tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276536492024-03-21T00:37:00.243-04:00{A Day's Grace}Tales and stories told on the journey of my life...seemingly going the wrong way on a one way street.LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.comBlogger325125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-28648814356378633712015-07-04T10:58:00.001-04:002015-07-04T10:58:34.665-04:00Who is My NeighborI'm doing some writing for our church blog. Check it out <a href="http://christ-community.com/blog/2015/7/4/who-is-my-neighbor-1" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
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<br />LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-67497750934435254492015-04-07T12:09:00.002-04:002015-04-07T13:06:25.773-04:00Looking in All the Wrong Places<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="305" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/90418867" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="550"></iframe>
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<br />
I have long chronicled my struggles with depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Sadly, it is something so present in my life that it has been recorded and I don't see it's presence lessening in any sense of the word soon.<br />
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People often think that these struggles are situational. Hell, I have often convinced myself that if only X, Y, or Z - then I would feel better and be a better person. I would be whole.<br />
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But the fact of the matter is that my brain and heart are broken.<br />
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Moving back home had very little affect on my depression for the better.<br />
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I think it actually made it worse.<br />
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Aside from gaining the sunshine, I lost an entire community. It's the community that I had painstakingly built over a two year period. I again lost a house. An environment. A town. I lost things. Seriously, I have lost a lot of things in the moving process. My husband and I often joke that we are just not allowed nice things. We either have to give them up because they won't fit in the new rental or they break in transit. Not to mention the "wealth" that we lose every time we move. Moving isn't inexpensive.<br />
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I lost connectedness. I also lose a desire to be connected. What's the point of it all anyhow? I have built homes, communities, roots many many times in my life. All to see them ripped from my hands - never really an excited or willing participant. I have always just been along for the ride. Whether it's growing up an army brat or being married and just making decisions that are best for my husband's career - moving is a great adventure. But not all great adventures are happy. Most are terrifying. And my life as I have often seen it is very much battered and bruised if one looks at it from a distance. Large portions of my life are simply collateral damage. I have scars from moving.<br />
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Each move. Each new adventure. However you phrase it, reopens the old wounds. It makes the old scars a little deeper. And in a sense - I hole away until parts of me can heal.<br />
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The point that I want to hearken back to is the connectedness and the loss of it. I feel its loss very deeply in my current moment. Sitting at a table. Surrounded by my girls. A friend has just come by and brought us a gift. We had an incredibly busy and wonderful weekend filled with new friends, old friends, and church family. And yet, I am so incredibly lonely.<br />
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It has nothing to do with the number of people around me or even the number of activities I am involved in. It has nothing to do with a lack of family or friends or my husband or my children.<br />
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Why do I feel lonely? Is it to do with moving?<br />
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Of course it is. Moving breaks all the constants. It makes all the old reliable muscle memory wrong and outdated and suddenly the light switch is on the other side of the bathroom wall. It is to do with the move, but it is also to do with WHERE I look to for my consistency.<br />
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Where is my constant?<br />
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Where is my True North?<br />
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It's my God. My faith.<br />
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And oh.....how I have been seeking to avoid Him lately. I don't want to delve into the depths. They are too hard. They are too many. They are too dark.<br />
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And yet....HE IS LIGHT.<br />
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At my worst, I expect God to plunge me into the depths, but He truly does seek to pull me out. He shines light into the darkness and the darkness is overcome. There can be no darkness where there is light.<br />
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I know these things. In my head. There are whispers of this truth in my heart. <br />
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Communion with God is such a marvelous thing and it can connect me to the world around me. It can make me feel part, known, whole - even in the midst of loss and anger and depression. There is still a sadness and a loneliness when I am with Him. But it is so much greater when I hide myself away and refuse His company.<br />
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Turning away from that Communion leads me into those hard moments - those hard journeys - and all is unknown....even my own heart.<br />
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I hope that you are each found today in a place of connectedness - whether sustained or fleeting. I hope that you find Communion. I hope that whispers turn into screams and ripples into waves.<br />
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Find you in Him.<br />
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<br />LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-90992576609137540782015-01-21T05:30:00.000-05:002015-01-21T08:32:26.930-05:00Kids & Weddings<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4XYs86wQOMYAjwQqNZ_syByCUYf-JUanNFJLVIMRj5LgqohDuElMOXmTS-j5SaoBOO-q7qc2_1Jf7IGiVqQJaQ3tHuk5pJyVjUSe8XTesEH22WwykTVM8qfaeL2ygMdLC4K1Rw/s1600/blog-hop.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4XYs86wQOMYAjwQqNZ_syByCUYf-JUanNFJLVIMRj5LgqohDuElMOXmTS-j5SaoBOO-q7qc2_1Jf7IGiVqQJaQ3tHuk5pJyVjUSe8XTesEH22WwykTVM8qfaeL2ygMdLC4K1Rw/s1600/blog-hop.png" height="200" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 22px;">
<i style="font-size: x-small;">Welcome to our very first Blog Hop for 2015!</i></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 22px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This month we want to help you start the year off by getting organized as you’re planning your wedding or event. Get ready for some great ideas to help you reduce stress and enjoy the planning process as you move along through the blog hop.</span> <i>You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from <a href="http://blog.platinumpartyevents.com/" target="_blank">40. Laurie Kuerlemann</a> on <a href="http://nataliebradley.com/blog/" target="_blank">Natalie’s</a> Blog Hop. If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you make sure to see and learn from all of the articles featured here today.</i></span></td></tr>
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Hey There.<br />
<br />
I am not a wedding or an event planner.<br />
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I have planned ONE wedding 10+ year ago. My own. So, god speed, ladies.<br />
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I do, however, have kids. They are quite the handful.<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">I get dirty stares taking them into public places where it </span><i style="text-align: center;">should</i><span style="text-align: center;"> be completely acceptable to act childlike. So, imagine the sweaty, itchy, neurotic mess I become when I envision my children having to sit in a completely silent church whilst a beautiful white-dressed "princess" {the 2-year-old equivalent of Bono} stands dangerously within reach of that glass of communal wine {the 2-year-old equivalent of paint}.</span><br />
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{Oh, those scenarios have never played out in your mind? Well, you probably don't have children.}<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are the crazed faces that can totally take your perfectly planned day off its rails.</td></tr>
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Let's visit the angst-ridden tight rope that one must walk during the process of wedding planning that can only be referred to as:<br />
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<i>"Children at major events that in no way were designed for young, small, noisy, and possibly poop-covered humans"</i><br />
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It's a working title.<br />
