tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40424289467128295852024-03-13T05:29:30.591-07:00Sanders Family NewsSanders Family NewsMaddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-5721676634727737602013-08-12T10:04:00.003-07:002013-08-12T10:26:10.175-07:00A cool and very worthwhile 5 minute video to share with you<br />
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I mentioned in one of my posts a while back about a wonderful book I was reading that truly changed my life for the better. <i>Happiness is a serious problem </i>by Dennis Prager.<br />
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Mr. Prager, on top of writing many other books is very involved in many other things. He's a very intelligent, interesting man. He's got a radio show where he mostly talks politics but also every week he's got an hour on the topic of men and women, an hour on happiness and an hour on ultimate issues (i.e. Does God exist, etc?) Relationship experts come on his show as well as a famous LA based psychiatrist. I can't tell you how valuable it all has become in my life. Shane downloads the shows for me and we listen either at home together or separately in our cars to work or together when we drive on vacation. My kids now like and sing the happiness song that comes on when the happiness hours starts. Prager sings along too and if you ever heard his deep voice... It's the best!<br />
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On top of his radio show I know he writes for some newspaper and has done TV and many other talks and appearances all over the world. I truly wish I had known about him earlier. He has thought things through very well and also explains them all and very clearly and also is very wise. We don't have the same religion, but so what? Anyone can take so much from him because some truths are just universal.<br />
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Anyway, the reason I am saying all this is because I just watched this video below today. I love it so much and want to share with you. We joined Prager University (a website where different people including Prager do short video segments on many different topics) and have watched many other videos as well. Very well done, short and thought provoking. Let me know what you think.<br />
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http://www.prageruniversity.com/Political-Science/The-American-Trinity-2nd-Edition.html<br />
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<br />Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-70029696155279456212013-08-01T10:58:00.000-07:002013-08-01T10:58:50.725-07:0020th Mission Reunion-Romania-Moldova MissionHere I am with almost a little over a week left of my summer vacation. I really feel so lucky to have had this summer time with my kids and family. <div>
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We had a blast this summer and truly took advantage of every day. </div>
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I have to split the posts since I have so many pictures and fun adventures from this summer. </div>
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For sure I want to document a very important and fun activity we had at the beginning of summer. It was the 20th Celebration Romania-Moldova mission reunion. </div>
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20 + years since we got baptized. Wow! It certainly doesn't feel that long ago but 20 years... Geesh! </div>
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Shane had to work and mom is in Romania now so I took dad and the kids and drove down to UT. </div>
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I was asked prior to the event to speak at the reunion fireside. It gave me quite a bit of stress knowing I would have to speak in front of so many people but at the same time it was such a blessing to prepare for the talk, to remember all the fun and important things that took place in my life all these many years ago. I couldn't wait to see so many friends. We seem so at home when we're all together. I really miss those times! </div>
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It was truly an honor to speak. The event took place at the Assembly Hall in Temple Square that was rented for the reunion. What a beautiful building. All the talks were inspiring, testimony building and full of interesting stories. </div>
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The whole thing was recorded and is on you tube if anyone cares to listen to it. It's kind of long but there it has my conversion story and what the church has meant to us as a family. </div>
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Here's the link: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wINcp05tuMo#at=1471">https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wINcp05tuMo#at=1471</a></div>
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I'm around minute 24. :) </div>
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Also a friend of mine and a returned missionary who served in Romania who works for the church wrote an article in the church news. I can't believe they chose a picture with me in it. My dad is in it too. He looks so cute! </div>
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Here is that one: <a href="http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/63764/Romania-Bucharest-Mission-celebrates-its-20th-anniversary.html">http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/63764/Romania-Bucharest-Mission-celebrates-its-20th-anniversary.html</a></div>
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The morning after the reunion we had a picnic in SLC and here we could bring our kids. I was in heaven seeing Ioana, Irina, Maria, Dahlee, Eniko, Aurelia, and so many dear missionary friends, mission presidents, etc. It truly felt like the good old times picnicking in RO. The kids had fun playing games and running around. </div>
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My dear friend, Kirsten was awesome to host us at her house. We had a blast seeing her and Martissa Whelchel Spencer, who was her companion and who also stayed with Kirsten. Thank you, dear friend for loving us and being such a nice host. </div>
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My sister in law and her husband who live in UT were so awesome to babysit my kids that Friday when I spoke and no kids were allowed to come. She ended up with them until midnight. There were a series of unfortunate events that happened that night that prevented us from getting there on time but we made it safely after all. Thank you for everything, Ash if you ever read this thing. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ioana, her kids and a missionary friend whom I don't know </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Romanian girlfriends</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hunsakers, the best missionary couple. They are so awesome!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lavi got to make her ring at one of the activity tables for kids. It's so cute!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely Cambry Larson Morley and me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Morrey is so frail . It was a miracle he actually even came. He's the first mission president call to the Romania Mission. He's awesome. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Orton and his wife and Gigi and Jean Alecu</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz Anderson</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kirsten and Kim, who wrote the article. Love these girls. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robyn Patterson, dad, Sister Strong, Shanda Christiansen, me</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jensen, forget his name now, dad, Leavit, Martissa Whelchel, me </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the picnic we were delighted to go visit Geambasu family in Provo. We had a blast with them and they served us the best food. How I love Romanians! :) </td></tr>
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After we left the Geambasu house being in Provo we went to show the kids the BYU campus and Provo temple. It is always so fun to go there again. I was totally transported back in time. I miss you Holly, Cristina, Jessica, Ioana, Laura and many others. :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These were new to me- near the art museum</td></tr>
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Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-22403417971183426022013-06-08T23:23:00.000-07:002013-06-08T23:23:01.535-07:00The little things that make life greatI find tremendous happiness in the moments, the little things daily.<br />
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Right now I am sitting here on the couch browsing through this cooking blog of this gal, with a belly full of amazingness my husband and I made. Full belly, happy family. New potatoes - roasted, grilled asparagus, grilled chicken. Yum! As a side note, I really doubt our kids have a clue how good they have it with such yummy meals and for the most part home made and healthy. Hahaha. Not bragging or anything.<br />
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It's a wonderful, sunny and a little breezy today. It's Saturday and that helps too. :)<br />
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As I'm sitting here Lavinia is singing to her "My little pony" show she watches. It's what prompted me to write a little. It's so cute to hear her sweet voice. She's been sick and her liveliness gone but thankfully she seems on the mend now, hence the singing. She's dressed in her bathing suit and is wearing ballet shoes and has some clip on hoop earrings and her face is so dirty. It's quite the funny sight. She's got these long, skinny, beautiful little legs that do look like ballerina legs. She badly wants to go to dance or ballet class.<br />
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Earlier while Shane was grilling the kids set up camp outside and played so nicely together. I love seeing and listening in to their conversations. It reminds me of my play dates with my own brother. Oh, what fun we've always had as kids. I brought some balloons from work that they had for an event and no one still wanted. They brought all the play food, plates, blanket and had a 'birthday party' outside. I can be happy and so can they even without some big yard. It's always amazing to me how my kids seem happy no matter what they have. I guess it's all part of their sweet innocent age. I'm gonna soak it up while I can...<br />
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In the morning the kids let us sleep in. We heard their little chirping on the hallway by our bedroom. The hallway was lined with cute lego people. The light up there is beautiful., our only northern window besides some smaller ones that line our stairs going downstairs.<br />
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Today I was looking through pictures that I had taken a while back and some from yesterday, a picnic recently. Life is going fast but it's good. I am not good about updating this blog but I am kind with myself and don't put any kind of unrealistic expectations on myself. I'd rather enjoy the moments than even write them to remember them. Except for right now. Ha! It hit me that my life is oh so sweet and that the little sweet moments are what it's all about. There are plenty of bad moments too but I will focus on the good ones or at least try to see the good in each kid, in my husband, in people in general, in every day.<br />
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Dacian is finishing up first grade. His teacher loves him and said the nicest things about him. I might have to put that here some day. We love her right back. Truly she's a special person and I'm so sad Dacian only had one year with her.<br />
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He's a very creative child. It's so interesting the way he thinks and the things he says. He's smart but also a very kind kid. I just love my big boy now. He's also very sensitive kid.<br />
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Lavinia is very sporty, she is super strong, and has recently mastered riding her bike. She's a little daredevil who scares the heck out of me. She rides way too fast. She does the monkey bars like nobody's business. She's also a fast little runner and loves to dance and sing. She's hilarious most of the time and we get along better and better. There was a time when she drove me nuts with all the clothes changing she did and how stubborn she was about everything but that seems to have passed.<br />
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The two of them make a good pair and love each other so. I don't do many play dates because I work and I think out of necessity they found each other to be good playmates.<br />
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Right now I'm don't want to remember the bickering, the sick, the little annoying things that of course do happen. Life is hard, good, bad, full of unexpected things but I learned that gratitude is where it's all at.<br />
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Gratitude towards my good husband, all his efforts to become a better person and spouse, my kids, my good parents, my friends, work buddies that make me laugh every day sure make me realize how happy I am.<br />
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And just as I'm about to finish this post and to end with a little reality , Lavinia just went upstairs bawling. I wonder what's going on. To think that the good moments, are just that, moments. I'm so grateful for my life, for God and for the chance I get to experience it all.<br />
