tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32631184484554364622024-03-12T20:56:14.638-07:00hollerCandacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-11893014956257782042012-07-09T07:27:00.000-07:002012-07-09T07:27:03.023-07:00Birthing<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Rory
baby. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh,
Rory baby.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You
were supposed to be born three days before your due date, just like
Josie. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But
you weren't<span style="background: white;">.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;">I really wanted to contract that uterus myself. I
couldn't figure out how and that made me feel sorry for myself. I got a little ornery
and sad that you wouldn't come out. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;">The doc and I scheduled an induction for June 28th at 9:30
pm. One week after your due date. But I really didn't want to be induced. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;">You see, I decided four weeks ago to deliver with out any
pain medication. No epidural, even though I loved it so much last time. Why?
Lots of reasons, I guess, but mostly because it felt like the right thing to
do. And I try to trust God when he tells me to do things.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;">We tried lots of tricks to naturally induce labor. Walking. Squatting.
Bouncing. Acupressure Points. Spicy Food. And other adult things....</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;">On the 26th, I started having contractions. We got ready to have a baby.
We finalized our hospital bags and made a quick trip to the grocery story. And
then after 5 hours of contracting, they stopped. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was
bummed, but I stayed hopeful. Things would happen and you'd join us soon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
24 hours
and 0 contractions later, I was no longer hopeful. I was DESPERATE. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Time was
ticking. It was the 27th and tomorrow I would be induced using pitocin. And
that felt wrong to me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But,
there was one little trick we hadn't yet tried.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wmusd_lj0ok/T_rmE4kVlAI/AAAAAAAAAyc/cJHJKsfA6wA/s1600/DSC_1052_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wmusd_lj0ok/T_rmE4kVlAI/AAAAAAAAAyc/cJHJKsfA6wA/s320/DSC_1052_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I
just so happened to have a bottle of castor oil leftover from my college days,
when I thought it was a good idea to do a detox diet, but never actually did
it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After
some consultations with the internet and some wise women, I choked down a
quarter of a cup of castor oil. And an orange. It was 4:30 pm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;">At 6:30 pm I was a pooping machine. I have never pooped like
this before. The castor oil was definitely doing something. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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At
8:15 pm, I hurried inside to use the toilet. And I had a contraction.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Four
minutes later, another one. And another. And another. I was thrown into the
woes of hard labor and I was unprepared. I was trying to relax and breathe
through the contractions, but I was scared. I was afraid that these
contractions were false labor again, my uterus contracting without my cervix
being dilated and stressing out baby. I knew things were intense, but I didn't
know if it was really doing anything. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I
was slowly tuning out my surroundings. I needed to focus in order to survive
the contractions. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I
called Kristin, our doula, and she helped me calm down a bit. She reminded me
that if I could talk in between contractions, that I was okay. I could use
those breaks to calm myself down and stay relaxed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I
mentally prepared myself to take on the contractions again. I could do
this. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And
then I couldn't again. I started to feel overwhelmed and incapable. I was
shaking. The pain was too intense. And I bit Grant, right on his belly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He
called Kristin this time and she told me to climb into the tub. And she was on
her way. It was about 10:30 pm. I think.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At
this point, I knew this was real labor. I could feel my cervix dilating. But I
also knew I couldn't do this much longer. I labored in the bathtub for a bit.
It was warm and the water took a lot of the pressure off of my stressed body.
Grant was pouring water over me and I felt in control again. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kristin
arrived and reminded me to breathe and grunt deeply. I was feeling good. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And
then I needed to use the toilet. I was afraid to get out of the water and I
knew sitting through a contraction would be horrible. Too much pressure. But I
had to poop. The castor oil was still working. I think my water broke while I
was on the toilet. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I
laid back in the tub and I screamed. A lot. I couldn't keep going. I needed to
be done.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I
needed to push. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At
about 11:20 pm, we left for the hospital. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Central
Baptist Hospital is literally in our back yard. Walking time is 8 minutes and
driving time is 12 minutes, so we had planned to walk to the hospital for
delivery. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After
frightening our new neighbors while I screamed through a contraction in the
parking lot, we realized that walking was not an option. Sorry, cute old man
that you had to witness that. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I
swore at a red light, which Grant eventually ran. And then he nervously said,
"So, I know this is a bad time to ask this, but where do we
go?" <o:p></o:p></div>
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Oh,
yeah, he'd never driven to the hospital before. Crud.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I
tried to figure out how to get us there. But I struggled. We made illegal
u-turns through red lights and eventually parked in a construction zone,
because I knew I couldn't make it from the parking garage. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We
shuffled to the elevator and headed up to the second level. It was supposed to
be Labor and Delivery. But it was the Cardio Cath Lab. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We
were in the wrong elevator in the medical office side of the hospital. Which
was deserted. Panic settled in as a contraction surged. Grant talked me through
it, reminding me to breath and encouraging me to relax. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As
we waddled to the correct elevator, I could feel the baby descending. I tried
to ignore the feeling, because I knew if I acknowledged it, the baby would come
out. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kristin
beat us to Labor and Delivery and alerted the nurses we were coming. This was
good, because all I could say was, "I need to push!" which sent the nurses
into a flurry. They rushed me into the closest room and somehow all my clothes
were removed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I laid on the bed and a nurse checked my cervix. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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I
was fully dilated and ready to push. The doctor was paged, but he wouldn't make
it in time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Another
lady took charge and I started pushing. The first push was the worst. I wasn't
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crazy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Kristin
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body. And I rocked the next push. Baby was coming out. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A
couple of contractions and a few minutes later, Rory Jay Heward was born. <o:p></o:p></div>
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June
27, 2012<o:p></o:p></div>
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11:48
pm<o:p></o:p></div>
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7
lbs 12 oz<o:p></o:p></div>
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20
inches long<o:p></o:p></div>
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Web
toed<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U36HMToVRvE/T_rl6Rm-7AI/AAAAAAAAAyA/M84eu5nbs4I/s1600/DSC_0899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U36HMToVRvE/T_rl6Rm-7AI/AAAAAAAAAyA/M84eu5nbs4I/s320/DSC_0899.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>
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Or is it webbed toes? </div>
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He's a beautiful baby. I am so grateful we had such a wonderful experience delivering our baby boy. It was crazy and we were terrified and it hurt and I thought I couldn't do it. But we did it. And I am so grateful. </div>