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There is one basic question to begin with as the bride {that's you, lucky lady}:<br />
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<b>Do you WANT kids at your event? </b><br />
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Here's the truth, no one is twisting your arm and if they are, cross them off your guest list {unless it is your soon to be mother-in-law because that is just not a good way to start}.<br />
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My hubs and I did not invite children to our big day. We were planning on a budget and wanted more cash for music and food. We also didn't know a ton of people with kids. It was an easy call. We did have family children IN the wedding and these kiddos also came to the reception {because we got to call the shots and loved having them there}. <br />
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Now, for the advice parts.<br />
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<b>If you choose NOT to have children:</b><br />
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Did you think you were going to get out of having to plan for kids? Ha. That's funny.<br />
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<u>Make it Clear</u>. Address your envelopes and word your invitations in such a way that there is no misunderstanding: this is a "no kids" event. There are lots of <a href="http://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/how-to-nicely-say-no-kids-on-the-invitations/e6a8f178d36456e3.html" target="_blank">elegant wordings</a> out there that won't come off too harshly.<br />
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<u>Don't forget your guests who may be traveling with kids</u>. I'm not saying you should make an exception, but certainly collate and provide a list of possible caretakers in the area OR better yet, hire a childcare worker(s) for the wedding and reception times to stay at the hotel with the kiddos. If your guests are traveling 2000 miles for your wedding and can't bring their most precious cargo along to the big event, be a gem and take the time to do some legwork for them. Again, you don't have kids. Ask around. Churches often have childcare workers {with completed background checks} that they hire for Sunday mornings. Call daycare centers or ask the girl who works in the kid area at your gym {all will have had background checks - HOLLA!} If you just can't seem to make contact, try some of the online services - like <a href="http://care.com/">Care.com</a><br />
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<b>If you choose to HAVE children at the wedding and or reception:</b><br />
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During the Ceremony {and I say this in all serious} make like Santa, the Easter Bunny, and Elsa from <i>Frozen</i> - Buy gifts for all the little girls and boys, put them in cute baskets, and then "Let it Go."<br />
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Kids don't have a long attention span. Do you know what helps? Straight-forward, no-nonsense, Bribery. This is best accomplished in the form of a goodie bag or basket. Be sure to include:<br />
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<u>Edible Treats:</u> Gummy Bears or lollipops that can be shoved into their mouths mercilessly. You can also do healthier fruit snacks (mom will thank you), but do avoid chocolate (Mom will straight kill you with dagger eyes when she has to wipe down a well-dressed toddler with chocolate face, hands, feet...it gets everywhere).<br />
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<u>Toy:</u> This can be simple. A hot wheels car, a little tub of play dough, a kaleidoscope, a small plastic animal. You just want to make sure that it does't make noise.<br />
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<u>Pipe Cleaners:</u> These suckers are brightly colored and easily bendable. They give fidgety kids something to do with their hands. SCORE.<br />
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<u>Coloring Book and Crayons:</u> This is pretty self explanatory, but it keeps kids busy and quiet and engaged. You can even get some pictures of you and your fiance and the church and have a <a href="http://www2.crayola.com/play-zone/play.cfm?siteID=1&appID=1#/COL" target="_blank">custom</a> coloring book just waiting for them.<br />
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<u>A Back-Up Plan:</u> Sometimes you have a colicky baby or a two-year-old who is more of a bridezilla than your friend, Marcy {and you know how SHE was}. So, have a little mercy on your guests and see if the venue has a room that can serve as a "cry" room. A lot of churches have these already and they are life savers. If everything is going downhill real quick, mom or dad can scoop up their bundle of joy and make a graceful exit to an already designated, fairly comfortable locale. {Make sure there is good signage and have ushers inform guests with kids as to its whereabouts}<br />
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Now.....the Reception:<br />
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<u>If it is a formal sit down dinner:</u> WHY ARE YOU INVITING CHILDREN!? If you have little dinner guests, make sure that there are high chairs. Also, crackers, <a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/images/content/web/pdfs/2009Q3/msw_sum09_photoscavengerhunt.pdf" target="_blank">quiet games</a>, and an <a href="http://www.orientaltrading.com/wedding-doodle-place-mats-for-adults-a2-12_5926.fltr?Ntt=wedding%20place%20mats" target="_blank">activity place mat</a> would be appreciated. Kids don't like waiting for their food. And like your Aunt Edna after a few drinks, they will let everyone within screaming distance know it.<br />
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<u>If this is a more free-flowing event:</u> Spoil the kids at your wedding with a little play area. It can be a simple kids sized table with books, disposable cameras, paper, crayons, cupcakes, candy, and other kid-friendly food. You can also lay down a beautiful blanket or rug and set toys, puzzles, and board games around it. This just allows them to have an area that is all their own....and it gives mom and dad an "out" if they are unable to entertain lil' Billy for another second. But don't worry, kids love the dance floor and loud music and cake. Your ceremony was probably their personal hell, but your reception is the BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY EVER.<br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/lydwells/kids-at-weddings-blog-hop/" target="_blank">{More Great Ideas}</a><br />
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I can't reiterate this enough: DO NOT STRESS . Something will go wrong that day. It will MORE than likely have nothing to do with that small {poopy} human who can't seem to grasp the concept sacred vows....and will most definitely have everything to do with that one piece of hair that is out of place or that the peonies are more Pepto in shade and less the desired blush color. You will have a meltdown at some point - just like the kids who may or may not be coming to your nuptials.<br />
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Happy Planning.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HeAXGVdpMOHwYDGXlgiEZ38eIZndfbpI0OFyiNAUw_FFD0tkoAP4A61eCwxBgvFOLpFHLSmkNPe_xpio7vZIomjxl7bq7y1a7uB-Uqe1sGbAuIxnL3IhDzOp85NtJDQqJk0_4Q/s1600/blogsignature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HeAXGVdpMOHwYDGXlgiEZ38eIZndfbpI0OFyiNAUw_FFD0tkoAP4A61eCwxBgvFOLpFHLSmkNPe_xpio7vZIomjxl7bq7y1a7uB-Uqe1sGbAuIxnL3IhDzOp85NtJDQqJk0_4Q/s1600/blogsignature.png" /></a></div>
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**Please take time to scroll through the complete list for a little special message from me**<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The next stop is <a href="http://melissapepin.com/blog/" target="_blank"> 42. Melissa Pepin</a> on Natalie’s Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you again next month!