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Pictures in random order, found on the said card today.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dacian at his first choir performance. He's not my musical kid but they have a reeealy good teacher and he learned all the songs so well. It was so fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He even had a part by himself saying a little joke. He cracked himself up and the audience alike. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playdate with cousins, L and Z, making an angry bird pizza. Yummy! It was so fun and now they moved so far away. We are already missing them. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biking kids</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She learned so fast and couldn't wait to take those pesky training wheels off so she can be like her brother. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying panning. Ugh, not so easy. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuffed portobello mushrooms. They were divine, too bad I only made four. My kids scarfed them down. The roasted tomatoes with the warm goat cheese, yum. Thanks pintrest. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother's Day. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After church</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this freckled face and his new teeth coming in. The old ones were grounded to pieces. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't believe I actually could do this to her hair. It's usually so slippery. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what Dacian made me instead of a card. I love it! He came up with this on his own. I thought for sure they did that at school. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating watermelon at our picnic. First of the year. Cherries too. I love spring/summer.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing bocce ball with Kim and my parents. We had such a fun picnic just last Saturday.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">I cannot believe there were kids swimming in the lake. My dad tried to catch fish but there were none in the lake this time. :)</td></tr>
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Going on a field trip just the other day. It was cute to see Mr. D so popular with so many little friends.<br />
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This little boy adores Dacian. They are in the same class but the boy is younger by half a year. <br />
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I chaperoned these two. The little girl was adorable. She kind of looked like D, only a little taller. I caught them holding hands.<br />
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So I forget what this is called but I guess that is 18 million eggs of some fish that lays them in this jelly mixed with sand so no one would eat it. So interesting.<br />
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Thank goodness for rubber boots. Sure wish I had some so I could explore more. <br />
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Love their tye dye shirts.<br />
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Totally overexposed but kind of cool still. <br />
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Our asparagus today. It was grilled to perfection.<br />
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Pintrest potatoes. I love this recipe. It has ground mustard all over them before they bake.<br />
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<br />Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-15289916193287822722013-04-10T23:53:00.002-07:002013-04-10T23:59:41.179-07:00Dacian is 7! (Beware of the long post)<div style="text-align: justify;">
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My little big boy... Recently I remembered a funny experience when D was little and said hilarious things on a daily basis. I didn't write them down just like I seem to not write down the funny things Lavi is saying. (she's at the funny stage).</div>
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I had to rush Dacian to the bathroom at a grocery store. I think he was about 3 years old. I sit him on the potty and we hear another person in the stall next door. He says to me: "Mommy, is that a bad guy?" We were of course in the ladies restroom. The lady in the next stall bursts out laughing. "No, sweetie, she's a goo' guy," I said. Dacian saw the whole world as goo' (good) guys and bad guys. Of course, now he's all growedz up and I find myself missing the goo' and bad guys conversations. I know it's cliche to say time goes by oh so fast but I sit down and look at him and I can hardly remember him as a toddler or baby. He's changed so much. He's lost three teeth so far. He's still got a little boy's innocence which I adore but I also know it's also on the go. And the sad part to me is knowing Lavi's fun stage will also pass so I am totally soaking her all up.</div>
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I know one thing for sure, I don't really know how I'll handle the teenager-hood Scared to death of that. I guess I have to brace myself and go for the ride that most parents also have to make at some point. I do realize it's not that close but not that far away either.</div>
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I can understand why many women have many kids, I bet they miss the baby stage, toddler stage, etc and can't imagine themselves without that fun in their lives. It's tempting but then again, not in the cards for us and I feel quite at peace with it.</div>
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But the reason why I'm writing again is to put the fun pictures of the most recent birthday party and document all the fun we've had. I'm also on spring break so I have no excuse for not having time to write. </div>
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Last time I did a big birthday party for D. I said I wouldn't do another big on until he turned 8. Well, I realized that this year would be the perfect year for a fun party and I didn't want to wait. Crazy me, huh?</div>
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I started planning early, rented the cabana where my parents live and everything started to come together quite nicely. I again had tons of help. My mom made the boys jedi vests and helped braid the Leia buns.</div>
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Dacian loves Star Wars and I saw cute pictures of a jedi party on the internet and started imagining how cute it would be do to that for Dacian. I realized that the older he gets he won't want some silly themed party. I am sure when he's older he'll just have a few friends over going out to a movie or something.</div>
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Shane made the invite which was amazing, I must say. It's nice to have a husband who is a pro with Photoshop. He also made all the signs for the party, for each challenge. Hopefully I can post them here to show you all.</div>
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We had amazing weather. The best since Dacian's has been born at this time of the year. The kids were in short sleeves. As the kids arrived, they had to sign in for Padawan Registration and each got a card that had spots to put a star sticker for each challenge completed. After all challenges they would become certified Jedi's.</div>
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They also suited up after "registration". See table with vests.</div>
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The challenges were:</div>
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<i>Create your light saber</i> using pool noodles. I was so grateful my brother in law, Scott manned the table and helped the kids decorate their sabers with duct tape. After they made their sabers they went ahead to <i>train</i> on how to use them on the hill. For sure a favorite challenge.</div>
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<i>Lava Walk</i>- My sister in law, Noel helped with this one.</div>
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<i>Save Princess Leia</i>- I supervised this one. Little picture of Leia placed inside of black balloons (death star). Kids had to sit on the balloons to pop them and save Leia. The balloons were a challenge to pop and I caught kids trying to pop the balloons with a chair leg. :)</div>
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<i>Laser tag challenge</i>- Shane manned this one and explained to all the little kids some story and then had the kids go fight it out on the lawn. The kids loved running around with laser tags. Shane has quite a few of them and is glad to use them any chance he gets.</div>
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<i>Kill the death star</i>- I had asked my brother in law, Michael from Walla Walla to bring his cool bubble machine. I had seen on FB a video he posted of the machine filling the bubbles with smoke and I thought it would be cool to have the kids pop the balloons with their foam sabers. It was indeed a big hit. It was fun to see their reaction to these smoke filled balloons. This and the Leia challenges were inside so I was there for both. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j2QIiKW6KJA/UWZYrzgRXxI/AAAAAAAAFTY/whOFdLf91Os/s1600/_3302698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j2QIiKW6KJA/UWZYrzgRXxI/AAAAAAAAFTY/whOFdLf91Os/s640/_3302698.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The last challenge was to<i> Face your fears.</i> In a little hallway behind the main room, where the restrooms were located, Michael placed his strobe, they turned all the lights off and my 12 year old niece, Alexis dressed up as Darth Vader and Shane dressed up as Darth Maul came from each of the restrooms and "fought" the kids. Of course the kids won and wounded both bad guys. Some kids were too afraid to go in and that was just fine of course.</div>
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My husband had a blast and came out of there super sweaty. :)</div>
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Most of the decorations were brought up from Walla Walla and also my brother in law brought his dj equipment, lights, mic for a party later that night since we had the cabana 'till midnight. They had spring break that week and it was nice to have them come up and spend a few days with us. Many thanks go out to them for all their help and work so we could all have so much fun.</div>
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Food wise- I got smart and saw that food is rarely eaten by kids- either they are too picky or they just want to play so I only had cake and ice cream. My mom made the Millenium Falcon cake (total surprise for me) and I made two Pit of Carkoon cakes. It was the easiest to make. I don't even know which one of the movies this nasty creature appears but trust me Dacian and I am sure quite a few kids knew as well. We had Yoda soda (lime sherbet with sprite), light sabers (pretzel rods dipped in different colored chocolate). Saw these idea on Pinterest of course, where else? Dacian screamed in the middle of cake eating that this was the best party ever!!!! Thank you son, I think I would've cried had you not said that. :)</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">After cake, kids were called one by one (cool, celebratory Star Wars music included) and were awarded their Jedi certificates. The kids thought they were in heaven I think. It was so cute to see their faces. </span></div>
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I got several emails from different parents thanking me for inviting the kids to such a fun party, that their kids won't stop talking about it, etc. I was of course hoping the kids had a lot of fun and I think we achieved that.</div>
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While waiting for all parents to come the kids fought on the grass, in the SUN with their foam sabers.</div>
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Unfortunately we ran out of time to open presents in front of everyone. Since we had so many kids it would've taken us another 30 min for that so we just opened them with just our family later. Kind of lame of us but I thought it's better than to force people to stay there late. He got way too many presents, almost an embarrassing amount. Thank you, everyone! He built all the legos in a day and there were lots of sets. He is absolutely crazy about building stuff. He didn't want to go to bed because he didn't finish making his stuff.</div>
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I think for the most part this was the party. If ever I am to do such an intricate party I learned my lesson and will invite less kids. It was a little chaotic at times due to some challenges that lasted a short time so there was a little waiting to get to the next challenge.</div>
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I am grateful though for how nice and well mannered they all were. Dacian is such a friendly kid and has kept in contact with some preschool and kindi friends, and of course we invited church and school friends plus cousins.</div>
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I am grateful for my mom and dad and all their help, for my awesome husband and all his work on all the signs and his party help and for all the aunts and uncles, the other grandparents and an awesome neighbor who made this day for sure memorable.</div>
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And believe it or not, we had a family pot luck pre Easter dinner after that and a dance at 7 pm. Happily and surprisingly many people I invited came and we had a blast. We had some Romanian friends come and we danced on some awesome Romanian music.</div>
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And to top it all off the next day it was Easter. But that is for sure for another post. If you read until the end I truly congratulate you.</div>
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Please excuse any and every spelling mistakes I may have. I am way too tired to re read this thing again. Will come back to fix my mistakes.</div>
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Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-63027968970983642832013-01-24T12:33:00.002-08:002013-01-24T12:33:51.748-08:00HappinessWow, it's been a long time since I last wrote anything on here. To think what I lier I was to say you would hear more from me if you read the last post and then to drop off blogland. Turns out my sweet little netbook broke and Shane uses his laptop much and to be honest I am just tired after work. But being sick with the flu and having to be in bed most of the day made me want to write a little (lot) bit. I feel much better today and no fever. Yay!<br />
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I have tons of pictures from this summer that I wanted to post but since I put them on FB I don't feel like I need to do it here anymore. I decided this won't be our family journal since I can't make myself print it (I assume it's not cheap so for bugetary reasons) and also I would put more personal stuff in a real journal so that wouldn't even be on here. It might then explain why I stopped writing aside from the computer breaking. But I go on weird phases so that's nothing new. Ha ha<br />