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When I am asked whether or not I'd do it again, I'll try to forget the pain.</div>
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And I'll try to remember these incredible moments...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VM5GS9E_-LY/T_rmMKABZHI/AAAAAAAAAy0/lepIeCn_OpI/s1600/IMG_2434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VM5GS9E_-LY/T_rmMKABZHI/AAAAAAAAAy0/lepIeCn_OpI/s320/IMG_2434.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mYi9VHKJ8EI/T_rmOlz24YI/AAAAAAAAAy8/w3XkpG_G9H0/s1600/IMG_2446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mYi9VHKJ8EI/T_rmOlz24YI/AAAAAAAAAy8/w3XkpG_G9H0/s320/IMG_2446.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I've never felt so empowered in my life. It was beautiful. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">It was also exhausting. This pictures says a lot. Ha. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2kb56NTMvDw/T_rl9NJ4yXI/AAAAAAAAAyI/q6thF6ZrR9k/s1600/DSC_0935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2kb56NTMvDw/T_rl9NJ4yXI/AAAAAAAAAyI/q6thF6ZrR9k/s320/DSC_0935.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-78790610250576986412012-02-06T19:10:00.000-08:002012-02-06T19:10:42.065-08:00Spelling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Josie is learning lots of new tricks. </div>
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Mostly, they are pretty normal things for her age. Singing songs, walking on her tippy toes, scribbling on everything, sort of jumping. Typical 21 month behavior. </div>
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<br /></div>
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But every now and again, she really surprises us. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Just tonight, she learned how to give a wet willy. One example was all she needed and she was licking and sticking that finger all night. </div>
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I sure hope she keeps this trick to herself. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Another impressive trick is spelling her name. She's been able to spell her name for a bit now, but unfortunately, this is something she doesn't like to share. </div>
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<br /></div>
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So, here's the proof:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxFLCffVqB7ndERQk7JJq26pGFA4q-bDWeuOCaf1l8xsHq5_rO9Ve6VrOWpEpqQ8uV5mwEJL-oozH1707r1gQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Neat, eh?<br />
Good thing she's got a short name.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
*she is not playing with tar. it is bath tub paint. looks pretty disgusting. but it is good, clean fun.Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-67297413972208609562011-11-27T18:10:00.001-08:002011-11-27T18:17:22.403-08:00CheeringThe University of Kentucky's football team struggles.<br />
They've only won a couple of games all season.<br />
<br />
But only because Josie had never been there to cheer them on.<br />
We changed that on Saturday when UK beat a Tennessee. A team they hadn't beat in 26 years.<br />
That's more than mine and Josie's lifespans combined.<br />
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy3z2tQf3g4XrnqL9nm23nKXKhRaWw-XWXCPhpdt0Ccj9R6tXx1920DDNAoDtqFmR4SO39OKWrOGiNiKHpTcQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Josie is a great cheerleader.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EmKiwqqsae4/TtLuTEWC0vI/AAAAAAAAAmc/jq7bT-Rjdbw/s1600/IMG_0520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EmKiwqqsae4/TtLuTEWC0vI/AAAAAAAAAmc/jq7bT-Rjdbw/s320/IMG_0520.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5q6Y_UX1nGQ/TtLuTspDb4I/AAAAAAAAAmk/se5yuPiCXTQ/s1600/IMG_0525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5q6Y_UX1nGQ/TtLuTspDb4I/AAAAAAAAAmk/se5yuPiCXTQ/s320/IMG_0525.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ohspu4W_W7Q/TtLuULL9WjI/AAAAAAAAAms/MuTJqxIF8II/s1600/IMG_0527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ohspu4W_W7Q/TtLuULL9WjI/AAAAAAAAAms/MuTJqxIF8II/s320/IMG_0527.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-awtXask7ayk/TtLuUU3mbII/AAAAAAAAAm0/NxIZukP4KFc/s1600/IMG_0531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-awtXask7ayk/TtLuUU3mbII/AAAAAAAAAm0/NxIZukP4KFc/s320/IMG_0531.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
My arm is not long enough for a family photo.<br />
And Josie's attention span is not long enough for an entire football game. We split at halftime.<br />
But they won anyway.<br />
Go Big Blue!<br />
<br />Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-44395325422171867852011-11-27T14:18:00.001-08:002011-11-27T17:47:21.646-08:00feasting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TUTlYIN6370/TtLd-6KdIdI/AAAAAAAAAlE/XfqT7-8YVhY/s1600/Thanksgiving+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TUTlYIN6370/TtLd-6KdIdI/AAAAAAAAAlE/XfqT7-8YVhY/s400/Thanksgiving+2011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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One time Paula Deen gave me some advice.<br />
She told me to only use tried and true recipes for Thanksgiving dinner.<br />
Thanksgiving is a big meal. You wouldn't want to mess it all up with some goofy recipe.<br />
<br />
But, Paula must not know me very well.<br />
She didn't know that I rarely make the same recipe twice.<br />
Why would Thanksgiving be an exception?<br />
<br />
Grant and I (mostly me) volunteered to be responsible for the turkey, the stuffing, the green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and a couple pies. Mmmmmm.<br />
<br />
So I set out to find some tasty recipes. I scoured the internet for days, but I had to overcome a real big challenge. You see, I always want everyone to like every thing I make. I'm an extreme people pleaser when it comes to cooking. But I had a problem named Shaun. He likes to eat. But he doesn't like the traditional Thanksgiving spice blend. No rosemary. No thyme. No sage.<br />
<br />
Just try to find a decent turkey recipe that doesn't use those spices? Nigh unto impossible. Then try to find a stuffing recipe to please Shaun. Also very hard.<br />
<br />
But I succeeded. Everyone at the table like everything. Even Shaun. Especially Shaun.<br />
<br />
Presenting an (almost) sage/rosemary/thyme free Thanksgiving dinner....<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OxmbCSBuxHU/TtLeA5jVKTI/AAAAAAAAAlM/yJZBbNueZcI/s1600/turkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OxmbCSBuxHU/TtLeA5jVKTI/AAAAAAAAAlM/yJZBbNueZcI/s320/turkey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Brined and Roasted Orange and Peppercorn Turkey. Recipe from <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/roasted-thanksgiving-turkey-recipe/index.html">Pioneer Woman</a>. </div>
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It was very delicious. The turkey brines in a bit of rosemary, but you can hardly taste it when it's all said and done. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k4MHQNA4wYI/TtLeDPU67PI/AAAAAAAAAlU/y1-hAAwTFGg/s1600/stuffing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k4MHQNA4wYI/TtLeDPU67PI/AAAAAAAAAlU/y1-hAAwTFGg/s320/stuffing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My greatest success. Pork sausage, crimini mushrooms, and sourdough bread are the stars. Complemented by onion, celery, and a bit of marjoram. </div>
Simple and outstanding. Recipe from <a href="http://nymag.com/listings/recipe/herb-sausage-stuffing/">here. </a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6_hThfYY8W8/TtLeTw3cJBI/AAAAAAAAAmE/hEkXxKg1DG4/s1600/green+bean+casserole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6_hThfYY8W8/TtLeTw3cJBI/AAAAAAAAAmE/hEkXxKg1DG4/s320/green+bean+casserole.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This classic dish got a little makeover. I am scared of cream of whatever soup. So we made our own creamy sauce. And topped it with French's classic onions. We couldn't escape their crunchy, fried, goodness. Recipe inspired by <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/best-ever-green-bean-casserole-recipe/index.html">this one.</a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r4TPgBkSPCM/TtLeQPaN-LI/AAAAAAAAAl0/AMDxa9hpkUs/s1600/pies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r4TPgBkSPCM/TtLeQPaN-LI/AAAAAAAAAl0/AMDxa9hpkUs/s320/pies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We chose to make apple and chocolate mousse pies. Recipes from <a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/07/apple-pie/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/chocolate-cream-pie-recipe">here</a>.<br />
Grant made the wonderfully flaky crust for both pies from <a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/05/pie-crust/">this</a> recipe.<br />
And Shaun's pumpkin pie is in the back.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAVlxfrnBw4/TtLeNQBuiEI/AAAAAAAAAlk/oTt6_n3jfeM/s1600/feast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAVlxfrnBw4/TtLeNQBuiEI/AAAAAAAAAlk/oTt6_n3jfeM/s320/feast.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was a feast indeed. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SWNLCUte0EQ/TtLeE7RZ1iI/AAAAAAAAAlc/BfT1gaQ7pww/s1600/josie+thanksgiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SWNLCUte0EQ/TtLeE7RZ1iI/AAAAAAAAAlc/BfT1gaQ7pww/s320/josie+thanksgiving.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
She loved it too. Don't let her fool you.<br />