</span></i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1. Natalie Bradley at <a href="http://nataliebradley.com/blog/" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Natalie Bradley Events</a></span></i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2. Katherine Shorter at <span data-sheets-userformat="[null,null,513,[null,0],null,null,null,null,null,null,null,null,0]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Creating Awesomenessity"]" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://creatingawesomenessity.com/" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Creating Awesomenessity</a></span></span></i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3. Kristi Richardson at <span data-sheets-userformat="[null,null,513,[null,0],null,null,null,null,null,null,null,null,0]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Bloomed To Last"]" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.bloomedtolast.com/btl-blogs" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Bloomed To Last</a></span></span></i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">4. Chantal Benoit at <span data-sheets-userformat="[null,null,513,[null,0],null,null,null,null,null,null,null,null,0]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Chantal Benoit Photographer"]" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://chantalbenoitphotographer.com/elegant-wedding-photographer-in-ottawa/" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Chantal Benoit Photographer</a></span></span></i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">5. Elizabeth Batte at <span data-sheets-userformat="[null,null,513,[null,0],null,null,null,null,null,null,null,null,0]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"plainjane designs "]" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://plainjanedesignsblog.blogspot.com/" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">plainjane designs</a></span></span></i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">6. Andie Freeman at <span data-sheets-userformat="[null,null,513,[null,0],null,null,null,null,null,null,null,null,0]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Andie Freeman Photography "]" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.andiefreemanphotography.com/blog" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Andie Freeman Photography</a></span></span></i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">7. Brenna Fields Taylor at <span data-sheets-userformat="[null,null,513,[null,0],null,null,null,null,null,null,null,null,0]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"An Elegant Affair LLC"]" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.an-elegant-affair.net/_blog/Blog" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">An Elegant Affair LLC</a></span></span></i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">8. Irene Tyndale at <span data-sheets-userformat="[null,null,513,[null,0],null,null,null,null,null,null,null,null,0]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Irene Tyndale Events "]" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://irenetyndale.com/blog/" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Irene Tyndale Events</a></span></span></i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">9. Sharon K Hyatt at <span data-sheets-userformat="[null,null,513,[null,0],null,null,null,null,null,null,null,null,0]" data-sheets-value="[null,2," Weddings with Sharon of Awesome Designs & Weddings"]" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.awesomedesignsandweddings.com/blog" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Weddings with Sharon of Awesome Designs & Weddings</a></span></span></i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">10. Tessa Marie at <span data-sheets-userformat="[null,null,513,[null,0],null,null,null,null,null,null,null,null,0]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Tessa Marie Weddings"]" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://tessamarie.com/blog" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Tessa Marie Weddings</a></span></span></i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">11. Peter Merkle at <span data-sheets-userformat="[null,null,513,[null,0],null,null,null,null,null,null,null,null,0]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Chicago Wedding DJs"]" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://chicagoweddingdjs.com/blog/" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Chicago Wedding DJs</a></span></span></i> </blockquote>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">13. Deborah Ashe at <span data-sheets-userformat="[null,null,513,[null,0],null,null,null,null,null,null,null,null,0]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Rev. Deborah Ashe"]" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://revdebi.com/blog/" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Rev. Deborah Ashe</a></span></span></i> </blockquote>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">14. Angela Christoforo at <span data-sheets-userformat="[null,null,513,[null,0],null,null,null,null,null,null,null,null,0]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Elite Wedding and Event Planning"]" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://elitewedevents.com/blog/" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Elite Wedding and Event Planning</a></span></span></i> </blockquote>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">15. Liz Coopersmith at <span data-sheets-userformat="[null,null,513,[null,0],null,null,null,null,null,null,null,null,0]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Silver Charm Events"]" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.silvercharmblog.com/" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Silver Charm Events</a></span></span></i> </blockquote>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">17. Maggie Evans at<a href="http://www.maggieevansdesigns.com/journal" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> </span><span data-sheets-userformat="[null,null,513,[null,0],null,null,null,null,null,null,null,null,0]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Maggie Evans Designs :: handmade bridal couture"]" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Maggie Evans Designs :: handmade bridal couture</span></a></span></i> </blockquote>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">18. N’neka Scruggs at <span data-sheets-userformat="[null,null,513,[null,0],null,null,null,null,null,null,null,null,0]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Images by N'neka"]" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://weddingsbynneka.com/category/blog/" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Images by N’neka</a></span></span></i> </blockquote>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">37. Myiesha Antwine at <span data-sheets-userformat="[null,null,513,[null,0],null,null,null,null,null,null,null,null,0]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Kiss and Tell Weddings"]" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.kisstellweddings.com/" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Kiss and Tell Weddings</a></span></span></i> </blockquote>
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<span data-sheets-userformat="[null,null,513,[null,0],null,null,null,null,null,null,null,null,0]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Lydia Wells"]" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">40. Lydia Wells at <span data-sheets-userformat="[null,null,513,[null,0],null,null,null,null,null,null,null,null,0]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Writer Mom"]" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://adaysgrace.blogspot.com/" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Writer Mom</a></span></span></i></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span> </blockquote>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">41. Melissa Pepin at<a href="http://melissapepin.com/blog/" style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ed6bae; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> </span><span data-sheets-userformat="[null,null,513,[null,0],null,null,null,null,null,null,null,null,0]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Melissa Pepin Photography"]" style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Melissa Pepin Photography</span></a></span></i></blockquote>
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Follow my blog using the link to the right hand side and you will be entered to win a set of custom coloring pages for your big day. One lucky winner will be announced January 26, 2015. If you don't win, no worries. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SewsRowsCustomCrafts?ref=hdr_shop_menu#" target="_blank">Contact me</a> if you are interested in custom coloring pages for your wedding - complete with coloring pages of the bride, groom, cake, and venue. MENTION this blog post for 15% OFF!</div>
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<i>Lydia is a writer/illustrator/mom who in no way envies you in the planning process, but thank goodness for this informative blog hop. </i></div>
LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-56452479772083536702015-01-12T10:25:00.001-05:002015-01-12T20:53:58.477-05:00Privilege and Voice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
I'm very white and very privileged.<br />
<br />
I grew up the youngest daughter of a couple who broke their respective cycles of poverty, illiteracy, and abuse.<br />
<br />
My parents placed a lot of emphasis on education. My dad and my mom are both well-educated and educators in their own right.<br />
<br />
I've never been pulled over by a cop and treated unfairly. I've never had someone attempt to take advantage of my illiteracy or poor education. The only time I have ever worked a minimum wage job was while I was a student in high school. I have never been truly hungry. I have never been abandoned. I have never been under constant threat of physical, sexual, verbal, or psychological abuse. I have never been looked down on because of my nationality, race, or class.<br />
<br />
I MAY have been judged for my gender or because I identify as a Christian...but never to the point that I have truly felt discriminated against.<br />
<br />
I am the epitome of privileged.<br />
<br />
My husband is. My daughters are. Most of the people I know are. So, when I talk about social justice issues and equality issues - it is not from a place of total understanding. I can't truly understand what the oppressed and disenfranchised feel or experience on a second-by-second basis.<br />
<br />
However, I can use my very white, upper-middle-class, privileged voice for good. And I have tried to on <a href="http://adaysgrace.blogspot.com/2014/03/shopping-with-love.html" target="_blank">a few</a> <a href="http://adaysgrace.blogspot.com/2014/03/shopping-with-love.html" target="_blank">occasions</a>.<br />