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On the other hand I am starting to create photo books and printing those as I get good deals. I just did my first photo book for my aunt whose wedding she asked me to photograph. I was terrified and told her not to expect pro results as I'm not a pro; especially with an indoor wedding event and with my not so pro equipment plus no experience with weddings but she was nice and said she was just glad to have someone there taking pictures and not to worry so that took the pressure off a bit. I gave her a photo book for a present and she seemed so excited about it. I loved it so much too that I totally caught the bug and want to start getting each kid their baby books, summer trips, etc in that format. <br />
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On the news front, things have been good in our neck of the woods. I've achieved something this past year I never thought that I would and that is to feel like I am finally happy with myself and as a result happy in general. No more negativity, no more getting down on myself. My happiness has increased a hundred fold. I can even say I don't even compare myself to others anymore. I just don't care if I'm not the best, coolest, popular, smart, pretty, thin, talented, blah blah, all the things I always wished I had, etc. Who knew how freeing it feels to love oneself? I am ashamed to admit how much of the opposite I have always done with myself. Those who really know me I am sure knew that about me. And why? I allowed dissatisfaction to make me unhappy and as it turned out I learned that it shouldn't. See below for book I'm recommending. <br />
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I just owe my family a happy mom, and a happy mom doesn't hate herself and feeling less all the time. A happy mom is grateful for what she has, indeed strives to be better but is kind in remembering that I'm here to try my best, fall and get up again and again. It's not easy, I falter a lot but I just simply refuse to get mad with myself much anymore. And it all started with a wonderful book I read that surely should be a must read for everyone. It's not like the book was a self esteem book but what I got out of it helped me in more areas in my life than many other things out there. The book is: <span id="btAsinTitle">Happiness Is a Serious Problem: A Human Nature Repair
Manual by Dennis Prager. </span><br />
<span>I cannot say enough good things about this book. It's a short quick read but the author is so unbelievably wise and the way he writes is powerful and so concise and down to the point. It's not just mumbo jumbo pshycology stuff, he's obviously done a lifetime of research and on a multitude of topics. You don't even have to agree to all the point s he's making for this book to jog your brain quite a bit. He has a radio show even that he dedicates one hour on Friday to happiness that I listen to. It's all online too. Check it out. It's called the Happiness hour. What a wonderful thing God gave me in my life to wake me up a bit. I love life and all the things we learn all in their own due time. </span><br />
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<span>It's kind of hard admitting jealousy, feelings of worthlessness, etc but I tend to care to be honest so I guess that's why I'm writing here. </span><br />
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<span>I also want to actually mention that cutting down on blogging, fb also helped. Not so much that they are bad at all but to me they just suck precious time. So I get on the computer whenever Shane doesn't use it, to read about my friend's lives but not as often as I used it. (Sorry if I'm not the best comment maker; I do love you) It seemed quite the compulsion. Same with pinterest, etc. Now I get on that site if I have a party coming up, if I have specific needs for new recipes, new craft but not just to spend time if I'm bored. </span><br />
<span>I also have started to read a lot and I LOVE it. It's so much fun and it's a good wind down for me going to bed as opposed to any kind of screen time that makes me wired.</span><br />
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<span>As far as excercising, (another thing that seemed to create unhappiness in my life for the fact that I felt guilty for not doing it) I am also kind with myself on that. I am having problems with both my feet and for a while I am just trying to get them to feel normal before I attempt running or zumba again. It's hard being patient but the stuff seems to take a loooooong time to heal. When I do get better I fully intend to go back and ease into it this time to avoid future injuries. I loved exercising when I put the time in. It gave me energy and made me sleep well at night, plus it lessened my seasonal depression in the winter. </span><br />
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<span>For now I am trying to eat less carbs, more fruits and veggies and lean meats. </span><br />
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<span>My family is doing well. Dacian is doing excellent in school and is a happy kid. Lavinia is really cute and fun and sweet and I want her to stay this little forever. She is loving gymnastics. Shane tore a tendon in his ankle so he's wobbling around but other than that he's happy and well. We read that book together and it opened up some great conversations. </span><br />
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<span>So there you have it, finally some news. </span><br />
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<span></span>Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-20040346001225841122012-06-17T20:46:00.000-07:002012-06-17T20:46:40.429-07:00Today was a great day!I am in a good mood. I am not even tired though I feel like I should be. I was up late making Shane a yummy breakfast casserole for Father's day. I baked it in the morning but it was ready at 12 last night. The recipe suggested being in the fridge all night.<br />
I woke up first around 8:30m. Can I hear a Halleluia for sleeping in? I put the food in the oven and had everything ready by the time Shane and the kids came down. I was proud of myself for my timing. It was a fun morning. I had time to wrap his little gift even. Time to prep the Primary lesson for today. I was overwhelmed as I usually am when there is too much on the agenda but I kept my cool and did it all.<br />
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After church I quickly threw everything in the oven or on the stove and my parents came by so we could celebrate the dads, Shane and my dad, two boys I LOVE with all my heart. I made a yummy Caprese salad, little yellow potatoes and baked chicken plus a few appetizers and mom brought a homemade Tiramisu cake. So good!<br />
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Oh and how could I forget? Shane's gift was for me to clean the house without him helping. Ha! I didn't totally reach my goal and only cleaned the living room but that included carpet cleaning. So yesterday until about 10pm I was cleaning carpets. I had taken a long nap so that's why the delay. I will keep on cleaning until the whole house gets done. I am ready to de junk in a major way this summer. I don't even care to do a garage sale or sell anything. This is the reason why we still have the stuff I was going to get rid of last summer. It's best to just go to DI and donate. I already went once but I have long way to go. I thought I could do it sooner but it turns out cleaning a big mess takes more than just a day. So I am taking a deep breath and will have to schedule a room a day, a project a day come summer. I sure hope we'll be home more this summer unlike last.<br />
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The kids have school one more week and I have to work for two more and then 7 weeks off. Yahoo!<br />
I have big plans of doing work around here, lots of reading, going to the lake, going out on hikes, camping, setting the kids on a chore system and less computer and electronics time for all of us.<br />
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I really am praying I will do what I plan as I tend to come up with excuses or everything all of a sudden doesn't happen as I imagine it. I am planning to cook more, plan our meals ( I am not a planner and this will be a challenge) and get the kids to help around the house more. Dacian is a pretty good helper. Lavinia not so much. She always starts crying when I say it's cleanup time. She says she hates it. A girl who takes after her mom sadly. She does like to cook and always helps me out in the kitchen. I will try to encourage that and give her the opportunity to help me there if that's what comes easier for her.<br />
<br />I am hoping that with donating some toys and putting some in time out she won't get so overwhelmed and it will be easy to clean.<br />
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I still want to update the blog with my 10 K run/walk from Vancouver, BC but that will have to wait for now. I remember that as soon as I get off for summer the posts start to happen more often, I am rested and relaxed and happy, I see the sun more and life is peachy.<br />
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June is a hard month at work with all the end of the year stuff I have to do but the end is in sight. I've been coming home super stressed and feeling like I hadn't taken a breath the whole day.<br />
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My exercising took a back seat due to my foot injury. Not working out hard it became easier to concentrate on eating healthier, less carbs, less calories. But with the June stress I haven't been as consistent about it. I beat myself up but not too harshly. I am trying and that's good for now.<br />
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I wonder if my feeling of contentment today is because of how much I accomplished with how little energy I had. Now my kids are watching "Cars". It's been a while since we've seen that show. The DVD player wasn't working and Shane just fixed it today. I missed the running that happens around our table right at the beginning of the race. I was curious if Dacian would do it again. I saw him watch the cars get ready to race. He put a stick down as his start line and he darted along with Lavinia as soon as the cars took off. I want to remember this. He's becoming such a big boy. I blame school for that one. :) I joined in the race and chased them so much. Now the house is quiet and I also enjoy that. The end of the show slows down and so do they.<br />
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Wow, this post is becoming too long. Like I said you will see more of me around here soon.<br />
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Hope you all had a nice father's day. We had great one.Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-65816692644769746142012-04-28T13:40:00.000-07:002012-04-28T13:40:02.379-07:00Football<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's no secret we are pretty big Seahawks fans. Dacian says he will be the Seahawk quarterback when he grows up. :) He actually throws and catches pretty well. I have to find out where we can enroll him to play some football. </div>
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Our good friend, Taylor gave Dacian this wonderful present for his birthday. I can say this was way cooler than what gift we've given D. We are so happy to have Taylor be our good friend. Thank you, thank you!</div>
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<br />Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-8449908489795308742012-04-24T21:14:00.001-07:002012-04-24T21:59:16.093-07:00Easter 2012Easter seemed so rushed this year. We came home from our trip and then quickly painted eggs on Friday and bought a few things for dinner for Easter. Like I mentioned my parents invited us over for dinner. I love every opportunity to go there and partake of the yummy Romanian treats my mom tirelessly makes.<br />
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Before church we had the kids find their Easter baskets. Lavinia of course was so excited to wear her cute Easter dress. I got this idea from a wonderful blog I read about a fun way to get to the Easter baskets. Tying string form their rooms and leading them to the baskets. I made it kind of hard for D but it was fun and I think I'll keep this tradition. Lavi had help. We then made delicious resurrection rolls and had the kids watch a wonderful movie clip on lds.com and of course talked about why we really celebrate Easter.<br />
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I am trying to incorporate fun and more traditions and actually doing some things that I find cool and not just store them on my pinterest board. For sure though I am becoming happier with myself and OK with the fact that I am not super mom, crafter extraordinaire or whatever thing I wish I were more of. I am who I am and my kids love ME for who I am. For now at least. :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pavlova-out of Holly's pinterest board :) It was so delicious and easy to make.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dessert I made for D</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We quickly had an Easter egg hunt inside the house</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The golden egg was extra special! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom's dinner table</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The blotchy, ugly eggs we produced. haha Kids had fun that's what counts! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional egg knocking</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beautiful LAV</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma got her a second dress. So pretty!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She got kid make-up and was beyond delighted</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here's the empty tomb-aka Resurrection Roll</td></tr>
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<br />Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-65571664435936517992012-04-22T10:14:00.000-07:002012-04-22T10:14:00.937-07:00Spring break<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Soooooooo behind with writing. I want to write about our spring break, Easter and then the fun 10 K we did as a family in Vancouver, BC. I will break this up in several posts though.<br />
