tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13828003306666124062024-03-05T01:13:01.407-06:00joie de vivrecelebrating the joy of lifeHeidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16944406171559363291noreply@blogger.comBlogger180125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382800330666612406.post-16618278636359103092012-02-26T22:55:00.000-06:002012-02-26T22:55:05.860-06:00Senior Tribute<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Spent a couple of hours or so this evening writing a senior tribute for Lex for the yearbook ... insert deep sigh.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our "Little Miss Sunshine" is going to leave a giant hole when she goes off to college.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am honestly thrilled to watch her write the next chapter in her story and she is beyond prepared for it all, but I'm struggling with writing this yearbook thing.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">How do you sum up in one paragraph all that this girl means to our family?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">How do you capture all that is Lex?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">How do you not sound like a blubbering idiot?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">How do you graciously acknowledge her talent and accomplishments?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">How do you tell her that the best moments are yet to come?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">How do you turn her loose because it is her moment to SHINE?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Miss Megan got invited to a girly get-together yesterday ..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Cookie Decorating</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Nail Painting</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Apron Making</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Crafting</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Just for fun .. just because!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">My friend Mary was helping the girls sew decorative buttons onto the pocket of the apron.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">After the second button, here was the conversation:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Megan: Remind me again, why are we sewing these on? My Mom would have just used the glue gun by now. She uses the glue gun for EVERYTHING!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Mary: Oh, I'm a big fan of the glue gun too, but every now and then, you have to know how to sew. Like, if you need to sew a button on a shirt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Megan: (wrinkling up her face) WHAT??!! We just buy our shirts with the buttons already on them!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Isn't it just awesome to have painfully honest children??!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I would just like to point out that despite this conversation ..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I did take sewing in 4-H and</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I did win a blue ribbon at the county fair for the wrap around skirt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">That's my story and I'm sticking to it .. I can totally use a sewing machine and/or a needle and thread! ;)</span></div>
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</div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16944406171559363291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382800330666612406.post-15055193353574666392012-01-21T21:14:00.001-06:002012-01-21T21:14:19.087-06:00Livin on a Prayer<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was blessed this week to get to know a pretty amazing 14 year old girl.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">My new friend Isabella has had quite the life ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Born premature</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Open heart surgery at age 1</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Severe asthma</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Dyslexia</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Severe scoliosis</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This was her before yesterday:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The picture on the right is her spine after a spinal fusion surgery that lasted almost six hours. I have never seen anything like this .. cannot even imagine how this girl was walking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Dozens of people have commented that despite it all, this is one happy, giving child. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Always concerned with the welfare of others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Focused and hard working at school.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Kind and loving.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We started Project LOVE to help Miss Isabella get through the next few weeks of painful physical therapy as she relearns how to walk, sit, stand, roll over, etc. Her family is feeling a bit overwhelmed. A minimum of six weeks without pay is a scary thing. Their family includes:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Colleen - Mama Bear with a bit of an uphill battle for the past few years</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Tristan - 11 years old - "man of the house"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Isabella - 14 years old - our sweet girl</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">One of her cousins, who happens to be in 5th grade, considers Isabella to be her best friend. She has been really concerned for her and decided to take action. She created this page:</span></div>
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<br /><a href="https://www.wepay.com/donations/101024">https://www.wepay.com/donations/101024</a></div>
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I really dig kids who are moved by the situation of another to take this kind of action .. excellent work for an 11 year old girl! </div>
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So Project LOVE is taking off .. and the best part is we started on Martin Luther King Day and will wrap up right around Valentines Day!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">What can you do?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Donate online.<br />*Send a card with a note of encouragement or two to Collen, Isabella or Tristan between now and Feb 15th or so. If you can, throw in a gift card or $5.<br />*Have a group that you know - your family, girl scouts, boy scouts, church youth group, student council group, sports team, etc. - write Isabella and Tristan notes, host a fundraiser, put together a get well soon package.<br />*Anything else that you think would be cool!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you would like to help with Project LOVE .. email me and I'll send you the family's address.</span></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16944406171559363291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382800330666612406.post-19757916916562373062012-01-21T10:07:00.001-06:002012-01-21T10:07:51.156-06:00Terror<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It has been a bit since I had to do something professionally that is brand new .. something I've never done before .. something that has been know to cause an intense panic attack! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was asked to present to the Board of Directors for my company on some new initiatives I've been tasked with. They first asked a few months ago, but it just never came together until last week .. at a 6am Board Meeting!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I have presented before hundreds of people, and I don't really get too nervous anymore. However, this was a new experience .. and there were a lot of high level people in the room. Upon walking into the room, the first thing I noticed was that there was no projector in the room. Ummm .. how does one give a presentation without a projector? More importantly, what idiot doesn't print the presentation so you have an outline of what you wanted to say in the event there is not a projector in the room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">PANIC .. SHEER, HEART-POUNDING PANIC!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I'm starting to thinking about running for the door and claiming food poisoning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I found a long term VP that I've known for a long time and asked about the projector.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Come to find out .. they never use one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">These are things that might be nice to share with a first-timer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I'm sure he could sense the sheer panic, as he proceeded to talk me off the ledge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">"Just do your thing .. talk to them .. where have we been .. what are we doing right now .. where are we going."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It is fair to say that the next 15 minutes occurred WAY OUTSIDE my comfort zone. I haven't been that rattled for a long time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">On our way out, I joked to my friend, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">"Dorothy is NOT in Kansas any more!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Then I ran to my hotel room to call my husband so he could appreciate my looking like a complete idiot!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">After my heart rate returned to normal and I could think through the moment ..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I realized how good this was for me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It is good to be challenged!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It is good to be stretched and pushed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I need to do that more often ..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I need to intentionally find things that make me a little uncomfortable and force myself to engage it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I got a note later from one of the board members ..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">complimenting me and pointing out how calm and collected I was for a first time presenter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">HA! HA! Who says I'm a terrible actor when it comes to hiding my emotions behind this expressive face??!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">TAKE THAT!!</span></div>
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</div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16944406171559363291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382800330666612406.post-23395841117928289612012-01-15T12:57:00.002-06:002012-01-15T12:57:55.814-06:00Doctor's Office Tears<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You know those people who just have thousands of friends ..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Most people love to be around them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Most people find them hilarious.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This is my daughter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Miss Rachel Ann!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We had an appointment on Friday with a team of specialists</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">(remember the leg issue).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We walked in and found four different doctors in the room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">She was rattled for about ten seconds, and then moved to full Rachel mode.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Within two minutes .. here were the doctors:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One kept taking his glasses off to wipe the tears!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">How great is that!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Rach had gone out into the hall to work with the physical therapist.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The main doctor just looked at me and started shaking her head ..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">"That girl is something else!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">"Is she always like this?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">"She is going to accomplish great things, that one!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Yes, yes she is.</span></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16944406171559363291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382800330666612406.post-59936497153109085182012-01-13T23:29:00.001-06:002012-01-13T23:45:01.570-06:00Courage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Miss Ashley at the Shine Project has a unique way of picking topics to write about that are not only interesting .. but also encourage a fair amount of introspection with just a hint of the uncomfortableness that comes from opening up beyond your normal comfort level.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Courage can manifest itself in so many ways ..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It can be the young woman who stands up for the girl being made fun of at school.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It can be the grandmother who steps in and raises a grandchild.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It can be the young man who chooses to speak up in the locker room when the comments about girls are getting inappropriate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I had the unique opportunity to be in the hospital room when the doctors first used the words "Lou Gehrig's Disease" with my dad. I never was very good at following directions .. especially not the directions to "wait out here" after watching fifteen doctors and students file into his hospital room. This hospital was a teaching hospital, so everything was always observed by 12 or so students.</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">My dad was 39 years old.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We learned what amyotrophic lateral sclerosis was going to do to his body, and </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">that there was not a cure for this disease.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We learned what the life expectancy was for patients with this disease.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We learned that after all the disease would do .. his mind would always remain intact and he would be all too aware of what was happening.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The last thing Dr. P said was, "We're going to let you have some time to digest all of this. I'll come back in awhile and we can go through your questions."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">After everyone filed out ..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">my Dad and I locked eyes across the room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">See, my Dad was one of my best friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We're a lot alike, and I knew what this was going to do to him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">His fiercely independent spirit was NOT going to do well with this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Frankly, I wasn't so sure I was going to do well with this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">As I went and laid next to him in his hospital bed, he made an incredibly courageous statement .. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">"This doesn't change anything."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I told him he was right .. it didn't change anything .. it changed EVERYTHING!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">There is no doubt in my mind, there were moments and days when my Dad must have been terrified.</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Terrified of the path this disease would carve through his body.</span></div>