<br />
We have so much to be thankful for.Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-14518010719972856302011-11-01T19:16:00.001-07:002011-11-01T19:16:47.807-07:00Halloweening<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We take Halloween very serious around here. We made the most of the holiday by dressing up every opportunity we could. Even when we probably shouldn't have. </div>
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Our costumes were inspired by one of Grant's favorite movies, <i>One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest</i>. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qtumUu7_oYA/TrCaljEj6HI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/tNmY1Q8Jsec/s1600/imgres-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qtumUu7_oYA/TrCaljEj6HI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/tNmY1Q8Jsec/s1600/imgres-1.jpeg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g3vdebRXsso/TrCamcoVP_I/AAAAAAAAAfY/TdPfAUrwp6I/s1600/imgres.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g3vdebRXsso/TrCamcoVP_I/AAAAAAAAAfY/TdPfAUrwp6I/s1600/imgres.jpeg" /></a><br />
<br />
R.P. McMurphy, Nurse Ratched, and the cuckoo bird. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dFoLZmIYGkY/TrCajLgDerI/AAAAAAAAAeo/pFbr9ycAUHk/s1600/IMG_0410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dFoLZmIYGkY/TrCajLgDerI/AAAAAAAAAeo/pFbr9ycAUHk/s320/IMG_0410.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
We discovered that this particular movie is not very well known. We got some funny looks.<br />
Actually, Grant got some funny looks.<br />
It was pretty obvious that I was a nurse. But people were not so sure if Grant was a doctor or nurse or patient or if he just came straight from school.<br />
But we knew what he was. And now you know. And that is all that matters.<br />
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<br />
Josie's costume debut was at a carnival at the university. We met some friends for some crazy fun.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3HJtgllBEXw/TrCacEhzI7I/AAAAAAAAAds/xTrL_6hhGhU/s1600/IMG_0248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3HJtgllBEXw/TrCacEhzI7I/AAAAAAAAAds/xTrL_6hhGhU/s320/IMG_0248.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The Line Up: A fairy. A nurse. A bird. A 50's chick. And a cowboy.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XTPiRGlkcU/TrCabiKtXZI/AAAAAAAAAdk/O0ZrkDmZMFo/s1600/IMG_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XTPiRGlkcU/TrCabiKtXZI/AAAAAAAAAdk/O0ZrkDmZMFo/s320/IMG_0241.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Josie and her lover. They play in nursery and in the daycare at the gym. She is always excited to see him. I think that means love.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-577w_eRAWFk/TrCagO74OeI/AAAAAAAAAeU/Uni0Mu7-dlg/s1600/IMG_0385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-577w_eRAWFk/TrCagO74OeI/AAAAAAAAAeU/Uni0Mu7-dlg/s320/IMG_0385.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Next up, we visited the ward Trunk or Treat. She was more interested in eating candy than gathering candy.<br />
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<br />
On Halloween, we were invited to trick or treat in a real neighborhood.<br />
She loved tickling the costumed puppies we saw most of all. Forget the candy. She wants a dog.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2f7QQZfQanc/TrCakHLLSSI/AAAAAAAAAe4/19SWNs0nTCA/s1600/IMG_0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2f7QQZfQanc/TrCakHLLSSI/AAAAAAAAAe4/19SWNs0nTCA/s320/IMG_0418.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A Tinkerbell. A Marriage. And a Bird. And Josie's big bag. I've got a big sweet tooth.<br />
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These little friends were very patient. Josie was super slow. And they tried really hard not to run too far ahead. </div>
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She loved this event. She was the sweetest little tweet tweeter. </div>
<br />Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-56184958228962901332011-11-01T19:16:00.000-07:002011-11-01T19:16:24.083-07:00Painting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was Monday. We needed a family night activity. It was the week before Halloween. Pumpkins needed to be involved. </div>
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We didn't want to chop up our sweet pumpkins just yet. We knew they would die a premature death. So we painted them. </div>
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A very serious artist. And none of it went in her mouth. Success. </div>
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If you can guess the subject of this painting, you will turn Jeff's frown upside down. </div>
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Jen's studious witch. She's currently reading Winifred's spellbook. </div>
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Grant was studious too. He browsed the web, searching for inspiration. </div>
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The entire time. </div>
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No paint was placed on his pumpkin. Silly boy.</div>
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It will be really easy to keep it for Thanksgiving now.</div>
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Best pumpkin of the night. I think we'll keep it for Thanksgiving too.<br />
<br />Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-56541928142130189162011-10-31T20:13:00.000-07:002011-10-31T20:13:35.642-07:00EatingShaun can eat a lot of food.<br />
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That was a lot of food.<br />
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<br />
This is the Wussy Puppy Bag.<br />
There is enough food left to feed Shaun and Sofia for days.<br />
At least it is good food.<br />
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<br />Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-46918978416175125262011-10-17T21:49:00.000-07:002011-10-17T21:49:16.869-07:00Frustrating<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once upon a time, Josie was a pure baby. She was sweet. And she agreed with everything. Remember that <a href="http://heyheyheward.blogspot.com/2011/08/agreeing.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">one time</span></a>?</div>
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Not any more. Her sweetness has been tainted. </div>
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I blame the YMCA. She had to learn the dreadful word from children there. I don't use that word. I have protected her from all negative energy. Our home emanates pure positive energy. All the time.<br />
<br />
Except that one time she poured water on my computer. I might have said "no" then. It fried my keyboard. (*)<br />
Or when she dumped the entire tupperware of my favorite bean-corn-tomato salad on the floor. I'm pretty sure I screamed "no" that time.<br />
And then when she locked herself in the car today while we were cleaning it out. There was definitely and audible "no."<br />
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Every once in awhile a little negative energy comes over me. And then I feel bad. I feel bad for worrying about spilled beans. I feel bad for being a little angry.<br />
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And mostly, I feel bad because moments such as this happen when I am distracted by something else. Wiping cheerios and smashed peas out of the car seat. Or washing crusty dinner dishes. Or vacuuming spilled cereal. All things that need to be done, but certainly not urgent matters.<br />
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I need to find the balance between the priorities of being a mother and being a housekeeper. It's hard for me. I like a clean home. But I like a happy baby more. She should be my number one priority. The crusty dishes need to soak anyway...<br />
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And while we're having a heart to heart, I better be honest. (I know it's not the YMCA's fault.) She was going to learn "no" eventually. It's inevitable. And truthfully, she doesn't fully understand the meaning. She has simply swapped it out with "yes." She's just experimenting. Trying new things.<br />
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I'm going to try new things too.<br />
First up, I'm going to practice saying "no" as cute as she does.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(*) I took my sad laptop into the apple store. They said it would cost $124 to fix the keyboard. They lied. They did it for free. And they replaced my cracked ipod with a brand spankin' new one. All free. Apple for life.</span>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-51279861931886368892011-10-14T20:37:00.000-07:002011-10-14T20:37:12.048-07:00HostingOur first visitors have come and gone.<br />
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Ty and Connie were lovely guests to test our hosting skills on.<br />
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They came to Kentucky for part of Ty's book tour. He is a celebrity, if you didn't know. He wrote a rad book called <a href="http://tylerwhitesides.com/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Janitors</span></b></a>. Everyone loves it.<br />
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Even people in Kentucky. His signing at Barnes and Noble was the biggest he's seen yet! In fact, it was the biggest signing that store has seen in 10 years. Celebrity.<br />
