tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82705682024-03-13T03:57:26.509-10:00Rapid LifeView from Harney Peak. Black Hills. Plains. Badlands.wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03468751357831063842noreply@blogger.comBlogger735125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-80861947458389905612014-02-10T09:07:00.001-10:002014-02-10T09:07:27.578-10:00A little about Aalborg<br />
I learned something today: Aalborg is way way up north in Denmark.<br />
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Hannah has been in Aalborg since October. I read about Aalborg when she first got there, and just some how believed that she was in the far south of Denmark, near Germany. <br />
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I was wrong!<br />
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We have a world map in our dining room, and I keep saying that I need to print a map of Denmark, but I just haven't done it.<br />
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Can you see it up there? It's about as far north as you can go...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P2uFHEkDGSI/UvkUyqoeD7I/AAAAAAAAAq0/v08FYl4oyEU/s1600/data=VLHX1wd2Cgu8wR6jwyh-km8JBWAkEzU4,Sw-izFxIGMxjicUA9vHRbD7k6Z-O037mIziJPBlcapVmTbAxicuoEeAlUdxADSD7S4qeB41sGttxrZAOTfZy2l-raHgo5452Eh43UkWiiLdJch8y0BNiGjqVi84Scj_KycoXOtshmkqv98pefueZVFHUBc-w4covDd14TdgtyWTSPlwp6aWw1wtmoKWAXAsRAs0PwpBs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P2uFHEkDGSI/UvkUyqoeD7I/AAAAAAAAAq0/v08FYl4oyEU/s1600/data=VLHX1wd2Cgu8wR6jwyh-km8JBWAkEzU4,Sw-izFxIGMxjicUA9vHRbD7k6Z-O037mIziJPBlcapVmTbAxicuoEeAlUdxADSD7S4qeB41sGttxrZAOTfZy2l-raHgo5452Eh43UkWiiLdJch8y0BNiGjqVi84Scj_KycoXOtshmkqv98pefueZVFHUBc-w4covDd14TdgtyWTSPlwp6aWw1wtmoKWAXAsRAs0PwpBs.png" height="332" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />You can also see that Denmark is at the southern edge of Scandinavia.</div>
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Aalborg is in North Jutland. There's a lot of Viking history there, and some LDS history, too. </div>
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Here's a little bit of LDS church history in Denmark:</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">At the October 1849 general conference, Apostle Erastus Snow was assigned to establish the Church in Scandinavia, and Peter O. Hansen was called to serve as a missionary to Denmark. Hansen, a native of Copenhagen, was one of the first Danes to accept the gospel, having received baptism while temporarily living in Boston in 1844. Once converted, Hansen moved to Nauvoo, then migrated with the Saints to the Great Salt Lake Valley in 1847. There, he completed the Danish translation of the Book of Mormon he had begun at Nauvoo in 1845.</span> </blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">When it was announced that Elder Snow and Hansen would work in Scandinavia, John E. Forsgren, a Swedish convert, petitioned and was granted an opportunity to also be called to the work. The three men left Utah in October 1849, arriving in Copenhagen the following spring.</span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Within two months, the elders had established the headquarters of a mission in Copenhagen. The first baptisms took place on 12 August 1850 in the Oeresund near Copenhagen. The group of converts included eight men and seven women, with Ole C. U. Moenster being the first. The first branch was organized in Copenhagen on 15 September 1850. George P. Dykes established a second branch in Aalborg on 25 November 1850. By April 1851, the Aalborg branch contained 91 members.</span> </blockquote>
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I also found <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=336&dat=19670624&id=vsJNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=aEkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3632,5944936" target="_blank">an article in the Deseret News</a> that said that the little hall that the church used for meetings had been all torn down by a mob in June of 1851... <br />
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I'm glad things are safer for missionaries in Aalborg today! Right now in Aalborg there are 8 full time missionaries serving in Aalborg - one set of Sisters, two sets of Elders, and one married couple. That seems like a lot of missionaries, but it also seems like Hannah and her companion are pretty busy working and teaching. It is an exciting time!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-svEUaW5dyJ4/Uvkf4e6jIOI/AAAAAAAAArE/_JFXPEGF4H0/s1600/Feb10h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-svEUaW5dyJ4/Uvkf4e6jIOI/AAAAAAAAArE/_JFXPEGF4H0/s1600/Feb10h.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Søster Barrett and Søster Packard</td></tr>
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Every Monday I get Hannah's email, and spend the morning copying it into a file, printing it to read to the family at FHE, posting it to her blog, and sharing it on Facebook. It is all missionary all the time on Mondays. Sometimes I even wake up at about 4am so I can see her email come in to my account, and write back quick if I have a question or need something. I'm pretty sure that email chatting is not really mission approved, but once in a while I need to check an address or something... so fun!<br />
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Sister Packard is a cousin of some of our friends. Small world! My friend recently forwarded a couple of letters from her cousin, Søster P- it has been really fun to read about Hannah's mission from another angle! Such cute girls!<br />
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Anyway, as I am posting to <a href="http://hannahtakesdenmark.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">her blog</a>, I often want to add little things that I've read, but I don't want to take away from what she has to say... So today I decided to write here on my blog-o! <br />
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Yay for missionaries!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07000906189417872065noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-12235845106819059752013-12-29T17:14:00.002-10:002013-12-29T17:14:52.827-10:00Christmas Missionary Skype<br />
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<a href="http://hannahtakesdenmark.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Søster Barrett</a> called home at about 7:30am on Christmas.</div>
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Isn't she cute?</div>
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Her Mission President didn't set a limit to how long they could talk, so we had plenty of time together!</div>
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Things I loved about the call:</div>
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She seems so happy. She had lots of fun stories to tell. She still seems like herself. She is adorable. She is great at speaking Danish!</div>
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She sent a package to us and we opened it with her. She sent lots of Danish candies and sweet little gifts for each of us. She also sent a roll of Mustache Tape:</div>
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We stuck a piece of tape on the computer screen - doesn't she look terrific!</div>
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Hannah and Emily</div>
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Sydney giving Hannah a kiss</div>
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Hannah giving John a kiss</div>
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Love that girl!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07000906189417872065noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-17207925042861776362013-12-04T09:08:00.003-10:002013-12-04T09:08:36.967-10:00Christmas is ComingWe hunted for a tree this weekend, and I'm sure glad we did it while the weather was nice. It is 11 degrees F today with a windchill of -15. Snow on the ground. Brrr! <br />
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But this weekend was lovely!<br />
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We went to lunch at the <a href="http://www.howtoenjoytheblackhills.com/2011/02/18/burgers-at-the-sugar-shack/" target="_blank">Sugar Shack</a> to get ready for the big tree hunt. The Sugar Shack is a little tiny greasy diner out in the middle of no where... You can sit at the bar, or you can sit at one of 3 tables. It's great! Great burgers. Great cocoa! Too many fries! Mmmm! On our way in we stopped and talked to an old cowboy. He told us that we better get our tree today, because cold weather was on it's way... he was right!<br />
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After lunch, we headed into the hills to find the perfect tree. <br />
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We had a bad storm at the beginning of October, and though the snow was mostly gone, the damage to the forest was unmistakeable. There were huge slash piles, and trees down all over the place. Also, the brush seemed more tangled a tougher to walk through than usual.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6-bZQ8xRO78/Up91TOSXDfI/AAAAAAAAAeI/QzjcRXOdnz0/s1600/syd+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6-bZQ8xRO78/Up91TOSXDfI/AAAAAAAAAeI/QzjcRXOdnz0/s1600/syd+tree.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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We hunted high and low. And finally found the right tree!<br />
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John cut it down all by himself!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John - cutting down the tree - 10 years old!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eYdNRQPp2Qs/Up97aA98_vI/AAAAAAAAAfA/8p--HNWWh1Y/s1600/tree-babyjohn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eYdNRQPp2Qs/Up97aA98_vI/AAAAAAAAAfA/8p--HNWWh1Y/s1600/tree-babyjohn.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John and Sydney, hunting for our first tree in the Hills - John is 1 year old!</td></tr>
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Our tree is a little wonky and sparse, but I think it will be lovely. I just wish someone else would come put the lights on! Okay. I can do it! Today!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o7x9JGVw8L8/Up91S9OEp2I/AAAAAAAAAd8/GGzQeN37vIE/s1600/tree+-+carry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o7x9JGVw8L8/Up91S9OEp2I/AAAAAAAAAd8/GGzQeN37vIE/s1600/tree+-+carry.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily and John carrying out the tree.</td></tr>
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Sydney told me it was our best year of tree hunting ever! Yay! I blogged about tree hunting in the past <a href="http://rapidlife.blogspot.com/2011/12/o-christmas-tree.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="http://rapidlife.blogspot.com/2004/12/we-must-have-been-good.html" target="_blank">here</a>. We have made a lot of fun memories finding Charlie Brown Christmas trees in the Black Hills. <div>
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As we were looking for our tree, we laughed about the time we went tree hunting with some friends, a couple of years ago. Nathan was deployed over Christmas, and some friends generously offered to let the kids and I tag along with them and find our trees together. It was cold and snowy, and we only had 2 pairs of really good snow boots. I guess that's not true - Emily and John both had their own boots, but Hannah, Sydney, and I had only two pairs of boots between the three of us - we all wear about the same size shoe. </div>
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So, <a href="http://hannahtakesdenmark.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">one of us</a> had to wear just regular boots - don't get me wrong - they were nice boots, just not good warm snow boots... We had to hike a ways to find our tree, through lots of snow. Did I mention it was cold? And the person with the regular boots started to get a little bit grouchy. </div>
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When it took a while to find juuuust the right tree, she got a lot grouchy. So as soon as we chose one, she cut down that tree fast, and pretty much ran back to the car with it, mostly carrying it on her own (which didn't help her mood) to the car, through the deep snow. (these trees are really very light, just sort of awkward to carry on your own.)</div>
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By the time the rest of us (our family and our friends' family) got back to the cars, she was in the suburban crying! Waaaa! So embarrassing for her, and for me, too! Our friends kept asking if she was okay, and I had to keep saying: "She's fine." "She'll be better in a few minutes..." Being (and having) a teenager is sometimes not easy! It's making me get a little choked up just thinking about it!</div>
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By the time we had all eaten some cookies and had some cocoa, she was just fine. And her feet were okay. So we went to the Sugar Shack for lunch and finished the day in better spirits.</div>