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Spring break happened finally to coincide with Conference. That meant we had time to drive to UT so we could see my brother. Bonus, he flew his family with him. Since he lives in KY which is way to far to visit really, we were excited to have the time to drive down and see him. We got tickets to Conference too so we had so much to look forward to.<br />
I took Friday off from work so we would actually have more time with my brother since he was leaving Tuesday morning. My sister in law, Ashley was super nice to let us stay with her. We didn't actually spend that much time together since we were mostly running around in SLC but we get to see her again in July when we go visit to meet her new baby.<br />
The drive was pretty long but it was nice to break it down a bit. Thursday after work we drove to Walla Walla, WA and stayed with my other SIL Noel and Michael, BIL. It was fun to spend a little bit of time with them in the morning. The drive was about 10 hours from there so actually not that bad. I even got to stop in Boise for lunch with none other than my old principal. It was so good to see him again. We all miss him so much at Bell.<br />
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Anyway, we spent the weekend listening to conference on the grass in front of SLC temple, talked lots with my sister in law, Heidi and loved seeing my kids play with my brother's kids for what felt like the first time ever. They kids clicked and had lots of fun together. We spent time with my brother mostly in the afternoon as he was busy translating the whole weekend.<br />
I even got to see my friend Jessica Ashurst who was super nice to drive and fight the conference craziness just to see me. I loved seeing her precious newborn and even though it was nice for his mom that he was asleep I would've loved to hold him a bit.<br />
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On April 1st Dacian turned six and we had to do something special for him. We had a big yummy breakfast with Ashley and Chris at their house and then opened presents. He was delighted with what he got. He waited so long for this day. He woke up with these words: "Woo Hoo, woo hoo, I'm six!" Gotta love kids.<br />
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We also went out to dinner that evening and he got spoiled some more.<br />
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In the afternoon Heidi was so very sweet and patient and babysat the kids so we (my parents and I; Shane didn't come as he had to work) could go to conference. As much as the traffic was super annoying we very much enjoyed listening to conference uninterrupted and we were able to feel the special and strong spirit that was there.<br />
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The next day we all drove to Ogden and stayed the night with Heidi's sister. She has three kids and with our two and my brother's two we had a full house of fun and happy kids. I was so impressed by everyone who got along great and they were all so nice and accommodating.<br />
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On Tuesday morning we drove all the way to Spokane. I not being used to driving very long distances (yes, Romanians/Europeans use the train mostly and even then a 5 hour ride is considered terribly long) broke the trip some more and were welcomed with open arms by Noel's family. They love my parents and so it was extra fun being there. They also enjoy my mom's cooking so we made them a yummy chicken soup with dumplings, mousakka, and the yummy orange cake. Noel, had her spring break too so she went to visit her family there.<br />
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The best part of a long trip? Talking lots with mom and dad, learning more about their ancestors and all in all quality time. The kids did OK, slept lots, played phone games and read.<br />
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The highlight of the Spokane part for me was the fact that I got to ride a horse for a few minutes. I have always wanted to do that and finally I got to do it. Noel knew of this important wish and made it possible for me. Her parents live away from the city and have lots of land. Noel even had horses growing up and used to ride often. Now she has nice neighbors with horses so everyone in our family got to ride Sunny for a little bit. She was very nice and gentle. Even though I've always wanted to ride a horse I have to say that horses kind of scare me, they are huge after all and can throw you off them pretty easily. Of course, we had the owner there holding the horse so this was a very fun experience. We also went to a stable where they board new moms and babies so we got to see week old foals. So much fun. It got cold and snowed that day. I guess that made for pretty pictures but I can say we were all over snow by then.<br />
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So this sums up our spring break. Great, wonderful time with family is just precious to me. I felt like we had our own small family reunion and let me tell you that doesn't happen often.<br />
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When I came home I was overwhelmed at the fact that Easter was just right around the corner. It was nice though that we came home on a Thursday so that still gave me time to prepare some. Thankfully my parents had us over for dinner.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the grandkids on my parents' side</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy grandpa</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids mostly played in the fountains by the temple</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I thought for sure the littler one would fall right in </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girl cousins and boy cousins. Dacian took such good care of his little cousin. Super sweet!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lady bug entertained them for a long time</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing Angry Birds</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday boy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 days old , cropped would look better but then again if I really would spend the time editing probably there would be no pics</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lz0qn83ZDLQ/T5Q3vOLZ1rI/AAAAAAAAFHc/pHBfGKIwnns/s1600/_4046677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lz0qn83ZDLQ/T5Q3vOLZ1rI/AAAAAAAAFHc/pHBfGKIwnns/s640/_4046677.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The baby has no teeth but it was funny it kept thinking D' gloves were carrots</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UjK4PPaYA6g/T5Q35lXYagI/AAAAAAAAFIM/5cO5lgI2r1Y/s1600/_4046743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UjK4PPaYA6g/T5Q35lXYagI/AAAAAAAAFIM/5cO5lgI2r1Y/s640/_4046743.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We fed these goats. They were so funny running to the fence as soon as they saw us<br /><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Cousin L</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet Sunny</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at the menacing clouds</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud rider</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lavinia with Lamont, I love this picture</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spokane Temple</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brrr, it was cold</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-84730844204018229652012-02-19T23:38:00.000-08:002012-02-19T23:38:14.677-08:00Mid winter breakWhat a wonderful few days we've had only to end my mini vacation (mid-winter break) sick as a dog. I am just miserable and I have body aches almost like the flu but without the high fever. I've had the flu shot so hope this isn't a new virus. It started with a little sore throat and now the worst part is the muscle sores. I felt the first sign after Zumba. I wonder if I got sick from kind of overworking myself.<br />
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So I've been watching Downton Abbey to keep me company in bed. I am catching up so I just saw 1st episode of Season 2 tonight.<br />
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I was just contemplating life today (sickness makes one slow down enough to do that, you know) and I was filled with so much love for my kids and husband that I felt I could've burst. I just love them so very much.<br />
Sadly with all the love I lost it today with my son and then felt totally sad that I acted the way I did. I apologized and he was so sweet to me. Nothing like a kid who doesn't hold a grudge. All I could think for scolding him is that what I scolded him for was mostly for something that if I were a better mom wouldn't happen at all. I took the darn Love and Logic class so full of good ideas but keep failing at remembering the good stuff when it's needed. I get their weekly emails with great tips and thankfully even the program teacher says he has days when he messes up and doesn't apply his techniques. I LOVED hearing that. It also reminds us that we have to keep rereading, maybe even writing notes with pre solutions to problems that we know will come up again. I guess this parenting style is not second nature so we need practice and we all know we get plenty practice with kids.<br />
Tomorrow will be a new day though and I hope to feel better and give it a try again.<br />
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Possibly I lost it because I am sick but don't worry I lose it even when not sick. Such is life...<br />
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Fun things we've done these past few days:<br />
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I took the kids to Pump it up and jumped and went down the slides like crazy. It was a work out.<br />
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The next day we went to the Aquarium. It was awesome. Lavinia's never been. It's always fun to go downtown Seattle. We had some yummy gyros right after and walked around Pike market trying out great samples of foods. It was a very wet day but that didn't stop us from having fun. I am glad our friend Taylor could come too. He's just the one of the best friend we could ask for.<br />
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Also Friday I pulled out pop up house (the think that folds down into a circle) I decorated it with Christmas lights and the kids had a blast moving in there. Toys, pillows, blankets. I let D sleep there at night.<br />
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Dacian is such a good brother. He's such a good, kind boy. Not one mean bone in him. It's fun to see him growing and seeing that some of his early traits are sticking. Today he told me that he wants 80 more babies in the house. I asked him why and he said it's because babies are so cute. I have high hopes that he'll bring me lots of grand babies some day.<br />
Also today while I was convalescing in bed he begged for me to come down and see something funny on his Pingu show. I tried to get out of it. He told me that he'll give me 10 kisses. How could I refuse such a sweetie?<br />
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Lavinia is a firecracker. She is the boss of the house. So much more drama with a girl. She's cute though and her eyes always sparkle. So boss or not we all adore her. She has so much spunk and can definitely hold her own.<br />
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Today the kids both took naps with me. A miracle of sorts. Hooray for a quiet afternoon when mommy isn't feeling so good. Except that they are still up now. Thank goodness we also have tomorrow off.<br />
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So that's it for my rambles. I am a sick but happy girl.Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-15841591913538423712012-02-05T23:17:00.000-08:002012-02-05T23:17:17.124-08:00Fun SaturdayTo celebrate a wonderful first report card for Dacian we went out to Seattle yesterday. It was a splendid day. I forgot my camera and at times I was missing it but mostly I liked not having to miss out on living the moments only to be sure they get captured on camera.<br />
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We ate at a Bolivian restaurant. The kids and we like to try new foods all the time. The food was delicious and we had a beautiful view of the Puget Sound, mountains, and the bright sky from where we ate. It was right at Pike Market downtown Seattle. Then we went down to the Pier and walked around, let the kids run, went on the carousel and then finished the day by going to Gameworks and playing all the games and eating once again. We took the bus into the city so we got home pretty late.<br />
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Also in the morning (Sat) I had my first exercise class, Zumba. Wow, that was a full hour of interrupted movement/dancing. I loved it and can't wait to go back. I got this pass for 3 months at a community center and they offer every day am and pm classes. I think I definitely overdid it with not having had a good work out in a long time and now I can barely move and I'm sore in my back muscles but the fact that it's like a dance class surely helps. The fact that I will go with a few friends from work and get out of the house as opposed to going to the gym by myself or paying the big fees they ask for surely helps.<br />
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I am going to try all their classes and see which ones I like best. No spinning class and I really could care less about that one. I did a similar thing a while back when I went to a spinning class all out of shape and felt so out of place being so slow and just plain awful that I swore I would never return. The people there were big into it and you could tell they probably go on biking tours/contest all the time. Well, not so much with this class. People of all ages and abilities were there. And even though this was hard for a person out of shape like me I was able to keep up the whole time. I hope I can stick with this. I keep trying to find ways to incorporate exercise in my life only to fail again and again. I need something to mask the exercise and dance or swimming are my favorite things, oh and playing a sports in general.<br />