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The signing table was tucked away in the back of the store. The line for the signing wound all the way to the front of the store. At one point, it went out the front doors.<br />
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Totally impressive. And Ty was super with the kids. He is so genuinely nice. Proud of you;<br />
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The weekend was perfect. We stayed up super late. And ate way too much. The best kind of fun. One of our most memorable adventures was the horse races.<br />
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This was a classy event. And we were incredibly under dressed. The ladies show up in fancy cocktail dresses while the men wear slacks and ties. We wore shorts and t-shirts. </div>
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But we had on the smartest shoes. Those poor girls looked so uncomfortable in their heels. </div>
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We visited the horses. We were the only people near the barns, which was pleasantly surprising.<br />
The rest of the place was swarming with people. Think crowded high school halls.<br />
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We did a little betting, Heward style. This means we each chose a horse to win. If yours wins, you get a shake! But you never actually get the shake. We'll just talk about the shake for a while and then forget about it.<br />
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It was a hot day at the races. But it was a fun day at the races.<br />
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We were sad to see Ty and Connie go home.<br />
But I think Ty may have been a little excited. Josie had two blow outs and one throw-up moment. I think Ty had three throw up moments as a result. Poor Ty.<br />
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It wasn't a perfect weekend. Josie has some manners to work on.<br />
But it was splendid.Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-61145002913450780442011-10-14T20:02:00.000-07:002011-10-14T20:02:19.739-07:00Pumpkin PickingPumpkin.<div>
A favorite word of mine. Not punkin. But pumpkin. </div>
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Pure pumpkin.</div>
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Or spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg.</div>
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Or mixed with ice cream.</div>
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I like pumpkin in any form.</div>
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Even pumpkins lined up perfectly ready to be picked. </div>
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Mimi invited everyone to the sweetest pumpkin patch.</div>
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It is owned by a little family in Riverton. Their son started the little business several years ago. He wanted to buy bagpipes. So he grew some pumpkins. And he made a bunch of money. And now they have a booming business during the month of October. </div>
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It was the warmest pumpkin picking day ever. Blue skies for miles.<br />
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See that lil' bracelet on Josie's arm? Mimi made that for her. And one of the beads has a spider on it. And she loves it. She calls it a sijoo. Or something like that.<br />
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We were joined by a lot of fun people. But the camera/ipod was dying. So only the first few friends there got their pictures taken.<br />
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I didn't even buy one pumpkin. There was no room in my carry on. </div>
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I guess we'll just have to go pumpkin picking again. </div>
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Shucks. :) </div>
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<br /></div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-30527734021459918542011-10-14T14:22:00.000-07:002011-10-14T14:22:16.228-07:00VisitingI'm a countdown kind of person. I need to know how many days are left until the next holiday, birthday, party, or celebration. I like to be prepared mentally for the fun that will ensue.<br />
I countdown to scary things too. I definitely counted down the days when we moved.<br />
I countdown mundane events like doctors appointments or my favorite exercise class.<br />
I'm beginning to wonder if it is becoming an obsession...<br />
<br />
I've created a calendar to help Grant stay caught up on the countdowns. It hangs above his desk in our bedroom. He spends a lot of time at that desk, studying away. I thought for sure he would pay some attention to it. Yet somehow, he's not a counter downer.<br />
<br />
For example, I say, "Grant, do you know what tomorrow is?"<br />
And he says, "No."<br />
And I say, "Tomorrow is special, because one week from tomorrow we will be packing to go to Utah."<br />
And he says, "Huh?"<br />
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And this shows me he does not participate in a good countdown.<br />
Maybe he has a lot on his mind or something...<br />
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I, however, had been thinking about heading to Utah for quite some time. I prepared myself early on for the fun of family.<br />
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I even prepared myself for the long flight required to make it to Utah. I made a cutesy little quiet book to entertain Josie. I was armed with Josie's favorite snacks. Plenty of diapers and wipes. And soft tissues to wipe a drippy nose.<br />
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But plane rides with babies are long and hard, no matter how much you prepare. Especially when baby won't fall asleep at 11:30 p.m. She really wanted to fall asleep, but she couldn't figure out how to close her eyes with the lights on. She fussed for 15 or so minutes, before she slipped off into a awkward slumber. It felt a lot longer. And I was a sweaty mess after wrangling her.<br />
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When we landed in Utah, I felt different. I knew I was so close to family. I felt soft and calm and warm. I think Josie felt something too, because she started calling for grandma and grandpa. </div>
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When we arrived at the Heward's that evening, Josie was hilarious. She was showing off every trick she knew. My mama joined us there and we partied until 1 a.m. Which was actually 3 a.m. for our bodies. It was just too fun to see people in real life.<br />
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We kept ourselves pretty busy during our stay. And I didn't document most of it. Oops.<br />
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We played hard. Really hard.<br />
And then we went home.<br />
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I am counting down until the next visit. December 15th. That's 63 days.<br />
<br />Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-45095898870452020272011-09-20T20:16:00.000-07:002011-09-20T20:22:15.174-07:00Reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I found this little gem while thrifting a few weeks ago. </div>
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It's a tiny little desk made for a tiny little person. The tiny little person in our family fell in love with it while we were still in the store. </div>
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I found her reading a little Shel Silverstein the other day. </div>
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I need to put some sort of little ledge along the bottom. Books fall off when she tries to turn the page.<br />
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All this independent reading inspired me to work on a little alphabet set for the little one.<br />
I followed a (free)pattern on <a href="http://chezbeeperbebe.blogspot.com/2009/11/alphabet-sets.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Chez Beeper Bebe</span></a>.<br />
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I used fabric scraps from my fabric collection. I think it turned out quite lovely. And it's quite thrilling to see the beautiful patterns used in some of my favorite words. </div>
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I just finished the set tonight. The letters are waiting patiently on the fridge.<br />
I am anxious for Josie to discover them tomorrow morning.<br />
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<br />Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-40155053154033575372011-09-20T19:56:00.000-07:002011-09-20T19:56:26.510-07:00AppleingWe still have apples. But we've made a huge dent in them. I said I would share how we're using them. And I'm feeling guilty in my heart that I haven't.<br />
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1. Eat them. Plain. We all love 'em this way. And Josie especially loves the ones that are getting a bit mushy. And I love that she loves them mushy. Mushy apples can't be eaten in my mouth.<br />
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2. Applesauce. We chop 'em up with the peels on and keep it pretty chunky. That's right. Chunky Sauce. </div>
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Cook it low and slow. And we add tons of cinnamon, because I have obsession with cinnamon. If it isn't brown, there's not enough. No sugar in this sauce. These apples were sweet enough! </div>