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We have 4 good pairs of snow boots, now, in size 6 1/2 - 7. And we've both grown up a little! I wonder if she and her companion have a little tree in their apartment?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07000906189417872065noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-71111502203747753322013-12-02T06:33:00.002-10:002013-12-02T15:38:43.886-10:00It's Monday<br />
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After I dropped the kids off at school, I moved a load of towels from the washer to the dryer, then i sat down at the computer for "just a minute".</div>
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I just noticed that the dryer has finished drying that load of towels, and I'm still sitting here at the computer. I think that means it's time to get going.</div>
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In my defense I did spend some time updating my budget numbers on <a href="http://www.youneedabudget.com/" target="_blank">YNAB</a> and paying bills. So that's good, but I have a lot to do - why am I still online??? This week is PTA week* for me, and that means I don't have time to waste. </div>
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(PS, while I was finding the link to <a href="http://www.youneedabudget.com/" target="_blank">You Need A B</a>udget, I noticed that their budget software is on sale today half off. I know it's silly to pay for a budget program when you are trying to save money, but I really love this program. I have used it all this year and it has been life changing! And I don't really think I did a bad job budgetting before...)</div>
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And I'm still online. </div>
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So here's my To Do list. I'll check back at lunch:</div>
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<strike>add in numbers to my budget</strike></div>
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<strike>exercise (before I do anything else)</strike> (I almost died. seriously. should have kept up with exercising over the holiday...)</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">then:</span></div>
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<strike>post up <a href="http://hannahtakesdenmark.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Søster Barrett's blog</a> for the week</strike> (I love that missionary!)</div>
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call phone company and figure out why our internet is wacky</div>
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<strike>clean up turkey stuff</strike></div>
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<strike><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">pull out </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Christmas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Things</span></strike></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; text-decoration: line-through;">move around some furniture to make room for the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; text-decoration: line-through;">TREE </span><span class="Apple-style-span">(Thanks John!)</span></div>
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which means I have to: </div>
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<strike>vacuum</strike></div>
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<strike>and sweep</strike></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">also:</span></div>
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<strike>wash two loads of laundry</strike></div>
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<strike>shower</strike></div>
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sew something</div>
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<strike>go to meeting at noon</strike> - <strike>take the computer</strike> - <strike>make sure you print minutes from last month</strike></div>
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<strike>track my food</strike></div>
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go on a walk this afternoon</div>
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<strike>don't forget that the Sister Missionaries are coming over at 4pm </strike>(unfortunately, they had a plumbing emergency and didn't make it.)</div>
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<strike>Turkey Noodle Soup for dinner</strike></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">AND if you have a minute:</span></div>
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wrap up a gift or two</div>
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clean your room!<br />
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It's dinner time. We are ready to set up the tree, but I need to do some clean up around the book shelves and little tables to make room for decorations. I feel like I got a lot done today, especially this afternoon with John's help! I think it helped that I did my best to stay off of the internets...</div>
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*PTA Week = meetings on Monday and Tuesday at the Middle School and Elementary School respectively. Then I have to get my notes from the Monday meeting edited and posted to the website. AND I have to gather everything from Tuesday's meeting for a newsletter that should be submitted by Friday. That takes most of Thursday morning. I know it's all silly stuff, but it takes time. TIme I would be wasting online apparently...</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07000906189417872065noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-26460535361219139282013-11-25T08:29:00.000-10:002013-11-25T08:29:42.417-10:00Missionary MondayI really love Mondays. It's my favorite morning of the week.<br />
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I have discovered that if I wake up at 4am, I can sometimes catch Hannah online in Denmark. I'm pretty sure that she's not really supposed to "chat" online (with hot babes), but once in a while I have a question to ask her, and it is so great to be able to "hear" her voice online.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oDprOQSwgBc/UpOOQ2K_D5I/AAAAAAAAAa8/wJHhpFAT_OM/s1600/whoville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oDprOQSwgBc/UpOOQ2K_D5I/AAAAAAAAAa8/wJHhpFAT_OM/s1600/whoville.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>Today I needed to ask her a question about Christmas, and we were able to "talk" a little about what she needs and what I should or should not send. It was such a fun way to start my day.<br />
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She mentioned that Danes all hold hands around their Christmas Tree on Christmas morning and sing a song. That made me get all choked up for some reason!<br />
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As I was reading her main letter, I started laughing (silently) in bed. I was trying not to wake up Nathan! But he rolled over and asked "Are you okay, what's wrong?!?" He thought I was crying! Nope - just cracking up over <a href="http://hannahtakesdenmark.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Hannah's adventures in Denmark</a>!<br />
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I love those Monday letters! And I just want to talk about her all day...<br />
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Sooooo, later this morning, I was jogging with my friend, and she asked what I was sending to my missionary. Her son will be missionary aged this summer, and she was looking for ideas... (a willing victim! I got to talk about Søster Barrett nonstop during our whole morning run!)<br />
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Anyway, I know I am always looking for missionary package ideas, so I thought I'd post up some if my ideas here!<br />
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I am sending 3 packages this month. I was trying to make sure that she gets one package in early December, one mid month, and one just before Christmas. Timing is tricky, though. Packages take about a week to get to Denmark, but they are delivered to the mission home, and then dispersed throughout the mission at zone conferences... So I don't know when she'll get these, but I hope they arrive before Julemand (Santa)!<br />
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The first package I sent had a simple advent banner, and a pair of shoes. The kids helped me make a cute simple Christmas Countdown banner. But I didn't take a picture...(sorry!) it looks something like this... but the envelopes were made from all different Christmas paper... and we attached them with the cutest little clothes pins... and we just made one long banner... okay, it looks nothing like this,....<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-idQvCalpFIw/UpOL5LhEODI/AAAAAAAAAac/n3Pjc5NvMt8/s1600/advent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-idQvCalpFIw/UpOL5LhEODI/AAAAAAAAAac/n3Pjc5NvMt8/s1600/advent.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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We made our own little paper envelopes, and put a number on each one. We used a label maker, because we are cool. Inside of each envelope, we put a candy cane and a small piece of paper. One one side of the paper we put a <a href="http://mormonwoman.org/2010/12/02/bible-and-book-of-mormon-scripture-advent/" target="_blank">scripture reference</a> (using the label maker again - Emily loves that thing!) and on the other side of the paper, one of us wrote a note. We each wrote about 5 little notes - maybe a favorite Christmas memory, or maybe a list of what we want for Christmas (John), or a little something about the scripture reference on the other side of the paper, or just a hello! So each day she should be able to look up a Christmas scripture and read a little note from home. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jRwoj8Ox4yg/UpOOQEQaERI/AAAAAAAAAao/qqZfvuKt3AA/s1600/st+nicholas+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jRwoj8Ox4yg/UpOOQEQaERI/AAAAAAAAAao/qqZfvuKt3AA/s1600/st+nicholas+day.jpg" /></a></div>
The shoes are just a pair of black flats. I'm not sure if they celebrate St. Nicholas Day in Denmark, but I thought it might be fun to send shoes, because she's a girl and shoes are good! We filled the shoes with candy. I put candy coins, and a chocolate orange in the shoe box.<br />
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I hope she get's that package sometime this week... or if not, at least some time in early December!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x1o2S40stvo/UpOOQMs0TLI/AAAAAAAAAas/eH7-1ufJEj4/s1600/grinch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x1o2S40stvo/UpOOQMs0TLI/AAAAAAAAAas/eH7-1ufJEj4/s1600/grinch.jpg" /></a></div>
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The second package that we sent was a Grinch Package! </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i1eXS0_3Enk/UpOOQMIO5fI/AAAAAAAAAaw/mg2XlaxzWAE/s1600/store.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i1eXS0_3Enk/UpOOQMIO5fI/AAAAAAAAAaw/mg2XlaxzWAE/s1600/store.jpg" height="138" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kHg3bt51ahM/UpOPfaDeV0I/AAAAAAAAAbM/Qk57zL2aY0A/s1600/green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kHg3bt51ahM/UpOPfaDeV0I/AAAAAAAAAbM/Qk57zL2aY0A/s1600/green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kHg3bt51ahM/UpOPfaDeV0I/AAAAAAAAAbM/Qk57zL2aY0A/s1600/green.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a> We printed up some grinch pictures and filled a box with green things, just for fun - some stuff she asked for (lotion and deodorant), other stuff she might need (razors) and basically anything I could find in green.<br />
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A green scarf,<br />
green gloves,<br />
socks,<br />
notes,<br />
green razors, etc. <br />
Nothing<br />
very<br />
serious<br />
in<br />
this<br />
box,<br />
just<br />
fun!<br />
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And today I am getting the last box ready to go: We are sending a stocking for her and her companion. And Christmas PJ's. I filled the stockings with the usual things we do here - toothpaste and a toothbrush, small lotion, hair pins, candy, small journal, etc. I am not sending a big gift, though I do plan to put a little money in her bank account so she can buy a new skirt, or something that she needs. <br />
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Any other ideas? Did I forget something? <br />
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I haven't even baked my Thanksgiving pies, yet, but it feels great to be mostly "done" with Christmas for our missionary! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07000906189417872065noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-78052270003914788732013-09-02T09:50:00.001-10:002013-09-02T09:50:09.781-10:00First Day of School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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School started one week ago. We had such a fun summer, and it was hard to get ourselves back into the swing of things. The weather didn't cooperate, either. We had the hottest weather of the year last week, and school was let out early every day but Monday. With early outs, sports practices were held early in the morning with tennis at 6am and volleyball at 6:30am. It was an exciting, strange week for all of us.</div>