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I hope that with time by going to these classes I will gain strength and excitement for something that to be honest is not my favorite thing to do. But health is important and losing some weight along with being healthier would be great.<br />
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All in all it was a fantastic weekend. Lots of sun, warmth and a change of routine. It was as though spring was pushing winter out of the way. There were so many people out. I loved seeing people happy, out and about with their families doing about the same thing we did, enjoying life. A part of photography that I love is that I seem to be more attentive to details in general, I tend to see more than I used to and now even on days when I forget the camera I can take in the beautify of life, drink up and store happiness in my mind instead on just paper.<br />
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And now I must head to bed. Last week was so full and pretty stressful and I hope this coming one will be somewhat easier. I can't wait for mid-winter break.Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-86297977163501082162012-01-15T17:59:00.000-08:002012-01-15T17:59:55.933-08:00First snow of the yearYes, I LOVE the snow, especially the first snow of the season. Everything is so pretty in white. It snowed a little yesterday but a TON today. Lavinia and I were sick and skipped churchbut it ended up being canceled anyway after Sacrament. Later on though I got us all dressed really well and we headed out. We went sledding, and then came back home to build a fort and then made an enormous snow ball. It was a fun day. Food tasted so good after the work out outside. It's supposed to snow more in the next few days as well. And good thing we have tomorrow off. What a blessing! I love three day weekends.<br />
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I want to go skiing so badly but that is just so pricey. I also want my kids to take lessons to ski but maybe I will when they are a little bit older. I learned from my parents. I never took lessons so I am not a pro and my style isn't amazing or anything but I LOVE it nonetheless. I can't imagine life without mountains and snow.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friday Snow- Little snowman</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-coOIs_vgxP4/TxN-HyV6dII/AAAAAAAAFD4/liSejmqHOvs/s1600/_1156364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-coOIs_vgxP4/TxN-HyV6dII/AAAAAAAAFD4/liSejmqHOvs/s640/_1156364.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The next day-Future snowman-Look at the size!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going sledding</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yum!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aV_510SUE6s/TxN-WWSVRYI/AAAAAAAAFE4/dLq4ofg-CdM/s1600/_1156284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aV_510SUE6s/TxN-WWSVRYI/AAAAAAAAFE4/dLq4ofg-CdM/s640/_1156284.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fort Building</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Zm-sI5hEmE/TxN-fiK-h8I/AAAAAAAAFFY/a4flfNNtZvU/s1600/_1156351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Zm-sI5hEmE/TxN-fiK-h8I/AAAAAAAAFFY/a4flfNNtZvU/s640/_1156351.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end result</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L1FA6pv4_ec/TxN-hl-qKfI/AAAAAAAAFFg/HDN7o6jn05Q/s1600/_1156353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L1FA6pv4_ec/TxN-hl-qKfI/AAAAAAAAFFg/HDN7o6jn05Q/s640/_1156353.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nr926vcZ2P4/TxN-jRjaHZI/AAAAAAAAFFo/c7ybD0gb0pA/s1600/_1156360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nr926vcZ2P4/TxN-jRjaHZI/AAAAAAAAFFo/c7ybD0gb0pA/s640/_1156360.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-54046442060044735782012-01-10T20:28:00.000-08:002012-01-10T20:35:36.755-08:00A new yearI am tired at looking at the Merry Christmas post so I guess it's time for another one. I have been in great spirits lately. I guess I love getting caught up with life. I love a new year starting out with hope and possible change and more hope. I am realizing more and more that not procrastinating is key to my happiness. And that's a bad habit of mine that is hard to break. I always blame it on tiredness. So to be less tired I am trying to get to bed at an earlier time. Maybe the simplest of things (simple not necessarily always easy to do) will be the ones to give me success.<br />
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I keep thinking I need to post the Christmas pictures but I just feel no desire to do it. We'll see if I get to it.<br />
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For now I have been taking it easy in the evenings, I have been playing more with the family and just in general my attitude on life is much better. I have been reading a new blog (a photography blog of all things) of this lady who so positive and genuine and that has been giving me more optimism. Without bragging or lecturing (the things that annoy me the most in some blogs) this lady is so inspiring and kind. I might even take her photography classes some day. They are all online. <a href="http://blog.brookesnow.com/">http://blog.brookesnow.com/</a><br />
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And speaking of photography I realize I never showed you the photos that our sweet photographer took. I LOVE them. I am printing them and framing them. They make me happy. <a href="http://lkayephoto.wordpress.com/">Here</a>'s Lindsay's blog as well.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NgVmdaDmFlg/Tw0PGUZEI1I/AAAAAAAAFDg/UQ7QJFzAU3E/s1600/Sanders6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NgVmdaDmFlg/Tw0PGUZEI1I/AAAAAAAAFDg/UQ7QJFzAU3E/s640/Sanders6.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br />
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So Happy New Year to everyone. I hope it will bring you all lots of joy, health and happiness.Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-12636558906054963602011-12-23T22:59:00.000-08:002011-12-23T22:59:20.759-08:00Merry Christmas! 2011Before time goes away from me I wanted to wish all our friends and family a very, Merry Christmas.<br />
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We have done lots these last few weeks. Even though I try to keep things simple it's easier said than done. We have had relatives here since last Saturday, we have gone on a Twin Peaks tour and that was a lot of fun. Good food was eaten and the little cousins were so happy to be together.<br />
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Our family made cookies twice so far, made paper snowflakes, sang carols, Karaoke with extended family, watched Christmas movies, and just enjoyed each other, sipping cocoa next to our beautiful tree. This year we went and cut our own at a farm and I just loved it. I hope to do it again next year.<br />
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I managed to get all the presents, order and mail our Christmas cards, went to D's school and had a presentation on Romania (that was fun). It sure is nice to get a break from work. Days are flying by and I hope after Christmas we get to relax a little. I actually want to be lazy on New Year's unlike any other years. I am all for partying on that day but I just feel exhausted and I am totally fine watching TV that day. We'll see what happens though.<br />
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Well, pictures will be coming later on.<br />
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I do hope you are having a magical, Christ centered time with your families.Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-562142754814456642011-12-18T09:44:00.000-08:002011-12-18T23:38:27.578-08:00St. Nick'sOn December 6th St. Nick (Mos Nicolae) came by our house and brought the kids and us a few treats with the once much anticipated bananas and oranges. When I was little oranges were a hot item and bananas even more so. I remember waiting in never ending lines for those things when I was about seven or so. Because we imported them we only got them around Christmas time. Not that waiting in line was a foreign concept at all. That's what we did for any type of food, from bread, milk, not to mention anorexic chicken and any kind of meat. That was back then though, much has thankfully changed.<br />
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Anyway, the kids had a blast in the morning. I decided that I am going to replace stockings at Christmas for St. Nicks. It's about the same thing and I have no mantle to hold my stockings. I just don't want to pay twice for things. Growing up we never had stockings so I guess if I start now my kids won't know the difference.<br />
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Here are a few blurry pictures. :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad put his stick in his own shoes. Funny but he was most definitely not naughty. </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5AXRK6z1D6o/Tu4k4lSMOBI/AAAAAAAAFDA/b60Mo-ix5CU/s1600/_C065032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5AXRK6z1D6o/Tu4k4lSMOBI/AAAAAAAAFDA/b60Mo-ix5CU/s640/_C065032.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-4445724304580558092011-11-28T00:06:00.000-08:002013-04-11T00:10:21.235-07:00Birthdays and Thanksgiving 2011Seems like so much has happened since I've written.<br />
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I had a birthday and two days later Lavinia had a birthday. She's now 3 and proud of it!<br />
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We took the kids to Disney on Ice, Toy Story 3 on her b-day weekend and both kids just loved the show. I did too. I'd never been and now I might go every year I liked it so much.<br />
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I was spoiled like always, friends and family called, FB wishes galore and my sweet husband took me out to dinner to a nice fish grill place that was amazing. It was good to go out together for a little bit. On top of my family pics gift Shane got an external flash. I was excited to use it inside the house where I seem to have such problems with our dark house, dark Seattle days, etc. Wow, there is a lot to learn on it and even though I prefer natural light this gift surely comes in handy. Unfortunately the flash stopped working so now I need to return it. It wasn't very expensive thankfully. Ugh!<br />
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We had a little party (or what I thought would be little) for Lavinia. I always feel like I run around like crazy and stress. I invited mostly invite family and the only kids that did come were Lavi's cousins and one good friend of Dacian. We wanted to mostly have fun decorating a cake and so we did. Mom made the cake. I made the frosting and decorated it.<br />
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It was a little funny how big it turned out but mom kept making layers because Barbies are so tall. It was delicious like always though. (it looks more like Marie Antoinette or Barbie just has a lot of junk in her trunk for once)<br />
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Thanksgiving was the next big thing. We ended up with a pretty quiet but wonderful day. The in laws were supposed to come and other family members but things didn't work out for them. (I convinced my mother in law who came in town the next day to go out shopping with me. She lives close to the outlet malls and I wanted to buy some Christmas gifts. We has such a fun time. She loves to shop and that makes it more fun for me. The outlet malls had great sales but they mostly had clothes, shoes, perfume, etc. Not one toy store. So we headed to Walmart, Target and Toys R us after making our trip always 12 hours. Crazy, I tell ya and I'm not done yet. I am very thankful for Shane for giving me the day off. Shopping kids free is such a treat! )<br />
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We ate delicious food and Shane told the kids about the first Thanksgiving and then we each took a turn talking about what we are thankful for. Finally the turkey was the way a turkey should be and I made my new favorite recipe for green beans. I found the recipe online for Bucca di Beppo lemon green beans.<br />
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I love my family so very much and am grateful for so much. I just hope I learn to show it more.<br />
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We made a fun Thankful tree and decorated Tom the Turkey for crafts. Dacian is an avid crafter and always wants to make more crafts. I can't keep up with all the stuff he does around the house. Cutting, taping, gluing, coloring, writing, making anything and everything. I love it because we stopped buying so many toys and so he gets creative and makes his own paper stuff. I need to take pictures of the stuff he makes. It's so cute! Shields, swords, cars, rockets, all the boy stuff.<br />
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Lavinia likes it too but she tends to just draw on whatever, furniture included. Not so cool with us.<br />
She also likes to cook with me and mix stuff for me.<br />
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I know I don't do as much stuff as I want to do but I hope however little it is that I do do will be fun and worthwhile for them.<br />
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I have been doing great with limiting internet lately and so much can get accomplished that way. I am not near where I want to be still but getting better. I feel more positive too. Good things!<br />
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What else? We've been sick and things aren't super bad but not improving or getting better all the way and a new sickness begins. Dacian had to go to Urgent Care right before Thanksgiving with an ear infection. Now he feels much better.<br />
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We also are super grateful to cousin Kim for getting us free tickets to the dress rehearsal show for Cinderella this past Friday. It was fantastic. Just Dacian and mom and I went (4 and up) It was super duper amazing, and D liked the fireworks they had the best. If you can, do go and see this show.<br />
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On another note of course now we're thinking about our next holiday.<br />