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Freezer bag applesauce. It didn't seem very practical to drive to Grandma Foote's house to bottle it. I don't know how to preserve food in bottles, unless it's at her house. </div>
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We'll be enjoying this sauce in the upcoming fall and winter months.<br />
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3. Frozen. I chopped and sliced a few bags full and just stuck them straight into the freezer. I planned to make more applesauce, but Josie was no longer entertained by the water in the sink. <br />
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I'm hoping I'll be able to throw these into baked goods.<br />
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4. Apple crisp. This is the favorite way to eat apples right now. It is a great way to use up the mushy ones.<br />
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Chop 8-10 apples, with the peel on. Throw them into a 9x13 pan.<br />
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Now, chop a bit of caramel and throw that in with the apples. That is where the magic is. The caramel melts and creates a sweet, sticky sauce for the apples to bathe in. They absorb the caramel goodness and then share that goodness with you in every bite. I'm telling you. It is totally magic.<br />
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What? You don't have a huge block of caramel in your pantry? Go buy one at Gygi's. Still don't have one and you want to make a magic crisp? Make a magic crisp topping.<br />
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For the topping, I usually add about a cup of oats, a few tablespoons wheat flour, three tablespoons ground cinnamon, a teaspoon nutmeg, and half a stick of softened butter. Mix it all together and crumble over the apples.<br />
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Bake for 30 or so minutes at 350 degrees. You'll know it's done when the apples are soft.<br />
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Serve with ice cream, if you have it. Or eat it plain. It is magic either way.<br />
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I don't have a picture of apple crisp. It gets eaten too fast.<br />
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We decided against dehydrating apples in the oven. It didn't seem to be a very time effective way of preserving. Several hours in the oven to preserve two apples? No thanks.<br />
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I'll just make a few more magic apple crisps. That ought to finish 'em off. <br />
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<br />Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-62754162202159626082011-09-06T11:39:00.000-07:002011-09-06T11:39:47.793-07:00ChangingThere are no babies around here.<br />
Watch. You'll see.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dweuApyTyX3oTpL0t6AIQXeOOm5zJ692hcLsbdFAGZ4NbOBNGDwVPoKhKeyi3HDEI1qHLC8wvLchgLCsBY6ow' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-75288490807290138862011-09-05T20:45:00.000-07:002011-09-05T20:45:14.767-07:00PickingRumor has it that members of the Bluegrass Ward go apple picking on Labor Day. We are new here. We want to fit in. So we went apple picking on Labor Day.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9zaXOczjs4A/TmWSMWzNo0I/AAAAAAAAAW0/CRfe592DA2Q/s1600/IMG_1086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9zaXOczjs4A/TmWSMWzNo0I/AAAAAAAAAW0/CRfe592DA2Q/s320/IMG_1086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
But apparently, many people don't go when it's pouring rain. Even if they offer buy one bushel get one bushel free.<br />
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We tried not to be scared of the rain and we went anyway.<br />
It was soaky wet.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IOPDN2wPYlY/TmWSDwEYF6I/AAAAAAAAAWU/l-PtGZO2oks/s1600/IMG_1058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IOPDN2wPYlY/TmWSDwEYF6I/AAAAAAAAAWU/l-PtGZO2oks/s320/IMG_1058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jgOlRm-ap0o/TmWSFq7G55I/AAAAAAAAAWc/VANay35nsuQ/s1600/IMG_1064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jgOlRm-ap0o/TmWSFq7G55I/AAAAAAAAAWc/VANay35nsuQ/s320/IMG_1064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vCKEBDpL8WA/TmWSHlEZiII/AAAAAAAAAWk/7eQSW-vM9-w/s1600/IMG_1073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vCKEBDpL8WA/TmWSHlEZiII/AAAAAAAAAWk/7eQSW-vM9-w/s320/IMG_1073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We collected two large bags. One bag of jonagold. One bag of gala. We ate a couple along the way. Don't tell.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-te0k7BFuUIs/TmWSGuKLgUI/AAAAAAAAAWg/osFFemQjYNo/s1600/IMG_1068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-te0k7BFuUIs/TmWSGuKLgUI/AAAAAAAAAWg/osFFemQjYNo/s320/IMG_1068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The gala apples were actually bursting because they were soaking up so much rain water. That is amazing to me. I tried to watch a carrot burst by soaking it in a cup of water once.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iOcRHCXDtgs/TmWSIqfg-vI/AAAAAAAAAWo/ejb3zbkq35w/s1600/IMG_1079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iOcRHCXDtgs/TmWSIqfg-vI/AAAAAAAAAWo/ejb3zbkq35w/s320/IMG_1079.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dvrvaPkMtVI/TmWSKA1zLoI/AAAAAAAAAWs/14wVIcljPLo/s1600/IMG_1080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dvrvaPkMtVI/TmWSKA1zLoI/AAAAAAAAAWs/14wVIcljPLo/s320/IMG_1080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Oq_Vjl63ao/TmWSLNdgNJI/AAAAAAAAAWw/i0RACZ7HRuY/s1600/IMG_1083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Oq_Vjl63ao/TmWSLNdgNJI/AAAAAAAAAWw/i0RACZ7HRuY/s320/IMG_1083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Josie soaked in some water too. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PG4cQ_Nz-FU/TmWWld15wZI/AAAAAAAAAW4/tPy2-V3cSRw/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PG4cQ_Nz-FU/TmWWld15wZI/AAAAAAAAAW4/tPy2-V3cSRw/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+0.jpg" /></a></div><br />
We have a lot of apples. I have plans to make apple sauce and dehydrated apples, both with heaps of cinnamon included. If you have any tasty recipes, send them our way.<br />
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</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-7051533637054432652011-09-05T19:59:00.000-07:002011-09-05T19:59:44.388-07:00BluegrassingSometimes we don't have any plans for the weekend.<br />
So, then we search the online world, looking for things to do.<br />
And this leads us to Bluegrass Pickin' on the Porch.<br />
All we knew about this concert was that it cost five dollars a carload to get in. And that you should bring a pile of blankets and have a picnic while you listen.<br />
We loaded up the subaru with a few pals and a delicious picnic of rotisserie chicken, rolls, cabbage slaw, overbaked macaroon cookies, and plenty of soda. The soda was a must. It was 98 degrees outside.<br />
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What we didn't know was that the concert would be held in someone's backyard with the crowd consisting of their friends and family.<br />
Now, the someone is a dead someone. His name is Jack Jouette. He's the Paul Revere of the South. His house is historical site now. So we didn't actually crash his family party. But kind of.<br />
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And we're so glad we did. They were a good little band. And we had a good little picnic. And we did a whole lotta sweating in the heat. And it was loads of fun.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cw8FGCsp-G4/TmWL2-odeQI/AAAAAAAAAWM/gVLTC_SaKIQ/s1600/IMG_1048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cw8FGCsp-G4/TmWL2-odeQI/AAAAAAAAAWM/gVLTC_SaKIQ/s320/IMG_1048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Look at that sweaty head.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zps-6RRQpao/TmWL37QI8KI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/uTnArpv3cMQ/s1600/IMG_1049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zps-6RRQpao/TmWL37QI8KI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/uTnArpv3cMQ/s320/IMG_1049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I think Grant needs to join a band one day. He's the best banjo player I know. Also, he's the only banjo player I know.Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-64559755088307474492011-08-30T05:36:00.000-07:002011-08-30T05:39:17.196-07:00CelebratingIt is a tradition for many medical and dental programs to induct the students into the school by presenting them with a white coat to wear during their clinical practice. The head honchos of the school shared some inspiring words with the students. Mostly they told them to be responsible and professional. All the time. Everywhere they go. Including the bars. We'll have a hard time with that.<br />
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They also said that these 57 students were chosen out of 1,500 applicants. Pretty impressive.<br />
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The students then march on stage and put on their coat. This proved to be quite entertaining. It became apparent that many students don't wear suit coats. They struggled putting them on.<br />
