikl8vaCLX2memnLnA7mthXyqnk3/s640/blogger-image-60296097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrfugW2ZR1Kk3DBxu24RpLicvuSVfLlxtu26yXPpYvJhyVOVol865cRBzV4vZoMDgIrL4fmeVb7-1RoBMoMQn517PqSs3IGaauJhla0pwop6NWv-Z2Ikl8vaCLX2memnLnA7mthXyqnk3/s640/blogger-image-60296097.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Thank you, Howard, for teaching Sunday School and allowing me to learn so much from you. Today your lesson made me realize that while we often try to remind ourselves that suffering will work out in the end, we can also take a step back and realize that God didn't have to include us in this story at all. So the fact that we're in the middle of it means we're in it. That in and of itself may not be immediately fun, but is a profound blessing.</div><div><br></div><div>Thank you, Nonna and Bearpaw for these precious boots that were made for walkin to church (well, to the car that drove us to church and then the walk from the car to the building).</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnPPAtNrco1h7suTyLvEGaF8QEh9fiuCqP0DcitnaocLWaatZaC6uXfjMc7TMkwSUQAKjKJ3EMeJeSiz6TIDNSLfTMgCfOgj-VMsMrZMQJfl96tFij6qnSuW3zHLnG_LxuG0SYlsFZpGq/s640/blogger-image-1127223375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnPPAtNrco1h7suTyLvEGaF8QEh9fiuCqP0DcitnaocLWaatZaC6uXfjMc7TMkwSUQAKjKJ3EMeJeSiz6TIDNSLfTMgCfOgj-VMsMrZMQJfl96tFij6qnSuW3zHLnG_LxuG0SYlsFZpGq/s640/blogger-image-1127223375.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Thank you, Lord, for our jobs, our town, our family, our friends, Jonah's teachers, </div><div>and Fall (or the opportunity to copy your Northeastern work).</div>hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-65784384556626526262015-09-08T19:07:00.001-05:002015-09-08T19:07:40.881-05:00Where the Wild Things Went<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0ki6GKknSiz06RlXem00WhDryDyOqmSCOBjzl_oKrSs6CnypV9be8WuU9fN4LPfSkpEUQcqZAWE5nrYIzEo8hyx1tXulKJOfJ0tIMqqLvmX_VEEHPydRDuHTgUZNES_Uo89CIeMneS6A/s640/blogger-image--1333214405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0ki6GKknSiz06RlXem00WhDryDyOqmSCOBjzl_oKrSs6CnypV9be8WuU9fN4LPfSkpEUQcqZAWE5nrYIzEo8hyx1tXulKJOfJ0tIMqqLvmX_VEEHPydRDuHTgUZNES_Uo89CIeMneS6A/s640/blogger-image--1333214405.jpg"></a></div>Jonah and I camped and kayaked on the Guadalupe this weekend thanks to kind friends extending an invite and more kind friends loaning us gear! My little camper did so well!!! I can't believe it! We had SO much fun hiking, kayaking, setting up camp, making s'mores, playing football with big boys, and sweating our ever loving souls right out of our bodies. The best part (besides all the tender "Hi Momma" moments) was waking up to trees and birds. I quote Jonah upon waking: "Twees? Biwds?" It made my heart so happy.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvy__cSriPbWo-m4nvB20K1aWmxxILdbyBol_1c2XbO-tSzDyAIGFBJUlo9k0sCYpyJBPw6sEL0Wo3ieY0XGp6-f_t-O-Sl9cguOGVAdyb0M2o_FSll8frLX5diQRvsgnLWgP6JkU4-dN/s640/blogger-image--1085050663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvy__cSriPbWo-m4nvB20K1aWmxxILdbyBol_1c2XbO-tSzDyAIGFBJUlo9k0sCYpyJBPw6sEL0Wo3ieY0XGp6-f_t-O-Sl9cguOGVAdyb0M2o_FSll8frLX5diQRvsgnLWgP6JkU4-dN/s640/blogger-image--1085050663.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeZsLGq4hkkkgl3933OKY92aGHaBu1UrWMF9QzrwyOrpwjVk01Ju5DwqD_gbyE4_A4MWiLyPLJg_E96o1948iqfEkz2D39-6o_txAvdLEnImnb5h8lmfnWacpNAZG-SCB-0ubiJ5eGGoz/s640/blogger-image--873638331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0dxOsCXk900tdUOuaRi01JMWzv1cL393DYizZUMs20XfvCSh5ptGJLfhpLhyD-l8-Oy2LJQkmmu4LOO3QTqPpb1OsNcMh5AYmoLfRxVP6kJ3PYA50r9UOY2F2NpbZT1VQrObyJ12xuCf/s640/blogger-image--731719406.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MYZhrETHXa-Z-XAqyGZ9Sy7Hf_Xy4Xx1Sb8PQHU5zqHD3FScA8Cq5MeDJvcHlHzJnkURS7W1DKo0MFVFxCGnTUtudEK9OqYxAZYJs4hGxCz1hCQXdc03fGlXbeOiQKq8BKa_PwqIv3wj/s640/blogger-image--311761362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MYZhrETHXa-Z-XAqyGZ9Sy7Hf_Xy4Xx1Sb8PQHU5zqHD3FScA8Cq5MeDJvcHlHzJnkURS7W1DKo0MFVFxCGnTUtudEK9OqYxAZYJs4hGxCz1hCQXdc03fGlXbeOiQKq8BKa_PwqIv3wj/s640/blogger-image--311761362.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrf3sKk-omfjDh6qZ6JJkh3TObxRGErZVLkAr1se2pQWnFGVFOjvhZwerBBHU0CsRVt7KSRN4tGkllXLfGKkVWvE6vB3uSfF6WO8XeOnUVR7-dEyu1WwGjw2KVpp_KHjzJr7VP1v2ZN3uU/s640/blogger-image-1797227589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrf3sKk-omfjDh6qZ6JJkh3TObxRGErZVLkAr1se2pQWnFGVFOjvhZwerBBHU0CsRVt7KSRN4tGkllXLfGKkVWvE6vB3uSfF6WO8XeOnUVR7-dEyu1WwGjw2KVpp_KHjzJr7VP1v2ZN3uU/s640/blogger-image-1797227589.jpg"></a></div><br></div>These were the days I dreamt of when I opened that blue cupcake two years ago. As much fun as we had, he was thrilled to be back at preschool this morning and ran to his teacher! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALgZgXEnT1mShsma1VLs8h1F1yK5ZdLMul-ly5GU4K17A3tPX0F_6OBidJ4MJ-zWuFsM5CRFWKDwqOOCJ2SjZCPWVK5ULFPU7lGLtP4bcvtV8MOGfnEPti8mzlLy2kDBfkmOM5yHWQp7Y/s640/blogger-image-511973572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALgZgXEnT1mShsma1VLs8h1F1yK5ZdLMul-ly5GU4K17A3tPX0F_6OBidJ4MJ-zWuFsM5CRFWKDwqOOCJ2SjZCPWVK5ULFPU7lGLtP4bcvtV8MOGfnEPti8mzlLy2kDBfkmOM5yHWQp7Y/s640/blogger-image-511973572.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And so we move from bouquets of wild flowers to bouquets of sharpened pencils...ahhhh. Both so sweet!! </div></div></div></div>hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-16944674316021895812015-08-27T12:14:00.001-05:002015-08-27T12:14:27.613-05:00Happy Birtday.I am taking a break from party planning to jot down some memories from this week.<div><br></div><div>Yes, I idolize my child and he is at the center of my life and we hang images of him throughout our home to honor him and sing praise songs to him every day. Why do you ask?</div><div><br></div><div>So, back to my break from Jonah to tell you about Jonah. He started preschool this week and we couldn't be happier with how it's going. He loves it, and we love it so much that if he didn't we would second guess him before the school. It's that good. </div><div><br></div><div>Aside from trying to solve the mystery about who Abigail is and why he should be nice to her, I heard the sweetest recollection from him about his day. Last night as I was putting him to bed I was going through the events of the day with him (he loves this and gets really still and pays close attention) and when I got to the review of snack time and the lesson at school, he pointed to himself and said, "My name Jonah." Then he pointed to me and said, "My name Mama." </div><div><br></div><div>MELT ME.</div><div><br></div><div>They've been talking about names and family this week and I hadn't even brought that up in our review of the day. I think Mamas and Papas are the best teachers, so to hear that he is learning and growing even though we're apart during the day washed me over with peace.</div><div><br></div><div>I'm prepared for the peace to be fleeting if his made-up girlfriend Abigail dumps him tomorrow.</div><div><br></div><div>Howard and I aren't back at work yet so I've been working a little on decorating my classroom and a lot on Jonah's birthday party (ies). It helps to work out the missing of him. I'm about to go make 'healthy' cookies for his school party tomorrow but before I do, you have to know that I was working so hard on this chalkboard sign this morning. I got carried away and had so much fun representing all the things Jonah likes. Howard even so sweetly surprised me with my favorite lunch because he saw the sweat I am pouring into a 2 year old's birthday party where he'll only care about the M&Ms.</div><div><br></div><div>I was proud and took pics.</div><div><br></div><div>Before the addition of Larry the Cucumber:<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mYRGWzc_H98jQlsy-jDVS3WZAAUp7SxrLhjzJc7MVED7X6VSX-Z20l9qfJHKsimXmRD3d23775dX7l51zf2Sj8hsUDmOs_CrgWDDjmwdn8XahG7gW4gt9S-81pYhTHPyUP-JaMvg4XUj/s640/blogger-image-888847649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mYRGWzc_H98jQlsy-jDVS3WZAAUp7SxrLhjzJc7MVED7X6VSX-Z20l9qfJHKsimXmRD3d23775dX7l51zf2Sj8hsUDmOs_CrgWDDjmwdn8XahG7gW4gt9S-81pYhTHPyUP-JaMvg4XUj/s640/blogger-image-888847649.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Larry was added:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZrpQ8um6LeTUVQSUnQnNiS72xPh90FzqRwFU-mPcnL0giwcHfZQ-IcQKKZkzuU86e_8jN_jR89zk4pnPv2yqEVXjBz6pN0Lg-h8jfUxqOom8m98zTqXCxnMC7LK2e3nTrhZuG1g_DBPG/s640/blogger-image-1374570268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZrpQ8um6LeTUVQSUnQnNiS72xPh90FzqRwFU-mPcnL0giwcHfZQ-IcQKKZkzuU86e_8jN_jR89zk4pnPv2yqEVXjBz6pN0Lg-h8jfUxqOom8m98zTqXCxnMC7LK2e3nTrhZuG1g_DBPG/s640/blogger-image-1374570268.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I went and did some other things and walked back through the kitchen again, and it hit me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I misspelled "Birthday."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I MISSPELLED "BIRTHDAY."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm not redoing it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Jonah tells people all the time "Happy Birtday" as a sign of affection. So there you go, Jo. Happy Birtday. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's probably best you have other teachers in your young life, after all.</div><br></div>hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-44073004068981943272015-08-22T20:06:00.001-05:002015-08-22T20:06:51.053-05:00Big Hug, Summer!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>The day is done and summer too.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVabA2VUB19QQDK1BwnHRwd-cCFUwKP85utSK3NJnUsyK_60Biu0ey-LTfH96hD9Xisi03cimiBxY2uPrQx-Bz4xtxJbUN0I2jSUmzxUNCwPtW1ouBPzlmg9FedOlxKobcvS0SQpwQFVWC/s640/blogger-image-1250174846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVabA2VUB19QQDK1BwnHRwd-cCFUwKP85utSK3NJnUsyK_60Biu0ey-LTfH96hD9Xisi03cimiBxY2uPrQx-Bz4xtxJbUN0I2jSUmzxUNCwPtW1ouBPzlmg9FedOlxKobcvS0SQpwQFVWC/s640/blogger-image-1250174846.jpg"></a></div><br><div><br></div><div>So much we saw and did (and threw).</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFX2A5Bzp0uUmiBW_Ogt-e-ymInK_57iwYqsYfI6RZHRv8vIFrzVEtZQOJrUvSi4bym4Ok1TxFHthNS-sj1akvBZNXNo-7TXZLRARqa43UfYaESGpUvzQt7QhOlv14Mk0oA1ydd3JyVExo/s640/blogger-image--117801854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFX2A5Bzp0uUmiBW_Ogt-e-ymInK_57iwYqsYfI6RZHRv8vIFrzVEtZQOJrUvSi4bym4Ok1TxFHthNS-sj1akvBZNXNo-7TXZLRARqa43UfYaESGpUvzQt7QhOlv14Mk0oA1ydd3JyVExo/s640/blogger-image--117801854.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>A trip to Tulsa and twice to the beach, to the pool and swim lessons where we learned to kick feet.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div><br></div><div>Frozen yogurt and cookies and popcorn galore. Every day was an occasion. Don't forget s'mores!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjJufFbn4d3AzT9p1nswSSNNm6RKxcj_awZ_oTNH7Zp0JmrMzw6AvnupLdHAGTi4m1d4AB2z0hQsW4VUIVkxcgaJ-tbI1o9Nmree0Qf3uS_8IxXQBhRDnARkJuAE0NgfoLXhEfNzbGsy5/s640/blogger-image--1650106210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjJufFbn4d3AzT9p1nswSSNNm6RKxcj_awZ_oTNH7Zp0JmrMzw6AvnupLdHAGTi4m1d4AB2z0hQsW4VUIVkxcgaJ-tbI1o9Nmree0Qf3uS_8IxXQBhRDnARkJuAE0NgfoLXhEfNzbGsy5/s640/blogger-image--1650106210.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Lots of firsts this summer did see, like riding rides at the toddler park and the start of climbing trees.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Now it's off to school, but when our days are through, we'll meet again for playtime, for snuggles, and for YOU.</div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvO8AMLMAKeS4JtuVVljunJRSecnFXskdDiy2s_nRXPLUwQsT5XN8I4xVbhz2m4vXBq76R3MhhWX70TTJPyLMu7zJVGTeAml6u9vbc4e0DIv56qugLRSFsG16SQrSY_alVqWe7tgRpeYi/s640/blogger-image--1615706730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvO8AMLMAKeS4JtuVVljunJRSecnFXskdDiy2s_nRXPLUwQsT5XN8I4xVbhz2m4vXBq76R3MhhWX70TTJPyLMu7zJVGTeAml6u9vbc4e0DIv56qugLRSFsG16SQrSY_alVqWe7tgRpeYi/s640/blogger-image--1615706730.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>(In case the above wasn't clear, the snuggles are for Jonah - not you, the reader. Please don't come to our house asking for snuggles. That would be really weird. Thanks.)</div>hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-69498993350125476052015-08-21T21:36:00.001-05:002015-08-21T21:36:46.736-05:00Now & Later Lasagna<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5t1Xh8HTHrfjtsN5Egbav8wGdhRzK58YAbLkwja0BwnFNIElmTSD-YWBNUBKRxvK3hOX5T8_gHEyrEQwh1QCJygCsSQRpCMsjv5tDvZ1XLM3jg_P_ZYjB6ghrdBhIZSTk-OZdpAXrTDB/s640/blogger-image--1241096564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ingredients:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1 lb mild Italian sausage</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1 16 oz jar Tomato Basil Pasta sauce (I like HEB brand)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1 package oven-ready lasagna noodles</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1 package sliced mozzarella </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1 package grated Italian blend cheese</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Supplies:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ramekins or non-paper oven safe cupcake liners and muffin pan</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Directions:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1. Preheat oven to 350 and line muffin tin with non-paper cupcake liners (I used Reynolds foil liners).