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Afraid that he would not be humble enough to accept the Lord's will and lose the anger.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Terrified of who would care for his family after he was gone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Afraid to do the things that the Lord would ask of him for the next couple of years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Courage is doing that which you are afraid to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We all learned a lot about courage during those 18 months .. as we did things that we were terrified to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We learned to trust in the Lord's time lines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We learned to rely on each other.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We learned that there are amazingly kind and generous people in the world .. and we vowed to pay that kindness forward .. even if it took an entire lifetime.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We learned to intentionally create moments and traditions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We learned to focus on things that matter, and let go of things that don't.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We learned to say I love you .. a lot.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIgrLrfTGwfowJHDNtgBRm20RlWc0lEF5P5Ikg1BWRnxRYKfa0fhShwQWfyYPXP4Zxle8aQ2YsMGA84THk3MRf_Gw2i69bjaobQNAzmu-1vSGI_Ka8reLHDM3xemgY2rwfcFNM7XOicA/s1600/Rickenbacker_CourageIsDoing.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIgrLrfTGwfowJHDNtgBRm20RlWc0lEF5P5Ikg1BWRnxRYKfa0fhShwQWfyYPXP4Zxle8aQ2YsMGA84THk3MRf_Gw2i69bjaobQNAzmu-1vSGI_Ka8reLHDM3xemgY2rwfcFNM7XOicA/s320/Rickenbacker_CourageIsDoing.gif" width="239" /></a> </div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16944406171559363291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382800330666612406.post-26165255187755247412012-01-12T21:08:00.000-06:002012-01-12T21:08:24.299-06:00Obsession<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Latest obsession .. eyebrows!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Maybe it is because we are both over 40</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">and weird junk starts to happen after that age.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIc32QffYWx290ssHgkCCD2IwXQBm_u36t7mCwiItmMs4j9Hh_kxYVrlNfqObaMtDN6nc8rGzkldNrBLqee0gUGhntuK9gCk9eYQsL7ZIAbFgsg5rXybxst7elX3kuKlLLkVGDXgaW70o/s1600/Bushy+eyebrows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIc32QffYWx290ssHgkCCD2IwXQBm_u36t7mCwiItmMs4j9Hh_kxYVrlNfqObaMtDN6nc8rGzkldNrBLqee0gUGhntuK9gCk9eYQsL7ZIAbFgsg5rXybxst7elX3kuKlLLkVGDXgaW70o/s200/Bushy+eyebrows.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All I know is that I notice eyebrows EVERYWHERE!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I work with mostly men .. quite a few over the age of 40.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I find myself wanting to grab a pair of tweezers when they sit next to me in meetings or on airplanes .. because the baby squirrels growing off their faces have got to go.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16944406171559363291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382800330666612406.post-44862480290265080332012-01-08T20:56:00.002-06:002012-01-09T20:05:18.533-06:00Change the World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLLALg9odJwaMCfgc71Vip0oDhq3AvI4Y3h-q9CKS1Cl-51a10UX4uKF6rtBB0tjfmBKXBGrOa5GPMs2nUq-X-DbtzC6JgUOMkJDibtEQPKaozLFLWvzVkNzDOx7_oTgwqTGLPmlzPts/s1600/244672192225344234_TU9nSPRX_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLLALg9odJwaMCfgc71Vip0oDhq3AvI4Y3h-q9CKS1Cl-51a10UX4uKF6rtBB0tjfmBKXBGrOa5GPMs2nUq-X-DbtzC6JgUOMkJDibtEQPKaozLFLWvzVkNzDOx7_oTgwqTGLPmlzPts/s320/244672192225344234_TU9nSPRX_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As a young girl .. I regularly prayed to be the mom of boys.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Boys would be less dramatic and emotional.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I could be surrounded by baseball bats and footballs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We could get dirty and have fun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I had a plan .. four boys and life would be sweet!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I am a mom to three girls .. so much for letting God in on my perfect plan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I have learned many a lesson from being surrounded by this much estrogen on a daily basis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">See, boys are strong and focused.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">They can do great things - professionally and personally.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">But girls .. there is something about a girl who has captured the vision and knows what she wants to do with her life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">A confident and intelligent girl can change the world .. she has the power to project love and positive energy to all she meets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">She understands the importance of keeping your eyes open and your heart in tune to the needs of others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">All of these can serve as a force for good that cannot be stopped.</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">There are times when these girls need a reminder of the potential that resides inside each of them. Too often, they focus on the negative comments and all of the ways in which they perceive they fall short.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I am incredibly passionate about reaching these young girls and making sure they KNOW .. and I mean really KNOW .. that they have the power to be and do anything.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Forget what you think you should be!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Forget what the world defines as beautiful!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Forget what talents you do or don't have!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Forget where your clothes come from!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Forget the haters!