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Dacian already made his list for Santa. He's so funny. He told me that because he's turning 6 next year Santa will bring him six things. Then he says: "6+6=12" Okay, good adding boy, is what I'm thinking. Then he told me that he gets 12 presents, 6 from Santa and 6 from us. Ha! Ha! This boy knows how to get what he wants.<br />
We warned him that these are suggestions for Santa and not a guarantee and that also he needs to keep up his room and of course that Santa is always watching.<br />
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I'll take a pic of his list. It's so funny!<br />
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I think these are my latest news. Hope all my friends are doing great!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kyZnXcUzIeM/TtM7p7OfTpI/AAAAAAAAE-g/YxvjqvX8j3I/s1600/_B244995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kyZnXcUzIeM/TtM7p7OfTpI/AAAAAAAAE-g/YxvjqvX8j3I/s640/_B244995.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helping me wash the green beans. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-08PL_Ey3gSY/TtM7voHORtI/AAAAAAAAE-w/RCDpO-qu9l8/s1600/_B114632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-08PL_Ey3gSY/TtM7voHORtI/AAAAAAAAE-w/RCDpO-qu9l8/s640/_B114632.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">My little "butterfly" Pil Pal Ah Wich Ya-her Indian name</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c9SB730zW6I/TtM7zcHMpwI/AAAAAAAAE-4/jxKeWOhKVxA/s1600/_B114645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c9SB730zW6I/TtM7zcHMpwI/AAAAAAAAE-4/jxKeWOhKVxA/s640/_B114645.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peek A Boo. The box ended up being a "refrigerator" </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eFkhC1a0UMw/TtM75MFM6bI/AAAAAAAAE_I/04AqubjDn_c/s1600/_B114661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eFkhC1a0UMw/TtM75MFM6bI/AAAAAAAAE_I/04AqubjDn_c/s640/_B114661.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing in the rain </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3tJolRkNRnI/TtM78SvyobI/AAAAAAAAE_Q/TKPcm7UU0aI/s1600/_B134709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3tJolRkNRnI/TtM78SvyobI/AAAAAAAAE_Q/TKPcm7UU0aI/s640/_B134709.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday princess with cousins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFAHslDYgbs/TtM7_aTpCPI/AAAAAAAAE_Y/-Mrq952yd_8/s1600/_B134715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFAHslDYgbs/TtM7_aTpCPI/AAAAAAAAE_Y/-Mrq952yd_8/s640/_B134715.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls didn't want to have anything to do with boys. I think Dacian was a little sad. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ox5xiG6yf0o/TtM8Cp-hQkI/AAAAAAAAE_g/73DsoBle5bI/s1600/_B134716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ox5xiG6yf0o/TtM8Cp-hQkI/AAAAAAAAE_g/73DsoBle5bI/s640/_B134716.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here comes the cake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CEox2IlzYl0/TtM8J5vgpqI/AAAAAAAAE_w/X-bBOEPpC8k/s1600/_B134727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CEox2IlzYl0/TtM8J5vgpqI/AAAAAAAAE_w/X-bBOEPpC8k/s640/_B134727.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't wait to decorate our next cake. I had a blast doing something new. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zzCJU0_lJs4/TtM8NbH1BbI/AAAAAAAAE_4/UHzdgE2dzF4/s1600/_B134742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zzCJU0_lJs4/TtM8NbH1BbI/AAAAAAAAE_4/UHzdgE2dzF4/s640/_B134742.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at our adorable niece. Her expression is so cute!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GCnt5i97coY/TtM8b_jLqkI/AAAAAAAAFAY/-TmfaDzmTCM/s1600/_B134784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GCnt5i97coY/TtM8b_jLqkI/AAAAAAAAFAY/-TmfaDzmTCM/s640/_B134784.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She hasn't stopped wearing this outfit from cousins, Lily and Zeke. Thank you so much guys!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tWf-hDf-Ysc/TtM8jBqNwDI/AAAAAAAAFAo/1hRlJfNRhr8/s1600/_B134825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tWf-hDf-Ysc/TtM8jBqNwDI/AAAAAAAAFAo/1hRlJfNRhr8/s640/_B134825.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full of hugs and thanks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-itHiHmgRuDE/TtM8mvZeo5I/AAAAAAAAFAw/pCdxrWZizPI/s1600/_B134831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-itHiHmgRuDE/TtM8mvZeo5I/AAAAAAAAFAw/pCdxrWZizPI/s640/_B134831.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her BFF, Taylor brought her a beloved Dora. Thank you so much!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We played a little game of Minute to Win it. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom the Turkey-We put lots of fabric on it. :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VQRqW5kg6BE/TtM88XH8HzI/AAAAAAAAFBg/pLUTMTrYyQw/s1600/_B194881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VQRqW5kg6BE/TtM88XH8HzI/AAAAAAAAFBg/pLUTMTrYyQw/s640/_B194881.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My best friend from Romania sent my kids these adorable folk costumes for the kids plus many other things. So adorable!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RxaEtR9RDwU/TtM9DmcphHI/AAAAAAAAFBw/VcWYqV7UwmA/s1600/_B204905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RxaEtR9RDwU/TtM9DmcphHI/AAAAAAAAFBw/VcWYqV7UwmA/s640/_B204905.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have a thing for hats and I couldn't not buy this one when I saw it! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made these shirts last year. I forget the internet link, sorry. Easy and so cute.</td></tr>
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Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-22397949394039999542011-11-09T23:18:00.000-08:002011-11-09T23:18:33.884-08:00Weird and random thoughts-The internetI have been limiting my computer time. I am starting to LOVE it! I once read about people feeling depressed while reading others' blogs or just spending too much time on the computer! I guess that's me. The less I read or the less time I spend of FB, blogs, checking email the better I feel. It's like I just live my life, a little less comparing, a lot more time spend with the kids/husband, a lot less pressure. It's not easy to do though as I know I am addicted. There's sure some fun things to read on the internet.<br />
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Also I always hear about people comparing their bad days to people's best days. And of course everyone highlights the best in life (me included) and since I have kind of a poor self esteem then I always end up feeling bad, a not so amazing mother, a not so good wife, friend, worker etc. I just start focusing on what I do wrong, what I lack, and so on and until I get depressed. I think if I spend less time reading how to be a good mother for example which I think I already know the theory to that one then maybe I will become better, be more patient, etc. <br />
Maybe it's just me and I'm going nuts.<span style="background-color: transparent;"> I am so tired as I'm writing this with a huge headache so maybe I'm going to delete this post tomorrow altogether. But I think I need to try to break this addiction. That's not to say I won't hop on and read my friend's blogs, look at pics, etc but I will do it less often. I will do it after I make dinner, spent time with the family, finished dishes, homework with D, etc. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">I sometimes think that I hop on the internet to unwind, like watching a movie but it's different. It's amazing how much thinking starts to happen in my brain after reading articles, ideas, etc. It's like it's crowding my brain and I can't be present anymore. Does that even make sense? It's like sensory overload. And it's almost like having ADD, jump from site to site, tab to tab, checking FB again and again for new news only to be disappointed that no one wrote anything. It's like my custom breaking news that I check. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">I do like writing on the blog, my little creative outlet. (not that I'm all that creative or that I get to write all that often but you get the idea). We are the editors, we write, we edit, we are in charge. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">I will be back sometime though and report with how I'm doing. Wish me luck! Bad habits are tough to break and good ones hard to make. :)</span>Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-92205663881738351742011-11-05T22:44:00.000-07:002011-11-05T22:44:23.716-07:00The Family Picture AdventureToday was a fun day and relaxing too which isn't the normal it seems for most Saturdays.<br />
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We had our family photos taken. This is something I requested for a gift for my birthday. Shane doesn't like to get his photo taken so I have to use an excuse like my b-day to get him to do it. He was sweet and complied.<br />
I can't wait to see the pictures.<br />
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I can't believe how much I worked to get the right outfits. It started with last Saturday when we went to the outlet mall to get our outfits. Well, it got really cold and the outfits we had bought were for indoors photos so I started stressing realizing my girl would never put up with being cold, wearing just a shirt and skirt. So I started to panic that we didn't have anything cool to wear. I think I have been going a little crazy over this.<br />
You should see my living room.<br />
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You should've seen me laying out all the outfits, pairing, changing, getting excited, or not so excited at times. <br />
I think I went shopping three more times. Suffice it to say Io have a lot of stuff to take back, stuff'that I changed my mind about. I managed to use our coats that we already had to match and only had to buy two things.<br />
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We met at a park nearby. I was excited to see how photographers do it, what they say to you, etc. It was a fun experience and I really liked our gal. She's the daughter of a cool teacher at my school. I would be so nervous being in her shoes. I wonder if they get butterflies doing what they do. I mean you are meeting strangers and going to stick a lens in their faces and have to manage to get photos that are as if you weren't really there, that capture the moments. Fun stuff!<br />
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Lavinia got a stomach ache right before leaving and was GRUMPY! My luck! She is pretty shy with strangers nowadays and it took her a while to warm up. The photographer had the fun idea to let her push a button on the camera and that did it for her. After that she warmed up some. I think we may have gotten a few smiles.<br />
We did a mini photo shoot that was only 30 minutes. Perfect amount for our kids.<br />
Dacian did great and was anticipating today's event for quite a while. He was his chatty self.<br />
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After we were done we rented a movie and had the best time at home. Lavinia slept a lot so I hope she'll be getting better soon. We've had the stomach flu around here and I am hoping to be done with sickness. Enough is enough.<br />
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Anyway, enough of my ramblings.<br />
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Can't wait to show you all our pictures whenever I get them. I'm so curious and excited.Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-79183287991511365082011-11-01T23:16:00.000-07:002011-11-01T23:18:18.241-07:00Halloween 2011I am all tired but also I went shopping tonight a little and now I am all awake. So why not update the blog a little. Shane was wonderful and stayed behind and took care of the kids and even put them both to bed. Gotta love that.<br />
Now the house is super quiet and lovely and dirty. Oh, well, Halloween is to blame. But Halloween is super fun so I'll let this one slide.<br />
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My son got to dress up three times. Once for his school party, once for Trunk or Treat at church and once for the actually Halloween night. It was fun.<br />
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Saturday, our Canadian grandparents were in town and we went clothes shopping together. We are having family pics taken this Saturday so I needed to put together some things. Right before shopping we ate with them a delicious pumpkin soup served right out of a cooked pumpkin. Charlotte always know how to decorate so well. It is always fun when they come visit and it was a treat to shop together. I am glad Scott and kids could also join and I thank Scott for watching my kids quite a few times while I went on to try things with Shane. After shopping we rushed to go put our costumes on so we could head to our church's Trunk or Treat. Our ward had a fun chilly cook off and then a costume parade and then outside to the candy stuff.<br />
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Sunday night my family came over and we finally carved our pumpkins. We also had some yummy fondue and a few fun treats. It was fun but again I was so tired by the end of the evening.<br />