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5t1Xh8HTHrfjtsN5Egbav8wGdhRzK58YAbLkwja0BwnFNIElmTSD-YWBNUBKRxvK3hOX5T8_gHEyrEQwh1QCJygCsSQRpCMsjv5tDvZ1XLM3jg_P_ZYjB6ghrdBhIZSTk-OZdpAXrTDB/s640/blogger-image--1241096564.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">2. Brown and drain the sausage. Keep in pan and set aside.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">3. Add a spoonful of sauce to the bottom of each liner. Add the rest of the jar to the sausage and stir over warm until heated through. Cover and set aside.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">4. Break up noodles and start layering noodle, 1/4 mozzerella slice, grated cheese, sausage mixture, until all ingredients but a little grated cheese are used up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5DuGdwJj9zsc-9_MNUWT8lHNckp8AIv9wwlbGsUVGgmAZ_tdxQIwM1cq-xwspwv-Q1vkSqd5aS6C_6Pw86KjUgFlCDkgtvm4Xsosj0UyT5acn-BXb0Rpxjul3EcAZrHyfrkQz_T5p8L4/s640/blogger-image-2009525665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5DuGdwJj9zsc-9_MNUWT8lHNckp8AIv9wwlbGsUVGgmAZ_tdxQIwM1cq-xwspwv-Q1vkSqd5aS6C_6Pw86KjUgFlCDkgtvm4Xsosj0UyT5acn-BXb0Rpxjul3EcAZrHyfrkQz_T5p8L4/s640/blogger-image-2009525665.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">5. Top with remaining grated cheese and bake for 30 min at 350.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-GSIA15NYVVyv7SSGuQzMe7tfWfybGQVybPz3pTzaZXlxgTUTxjYTaIa_RpVxfzpa-oorrYgg5SHMdcP5SXLtoCLC_K55n1pJNGSK1kjQUsdfUAPz_KMn8y1ThTwAi9aHZOmpM3MTm3N/s640/blogger-image--375568603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-GSIA15NYVVyv7SSGuQzMe7tfWfybGQVybPz3pTzaZXlxgTUTxjYTaIa_RpVxfzpa-oorrYgg5SHMdcP5SXLtoCLC_K55n1pJNGSK1kjQUsdfUAPz_KMn8y1ThTwAi9aHZOmpM3MTm3N/s640/blogger-image--375568603.jpg"></a></div><br></div>6. Serve some now and freeze the rest! Reheat later in the oven or pop out of liner to microwave.</div>hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-25505953374357856382015-08-17T21:53:00.001-05:002015-08-17T21:56:33.525-05:00A Dance at the Dienger<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Today we visited the newly restored café in town, the Dienger, and had a ball...quite literally. After being drawn to a particular "pitching hat" in the men's clothing section, Jo and I found an excellent book (a Mark Twain board book adaptation), exchanged warm hellos with friends, and then made our way to the bakery counter where Jonah picked out a chocolate croissant (decisively, I might add - it's genetic), and then proceeded to take both of my hands in his. Flustered from trying to order and pay and keep my almost two-year old from practicing batting swings on the glass display windows, the glass serving pitchers, the glass trinkets and doo dads, and the glass everything all of a sudden seemed to be made of, I decided to divert my attention from the cash register all onto him, because, after all, if he's taking both of my hands he might have a sticker poking him or have just made a mess somewhere, or have seen an important dog or airplane. </span></div><div><br></div><div>But no.</div><div><br></div><div>It wasn't about a mess</div><div><br></div><div>or a dog </div><div><br></div><div>or a plane.</div><div><br></div><div>He took my hands because he wanted to dance. Yes, dance. Not the silly way we dance to the seasons song on Baby Einstein - no - actually dance.</div><div><br></div><div>He held my hands in his and said "dance, mm hmm," and he led me in a ballroom like sway right there in the middle of the Dienger, right in the middle of our order, right in the middle of a wonderful life.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6UOgWi0x-jxTnzrPYV4BKyftBDQaAmKJmiSVgDAh02kW8gY19R3VCXzEJd_iDsYAh7RshwlbRZnrrebT9ZElushIEDPsNtAD4bDP-916r3BkF9mk668RvAD_tV_1FlNMRZI-i-dofHQ5/s640/blogger-image-623850840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6UOgWi0x-jxTnzrPYV4BKyftBDQaAmKJmiSVgDAh02kW8gY19R3VCXzEJd_iDsYAh7RshwlbRZnrrebT9ZElushIEDPsNtAD4bDP-916r3BkF9mk668RvAD_tV_1FlNMRZI-i-dofHQ5/s640/blogger-image-623850840.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3tS_DjQr-RLG1HnVjiwWDqTZIU4FZFXRCclo_udPL3xt_SsbEila5G2zDe3JXHCoiiVgQ4qkVbEmnUT4wsYUnwIYriDtrVHs9B-D0aQWMGZdR2yfypsUBf5vaZDxXXF3xEFq_gc8L8si/s640/blogger-image--466808807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3tS_DjQr-RLG1HnVjiwWDqTZIU4FZFXRCclo_udPL3xt_SsbEila5G2zDe3JXHCoiiVgQ4qkVbEmnUT4wsYUnwIYriDtrVHs9B-D0aQWMGZdR2yfypsUBf5vaZDxXXF3xEFq_gc8L8si/s640/blogger-image--466808807.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-23233702650516483232015-07-29T22:10:00.001-05:002015-07-29T22:10:52.488-05:00Same Song 42nd VerseI've written this post before. It's the one where I lament about my lack of time and energy and mental clarity but also say I wouldn't trade anything for the intentionally spilled milk at the end of a long, thematic learning day including an astronaut suit and a matching cookie from the bakery even if it means changing my clothes and the sheets just when I thought I was about to punch out my timecard after a 12 hour shift and 1 private bathroom break and the pool being closed because someone (I will hunt you and I will find you, and then I will lecture you) brought glass into it and it shattered and I got the sweetest hugs and heard the sweetest mispronunciation of words and felt a huge victory at figuring out "baby toes" means a request for "Veggie Tales" and a huge defeat at learning vegetables think the people of Ninevah slapped each other with fish and trying to read the correct version of Jonah to my son of the same name and feeling defeated that my not-even-two year old had a much stronger preference for Jamberry but remembering my swelling pride in the achievements he reached earlier in the day and wanting a break but not wanting to be away but feeling like I'm never alone because I'm never alone, and trying to lose the baby weight from aforementioned almost two year old and wondering if I should start faking a late-announced pregnancy and sudden birth and carry around a baby doll to act like it's baby weight from a more recent baby but knowing that plan derails when said baby doll doesn't get any bigger, or move, or gets left in the hatchback while I run into HEB for the FOURTH time since Sunday and we still are low on milk and I wonder how is that even mathematically, physically possible but figure it's due to the fact that I can't start using my new planner until Friday so I have things written down on my phone and my old planner and August dates in my new one and no, you may not throw a real baseball down the stairs and yes, I am sure we will get a dog someday because we all seem to need something else to take care of and we might as well test out those awesome vinyl floors we are saving up to get because I decided I love real wood too much to put hand scraped Tobacco Road Acacia in a track house that is storing what was originally the genius idea of Christmas in July to make the fall semester easier on Santa but is now a bunch of Amazon boxes of Daniel Tiger paraphernalia when I am the only one here now who likes Daniel Tiger.<div><br></div><div>Yes. It's that post.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWu9S4zj0SfhlrvPaoyY7agRXchn8I6gi4n7FQKj1OCiCI60f6mhgRo9-Cxuo57O9er_nSalLPFU_7fRwgJl6QYoIykP9MWnzWfrMY6_jdZWjZI3vim2wIdl5ZHYO5cflnzZ49a9ggRRB5/s640/blogger-image-1146356268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWu9S4zj0SfhlrvPaoyY7agRXchn8I6gi4n7FQKj1OCiCI60f6mhgRo9-Cxuo57O9er_nSalLPFU_7fRwgJl6QYoIykP9MWnzWfrMY6_jdZWjZI3vim2wIdl5ZHYO5cflnzZ49a9ggRRB5/s640/blogger-image-1146356268.jpg"></a></div><br></div>hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-75064342288249704182015-06-23T22:32:00.001-05:002015-06-23T22:32:36.951-05:00Summer 2015: June Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">June is almost over and one of my many summer plans was to blog more, but I am a slow learner when it comes to life and time with a toddler!</span></div><div><br></div><div>Our precious mess has been on the go. We have had some really tough challenges in this stage and a whole lot of fun. It's like I always say: parenting is just intense. It's intense highs and intense lows - it's everything, intensified. Because you're dealing with a person! </div><div><br></div><div>Per usual, my photo situation is hard to access because of computer overload issues. I'll include what I can get to.</div><div><br></div><div>We've had a magical Boerne summer so far. We've hit up Longhorn, Jonah danced till he dropped at the German band concert, we ate gourmet popcorn and watched The Lego Movie in the park, we've been to the pool every day we've been here and it's open (and not storming), we've ruined and fixed one car in the heavy rains we've had, are group swim class drop outs and semi-private lesson victors, said goodbye to dear friends, we've been to McKenna Children's Museum, the La Cantera playground, Chik Fil A, and lots of Library days, we've read, read, read, blown 1.4 million bubbles, patted 19 dogs, counted 17 windmills (and watched the DVD about them an equal number of times), thrown 72.5 two-year-old size tantrums, discovered the joy of a flashlight, eaten frozen yogurt, had an absolute blast visiting the "beesh" with Oma and Opa, (I) listened to a great audio book from the library, made plans to write a book about how life is (probably) still worth living without wood floors, and, lest you have been living under a rock and think teachers don't do anything in the summer, done some school work.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyZ4i9lnPeJRIn8uW9CNoMq213s8GpjKrTEs6lav_UfayXIPNEXHJsZn6NkRzEeLvl9rR_Ecl8Rd2mfE1W-DHzokreR4PPUOPm6x2LFmfYGhlXva73A03szK57FHIMO6v9I8rKlMUKWz_/s640/blogger-image--1790780209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyZ4i9lnPeJRIn8uW9CNoMq213s8GpjKrTEs6lav_UfayXIPNEXHJsZn6NkRzEeLvl9rR_Ecl8Rd2mfE1W-DHzokreR4PPUOPm6x2LFmfYGhlXva73A03szK57FHIMO6v9I8rKlMUKWz_/s640/blogger-image--1790780209.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIdCyw6R07uYgwZjQCNStxl_bX68BaPIJqtdLuYPQ9bXIRB50HdGNWA0C7GPH8k0iUV625iGYLxfPxbHk-g0K7KLnpaOviXbwq10jZieQ-ZylevyNWXe8VnJWTCgDxMq49bstaMxJxefD/s640/blogger-image-2037557182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIdCyw6R07uYgwZjQCNStxl_bX68BaPIJqtdLuYPQ9bXIRB50HdGNWA0C7GPH8k0iUV625iGYLxfPxbHk-g0K7KLnpaOviXbwq10jZieQ-ZylevyNWXe8VnJWTCgDxMq49bstaMxJxefD/s640/blogger-image-2037557182.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmM5ZMpDwDfrNZ35OR0WMAgSw3LDwbTN_KgOUZRmM5J8O5Y6eGSgol5_76GbKLpZNk2jYM9EBWxmarTpFsW_OOU0YhXTxP6LFD5Qs_ySy72TmbeJR1Y2eJLEFRq4wpaIgEO-aRH0ozKti/s640/blogger-image-569987904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OrSgHw_WzxaCQiJpyQ1ld_AMKOuixSJh5gBagCa67JF0bTTow3ZlRut7BjFDtUv6_oZOEwd5-Dg2DFUzqcNwejV8alCbmWdI6IeyZXyinlrqGVuWwyMIhzwgb6yXhCwyoNCzc-Q6hmQ5/s640/blogger-image-565127632.jpg"></a></div><br></div>hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-86775597806857971002015-06-03T21:08:00.001-05:002015-06-03T21:27:40.802-05:00Favorite Things: Books EditionHere are a few of my favorite books right now:<div><br></div><div>Seeing as how it took me a full school year to get through one book (Elizabeth the Queen), I am having a thrill ride gobbling up as many books as I can. </div><div><br></div><div>Here was the first chow down, and it rivals Lewis. Need I say more?</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguz-5B_7kTwEzLMVuqM-BC1rQhyOIo_xY6aNg3DtPkYW9GQjpGFhjPxGKigAPu2X5m22RNwIy0hlQTM05LUYOF21fxhD47ICMHP4zhhHe_b0uN7jjvoRweK6bxn3j-k_7fFNs2pGujMuZi/s640/blogger-image-1886512874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguz-5B_7kTwEzLMVuqM-BC1rQhyOIo_xY6aNg3DtPkYW9GQjpGFhjPxGKigAPu2X5m22RNwIy0hlQTM05LUYOF21fxhD47ICMHP4zhhHe_b0uN7jjvoRweK6bxn3j-k_7fFNs2pGujMuZi/s640/blogger-image-1886512874.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Then I landed on a delightful rendition of a Scottish myth by my favorite, Alexander McCall Smith. Thank goodness for the toddler I naively brought with me to the second, quiet, studious floor of the library (who discovered if you push books they fall out the other side of the shelf), or I might never have decided to grab it (or have worked up a sweat in the library).</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiREHaAi0nkoPJ5IZHxEmwtmna_8oF19HYu7ikaHNAKCipy_O1-AZFDg31SFRdJmvAYvYl0SWqhrdEfADlNUqDGpFz2NM93FaW6-Wza0jkdu7nbjIBFvkNIRKwr_7T51Isk4_2wpu6-9l/s640/blogger-image--1001146897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiREHaAi0nkoPJ5IZHxEmwtmna_8oF19HYu7ikaHNAKCipy_O1-AZFDg31SFRdJmvAYvYl0SWqhrdEfADlNUqDGpFz2NM93FaW6-Wza0jkdu7nbjIBFvkNIRKwr_7T51Isk4_2wpu6-9l/s640/blogger-image--1001146897.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The book above on the right, Jesus Outside the Lines, is my current read, recommended by a pastor friend, and it is nothing short of fantastic. It is challenging and apt. I love when someone is gifted with truly shedding light on a facet of our culture and our selves, and Sauls does that here beautifully and not in the tiring way often used to critique our world, but in the very manner he proposes: that of truly loving the recipient of his message and first understanding and empathizing with where he or she is coming from.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Next on my favorite reads right now is this gem - another refreshing call to clear thinking. I like to keep a book on my Kindle phone app for unexpected waiting times, but apparently lines around Boerne have been quick (or I've been too busy shielding all the M&Ms in the checkout lanes from aforementioned toddler) because this screen shot from my phone says my reading speed is 1%.