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Life will be full of people who think you should dress, talk, act and do things a certain way .. some of these people may even be members of your own family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">There are a million different ways to be and do .. and plan parties .. and raise children .. and spend your time .. you get the idea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">As a mom, I have always worked to instill this in my own girls.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I want them to go forward in life believing that they can <strong>RULE THE WORLD</strong>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">There is not a thing .. or a person .. who can hold them back from achieving their goals and dreams.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It doesn't matter if you love to get dressed up .. or if you prefer basketball shorts and tshirts .. you can change the world with the right focus and drive!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Ashley posed the question .. what would you change in the world?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I would change the way too many girls are raised.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">They are not meant to be coddled and sheltered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">They are not meant to fit some mold of what is the "right" way to be and do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">They are meant to be empowered and pushed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">They are meant to be educated and strong.</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">How great it would be if when she walks by .. people stop and say, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">"Watch out for that girl! She will change the world!"</span></div>
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<br /></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16944406171559363291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382800330666612406.post-5348426446604658452012-01-07T18:43:00.002-06:002012-01-07T18:43:32.407-06:00I Like To Look For Rainbows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the cutest 8 year olds I know got baptized this weekend!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We went looking for something fun and rainbow themes ..</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And found the perfect jello cups!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GRAPE</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BERRY BLUE</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LIME</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LEMON</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ORANGE</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">STRAWBERRY</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One tablespoon for each layer of the 4 oz jars.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two tablespoons for each layer of the 8 oz jars.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNXP-3eweUGQZ8lcOAu7Nv4FmAKh4pnbaR8gL1LXnNqYTdD7vvs8fEA6sWWWztTAz8O1e8ThI9tTTHrEZLuXcpf7Az3PQPNTCPZLq21jw7un45-EjZVstOax16heLhek0XixUZuYd6E0/s1600/IMG_1634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNXP-3eweUGQZ8lcOAu7Nv4FmAKh4pnbaR8gL1LXnNqYTdD7vvs8fEA6sWWWztTAz8O1e8ThI9tTTHrEZLuXcpf7Az3PQPNTCPZLq21jw7un45-EjZVstOax16heLhek0XixUZuYd6E0/s320/IMG_1634.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JFjVV-HRcyBCfNOaKF4Wlw8vU7uqInAQUJ9NRM4qltJcZgUHWXoJAU0MP1S1VK78cRWLFuvy0TzYQgPNjFQaplnjP2FHiwklmNuf11vJX2Gq4S8XxQoNhkwZ4nQ1eIxZ5XoGT_RDYjw/s1600/IMG_1641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JFjVV-HRcyBCfNOaKF4Wlw8vU7uqInAQUJ9NRM4qltJcZgUHWXoJAU0MP1S1VK78cRWLFuvy0TzYQgPNjFQaplnjP2FHiwklmNuf11vJX2Gq4S8XxQoNhkwZ4nQ1eIxZ5XoGT_RDYjw/s200/IMG_1641.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmAYDbO9AhZ0v-6ndVqBBWxUJjOGV4NzzHZq8cw2KCAjB_Mta7aJ22fm52NFf8j_XwyZatMDZQX2KuMmLHs7CStvW-59px3BOsbGJLx3Yn065K3rErkE1gqsjwNy_QSeb6KY87BhNqcM/s1600/IMG_1642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmAYDbO9AhZ0v-6ndVqBBWxUJjOGV4NzzHZq8cw2KCAjB_Mta7aJ22fm52NFf8j_XwyZatMDZQX2KuMmLHs7CStvW-59px3BOsbGJLx3Yn065K3rErkE1gqsjwNy_QSeb6KY87BhNqcM/s200/IMG_1642.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My youngest daughter took charge of the cool whip topping and sprinkles.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was not only fun to do, but it was a cute surprise for the birthday girl!</span></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16944406171559363291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382800330666612406.post-78232504184672986192012-01-02T23:23:00.000-06:002012-01-02T23:23:26.660-06:00The Christmas Story<div align="center">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are so many ways to enjoy the Christmas story ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This happens to be my personal favorite!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Cute kids</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Fun costumes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Joseph riding in on the donkey .. with an older Mary walking behind laughing</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Baby Jesus .. with a pacifier to calm his nerves</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And the littlest wiseman who just happens to play the drums as well!</span></div>
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</div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16944406171559363291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382800330666612406.post-52662131320926838792011-12-31T13:02:00.003-06:002012-01-01T07:53:41.273-06:00Words<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Normally, we have a family meeting this time of year and talk about what we want to accomplish in the upcoming year ... the dreaded resolutions. I've been thinking about it and trying to come up with something new. This is going to be a big year for us - a high school graduation, oldest child moving away to college - how to capture all of it and make it a meaningful activity.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I think I have an idea ..</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Not a list of resolutions</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Just one word</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One word that reflects what you want for yourself in 2012.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">YOUR WORD</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">YOUR FOCUS</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">YOUR HOPE</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Words can hold great meaning. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">They can be powerful and serve as a catalyst for change.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So we are each going to pick a word.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm going to laminate each word and place it on the fridge.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We'll do some activities during the year to keep the focus and visibility high.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What words will we choose?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just when you think you have heard it all ... along comes Mr. Rominger, attorney for Jerry Sandusky. Rominger gave a interview that contained this little nugget of wisdom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">"Teaching a person to shower at the age of 12 or 14 would sound strange to some people, but actually people who work with troubled youth would tell you that there are a lot of juvenile delinquents or people who are dependent who have to be taught basic life skills, like how to put soap on your body."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Well, thank you Mr. Rominger for clearing that up. Makes perfect sense now! Sandusky wasn't doing anything inappropriate ... he was simply teaching these young boys how to soap up in the shower. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mr. Rominger will be clarifying that genius statement for the next few days ... Personally, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am counting on Seth Myers to properly handle this during SNL this weekend. Come on Seth ... this is SCREAMING for coverage as a "REALLY with Seth"!</span></div>