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Sydney is starting 10th grade! This is, unfortunately, not the first day of school. I helped with a "Welcome to Middle School" breakfast on the first day of school and had to leave the house at 6am, so I didn't get to take any first day photos of Sydney. This is the 4th day of school! The tennis team had a tournament this weekend, so all of the girls got dressed up for school. She and I made that skirt the night before - it turned out really cute!</div>
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Emily and John on the actual first day of school. They are awesome! </div>
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This photo was taken before 6:30am...</div>
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Emily is in 7th Grade! She is playing the violin and volleyball this year and is so cute! She is allowed to wear a little makeup to school this year and is rockin' the mascara! </div>
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John is starting 5th grade... his last year at elementary school! He is in runners club at school and is also playing football. He is a super fast runner! </div>
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He also has the same teacher that Emily had for 5th grade. Yay! We move around so much that it is rare that any of our kids have had a teacher that an older sibling had. </div>
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I was able to look online and see his teacher the day before the list was posted at the school. Both 5th grade teachers at our school are awesome, so I wasn't worried, but it was fun to know! I didn't tell anyone. I kept it a secret that night and all the next day so that John could feel that excitement of seeing his name on the list.... It was killing me!</div>
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Back to school time is so fun. All of the new folders and pencils! (makes me want to watch You've Got Mail!) I remember riding my bike to Sonoma School with my sisters to see the list of teachers posted through the glass windows.... So exciting! </div>
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Here's to a great year!!!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07000906189417872065noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-35706910719488182772013-08-21T05:54:00.002-10:002013-08-21T06:10:37.230-10:00Hello MTC!<br />
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One week ago, today, we dropped Sister Barrett off at the Missionary Training Center.<br />
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It was awesome!<br />
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Background: we had a fun summer getting Hannah all ready for the MTC. It didn't feel like we procrastinated: We ordered skirts early in the summer (We liked <a href="http://www.eshakti.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">eShakti</a> where we could customize skirt length and sleeves.) We bought shoes in June. But then our summer got busy - girls camp, youth conference, missionary friend farewells, family vacation to Yellowstone, family reunion in Oregon, scout camp, appendicitis. And suddenly we had about 2 weeks to MTC. <br />
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Let me just say that Rapid City is not the center of fashion. Our mall is very small. Tiny! We did have good luck at Eddie Bauer and JC Penny's. I think we shopped every single day those two weeks. We ordered long johns and boots (Nordstroms had the best boot selection in the July.) We shopped for warm weather things in the middle of summer, just before the back to school collection came out. Not that easy! Finding the perfect makeup case and watch and skirts just the right length with a certain cute style is hard work, but it was a really special time with Hannah!<br />
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Hannah was set apart as a missionary on Sunday, August 11th by President Schmitdlein. That night there was a fireside at the church by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vai_Sikahema" target="_blank">Vai Sikahema,</a> who served a mission in Rapid City about 30 years ago. It was a sweet talk and really inspiring to the missionaries in South Dakota. He told us that REAL MEN are called to the SDRCM (South Dakota Rapid City Mission) Hannah says the first devotional she attended at the MTC this week was by----- Vai Sikahema! <br />
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first photo of the official Sister Barrett, along with the rest of the Barrett Family and Vai Sikahema.<br />
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Then, early Monday morning, Sister Barrett, John, Emily, and I headed to Utah to deliver her to the MTC. Nathan just couldn't miss more work this summer, and Sydney was in the middle of tennis try outs. I wish we could have all gone, but it was still a really special trip. <br />
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Because Hannah was a set apart missionary, she was supposed to be following missionary rules and was not allowed to be alone! That was a little tricky if one of us had to use the bathroom while the other was getting gas... We also couldn't listen to the radio. 12 hours in the Suburban listening to classical music and church music and talks was really inspiring!<br />
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notice the cute missionary sachel!</div>
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We had a nice visit in Utah with Grammy and Grampie. We were able to go to the temple on Tuesday morning. Lovely!<br />
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We did all of our favorite Utah things - lunch at Cafe Rio, berry picking, carmel making, and cousins!<br />
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I was feeling a lot more in control of my emotions than I thought I would. Last year when we were getting ready to send Hannah to college, I was boo-hoo-ing all over the place, but this summer I was fine... right up to Wednesday morning. Then Sydney sent Hannah a sweet text and I just got so sad! Not sad for Hannah, just a little sad for me! I'm going to miss that cutie! Like John told me later, "I felt sad, but happy for her."<br />
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And suddenly it was time to go! Everything fit in just two bags - it was a miracle!<br />
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We hugged everyone one more time,<br />
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and got Hannah all loaded up into the car.</div>
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The construction around BYU, heading to the MTC was terrible, and we thought we might be late for Hannah's 12:30 drop off appointment, but we made it about 3 minutes early. A big thank you to my sister Laurie who drove for us. I wanted to make sure I had time to jump out and help Hannah with her bags and give her one last hug before we were waved away from the curb, so Laurie sweetly offered to drive.<br />
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The MTC is so great! A sweet senior missionary put a pink sticky note on our windshield and directed us toward the missionary drop off zone. <br />
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There were lots and lots of missionaries lining the drive! It seemed like hundreds of them - Waving and Smiling and Waving! <br />
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It was so exciting! It was also confusing, because the taxi drop off was on the other side of the road and missionaries were crossing the street and a police man was frantically directing us by, but if we did what he wanted we would have run over a suitcase or two... <br />
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We were waved all the way down the drive way to parking spot #22.<br />
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A cute sister missionary popped right over and welcomed Hannah to the MTC.<br />
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Then we got her bags out. </div>
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Had one more hug</div>
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said goodbye,</div>
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and watched as Sister Barrett walked right into the MTC!</div>
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We love you Sister Barrett!</div>
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Then Laurie drove us home while we all cried. Thanks again, Laurie!<br />
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Here is what Hannah said about her first day at the MTC: (yesterday was like Christmas around here - we got our first email from Søster Barrett and then TWO letters in the mail!)<br />
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Hej! I made it through my first day!! So, here's a brief overview of what happened. The host Sister Missionary showed me around and I got my name tag and a dorm room key! We went to my room (I was the 1st one there) and then she showed me to the teaching room where all my classes will be (I was the 1st one there as well). My teachers only speak in Danish! It's fun to try to figure out what they say. </blockquote>
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I finally met my companions! We are a trio, woohoo! They are Søster Hale and Søster Grant. I love them! We're the only 3 Danish Sister Missionaries in the whole MTC right now. Cool, huh? So then we had all kinds of meetings and classes, it was pretty crazy! The only Danish phrase I can remember is "Hemmelske Fader" - Heavenly Father. That's a good thing to remember though, right?</blockquote>
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It was a special time, and a special day. <br />
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If you want to see a little more about the MTC, <a href="http://www.ksl.com/?nid=296&sid=14959815" target="_blank">KSL did a 5 part report in 2010 about the Provo MTC</a>. We watched it this weekend, and it was fun to see inside!<br />
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Yay for Missionaries!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07000906189417872065noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-4052026396153628132013-08-20T13:23:00.000-10:002013-08-20T13:26:21.148-10:00Søster Barrett<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our little Hannah is a missionary! During the <a href="https://www.lds.org/youth/video/welcome-to-conference?lang=eng" target="_blank">October 2012 General Conference</a>, there was a big change in the missionary ages for the Mormon church. Young women are now able to serve missions at 19 years old (before they had to wait until 21 years old) and young men are now able to serve missions at 18 years old (19 years old is what the requirement used to be, not a huge change, but it allows boys to go out as soon as they graduate from high school.) That Saturday, during conference, we talked to Hannah and she said, I'm going! </div>
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Way back in early November she started her missionary paperwork. In mid February she submitted all of her paperwork, and on March 7th, she got the big white envelope in the mail!</div>
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She is called to the Denmark Copenhagen Mission! </div>
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I can't get the video to upload here, but you can see the video at our<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=435364513211317" target="_blank"> Facebook page.</a> But maybe only if we are facebook friends...sorry!</div>
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We headed to Utah for Easter to go to the Provo Temple with Hannah!</div>
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We were so lucky to see some of our good friends from Hawaii! Diane Alailima just happened to be in Utah to visit her son Tavanah! Aloha!</div>
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I'm not sure if you notice something odd about that picture... am I really that short? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">yes</span></div>
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We had lots of family there to go through the temple with Hannah! It was such a special day!</div>
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Grandma and Grandpa Barrett were there, along with Aunt Barbara and Uncle Keith Damon.</div>
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Uncle Terry and Aunt Lori Barrett were there! Even Jennah Barret was there!</div>
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Grandma and Grandpa McBride were there as well.</div>
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It was an incredible day! I'm so glad that I was able to share that day with Hannah. That Hannah girl just shines so bright! </div>