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlJmHoL4GvgerLwKNMfc5cyeW3rzqvq7sp9nwrwVd1QdLtWgDnLH_C2GaFoj0TFo_-YmSNpKybIwdPyGU7srmQwKQTY6Ad6YDDrbAWaCkEkn7RAwewxuPDuU_Wls6w3sVoi2ejBMl594F/s640/blogger-image--385250300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlJmHoL4GvgerLwKNMfc5cyeW3rzqvq7sp9nwrwVd1QdLtWgDnLH_C2GaFoj0TFo_-YmSNpKybIwdPyGU7srmQwKQTY6Ad6YDDrbAWaCkEkn7RAwewxuPDuU_Wls6w3sVoi2ejBMl594F/s640/blogger-image--385250300.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And for Jonah, we have loved what seems to be a bigger selection of board books from our library recently. He's been excited for new books, which has been fun for us (I know - two teacher parents happy for reading enthusiasm. It's shocking, I realize). That's really just our cover, though. The truth is, Netflix is a huge flop right now so that's why I'm all about reading. Aside from the four episode delight I found called "The Brian Boitano Project" about a home restoration in Italy, it's all mere distraction. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">(No, home restoration stories are not mere distraction. They are true stories, and mirror our own spiritual journey of alone to claimed, of empty to inhabited. They are redemptive and inspiring.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">(Yes, I just justified watching HGTV with biblical concepts. I would do it again. I can do the same for any meaningless purchase - just call me.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yet in all seriousness, perhaps there is a time and place to slow down on reading and start to focus on some other skills.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiI_d3lYFJRDAi1kg6lBXPgeHfXtfos_jKVdygsseEX7pQDx-A1_of0A06LMz2V5StiTt63E-LJBMQ6huh8MSdfiWRAojugnEwCg5CY_qMFjM0TRU53P-j4D0a-WMCsxLpXH_buhSAEY6g/s640/blogger-image--961250101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiI_d3lYFJRDAi1kg6lBXPgeHfXtfos_jKVdygsseEX7pQDx-A1_of0A06LMz2V5StiTt63E-LJBMQ6huh8MSdfiWRAojugnEwCg5CY_qMFjM0TRU53P-j4D0a-WMCsxLpXH_buhSAEY6g/s640/blogger-image--961250101.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Really, I can only assume I've been using a mouse the wrong way all these years. Happy summer!</div>hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-68759732572969859912015-04-10T21:57:00.001-05:002015-04-10T22:02:07.553-05:00As the Windmill TurnsIt's been two months since I've last updated but it feels like two weeks. This is how I know I'm getting old. Also, I can't fit myself gracefully into a child size tent anymore and I've started researching products for my face. <div><br></div><div>But I'm sitting here listening to Melanie Shankle's new book (thus my writing style may sound like hers - I have a tendency to chameleon and possibly haven't found my "voice" as my eighth grade English teacher, Mrs. Coffee, said we should all do), and am texting with one of my best friends and can't seem to get up off the couch to actually go to bed. </div><div><br></div><div>So, I might as well blog.</div><div><br></div><div>If you're reading this from Facebook, that means you're friends with me on Facebook and that means you've already seen most of these pics and heard most of these stories. But for the sake of archiving and not failing to live up to the over documentation standards of the twenty-teens, here goes.</div><div><br></div><div>For spring break we went to the Lubbock windmill museum. Because who doesn't plan their vacation around what an 18 month old is interested in? It was a precious little family trip, and relatively easy given that we were the only car headed TO Lubbock for spring break. Once we were there though it was apparent how sick Howard was, I may have made him change our hotel from the sketchy side of Lubbock to a less sketchy side of Lubbock, and things generally seemed to get hard.</div><div><br></div><div>But we persevered and oh was it worth it. After a stop in Abilene to spend the night with Great Gape, a pullover in Roscoe to see the wind farm, and a sweet night catching up with my dad's side of the family, we spent the whole next day touring the American Wind Power Museum and left with trinkets and books and a documentary about windmills that has been on a loop at our house ever since and that my parents claim "is really well done and even won a Telly." They've seen it, because if you spend any time with us at all, and they have, you watch the windmill DVD.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEv98Sxnj_xBE4atL6dIgjTs1W-8xn99tomvJoZHodEwY8aRFB8zQ4qqmEEGSBiYy4CA3kGgn7PN7E-OcAswi9YZR8J1J9Vw67QTVHoYdtgogce-Mb8w6yZwMHtL3uol_DivZm_Ep4e6AJ/s640/blogger-image--1620316923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEv98Sxnj_xBE4atL6dIgjTs1W-8xn99tomvJoZHodEwY8aRFB8zQ4qqmEEGSBiYy4CA3kGgn7PN7E-OcAswi9YZR8J1J9Vw67QTVHoYdtgogce-Mb8w6yZwMHtL3uol_DivZm_Ep4e6AJ/s640/blogger-image--1620316923.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Jonah's windmill obsession has even inspired aspiring artists and real artists! I started this knife painting for him:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFZq5j_moIvoct4abLanSrh9XP9fIWaOXzA9aKVYQHLf8-rCg_sa20GQHScPoxg5qRE-rMXMrbtBiDrcFtYxeW19LMf7mWpVaSCBpZ5fvIrKDh21TewL0JGPVuheXFLqnb7_IAuCp1oOP/s640/blogger-image--706488321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFZq5j_moIvoct4abLanSrh9XP9fIWaOXzA9aKVYQHLf8-rCg_sa20GQHScPoxg5qRE-rMXMrbtBiDrcFtYxeW19LMf7mWpVaSCBpZ5fvIrKDh21TewL0JGPVuheXFLqnb7_IAuCp1oOP/s640/blogger-image--706488321.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And our kind friend Paul De Luna, who actually knows what he's doing as evidenced by the fact that he does it for a living, is sketching this for Jo:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPsjXReZ-zYLJFOKJ5qUth87-xZTjTkzyqoTXPjXXN2UQb6c-TVVVBaPetkal_amf4rtNLxt38G0I6MVcfkV4jr8q5wEtBV2t95ONEhNyktxEtNkJZklLHXxENXT1TRHme7ZNP0tv6A5-/s640/blogger-image--1177500608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPsjXReZ-zYLJFOKJ5qUth87-xZTjTkzyqoTXPjXXN2UQb6c-TVVVBaPetkal_amf4rtNLxt38G0I6MVcfkV4jr8q5wEtBV2t95ONEhNyktxEtNkJZklLHXxENXT1TRHme7ZNP0tv6A5-/s640/blogger-image--1177500608.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's a sweet, exhausting time. My house is never clean. It's a chore to feed people - particularly because one needs several different meal options, one has certain health requirements (butter is ALL NATURAL people, get on board with me here) and because one doesn't actually get the chance to eat anything but has heard rumors of people dying if they don't so stuffs the non-windmill part of a cut-out peanut butter and jelly sandwich in her mouth or takes the last of the chicken nuggets and chips only to return most of that after discovering that it's soggy because someone else has already almost eaten it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And it's just like my dad said it would be: everything is sticky. I didn't know what he was talking about but it's become so true. Everything. Every surface in our home is sticky. And the disturbing part is I don't really know what it's from. It could be Children's Tylenol. It could be finger painted yogurt after deciding spoons were too cumbersome. But most likely, it's my spilled coffee. I can't multitask when I hear the cat being pulled by her tail because she's been mistaken yet again for a stuffed animal. The poor thing. This was supposed to be <i>her</i> castle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But I wouldn't trade the sticky and the tired and all this newfound knowledge of windmills (like the mechanics of the pumping cylinder or the fact that the Halladay Standard was the first self-governing windmill) for all the world. And I especially wouldn't trade last night when I have Jonah a funky hair do in the bath, showed him, and he flipped out, fearing it was permanent. I had to show him the final product before he stopped calling for Papa. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UvqzPzNYO9I588A7aTAZiMPxhHzmXqAQ8KoTyGPlRRw-GqbQXHOasNvaFyDCs1IHc_IN6XTsQ8Pub5i1HyqDCIImkB_i-FX-60nXbbf95ZyNYFYqEGaA_FStHVIqIzZiEYkYg6BsIqSA/s640/blogger-image-676862667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UvqzPzNYO9I588A7aTAZiMPxhHzmXqAQ8KoTyGPlRRw-GqbQXHOasNvaFyDCs1IHc_IN6XTsQ8Pub5i1HyqDCIImkB_i-FX-60nXbbf95ZyNYFYqEGaA_FStHVIqIzZiEYkYg6BsIqSA/s640/blogger-image-676862667.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Nor would I trade watching him savor with giggles and sheer delight his first blueberry bagel while we strolled around HEB...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYH3JmkVUcCSScfrU7Buhk-kjpp4LL0SmI4nOWWTYvlGhQgY5g82sg5mp4hHKq22rJ2JqgT4nPWx-Q-MbNWoMjvgPyIWfC6_biSaqBAfSF7hUNupEVh05gWYREi-YkRBQr_IbjMJm49bj/s640/blogger-image-731613518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYH3JmkVUcCSScfrU7Buhk-kjpp4LL0SmI4nOWWTYvlGhQgY5g82sg5mp4hHKq22rJ2JqgT4nPWx-Q-MbNWoMjvgPyIWfC6_biSaqBAfSF7hUNupEVh05gWYREi-YkRBQr_IbjMJm49bj/s640/blogger-image-731613518.jpg"></a></div><br></div>or watching him pose with pride next to the tent I am sure he absolutely thinks he assembled...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWddBnjuVCLNGn7xEBsRIHp3Xi9r3SdDSTKcdqvBKyvO9qUHdgz4H1wmWFb40Q0CzB37KoFYXTGUR1aDosJtJ5S6Q6IschKp9ojO4Y6d52nQmUiNIxcB8OqcsxinH1uaBpB18b-MIkvPZk/s640/blogger-image--1140544945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWddBnjuVCLNGn7xEBsRIHp3Xi9r3SdDSTKcdqvBKyvO9qUHdgz4H1wmWFb40Q0CzB37KoFYXTGUR1aDosJtJ5S6Q6IschKp9ojO4Y6d52nQmUiNIxcB8OqcsxinH1uaBpB18b-MIkvPZk/s640/blogger-image--1140544945.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">...or snuggling with me on a rainy morning, or reviewing all the animal sounds (the owl saying "owwwwl" is my personal favorite), or patting me goodnight at the day's end...because this IS the world. I already have it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And this leaves me to conclude once and for all that I will actually be the crazy lady in "I'll Love You Forever" who hikes up a ladder to her grown son's window in the middle of the night so she can rock him. Because that's completely normal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-41824668199403709532015-02-15T21:41:00.001-06:002015-02-15T22:03:49.820-06:00How to Live With the Emotionally Unstable<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkUGX-zYjlPIKXB2ftLr1PTAThwK8wr-vGvrNafskMHK_NQzzUqkLVnfE3q6Yfe1kbTTdE0R-y0mZVhj9CcfCGRjT7NoBpyASS8Udv1I_2eGF37NnLCV3MAWOk3tIGvuXG2UQTjdZuYLh/s640/blogger-image-61746747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1. Provide well planned projects, such as this one (though I'm not exactly sure what it is). They can be simply accomplished by storing numerous unsecured items at low levels.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkUGX-zYjlPIKXB2ftLr1PTAThwK8wr-vGvrNafskMHK_NQzzUqkLVnfE3q6Yfe1kbTTdE0R-y0mZVhj9CcfCGRjT7NoBpyASS8Udv1I_2eGF37NnLCV3MAWOk3tIGvuXG2UQTjdZuYLh/s640/blogger-image-61746747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dgwgk3zN8divUSswOqj0dm4Ux24jPMdyuqvbZt-TPDieSBAa2Ojr3YKBqG7oxT6iywnACEfkcYrl-MsorGPe-lOW2q_lgVOntbDt8PAeexSxVEEkbsxVM-ENkunsdBrEfhJPUVIciNTM/s640/blogger-image-635460949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dgwgk3zN8divUSswOqj0dm4Ux24jPMdyuqvbZt-TPDieSBAa2Ojr3YKBqG7oxT6iywnACEfkcYrl-MsorGPe-lOW2q_lgVOntbDt8PAeexSxVEEkbsxVM-ENkunsdBrEfhJPUVIciNTM/s640/blogger-image-635460949.jpg"></a></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkUGX-zYjlPIKXB2ftLr1PTAThwK8wr-vGvrNafskMHK_NQzzUqkLVnfE3q6Yfe1kbTTdE0R-y0mZVhj9CcfCGRjT7NoBpyASS8Udv1I_2eGF37NnLCV3MAWOk3tIGvuXG2UQTjdZuYLh/s640/blogger-image-61746747.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">2. Take art classes as a form of therapy...because actually going to therapy requires too much talking for late night hours like 8:00pm.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKj00ws-D7zlqMXZYcrejZRoe-IhSFQJYW5SMl_GDOCvZyWMbymW4_AGdXZ-Hd-NlpIgZv-OxwENByOLHutCdabPRb2Vaeq7Vg53ZlaZegdoPEWocaWghrDujckJlogm4IZtLCKphuGuei/s640/blogger-image-2124998747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKj00ws-D7zlqMXZYcrejZRoe-IhSFQJYW5SMl_GDOCvZyWMbymW4_AGdXZ-Hd-NlpIgZv-OxwENByOLHutCdabPRb2Vaeq7Vg53ZlaZegdoPEWocaWghrDujckJlogm4IZtLCKphuGuei/s640/blogger-image-2124998747.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">3. By the fourth attempt to feed, the EU ("Emotionally Unstable," not to be confused with "European Union") should be very well ready for a more creative factor to his food presentation. Sandwiches in animal shapes can become very predictable.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTy9Bxz8UwgEwaMTsAgeppzqkskWoweXxPRHP3hDcadGn_fl2-aYFZJXgaWAvqQitXnjSsbDBRxBcCvftb_5fPMQO9s__RExWbht50UtH0YyrwkwUQVIDv0HmzIkDQW_j8kd75s9Gw7vfC/s640/blogger-image-1397224205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTy9Bxz8UwgEwaMTsAgeppzqkskWoweXxPRHP3hDcadGn_fl2-aYFZJXgaWAvqQitXnjSsbDBRxBcCvftb_5fPMQO9s__RExWbht50UtH0YyrwkwUQVIDv0HmzIkDQW_j8kd75s9Gw7vfC/s640/blogger-image-1397224205.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">4. Connect with your like-mindedness with God and remember that He created man foreknowing he would fall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18V3TbIu7w7rUUv2CZ4ZdbCbRXRoMFJe2j0giCjts3-hxW38ccG9o2O3W65SFRRJza2OvVUigSzG3WE2DHPWzNx12_j6zatRYZHivCAhJV37HgatFXv1Q80l-9F5moXwfrqE7g2-HF87l/s640/blogger-image--2115931404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18V3TbIu7w7rUUv2CZ4ZdbCbRXRoMFJe2j0giCjts3-hxW38ccG9o2O3W65SFRRJza2OvVUigSzG3WE2DHPWzNx12_j6zatRYZHivCAhJV37HgatFXv1Q80l-9F5moXwfrqE7g2-HF87l/s640/blogger-image--2115931404.