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</div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16944406171559363291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382800330666612406.post-12870747218883005262011-12-16T19:35:00.002-06:002011-12-16T19:35:56.155-06:00Bricks From Heaven<div align="center">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My oldest got this recipe from her teacher at church ... and the teenage girls quickly renamed them "Bricks From Heaven." She took them to school this week and the teenage crowd is still asking for the recipe. We didn't get a photo, but feel free to give them a try!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 roll (16.5 oz) chocolate chip cookie dough</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 C. old fashioned quick oats</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Dash salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2/3 C. caramel Ice Cream Topping</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">5 T. flour</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 t. vanilla</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">3/4 C. chopped pecans (or walnuts)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 C. semi-sweet baking chips (6 oz)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Heat oven to 350. In large bowl, break up cookie dough. Stir on knead in oats and salt. Reserve 1/2 cup of the dough for topping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">In greased 9-inch square pan, press remaining dough mixture evenly in bottom to form crust. Bake 10-12 minutes or until dough puffs and appears dry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">In small bowl, mix caramel topping, flour and vanilla until well blended. Sprinkle pecans and chocolate chips over crust. Drizzle evenly with caramel mixture. Crumble reserved 1/2 cup dough mixture over caramel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 10 minutes. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen bars. Cool completely.</span></div>
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</div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16944406171559363291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382800330666612406.post-34584330086459110072011-12-15T13:12:00.000-06:002011-12-15T13:12:33.689-06:00New Friends<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I met a great young family this past week. You may have seen us on Facebook asking for costume donations. The momma in this family is the founder of the Princess Alexa Foundation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">It is my general personal belief that the word "trial" is widely overused ... there are daily challenges or aspects of life that just don't rise to the level of a trial. For me, I will be ready to use that word if a day comes that we have to spend 2-4 years fighting leukemia with one of my girls. I think I came pretty close the day my Dad died, and I was in Argentina ... you could say that the world came crashing down on that day and it took a few more days to get it back together. However, that would be nothing in comparison to losing one of my girls.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I was so moved by this sweet young family. They took the pain of losing a child and have translated it into a working non-profit. They use the fun of playing dress-up to bring a little sunshine into the lives of some really sick kiddos ... and I'm sure the parents of these kiddos enjoy those few hours every bit as much. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">What an amazing example of using your super powers for good!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">It was so fun to get to know them just a little bit and we look forward to doing more with their foundation.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLY1xwuX0zIxHZPCJmRB6oRDZZ6h-YKkWrNzWUUBiTOZxEK4aVINkONWbfvhFTZnMOYS_ioKuYm3R0fG1Uz_C1SsXOkb-5ylaSFZUJJm8M9do50YAWzzPpXLDdS1hqS_iic_Rgn4qalkw/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLY1xwuX0zIxHZPCJmRB6oRDZZ6h-YKkWrNzWUUBiTOZxEK4aVINkONWbfvhFTZnMOYS_ioKuYm3R0fG1Uz_C1SsXOkb-5ylaSFZUJJm8M9do50YAWzzPpXLDdS1hqS_iic_Rgn4qalkw/s320/IMG_0009.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Miss M came home from school a little upset ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Apparently, a group of girls were making fun of her for not having boobs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">WAIT ... WHAT?????!!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This is fourth grade!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I mean REALLY!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Really ladies ... What? You think you have gigantic boobs!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Really!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Really ... you do recognize that a push up bra doesn't actually mean you have boobs!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Really!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> How dare one of you not maintain her social status by rocking a push up "C" cup! The nerve of some girls!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I mean really!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Your mothers ought to be smacked for ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Buying you a push up bra in the fourth grade!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Encouraging such an emphasis on your body at ten years old!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Not smacking you every time a snotty comment came out of your mouth so we could eliminate this charming behavior before you really start to hurt the feelings of others!</span></div>
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<br /></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16944406171559363291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382800330666612406.post-86585661748556227672011-12-05T07:40:00.001-06:002011-12-05T18:56:49.527-06:001000 Words<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyKTwrULOZIajfkfcMtNidYVeZwAQDfL9fSaB6MzQUJe0R986SHzNK05-cLeQbyd71EhpQhuH4bH9a-_cD5pHHCscTcafACx59oGj0O0L0dePlz5fjcXIBqQvMfl_QyPTOSc3Dnf4HGo/s1600/IMG_0745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyKTwrULOZIajfkfcMtNidYVeZwAQDfL9fSaB6MzQUJe0R986SHzNK05-cLeQbyd71EhpQhuH4bH9a-_cD5pHHCscTcafACx59oGj0O0L0dePlz5fjcXIBqQvMfl_QyPTOSc3Dnf4HGo/s200/IMG_0745.JPG" width="160" /></a></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">What's that saying ... A picture is worth a thousand words.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This is what is left of my beater after an unfortunate encounter with a glass bottle of corn syrup.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This so perfectly sums up the past two weeks of fun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Eight airplanes in two weeks while trying to coordinate Christmas and school activities and general life has been a kick in the pants.