<br />
So, today. I am meandering in my writing after having read an <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/01/09/boko-haram-may-have-killed-2000-people-in-one-attack/" target="_blank">article</a> in the Washington Post concerning the killing of possibly thousands by Boko Haram in Nigeria. I am heart broken and stunned. I am saddened and enraged. I feel helpless. The past months alone have brought stories into my news feed that can only be attributed to wickedness. Men, women, parties, peoples wanting to make themselves bigger, more powerful than the weak and using violence in an attempt to do so. Stories that center around systemic corruption, discrimination, weakness, and just plain hate are what I read on a daily basis. Plain ugliness: Mass shootings, the race tensions in the US, instability across the Middle East, Africa beings tormented by Ebola and terrorism.<br />
<br />
Because I write a small little measly blog with a grand total of 17 followers. My small voice doesn't reach the ears of the upper echelon or those who are currently in power. My voice doesn't even reach the masses. My voice reaches my circle. My small, little circle of influence. What's a heartbroken and confused first-world, white girl to do? What are WE to do?<br />
<br />
I am praying. I am praying for those who are not ridiculously privileged like my completely undeserving self. I'm praying for peace, for justice, for God's Kingdom to be brought to earth through His people doing the right thing.<br />
<br />
I am giving. I am researching and giving to organizations that I think are truly working to help the oppressed.<a href="https://www.ijm.org/" target="_blank"> International Justice Mission</a> and <a href="http://www.compassion.com/default.htm" target="_blank">Compassion International</a> are among a few that I support.<br />
<br />
I am looking locally. We just moved, but where can I be a voice locally to work towards change? How can I get involved? How can I use my skill set?<br />
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I am thinking about the BIG picture and calling on people in power to lift up their eyes. Open your eyes and see the injustice that is all around us! You, governments and kings, lift up your eyes. Who do the big policies and the big corporations and the big lobbying groups speak for? They do not represent the people.<br />
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I know this isn't my general shtick. It's not my generally niche. But My heart hurts for the thousands, no millions, of lives that have been lost to oppression and hate and discrimination. I'm not at a loss, but I am at a boiling point.<br />
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What else can we do? LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-11969159741454558962015-01-06T08:47:00.001-05:002015-01-06T08:51:53.392-05:00Good Reads: The Ocean at the End of the LaneThe first book that I chose to tackle this year was one that my sweet husband has been begging me to read for the past year or so.<br />
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The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman</div>
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This book in particular has a special story as to HOW it came into our house. Neil Gaiman is one of my husbands favorite authors and a <a href="http://kiltedcomics.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">good friend </a>from Portland might have purchased the book and then stood in line just so that it could be autographed with a special message and under the tree for Christmas day. He's a really good friend. </div>
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So, who is this book written for? </div>
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Everyone. I don't care who you are. This is a beautifully written story about a young boy growing up in the English countryside. The darker themes that present themselves are beautifully interwoven with light moments of whimsy - it calls us back to the days of reading childhood fairy tales... </div>
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...But the real fairy tales that didn't involve musical interludes or happy endings. This is the stuff of great stories that leaves us pondering and thinking and questioning. I can't promise you will leave with a song stuck in your head or warm fuzzy feelings, but you will leave feeling touched, affected, moved. </div>
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It's a really great story. </div>
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Practically, it's a super quick read. So, you can totally knock in out in a day or two (just reading after having putting the kids to bed). </div>
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So, what books have you fell for lately? What should I read this year? Give me your thoughts!</div>
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LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-61279485625461256162015-01-05T05:00:00.000-05:002015-01-06T08:27:28.794-05:00Loaded ResolutionsIt's a new year. Hello 2015!<br />
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I took a break from blog life and writing during December. Even before that my efforts had been a bit sporadic. {Cross country moves and adjustments can do that to a gal} The Christmas season served as a nice time to unplug and attempt at "refocus."<br />
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I haven't made any resolutions.<br />
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I have made a few goals.<br />
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I don't THINK resolutions and goals are the same thing. They may very well be, but goals seem to be something to work towards, while resolutions are much more something one simply tries to not screw up.<br />
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Call me crazy, but as an already high-anxiety person, I'm not generally drawn to things that make me feel like I am going to totally and utterly fail right from the beginning.<br />
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My goals are fairly simple this year.<br />
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Write every day.<br />
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Create.<br />
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Teach my girls.<br />
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Stay Calm.<br />
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Take Time.<br />
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Read. Enjoy.<br />
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And that's about it. They are all actions that I think are going to feed my soul and {as a result} help foster a much richer and more peaceful environment for my family - which I desperately want for this household. The girls are still struggling with transitions and life is generally emotional.<br />
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We will aim for passionate stability - a joyous calm.<br />
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What are you wanting to do this year? Please, share. I would love to hear about your goals.<br />
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<br />LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-58317117070610709682014-11-14T08:31:00.001-05:002015-01-05T16:30:21.732-05:00Happy {Music} Friday.....Nope. Not Today. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I figured that with yesterday's <a href="http://adaysgrace.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-shake-it-off-battle.html" target="_blank">Shake It Off Battle</a>, you've been "music'd out." I'll resume the whole regularly scheduled program thing next week. Maybe. If I feel like it.</div>
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Today, I wanted to talk about Kim Kardashian and her naked body being emblazoned across millions of copies of Paper magazine. If you haven't already seen this - count yourself lucky - I'm sure that you have at least caught wind of it being "a thing." </div>
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Just a few thoughts.</div>
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I know a lot of women, friends, men, people in general have read some of my posts about princesses and how as women and very young girls, we are being fed a lie constantly. I've had serious strains in relationships over my views and I've had to defend myself on several occasions. And I am unapologetic </div>
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BECAUSE</div>
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Kim Kardashian catapulting to fame via sex video, broken relationships, lots of nude-ish photos, and the basic selling of her body non-stop is just a result of so many of us believing this lie - that our bodies (AKA Beauty) are the only thing we (women) have to offer the world. Everyone wants their shot of fame and how better to do that than (in true Kardashian fashion) get a reality show and sell every little bit of your life. Give it up, ladies.<br />
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Women aren't the only ones buying this lie. Obviously, guys are falling for it too. Even when asked why he married Kim, her husband didn't list off anything having to do with her character or her spirit or her mind. I think he basically just said "She was hot." Wow. Kim and Kanye, you deserve each other. Poor North. </div>