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">5. Yes, that's a meal time in front of the television. It became more important that he get some food in him than how exactly that happened. Sometimes when a Nazi knocks on your door and you lie to protect the Jew you're hiding you have some higher moral priorities too, so hush. Oh and yes - he's eating off the builder grade carpet. See previous example about lying to a Nazi.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">6. Provide plenty of animal experiences for the EU. For example, catback riding has been shown to greatly aid those dealing with emotional instability. However, beware there may be some cases in which the rider and the cat don't 'gel.'<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcsP-lPen5uEXItIV2uroKD2mauDlSrKkJmIM3_XHsaPP_GZQq18OZvSMCW57Zer_AU83C1ZksRxZckVVeKyCSBq0Wjar-3yhCNemFw_g8RLbLL10-KzOKA1yd13pVN-Z-zXsXNM2dUkb/s640/blogger-image-1679172364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcsP-lPen5uEXItIV2uroKD2mauDlSrKkJmIM3_XHsaPP_GZQq18OZvSMCW57Zer_AU83C1ZksRxZckVVeKyCSBq0Wjar-3yhCNemFw_g8RLbLL10-KzOKA1yd13pVN-Z-zXsXNM2dUkb/s640/blogger-image-1679172364.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">7. Find a stable, committed man who can keep a cool head.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPz7uzMmOa7FCdpwylU6wmqSGWpMMRuOJun5K4qPIpNoEJTFV6LvR6wBjTck2h-_bgD-B-BhyphenhyphendjZlyy9AUKUaLXfA_Mz55FJMjONlfpK2LjOj6hwjbCQKNuiLGXXL2X4xsWeZsKJ5z5c0/s640/blogger-image-603555345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPz7uzMmOa7FCdpwylU6wmqSGWpMMRuOJun5K4qPIpNoEJTFV6LvR6wBjTck2h-_bgD-B-BhyphenhyphendjZlyy9AUKUaLXfA_Mz55FJMjONlfpK2LjOj6hwjbCQKNuiLGXXL2X4xsWeZsKJ5z5c0/s640/blogger-image-603555345.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">8. Ensure the EU has a steady supply of refined sugar. If you get behind in this area, don't panic. Do quickly and calmly find the nearest emergency shelter and take cover. True Paleo living is learning how to flee.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh836T60v011d1TV_TEh7L5oYq_7Z4dY140oalLjL_jpJ2gQeGL7ufcoXjhw0D_WziuM60ySsUIGrC8Yps902n55O_LYm1EyDmZt0bt2vgwxR3EOb3gkpy_wvCObu0VBWe60hCp2SEqQJYc/s640/blogger-image-36982457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh836T60v011d1TV_TEh7L5oYq_7Z4dY140oalLjL_jpJ2gQeGL7ufcoXjhw0D_WziuM60ySsUIGrC8Yps902n55O_LYm1EyDmZt0bt2vgwxR3EOb3gkpy_wvCObu0VBWe60hCp2SEqQJYc/s640/blogger-image-36982457.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> 9. Enjoy the moments of joy that remind you of the fulfillment you had in bringing home the EU from the alien ship that landed in your backyard. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoEC_KJ5SfdKK09N9DUIKgWtmfyZWoU2n5KfO0_w19TTVJfafswpa4xA92tjE6wqAGaq8XSoymhSIwAC3lHZZEDVsuFLsasgvNaXhJpE3a8j0Ie7VValYBYHy3sjCRGl9Husu6Q9u1FFf/s640/blogger-image--21812491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoEC_KJ5SfdKK09N9DUIKgWtmfyZWoU2n5KfO0_w19TTVJfafswpa4xA92tjE6wqAGaq8XSoymhSIwAC3lHZZEDVsuFLsasgvNaXhJpE3a8j0Ie7VValYBYHy3sjCRGl9Husu6Q9u1FFf/s640/blogger-image--21812491.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">10. Stay up until wee hours of the night preparing for a special 13.2 seconds of excitement for the EU for a holiday that isn't really supposed to be a big deal, so you think, making it a big deal is extra special so not making it a big deal isn't an option because the EU will take no prisoners!! I mean takes prisoners!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3f5CJSNkP_8vet9AKiwo1i68fU6YJXWG6HQ4E5APsVsIXjwX6Let63ahXf0czrk1oOcHg4UrpdpARyqETa63bWUTWwpSbkHctir70Fc9lwibFQy7Bj5ztgMksWP_uOM57q_pb57XXBcTJ/s640/blogger-image-1147212444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3f5CJSNkP_8vet9AKiwo1i68fU6YJXWG6HQ4E5APsVsIXjwX6Let63ahXf0czrk1oOcHg4UrpdpARyqETa63bWUTWwpSbkHctir70Fc9lwibFQy7Bj5ztgMksWP_uOM57q_pb57XXBcTJ/s640/blogger-image-1147212444.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgAxJLhBTOaq_XT2uJf6MB4lx58wpHVVQSdyflxv8tYn7ar5GmaxkfSQYMUpZPHNkrHEouUFhpsM7RuRJj_L6JCiNpfmhwpc30WYH4giy96Fk9UdvXFipGER4Z1NJbCw8Gk46vOzKJJBJ/s640/blogger-image--1697248159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgAxJLhBTOaq_XT2uJf6MB4lx58wpHVVQSdyflxv8tYn7ar5GmaxkfSQYMUpZPHNkrHEouUFhpsM7RuRJj_L6JCiNpfmhwpc30WYH4giy96Fk9UdvXFipGER4Z1NJbCw8Gk46vOzKJJBJ/s640/blogger-image--1697248159.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">11. Admit that you are the EU. Send the smaller EU to work on a ranch while you begin the recovery process.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPK3ZNoInyNjZc1rTrd7aX7FFAkb0myONQDr2uQpoFiAZ7RC6btWRU5ZCdlzNbv7RocxmQY6N0yB43hqneb_J-7QZ7qBPvAOnCVdbgJc5PeWvT3gz6Yp2qAH7-7o4M0hN6u62hhJKKDnAo/s640/blogger-image--56827071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPK3ZNoInyNjZc1rTrd7aX7FFAkb0myONQDr2uQpoFiAZ7RC6btWRU5ZCdlzNbv7RocxmQY6N0yB43hqneb_J-7QZ7qBPvAOnCVdbgJc5PeWvT3gz6Yp2qAH7-7o4M0hN6u62hhJKKDnAo/s640/blogger-image--56827071.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsmESYiesuUR3mnsEjWpsVYrQ7eTh562S8SQ4qdgYisFMZaeXtTZMAqGzE0mGb7mRW7TQ25xm1EGu0-ojongL0SiejAFBiy1HBjqWkpl84DgRvB_fik1wCR_KKOXlBv1Qb8FC6SDIRYPt/s640/blogger-image--802332851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsmESYiesuUR3mnsEjWpsVYrQ7eTh562S8SQ4qdgYisFMZaeXtTZMAqGzE0mGb7mRW7TQ25xm1EGu0-ojongL0SiejAFBiy1HBjqWkpl84DgRvB_fik1wCR_KKOXlBv1Qb8FC6SDIRYPt/s640/blogger-image--802332851.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div></div>hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-88879363677421651462015-02-09T19:20:00.001-06:002015-02-09T19:22:57.884-06:00Something Rather Than Nothing<div>Recently in one of my courses I've been leading students through the Craig / Krauss debate entitled "Life, the Universe, and Nothing." Of course one of the ancient questions of "Why is there something rather than nothing" comes into play at one point as Craig tries to show Krauss that science can't answer that. </div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This post will be nothing like that debate.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Nonetheless, while baby boy is getting all the day's cookies hosed off of him allow me to share some things I thought would look like huge accomplishments once posted that are apparently really very normal. I guess the fact that there's something rather than nothing is itself the huge accomplishment. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I have been watching Pioneer Woman on Netflix and am a tad obsessed. My mother in law doesn't get it, but that's because she is the real Pioneer Woman. For those of us who think pizza rolls from the freezer are dinner, it's really fun to watch and start to cook through. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So, I made her Bowtie Pasta Chicken Alfredo. I made mine with chicken sausage like my friend does.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_x_NYJxQc5afiXO8LYXNQkdhL8yCiLLUsuCA_mNEAF4X01l7FbpwwO-1PLqD6nC5gKcnFAi80qeErSUhA0u9oWtMHAqDdDnYyNkNybaF2uHU9rIDLgGTRuocYGUcPqap2yeLw3gQpYCuU/s640/blogger-image--819046036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_x_NYJxQc5afiXO8LYXNQkdhL8yCiLLUsuCA_mNEAF4X01l7FbpwwO-1PLqD6nC5gKcnFAi80qeErSUhA0u9oWtMHAqDdDnYyNkNybaF2uHU9rIDLgGTRuocYGUcPqap2yeLw3gQpYCuU/s640/blogger-image--819046036.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Ok awesome. I made dinner.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Next on the list of exciting: Valentine's treats for Jonah's little classmates.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I bought these inexpensive bags at Walmart and used a white paint pen to write on them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9WSDtSG1CiyhCmNMZCDoryIAeCZcte2PW2ZlueHO4Fr9Ff5MZQYJNaySqTxqbtr63KeS_-9LMN8dEaVeHYd_pPTfdvHhw-ov52EoCRdI7R6lURHc7heP_T8AE-znSgLy-GPejy3b6Dtm/s640/blogger-image-447786361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9WSDtSG1CiyhCmNMZCDoryIAeCZcte2PW2ZlueHO4Fr9Ff5MZQYJNaySqTxqbtr63KeS_-9LMN8dEaVeHYd_pPTfdvHhw-ov52EoCRdI7R6lURHc7heP_T8AE-znSgLy-GPejy3b6Dtm/s640/blogger-image-447786361.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I filled them each with one bath time toy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTw80_VWi4Ygwdqz6n-CEszXt4k6kd-IVKJbvtAfA5Q64zixADNUbFEzqj0ml4lUNXS4lIHOMWVDqN2WayQj1kjtts_GUpfHzaxPITUo0ic2_Gjl-9zT3HmbZ6igJXCcq1oQZYt7hr0JxK/s640/blogger-image-239680865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTw80_VWi4Ygwdqz6n-CEszXt4k6kd-IVKJbvtAfA5Q64zixADNUbFEzqj0ml4lUNXS4lIHOMWVDqN2WayQj1kjtts_GUpfHzaxPITUo0ic2_Gjl-9zT3HmbZ6igJXCcq1oQZYt7hr0JxK/s640/blogger-image-239680865.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">At first they didn't fit. I may have gone into a slight panic that I was the worst mom ever. Then I looked at the chevron and the chalkboard going on and told Pinterest to shove it. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And that's exactly what I did with the toys and made it work.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkva0dMPLceVMUy3kIT4GfAFDSbibFMW7aQPPRM_diX1thV26rlPuQWqv5nk3nBuVLKqdR3l-WhHzygxTBn9WvSfBZw3LixjL-lB3hWXzq1oAy7rHT77IEBgyH15wBSI9dAkqu9a5P0gd/s640/blogger-image-355110578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkva0dMPLceVMUy3kIT4GfAFDSbibFMW7aQPPRM_diX1thV26rlPuQWqv5nk3nBuVLKqdR3l-WhHzygxTBn9WvSfBZw3LixjL-lB3hWXzq1oAy7rHT77IEBgyH15wBSI9dAkqu9a5P0gd/s640/blogger-image-355110578.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I was feeling pretty good until I realized I didn't have enough bathtub toys. Repeat the worst mom / best mom scenario from above.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I pulled out some unopened door stoppers for the rest of the treats and solved crisis número dos.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">It takes a Master's degree, people.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">It was a gorgeous day so after I made the week's cookies (I feel insecure if there aren't baked goods in our cake dome), we played and played outside with Jo.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">That is, until, I couldn't get him to stop checking the mailboxes and had to haul him, the mail, the keys, my phone, and oh...the most awkward red rider bike / trike / stroller apparatus from around the corner to our house. It was perhaps the most difficult trip back from a mailbox ever made.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Jonah was kicking and screaming and after all sorts of cajoling, including trying to shed some light on the situation by telling him some people in the world are being persecuted for their faith and we are just trying to get to the freshly baked chocolate chip cookies at home, I gave up.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">For some reason (probably the reasons) my efforts didn't work so I had to hoist the not so tiny human up like a firewood log and just trek it out.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJtjDILZVkR_x_pWr1ZW1C6HQmTCkv4uvv6ZDDJOHjcg1UvmOkyhgTXMypdIVe3VG6zWhvkyOVg0XfG3ww5T8Q4e4oD962OJwuzx19rYQMoe27bACyt9RHxQPbx9V4JnQR8L4urfCWsp0/s640/blogger-image-1135665646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJtjDILZVkR_x_pWr1ZW1C6HQmTCkv4uvv6ZDDJOHjcg1UvmOkyhgTXMypdIVe3VG6zWhvkyOVg0XfG3ww5T8Q4e4oD962OJwuzx19rYQMoe27bACyt9RHxQPbx9V4JnQR8L4urfCWsp0/s640/blogger-image-1135665646.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchdhOp_VMA5ybbBflhjLvZGZRe6Ri5j4q18DCPiMlsPP-kE76ZAOv3dgbG4u3KBQSsPPWUXlyfOR37Iz_-sgcO865nLPMsfHtnksFiXM_YZIOjZvzI2lskfBKFEVCi2shBCfAEIt-dnYg/s640/blogger-image--1330339651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchdhOp_VMA5ybbBflhjLvZGZRe6Ri5j4q18DCPiMlsPP-kE76ZAOv3dgbG4u3KBQSsPPWUXlyfOR37Iz_-sgcO865nLPMsfHtnksFiXM_YZIOjZvzI2lskfBKFEVCi2shBCfAEIt-dnYg/s640/blogger-image--1330339651.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Hey. It's something. That's better than nothing. (But not better than just WALKING HOME.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-65579675620091906772015-02-07T13:01:00.001-06:002015-02-07T13:01:03.992-06:00Getaway done rightWe just had a fabulous staycation in downtown San Antonio. Allow me to relive before the plumber arrives to gut my kitchen on a mission to find what's leaking (ugh).<div><br></div><div>We ate at La Frite, my FAVORITE restaurant this side of the pond. Seriously it's the best. It's a Belgian café with a quirky casual, intimate atmosphere and haute cuisine. We had time to linger, drink La Fite, eat savory brie and Vol Au Vent de Poulet ended by chocolate mousse...sigh. I mean does it get any better?</div><div><br></div><div>I even tried mushrooms with my vol au vent. I figured it was only fair if I'm asking Jonah to try new foods.</div><div><br></div><div>Then we stayed a hotel downtown - The Pear Tree. We had our own queen beds and slept with both ears closed. For me, that meant 11 hours straight.</div><div><br></div><div>We do things right.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgbY_JPCPVJKCDmwAuo473dkeAc-dEUX5fG1NiU9N-ffU_nB420es9DOpysFAcBmQseMxHVzJbw2eLxPro7Oru0ezclnW4CuNg0F6SVOZLXqNc4SBVvZirqNa2fWJfu2Bb8eHAna23yrj/s640/blogger-image--1154226724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgbY_JPCPVJKCDmwAuo473dkeAc-dEUX5fG1NiU9N-ffU_nB420es9DOpysFAcBmQseMxHVzJbw2eLxPro7Oru0ezclnW4CuNg0F6SVOZLXqNc4SBVvZirqNa2fWJfu2Bb8eHAna23yrj/s640/blogger-image--1154226724.jpg"></a></div>(Howard doesn't do selfies. So I just do them for him.)</div>hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-3258025772589159142015-02-04T21:50:00.000-06:002015-02-04T21:50:11.388-06:00From the Twilight ZoneMy last post was on January 3, and that feels like it was about 3 days ago. Luckily I was brought back from the toddler twilight zone into reality from the slight heart attack I had when I thought I'd lost all of my photos tonight.<br />