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Josie loved the event. She spotted Grant as he walked across the stage. Her sweet voice pierced the silent hall with the most endearing "Dad! Dad! Dad!" you've ever heard. This had the whole place giggling.<br />
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I struggled taking pictures. Sorry. I'm working on the photography. Apparently it is going slowly.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-733CN652hws/TlzSUZCjv9I/AAAAAAAAAVs/wj_sgsphnIM/s1600/DSC_0324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-733CN652hws/TlzSUZCjv9I/AAAAAAAAAVs/wj_sgsphnIM/s320/DSC_0324.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Grant getting dressed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W1BlBkkMuFc/TlzShGJpnwI/AAAAAAAAAVw/ziDqISogSCg/s1600/DSC_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W1BlBkkMuFc/TlzShGJpnwI/AAAAAAAAAVw/ziDqISogSCg/s320/DSC_0332.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Shaun shaking the Dean's hand.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wxf8sHdo7jw/TlzSkXxxt7I/AAAAAAAAAV0/Yq04jvr27TE/s1600/DSC_0336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wxf8sHdo7jw/TlzSkXxxt7I/AAAAAAAAAV0/Yq04jvr27TE/s320/DSC_0336.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Proud wife and baby.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DVaep_s7gTs/TlzSqnnYInI/AAAAAAAAAV4/SR2Ui9w8dzs/s1600/DSC_0344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DVaep_s7gTs/TlzSqnnYInI/AAAAAAAAAV4/SR2Ui9w8dzs/s320/DSC_0344.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zVY68NRxcPg/TlzSwfDzyVI/AAAAAAAAAV8/QoVtlqsWHw4/s1600/DSC_0348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zVY68NRxcPg/TlzSwfDzyVI/AAAAAAAAAV8/QoVtlqsWHw4/s320/DSC_0348.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhDoDn2h-0g/TlzS1ATbxhI/AAAAAAAAAWA/OAxw4v80YkA/s1600/DSC_0349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhDoDn2h-0g/TlzS1ATbxhI/AAAAAAAAAWA/OAxw4v80YkA/s320/DSC_0349.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v-R7olbsfE0/TlzS6xXnPTI/AAAAAAAAAWE/OjfzMrPGc0o/s1600/DSC_0354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v-R7olbsfE0/TlzS6xXnPTI/AAAAAAAAAWE/OjfzMrPGc0o/s320/DSC_0354.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yczLQtK4Yp0/TlzTFCZQ2yI/AAAAAAAAAWI/Uz0qroVyXv8/s1600/DSC_0356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yczLQtK4Yp0/TlzTFCZQ2yI/AAAAAAAAAWI/Uz0qroVyXv8/s320/DSC_0356.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The future dentists.Way to go boys. You are making me so proud. Really. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-82518835846437229062011-08-29T19:13:00.000-07:002011-08-29T19:13:27.794-07:00Agreeing<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">mhmm</span></div>That's Josie's new word. Ask her any question and she'll answer in the affirmative.<br />
Josie, do you want to drink some milk? mhmm<br />
Josie, do you want to play outside? mhmm<br />
Josie, do you want to go to Utah? mhmm<br />
Josie, do you promise to always be happy and never say no? mhmmm<br />
She is the best.Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-80991057576120229682011-08-18T09:42:00.000-07:002011-08-18T09:42:31.894-07:00Celebrating(Holy Cow. This is a long post. Be prepared with a snack or a drink to keep you going if you plan to read the whole thing.)<br />
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I was afraid for this birthday to come. Not because I'm getting too old. Grant's always going to be older than me. I was afraid because this was the first birthday I wouldn't be able to celebrate with Connie. I was afraid I would be sad. Birthdays and sad are enemies. So, I was afraid.<br />
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But this birthday was really something neat. And it wasn't sad one bit.<br />
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Sure, we missed our families and friends, but we partied the best we knew how. And it was fun. And the best parties always last three days. So ours did too.<br />
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Sharon and Steve gave Grant tickets to the Cincinnati Reds game. Grant is a baseball lover, so this was the perfect gift. He kept saying that's all he wanted for his birthday, so I didn't need to get him anything. Nice work Hewards! You made my job much easier.<br />
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Jeff, Jen, and Shaun joined us on our trip to Cincinnati. We visited the outlet mall, where I tried to steal some pj's from the Gap. They were hiding in the stroller.<br />
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We didn't have time to make it to the flea market. I think I owe Jeff a switchblade because of that.<br />
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We stopped at Jungle Jims, not the kiddie play land, but the super humongo grocery store. This place was crazy. It is like the grocery version of Ikea. They had every food item ever made in the world. Honestly. Everything. The store was so huge, they gave out maps at the beginning to help you navigate through. We spent a while perusing the treasures and we picked out some fun stuff for lunch. We eventually had to drag Shaun out of there. Not really. But he sure did love that place. He'll gladly take any visitors there.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DQOQxpkn43E/Tk07f14RuiI/AAAAAAAAATI/IFtKAsM9JBc/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+76.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DQOQxpkn43E/Tk07f14RuiI/AAAAAAAAATI/IFtKAsM9JBc/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+76.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ovfBnSvwUg0/Tk07fmV8ghI/AAAAAAAAATE/utaYE44V354/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ovfBnSvwUg0/Tk07fmV8ghI/AAAAAAAAATE/utaYE44V354/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+75.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Josie and the parrot shaped cheese. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aYFVihDoWYM/Tk07fUM00YI/AAAAAAAAATA/2FjJ5bKXITA/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aYFVihDoWYM/Tk07fUM00YI/AAAAAAAAATA/2FjJ5bKXITA/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+73.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Then the moment we were all waiting for.... the game.<br />
We were a few innings late (my favorite way to go to a baseball game). But we saw an awesome three- run homer just as we got there. Josie was hooting and hollering like crazy. She is a natural baseball fan.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-625O4YcPLNQ/Tk083tc6h2I/AAAAAAAAATQ/kBKWv-0RvyM/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-625O4YcPLNQ/Tk083tc6h2I/AAAAAAAAATQ/kBKWv-0RvyM/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+63.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MhleRsbgBFQ/Tk084ByzfVI/AAAAAAAAATU/Dqa8bUNXhzE/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MhleRsbgBFQ/Tk084ByzfVI/AAAAAAAAATU/Dqa8bUNXhzE/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+66.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VpNPE69GLUY/Tk0845gXB7I/AAAAAAAAATY/TaySiyNjwYg/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+67.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VpNPE69GLUY/Tk0845gXB7I/AAAAAAAAATY/TaySiyNjwYg/s320/My+HipstaPrint+67.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FZc-Kyvg0g4/Tk085D6NErI/AAAAAAAAATc/kID47oj-9sc/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FZc-Kyvg0g4/Tk085D6NErI/AAAAAAAAATc/kID47oj-9sc/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+68.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NCHpvuB5plQ/Tk085U0p3QI/AAAAAAAAATg/kaDfPTRiJLI/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NCHpvuB5plQ/Tk085U0p3QI/AAAAAAAAATg/kaDfPTRiJLI/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+69.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zBkLgUUUGHE/Tk085tCxDzI/AAAAAAAAATk/uTYFh8ihpgA/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+70.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zBkLgUUUGHE/Tk085tCxDzI/AAAAAAAAATk/uTYFh8ihpgA/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+70.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K0asBjAH9kY/Tk085ylLwwI/AAAAAAAAATo/A19louUyECI/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K0asBjAH9kY/Tk085ylLwwI/AAAAAAAAATo/A19louUyECI/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+71.jpg" /></a></div><br />
That was the last run for the Reds. A bit depressing. But a quick thunderstorm kept things exciting. It cleared up and the game finished. Reds - 3. Padres - 7. Darn it. Awesome memories anyway. Thanks Steve and Sharon! We all loved it!<br />