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I'll be fair and admit that we can't see everything in their lives - both these folks are selling an image - it's just sad that this is generally to "go to" image that is being sold. Full frontal. No boundaries. No self-respect. </div>
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So, let's take a moment and celebrate some true female greatness. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thecultureconcept.com/circle/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Charlotte-Bronte-by-George-Richmond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thecultureconcept.com/circle/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Charlotte-Bronte-by-George-Richmond.jpg" height="400" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
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There are more awesome women out there (but I'm sipping coffee as fast as I can and trying to get to the gym before 8am - not gonna happen). All of the women pictured above did THEIR thing. They didn't or don't seem to let cultural morays and taboos stand in their way.They don't care what MEN think of them and they certainly don't seem to listen to the critics. </div>
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Kim Kardashian is actually doing all of the above as well....except my examples of feminine greatness don't appear to be selling their bodies. They pursued science, flight, literature, social justice, and motherhood. All really great and honorable things. They all did it with their clothes on (to my understanding) and they all held true to their beliefs and were unyielding (maybe Kim just believes in something much more superficial). </div>
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These are a few of the women we should hold up to our young girls and boys as great examples. But they are not the ONLY great women. These females greats should be peppered in among the mass of strong, REAL women (friends and relatives) that our kids live life with daily. Like Ms. Britt who packs food bags and mentors young mothers still in high school. or Ms. Jessica and Ms. Melissa who are ministering to the people of the Czech Republic. or Ms. Radha who is partnering to revitalize a dying church. or Aunt Beth who stepped away from a career in writing and now home schools and raises her eight children. or Nana who feels like God has her in the classroom to serve kids of active duty servicemen and women. Or Ms. Heather who makes movies. Or Ms. Lyndie who basically sails the money ship of a cancer center. That's a lot of great women...and those are just off the top of my head. </div>
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Our kids need to now what REAL WOMANHOOD looks like. Otherwise we will have girls who view themselves as a commodity and boys who do the same. </div>
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And that is not acceptable.</div>
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LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-76682031215735078092014-11-13T13:53:00.001-05:002014-11-13T14:03:40.861-05:00The "Shake It Off" Battle I mean, I wish this were a much more interesting battle. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qixbXxg1yfE" target="_blank">Like the Hiphopopotamus vs. the Rhymenoceros.</a><br />
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It's really just more of thought that came through my mind while driving and "Shake it Off" by Taylor Swift cam on the radio. My youngest loves it. Which is somewhat depressing.<br />
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Despite the really wacky video...it's a bit vacant. Ms. Swift talks about haters and players and fakers. She hints at her dating life (of course she does). She goes on to kind of tongue in check talk herself up. It's all very "girl power" - if indeed the entirety of a girl's power s seated in her ability to date a lot of guys, be successful, and shake it off into the arms of a new flavor of the month when she sees her ex with someone new. Very empowering. She also says the whole OMG thing- which I'm not a fan of. I think it shows a lack of breeding and vocabulary.<br />
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Aside: Ms. Swift, you've made millions off a writing songs, but your last two releases have used OMG as a complete "filler." Not cool. Say something meaningful.<br />
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It's {the song} is not so much something I want my youngest kiddo singing. However, it's catchy. Darn catchy.<br />
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When my oldest was this age, I was jamming to another "Shake it Off" - this one by Florence + The Machine. I remember her asking for it relentlessly. And I gave in without hesitation.<br />
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At the time, I thought the lyrics were maybe just a little too heavy for my then two-year-old. The song is about inner demons and having to wrestle with those things in our life that bring us down - whether is were an addiction or self doubt or {fill in the blank}. While dance-able and catchy it kind of delves into some darker things.<br />
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Good 'ol Florence might not have dropped my Lord and Savior's name in vain, but she did say "H-E-L-L" at least once during the song. Still. Darn catchy.<br />
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Comparing the two, I think I'd still let my kiddo listen to Florence. I find her honest struggle with the dark times in life much more empowering and realistic and healthy than Ms. Swift's version of shake-it-off-able events.<br />
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But - without further ado - for your consideration....<br />
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Taylor Swift </div>
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Florence + The Machine</div>
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What do you guys think? </div>
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{Dislaimer: Florence + the Machine video DEFINITELY not winning in the child-friendly-video category.....T.Swift wins that one...well, except for the shaking bottoms}</div>
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<br />LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-29335545213363108622014-11-04T12:23:00.000-05:002014-11-04T12:56:19.216-05:00Ma' GirlsI have two girls. Two really great and beautiful girls who enjoy a lot of different things. Building, play fighting, robots, princesses, drawing, painting, and dolls. They like a plethora of stuff and I like it that way.<br />
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As a girl who grew up feeling very conscious of her flaws and her "not girly-enoughness" I have had to fight myself at every turn to let my girls be who they are. I resist forcing a bow into their hair. I resist picking out every single outfit. I even resist holding them down while I attempt a ponytail. I let them be who they are and explore who THEY are. In all their nappy-haired, mismatched glory.<br />
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I often lovingly {and jokingly} refer to them as looking "homeless." Please, understand, they look ANYTHING but homeless. They just aren't coiffed and polished. They are more muddy/torn knees and tangled hair in the eyes. It's definitely more Kirk Cobain in style and less Hello Kitty.<br />
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So, what am I even writing about?<br />
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If you've read my blog, you know that I have kind of a tense relationship with <a href="http://adaysgrace.blogspot.com/2013/08/dear-daughter-you-are-not-princess.html" target="_blank">princesses</a>. But please let me clarify that my problem is not with the idea of princesses. They are fairly innocuous, most girls pretend to be princesses, and I consider them just another role from the motley crew of characters that children choose to play act. My issue has mainly to do with the <a href="http://adaysgrace.blogspot.com/2014/02/let-it-go.html" target="_blank">marketing of princesses</a>. The MARKETING of princesses is not innocuous or innocent. It is very much targeted to make your kiddo believe certain "lies" hook, line, and sinker. Well, at least in my opinion.<br />
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One of the main lies that all kids are really being fed is what is "girly" and what is "boyish"? And believing this lie (or parents just going along with the marketing teams that are paid millions to keep your kids coming back for more) leads to our kids being pigeon-holed into a <i>consumer </i>identity at a pretty young age.<br />
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Now, do I think that boys and girls are categorically different? Yes.<br />
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But do I think that the only color options available to girls should be pinks and purples? No.<br />
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Do I think that my nephews should be able to play with kitchen toys and not be seen as "girly"? Yes.<br />