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She has been in the MTC for one week! And she is doing great! She is blogging about her mission over at <a href="http://hannahtakesdenmark.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Livet er Dejligt (Life is Lovely)</a> Posting up her thoughts has made me want to make sure to journal my own thoughts, as well. Tomorrow I will post about the MTC drop off.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and snowing</span>...</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">and snowing...</span></div>
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By Tuesday we had about a foot and a half of snow. The weather forecasters had predicted about 2 feet of snow. But, I didn't really believe them. All winter we have heard big storm warnings, and each time the 15 inches of snow predicted, has ended up being about half an inch of snow. This time they were right!</div>
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School was cancelled, so we started digging in...<br />
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and making snow angels.</div>
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By Wednesday we had about two feet of snow. More in some places...</div>
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Emily and John and the neighbors had a great time digging tunnels</div>
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John was outside on Wednesday from about 10am to about 5pm. He and the neighbors were digging and jumping and swinging and sledding all day long!</div>
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Unfortunately I forgot about the sun, and John ended up with a pretty good sunburn. </div>
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It was still a great day!</div>
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Except for the part where I slipped when I was getting out of the car. </div>
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Sydney was right there and said </div>
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"Mom! Wait! Don't move!"</div>
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While she took a couple pictures of me, instead of helping me up...</div>
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<br />wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03468751357831063842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-84443172674111688402012-10-16T10:40:00.000-10:002012-10-16T10:41:53.785-10:00Tennis 2012<div style="text-align: center;">
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Last night was the end of the season banquet for the High School Girls Tennis Team. </div>
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There are a lot of really fun girls on the team.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6e32jJpNCa8/UH3EWfyLFZI/AAAAAAAACt8/L2969qBm5OA/s1600/DSC_0292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6e32jJpNCa8/UH3EWfyLFZI/AAAAAAAACt8/L2969qBm5OA/s640/DSC_0292.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
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This is Sydney with her doubles partner. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aKRe5tsSEwY/UH3EFKecDUI/AAAAAAAACs4/JG84kydQ1vg/s1600/DSC_0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aKRe5tsSEwY/UH3EFKecDUI/AAAAAAAACs4/JG84kydQ1vg/s640/DSC_0084.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sydney had a great season</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w9OAHoVcCz0/UH3EJh6DkJI/AAAAAAAACtI/kHILKe1jdEc/s1600/DSC_0264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w9OAHoVcCz0/UH3EJh6DkJI/AAAAAAAACtI/kHILKe1jdEc/s640/DSC_0264.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And those skirts are so cute!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-33x2qtVIYYM/UH3EP6-vrOI/AAAAAAAACtk/S_K8M3BI5XE/s1600/DSC_0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-33x2qtVIYYM/UH3EP6-vrOI/AAAAAAAACtk/S_K8M3BI5XE/s640/DSC_0278.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is just her second year playing.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rb8Q78xkNpo/UH3ERZdJO2I/AAAAAAAACts/Y_hjy5OuGt4/s1600/DSC_0279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rb8Q78xkNpo/UH3ERZdJO2I/AAAAAAAACts/Y_hjy5OuGt4/s640/DSC_0279.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am amazed by how much she has improved since last year. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eRXDEcSYf_o/UH3FxfOxrNI/AAAAAAAACuU/h6tsyY5gIfs/s1600/DSC_0288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eRXDEcSYf_o/UH3FxfOxrNI/AAAAAAAACuU/h6tsyY5gIfs/s640/DSC_0288.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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She is a very serious athlete!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lvwv6AuiOLU/UH3FvgsunaI/AAAAAAAACuM/6mmUORO38iM/s1600/DSC_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lvwv6AuiOLU/UH3FvgsunaI/AAAAAAAACuM/6mmUORO38iM/s640/DSC_0190.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Go Syd!</div>
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<br />wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03468751357831063842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-44438231610424135732012-04-26T10:39:00.000-10:002012-04-26T10:39:19.833-10:00Happy Day!<br />
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Did you know today is <a href="http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/406" target="_blank">"Poem in Your Pocket" day</a>?<br />
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Isn't that cute?<br />
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You just write up a poem, put it in your pocket, and share it with a friend sometime today.<br />
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I wrote up a few poems for the kids to choose to take to school in their pockets, including my favorites: <a href="http://rapidlife.blogspot.com/2008/05/brrrrr-ing-brrrrr-ing.html" target="_blank">Eletelephony</a> and<a href="http://rapidlife.blogspot.com/search?q=elephants+walking+along+" target="_blank"> Holding Hands</a>.<br />
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And here's a poem from me to you:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Early Bird by Shel Silverstein</i></span><br />
<i>Oh, If you're a bird, be an early bird </i><br />
<i>And catch the worm for your breakfast plate.</i><br />
<i>If you're a bird, be an early bird --</i><br />
<i>But if you're a worm, sleep late.</i><br />
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Happy Poem in your Pocket Day!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">Happy Birthday</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;">Emily</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">!</span></span><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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rem3eQXAWQw/T5jG0cyvVqI/AAAAAAAACsI/w1P3l3S8QjM/s1600/Wrapped+in+a+map.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rem3eQXAWQw/T5jG0cyvVqI/AAAAAAAACsI/w1P3l3S8QjM/s320/Wrapped+in+a+map.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Time to open up some gifts!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x_S5pEgrAAw/T5jGt8e6TXI/AAAAAAAACrM/Ts2SsAf5_Bg/s1600/Em+in+food+storage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x_S5pEgrAAw/T5jGt8e6TXI/AAAAAAAACrM/Ts2SsAf5_Bg/s320/Em+in+food+storage.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ru8o1Axfi7w/T5jGtoa24cI/AAAAAAAACrE/o2Op3NUhDh8/s1600/Em+cops+a+squat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ru8o1Axfi7w/T5jGtoa24cI/AAAAAAAACrE/o2Op3NUhDh8/s320/Em+cops+a+squat.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Emily was born in Florida. That's why she likes the beach so much!</span></span></td></tr>
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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;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N9hRU73DtXo/T5jG1bRm51I/AAAAAAAACsc/eMjvYg2djHU/s320/emily+paints.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Emily always loves markers and coloring and art!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mJluRvvngcg/T5jGv70jVqI/AAAAAAAACrk/EEU5Lopw5hE/s1600/Emily+the+cowgirl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mJluRvvngcg/T5jGv70jVqI/AAAAAAAACrk/EEU5Lopw5hE/s320/Emily+the+cowgirl.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and dressing up.</span></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N9hRU73DtXo/T5jG1bRm51I/AAAAAAAACsc/eMjvYg2djHU/s1600/emily+paints.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oMT2xPvIch4/T5jGm7IORzI/AAAAAAAACqk/bQLf5Qf6pKE/s1600/1st+tooth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oMT2xPvIch4/T5jGm7IORzI/AAAAAAAACqk/bQLf5Qf6pKE/s320/1st+tooth.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Emily has the best smile!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AqYM_D-rlG8/T5jG2Mx5QzI/AAAAAAAACsk/N0uMChBOvy4/s1600/if%252Byou%252Bchance%252Bto%252Bmeet%252Ba%252Bfrown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AqYM_D-rlG8/T5jG2Mx5QzI/AAAAAAAACsk/N0uMChBOvy4/s320/if%252Byou%252Bchance%252Bto%252Bmeet%252Ba%252Bfrown.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">and the best frown!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eyGJeQrIFdc/T5jG1P0CA-I/AAAAAAAACsU/L65FLC23y60/s1600/em%252Bat%252Bwaimea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eyGJeQrIFdc/T5jG1P0CA-I/AAAAAAAACsU/L65FLC23y60/s320/em%252Bat%252Bwaimea.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ono5qt94T0/T5jGoRN6YiI/AAAAAAAACqs/RnlzoxL-MJY/s1600/DSC_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ono5qt94T0/T5jGoRN6YiI/AAAAAAAACqs/RnlzoxL-MJY/s320/DSC_0059.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">baptism day</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-phs1USC-QnY/T5jGs6HAtvI/AAAAAAAACq8/9EL3CxNuW4I/s1600/DSC_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-phs1USC-QnY/T5jGs6HAtvI/AAAAAAAACq8/9EL3CxNuW4I/s400/DSC_0109.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Emily cracks me up!</span></td></tr>
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<table 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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9HssoR1Ntzo/T5jGyl23yRI/AAAAAAAACr8/17Kk8NVhKGI/s1600/IMG_0675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9HssoR1Ntzo/T5jGyl23yRI/AAAAAAAACr8/17Kk8NVhKGI/s320/IMG_0675.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">I just love this girl!</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Happy </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-large;">Birthday</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">Emily</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">!</span></span></div>
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</div>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03468751357831063842noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-66361479137163371542012-04-23T08:04:00.002-10:002012-04-23T08:07:05.777-10:00Prom Prom Prom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Prom was Saturday.</div>
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Oh the excitement!</div>
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I was still sewing at 10:30pm on Friday! </div>
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But I didn't have to do a stitch on Saturday, which was a good thing, because I had to run to Waldamort for foodstuff for dinner. 4 couples for dinner was a treat! </div>
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A woman in our ward is a hairdresser and she invited the girls to come do hair together at the church on Saturday at about noon. Hannah had a great time and loved her hair -- a slightly messy french twist.</div>
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There is a traditional photo stop at <a href="http://www.chapel-in-the-hills.org/" target="_blank">The Chapel in the Hills</a>. Hannah's large group of friends had a little trouble getting going (hair not done, dress fitting, etc) so just Hannah and her date (and I and about 300 other kids and parents) went to take photos at Stavkirke. That's where she met up with her friends from school. It was really fun to see all the prom dresses and tuxes. </div>
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The group of kids from church were finally ready and got together to take photos before dinner. I had to run home to fix dinner (salad, dijon parmesan chicken, mini red twice-baked potatoes, asparagus, homemade rolls. Yum!) so I haven't seen all the photos that Sis. Lewis took, but I can't wait! </div>
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Emily and her buddy Anna were the cutest waitresses ever (did you see the menu they made?), and listening to the couples talk and laugh was priceless. </div>
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Our bishop was the chauffeur in his fancy blue car. Looking in the car at all eight kids squeezed in reminded me of the Weasleys!</div>
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The dress was lovely. The jewelry sparkled. Hannah was beautiful. The date was handsome. The group was fun. And a midnight curfew, meant a nice night for all of us! Yay for Prom!</div>