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The next day, Monday, was Grant's birthday. He was as at school most of the day, but just as he got home, we got showered with gifts! The mailman delivered three packages! Whoa. I have never gotten three packages at once! That was rad.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PSCSeTnxSwg/Tk092FE-ouI/AAAAAAAAAUA/mhoGj-odtAk/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PSCSeTnxSwg/Tk092FE-ouI/AAAAAAAAAUA/mhoGj-odtAk/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+62.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My mom sent us a party in a box, complete with confetti, balloons, and a rice krispie cake. Thanks mama! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvJkBt2WfBg/Tk091MhAGpI/AAAAAAAAAT4/fTC6l8bHVkA/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvJkBt2WfBg/Tk091MhAGpI/AAAAAAAAAT4/fTC6l8bHVkA/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+59.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HbezLQKgbNM/Tk0903NKZ-I/AAAAAAAAAT0/aoG4yknNAnU/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HbezLQKgbNM/Tk0903NKZ-I/AAAAAAAAAT0/aoG4yknNAnU/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+56.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That night, we a had some friends over for a little barbecue. Super good food. Even better company.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RVsgf732lJQ/Tk0-zGVFOhI/AAAAAAAAAUI/Q--vXxmZFBI/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RVsgf732lJQ/Tk0-zGVFOhI/AAAAAAAAAUI/Q--vXxmZFBI/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+29.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0NOAwRUvoIw/Tk0-zqr-6OI/AAAAAAAAAUM/tPoUMmQBosw/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0NOAwRUvoIw/Tk0-zqr-6OI/AAAAAAAAAUM/tPoUMmQBosw/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+39.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1a8_rueDeTI/Tk0-z4Mk91I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/XoPP3u-meh8/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1a8_rueDeTI/Tk0-z4Mk91I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/XoPP3u-meh8/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+42.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Olg9AECPgi8/Tk0-z5F2NlI/AAAAAAAAAUU/GV5MHVFprmY/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Olg9AECPgi8/Tk0-z5F2NlI/AAAAAAAAAUU/GV5MHVFprmY/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+43.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsDvXjvI8vM/Tk0-0TLNU7I/AAAAAAAAAUY/da3mhJi0l10/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsDvXjvI8vM/Tk0-0TLNU7I/AAAAAAAAAUY/da3mhJi0l10/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+44.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For my birthday, on Tuesday, Shaun watched Josie while Grant and I went out for dinner. I like that Grant of mine. We had a good time and ate too much. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div> I wore a fancy new dress. And by fancy, I mean $3.50 from the Salvation Army.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4wBGyBml4Pc/Tk0_4RiCF-I/AAAAAAAAAUg/a4bAwVJLBMo/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4wBGyBml4Pc/Tk0_4RiCF-I/AAAAAAAAAUg/a4bAwVJLBMo/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+5.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And my new sandals from my mama</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZciZdQQhuoE/Tk0_4JICt7I/AAAAAAAAAUc/AVcVY6NsOI8/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZciZdQQhuoE/Tk0_4JICt7I/AAAAAAAAAUc/AVcVY6NsOI8/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+2.jpg" /></a></div> AND a fancy new ring! Grant got me a pretty gold band for my birthday!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lu_LmYox0aQ/Tk0_4yt-9qI/AAAAAAAAAUk/U1Aa3t9BLis/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lu_LmYox0aQ/Tk0_4yt-9qI/AAAAAAAAAUk/U1Aa3t9BLis/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+13.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We finished up the night with a skype session with my family. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had great birthdays. Even though we weren't with our families, we still felt their love. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are lucky people. </div><br />
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Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-55755726069908684892011-08-18T09:05:00.000-07:002011-08-18T09:05:13.043-07:00Biking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: right;">We love to take Josie on bike rides. We especially love when we find a good trail to take Josie on bike rides. Then we don't have to worry about some crazy driver making a mistake and hurting our baby.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">Lexington just happens to have one of those trails.</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OipBp_rsImA/Tk02BfeidII/AAAAAAAAASs/6LhCB0y9fwc/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+88.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OipBp_rsImA/Tk02BfeidII/AAAAAAAAASs/6LhCB0y9fwc/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+88.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sCA10BXbKpI/Tk02AdgqlRI/AAAAAAAAASg/DTcF7WZwA7s/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sCA10BXbKpI/Tk02AdgqlRI/AAAAAAAAASg/DTcF7WZwA7s/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+82.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">Josie hates that helmet. She screams and wails when you try to put it on. It is a two parent kind of job. There was no way she was going to let us tighten it. It's better than nothing, right? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BMsS3vrr0Ls/Tk02AiXBc0I/AAAAAAAAASk/Gy_USLjUF-8/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BMsS3vrr0Ls/Tk02AiXBc0I/AAAAAAAAASk/Gy_USLjUF-8/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+85.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gPo_BiB_MUU/Tk02BLl_JdI/AAAAAAAAASo/L1S6X4egQl4/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gPo_BiB_MUU/Tk02BLl_JdI/AAAAAAAAASo/L1S6X4egQl4/s320/My+HipstaPrint+86.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">The trail leads to the Kentucky Horse Park. There was some sort of competition going on. We stopped to watch for a bit. Josie growled and barked at all the horses. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aLRmhOOwkqQ/Tk03y7s7dHI/AAAAAAAAASw/Cj9Cib5dh9M/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aLRmhOOwkqQ/Tk03y7s7dHI/AAAAAAAAASw/Cj9Cib5dh9M/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+78.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f7O9_rPsTcY/Tk03zKcLQfI/AAAAAAAAAS0/3ad2G6o1qNs/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+79.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f7O9_rPsTcY/Tk03zKcLQfI/AAAAAAAAAS0/3ad2G6o1qNs/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+79.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fe0Fw_m_2uc/Tk03z6QYEfI/AAAAAAAAAS4/baHMHx8BRgo/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fe0Fw_m_2uc/Tk03z6QYEfI/AAAAAAAAAS4/baHMHx8BRgo/s320/My+HipstaPrint+80.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">Grant has been saying all along that Josie is going to become a horse girl while we're in Kentucky. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">He might just be right about that. </div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-22482937742400542342011-08-12T21:40:00.000-07:002011-08-12T21:40:40.884-07:00LivingWe really live in Kentucky.<br />
I just realized it.<br />
<br />
Here's how I know.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">I am a Kentucky driver. I worked hard for this. </div><div style="text-align: left;">My first visit to the clerk's office was stressful. Something about government offices makes me extremely nervous. I tried to be really prepared. I called the right people and read the right websites and gathered the right papers and had the right address. Everything should have gone smoothly. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But then I couldn't even find the proper parking garage. Then I couldn't find the inspection guy. Then my new insurance papers weren't right. Then I only had $60 and it cost $73. And it has to be cash. Then Josie was saying, "Hi!" to everyone. She is so friendly. Then Grant and Shaun finally showed up. Just as I was walking out. I handed off Josie to Grant and ran upstairs to get my driver's license. Then I didn't have a birth certificate or a passport. I thought my SS card was enough. Nope.<br />
So, finally after running up and down the stairs 10 times and sweating up a storm, I was able to walk out of the office with a real, legitimate Kentucky license plate, but no driver's license.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ei67AcmzfhU/TkX_Z0IPydI/AAAAAAAAASc/dH25rA2Rb1E/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ei67AcmzfhU/TkX_Z0IPydI/AAAAAAAAASc/dH25rA2Rb1E/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+0.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then it was the wrong plate. Apparently I inadvertently chose the religious one. Which is really fine. Except no one else has that one. I guess I'm keeping a little Utah.</div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Then the next day I made a quick, sweat-free visit to a little driver's license place for my own driver's license. Now I can't drive like a crazy, lost person. I look like a local now. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J1ywKTrP7Bw/TkX0_jZ1ZYI/AAAAAAAAAR0/iPzv4Plcr0o/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J1ywKTrP7Bw/TkX0_jZ1ZYI/AAAAAAAAAR0/iPzv4Plcr0o/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I met three neighbors. If I moved to China, Japan, or India, I would be scared to talk to people too. </div><br />
I made holes in our walls. Mostly they are with little pins. Grant hates that I use little pins because they bend. But I use them because they make smaller holes. I feel less guilty about it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1oEcjIKADc/TkX57vUYBnI/AAAAAAAAAR4/b9xPGY2si4s/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1oEcjIKADc/TkX57vUYBnI/AAAAAAAAAR4/b9xPGY2si4s/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+26.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yhuLt1JJxVE/TkX5_DKWiLI/AAAAAAAAAR8/KwUgdkIGEsc/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yhuLt1JJxVE/TkX5_DKWiLI/AAAAAAAAAR8/KwUgdkIGEsc/s320/My+HipstaPrint+39.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gyQuWk9W7U0/TkX6CPylHEI/AAAAAAAAASA/ooI2c7qb7bw/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gyQuWk9W7U0/TkX6CPylHEI/AAAAAAAAASA/ooI2c7qb7bw/s320/My+HipstaPrint+48.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