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Not only are my girls limited in the color palete of ANYTHING that they may want to purchase, they are also slowly being made into little billboards. We went shopping for shoes today and our options were bedazzled, pink, purple, glittered trash shoes. How are girls expected to PLAY in those? Not to mention that almost every shoe option sported some character's face.<br />
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I looked over at the boys' selection and what do you think I found? Functional shoes. Way less characters. It's almost like boys should have functional feet & bodies while girls' bodies and feet are more about how we adorn them or, better yet, how marketers can use those bodies to sell stuff.<br />
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Many of you may think that I'm overreacting or making a mountain out of a mole hill, but there are much smarter people than me out there making strong cases for how marketing to young children (especially to young girls) is having much larger implications - including the over-sexualization of our kids. KIDS.<br />
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For really great reads on the subject, <i>The Packaging of Girlhood </i>and <i>Cinderella Ate My Daughter</i> are very thorough.<br />
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Do my girls still wear pink. Yep. Do they still play "princess"? Ayup. Do they like bows? Absolutely loathe them. There is still a lot of "traditional girliness" in our midst, but we talk about it ALL the time. Every trip to the store, every commercial, every birthday party - we ask questions, we analyze, and we try to get our girls to see through the dollar signs.<br />
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It's gonna be a long road as we continue on this whole raising girls journey and we are certainly not perfect. But I'm really glad that I can reassure my girls that they are girly-enough and absolutely wonderful no matter what they are into wearing or doing.<br />
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{Since I know you are all probably curious, we left the store today with some classic Chucky T's - black for the eldest and pink for the little.They both got to pick what would be going on their body, as that is the new rule}<br />
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My eldest is also definitely outside "hiking" in our back yard as she wrestles large sticks away from our dog and gives a stirring rendition of "Let it Go."<br />
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<br />LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-11274877763886786762014-10-31T07:00:00.000-04:002014-10-31T07:02:07.556-04:00Happy {Music} Friday <div style="text-align: center;">
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Lake Street Dive. </div>
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These guys & gals are great and have certainly been around for a bit, but my hubs and I have been growing our vinyl collection and he surprised me with this gem last night. He knows how to speak to my heart.</div>
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Enjoy.</div>
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<br />LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-56384767681563613782014-10-30T09:51:00.001-04:002014-10-30T10:13:30.354-04:00It's Quitting TimeYou workout five times a week.<br />
You own your own business.<br />
You home school.<br />
You make everything from scratch.<br />
You volunteer at your local non-profit.<br />
You blog.<br />
You are an integral member of your church.<br />
A loving mother.<br />
A smoking hot wife who keeps things spicy.<br />
A loving daughter who remembers birthdays.<br />
You work 40 hours a day.<br />
You are the 'go-to' person in all your friends' lives.<br />
You are always put together, well-groomed, and looking fabulous.<br />
You cry at appropriate times.<br />
You have social graces that are just exceptional.<br />
You are awesome.<br />
<br />
BUT you are also freakin' exhausted. Life is tiring and while you may be "nailing it" frontwards, backwards, and sideways; what you actually are feeling is you yourself continually being hammered on all sides. You, my friend, are not nailing it.<br />
<br />
Still there is this ONE thing among all the clutter..that really excites you and breathes air into you. You know what I'm talking about. You live a fantasy life that centers around this ONE thing. Call it a dream or a vision or a goal...whatever. THIS is what you want. You would give your every waking moment over to it....were it not socially unacceptable to feed your young children "crustables" in front of the TV twice daily and then order take-out for dinner.<br />
<br />
I am so tired of trying to be everything to everyone. Outside of showing up for my little family (in ways that have been previously decided by those few people I love), I really don't owe anyone a darn thing. I certainly don't need to feign appearances. I am who I am. And the same applies to you, my friend.<br />
<br />
Yep.<br />
<br />
That's about it.<br />
<br />
A confession...and maybe a bit of a wake-up call.<br />
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I am a decent cook. I do make lots from scratch, but wouldn't hesitate to live off of pizza, Jamaican take-out, and sushi were I not responsible for the health and well-being of two small humans.<br />
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I don't like fashion. I like looking at it, but when I have to translate it onto my body, I would rather scratch my eyes out and live in a paper sack.<br />
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I homeschool for now and it's a daily struggle for me to come to grips with whether or not I am doing the best thing for my kids.<br />
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I do workout - haven't lost an inch. I'm banking on some sort of glandular thing.<br />
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I'm also a bit of a hypochondriac.<br />
<br />
I do have a little side business....but I stink at business and would frankly rather set myself on fire than have people think I'm trying to sell them something.<br />
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I don't volunteer. I really want to, but this season of life is pretty busy.<br />
<br />
I write because I love it.<br />
<br />
I'm not super involved in church....we just moved, so I think I get a pass on this one.<br />
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I stink as a mom and in all honesty, there is nothing about me that is HOT or spicy to the outside observer...and that's probably how it should be.<br />
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I am a loving daughter, but I fail at cards and gifts and remembering such things.<br />
<br />
BUT HERE'S THE DEAL....<br />
<br />
My people know I love them. My people (for the most part) know me. My people generally haven't any unrealistic expectations. It's generally just me or people who don't know me that put these ideas of who I should be onto my person.<br />
<br />
Well, I'm done. I quit.<br />
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From this moment onward, I shall try very hard to just be me. To do what I'm called to do. To not feel pressured into more than I can handle or things that I don't believe in. Because it's not worth it....why would I give ANY of me or my time to something that I'm not REALLY excited by?<br />
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What about you? Do you find yourself in a place where you feel "thin"? It might be because you are simply stretching for the wrong things and the wrong reasons.<br />
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<br />LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-73995706374666475552014-10-29T08:01:00.001-04:002014-10-29T08:02:05.826-04:00Less Words<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I might have shown this to the hubs yesterday. And he might have laughed. </div>
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Best to you all. </div>
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<br />LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-68554488228535404412014-10-01T08:04:00.001-04:002014-10-01T08:04:37.556-04:00Less Words<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Best to all of you today, </div>
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<br />LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-47542159286371536192014-09-29T08:51:00.001-04:002014-09-29T08:51:48.401-04:00The Best Collards I Ever MadeSo, if you know me, you know that "cooking" is not really my thing.<br />
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BAKING is my thing.<br />
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Preparing nightly dinners is one of the most frustrating things that I encounter on a regular basis.<br />
<br />
Make it healthy.<br />
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Make a variety.<br />
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Make it palatable to my kids.<br />
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Make it palatable to my husband.<br />
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Cereal is not an acceptable dinner (or so I'm told).<br />
<br />
I will pour my heart and soul into a pie, cobbler, loaf of bread, cake, baguette, cheese straws, cookies. I want everyone to taste the love and feel a bit of heart warming, down home goodness.<br />
<br />
But with dinner my main goal is to get something on the plate that is passable in it's edibility.<br />