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<br />wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03468751357831063842noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-20440070831081578742012-04-20T14:45:00.000-10:002012-04-20T14:45:07.921-10:00Prom Dress PreviewTomorrow is prom. And the dress is just about done. <br />
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Here's what I still need to do:<br />
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hem the dress<br />
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cut off some of the sash length and finish the edges<br />
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unpick a couple of stay stitch lines that are showing<br />
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sew on a hook and eye<br />
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That's all!<br />
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Here's a preview - keep in mind I am planning to shorten the sash...<br />
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This first photo is in the early dress making stages - the skirt was A-line at that point. We decided to make the skirt straight - you can see that in the next photo...<br />
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I'm not sure what I did, but I think my camera angle is kind of odd in this photo - oh well.... you can see the straight skirt, and the pink sash and the cute little cap sleeves.</div>
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Isn't the bow cute? And the little train? And look how perfectly the little v's lined up along the zipper. You can't see the zipper because it is invisible! wahaha....</div>
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We found some costume jewelry at an antique store in town for Hannah to wear. This is a lovely earring and necklace set with rhinestones and pearls. The earrings kind of screw on. I thought I took a picture of the little train pinned up in the back, but I guess not. We found a rhinestone pin that she is using to pin the train up for dancing - so cute...</div>
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More photos tomorrow!</div>
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<span id="goog_251006283"></span><span id="goog_251006284"></span>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03468751357831063842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-57343992325555668352012-04-07T06:48:00.001-10:002012-04-07T06:50:14.214-10:00Hoppy Easter!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The traditional time for the Easter Egg Hunt at the Barrett house is Saturday morning.</div>
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Can you just smile over here, please?</div>
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Time to find the eggs!</div>
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John found an egg in the tree.</div>
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Hey Syd!</div>
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So sneaky - she darted in there and stole the egg from Hannah while I was taking the photo.</div>
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And tried to do it again here...</div>
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Hi Emily!</div>
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Happy Easter Hannah!</div>
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You again?</div>
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Egg on a rock wall.</div>
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Ah, a smile at last!</div>
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On the stairs!</div>
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Last one - on the way up the stairs, and back inside to eat the goodies!</div>
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A beautiful morning for an egg hunt. </div>
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Hope you have a Happy Easter!</div>
<br />wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03468751357831063842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-35923739579993573772012-02-29T07:22:00.002-10:002012-02-29T08:09:29.660-10:00Happy Birthday, Sydney!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sydney just had a birthday!</div>
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Can you believe she is 14 years old?</div>
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It seems like just a minute ago she was a little baby...</div>
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She was a ham even then!</div>
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She cracks me up!</div>
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She went fishing this fall - what a catch!</div>
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Last week she was in the science fair (she's the one on the left)</div>
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And here she is with her Grandpa and her Dad (she's the one in the middle)</div>
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And in the rain</div>
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And with a dog</div>
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And in the air</div>
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Pheasant hunting last year with her dad and dog.</div>
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Thumbs up for a great kid! </div>
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In honor of her 14th birthday, here are 14 things about Syd:</div>
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1 - She is a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">smarty</span>, but she doesn't flaunt it.</div>
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2 - She is really good at doing <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: x-large;">hair</span> - her own hair and her sisters' hair. If you need a fancy 'do, ask Sydney!</div>
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3 - She is very <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">athletic</span> - she seems to be able to just jump right in and do anything - volleyball, basketball, running, jumping, waterskiing, tennis, dodge ball, pull ups, etc!</div>
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4 - She can do hard things, even if she doesn't want to. This year as part of her calling as Beehive class president, she has had to make a lot of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">phone calls</span>. She hates that! And she will complain about it (oh the wailing and gnashing of teeth) but then get on the phone and do it, with such a sweet voice! Yay!</div>
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5 - She is very organized. She likes her things to be <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: large;">just so</span>, and sharing a room with a messy sister is a little rough...</div>
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6 - Sydney is the same height as me. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-size: xx-small;">5'2"</span> She wants to be taller...</div>
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7 - It is really hard to get Sydney to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">smile</span> for the camera - she can always sense with the camera is on her and will hide or make a silly face. </div>
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8 - Sydney could <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime; font-size: large;">drive</span> now. 14 years old is the legal driving age in SD! It is a little scary to see some of her 8th grade friends driving! I think we are going to wait a while....</div>
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9 - Sydney did drive yesterday in the church parking lot with her dad. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Watch out!</span></div>
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10 - Sydney is a great <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">babysitter</span>. She is totally fun with little kids, but she is also really selective about who she will babysit for.</div>
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11 - She will be a high school <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">freshman</span> next year!</div>
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12 - Sydney loves fancy <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">f</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">i</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;">n</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">g</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan;">e</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">r</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">n</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">i</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #93c47d;">l</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">s</span></span>. She keeps her nails looking lovely all the time, and is really good at painting them. She has done several of the fancy nails as seen on pinterest -- like the tie-dyed nails and the newsprint fingernails. So fancy!</div>
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13 - She is crafty - she is good with beads and string and paper and paint and the sewing machine.</div>
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14 - For Sydney's birthday yesterday, Nathan and I took her out to lunch at Taco Bell (she had less than 30 minutes and TB is close, plus, I heart taco bell). We were all enjoying our taco's when I suddenly knocked my drink over. The lid was doing a fine job holding the soda in until I grabbed the cup and popped the lid off. My diet coke completely covered Sydney's brand new jeans. And she just went with it. She laughed about it and didn't get mad at me for ruining her day. That's just the kind of kid she is -- awesome! (we did take her home to change before going back to school)</div>
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Happy Birthday, Syd!</div>
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<br /></div>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03468751357831063842noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-77124485654307013822012-02-09T15:19:00.001-10:002012-02-09T15:19:07.041-10:00SnowmobileIt has been so fun to have Nathan home. The transition back to family can be a little rocky, but so far everything has been great. Sometimes by the end of his two weeks of leave after a deployment, I am itching for him to get back to work. He is heading back in to work tomorrow, and I'm not even feeling a little sick of him (yet!). <br />
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We didn't go on a cruise, or take the kids to Disney World, or go to Hawaii. Those kinds of things are tricky to do when you have school aged kids. And I think learning how to be a family again, at home, is a good thing. <br />
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So, we just stuck around here. Nathan has taken the little kids to school each day, and has rushed out to meet them after school. John and Emily are loving that (I usually make them walk alllllll the way home.) He has been a good sport about cub scouts and violin lessons and wrestling meets and band concerts and volleyball. Whew. It's been a busy, and fun two weeks.<br />
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Nathan and I did plan a little mini get away in the Black Hills last weekend. <br />
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First, we took a nice drive from our house, up Nemo Canyon, and on into Deadwood. Then, we had lunch in Lead at the <a href="http://blackhillsftpierrerailroadroundhouse.com/RoundhouseRestaurant/FineDining.htm" target="_blank">Roundhouse Restaurant</a>. It is a beautifully restored roundhouse with a nice menu. You could even eat in a engine! Which we started to do, but then our server spilled our drinks while climbing the stairs to the engine, so we decided to sit down on the ground floor.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at the Roundhouse Restaurant</td></tr>
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Next, we drove to the <a href="http://www.spfcanyon.com/" target="_blank">Spearfish Canyon Lodge</a>. It is a lovely log cabin lodge in a beautiful location - towering canyon walls, deep snow, waterfall - beautiful! <br />
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We had dinner at the <a href="http://www.spfcanyon.com/dining.html" target="_blank">Latchstring Inn</a> across the street. We also had breakfast and lunch there the next day. Breakfast and lunch were great, but dinner was a little gaggy. Who serves a caesar salad with fake powdered parmesan cheese? So weird.... <br />
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But dessert was amazing! We split an Apple Dumpling. Mmm... It was so good, we decided to come back and have another one at lunch... and then we had to <a href="http://www.apple-pie-crisp-dumplings-recipes.com/" target="_blank">make a batch</a> when we got home. Yum! That recipe is really close to what we had at the restaurant, and the sauce is amazing - it looks a little thin and watery when you poor it in the pan, but it turns into a rich caramel sauce while it bakes. Must eat with a scoop of ice cream!<br />