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So last night when I pulled the beater off and set it on the counter, my entire house just roared with laughter! Good news is ... they finally have something to add to this Christmas list they have been hounding me about. :)</span></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16944406171559363291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382800330666612406.post-43859382520327822072011-11-20T21:54:00.001-06:002011-11-20T22:16:34.874-06:00Thoughtful Giving<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It can be so difficult to identify the "perfect" gift. I'm a big fan of finding something meaningful that can really be used for years to come. This week, I heard such an amazing story of meaningful giving ... that I had to share.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">One of my co-workers was turning 60 this week. He arrived home on Tuesday to find a random truck parked in this driveway, blocking his way into the garage. Like most 60 year olds, he is a little crankier than the average person. He got out of his car and "lit into his wife" who happened to be standing on the sidewalk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">"Who owns the truck?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">"Where did it come from?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">"You better not have bought this thing!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">His oldest son came out the front door and asked him if he was ready to apologize for being an idiot. Then he asked his Dad to look really close again at the truck ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As he looked the truck over, a flash of recognition came over his face ... but it couldn't be!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This truck was purchased by his grandfather in 1962.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">He learned how to drive in this truck when he was eleven.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">His grandpa let him borrow the truck for his first date at 15.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The family sold the truck in 1980.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">His son had spent about six months tracking down the truck, finally locating it in a barn in Texas. He went to meet with the owners and explained to them the significance of the truck in the life of his family, until they agreed to allow him to purchase it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">His son spent the next six months working with a guy to have it fully restored. He oversaw every detail .. from tracking down original hubcaps to the original paint color.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This week, his son parked the truck in his dad's driveway ... knowing full well he would be snarky when he came home and saw it ... yet also knowing that it would be one of the most memorable and meaningful gifts he had ever received.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">After they took it out for a ride and everyone else had gone inside, my friend sat behind the wheel of that truck and just let the memories flow. So many of his favorite childhood memories were somehow attached to this truck.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Next summer they are having a family reunion. What an amazing opportunity to share this truck with another two generations of family members ... I can just see the little ones, lined up on that running board, listening to the stories about this truck and where it has carried their family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It is not always possible to do something this grand, but this served as a solid reminder of the importance of really putting some thought into the gifts I give and looking for opportunities to do something truly meaningful and thoughtful.</span></div>
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<br /></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16944406171559363291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382800330666612406.post-69071651305993044072011-11-17T20:53:00.001-06:002011-11-17T20:59:54.809-06:00Tis the Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8B4PldT1ykTiAvirpbKp7jWvvSR1EfjQXQ6gVyWTNPVHhUgocaPtecX06gPOJGk6AUxPDpIxPJxtBBfQydoZVw8bi8Fr_-js3vP24nLZGJnTX82MZjX8So6rxTNNfe5zoLFCyOtJChM/s1600/IMG_0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8B4PldT1ykTiAvirpbKp7jWvvSR1EfjQXQ6gVyWTNPVHhUgocaPtecX06gPOJGk6AUxPDpIxPJxtBBfQydoZVw8bi8Fr_-js3vP24nLZGJnTX82MZjX8So6rxTNNfe5zoLFCyOtJChM/s320/IMG_0458.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>
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Tis the season!!</div>
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The first Christmas crafty moment has occurred ... so we are officially ready for it all to begin!</div>
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Few things are as relaxing as a few hours with a glue gun</div>
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and a couple of friends</div>
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and a little gossip</div>
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and some hummus!!</div>
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Original idea found via Pinterest ... </div>
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<a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/2011/11/noel-sign/">http://www.iheartnaptime.net/2011/11/noel-sign/</a></div>
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<br />Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16944406171559363291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382800330666612406.post-64641173521708626712011-10-27T22:22:00.000-05:002011-10-27T22:22:22.662-05:00Pink Out Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_08kSvqLOKgjAV4GCC_o3QXYnUuUyd3uu6qwbcN3pGJ8fb1KKIb5S8nelHnT01dA_37PZxYa37mPnnFYqlO2yMHGTY0Cl9Q0MIfzmWIm9ZDCGTMk3Wu-QpxADd9-BpUeShsyUIoJ6ec0/s1600/IMG_9555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_08kSvqLOKgjAV4GCC_o3QXYnUuUyd3uu6qwbcN3pGJ8fb1KKIb5S8nelHnT01dA_37PZxYa37mPnnFYqlO2yMHGTY0Cl9Q0MIfzmWIm9ZDCGTMk3Wu-QpxADd9-BpUeShsyUIoJ6ec0/s200/IMG_9555.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb07iQlMnUbPrz3V9YJ0AQhyGLl0nV2bCklFdsTqg8KA1fp2I-Gy515uE25FW358shLfUA_XiSzC5ud4oeL88omte4MuLzKQyYpJHrVX9RUPbcFQgrVJncsZzGqyncTQONpMKJgoRSnZ8/s1600/IMG_9561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb07iQlMnUbPrz3V9YJ0AQhyGLl0nV2bCklFdsTqg8KA1fp2I-Gy515uE25FW358shLfUA_XiSzC5ud4oeL88omte4MuLzKQyYpJHrVX9RUPbcFQgrVJncsZzGqyncTQONpMKJgoRSnZ8/s200/IMG_9561.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fairly regularly, I am humbled and reminded of yet another reason why I have not yet been nominated for "Mother of the Year" ... The conversation went a little like this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">M: MOM ... I HAVE to wear red today!!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">H:Are you sure?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">M:YES! It is Red Ribbon Week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">H:Nope -- that's next week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">M: MOM, we are watching the video today to kick it off. We have to wear red.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">H: Hon, I already got the note from school and added all of your dress up days to the calendar. Next week is Red Ribbon Week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">M: I know! But we are kicking it off today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">H: Okay! Go get dressed and come back so I can do your hair.