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Last Thursday, however, I made something TASTY. Without a recipe.<br />
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HOLY GUACAMOLE.<br />
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We had Rice, black-eyed peas, collards, and cornbread. It's a simple meal that sounds a little lackluster. But is full of nutritional goodness, it's hearty and filling, and it's a nice meatless alternative if you are watching your budget or just not a big meat person (like my four-year-old). The meal as a whole was very good. But the collards. Well, I wanted to eat the whole pot. THE WHOLE POT, PEOPLE!<br />
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Here's what I did. (In Recipe Form)<br />
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Take a large sautee pan and throw two large strips of thick cut bacon into it. Render that bacon fat. Then throw in one white onion (chopped) and 2-3 garlic cloves minced. Cook until onion is translucent. De-glaze your pan with maybe 1/4-1/2 cup Red Wine Vinegar. Add in your washed and chopped collards. Make sure that collards get coated with all the goodness that is now happening since your deglazed with the vinegar. Last, take a cup of chicken stock and pour it in the mix. Keep over med-low heat and let it all cook down.<br />
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The best collards ever. My husband praised me and my kids still refuse to eat them. But if you are new to dark, bitter greens. This is a great way to prepare them.<br />
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You're welcome. (wink)<br />
<br />LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-22895752572244667792014-09-26T05:00:00.000-04:002014-09-26T05:00:04.211-04:00Happy {Music} Friday <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is just a snippet of a new favorite, St. Paul and The Broken Bones.</div>
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To listen to their full set, check out their <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WShHR_mnrjU" target="_blank">full performance on KEXP</a>. </div>
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Happy Friday, </div>
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LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-58438975657010097502014-09-24T05:00:00.000-04:002014-09-24T05:00:01.817-04:00Less Words<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-10875189989746724052014-09-23T11:08:00.001-04:002014-09-23T13:18:48.673-04:00Sleepless NightsLast night was sleepless all around in our household.<br />
<br />
It started at 12am when I woke up after having one of the most disturbing dreams ever.<br />
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A young Jeff Bridges was the long forgotten childhood arch-nemesis of my husband. My husband and I were trapped in a glass room (arch nemesis having found & kidnapped us in his now psychotic & sadistic adulthood). Good 'ol Jeff would walk past the glass and taunt us both (not physically harming us, but toying with us concerning my husband's inevitable death). I kept thinking, "Why aren't we trying to make a break for it?" However, in dream land I would then remember some vital piece of information that made our inevitable doom fairly sealed. Like airtight.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.thevine.com.au/resources/IMGRELATED/RoosterCogburn(JeffBridges)_250912101922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://images.thevine.com.au/resources/IMGRELATED/RoosterCogburn(JeffBridges)_250912101922.jpg" height="222" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He was definitely wearing an eye patch and a white tux. <br />
Tell me that is not scary beyond all reason? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Somehow a blue ball (not unlike the one's that I throw in my dryer) came into play and was symbolic for something. At that point in this whole process I was just trying to wake myself up and could care less about the symbolism contained in my legitimately scary dream.<br />
<br />
I'm a fan of Jeff Bridges....but he was fairly creepy.<br />
<br />
Also, Hubs....if you have a crazy person from your past that I need to know about, can you go ahead and give me the heads up? And what does the blue ball mean? You got anything?<br />
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That being said, I did what every woman in my family does when she finds herself wide awake at night. I prayed for everyone that I know. For safety, clarity, etc.<br />
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I also got up and locked all the doors (or checked to make sure they were lock). I also discovered that the oven was still on from earlier in the evening and turned it off.<br />
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My fairly strange night time behavior caused my husband to be concerned and unfortunately, when he wakes up (more often than not) he will really struggle to get back to sleep.<br />
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So we sat sleepless.<br />
<br />
Then the girls stirred.<br />
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And then we magically fell asleep (hours later), I got up early with the girls, and the hubs got to sleep in a bit.<br />
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Guh. Can it be possible to have a case of the Tuesdays?LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-34818981973820025442014-09-22T08:43:00.001-04:002014-09-22T08:43:29.667-04:00A Case of the MundaysApparently, moving back to an amazing city where my husband has an amazing job and we had an amazing weekend and we have amazing friends DOES NOT mean that we are immune to a harsh "case of the Mundays."<br />
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If you're waiting for THAT THING that will make EVERYTHING BETTER. Or if you ascribe to the belief that when every external circumstance falls into place, you're life will finally be the sunset pony ride into the happily ever after unicorn rainbow land...well, this story goes out to you, all my homies.<br />
<br />
Let's get a little background.<br />
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We've moved. It's been hard (as moving is), but it's been great as we have old friendships to enjoy, old favorite spots to introduce the girls to, and new favorites to explore together. Life at this moment seems full of endless possibility and hope. It's a good place to be.<br />
<br />
My little fam enjoyed a weekend of shopping and visiting at TWO different and completely legitimate farmers' markets. It was one of those mornings (Saturday) where we bought that blueberry scone for the girls (even though they had already had breakfast) and we danced to the live music and we chatted and smiled with strangers. We acted like we weren't meeting strangers. We made friends with the local Ethiopian food vendor, Harigu (whose name I am probably butchering). We sat in our backyard and pretended to be trees and listened to the hubs play the guitar. I mean, it was saccharine levels of annoyingly sweet family goodness.<br />
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So, I planned on taking my beautiful kiddos to the Ga Art museum. After such a great weekend, certainly my precious baby-smelling toddlers deserved a trip that (despite recent evidence contrary to the thought) they could totally handle. I went to sleep Sunday night just excited to wake up to the beauty that was my life. Oh, how pride (delusion) comes before the fall (reality). <br />
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5:30 AM Monday. Wake to older daughter crying. Overhear husband calmly talking to her and starting the bath tub. Walk down the hall to check in. Wet bed. Not anything we can't handle. We do have plastic sheets. Strip bed, put linens in wash. Hear baby number two ask to get in the bath. Think nothing of it and go about my business.<br />
<br />
5:50 AM Walk back to the bedroom to check on hubs. He's reading. Good morning hug. About to ask how he slept when "Mom! Dad! I pooped on the potty!" Give tremendous cheer and a "That a girl." "Mom! Dad! Clara ... in the bathtub." Can't make out what has happened. Husband and I head to bathroom to check.<br />
<br />
Oh. "Clara POOPED in the bathtub." Gotcha. Too early. No coffee. Brain can't really process what I am looking at. Husband and I proceed to laugh hysterically while both daughters develop a growing concern that we have indeed lost our minds.<br />
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6 AM Finish cleaning girls' bathroom. Resign myself to not having a magazine clean house for the next 15 years and decide that a "lived in" house is much better.<br />
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6:15 Tub-pooper starts coughing. Bed wetter throws tantrum. Tub pooper not eating (her favorite thing). Bed wetter throws another tantrum. Tub pooper throws tantrum resulting in gross nose and more coughing.<br />
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Husband and I make telepathic executive decision that trip to museum shall be postponed indefinitely.<br />
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We all eat breakfast. Husband gets ready for work even though Tub pooper seems adamant that he not leave and demands a philosophical discussion of the merits of work and labor.<br />
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Bed Wetter and Tub Pooper begin begging to watch "Brave" which is apparently the "Make you feel better" movie in our house. I agree with this. I mean, I feel better that I have not been turned into a bear and/or am being chase by a separate angry bear.<br />