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</div> We borrow our costumes from Mike and Noel. Thank you so much!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nDbUDz3Z1gM/TrDdMeof0rI/AAAAAAAAE8I/f60IH65drOI/s1600/_A294171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nDbUDz3Z1gM/TrDdMeof0rI/AAAAAAAAE8I/f60IH65drOI/s640/_A294171.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bxGwnf-KCWc/TrDdQcA7j2I/AAAAAAAAE8Q/nZfNC3gTRPA/s1600/_A294192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bxGwnf-KCWc/TrDdQcA7j2I/AAAAAAAAE8Q/nZfNC3gTRPA/s640/_A294192.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> I was a queen and little Rapunzel<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5QdSG_zySl4/TrDdWbNEBsI/AAAAAAAAE8g/-5uYbHwtWV8/s1600/_A294197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5QdSG_zySl4/TrDdWbNEBsI/AAAAAAAAE8g/-5uYbHwtWV8/s640/_A294197.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gKSl7ak-7-c/TrDdYx-WYaI/AAAAAAAAE8o/4a_mBHTBd5w/s1600/_A294207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gKSl7ak-7-c/TrDdYx-WYaI/AAAAAAAAE8o/4a_mBHTBd5w/s640/_A294207.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Deviled egg spiders<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-roWp5cFq-Ro/TrDdbZK86YI/AAAAAAAAE8w/xO-XXWiH3yM/s1600/_A304227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-roWp5cFq-Ro/TrDdbZK86YI/AAAAAAAAE8w/xO-XXWiH3yM/s640/_A304227.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YDJoA_70OBc/TrDdezo6MzI/AAAAAAAAE84/F32_b_c2dJc/s1600/_A304240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YDJoA_70OBc/TrDdezo6MzI/AAAAAAAAE84/F32_b_c2dJc/s640/_A304240.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Hard at work<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MRCyRqRb7Cw/TrDdiSFZifI/AAAAAAAAE9A/go-K8DSM82M/s1600/_A304271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MRCyRqRb7Cw/TrDdiSFZifI/AAAAAAAAE9A/go-K8DSM82M/s640/_A304271.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q8_VDFdpEds/TrDdpfWfACI/AAAAAAAAE9Q/wbqHJlhiInQ/s1600/_A304292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q8_VDFdpEds/TrDdpfWfACI/AAAAAAAAE9Q/wbqHJlhiInQ/s640/_A304292.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> How I went to work on Halloween.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3kDs4LXRdc/TrDdsIgvJWI/AAAAAAAAE9Y/Ve6_a809Is8/s1600/_A314304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3kDs4LXRdc/TrDdsIgvJWI/AAAAAAAAE9Y/Ve6_a809Is8/s640/_A314304.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I love my little lion. I was lucky to take an early and a little longer lunch to go to Dacian's party at school. Dad and Lavi got to come too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EvwGsdQh1Ko/TrDdx2pvmZI/AAAAAAAAE9o/8mnfNvcNegg/s1600/_A314334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EvwGsdQh1Ko/TrDdx2pvmZI/AAAAAAAAE9o/8mnfNvcNegg/s640/_A314334.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> Busy jungle animals doing the activities.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oiiz9-BVWXc/TrDd1RS57UI/AAAAAAAAE9w/o3tt4pO1vq8/s1600/_A314348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oiiz9-BVWXc/TrDd1RS57UI/AAAAAAAAE9w/o3tt4pO1vq8/s640/_A314348.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> D kept hugging his sister. He kept talking about her to his friends.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XbP2UvPGxpU/TrDd4-cEWsI/AAAAAAAAE94/yE90kUDXXV8/s1600/_A314376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XbP2UvPGxpU/TrDd4-cEWsI/AAAAAAAAE94/yE90kUDXXV8/s640/_A314376.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ID6rrT6IysE/TrDd8QkRG5I/AAAAAAAAE-A/0nKirYU4IBo/s1600/_A314381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ID6rrT6IysE/TrDd8QkRG5I/AAAAAAAAE-A/0nKirYU4IBo/s640/_A314381.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> And hwere is the office staff all dressed up. Fall-me, Winter-Principal, Spring-Registrar, Winter-Counselor<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sjTr5xHUF1E/TrDeACeTG8I/AAAAAAAAE-I/4BZSgPmivZk/s1600/_A314385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sjTr5xHUF1E/TrDeACeTG8I/AAAAAAAAE-I/4BZSgPmivZk/s640/_A314385.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> All the costumed people at my work. Don't you love our costumes?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HXCQZxByQ2Y/TrDeELxoDrI/AAAAAAAAE-Q/n8Ftxp93oMY/s1600/_A314391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HXCQZxByQ2Y/TrDeELxoDrI/AAAAAAAAE-Q/n8Ftxp93oMY/s640/_A314391.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> And finally Trick or Treat night with our next door neighbor. She's cool!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3xC6oHZWM0c/TrDeHRoPZ0I/AAAAAAAAE-Y/haMJBXiRAew/s1600/_A314410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3xC6oHZWM0c/TrDeHRoPZ0I/AAAAAAAAE-Y/haMJBXiRAew/s640/_A314410.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We finished the night by trick or treating at maie and taie.</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8LpF5I9OHhY/TrDdI8btrxI/AAAAAAAAE8A/Leq5WMZJxg0/s1600/_A314446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8LpF5I9OHhY/TrDdI8btrxI/AAAAAAAAE8A/Leq5WMZJxg0/s640/_A314446.JPG" width="640" /></a>Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-70411085714257579342011-09-21T23:30:00.000-07:002011-09-22T03:12:08.657-07:00Curriculum Night impressionsWow! I don't know if it's Dacian's school or what but do they really do poetry in Kindergarten (as in writing it themselves by the end of the grade)? Good grief!<br />
I was impressed by how well organized the teacher was and the school as a whole. The area in which we live is a pretty affluent one so much so that apparently in years past kids were taken to school on horses. There are lots of people with land and horses near where we live which is pretty weird for how big and crowded the city is. I like it though; at times we have to stop at crosswalk for a horsie to go by.<br />
Anyway, the presentation was great. I felt like it was a little over the top to impress us parents more than anything else.<br />
The school I work at is so different and yet they are in the same district. I have to say I like where I work better. It feels like more down to earth but of course I am biased since I work there. I love the people I work with.<br />
It will take some adjustment to love another school but I will try my best to change my attitude and involve myself in what I can for the love of my child.<br />
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Outside the classroom there was an adorable picture Dacian drew. All kids actually did such a cute job. They were asked to draw something from the room that they saw and he chose the EGOL (that's what he spelled it like-eagle) I took a pic of it with my phone but haven't downloaded it yet. It was CUTE!<br />
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The teacher was very sweet and well organized and seemed to be more comfortable. Yay! Dacian loves her. He comes home so happy every day. So what more can I ask for?<br />
We will have parent-student-teacher conferences soon to set goals and we will meet again in January to talk about how he's doing.<br />
It's interesting how even though I work for a school I am still a newbie parent with a first time child in school.<br />
I really wish I could go into different teacher's rooms to see their teaching style, etc. That would be fun. I will plan to volunteer a bit through the year on some of my personal days. Can't wait!<br />
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Let's see, what else is new? Oh yeah, I am sick! Ugh! I started feeling it on Sunday late and then woke up really sick on Monday morning so I stayed home that day. Then I went to work Tuesday but only stayed the first half of day. Today I stayed home again. I went to the pharmacy after talking to the dr. who prescribed me some albuterol and codeine for my cough. After last year when I got sick a lot, I feel like something has changed with me. Can someone develop asthma this late in life? I feel like I have a very tight chest and that I get the same type of cough and symptoms I got last year.<br />
Anyway, not fun. I really hope I can sleep tonight.<br />
Lavinia got sick too but she's fighting it better than I. D got sick two days into Kindergarten.<br />
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On another note. My little girl is growing up. She calls herself big all the time now and asks if she can too go to school.<br />
Even since that day when she decided she'd go potty she went every time after that. This is a miracle to me. She is even dry every morning. So to celebrate her biggness today we changed her crib to the toddler bed option. She was over the moon. I am big, I am big, she would sing.<br />
I was able to squeeze next to her in the little bed and read her bedtime story as opposed to standing up and reading it to her. She was so excited. Then I told her because she is big like her brother she needed to sleep now. That was it. I walked out of there and withing minutes she was off in dreamland. I sneaked in to give both kids some kisses. I just LOVE being a mom, even sick and with no energy like I've been this week.<br />
Also I was able to pick up Dacian from the bus and put him on in the morning. This will be so rare that it was such a sweet treat for me.<br />
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Well, off to bed I go. It's late but because I've been sleeping on and off today I am still not that sleepy. Maybe the codeine will kick in soon to help with that.Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-61066678050787390012011-09-14T21:27:00.000-07:002011-09-14T21:27:12.947-07:00An amazing thing just happened<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rb1WaywWwdo/TnFmRcuAXyI/AAAAAAAAE7M/D5PoXMJqf6g/s1600/_9113871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rb1WaywWwdo/TnFmRcuAXyI/AAAAAAAAE7M/D5PoXMJqf6g/s640/_9113871.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qnke7L3GpM/TnFmVxPWMYI/AAAAAAAAE7U/X7A_218Q4R0/s1600/_9113801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qnke7L3GpM/TnFmVxPWMYI/AAAAAAAAE7U/X7A_218Q4R0/s640/_9113801.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AHC6ECc14Pk/TnFmYlfV0MI/AAAAAAAAE7Y/26y7ZFjO2k8/s1600/_9113808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AHC6ECc14Pk/TnFmYlfV0MI/AAAAAAAAE7Y/26y7ZFjO2k8/s640/_9113808.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ipLrketPSoQ/TnFmcCdF2DI/AAAAAAAAE7c/hJPYpFzHGNg/s1600/_9113813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ipLrketPSoQ/TnFmcCdF2DI/AAAAAAAAE7c/hJPYpFzHGNg/s640/_9113813.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">5.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P0aNGbJtYAs/TnFmfnuaR5I/AAAAAAAAE7g/_Y7Ksmsboy4/s1600/_9113825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P0aNGbJtYAs/TnFmfnuaR5I/AAAAAAAAE7g/_Y7Ksmsboy4/s640/_9113825.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">5.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lxIAlofFWUs/TnFmjO-2I2I/AAAAAAAAE7k/-Pg0GiaBlh0/s1600/_9113828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lxIAlofFWUs/TnFmjO-2I2I/AAAAAAAAE7k/-Pg0GiaBlh0/s640/_9113828.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">6.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6nsu52C6Ejg/TnFmmSbztfI/AAAAAAAAE7o/v4xsp6vT1ZE/s1600/_9113835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6nsu52C6Ejg/TnFmmSbztfI/AAAAAAAAE7o/v4xsp6vT1ZE/s640/_9113835.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">7.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xoG2JDODYgQ/TnFmpyUhAOI/AAAAAAAAE7s/ItAOOGa_Exg/s1600/_9113839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xoG2JDODYgQ/TnFmpyUhAOI/AAAAAAAAE7s/ItAOOGa_Exg/s640/_9113839.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">8.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xjOpUusnSbE/TnFmtSD_WwI/AAAAAAAAE7w/1MkRMpxzknQ/s1600/_9113840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xjOpUusnSbE/TnFmtSD_WwI/AAAAAAAAE7w/1MkRMpxzknQ/s640/_9113840.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">9.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lcsEZWY2zcA/TnFmwgZKDWI/AAAAAAAAE70/NWkl8Q944zA/s1600/_9113844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lcsEZWY2zcA/TnFmwgZKDWI/AAAAAAAAE70/NWkl8Q944zA/s640/_9113844.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">10.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cZWFX3Jnyj8/TnFmz4ej9DI/AAAAAAAAE74/0q-a-IoJX4I/s1600/_9113864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cZWFX3Jnyj8/TnFmz4ej9DI/AAAAAAAAE74/0q-a-IoJX4I/s640/_9113864.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> 11.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hhCyPMIbM9A/TnFm3FDw_LI/AAAAAAAAE78/Q2uV94La8f8/s1600/_9113867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hhCyPMIbM9A/TnFm3FDw_LI/AAAAAAAAE78/Q2uV94La8f8/s640/_9113867.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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I read some article about how to get your kids to smile great for pictures. As I am learning more about photography and as my goal is to become good at taking pics of my kids I try to go out and practice portrait style pics. When I look at good photographers I realize how I may never reach that potential BUT I am better than I used to be, and with practice I may become even better. A fault of mine I think is to put myself down, and to NEVER give myself any credit. I have to fight with myself to think otherwise. I am just wired that way and maybe that's also why I am not a happy go lucky type of girl.<br />
Anyway, I feel silly just posting pics of my kids for no reason. But boy oh boy is there a reason to show off my girl today. How do you like my long introduction?<br />
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Out of the blue she went potty today. Earlier for my dad and today while eating dinner with the missionaries, we heard the sound of water running. I didn't realize what that was until I looked in her direction and noticed her on the potty. I had her in regular panties and we have discussed about going potty and not wetting the princesses on her panties. She would give me the right answer and saying she would go in the toilet but kept on wetting her pants. I have been told the best method is to go all out and just put her in panties and let her have accidents until one day she'll just get it. But you see this kid is stubborn and didn't want her panties and as soon as they were wet for the few times she let me put them on she begged for her diaper.<br />
She also didn't want to sit on her potty, with as much cajoling and promises of many wonderful gifts. NOTHING for months. Sure, I wasn't consistent with me being back at work and with us being gone all summer and with my parents driving here and there a lot every day and they weren't going to take her without a diaper all over creation and in their nice car.<br />
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So the fact that she's getting it, the fact that she did this on her own is a HUGE accomplishment. I couldn't be happier. I am so giddy. And I was so exhausted. So tired from work but this brought much needed happiness.<br />
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One of my promises to her was getting her a Rapunzel toy. She loves that movie. So off to Toys R Us I go for her beloved toy. She asked me twice after she went today for "Punzel". She remembered and I am more than glad to go get it for her. A promise is a promise.<br />
Ta! Ta!<br />