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"No photos" are simply not words to live by.<br />
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Sweet boy is sleeping soundly, I'm pretending the Pioneer Woman on my TV is actually here cooking for me, and I am resting in the peace that is knowing I have found my photos. Life is extra sweet when you have solved a first world problem.<br />
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Jonah is 17 months now. SEVENTEEN. He weighs 28.2 pounds and though I haven't measured, he's half my height and he's just about outgrown his 2T sized clothes. <br />
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And he is VOCAL. He has a lot of meaningful gibberish. Though I'm certainly no expert, I'm pretty sure he speaks Klingon. <br />
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And boy is he busy. BOY alone describes it. We have crayon on every surface in our home (including on our skin and clothes), there's rarely toilet paper still on the roll, we are missing several items that used to be on our nightstands (a phone, necklaces, a bookmark), and we pretty much run around meeting demands and fearing the alternative. There's a lot of consoling, a lot of cuddling, and a lot of trying to communicate in English, French, or unofficial sign language / dancing / miming / facial expressions with someone who is clearly not from here and likes things done in a completely different way than makes sense to us.<br />
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It's utterly exhausting. It's the best.<br />
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I leave you with this 1 month old preciousness...because it's the easiest to access right now in the crowded abyss that is my computer.<br />
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<br />hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-43350451941512121712015-01-03T22:43:00.001-06:002015-01-03T22:50:58.231-06:00Christmas 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbapBocfvIsT_hryUSqInmBtIcMWnoOJgGQxh8PFpfnIGzpFicH18wRay-Lh4xxQ3kGRjn4413AJy_HHAKuvw05dhhepBKEXAb7patZwYmGwMgPN48o2-AVKhe9G2zm5YyxKiDKWpo0qnN/s640/blogger-image--1319735564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbapBocfvIsT_hryUSqInmBtIcMWnoOJgGQxh8PFpfnIGzpFicH18wRay-Lh4xxQ3kGRjn4413AJy_HHAKuvw05dhhepBKEXAb7patZwYmGwMgPN48o2-AVKhe9G2zm5YyxKiDKWpo0qnN/s640/blogger-image--1319735564.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>We've had the most magical Christmas! It was already made when I received news at the start of break that I did NOT have to have surgery on my shoulder (due to an injury from the car wreck we were in over Thanksgiving). Thankfully, the MRI showed damage that can be repaired with physical therapy alone. I still can't lift Jonah well, have a lot of pain, and the added appointments during the week are already wearing on us even over the break, but mercy am I grateful for not having to recover from surgery - and for being alive at all after that experience. It could have been so much worse, and it has made me soak up my time at home with my little family that much more these past couple of weeks. The whole experience has given me new awareness for the people I know who live with life-changing disabilities from accidents that weren't their fault. I was preparing to accept a new normal for only the six month period it would have taken to recover (with a 16 month old) from surgery. I can't imagine having your life changed forever. It's amazing how much our bodies impact our every day.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgpuBTjYGsNGvaCjHlgSDiutqgfd7BzKeE-ye7_tLeiquP82FspUctG6wSrLqX8njMZjVCx7v2xX8vd6gW8iVdwuUDTOCJDjiyP30nMe951IQQk1_U4g2kLSjvWEm0fNPBQ5cZgpsGpXW/s640/blogger-image-1908990035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgpuBTjYGsNGvaCjHlgSDiutqgfd7BzKeE-ye7_tLeiquP82FspUctG6wSrLqX8njMZjVCx7v2xX8vd6gW8iVdwuUDTOCJDjiyP30nMe951IQQk1_U4g2kLSjvWEm0fNPBQ5cZgpsGpXW/s640/blogger-image-1908990035.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br><div><br><div>Well, we are so fortunate to have had a big combined celebration at Oma and Opa's. We had an ugly Christmas sweater contest and a white elephant gift exchange. It was a grand time with lots of laughs. I am so glad my people - Nonni and Grandpa and my brother Greg could be here!! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzjObWkkK-2_OfmL_s2NYnF0TnRN5Au9EMB_wo426rbR8SyrSjRguosrIQBOI2qnkoxGa2RqnbAcG8nsCIdsPdMfa1kLWCQmqT_5IM0W6DSc5swQmWvqTuwDsLCw-lrJzSBUkeij2prbJ/s640/blogger-image-1226964515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzjObWkkK-2_OfmL_s2NYnF0TnRN5Au9EMB_wo426rbR8SyrSjRguosrIQBOI2qnkoxGa2RqnbAcG8nsCIdsPdMfa1kLWCQmqT_5IM0W6DSc5swQmWvqTuwDsLCw-lrJzSBUkeij2prbJ/s640/blogger-image-1226964515.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_yqfnUexjVBh5y13h2XKyXcmAAYE6IrB_q6I4B_xqktleODVIvb1Bb7fbWG369t6NfljAyp1VTiTv1aL-07U4X13R9FFlIYcuWrr2Temzj8_je-nExh7Wdh4IfULWGT2uBlSnZLRQMlT/s640/blogger-image-1338166932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_yqfnUexjVBh5y13h2XKyXcmAAYE6IrB_q6I4B_xqktleODVIvb1Bb7fbWG369t6NfljAyp1VTiTv1aL-07U4X13R9FFlIYcuWrr2Temzj8_je-nExh7Wdh4IfULWGT2uBlSnZLRQMlT/s640/blogger-image-1338166932.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjfngqov3kdTYEuXZ-y4ttZog9iv0GB8cqQKjaEbi9D7akpryo4HkSoxw0LW0KVIwM7RqeKAIjTToukc_Nhv9G-4An14vDgblKX_44f9rs7Tk5gpMTdyFfqAIH5dCWg6_mqzzUcJrjjeo/s640/blogger-image-1901252924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjfngqov3kdTYEuXZ-y4ttZog9iv0GB8cqQKjaEbi9D7akpryo4HkSoxw0LW0KVIwM7RqeKAIjTToukc_Nhv9G-4An14vDgblKX_44f9rs7Tk5gpMTdyFfqAIH5dCWg6_mqzzUcJrjjeo/s640/blogger-image-1901252924.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPn7fLvQFiqldtY7YwaKnQO3UX0GhBl49N37vaR2-qmC9Xehse6kfgO9OfSTUCt9ZnewaAPrajCHbU1UFIfZJFX4QA5HjtJ38fmaExThYX2okqaPRr_s3w8M4IgemNesoZ2zmyKRqO-CAN/s640/blogger-image--101105937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPn7fLvQFiqldtY7YwaKnQO3UX0GhBl49N37vaR2-qmC9Xehse6kfgO9OfSTUCt9ZnewaAPrajCHbU1UFIfZJFX4QA5HjtJ38fmaExThYX2okqaPRr_s3w8M4IgemNesoZ2zmyKRqO-CAN/s640/blogger-image--101105937.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2E_6-FhLAJkCXVMDrJUDQ7eIEloq-PC5lZQhRaD2BPF7JK9_Oopt9JAZyDaQvvKFSEQxj_C8PEBvJ3F9LIjoU_mNyG0t8Qcq1kuLKYaa1ic7S5czMoVfxS1KknecEqEyZHtRUqUmUf7u/s640/blogger-image-1399059507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2E_6-FhLAJkCXVMDrJUDQ7eIEloq-PC5lZQhRaD2BPF7JK9_Oopt9JAZyDaQvvKFSEQxj_C8PEBvJ3F9LIjoU_mNyG0t8Qcq1kuLKYaa1ic7S5czMoVfxS1KknecEqEyZHtRUqUmUf7u/s640/blogger-image-1399059507.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div>But of course our little butterball has made us like snowmen in summer.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvsetKDLBBhFlx_qy52CrvJ6jDyI10HVRsqYwmeBUAruwciZjBMOp0hxJETdfGNrk6JAVuc2mpwX1PrYi_RR8_KFiYRrHaIm7tudO5IZycs5HkS8KaEc4KQvjMnR0I-H91ixmInepeLIz/s640/blogger-image--1136168184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvsetKDLBBhFlx_qy52CrvJ6jDyI10HVRsqYwmeBUAruwciZjBMOp0hxJETdfGNrk6JAVuc2mpwX1PrYi_RR8_KFiYRrHaIm7tudO5IZycs5HkS8KaEc4KQvjMnR0I-H91ixmInepeLIz/s640/blogger-image--1136168184.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Jonah, seriously - how do you get MORE fun and MORE precious? He enjoyed every gift, every time we looked at lights, every new schedule. He has been so cuddly and tender lately. He is blowing lots of kisses when we wave goodbye, he pats us a lot and grabs our faces to lean in for eye contact and 'forehead.' And he loves to hold hands. He is a sweet soul. I think I'll build him a basement so he can live with me forever. I know that sounds crazy. The soil here is way too rocky.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-xeuZD1NJAByyLJTqYV3GjIucrScohfc4VU2IY7co3YGWnr2DdeDLH_U30doNSd38zd0PvAdUJCMkpNmJmAm1GfMmX7-p0vzvyhRWO5sCKLr5otNHxtYxqrWXP6W-fANdQl0tZ82SMm8/s640/blogger-image-1945638789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-xeuZD1NJAByyLJTqYV3GjIucrScohfc4VU2IY7co3YGWnr2DdeDLH_U30doNSd38zd0PvAdUJCMkpNmJmAm1GfMmX7-p0vzvyhRWO5sCKLr5otNHxtYxqrWXP6W-fANdQl0tZ82SMm8/s640/blogger-image-1945638789.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Jonah is 16 months old now. He is 31 inches long and weighs 27 pounds! He can get his message across quite clearly one way or the other...usually by taking our hand and leading us somewhere. His vocabulary now includes:</div><div><br></div><div>Shoes</div><div>Socks ("agock")</div><div>Uh-oh</div><div>Ball</div><div>Juice</div><div>Moo</div><div>Quack</div><div>Cracker (food related, not racial as far as we can tell... : )</div><div>Outside (sounds more like "ow hie!"</div><div>Pet</div><div>That's</div><div>No no</div><div>Pear</div><div>Hi</div><div>Nonah (his name)</div><div>Turn </div><div><br></div><div>Of course the last one on that list is used in our frequent and lengthy discussions of windmills. We are still very serious about windmills in this house. And there are quite a few words that didn't make it onto the list because we're not sure they belong to any particular language spoken by more than one person. We could be wrong, though. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixe3-o8qFmfM07eshkQOGgftmqDTMefHD-wUJBfiFjbhwCD5EkJzGrPjdOaZoqBhQxfYhkzHxFJzv9ibLjYvto7wDv0M7CfbJnDY2nMwuEqwEaImnEQQ4DOcCnI4h8TEXEgd7VeYEK5V7G/s640/blogger-image-1271201244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixe3-o8qFmfM07eshkQOGgftmqDTMefHD-wUJBfiFjbhwCD5EkJzGrPjdOaZoqBhQxfYhkzHxFJzv9ibLjYvto7wDv0M7CfbJnDY2nMwuEqwEaImnEQQ4DOcCnI4h8TEXEgd7VeYEK5V7G/s640/blogger-image-1271201244.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>I'm pretty sure he understands everything we say. And he's catching on to our code words: "cm" for "chocolate milk," and "double consonants" for "M&Ms." </div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwq-r1Q1qtuv9O0saY4EvmjiriGqkmGanyEcTlsWAqGtT7G20252bSXwe-08i891AZ8d6RkaVbeJtxnw0RoSYZjcGijTFfxQ5bniaGNC6V5EJcrD317JDrLtvOo0Dbql2WMvThNSYLREP/s640/blogger-image--40285461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwq-r1Q1qtuv9O0saY4EvmjiriGqkmGanyEcTlsWAqGtT7G20252bSXwe-08i891AZ8d6RkaVbeJtxnw0RoSYZjcGijTFfxQ5bniaGNC6V5EJcrD317JDrLtvOo0Dbql2WMvThNSYLREP/s640/blogger-image--40285461.jpg"></font></a></div><div><br></div><div>No, we don't eat Paleo...why do you ask?</div><div><br></div><div>Jonah's been working on back molars and I love it when he finishes a tough round of teething because his good eating habits return. He's been noshing on tacos, breakfast sausage cups, pears, beef steak and bean enchiladas, chicken tamales, and Chipotle chicken quesadillas lately. He loves dinner time! That's my boy! I think he's in the right part of the country too. :-)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjsrQzER17TT_1fydTo1a5vvqfp_ubgO0TPonw95nxtN9d4zdeUMOvwUy-4QX1naRLEqMIcsDrivxetq4hyqXVbUci2hXoiwrmFf-yw0_dM82fydPQ6A2cBhiC5CXCsFi8Bc3DEhJV9bC/s640/blogger-image--1072652396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjsrQzER17TT_1fydTo1a5vvqfp_ubgO0TPonw95nxtN9d4zdeUMOvwUy-4QX1naRLEqMIcsDrivxetq4hyqXVbUci2hXoiwrmFf-yw0_dM82fydPQ6A2cBhiC5CXCsFi8Bc3DEhJV9bC/s640/blogger-image--1072652396.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>When we're not discussing windmills (or watching a documentary about them) Jonah and I are working on our new hobby of backyard bird watching. Santa brought him a book about it in his stocking and we've had fun trying to spot the different ones.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzcPvt2wUIF8668ZomY_7bCaVzVAw3VYyFmzjhJw_Xw3VAhle9ltByFuIpz_7aiXVRa7t9_lnDaZVMMVNitQzipdZH4PJpnubLxWqJd7NOzJa9zKjVmE2H_hrbn_xpP-5-WMhZve31wWx/s640/blogger-image-239581872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzcPvt2wUIF8668ZomY_7bCaVzVAw3VYyFmzjhJw_Xw3VAhle9ltByFuIpz_7aiXVRa7t9_lnDaZVMMVNitQzipdZH4PJpnubLxWqJd7NOzJa9zKjVmE2H_hrbn_xpP-5-WMhZve31wWx/s640/blogger-image-239581872.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Oh - above is pictured our other new hobby. Washing dishes. It requires lots of soap, lots of towels, and lots of time, and somehow they still don't get done. :). But it gives us a chance to look for birds out the kitchen window.</div><div><br></div><div>Between the windmills and bird watching combined with the fact that we are both exhausted from having a very busy 16 month old, combined with the fact that we are even more exhausted because we have injuries (Howard's still healing a rib from that wreck)...I feel just a day over 93.</div><div><br></div><div>Goodnight world. This old lady needs some sleep.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div>hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-88364506476618510542014-12-04T20:22:00.001-06:002014-12-04T20:22:01.327-06:00Help. It's the Elf.Well, I wasn't really planning on blogging anytime in the next four years, but I feel this update is of an urgent status.<div><br></div><div>Seeing as how we were recently in the harrowing experience of a severe car crash and are recovering (if you call "recovering" wrangling a 26-pound toddler), this will be short.</div><div><br></div><div>Here it is.</div><div><br></div><div>The stupid Elf on the Shelf is not merely a new commercially-injected tradition. It actually traces through the roots of deep Germanic Christmastime tradition!! </div><div><br></div><div>SIGH.</div><div><br></div><div>I think I'll name ours Screwtape.