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I had made reservations for the snowmobiles several weeks before our trip. It seemed like a good idea at Christmas time, but we haven't had much snow since then, and I really thought I should cancel. When we got up into the hills (really not far from our home, just 45 minutes or so) there was lots of snow. And lots of snowmobilers at the lodge. Trailers of snowmobiles from North Dakota and Minnesota. And snowmobiles zipping all around.<br />
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There are 350 miles of groomed<a href="http://gfp.sd.gov/to-do/snowmobile/docs/snowmobile-map-black-hills.pdf" target="_blank"> snowmobile trails</a> in the Spearfish/Lead/Deadwood area. And lots of people enjoying them, but not so many that we felt crowded.<br />
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I rented a double snowmobile, mostly because that was all that was available, and also because I am a wimp. It was fun, but I could see Nathan looking longingly at the wild trails of the cooler and more agile one-person snowmobiles. Our machine was kind of like a station wagon...</div>
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But the trails were great, and we were able to get unstuck both times we crashed!</div>
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Lovely views of the back country. We were even in Wyoming for a while.</div>
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It was a cold day, but not too cold. Most of the snowmobilers we saw appeared to be professionals with their slick snowsuits. We were looking a little getto in our military issue gear. But we stayed warm!</div>
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It was a fun little get away, and we had a great time! Yay!</div>
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<br />wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03468751357831063842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-3697171501909810102012-01-27T07:39:00.002-10:002012-01-27T07:39:42.072-10:00Welcome Home!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03468751357831063842noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-19805818973678755272012-01-23T18:01:00.001-10:002012-01-24T19:21:48.485-10:00Tuesday To DoI love to do lists. There is something really motivating about crossing stuff off! I have so much to do in the next few days that I feel like I just might explode! (Some of this stuff will be done by my <strike>minions</strike> kids.) * updates at the end<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">To Do:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strike>Make a list</strike></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Run</span> (<strike>maybe</strike>) no!<br />
<strike>Clean Shower</strike><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><strike>Quick <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;">bathroom</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">wi</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">pe </span>do<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">wn</span></strike></span><br />
<strike>Consider going out to the base for "resilient training?"</strike><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strike>Dust</strike></span><br />
<strike>Dust mop Upstairs</strike><br />
<strike>Vacuum Rugs</strike><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strike>Mop</strike></span><br />
<strike>Clean out my <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>closet</i></span></strike><br />
<strike>Vacuum<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">s</span>tai<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">r</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">s</span></span></strike><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strike><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Vacuum</span> basement</strike></span><br />
<strike>Think </strike>about giving the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">dog</span> a bath (I thought about it and decided not to)<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strike>Find the sign</strike> and the staple gun</span><br />
<strike>Practice <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Violin</span></strike><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strike>Go to the Store</strike></span><br />
<strike>Violin Lessons</strike><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><strike>Wrestling</strike></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Return <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">movies</span></span><br />
<strike><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Charge</span> Camera</strike><br />
<strike>Chicken <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Tacos </span>in the crockpot</strike><br />
Stay <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">off</span> the computer!<br />
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I was sitting in bed at 8:30pm, writing this list. My list got bigger and bigger, and I started to feel nervous, so I jumped up and (quick!) cleaned out my closet, plugged in the camera, moved the laundry along, and found the movies that I need to return! I think I can sleep now...<br />
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* It snowed last night. Which was not on my list! Seriously! So you can just add, start Hannah's car, scrape snow, shovel sidewalk (twice) to that list. What really stinks is that I just got both my car and Nathan's car washed yesterday... It's okay. I decided not to run and not to go out to the base. That leaves me more time to vacuum... Have a great day!<br />
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* It is lunch time and our house is so clean! I am going to put the chicken in the crockpot now, and get ready to go to the store. I can't forget to get dog food...<br />
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* Last update - it's 10pm and I am tired. I have another list for tomorrow, but I think I'll stick to pen and paper. It's amazing all the things I can do in a day when I really have to!<br />
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<br />wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03468751357831063842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-52890922741160913032012-01-22T18:30:00.002-10:002012-01-22T18:41:46.243-10:00Writing (and other goals) UpdateIt is time to write about writing. I am really enjoying my 34 minutes of writing daily as part of my <a href="http://aroundofwordsin80days.wordpress.com/blog/" target="_blank">Round of Words in 80 days</a>, but weekend writing just isn't happening. We had a super long 4 day weekend last week and I was feeling guilty for not keeping up with the writing, but I've decided that's just the way it is. I can't write on the weekends. I'm just writing for me, so I get to decide! I've been playing around with writing some little scenes. Kind of silly and frustrating and fun.<br />
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Last weekend when I wasn't writing, I found a video series on Yahoo called the <a href="http://failureclub.org/" target="_blank">Failure Club</a>. I didn't even know there were videos made by yahoo, but this one was really interesting. In the show, there is a group of adults working toward crazy goals (jumping horses, stand up comedy, writing a famous Christmas song, etc.) Things they always wanted to do, but just didn't really have time for or didn't really think that they could do. <br />
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All year they will be working to do something really crazy and fail and learn along the way. I think the point of the show is that we often tell ourselves we can't do things because we might fail, when instead we should try to do hard things - that failing isn't the worst thing that could happen - the worst thing is doing nothing at all...</div>
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I've only seen a couple of episodes, but it is fascinating, and it made me think about this crazy writing thing I'm trying to do. I love writing. I want to be a writer, but I just don't know how, and I am scared to really try. It is a crazy goal that may not be realistic, but it still worth doing. Even if I fail. Just one day at a time!</div>
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In <a href="http://rapidlife.blogspot.com/2011/12/to-do-list-2012.html" target="_blank">other goal updates</a>,</div>
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I am cooking more real food. I have been planning more meals each week, and finding quick things to fix on days that are busy. Guess what? Cooking dinner doesn't seem so terrible. I can definitely say that I am cooking at least 3 good dinners a week. I think I can even move my goal up to 5 real dinners a week, now. Something great about fixing real dinners, is that we do a better job of cleaning up the kitchen on the nights that I cook. I'm not sure why, but if I pick up pizza, we just don't follow through with our dinner jobs. But if I fix dinner, then, by golly, someone else had better be washing the dishes and wiping the table! On the menu for this week is grilled chicken sandwiches, chicken tacos, lasagna, homemade pizza, nacho noche, and ribs. Everything served with broccoli, because I accidentally bought a gargantuan bag of broccoli at Sam's Club. What was I thinking!</div>
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In running news, last week was cold. Really cold. I only ran 3 times. And all 3 times I was a little worried about frost bite. Hannah and I went on Monday when my car said that the temperature was 11 degrees. I'm not sure what the wind chill factor was, but it was really too cold to be out there. It should be warmer this week, but I'm not sure if I'll have time to run... </div>
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I think I can cross off most of my Organizing goals. I took a large load of stuff from the basement to Goodwill this week. It felt good to just let it go. That was a really cold day. I didn't have my gloves on while we were unloading the car, and my fingers were aching by the time I hopped back up behind the wheel. It was like 2 degrees out there and the wind was just brutal! The basement storage room still needs more work, but it looks a lot better. I am really glad that I worked on Nathan's shop earlier in the month while the weather was nice!</div>
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And my violin practicing goal was not on my original list, but we had our recital on Friday, and I did just fine. I did not get lost and I didn't run out of the room crying. Yay me! Being about 30 years older than all the other students is only a little embarrassing!</div>
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<br /></div>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03468751357831063842noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-45358507958505769532012-01-18T06:35:00.000-10:002012-01-18T06:38:18.521-10:00Fainting<br />
Sydney has a little problem.<br />
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She faints sometimes.<br />
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She has fainted twice at school this year. Once in her woodshop class and once off the risers in her choir class. She has also had several almost passing out episodes, and has passed out other times in the last few years.<br />
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Yesterday, Sydney, Hannah and I were shopping at the mall. She tried on a couple of cute skirts and some jeans, and as I was checking out, Sydney disappeared.<br />
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I started out of the store while Hannah went to go find Sydney. I thought maybe she was just looking at the clothes, but Hannah found her in the back of the shop near the changing rooms, laying down.<br />
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She had no color in her face. She is pale anyway, but she really had no color, except for her freckles. Her skin felt cold, and she was sweaty. It was an actual cold sweat.<br />
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She didn't think she passed out, but was not sure. I had her lay down with her knees up, and she rested for a while. <br />
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When she felt better, we walked to the food court and bought two different strawberry smoothies to taste-test.<br />
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The Strawberry-Julius was the winner.<br />
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The problem is, I don't know what to do. When she first passed out at school this year, I took her to the doctor and they ran a full EKG and did a simple neuro exam. They also ran a blood test. Everything checked out fine. They recommended more protein in her diet. I told her she should stop wearing her corset!<br />
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I'm a little worried, because it is still happening... On the other hand, when you google 13 year old girl and fainting, it turns out it is a rather common thing. So maybe I shouldn't worry... <br />