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P.S Let me know which pics are your favs if you could please. I didn't edit them in any way so I guess just comment on the composition, etc. I could lighten them a little but now I don't feel like it. Also I know I need to work on my focus. Thanks!Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-22065499943197310012011-09-07T23:37:00.000-07:002011-09-07T23:37:41.322-07:00First day of KindergartenThe much awaited day came. Dacian went to kindergarten today. They are doing a staggered start so he is going Wed/Fri. Wed is an early release day so in half day kindi that is almost 2 hours. Crazy!<br />
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Dad and I took him to the bus with Lavinia in tow. The bus came on time. He was so excited to see the bus coming. He didn't even look at me from the window. Pleased to sit next to a very cute girl. We were the first stop. Then dad and I went home, cleaned a little and then went to school to meet him there. He was already in line looking all adorable. When he saw Lavi he gave her the biggest hug and started to swing her around. She's his little doll and because she's so light it's easy for him to do tricks with her. Everyone was endeared seeing them. It made me happy. His teacher was there in front looking very excited.<br />
We were all allowed to go in the classroom for a little bit. We dropped off the school supplies they are all sharing, paid the $10 fee and then saw the kids get down on the little rug in front of class. The teacher had them all put on their name tags and then did a little game on the smart board. Dacian having experience with them from preschool raised his hand first and went and dragged his favorite jungle animal to the right box. It was so fun. We have those boards in every classroom in our district and they are pretty cool. I just hope they really do make them that much smarter 'cause we sure paid a lot for them. Haha.<br />
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After we left the classroom Lavinia started crying. Poor girl, she wanted to stay in school and she was so sad leaving her brother behind. She said she didn't want to go home alone. What's a little sister to do? Thankfully she wasn't without him for a long time.<br />
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I was so glad I got to be there for his first day. My boss and my co worker in the office were so nice to let me go. It meant a lot to me.<br />
Everyone asked me if I cried when i got back. Well, I didn't. Since he went to preschool for two years I kind of knew the drill and maybe because I work in a school it's all too familiar. But when I left and with L being so sad I got a little emotional too. The free carefree days are gone. I did my best to keep them carefree I think. But I know the harder part of life starts now. Sure, it will be easy for quite a few more years to come but it will get harder and harder. That is life though and I have to just let go little by little. I have a feeling I will have a hard time with that.<br />
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On another note I meant to blog about Dacian's little talk in Primary. This boy is really so outgoing, it's like he's not really mine. I was all nervous for him and I can't believe how happy and excited he was to be able to go in front of everyone and speak. He read his whole talk very well and showed the picture of the missionaries upside down. He was confused why kids were laughing.<br />
When we came home he asked me to write him another speech.<br />
Later that day we were invited to dinner by Shane's mom and step dad and Dacian wanted to perform and read his talk to them. He ate up all the attention. It was like playtime to him. I am going to film him read his talk and post it here. It's too cute.<br />
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Well, that's it for tonight. I've had some grueling days at work. I am exhausted but happy. So many of my ideas went by the wayside. I wanted to do this fancy dinner for start of school. Well, that didn't quite happen how I imagined it. Shane, saved the day and grilled and we had a nice meal outside. Dacian was excited and we told him it was special because he started Kindergarten the next day. I need to get my act together and be more organized. Ugh, that's so hard for me. I get overwhelmed quite easily and give up quite quickly as well.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CCiABH_3-FU/TmhiCPCKCzI/AAAAAAAAE7A/38456xXc1OA/s1600/_9063701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CCiABH_3-FU/TmhiCPCKCzI/AAAAAAAAE7A/38456xXc1OA/s640/_9063701.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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</div> Going to the bus, showing off his Lego batman backpack.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hbj5GzgrCKs/TmhfNQL1c0I/AAAAAAAAE6A/NpeUmPTXedA/s1600/_9073716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hbj5GzgrCKs/TmhfNQL1c0I/AAAAAAAAE6A/NpeUmPTXedA/s640/_9073716.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> So big!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5BLg-nFczV8/TmhfPpSz2LI/AAAAAAAAE6E/CJAiRetTHjE/s1600/_9073717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5BLg-nFczV8/TmhfPpSz2LI/AAAAAAAAE6E/CJAiRetTHjE/s640/_9073717.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> New haircut as of yesterday. Finally!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L0ze3hY_zTQ/TmhfSOd-R1I/AAAAAAAAE6I/ozieTTGrzBw/s1600/_9073721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L0ze3hY_zTQ/TmhfSOd-R1I/AAAAAAAAE6I/ozieTTGrzBw/s640/_9073721.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Bye!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WBPBgJa45Mk/TmhfcsjNAGI/AAAAAAAAE6U/Lflhkud53Oo/s1600/_9073733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WBPBgJa45Mk/TmhfcsjNAGI/AAAAAAAAE6U/Lflhkud53Oo/s640/_9073733.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vsrOKtGVY7Y/Tmhfgcfd8yI/AAAAAAAAE6Y/heqa4yvYpOo/s1600/_9073742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vsrOKtGVY7Y/Tmhfgcfd8yI/AAAAAAAAE6Y/heqa4yvYpOo/s640/_9073742.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love grandpa. He's just the best. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UvN4gtR9aJQ/TmhiIJ-G7KI/AAAAAAAAE7I/2dSa0m9lOWU/s1600/_9073735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UvN4gtR9aJQ/TmhiIJ-G7KI/AAAAAAAAE7I/2dSa0m9lOWU/s640/_9073735.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Here comes the bus<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TAFmlJLHrxI/TmhfjnLl8bI/AAAAAAAAE6c/HO8Jl1CrnTM/s1600/_9073750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TAFmlJLHrxI/TmhfjnLl8bI/AAAAAAAAE6c/HO8Jl1CrnTM/s640/_9073750.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> It looks like he's getting off the bus but he's actually getting on. I asked him to turn around for pics and he started coming back to me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IPvMejYfetI/Tmhfm5bllOI/AAAAAAAAE6g/ryq84RfjUR8/s1600/_9073752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IPvMejYfetI/Tmhfm5bllOI/AAAAAAAAE6g/ryq84RfjUR8/s640/_9073752.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> Now that's more like it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FFH_go-QDKI/TmhfqUfKjQI/AAAAAAAAE6k/0XFh7WfDKjc/s1600/_9073754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FFH_go-QDKI/TmhfqUfKjQI/AAAAAAAAE6k/0XFh7WfDKjc/s640/_9073754.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> Sniff!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jK3LuKCBJvo/Tmhfudn94DI/AAAAAAAAE6o/h4jCFWDZOkQ/s1600/_9073759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jK3LuKCBJvo/Tmhfudn94DI/AAAAAAAAE6o/h4jCFWDZOkQ/s640/_9073759.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Lavi brought her toy box with her.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zwFjQnN6lJk/TmhfxkGV6DI/AAAAAAAAE6s/fAf_WF0m414/s1600/_9073761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zwFjQnN6lJk/TmhfxkGV6DI/AAAAAAAAE6s/fAf_WF0m414/s640/_9073761.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qmAya3RZbI0/Tmhf49IHLBI/AAAAAAAAE60/9VjO4aI69RI/s1600/_9073768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qmAya3RZbI0/Tmhf49IHLBI/AAAAAAAAE60/9VjO4aI69RI/s640/_9073768.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_2kxhKR2Pmk/Tmhf7wKHHVI/AAAAAAAAE64/jLeC0nlXMuQ/s1600/_9073771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_2kxhKR2Pmk/Tmhf7wKHHVI/AAAAAAAAE64/jLeC0nlXMuQ/s640/_9073771.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> Here's his teacher.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mKqRid8a7BE/Tmhf_Es-_-I/AAAAAAAAE68/ZsLEsithkWo/s1600/_9073775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mKqRid8a7BE/Tmhf_Es-_-I/AAAAAAAAE68/ZsLEsithkWo/s640/_9073775.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here's the smartboard. </div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z5G8uMoq3HA/TmhfKohb1OI/AAAAAAAAE58/5RivAwpLYx4/s1600/_9073790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z5G8uMoq3HA/TmhfKohb1OI/AAAAAAAAE58/5RivAwpLYx4/s640/_9073790.JPG" width="480" /></a>Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-51692885193116469462011-09-03T17:11:00.000-07:002011-09-03T17:11:04.281-07:00Under the weatherUgh! I am not feeling well today. It's a beautiful day outside. I wanted to go on a hike, I wanted to clean, I wanted to play with the kids, I wanted to get groceries and make yummy food. Instead I am sitting on the couch waiting for the medicine to kick in. It's not working and I took it twice already. I need to sleep yet I can't. I haven't slept well this week (stress related from work) and I am grumpy. I am barking orders for the kids to clean the mess they've made of my living room. It's going nowhere. They keep asking unrelated questions, and just come up with anything and everything under the sun to stall the cleaning I make them do.<br />
Anyway here's to a better day tomorrow. Dacian is speaking in Primary tomorrow. His first time. I am already nervous about it. Kind of silly but I guess as a mom now I am adding being nervous for my kids as if it weren't enough that I am nervous for things that pertain to just myself.Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-23243646863002968832011-09-01T22:19:00.000-07:002011-09-01T22:19:41.744-07:00CrazyThis is how life has been over the past week. It's all about I my job. I work as the office manager of an elementary school. This year we started construction of a new building (done in 2013 sometime) and we got a new principal, a new secretary, new teachers, adding new classes left and right.The building is looking pretty terrible right now. Boxes everywhere, bulldozers everywhere outside (there is a good fence where kids can't go to), anyway you get the idea, CRAZY.<br />
Today we posted our class lists and of course more madness. We have been getting lots of help and even though it was crazy it also seemed to come together in the end.<br />
We did get our internet, phone and toilets working finally. Meetings are out of the way, now we are all looking forward with anticipation to the first day of school.<br />
And while all this is going on I have my own son, my first kid starting school. He couldn't be more excited. We got his supplies, backpack and new clothes a few weeks ago which made it seem like an eternity until school started. It just takes so long here to start school. We get out so late, end of June so we start late.<br />
My new principal was so nice and insisted I go be there for my son's kindergarten orientation today while definitely I was needed at my own school. Our new secretary was a trooper and braved the craziness with so much patience. She did great and learned so many new things in such a short time.<br />
So today I met D's teacher. I am a little disappointed I have to say. She's a new teacher so maybe she is just too green but we got to her classroom and she was just sitting there, no connecting with parents, or students. I had to go up to her and take Dacian to go say hi to her. It makes me sad for not taking Dacian to my school where I know how cool our teachers are. I saw them get down to the kids' level today and talking to the kids and parents A LOT.<br />
I just hope this first impression is a passing one and that she'll be a good teacher after all. It will be interesting. Dacian is doing just half day this year.<br />
I saw a familiar face there, a friend for an other ward I attended a little while back. She's cool and I like all her kids so my son hopefully befriends her son.<br />
So that's it for tonight.<br />
I am too excited to even go to sleep. It's like adrenalin hasn't worn off from today's events. I feel like I didn't accomplish anything, and hopefully I didn't look grumpy.<br />
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So school's starting soon and hopefully I also get to go to my son's first day of Kindergarten as well.<br />
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Dacian going to his kindi orientation<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1DBmRUB7AKs/TmBmHdD2ZbI/AAAAAAAAE50/vY73HL9SSb4/s1600/_9013672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1DBmRUB7AKs/TmBmHdD2ZbI/AAAAAAAAE50/vY73HL9SSb4/s640/_9013672.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> Dacian and his friends plus sister<br />
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Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4042428946712829585.post-36006527229733089142011-08-27T19:53:00.000-07:002011-08-28T10:19:36.691-07:00Endlessly entertained... or not<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">"You are here on earth for a divine purpose. It is not to be endlessly entertained or to be constantly in full pursuit of pleasure. You are here to be tried, to prove yourself so that you can receive the additional blessings God has for you"<br />
(Richard G. Scott)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">When you put it this way I might even stop complaining and comparing myself to others. Sure, I can strive to be better but if I am not endlessly entertained I will be OK. Everyone has trials and if not now they will come surely later. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">I totally am working on enjoying my life the way it is, and even though it could totally improve in many ways it can also get worse, much, much worse. I hope to pass the tests that come my way and learn to be a better person through it all. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span>Maddy Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571820981593141291noreply@blogger.com4