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTzWp0MZYFNkELnZCddx6TfSnou0gxE9WfZ97PHfSldDy_8KwWw51ibGSs0h5NaOQJhSRX1G1DyLf4vaEuwNUE4ErslALa20ALq4ihpECc26Ta1l4vejtAuwTfG-WKeswgIEDxs1_R73C/s640/blogger-image-1042431382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTzWp0MZYFNkELnZCddx6TfSnou0gxE9WfZ97PHfSldDy_8KwWw51ibGSs0h5NaOQJhSRX1G1DyLf4vaEuwNUE4ErslALa20ALq4ihpECc26Ta1l4vejtAuwTfG-WKeswgIEDxs1_R73C/s640/blogger-image-1042431382.jpg"></a></div><br></div>hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-43990063893443274902014-11-09T23:15:00.001-06:002014-11-09T23:19:32.678-06:00Well hello there.Due to the fact that my beloved toddler tested gravity with my MacBook (which I did not think he could reach as it was sitting in the middle of a not-teeny dining room table), and the fact that we've been going (an albeit very happy) 90 mph, I have lapsed a bit in the blogging realm. Let's do an iPhone pic dump, shall we?<div><br></div><div>Here goes. Captions underneath.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUlYkTq2JPGa4_9U0XnpuOd2QDuriQG830rCzNZeNYr1K1nKj0ztgxUWuK_BS34NOKZQ-kJAj9MBjyBX6KB7ozTc6ju_vXUcNQErENIkhyphenhyphenXBsfOMD6vzN0ssw_yjlT5b9_-r2W5c1iuqu/s640/blogger-image--1322324987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUlYkTq2JPGa4_9U0XnpuOd2QDuriQG830rCzNZeNYr1K1nKj0ztgxUWuK_BS34NOKZQ-kJAj9MBjyBX6KB7ozTc6ju_vXUcNQErENIkhyphenhyphenXBsfOMD6vzN0ssw_yjlT5b9_-r2W5c1iuqu/s640/blogger-image--1322324987.jpg"></a></div>Asleep in the grocery cart. Ear infection número dos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DdGmnhU7OC06K4CK11pNLNrqvt5DfkyBFJgIgcCyihih-nyD8V5YdAk76OMGonC0cGJXH0KKpH6LHpgXFJxzcGFFSN6b0paL3a9sVVepZ-o0bcLyPNZQRkNWCvIci04yMXhPJ2qj2rCJ/s640/blogger-image-1563718217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DdGmnhU7OC06K4CK11pNLNrqvt5DfkyBFJgIgcCyihih-nyD8V5YdAk76OMGonC0cGJXH0KKpH6LHpgXFJxzcGFFSN6b0paL3a9sVVepZ-o0bcLyPNZQRkNWCvIci04yMXhPJ2qj2rCJ/s640/blogger-image-1563718217.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWot62hWg2DR_js1dUQOIVz-XdbprGnYUpktpDHzlMxB7cZlqZsPm8Pd1eBU7J6A8vhW0jZsCuKSuh6WjtMzLz3HIUmvwlpPSqBgiQPCEDyUiZ3dstNKcj3pcnGcwuSg6bDoPN40oBchZP/s640/blogger-image-450356492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWot62hWg2DR_js1dUQOIVz-XdbprGnYUpktpDHzlMxB7cZlqZsPm8Pd1eBU7J6A8vhW0jZsCuKSuh6WjtMzLz3HIUmvwlpPSqBgiQPCEDyUiZ3dstNKcj3pcnGcwuSg6bDoPN40oBchZP/s640/blogger-image-450356492.jpg"></a></div>Pumpkin hunt at WeePlay class! Cutest thing ever. Jonah loves WeePlay class. We are starting to collect videos of him dancing there. Howard and I may or may not have some dance moves we do called "The Jonah."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMJbZ2KSZjlk6x5b0_TK43roM_DqMKXWzXpx_OKk-CPQnagpS4jLfSVOr2Mnt9rQL058BooXyklUastqMg08EXw0R7Idf78xiWTDQY5amxHwD79j_sRlCdBWngBEOqrRe-UoSov1izfwq/s640/blogger-image-174485289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMJbZ2KSZjlk6x5b0_TK43roM_DqMKXWzXpx_OKk-CPQnagpS4jLfSVOr2Mnt9rQL058BooXyklUastqMg08EXw0R7Idf78xiWTDQY5amxHwD79j_sRlCdBWngBEOqrRe-UoSov1izfwq/s640/blogger-image-174485289.jpg"></a></div>Halloween dinner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgei6Baa9SEJI0Fs7MOZn-MMEcDFxSNo-_7ur8lhN9-WQnsZYvHW988hunrc46GU0Q3_R48T50PoDyByJClC-dQ-4lHhBECcvBWq-DrAz7UMwTzo6c9wlLuOyW2LTh7IorxiwEhHKowFkUR/s640/blogger-image-1331714602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgei6Baa9SEJI0Fs7MOZn-MMEcDFxSNo-_7ur8lhN9-WQnsZYvHW988hunrc46GU0Q3_R48T50PoDyByJClC-dQ-4lHhBECcvBWq-DrAz7UMwTzo6c9wlLuOyW2LTh7IorxiwEhHKowFkUR/s640/blogger-image-1331714602.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_GuoWsaL8aLcJaxrz7FDuJVwiTg_pflD3GN3fwlJKaL40FsSgcsZ5yxhsx7uAOpn6hOHI3u-2kqEC2NgSqCDzY0dsZniwcUYyC7HjKprlrnyS9btC80-j44R37CscuLT6d3NJKSlS8mf/s640/blogger-image--1035354849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_GuoWsaL8aLcJaxrz7FDuJVwiTg_pflD3GN3fwlJKaL40FsSgcsZ5yxhsx7uAOpn6hOHI3u-2kqEC2NgSqCDzY0dsZniwcUYyC7HjKprlrnyS9btC80-j44R37CscuLT6d3NJKSlS8mf/s640/blogger-image--1035354849.jpg"></a></div>Our little fighter pilot and his novice parents who thought marching across the whole neighborhood without a stroller would be fine. Jonah was just relieved to realize we had a plan that night when we passed up the playground.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There's probably a God lesson there. We whine when we don't get the playground but God's thinking, "Yeah but LOOK! Everyone is lined up waiting to GIVE YOU CANDY." Didn't C.S. Lewis say something to the effect of we don't even know what to ask for because we can't imagine life so good?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXNRaxdv3-tHe6pjkhl_CLn__6mm4gldKZP0C1Qh3MRyAaJp5C2VZqxUN1W6c9NPc1ijQXsGSXBEinx9hvVtoTXgswLVEX9mNFhtjfMsZLv4pjUw7_k4El8qWuc7rUEA_UepTRGHM1V7e/s640/blogger-image--1719895929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXNRaxdv3-tHe6pjkhl_CLn__6mm4gldKZP0C1Qh3MRyAaJp5C2VZqxUN1W6c9NPc1ijQXsGSXBEinx9hvVtoTXgswLVEX9mNFhtjfMsZLv4pjUw7_k4El8qWuc7rUEA_UepTRGHM1V7e/s640/blogger-image--1719895929.jpg"></a></div></div>I love the Texas tradition of sitting out on your truck bed in the driveway with candy. Nope. We don't go to doors. We go to truck beds. Oma and Op manned the tailgate candy station and when we returned from trick or treating Jonah dived in the candy bowl. He'd stay like that forever digging around in there and then finally pop up with a piece of candy when the trick or treaters walked away. Crazy kiddo. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFqPR8XHjS9NtUVCNWwn_bTZuqEeuFqCHyzprU2fU_1U0zAt-YCA6hHEoqMBJsQqtIxlNVDxL_lkac8f9Ea4v44cJ90vekiU2GitLS1IDUTPwhzm_uNEP0gQhb3TmIQv2IueGFAuU1xyL/s640/blogger-image--2011124997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFqPR8XHjS9NtUVCNWwn_bTZuqEeuFqCHyzprU2fU_1U0zAt-YCA6hHEoqMBJsQqtIxlNVDxL_lkac8f9Ea4v44cJ90vekiU2GitLS1IDUTPwhzm_uNEP0gQhb3TmIQv2IueGFAuU1xyL/s640/blogger-image--2011124997.jpg"></a></div>The night's spoils.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlYhMAJ7RjvNaCJ1y3iNfTAJEkhyphenhyphenyqMbpJJVZOHmxesz0gy2kF0k1zu1-Iad7cR-meS0_8gyvIcSQjo3Y2YnviLGB3FHA3j8eJw4zmRrmeb90MHxiF33agn_dWcVM-4lr745-QL0h91ZN/s640/blogger-image--1026833675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlYhMAJ7RjvNaCJ1y3iNfTAJEkhyphenhyphenyqMbpJJVZOHmxesz0gy2kF0k1zu1-Iad7cR-meS0_8gyvIcSQjo3Y2YnviLGB3FHA3j8eJw4zmRrmeb90MHxiF33agn_dWcVM-4lr745-QL0h91ZN/s640/blogger-image--1026833675.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Asleep again in HEB.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEChk7w7C0O3WQvrkhUQjrHF8vjv-rg_sKhvGp_R14Zas2bD5NaWFc9041IlDo7JZu_Ex8mB5yEWasCekLFcCSgDG-TjA9D4IOO-xkC2StM-jdWk0mJ6PQhryjKNO6Hs39Vwvqa9jYaX89/s640/blogger-image--1354575644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEChk7w7C0O3WQvrkhUQjrHF8vjv-rg_sKhvGp_R14Zas2bD5NaWFc9041IlDo7JZu_Ex8mB5yEWasCekLFcCSgDG-TjA9D4IOO-xkC2StM-jdWk0mJ6PQhryjKNO6Hs39Vwvqa9jYaX89/s640/blogger-image--1354575644.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcjh5BSx_SJY1AMhhyUkPsEpQZt0-EVVLsVsSwI_tQSRsBVpPJPjmlzJbjDJy-TnlyT-PCO5y0pKO-ZJf3_FCQbG-rzrL6mgmJXygWH5SLXPzGfwYCLKWBiR3jhbC34w7RIS36VC2GSHO/s640/blogger-image-1577409453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcjh5BSx_SJY1AMhhyUkPsEpQZt0-EVVLsVsSwI_tQSRsBVpPJPjmlzJbjDJy-TnlyT-PCO5y0pKO-ZJf3_FCQbG-rzrL6mgmJXygWH5SLXPzGfwYCLKWBiR3jhbC34w7RIS36VC2GSHO/s640/blogger-image-1577409453.jpg"></a></div>Morning walks. Lots to do out there. Busy busy!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLvc67Lr9vQpua_TdVrnIAHOiPsI7QePxBB3YMbyBdIa0aNbwYw5kr4Yz5hjsfcwitoYmoPnnocOZSx9ZSPCW9HxxbXSgJFDhtRFt4rXgbML30ImAGc7YPIGNhUPuoTs3r50firuUFVv_/s640/blogger-image--1205512408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLvc67Lr9vQpua_TdVrnIAHOiPsI7QePxBB3YMbyBdIa0aNbwYw5kr4Yz5hjsfcwitoYmoPnnocOZSx9ZSPCW9HxxbXSgJFDhtRFt4rXgbML30ImAGc7YPIGNhUPuoTs3r50firuUFVv_/s640/blogger-image--1205512408.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb04_65u3MFZzApULv2Y8dLgMJApYd5O9CpaCSL_0qgolv1OLwCIMAx0pGUf7wDD-Z0rRE-LqE5sUMHpLCxpDb3AsKiGl2XeirlNydGwbc4LYcOoujPUoWxK1_WLXbsTrc8nKhhJH8MtMa/s640/blogger-image-179341941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb04_65u3MFZzApULv2Y8dLgMJApYd5O9CpaCSL_0qgolv1OLwCIMAx0pGUf7wDD-Z0rRE-LqE5sUMHpLCxpDb3AsKiGl2XeirlNydGwbc4LYcOoujPUoWxK1_WLXbsTrc8nKhhJH8MtMa/s640/blogger-image-179341941.jpg"></a></div>We attended Greg Abbott's victory party! What a special night!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjkuCaxzj3n2CCbGzsZVzHogN5w4cCAVDQ5aQlhHmD0xBiob7CXF6NZNoH1frJAbcpbdUFIq5nkG74bfC7DY-WpsLrwtgmuy6ij0W7diyBQvgiUtu5drwg0KSPvs3vfYSI6dKb94dt2BX/s640/blogger-image-1369846233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjkuCaxzj3n2CCbGzsZVzHogN5w4cCAVDQ5aQlhHmD0xBiob7CXF6NZNoH1frJAbcpbdUFIq5nkG74bfC7DY-WpsLrwtgmuy6ij0W7diyBQvgiUtu5drwg0KSPvs3vfYSI6dKb94dt2BX/s640/blogger-image-1369846233.jpg"></a></div>On the way back we stopped at Buc-ee's for the best vanilla coke. Ever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifci4_JxBm0neG4DgjehyymKKGibp68lU-mAdTXo5Ui0zgE7t3yDyTnEncri12AFZb3_9Y_kGLAycSvuwhVmGSg8auB-acqlCsVi6lI_RNoGsnOd738vqS2hJ049m6PhCW8i2G-uoMuRAG/s640/blogger-image--1822866183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifci4_JxBm0neG4DgjehyymKKGibp68lU-mAdTXo5Ui0zgE7t3yDyTnEncri12AFZb3_9Y_kGLAycSvuwhVmGSg8auB-acqlCsVi6lI_RNoGsnOd738vqS2hJ049m6PhCW8i2G-uoMuRAG/s640/blogger-image--1822866183.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One of these balloons made it into the hands of...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJu3li1SyjSFXqQGPxwwmjh8RvoLHpZtvXvl906yOY97yWn4rxy8YSIpz6oGW4a_EaMbe1puufm4FRyIXXptWWnPKI7plbVZsrQUz8KnXNRIB3XGKWhyMBXWEvPbnCHAFTUrkVEr8r0Sh3/s640/blogger-image-1617860885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJu3li1SyjSFXqQGPxwwmjh8RvoLHpZtvXvl906yOY97yWn4rxy8YSIpz6oGW4a_EaMbe1puufm4FRyIXXptWWnPKI7plbVZsrQUz8KnXNRIB3XGKWhyMBXWEvPbnCHAFTUrkVEr8r0Sh3/s640/blogger-image-1617860885.jpg"></a></div>...this little munchkin! He had great fun at Oma and Opa's but he was excited to see us and the feeling was certainly mutual!! I kept getting kisses and 'forehead' (Jonah's sign of affection is to touch his forehead to yours).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhxa1PIG1f4m13mFX6cHy0r0D0aAbjvFRSnfrNLcvDLL0NQ8vOwEVFs-EZbgmvzn1AsR7YzGHogKPe0xoaEHOHGL14rfKd1V5msiBGJoNAfcaUeue3BUWJu-aij96xVflZ8ZY6ng2zp6p/s640/blogger-image-694888910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhxa1PIG1f4m13mFX6cHy0r0D0aAbjvFRSnfrNLcvDLL0NQ8vOwEVFs-EZbgmvzn1AsR7YzGHogKPe0xoaEHOHGL14rfKd1V5msiBGJoNAfcaUeue3BUWJu-aij96xVflZ8ZY6ng2zp6p/s640/blogger-image-694888910.jpg"></a></div>He slept 13 hours straight that night! Nothing like your own bed. Even if it's getting smaller every day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae-Or2QXIeQwpOvp_DmC2e7UyERV7eM4k8gWUlZyeGJeYpsnaXm16JvIC8fARPJ_ZsuNQVynT-S2aLg8tuCeyLMT3T_iDptWYak1swCU-eLWvSRoqs3Etwt0ePqYqxjcB31A4GydUm1am/s640/blogger-image-291392839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae-Or2QXIeQwpOvp_DmC2e7UyERV7eM4k8gWUlZyeGJeYpsnaXm16JvIC8fARPJ_ZsuNQVynT-S2aLg8tuCeyLMT3T_iDptWYak1swCU-eLWvSRoqs3Etwt0ePqYqxjcB31A4GydUm1am/s640/blogger-image-291392839.jpg"></a></div>Eating at the table like a big boy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNEp1qd5A2C_zlVQlKhRUDP37pSVIkV6QRc9A-e0RWTHnZYtpENBozcdstzI6MOJ8myqVzi5pI_6nIicOgtEKIIFVZj9fVaInB38ynVIyfr0ITw7TWA8lPpyE5WUB77GphhtNIWb3WPOy/s640/blogger-image--1372517024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNEp1qd5A2C_zlVQlKhRUDP37pSVIkV6QRc9A-e0RWTHnZYtpENBozcdstzI6MOJ8myqVzi5pI_6nIicOgtEKIIFVZj9fVaInB38ynVIyfr0ITw7TWA8lPpyE5WUB77GphhtNIWb3WPOy/s640/blogger-image--1372517024.jpg"></a></div>I took a cookie class and an working on being able to do this on my own. So far not so good but I'm having fun learning!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3jlwxlRERYsVGSf8hMgjvWS9eACFObbuJVCobITQiSu-ScC1ZEiL1FMkMTVjEnBqOhs26dVaRRi3aLLR8x3fIS25fvcjOg2q7rThORa76P4icpHRd5wpZTkqsOvBiEAhU4hewt1ZhexA/s640/blogger-image-477431414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3jlwxlRERYsVGSf8hMgjvWS9eACFObbuJVCobITQiSu-ScC1ZEiL1FMkMTVjEnBqOhs26dVaRRi3aLLR8x3fIS25fvcjOg2q7rThORa76P4icpHRd5wpZTkqsOvBiEAhU4hewt1ZhexA/s640/blogger-image-477431414.jpg"></a></div>Jonah is obsessed with windmills and there's one across the street. The first utterances out of Jonah's mouth each morning (the VERY first) indicate he wants to check on the windmill. He also loves the one at the library, on one our way to school, and the one at Oma and Opa's (the original windmill love). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's such a pastime of Jo's that Howard and I have taken it up:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbi_JuBynaRadICZPedAYlEGDxde_rsydHTG4qFYyQaQdKOtvaV_geNmhBUY4GoUGOLEq7ac2v7aHWwAX_-6oaR96UDFaCscyGUxBhzpTVs8AjjkH1UkROUvC0jnD2PvxFfD5pBHjQgKP/s640/blogger-image-484138835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbi_JuBynaRadICZPedAYlEGDxde_rsydHTG4qFYyQaQdKOtvaV_geNmhBUY4GoUGOLEq7ac2v7aHWwAX_-6oaR96UDFaCscyGUxBhzpTVs8AjjkH1UkROUvC0jnD2PvxFfD5pBHjQgKP/s640/blogger-image-484138835.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGe3gvH4tLyn-xbUduDe73llSrTRyUA06I7-ACDE57zmswHw2NwCqE6svGYBV3t5ggP1arY39_XaTKU1MtSB4o70A76bRy3eDlM4lQaMs-QwYQdfXQzPYhF2Mk3ngPMRfAh5OxkPIMKmsw/s640/blogger-image--1365385521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGe3gvH4tLyn-xbUduDe73llSrTRyUA06I7-ACDE57zmswHw2NwCqE6svGYBV3t5ggP1arY39_XaTKU1MtSB4o70A76bRy3eDlM4lQaMs-QwYQdfXQzPYhF2Mk3ngPMRfAh5OxkPIMKmsw/s640/blogger-image--1365385521.jpg"></a></div>You probably can't see it that well, but driving home (and siting in stand still traffic) I cherished the chubby little face j get to check on in my rear view mirror. PRECIOUSNESS.