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I don't know. Sydney is not a weak little girl. She is not afraid of anything. She is strong and fast and full of energy.<br />
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Should I ask for a more thorough physical? Any thoughts?<br />
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<br />wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03468751357831063842noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-72725548572530886592012-01-16T06:59:00.000-10:002012-01-16T06:59:35.610-10:00Busy WeekendOn Friday, <a href="http://www.blackhillsfox.com/2012/01/13/Dahl-serves-as-venue-for-emerging-artists" target="_blank">Hannah had a gig</a>. Her friends were playing at the<a href="http://www.thedahl.org/emerging-artists.html" target="_blank"> Dahl Emerging Artists Program</a>, and they asked her to "open" for them. I just found a short video of her on a local news station. You can't actually hear her play, but she looks so cute playing the Manta Ray Uke, made by Nathan.<br />
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I wasn't able to go watch Hannah's big performance because we had 4 little 5th graders learning how to do the Hoe Down Throwdown for the elementary school talent show over here at our house. (so cute) But Hannah came home just dancing around and happy about it. She was invited to come back and bring her dad, too.<br />
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here's the link again: http://www.blackhillsfox.com/2012/01/13/Dahl-serves-as-venue-for-emerging-artists<br />
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I wish I could just put the video here. Do you know how to do that?<br />
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Later on Friday Night we hosted a Seminary Party. There were about 15 kids from church over here eating pizza, watching a movie and playing games. The big hit of the night was PIT, and when things got a little out of hand (read LOUD), I found some sparklers that were left over from the 4th of July and they had a great time with those!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OJyqnpiYZDU/TxRVqokxLaI/AAAAAAAACac/jheUMcPnmTo/s1600/IMG_0467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OJyqnpiYZDU/TxRVqokxLaI/AAAAAAAACac/jheUMcPnmTo/s400/IMG_0467.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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On Saturday, John had his first wrestling match. <br />
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I felt entirely out of my element and just about to cry all day. I really wish Nathan had been there to help John. It was definitely a dad world. But John wrestled hard and did a great job. <br />
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Here is a video of John's last match:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzysY0xP2TfMxTHS17TqaWwV6j4g7IUpVHU9VNsSHDAgAq5-otu8ERlcLb_mgBqFj5j9AwFz9UDk2k' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03468751357831063842noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-20155150741426916322012-01-11T18:27:00.000-10:002012-01-11T19:40:41.504-10:00Mustache, Ukulele, Writing Update #3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C2nm_rWzG2A/Tw5U18L-C3I/AAAAAAAACYs/TQGLef8ayxk/s1600/IMG_0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C2nm_rWzG2A/Tw5U18L-C3I/AAAAAAAACYs/TQGLef8ayxk/s640/IMG_0260.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Nathan has been working on growing a mustache the last few months.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B4u9giAXYTQ/Tw5T6acm1XI/AAAAAAAACYc/x59E0MgK5Bg/s1600/IMG_0236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B4u9giAXYTQ/Tw5T6acm1XI/AAAAAAAACYc/x59E0MgK5Bg/s640/IMG_0236.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hannah's tried out a few mustache styles, herself.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JhitCnBJ9Z4/Tw5UaEWmdFI/AAAAAAAACYk/jTvgtairc3c/s1600/IMG_0245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JhitCnBJ9Z4/Tw5UaEWmdFI/AAAAAAAACYk/jTvgtairc3c/s640/IMG_0245.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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A sliced peach mustache?</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P2UI5HYmaRs/Tw5U5LXOntI/AAAAAAAACY8/-WSWe-7zL0M/s1600/DSC_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P2UI5HYmaRs/Tw5U5LXOntI/AAAAAAAACY8/-WSWe-7zL0M/s640/DSC_0093.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Emily has taken the art of mustache to a whole new level.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mB0L6df2e5M/Tw5U7PirI1I/AAAAAAAACZE/P7q-nC5e-c4/s1600/DSC_0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mB0L6df2e5M/Tw5U7PirI1I/AAAAAAAACZE/P7q-nC5e-c4/s640/DSC_0094.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Huh?</div>
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Even Grandpa B. tried it out!<br />
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I am trying NOT to grow a mustache. I hope. But I think my un-mustache may be chapped. I went running today and it was cold and windy. I wore a little muffler around my neck and chin and nose, but it would get too hot and sweaty, and then I'd move it down. And then the sweat on my face would kind of freeze and now my upper lip area is sore and red. Hmmm. </div>
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The mustache is just a little bit of deployment fun. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QiSyr9YMP7w/Tw5aUnBXvbI/AAAAAAAACZc/6RmawIK8CIY/s1600/375454_207873662627071_100002133168925_443772_364151671_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QiSyr9YMP7w/Tw5aUnBXvbI/AAAAAAAACZc/6RmawIK8CIY/s640/375454_207873662627071_100002133168925_443772_364151671_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Nathan has had another project to keep him out of trouble.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wr-i-k3A7KI/Tw5aV6vBAWI/AAAAAAAACaE/kHh-F3FYq00/s1600/381716_207876182626819_100002133168925_443783_1894520854_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wr-i-k3A7KI/Tw5aV6vBAWI/AAAAAAAACaE/kHh-F3FYq00/s640/381716_207876182626819_100002133168925_443783_1894520854_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Building Ukuleles.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0RM3LBmk5Vc/Tw5aU3GMOdI/AAAAAAAACZk/MZsi7e8g3uo/s1600/390191_207873829293721_100002133168925_443773_591024494_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0RM3LBmk5Vc/Tw5aU3GMOdI/AAAAAAAACZk/MZsi7e8g3uo/s640/390191_207873829293721_100002133168925_443773_591024494_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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He has built two himself, and helped build another two.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7o5nwbWRQ_4/Tw5aVC2U0-I/AAAAAAAACZs/R7D1knzBYfc/s1600/375506_207874069293697_100002133168925_443774_523170436_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7o5nwbWRQ_4/Tw5aVC2U0-I/AAAAAAAACZs/R7D1knzBYfc/s640/375506_207874069293697_100002133168925_443774_523170436_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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He has had a little workshop in his room. Do you see that crazy contraption back there behind the uke? It is used to form the sides of the ukulele, and I had to mail it to Nathan. It is full of cranks and turning parts and an electric pad and plug. I was pretty sure I was going to be picked up as the unibomber after I mailed it!</div>
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Aren't they beautiful?</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W1mwY1YViB0/Tw5aVpDAkbI/AAAAAAAACZ8/phTnMr0WFIA/s1600/387931_207875835960187_100002133168925_443781_1124418918_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W1mwY1YViB0/Tw5aVpDAkbI/AAAAAAAACZ8/phTnMr0WFIA/s640/387931_207875835960187_100002133168925_443781_1124418918_n.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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Nathan <a href="http://rapidlife.blogspot.com/2008/12/guest-blogger-nate-tells-how-to-build.html" target="_blank">learned how to build these</a> while we were in Hawaii. I think he's pretty amazing. </div>
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And so is his mustache!</div>
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*****</div>
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Also amazing, is the 34 minutes of writing that I'm doing daily as part of the<a href="http://aroundofwordsin80days.wordpress.com/2012/01/11/111-check-in/" target="_blank"> ROW in 80 days... </a> I am enjoying using my time more deliberately each day with writing as a part of that. I have been writing and thinking about teen parenthood. Partly because I'm writing about it, and partly because it has been a weird year with Hannah being the same age that I was. </div>
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Sometimes when I am cheering her on at her latest big event, I think about the me that was 17 and I worry about her (me). When I was 17, I really didn't worry. I felt all grown up. I felt like I could do anything, and though I had messed up, everything would still be just fine. </div>
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But looking back as the mom-of-a-17-year-old, I can see all the many ways in which things could have gone wrong. So many what ifs, that I get a little catch in my throat just thinking about it! </div>
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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>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannah, Sydney, Emily and John. Dec. 2011</td></tr>
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And then I look at the family we are and I wonder if it is unlucky to say, Wow! Look at us now!</div>
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It's time to start writing about something else. Tomorrow. I'm just not sure what....</div>
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<br /></div>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03468751357831063842noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-33624993658429138222012-01-08T19:45:00.002-10:002012-01-08T19:53:13.890-10:00Writing Update #2I have 3 things I need to do each day for 30 minutes each. <br />
Running<br />
Writing<br />
Practicing my violin<br />
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The running happens just after the kids get dropped off at school. It is easy, and I have a running partner, so I can't just not go. The other stuff should just fall in to place when I get home, but it is more complicated...<br />
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Last year, Emily started playing the violin, and I did, too. I love it. Except for the practicing part. Or maybe it's the not practicing part. I hate showing up to a lesson without having practiced the week before. There is no way to cheat and pretend to have practiced 6 times when you've only picked up the violin twice in the last week. <br />
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I'm really good at making Emily practice. It's harder to make myself. But once I start, I love it, and have a hard time stopping, often practicing more than an hour (i'm sure I can use more than an hour of practice each day...)<br />
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So every day I made my to do list. <br />
run<br />
write<br />
violin<br />
...other good stuff...<br />
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and each day I was able to cross off<br />
run<br />
write<br />
violin<br />
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Did I mention I love To Do lists?<br />
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Go me! But in my mind I would have this little fight: "I need to practice, but if I practice now, I won't have time to write." So I would sit and write and have to cram my practice time into the after-bedtime hour. Or I might say: "I must practice now, I'll write later" and then I'd have to write late at night...<br />
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I'm not sure why I can't seem to do both in the morning. According to my To Do list, it should work.<br />
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As I was writing about myself as a teen parent; something I rarely talk about, but something that I think I should talk about sometimes; I have thought of some things that I haven't thought of in a long time. <br />
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Here is one little story:<br />
We had a one car (a sweet '77 Toyota Corolla), and Nathan worked evenings at a gas station. Usually he took the car, but for some reason I had the car one night. I packed up baby Hannah, and we picked up Nathan from work. I must have been having a diaper emergency because we went to Walmart at 2am to buy diapers. Why didn't I use the car and go to Walmart earlier? I don't know, but I think it was because this was still early in our marriage and I thought shopping was something so fun to do that I wanted to share it with Nathan!<br />
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We bought our diapers and headed up to the check-out stand. There were a couple of check out ladies there talking, and they oooo'd and awwwe'd over our little baby as we were paying.<br />