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7:30 Husband leaves for work - having not been convinced (by yours truly) that today is actually "Let Your Wife Go to the Office in Your Place" Day.<br />
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I immediately put on "Brave." Girls request all manner of stuffies, lovies, low-lighting, and momma cuddles.<br />
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So very thankful for a case of the Mundays, that life isn't perfect, and that we can laugh our way through it.<br />
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How's your Monday going?<br />
<br />
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<br />LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-15673267300510296952014-09-19T16:07:00.003-04:002014-09-19T16:08:21.367-04:00Happy {Music} Friday<div style="text-align: center;">
Because it's been a while and I like music. Here is some great stuff by Sigur Ros. </div>
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My oldest reffers to it as "Beautiful Crying Music." True story.<br />
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<br />LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-18700127655425306792014-09-18T08:06:00.000-04:002014-09-19T16:08:00.996-04:00Holy Moving Batman!So.<br />
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We moved. </div>
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Across the country. </div>
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Again. </div>
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If you are keeping count, that is 4 cross country moves in 5 years (I think). </div>
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Let me caveat by stating that by no means is this the most moving that anybody has ever done. I know lots of wonderful people who have moved farther, more often, and to more exotic places in shorter amounts of time. </div>
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But, I also know that when we have recounted our moves to people who know us they get this look on their faces that implies they think us to be either incredibly adventurous or incredibly certifiable. We happen to be both, thank you very much, don't try to stick us in a box and put a label on us. </div>
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Oh wait. Boxes and labels. Holy Moving Batman. </div>
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So, here is what happened: Hubster was offered a new job in Athens, GA...at our Alma Mater.</div>
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How and when and timing of the whole process is a much longer and interesting story and I will write about it later. </div>
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But the relevant part to this particular post is that we are back in the town where we met, fell in love, and started married life. </div>
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Which is really weird. </div>
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I will take a brand new city any day. I'm a military brat and sad to say, it is much easier for me to just move onto another city...let relationships slowly drop off...re-invent myself...and well, move ON. </div>
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But what happens when you have to move BACK. </div>
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The expectations are different. Everything is different. Nothing is as clean or as new or as shiny. </div>
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And your kind of sucked back into who you were five years ago...even though you've done a lot of growing up and have changed a ton. But all of those folks who lived life with you while you were changing and growing up and 'becoming' are in the <i>other</i> cities, the left behind cities....</div>
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and you're stuck. </div>
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So, how to navigate it all? Without infringing on the lives of friends who have also moved on and gown up? How to navigate people having to re-get-to-know-you? How to feel freedom in who you are and to really be okay with it?</div>
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Guh. </div>
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I have no answers. I really don't. And I'm generally a know-it-all.<br />
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I've walked around for the last two weeks in a complete fog. I'm going through the motions and not really registering or acknowledging any emotions or feelings. I think if I can make it through the day, then maybe tomorrow I will wake up and everything will feel settled and normal.<br />
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And that is exactly how it will happen.<br />
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But until then. I am in a fog. Second guessing every word spoken, wandering around aimless, trying to balance wanting to connect and not being needy.<br />
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How many times have you moved in the last 5 years? What's the hardest part of it? </div>
LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-7470532269741718842014-06-25T11:33:00.001-04:002014-09-22T08:43:52.545-04:00Less Words<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-87304109944947284222014-06-13T05:00:00.000-04:002014-06-13T05:00:04.256-04:00Happy {Music} Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Say what you want about Christina...but she's got Pipes. I love this songs by Great Big World featuring Ms. Aguilera.</div>
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Enjoy. </div>
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LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-426183834170274012014-06-12T11:49:00.000-04:002014-06-12T11:49:00.936-04:00Things my children doWake up at 5:30am every morning. Without Fail.<br />
Eat raw bread dough (gross).<br />
Throw 30 minute crying fits and then wipe their nose on my clean shirt.<br />
Tell me adamantly that B-U-G spells "Insect."<br />
Talk to me without end.<br />
Drink MY bath water (don't ask).<br />
Think that cups are also acceptable step stools.<br />
<br />Pray honestly.<br />
Love me despite my flaws.<br />
Tell me I am beautiful even when I haven't showered.<br />
Sing songs to one another. <br />Tell ME bedtime stories.<br />
Hug all the time.<br />
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They remind me constantly about the never stopping love of God....<br />
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and how I am in no way prepared to answer seemingly simple yet theologically complex questions.<br />
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<br />LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-43381389714954360692014-06-11T05:00:00.000-04:002014-06-11T05:00:03.504-04:00Less Words<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653649.post-8093633462623808642014-06-10T05:00:00.000-04:002014-06-10T05:00:00.854-04:00For the Love of SleepFor the past 18 days my children have been waking up obscenely early.<br />
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5am with a cup of coffee and some peace and quite is contemplative and respectable. 5am with toddlers is masochistic and unforgivable.<br />
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I find myself functioning in a two-hour fog while the girls run around screaming like coke-crazed-hyenas demanding their gummy vitamins, probiotics, and juice cups (I mean, their not demanding narcotics or anything, but my kids live for their daily supplements). Most days, I wring my hands at our family decision to make hot breakfast every day...as it actually has to be prepared. At this unspeakable hour, I would gladly give my children cocoa puffs for just a few more minutes of shut eye. <br />
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It helps that I happen to think they are cute. They look just like their dad.<br />
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I have no idea how in the world to fix this problem. I've tried keeping them up late, making them go to bed early, deleting naps, adding naps, noise machines, putting them back in their beds, bringing them into our bed, begging, pleading, bribing, weeping.<br />
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To. No. Avail.<br />
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I shall have to break them.<br />
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This week I shall be running my children into the ground physically and mentally. Like ponies. {disclaimer: I know nothing of ponies}<br />
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I shall take them for walks and runs whilst forcing them to do long division and sentence diagrams.<br />
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I will win. <br />
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They shall fall into bed every night being absolutely and positively spent. They shall sleep soundly until at least 6:30am - whereupon, I will gladly make them pancakes or oats...whichever my little ponies request. <br />
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For the love of Pete! LWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14903000583820738132noreply@blogger.com0