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJWVvw6MsCbmCWrBOQ8q9LaWebIVpXLpW76PUvEm_-6MrSHvEPQIedVP7EjNMSt5jozOV-3QKi_Y53bINAeWEWTHGXKvJvqQ952MojJyoffFKIWjHIJDY0Ozs-8JmiMGn1PsisFdbjyR4/s640/blogger-image-727761603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJWVvw6MsCbmCWrBOQ8q9LaWebIVpXLpW76PUvEm_-6MrSHvEPQIedVP7EjNMSt5jozOV-3QKi_Y53bINAeWEWTHGXKvJvqQ952MojJyoffFKIWjHIJDY0Ozs-8JmiMGn1PsisFdbjyR4/s640/blogger-image-727761603.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Face timing with Nonni and reading the book about windmills she sent him. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiap0ABco2L6i9P6umR8nNdkm2KHiywdVHC4JReov41eRHdgH-HLl3h7hDtpaANujjDkIx-ohrhyphenhyphenDIcBTHvE_aPCA5kwsA6EXo7GGBRMBVPtsq8fgotZ8vHoHZmSNuVgrS-lWm7Wd0Wb_Mv/s640/blogger-image--490040965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiap0ABco2L6i9P6umR8nNdkm2KHiywdVHC4JReov41eRHdgH-HLl3h7hDtpaANujjDkIx-ohrhyphenhyphenDIcBTHvE_aPCA5kwsA6EXo7GGBRMBVPtsq8fgotZ8vHoHZmSNuVgrS-lWm7Wd0Wb_Mv/s640/blogger-image--490040965.jpg"></a></div>Sleeping through a trip to the Apple Store to get aforementioned toddler tested MacBook diagnosed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXusf8BAViCKK9JUnX9yF5eXq9LBbB0_IcXMJAKwOxK92UUScZdqGKNWQJCfWSjRqBPS1Hg_SQKyJSE7DvrJGeoxrcHkl_pHc1S9GbkaEaRb-TguA5w2QHIJ0txaryCBrlNq3FJC1fESI/s640/blogger-image--1037467406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXusf8BAViCKK9JUnX9yF5eXq9LBbB0_IcXMJAKwOxK92UUScZdqGKNWQJCfWSjRqBPS1Hg_SQKyJSE7DvrJGeoxrcHkl_pHc1S9GbkaEaRb-TguA5w2QHIJ0txaryCBrlNq3FJC1fESI/s640/blogger-image--1037467406.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We have a windmill in our bath. Do you?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTVdeJV1-OLBnI8lu1cWA0gXZ8upsdOC_6ATMIqsqgJSOyDTRLiZJHdeZfQvi0cJ-EP4p006SrXzQX1tBhBYgcGLqe_LjMsnLAfQnNKVXZn-DUOOD1o-1YnIYOqSLFxbivs60dRdKvUkj/s640/blogger-image--762044980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTVdeJV1-OLBnI8lu1cWA0gXZ8upsdOC_6ATMIqsqgJSOyDTRLiZJHdeZfQvi0cJ-EP4p006SrXzQX1tBhBYgcGLqe_LjMsnLAfQnNKVXZn-DUOOD1o-1YnIYOqSLFxbivs60dRdKvUkj/s640/blogger-image--762044980.jpg"></a>He conked out again in HEB today after church. I just noticed that the cart is stopped by the beer. We should have drawn on his face. Shoot! Missed opportunity. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sometimes life just passes you by like that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Especially when you're zonked out in a shopping cart by a bunch of beer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Oh Jo. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At least it wasn't chocolate milk. I've seen you on that stuff and talk about chugging...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Have a good week y'all. ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><br></div>hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-23088368394505090792014-10-19T12:55:00.001-05:002014-10-19T22:10:19.471-05:00Fall is here! (Kinda)Listen. I get so sick of reading blogs sometimes and getting caught up in the world of perfection. You know how it is. You're not going to take a picture of your dirty laundry and post it on the world wide web, so you scoot it out of the way before you snap the pic. You're not going to do a blog post about how you can't go to the grocery store without sweating like a hog because you can't seem to follow a list with the layout of the store and so you're all over the place and your toddler is screaming because he can't play with the bananas (he'll bite through the skin and then throw them - leading me to believe an actual monkey would be a step up) and you've dropped Sophie so you have to back track down every aisle while you try and not think about curse words but sing a sweet tune of "When Ducks Get Up in the Morning" instead and find Sophie and checkout - again - only to realize you forgot the lunch meat you came for and your car keys are missing.<div><br></div><div>No. No one would ever blog about that. So know that before I show you my Fall decorating that it took an incredible amount of effort for me to do anything, and that while I'm trying to be a better housekeeper you're not seeing the entire picture (i.e. the smashed goldfish in the background).</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0k_Ls4HF-qSXH2_m2W5vprnFCMoCkka1znRUMF3mhdy2ET1tD7Q4b5ezDoqUfu-MbRxmJBVg5JjATEjhBmHjtnz0t6cg9ufeGBMtlRQPLT2CCn-EGiOZ692aOkFVJ4Ar7RWG_o0tG4Qsc/s640/blogger-image-300724352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0k_Ls4HF-qSXH2_m2W5vprnFCMoCkka1znRUMF3mhdy2ET1tD7Q4b5ezDoqUfu-MbRxmJBVg5JjATEjhBmHjtnz0t6cg9ufeGBMtlRQPLT2CCn-EGiOZ692aOkFVJ4Ar7RWG_o0tG4Qsc/s640/blogger-image-300724352.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I already had this chalkboard and loved this saying when I saw it on Pinterest. Jo's and my galoshes stay there by the back door so we're ready to water the plants on the back porch. Well...most of them stay by the back door anyway. He likes to carry his around the house like a dog bringing his leash to ask for a walk. Who knows where the other rain boot is.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxoFWOYQNcizRci9XnTA9aFxKarijM6cqD4FCW2I2xgkpjhwR3nHJkXpTmrfyEToHc2a8dX520dZX3zSAZNoWn2wct5KyMI0ADhQHqypoJ9IwkgBJ4lN7Q7p9fBAjrDqcFJ5BAUaPq9e7/s640/blogger-image-1761212058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxoFWOYQNcizRci9XnTA9aFxKarijM6cqD4FCW2I2xgkpjhwR3nHJkXpTmrfyEToHc2a8dX520dZX3zSAZNoWn2wct5KyMI0ADhQHqypoJ9IwkgBJ4lN7Q7p9fBAjrDqcFJ5BAUaPq9e7/s640/blogger-image-1761212058.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A lot of my fall finds were from WalMart. I really love their home goods stuff. I got the basket on the left from there as well as those fun apple cinnamon scented pine cones with little pumpkins. The sign on the right was a score from TJ Maxx. And long after that style of writing is no longer popular I will still display that sign because shopping for it and checking out with it with Jonah made it an incredible conquest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJjzzitqJCtUUPEjqriTR164nodM9jjCjV_owJaBFb-8cEM25jFbZp0GEeBW2OHcv1JZhy_X73RdimJRAMXbRsmUiPRTziPCryy5B4RFi_6zXN_aNjPs6MCNgqamm-cjIkVucGyoK8LMp/s640/blogger-image-805678203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJjzzitqJCtUUPEjqriTR164nodM9jjCjV_owJaBFb-8cEM25jFbZp0GEeBW2OHcv1JZhy_X73RdimJRAMXbRsmUiPRTziPCryy5B4RFi_6zXN_aNjPs6MCNgqamm-cjIkVucGyoK8LMp/s640/blogger-image-805678203.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This basket and fun mugs are also from WalMart. The mugs are owls, a fox, and a squirrel. They were under $3 each! And they're heavy and make my morning coffee even more of a sweet moment. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnjirEC3pQ9jv_jqbuv8SnGGMGsxLQmDsb2YRE6tjxAPUsjRjxKPIVR5dTFWkjefohTRAz6_uEQGNDImYujsLuwzVaWkJCiNEh5yf8dHjCoH11D6DVEi69NDrvY0DXx8CANrqPd2Z9HHd/s640/blogger-image--419184860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnjirEC3pQ9jv_jqbuv8SnGGMGsxLQmDsb2YRE6tjxAPUsjRjxKPIVR5dTFWkjefohTRAz6_uEQGNDImYujsLuwzVaWkJCiNEh5yf8dHjCoH11D6DVEi69NDrvY0DXx8CANrqPd2Z9HHd/s640/blogger-image--419184860.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I already had this cake stand and added pumpkins from the dollar store to it. The candle is the hostess gift from my friend's shower. I got it on the 11th and look how much I've already burned! Love it! </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HltZhvvAicl4qhcQf4avR0iSp2_vPYt2e5amGxsIlcE3x7OZCIokp1Goj4xraKhZzwZtCkZtHG6t2m80sPMh-baSoZMHicHq9eEh3tuHSz2dtWubOBJ7pisfAvBo44z8D_avWEpzXOx1/s640/blogger-image-1172856956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HltZhvvAicl4qhcQf4avR0iSp2_vPYt2e5amGxsIlcE3x7OZCIokp1Goj4xraKhZzwZtCkZtHG6t2m80sPMh-baSoZMHicHq9eEh3tuHSz2dtWubOBJ7pisfAvBo44z8D_avWEpzXOx1/s640/blogger-image-1172856956.jpg"></a></div>This carved wooden pumpkin came from the TJ Maxx conquest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyl0NslA3eoVBX_AGKl1mAiLCwPBM-MPeBnaApOhXzuY584t3g1Inmj3JYtvbd0Kf1iZzv2qXyrjLo-TbD5omBm-s6c0UNYKjj2WWZgnHFLyz4UCnh9W3x_RECsO9Frx7B9VD6SRxlr6L/s640/blogger-image-2015187636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyl0NslA3eoVBX_AGKl1mAiLCwPBM-MPeBnaApOhXzuY584t3g1Inmj3JYtvbd0Kf1iZzv2qXyrjLo-TbD5omBm-s6c0UNYKjj2WWZgnHFLyz4UCnh9W3x_RECsO9Frx7B9VD6SRxlr6L/s640/blogger-image-2015187636.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I made this burlap wreath all from WalMart materials. I had no idea what I was doing and didn't even use hot glue. So that should a last long time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPBxjEiM5_blhB9uUijmkPCHnQ4yLJ9gYjkPvWIENhQmKP8Hx-YnW4H9w83ZlDEvxO5mK66CxpE_PonKrXyGcBWK9_JUc6MBViQsXod0lDlzSlSBUGTta9nFzfkve0naCPPTL2ZQzh3pJ/s640/blogger-image--361353386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPBxjEiM5_blhB9uUijmkPCHnQ4yLJ9gYjkPvWIENhQmKP8Hx-YnW4H9w83ZlDEvxO5mK66CxpE_PonKrXyGcBWK9_JUc6MBViQsXod0lDlzSlSBUGTta9nFzfkve0naCPPTL2ZQzh3pJ/s640/blogger-image--361353386.jpg"></a></div>Here are this season's pumpkins!! Jonah and I made sweet memories picking these out. I let him choose, and he naturally picked two big and two small ones! Perfect for each member of our family! He wanted the uglier ones. I think he was trying to rescue them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3c7Ay29N25pQYrvPGkQ1PKvmTi6uVfocFKjbRE1Nl8WvuCuT1fDmtavYLF28faTDvgqdhgGdchiB40Bwczj4XwPsSR-gDK1D1XU43dR4NtYKOZrhVdsuwjI15rTJLmkNoYNprMEQ5acH/s640/blogger-image-1205739540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3c7Ay29N25pQYrvPGkQ1PKvmTi6uVfocFKjbRE1Nl8WvuCuT1fDmtavYLF28faTDvgqdhgGdchiB40Bwczj4XwPsSR-gDK1D1XU43dR4NtYKOZrhVdsuwjI15rTJLmkNoYNprMEQ5acH/s640/blogger-image-1205739540.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I don't make a practice out of patroning the art at WalMart, but I thought this was worth it! It's gloppy and perfect for fall. It inspired me to do quick little change outs in our powder bath for each season.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmN7fYrihn2ns0F-jxwgJZtzG99I6U40NE48ZNzTOwQh1tHgDenfq1MDBvzL3by7l3Stu_DsG3nAaU75FeRyXcbqYd03ujApJrZc16qcdQfl3BaAcZfV44jGaYOn9Mm62rMuLNTMmrQ7eO/s640/blogger-image--227765192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmN7fYrihn2ns0F-jxwgJZtzG99I6U40NE48ZNzTOwQh1tHgDenfq1MDBvzL3by7l3Stu_DsG3nAaU75FeRyXcbqYd03ujApJrZc16qcdQfl3BaAcZfV44jGaYOn9Mm62rMuLNTMmrQ7eO/s640/blogger-image--227765192.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is a Jan Barbaglio (omg) cake stand that Howard's aunt gave us for our wedding and I keep it on our table with the Jan Barbaglio doves his mom gave us. Right now it's displaying a ceramic pumpkin and giant acorns I've had forever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iKx94zvtOtdv3aRUd545h3l_rUh8-PpxidPOjJ3JsFSNHorisXK8m_OvdBoxZG0TlX8TdNhhij9a5MuCUDj0jX_amVB_BoVRUFMXnGvEvPfV7na8FrvnjfPbHMcGnlAStvj8soOoiuoP/s640/blogger-image-1392756598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iKx94zvtOtdv3aRUd545h3l_rUh8-PpxidPOjJ3JsFSNHorisXK8m_OvdBoxZG0TlX8TdNhhij9a5MuCUDj0jX_amVB_BoVRUFMXnGvEvPfV7na8FrvnjfPbHMcGnlAStvj8soOoiuoP/s640/blogger-image-1392756598.jpg"></a></div>These chargers were a wedding present but a few years ago I scored these white ceramic leaf plates at you guessed it - WalMart - for $2 each! </div><div><br></div><div>I've had a lot of fun decorating and trying to act like I'm feeling autumnal when it's 90 degrees every day.</div><div><br></div><div>This post was not sponsored (feel free to change that). It was simply brought to you by a small budget and stores that match it, and my precious little pumpkin:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAK8Xjr0jcJC7Dl8DWO5p3AcD6N2Pmt2MznnlEnql71DOstL3OY-R7KAaoqqOhqLwWpJXd0I3yepI523xKY0_9MbZPGlblohtf7M3SMlrjUTnZIVQF5NousKBdRcE8bV1ripNIO2d07LM4/s640/blogger-image-1504416902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAK8Xjr0jcJC7Dl8DWO5p3AcD6N2Pmt2MznnlEnql71DOstL3OY-R7KAaoqqOhqLwWpJXd0I3yepI523xKY0_9MbZPGlblohtf7M3SMlrjUTnZIVQF5NousKBdRcE8bV1ripNIO2d07LM4/s640/blogger-image-1504416902.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPwy_kCmtjnmg5Wdjyx79rDOOSHdEFOQ_dt1kU2gUH6ln838w7qCnFPc_xAzCOgq2QByXcvIdD4hKN8xKRdGUiY3BmiC3S0YO2YnCwnTW-NLDViKS0lkKaXCEl-QJVPWCaYIqcPcVw7sm/s640/blogger-image--1291495306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPwy_kCmtjnmg5Wdjyx79rDOOSHdEFOQ_dt1kU2gUH6ln838w7qCnFPc_xAzCOgq2QByXcvIdD4hKN8xKRdGUiY3BmiC3S0YO2YnCwnTW-NLDViKS0lkKaXCEl-QJVPWCaYIqcPcVw7sm/s640/blogger-image--1291495306.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAB3gbIlGFi1daoZMAbMxOUKcQy_Lj8kYQLoZIvbROoCH0uS1Xt4FjfzflYG04ASUwtGZnrtrRE9A9oLW7ORXvPupaRI4D8bJWdLt1Txt-xUPMpfJrHm8t6wWFJNm2GvuV2jfECYhuDkGU/s640/blogger-image-1034420795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAB3gbIlGFi1daoZMAbMxOUKcQy_Lj8kYQLoZIvbROoCH0uS1Xt4FjfzflYG04ASUwtGZnrtrRE9A9oLW7ORXvPupaRI4D8bJWdLt1Txt-xUPMpfJrHm8t6wWFJNm2GvuV2jfECYhuDkGU/s640/blogger-image-1034420795.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div>hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-51483592873062151182014-10-12T23:07:00.004-05:002014-10-12T23:07:49.910-05:00Life Lately<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have had a very busy start of school! I feel like I'm always running to catch up. Jonah has been sick a lot. After his hand, foot, mouth disease he had allergies and then a sinus infection / double ear infection, and now he's teething and it's horribly painful for him. Throw into that a good dose of real live tantrums and walking everywhere (!), and we have a full blown toddler on our hands. And he's precious.</div>