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">She comes back a couple of minutes later all dressed in pink.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">H: Buddy, I thought you had to wear red today?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">M: Yeah, I think I got confused. It is not Dare, it is Pink Out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">H: Are you sure you know what you are talking about?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">M: YES -- they had signs up at school. We're supposed to wear pink today .. and we can wear pink in our hair.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">H: I doubt that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">M: Seriously -- even Madison and Autumn had color in their hair this week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">H: Are you sure?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">M: YES -- we can totally wear pink in our hair.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Despite the red flags going off in my head ... I remembered the new principal. He is young and hip and has been doing a lot of new things with the kids. So, maybe he really did say they could add color to their hair for pink Out Day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">As you can tell by the photos, we painted pink stripes in her hair. She skipped out of the bathroom to put her shoes on. A minute later, she returns with the look of sheer terror on her face ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">M: I remember where I saw the signs about Pink Out Day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">H: At school?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">M: No .. it was at Primrose (her after school care).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">H: Hmmmm (holding in the laughter)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">M: I CANNOT GO TO SCHOOL LIKE THIS!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">H: You could always just rock it and tell them it is Pink Out Day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">M: MOM ... I looked at the dress code. It says NO EXTREME HAIR COLOR. Do you think this qualifies as extreme?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">At this point, the rest of the family hits the floor and busts out laughing. Extreme? No, giant hot pink stripes are barely noticeable!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We headed to the kitchen sink to wash out as much as we could, considering it was already 7:45. First, we had to document this little fiasco!! My little drama queen starts to sob while I was her hair ... " I'm such an idiot!! I feel so stupid!!" Her older sisters start telling stories about dumb things that have happened to them like totally missing the first day of school, falling down the stairs, etc. Her Dad comes running into the room yelling about how it is Peach day and he has nothing to wear ... until we finally had her calmed back down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">She's sitting real quiet in the back seat while I drive her to school.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">M: Hmm ... I just remembered something.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">H: What's that?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">M: Well, Madison and Autumn had a concert at School of Rock. That's why they had purple and green in their hair. Now that I think about it, I think they must have tried to wash it out because there was really only a little strand that was still purple and green.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">H: Yeah, we probably should have figured that out before adding hot pink stripes to your hair.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">M: So, can we put the stripes back in this weekend? They did look cool.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">H: Sure, sis. Just so we're clear, you are 15 minutes late to school. You are going to get a tardy and it is going to be okay. No drama .. we are just late today and the world will continue to rotate on its axis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">M: I know ... levels of panic! This started as a 10+, but now I'll keep it at a 2.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">H: Love you buddy. Have a good day with your slightly pink hair!</span></div>
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<br /></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16944406171559363291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382800330666612406.post-66230758823399685162011-10-27T21:27:00.002-05:002011-10-27T21:27:49.824-05:00Chocolate Waffles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4g7LmrI6tOiQYtDO_ySViymt5q880B2dh-EJwB4BY3MBmzHzOagDFob__0T3Grn6-bzMLIpCtC4HjsEFzfByBK6Ogr6tYpqtW_Fli9G8VBtNLFMlhZSwQUqh6j5iyZPL1jDUtckdMDY/s1600/IMG_9571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4g7LmrI6tOiQYtDO_ySViymt5q880B2dh-EJwB4BY3MBmzHzOagDFob__0T3Grn6-bzMLIpCtC4HjsEFzfByBK6Ogr6tYpqtW_Fli9G8VBtNLFMlhZSwQUqh6j5iyZPL1jDUtckdMDY/s200/IMG_9571.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We tried one of our Pinterest finds ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Chocolate Waffles!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">They are super easy. Just follow the normal directions on the back of a chocolate cake mix. We went with Milk Chocolate so it wouldn't be too heavy. Pour the batter into the waffle iron and let them cook. Top with whipped cream and strawberries.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">My girls LOVED them!!</span> </div>
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<br />Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16944406171559363291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382800330666612406.post-3762227942728827092011-09-30T20:35:00.000-05:002011-09-30T20:35:11.509-05:00FDNY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We're going to pretend that I was organized enough to post this closer to September 11th ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I got a phone call from Delta Airlines in March of 2000. Apparently, I purchased their 3 millionth online airline ticket and had won a trip for four to the World Series that year. I suddenly became a massive baseball fan as we watched the playoffs to see where we would be going. Lucky for us .. it was the year of the Subway Series - Yankees vs. Mets. It was our first time taking the girls to New York City!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Statue of Liberty .. Central Park .. Broadway .. they loved everything. You can tell by the photos, Rachel was in her "SUPERSTAR" phase of photo taking. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This was pre 9/11 .. back when you could still hike it to the top of the Statue of Liberty and the twin towers appeared in photos. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One afternoon, we were on our way back to the hotel when we saw a couple of FDNY firefighters outside trying to coax people into their new fire safety facility in Manhattan. Jeremy and I were going to cross the street to avoid them ... when a really excited four year old took off running down the block and started to chat up the firefighters. We ended up hanging out with them for over an hour .. playing dress up, learning about fires, coloring, etc.</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We did not realize it at the time, but </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">this company was one of the first responders after the planes hit the towers eleven months later. These individuals displayed a level of courageousness that day that few people ever achieve and showed us all the true meaning of putting others welfare before your own. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We will forever be grateful for a moment that was initiated by a smart little girl who recognized the fun of being a pretend fireman .. and we stopped rushing around long enough to appreciate these incredibly brave individuals. </span></div>