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Just as we were about to leave, someone ran past our check out stand, and grabbed our diapers, and ran out of the store! <br />
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Crazy! Who steals diapers? But things get crazier - Nathan ran out of the store after the guy, and I ran after Nathan with baby Hannah in my arms. Nathan caught up to the guy in the parking lot and got our diapers back, and we went home. The end.<br />
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The more I think about it, the more I wonder what we were thinking? How dangerous! That guy could have been on a diaper stealing crime spree - he could have been really dangerous! I wonder why we didn't just yell, and let Walmart give us some new diapers. I also wonder what Nathan said to the guy when he caught up to him?<br />
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It is so strange that I'm not actually sure if it happened. I'm honestly not sure if it's real. I think it happened, but it seems so crazy, that I'm wondering if it was a dream. I haven't had a chance to ask Nathan if he remembers it. <br />
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<a href="http://rapidlife.blogspot.com/2011/12/to-do-list-2012.html" target="_blank">Update about other Goals for the month</a> - I think I'll just update these on Sunday from now on:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Running: </span><br />
I ran 5 days this week. We did stairs one day, and I ran 3.5 miles one day. Not really a long run, but it's a start!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Cooking:</span> <br />
We even cooked this weekend! <br />
Sunday = Dinner with the Mac Family. They made the most amazing Bacon Wrapped Venison Tenderloin. I made salad and deviled eggs and dessert. Yay for good friends!<br />
Saturday = breakfast for dinner: waffles, sausage, eggs, smoothies. <br />
Friday = homemade pizza: I went out for dinner for our anniversary with a friend whose anniversary happened this week, too. But I left everything for Sydney to make pizza on Friday. It turned out so good that we had it again on Saturday for lunch. <br />
Thursday = nachos. My favorite!<br />
Easy meals. I'm not sure why it always seems too hard to do... I need to make up a list for this next week...<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Organizing: </span><br />
I did a good job in Nathan's shop - it wasn't as bad as I thought. Need to start in on the scary basement storage room tomorrow...<br />
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<br />wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03468751357831063842noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-58681256431308729002012-01-06T07:37:00.002-10:002012-01-06T07:37:58.520-10:00I love Nate! <table 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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zMAafABi3dY/TwctKFYLrUI/AAAAAAAACYM/12CoB4SmVg8/s1600/wendylovesnate+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zMAafABi3dY/TwctKFYLrUI/AAAAAAAACYM/12CoB4SmVg8/s400/wendylovesnate+006.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1992 Climbing Half Dome<br /></td></tr>
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<table 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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6srDKjkwutY/TwctKYrPMsI/AAAAAAAACYU/she_nS_zh4c/s1600/wendylovesnate+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6srDKjkwutY/TwctKYrPMsI/AAAAAAAACYU/she_nS_zh4c/s400/wendylovesnate+002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1994<br /></td></tr>
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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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YYVWbTjCFoE/TwctICuEliI/AAAAAAAACX8/0TLqixhXEhc/s1600/DSC01048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YYVWbTjCFoE/TwctICuEliI/AAAAAAAACX8/0TLqixhXEhc/s400/DSC01048.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AF Ball 2010</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A letter to Nathan on our Anniversary</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">18 things I love about you:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 1 - I love your brown eyes. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 2 - You are a great dad!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 3 - I love how steady you are.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 4 - I love the way you love to sing.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 5 - You are a great kisser!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 6 - You are a careful builder of many things - furniture, ukuleles, a home, a family</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 7 - I love how you can just close your eyes and go to sleep. So easy!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 8 - You love to try new things. And then you are good at them. I love that!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 9 - You make me feel pretty!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">10 - You don't know how to waste time.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">11 - You still like to ride a motorcycle!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">12 - Your smile makes me smile.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">13 - I love talking to you. You ask good questions and care about my answers.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">14 - Do you know that you are very strong!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">15 - You are a great dancer. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">16 - I like the way you can make me blush!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">17 - I love cooking for you. You don't seem to notice that I'm not good at it!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">18 - Sometimes you have to go away, but you always come home!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I love you Mr. B. Come home soon!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Love,</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">w</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif;">
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<div style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif;">
PS. Here is my favorite deployment poem. Another little anniversary love note.</div>
<div style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif;">i carry your heart with me (i carry it in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">my heart) i am never without it (anywhere</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">by only me is your doing, my darling)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">i fear </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want</span><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">and whatever a sun will always sing is you</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">here is the deepest secret nobody knows</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">- e.e.cummings</span></div>
</div>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03468751357831063842noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270568.post-69910994374590025182012-01-03T18:25:00.003-10:002012-01-04T07:57:57.600-10:00ROW 80 (and other goals)Update #1<a href="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g54/southernseanachi/ROW80Logocopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g54/southernseanachi/ROW80Logocopy.jpg" width="200" /></a>I thought I signed up to do the <a href="http://aroundofwordsin80days.wordpress.com/blog/" target="_blank">Round of Words in 80 Days</a> challenge, but maybe I didn't. I'm not sure. I couldn't find myself in the list of blogs, so I signed up again.<br />
<br />
Rapid Life. Slow Writing. That's me.<br />
<br />
And the challenge started yesterday. Yay!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://rapidlife.blogspot.com/2011/12/to-do-list-2012.html">My goal</a> for the next 80 days is to write for 34+ minutes a day. That's all. Easy. Just write with out distractions. I'm just starting this thing. And so far so good. As part of the 80 day challenge I will be blogging updates each Wednesday and Sunday.<br />
<br />
I decided to start by writing a little sort of journal about me. On Sunday we were visiting with some friends and one of the teenagers asked everyone how they met and how they proposed, etc. Everyone else had such sweet stories, while I just kind of sat there. I always feel a little uncomfortable talking about falling in love with Nathan because we were so young. Our favorite joke: <i>How did you propose?</i> answer: <i>You're WhAT???</i> isn't so funny when you are talking to teenage girls from church, you know? (in my best mom voice, "I may have been a pregnant teenager by your age, but you, young lady, are not allowed to....blah blah blah")<br />
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Especially since our daughter Hannah (a super amazing and wonderful Senior in High School) is now the same age as I was when we got married... (happy anniversary to me on Friday! la la la! 18 years!) But it's no fun to have nothing to say for yourself at a party. And it is good for the kids to know that their parents love each other, right? So I wrote a little about Nathan's mullet and all that other good stuff (mexican wedding suit for prom?) (kissing in the hallway at mom and dad's house -sorry mom - while playing hide and seek with little <a href="http://mrsfieldscookies.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Erin</a>!)<br />
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I'm not really sure what this update thing is supposed to be about. Do I just say GO ME? Or what? Did I write too much? My plan for the next 77 days is: After I write all I can think of about the joys of teen-parenthood then I think I will just find some writing prompts and work on those for a while. 34 minutes a day. <br />
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***<br />
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I set 3 other goals for January: Cooking, Running, and Organizing. It's kind of early to update, but here ye be: (I'm wondering if that's a South Dakota regional saying, <i>here ye be</i>, instead of here you are, or here goes... I have heard 2 different people say that recently. So weird.)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Food</span> - <i>cooking 3 actual meals a week that don't include frozen chicken nuggets or a packet of fake cheese. </i><br />
Do I really have to update this? already? I need a couple more days for this one. I did fix pulled pork sandwiches on Tuesday. Yum! But Monday was McDonald's. Monday was rough. A certain someone who is old enough to know better (name with held for the protection of the guilty) threw up in my car. Not on any of the 2 heavy duty plastic carpet protectors, or on the wimpier removable carpet carpet protectors, but between and under and around them. Oh the wailing and gnashing of teeth...<br />
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And then after I cleaned up all that nastiness that and applied generous amounts of vinegar and baking soda, and changed clothes, I had to drive with Hannah to a little town about an hour away (we took a different car. smelled better.) And back. And Hannah said she needed MickyD's after that long drive. So I went with it! I did not have a Hot Fudge Sundae like I wanted though. That's good, right? <br />
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Dinner tonight = <a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/06/spicy-honey-chicken/" target="_blank">Spicy Honey Chicken</a> with rice and veggies. And I mean it.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Running</span> - 3 days down, 3 days running. <br />
Monday = 3.1 miles in 36 minutes with an average of about 12 minute miles. major hills. blech.<br />
Tuesday = 3.25 miles in about 34 minutes with an average of about 10:50 minute miles. worse hills but better run.<br />
Wednesday = 3.01 miles with my running buddy. 12 min. miles. slow running, but good talking!<br />
tomorrow I'm planning to do the stairs at the track.<br />
Total this week: 9 miles<br />
Total this year: 9 miles<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Organizing</span> - work on 4 areas<br />
Christmas Items are all packed up and put away. Nicely. Woohoo!<br />
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Nathan's shop is swept out and all odd tools are set out on the work bench. I need to vacuum it and bring down more tools from the other garage. Why do the tools migrate? I would love to go through his shelves and organize everything, but he may not really appreciate that... So I'll stick to vacuuming up all the dead flies and dust, and returning all the wayward tools to the shop. My plan is to finish that up this week while we have nice weather and then attack the scary basement storage area next week.<br />
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<br />wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03468751357831063842noreply@blogger.com9