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He loves watering the plants. That's why they are all of a sudden green. Thank you, Jonah!</div>
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A Saturday morning at our favorite bakery. </div>
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I helped throw a shower for a dear friend's new baby girl! It was a lot of fun. And a little dangerous. </div>
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These were our hostess gifts - Salted Caramel Corn candles from Bath and Body Works. Mmmmm. Amazing.</div>
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Jonah's learning to eat with a spoon...not so much because I am teaching him but because I guess I'm too slow so he decided to take matters into his own hands. </div>
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Have a great week y'all! hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-67698548662685956862014-09-24T23:14:00.001-05:002014-09-24T23:14:32.314-05:00Prayers of ComfortThe bad news front is trifold at our house and I am a wreck. We have 3 different friends going through 3 different kinds of loss and it's so very hard.<div><br></div><div>I tried to repair the wounds with sugar cookies.</div><div><br></div><div>It worked.</div><div><br></div><div>Until there were no more sugar cookies on my plate.</div><div><br></div><div>So I guess a more lasting m.o. would be prayer.</div><div><br></div><div>Please stop and cover my friends in prayer when you read this. Please.</div><div><br></div><div>In the meantime I'll be in constant prayer and heartbreak and longing for the new Earth...the one where brokenness is something we only remember. Where sin is a lesson we once learned. Where loss is a concept we have to brush up on.</div><div><br></div><div>Come, Kingdom. Come.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-2388984210991967552014-09-22T21:43:00.001-05:002014-09-22T21:43:59.982-05:00Being BritishI love thematic learning. I credit my mom for that. We used to have green eggs and ham while 'studying' Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. It's just ingrained in me now.<div><br></div><div>So now that I'm reading (by 'reading' I mean one paragraph at a time) about the British royals I have added a new Netflix fling - "Diana," and Jonah received a new book: <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoii_fssXo-Dgy9d5LuQU3k3cWuy3TUozkDdvIlJRb2p0wEc9bCrd61X8v76EeUrcLhExsBoMLWC21rAgOS8ITwn1H0ghkMP2jPCOS8tOCCVx-ncGwMQ8U4MaI10dCHVncjodU9ppAT2wx/s640/blogger-image--481173028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoii_fssXo-Dgy9d5LuQU3k3cWuy3TUozkDdvIlJRb2p0wEc9bCrd61X8v76EeUrcLhExsBoMLWC21rAgOS8ITwn1H0ghkMP2jPCOS8tOCCVx-ncGwMQ8U4MaI10dCHVncjodU9ppAT2wx/s640/blogger-image--481173028.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We've been speaking in British accents at home and learning to march like the British soldiers. All we need now is the new season of Downton!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Jonah seems to be stressed out by this British project because he's been up a lot at night. Every night. And now I know it's teething. And for some reason I decided this would be the perfect time in life to try and make really excellent, Pinterest-party worthy sugar cookies. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcfpNavgDMa0gbQ8cLcjEambaPbcr-rbQICi_x-x7MvAEq7NQRrwwXv6MH6TzOSoIVcMREAsKz4Ynpw8jNMoAs8F5H3Zgk3X2M3KIx1QrhZJaD5zeHroCV00GMC93j130-GN1aFBDnY-9/s640/blogger-image--1350233612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcfpNavgDMa0gbQ8cLcjEambaPbcr-rbQICi_x-x7MvAEq7NQRrwwXv6MH6TzOSoIVcMREAsKz4Ynpw8jNMoAs8F5H3Zgk3X2M3KIx1QrhZJaD5zeHroCV00GMC93j130-GN1aFBDnY-9/s640/blogger-image--1350233612.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It didn't go quite like I had pictured in my head. I'm sure the sugar cookie bears felt the same.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So, this post is ending now because I'm exhausted.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's my preciousness:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOaqNJGm5oUHNISdDVdrE7cJHt4DVOMLZwoTGynUTrtAx7wffqgJUck-mmiNEossROGbvHT_m3w-T5dz67kaE8xjScEatgRMiTFeDrGXhWgmopweLmbQ8C7AfcPbUdAvgJzSYhfSYCFRX/s640/blogger-image-1798602618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOaqNJGm5oUHNISdDVdrE7cJHt4DVOMLZwoTGynUTrtAx7wffqgJUck-mmiNEossROGbvHT_m3w-T5dz67kaE8xjScEatgRMiTFeDrGXhWgmopweLmbQ8C7AfcPbUdAvgJzSYhfSYCFRX/s640/blogger-image-1798602618.jpg"></a></div><br></div>hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1360366862020479229.post-86373901053717223042014-09-19T20:14:00.001-05:002014-09-19T20:14:36.574-05:00Friday Favorites<div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hey friends! I'm linking up tonight with Andrea, Erika, and Narci for Friday Favorites!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div align="center"></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.momfessionals.com" title="Momfessionals"><img src="http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae128/dave-and-andrea/FridayFavorites3_zpsea6fc451.jpg" alt="Momfessionals" style="border:none;" /></a></div></span></div><div><br></div><div><b>#1: Favorite book genre - Biographies!</b></div><div>I knew it would happen eventually. First, I started being clumsy. Then, I had the freakishly powerful ability to find anything anywhere in the house. When I became funny for the first time in my 30 years of life I knew only one thing stood between me and my complete reincarnation as my mother: the love of the biography. I don't know why or how but all of a sudden it's my go-to genre. I've never liked them. Then poof! I like them. I know. It's like if Howard woke up one morning and decided he had a hankering for guacamole or if Jonah decided throwing food off his plate was actually not productive. You think you know yourself...</div><div><br></div><div>Anyway, I digress. I picked up the first start in this new literary love affair this week at the library:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcjfhI-RKkS3UUUIwitESTjHyqTmrcj_ce6bLjKJ2QNf2sbhGxCZt8o5TA7SUW8RWBzdbR_XAwzwQAZdRg0F7AhbHfGlbT3nDpKWWXcUSvWCkVGlkYYz80WN-ybLMKE3faxub95RvLZBB/s640/blogger-image--947026605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcjfhI-RKkS3UUUIwitESTjHyqTmrcj_ce6bLjKJ2QNf2sbhGxCZt8o5TA7SUW8RWBzdbR_XAwzwQAZdRg0F7AhbHfGlbT3nDpKWWXcUSvWCkVGlkYYz80WN-ybLMKE3faxub95RvLZBB/s640/blogger-image--947026605.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I mean seriously. I can't put it down!! (But I have to more times than I pick it up). It's better than any TV show or movie could be. Though there is a movie called The Queen starting Helen Mirren that I cannot wait to watch after I finish this book. I love when a good read becomes a whole shebang.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>#2: Favorite toy - Jonah's bike! </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Jonah received a YBike from his aunt for Christmas and it's the coolest toy ever! You can push it from the front or sit and ride Flinstone style (there are no pedals, toddlers just push with their feet). It rolls on carpet so smoothly and turns well and has truly helped Jonah feel more mobile and I think it helped him develop his new walking skills!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIXIXuXYewC1dfDDFsxBTr1uzoJlZ_ZUavpIVZQ1RawTp2Qwd8qx6F7Yc3A_-JoNb-lc0yiZX0TDKjOaz33RS-qxDfoLVB9VTJ7Ru2FR87mDhpCMvUD3EXpP1Pz9GyKTr0y-PJIl1JGaf/s640/blogger-image--2121217675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIXIXuXYewC1dfDDFsxBTr1uzoJlZ_ZUavpIVZQ1RawTp2Qwd8qx6F7Yc3A_-JoNb-lc0yiZX0TDKjOaz33RS-qxDfoLVB9VTJ7Ru2FR87mDhpCMvUD3EXpP1Pz9GyKTr0y-PJIl1JGaf/s640/blogger-image--2121217675.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>#3: Favorite moment - Jonah's first steps!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Last week at the library, on my brother's birthday, Jonah took his first steps! I was totally not expecting it and it was SO fun!! The other moms clapped for him and the librarians said he made library history that day! No one's ever taken his first steps there! We've had lots of ideas for how to commemorate the occasion....bronzed footprints, an oil painting of Jonah in an armchair with a bubble pipe, etc.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91TQlI-yWWZSzsyuMRQhm8pKzSU9bHc3ni4R-Y6weoeuj_mhyxyT_SuLm-UwKQ9ny5R3LwOwy0ZsFvwluDvWJRU7qnFkziWj06mIvGziZtiU4QDgShyYMj_pWbiTVxO9gO6EP-t7C2uXG/s640/blogger-image-568767254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91TQlI-yWWZSzsyuMRQhm8pKzSU9bHc3ni4R-Y6weoeuj_mhyxyT_SuLm-UwKQ9ny5R3LwOwy0ZsFvwluDvWJRU7qnFkziWj06mIvGziZtiU4QDgShyYMj_pWbiTVxO9gO6EP-t7C2uXG/s640/blogger-image-568767254.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am so thankful for my schedule and that I got to be there for such a momentous occasion! Earlier this evening he walked halfway across the living room several times and it was just the strangest coolest thing! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>#4: Favorite meal prep idea: A Slow Cooker Swap</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-PHJJNDgAhmDbin5mF1BopoCOUIQ77K4wDNZh9ZEIt1MlCMLRkmKW2eFc7F1qnDA0ONBp6QsCPBS6FhFrJFdNSLv6tw7CBSG9dHc_VQhFAJMsqPCu3cQpYtxuvK9qW2auNonb6lPZhuj/s640/blogger-image-1481416711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-PHJJNDgAhmDbin5mF1BopoCOUIQ77K4wDNZh9ZEIt1MlCMLRkmKW2eFc7F1qnDA0ONBp6QsCPBS6FhFrJFdNSLv6tw7CBSG9dHc_VQhFAJMsqPCu3cQpYtxuvK9qW2auNonb6lPZhuj/s640/blogger-image-1481416711.jpg"></a></div><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So earlier this week a bunch of us girls met at a friend's house and had a slow cooker swap. I'd never done one before but it was amazing. You do no prep in advance. You simply bring the groceries for your slow cooker 'dump' meal of choice minus the meat (something that can be assembled in a freezer bag, frozen, and dumped into your slow cooker before you leave for the day). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxF6ZvU1DXkwNizVI78WemIB4k97Oi1bLdLlhyphenhyphen9L1anjGW6B0Lez6vvqX0cKLPeFk4philAHZE27KY0WZLau37etETpytK1VOY8N-SjLDs4il1tUXWHlMtoahCUH_8jYfJmS9QxQIxawK/s640/blogger-image--1149503510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxF6ZvU1DXkwNizVI78WemIB4k97Oi1bLdLlhyphenhyphen9L1anjGW6B0Lez6vvqX0cKLPeFk4philAHZE27KY0WZLau37etETpytK1VOY8N-SjLDs4il1tUXWHlMtoahCUH_8jYfJmS9QxQIxawK/s640/blogger-image--1149503510.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You multiply the ingredients by however many girls come that night, assemble your meal there while sipping wine and chatting it up, and you leave with a ton of meals ready for the crockpot! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqYepS0KpDTWUPbsbQiKVuj6gJlaGKa1BQRrU1k_Lzp7oPP5tMCpxFbyVSvSUA3cFne2j3wCWNUdTm8wB3k_DX8D7ld1GSezVn14kFQUuw2FYloW_wVAnQ953Onds1e1FBtemUwS9Ptd5/s640/blogger-image-1914093235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqYepS0KpDTWUPbsbQiKVuj6gJlaGKa1BQRrU1k_Lzp7oPP5tMCpxFbyVSvSUA3cFne2j3wCWNUdTm8wB3k_DX8D7ld1GSezVn14kFQUuw2FYloW_wVAnQ953Onds1e1FBtemUwS9Ptd5/s640/blogger-image-1914093235.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have 13 meals in my freezer ready to dump in my slow cooker with some frozen meat!! Well, 12 actually. We had one for dinner last night and it was amazing. Amazing! And I just opened a bag and dumped it right in that morning! I'm obsessed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>#5: Favorite bible study: BSF</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">BSF stands for Bible Study Fellowship. It's an international organization that leads members through a book of the Bible each year and provides a layering of study - individual, group, lecture, and notes. They hold you accountable for doing your homework and attending so I've always been hesitant while in grad school and with a newborn. But people keep asking me to go and given that our small town of about 20,000 people has 600 people going to just the evening women's group is something of a testament.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Well, they weren't kidding. It's amazing. My town's BSF is one of two pilot programs right now for a new study: Revelation (everyone else in BSF chapters are studying Moses). It's incredible, and the homework is way more manageable than I expected. It's absolutely so fulfilling to get fed in this way. Check it out in your area! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>#6 Favorite photos from this week:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrYjn7Xipv7zbGW4FhOHU-zPT9uoCZVjm1ltM0YzcuCkqPjHXQQdL_ahBF_NpErcAfAvbIgUyw_56605jPf5KfB04UftESxNpRb7oCIztsXo8NkM_3c5l4MCFJNnuIo8_WHb53ZklXWSE/s640/blogger-image-1937709132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrYjn7Xipv7zbGW4FhOHU-zPT9uoCZVjm1ltM0YzcuCkqPjHXQQdL_ahBF_NpErcAfAvbIgUyw_56605jPf5KfB04UftESxNpRb7oCIztsXo8NkM_3c5l4MCFJNnuIo8_WHb53ZklXWSE/s640/blogger-image-1937709132.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8zQU4scgcicguT4b_aPqwZJyH9tOELe-PmCN3UjaIA0JwM7L9wPbBi2AxiaE0fFo0bZWItFS0GmBXdUoUtZ6joo5RIoCPXMNUvgUVkMtGvV-y6rqfHxBFhW0x0p1MJ5zpMHtPCtQ5n3f/s640/blogger-image--1782968457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8zQU4scgcicguT4b_aPqwZJyH9tOELe-PmCN3UjaIA0JwM7L9wPbBi2AxiaE0fFo0bZWItFS0GmBXdUoUtZ6joo5RIoCPXMNUvgUVkMtGvV-y6rqfHxBFhW0x0p1MJ5zpMHtPCtQ5n3f/s640/blogger-image--1782968457.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Happy weekend y'all!</div>hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05760698906018871694noreply@blogger.com0