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Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16944406171559363291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382800330666612406.post-22344538418977367502011-09-02T19:26:00.002-05:002011-09-02T19:26:45.612-05:00Pinter WHO???<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have successfully avoided the Pinterest craze until this week!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Spending the past few days at home with Rach caused a moment of intense weakness and I decided to check it out.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This was the first thing I saw ...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">... and now I am hooked!!!</span></div>
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Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16944406171559363291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382800330666612406.post-22541843655339336772011-09-01T16:57:00.000-05:002011-09-01T16:57:58.931-05:00Lessons Learned in a Hospital Waiting Room<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am a lessons learned kind of girl ... it has become a bit of a joke at my house because the phrase, "What can we learn from this?" follows almost every positive and negative event.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A couple of months ago, my 14-year old took a pretty serious spill on a 4-wheeler while visiting family in Idaho. She was there with her older sister for a few days before heading to a church camp. Generally, I'm not much of a "what if" or "crazy worrying" kind of parent. Stuff happens with kids all the time .. falling and splitting a head open .. breaking an arm .. concussion .. crazy reaction to a bug bite. All of which have happened at the homes of some of our favorite people. I would rather have kids who jump in and are not afraid to try new things.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">However, this one was a little different. This one got under my skin a bit. There were specific decisions made by adults that involved my Annie ... and she got really hurt. Two months later, she is in surgery and the fun continues. We have been required to tell the story to multiple medical professionals and each time they start with ...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">How did this happen?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Was she wearing a helmet?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">How fast was she going? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Each time we answered the questions .. this little angry bug under my skin would bite a little bit harder. I even got defensive and felt compelled to explain that we weren't there and would not have allowed her to ride without a helmet.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We had a "lessons learned" chat after this happened .. but it mainly focused on toys like jet skis, 4-wheelers, snowmobiles and how to safely enjoy them. We talked about helmets, controlling your speed, how to properly take a corner, etc.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Her leg got infected and formed a large hematoma .. hence the surgery this week. Living in Dallas comes with perks, like having two of the "Top 10 Children's Hospitals" in the country. As we waited to check in, I started looking around the waiting room, which was full of children a lot younger than mine. You could tell me looking at them .. this was not their first trip to a hospital. I don't consider it a good sign when the nurse checking people in recognizes you and calls you by name.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After they took her back to the operating room, we moved to a larger waiting room. I watched doctors come and take families back to conference rooms because the news they had to deliver was not appropriate in a fishbowl. We watched families fall apart because something had gone wrong during the surgery. The longer we sat there ... frankly, the dumber I felt.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We have never had a real health challenge with any of our girls.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've never heard the words - leukemia or cancer or tumor.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">They have never missed a year of school because of visits to specialists or hospitals.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have never known that sheer panic that comes when a doctor walks into the room with that look.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We have known the pain that comes from losing a child.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We have been incredibly blessed.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sometimes, the lesson learned comes a little while after the big event.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In a hospital waiting room, I learned perhaps the most valuable lesson of all ..</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and I will be grateful. I will be grateful that all it took was a surgeon and thirty minutes to put her back together. I will be grateful for the health of my family. I will be grateful for these little moments that remind me to let go of the things that bring negativity and focus on the beauty in my life.</span></div>
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Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16944406171559363291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382800330666612406.post-2804608672686569542011-08-26T21:17:00.000-05:002011-08-26T21:17:30.979-05:00Break Out the Pumpkins<div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Despite the fact that it was a balmy 106 in Dallas today ... </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm ready to move on to Fall.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">This crazy weather has until next weekend to get with the program</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">because the tubs are coming out!!</span></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today, I posted an event to the calendar ...</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">June 5, 2012</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">This is the day my Lex graduates from high school.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">One could safely assume I had a moment.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
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<div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm starting a petition ...</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">There are so many AP tests, it is impossible to take all the classes in one year.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">We should TOTALLY extend the senior year of high school to two years and allow the kids to get more college credits.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Anyone want to sign?</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">PLEASE!!!</span></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16944406171559363291noreply@blogger.com0