If anyone has brilliant ideas for renters about covering big, blank walls, let me know. Also, it should be cheap. We are getting poor pretty quickly.<br />
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We have friends here. Most of them have been transplanted here from Utah, too. Thanks church for helping us make friends.<br />
<br />
But some of them come from Kentucky and other states too. They are school friends.<br />
They had a fun little party at Will's lake house today. It was the first gathering with Grant's class that wasn't at a bar. There was no shortage of alcohol, however. At one point Josie was whining for a sip of "juice."<br />
<br />
<br />
We really had a nice time floating in the lake, which is actually a river. But a wide river.<br />
And we got to explore a little more of this beautiful state. We crossed the Kentucky river, which has a curved bridge, which I learned is pretty rare. Want to know more about it? Ask Shaun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pujHxZWTRhg/TkX7vOwpBeI/AAAAAAAAASE/Yh7hXwZixBU/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pujHxZWTRhg/TkX7vOwpBeI/AAAAAAAAASE/Yh7hXwZixBU/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+0.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A_XmEMu1Pn0/TkX7vUG4xgI/AAAAAAAAASI/2_KqN1Sg38M/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A_XmEMu1Pn0/TkX7vUG4xgI/AAAAAAAAASI/2_KqN1Sg38M/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-finKGlQvFw4/TkX7vw_eW6I/AAAAAAAAASM/TC9lqNSKthI/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-finKGlQvFw4/TkX7vw_eW6I/AAAAAAAAASM/TC9lqNSKthI/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+4.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OpZ-V3NJWHk/TkX7wPrz0WI/AAAAAAAAASQ/zkMsj_LvqDc/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OpZ-V3NJWHk/TkX7wPrz0WI/AAAAAAAAASQ/zkMsj_LvqDc/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+7.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yDbmBU1dOew/TkX7wtfJPfI/AAAAAAAAASU/HhxfXv5SDpE/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yDbmBU1dOew/TkX7wtfJPfI/AAAAAAAAASU/HhxfXv5SDpE/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+8.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I always feel a little awkward taking other people's pictures. Maybe one day, I'll get more courage and then you can see some of our friends. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also, Grant and I have been asked to speak in church. We really live here. It's official. And I like it. </div><br />
Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-72239152269862359692011-08-06T09:44:00.000-07:002011-08-06T09:49:33.084-07:00CleaningWhen your kitchen is smaller than your bathroom, you have to stay on top of the dirty dishes. I try to do them after each meal. To keep me sane.<br />
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Josie usually gets a little freedom during this time. I knew there was a little naughty in her.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wiw_2ZmLMW4/Tj1uTESwmqI/AAAAAAAAAQo/e02OM8yHFBE/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wiw_2ZmLMW4/Tj1uTESwmqI/AAAAAAAAAQo/e02OM8yHFBE/s320/My+HipstaPrint+12.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jHVceNEvhmA/Tj1uQg53VpI/AAAAAAAAAQU/9D5sqxq8wcY/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jHVceNEvhmA/Tj1uQg53VpI/AAAAAAAAAQU/9D5sqxq8wcY/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+7.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She emptied an entire sippy cup of milk on to the table and rug in the living room. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pWhz9T4pCXU/Tj1uMG1N_CI/AAAAAAAAAP8/w0ZiXQ2NHTE/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pWhz9T4pCXU/Tj1uMG1N_CI/AAAAAAAAAP8/w0ZiXQ2NHTE/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RqkPZF5aQiA/Tj1uREYHtsI/AAAAAAAAAQc/jM2sWV5cfVI/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RqkPZF5aQiA/Tj1uREYHtsI/AAAAAAAAAQc/jM2sWV5cfVI/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+9.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NgYUxhBPVuI/Tj1uR147mtI/AAAAAAAAAQk/idfQJ7Sdics/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NgYUxhBPVuI/Tj1uR147mtI/AAAAAAAAAQk/idfQJ7Sdics/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+11.jpg" /></a></div><br />
And then we played in it. The dishes can wait.Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-50031086617274602232011-08-06T09:36:00.000-07:002011-08-06T09:36:53.812-07:00LaunderingMostly I hate doing laundry in the laundry facility.<br />
<br />
There are two good things about it:<br />
1. You can wash and dry four loads of laundry in less than 2 hours.<br />
2. You can play with this cute girl while you do it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QjsezJkiSBM/Tj1s12BoofI/AAAAAAAAAPg/cWDrhsziX0s/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QjsezJkiSBM/Tj1s12BoofI/AAAAAAAAAPg/cWDrhsziX0s/s320/My+HipstaPrint+20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ms-C_sLLARA/Tj1s2kcAMvI/AAAAAAAAAPk/Ri4oOLq2ng8/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ms-C_sLLARA/Tj1s2kcAMvI/AAAAAAAAAPk/Ri4oOLq2ng8/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+21.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--XP_LKh52kw/Tj1s3PQAd8I/AAAAAAAAAPo/OW1o0FkC4eo/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--XP_LKh52kw/Tj1s3PQAd8I/AAAAAAAAAPo/OW1o0FkC4eo/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+22.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LLQzI0yfI1g/Tj1tZYDkXCI/AAAAAAAAAP0/RSwLoE64GCs/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LLQzI0yfI1g/Tj1tZYDkXCI/AAAAAAAAAP0/RSwLoE64GCs/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+19.jpg" /></a></div>And she might even help you fold. Or she might just lay there.Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-70955408439603039852011-08-06T09:29:00.000-07:002011-08-06T09:29:30.753-07:00Beginning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, it started. Dental school has officially begun. Here he is.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mKTs2tUFk5M/Tj1lh_AFJYI/AAAAAAAAAPU/HnqhKUb1F90/s1600/DSC_0246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mKTs2tUFk5M/Tj1lh_AFJYI/AAAAAAAAAPU/HnqhKUb1F90/s320/DSC_0246.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Scrubs, name tag, and pager. (What? A pager? Who uses pagers anymore? I'd like to hear about one other person in this world who uses a pager!) All these things make a dental student. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, I guess the scrubs are optional. But we'll save talking about scrubs for another day. I'm working on a poem about them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ifzWUWAaWY/Tj1lqJ6VO-I/AAAAAAAAAPY/0RRdssBBFDk/s1600/DSC_0251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ifzWUWAaWY/Tj1lqJ6VO-I/AAAAAAAAAPY/0RRdssBBFDk/s320/DSC_0251.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H4HXTceY-v0/Tj1lwy3QUPI/AAAAAAAAAPc/EF4O-eIgnBI/s1600/DSC_0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H4HXTceY-v0/Tj1lwy3QUPI/AAAAAAAAAPc/EF4O-eIgnBI/s320/DSC_0252.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H4HXTceY-v0/Tj1lwy3QUPI/AAAAAAAAAPc/EF4O-eIgnBI/s1600/DSC_0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>I thought for sure I would be kind of sad to send Grant off to school. I like to spend time with him. I didn't want all our play dates to end. But I'm actually not sad at all. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Grant has worked SUPER hard to be where he is today. From undergraduate courses, dental observations, lab work, DAT studying, and applying, he has been working toward this goal for almost seven years! He deserves every bit of this. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We would not be here if it weren't for our really awesome families. You are the best cheerleaders. Really. I can feel love and support like crazy! I can't really even describe it. But there is love in Kentucky. And I think most of it is coming all the way from Utah. Love is powerful stuff. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sure, I am going to miss our play dates. And so will Josie. But it only takes 20 minutes to walk to the dental school. We can visit for lunch. I love a good picnic. And so far, I love dental school. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mmmmm. Love. </div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3263118448455436462.post-82870064361127115232011-07-29T14:24:00.000-07:002011-07-29T14:24:19.289-07:00TeasingWe've got ourselves a little teaser.<br />
Josie and I were participating in our usual nighttime ritual of reading books and singing songs. After singing <i>Bushel and a Peck </i>and my lame default song, <i>I Love You, You Love Me, </i>I laid her in bed.<br />
I snuggled up close and said, "Night, night Josie."<br />
She lay there with her eyes closed, very still.<br />
I leaned in for a kisser when she surprised me with a scary growl.<br />
Then she laughed at me.<br />
Who is this kid?<br />
<br />
Maybe she is getting fed up the the Barney songs. Me too Josie. I promise to never sing it again.Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18245290904347238670noreply@blogger.com6